beauty

sugar tips

by Lara on July 13, 2011

in beauty

I attempted one of those glitter tip manis.

in order of application

I’m loving this mani and it was super easy too, just a lil time consuming. Turn on a movie and take your time.

  • I have really weak nails and 1 coat of this base makes them super strong.
  • 1 coat cream polish
  • With barely any on the brush when applying the metallic polish, just kinda tap and streak up your nail in peaks and valleys. I went a bit higher than I wanted. Oh well.
  • The glitter went a bit higher and I added another thick coat of glitter just on the tippy tips.
  • Then a top coat (or not). You can apply Seche Vite when your nails are still kinda wet and they dry in about 10 minutes!

Any color variation would work with this – a cream base, a light metallic and a glitter.

Oh! Broke and Beautiful is doing a July nail challenge! Paint those nails ladies and submit your link! You could win a package of nail goodies!

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July Birchbox

by Lara on July 11, 2011

in beauty

My July Birchbox arrived today!

It was put together by Cynthia Rowley – a few of her favorite things.

I actually took pics this time so let’s check it all out:

First off, the box had an agate effect sleeve. Fancy fancy.

You open it up and find a little card with a note from the Birchbox team, and on the back, there’s a list of all the products and full-sized prices.

Shine spray AND a dry oil? redundant much? I just bought that amika argan oil stuff for my hair so this is a bit of a grease overload this time around.

I am kinda excited about that Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse dry oil. Oil on your face isn’t a bad thing. Trust. I had to check out the ingredients online – all natural: Borage, St Johnswort, Sweet Almond, Camellia, Hazelnut, Macadamia Plant Oils – it smells wonderful and that generous sample will last forever.

Also, I’m just gonna say, I don’t want a granola bar in my Birchbox. I’d rather have some teeny sample of some face cream than a damn snack (although it was pretty delicious). That’s just me.

and what was wrapped up in the box?

I love Philosophy’s Hope in a Jar. It’s super light for summer and I’ve used this face wash before. It’s pretty harmless. The mini Zoya polish is called Pandora. They describe it as a “metallic nude”. I think it’s a pearlescent greyish pink, if that makes any sense. I’ll use it in my next mani and show you!

So that’s that!

I will probably only use the shine spray on a day I plan on washing it anyhow. There are some sketchy ingredients listed on the can that don’t float my boat. The Redken site doesn’t disclose them and neither does Birchbox. Hmmm.

Anything you want to hear more about?

What would you like to try out of all this?

P.S. here’s the other Birchbox post I did – no reveal pics though

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starry night

by Lara on July 7, 2011

in beauty

It’s been a long time since I’ve done a black mani.

The river destroyed my nails so they got chopped even shorter. This is a base coat, some cheapo polishes and Seche Vite top coat.

crap pic, sloppy job, but you get the idea

I liked this for the first 2 days and got over it fast. It keeps making me think of Michael Jackson. 4 days later and I’m too lazy to take it off.

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birchbox

by Lara on June 12, 2011

in beauty

You know I love a sample! I can milk a tiny one from Sephora like no one’s business. So, when I heard about Birchbox I got really excited. Boxes of just samples sent to me every month for $10 (no extra shipping costs) plus a great bonus system towards full-size purchases – heck yeah!

My mom and I split the cost (she’s a sample freak like myself) and so far we’ve received 2 boxes.

Both boxes have contained about 4 generous samples (like Sephora’s deluxe samples) and a few extra small packet samples.

You answer a few questions when you sign up to personalize your boxes a bit as well.

I’ve been so excited to tear into everything that I haven’t taken any pictures of my own. 

June’s box had a summertime theme with self-tanner towelettes (yeah, I’m gonna try them on my legs), full-sized bronzer, a refreshing organic spritz toner I’m loving, perfume, hair treatment and a small organic facial oil treatment that was divine. This blogger got the exact same things I got this month so check out her post!

I am in love with the argan oil enriched hair treatment by Amika.  A bottle 10 times larger costs $34 but 2 tiny drops worked into damp hair completely transformed my dry ends without being greasy and I have really fine hair. (Sephora sells this as well and their website has reviews, which I love.)

A nice surprise was the full-size ($29.50) Laura Geller Baked blush-n-brighten in Honey Dipped. A little goes a long way and it’s just a wee bit glittery. My mom claimed this since she loves blush almost more than mascara.

I’ll try to do a full review of my July Birchbox with pics!

Have you/would you Birchbox?

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mannequin hands

by Lara on June 7, 2011

in beauty

This is my 2nd beige manicure in the past 2 weeks. I was starting to get annoyed with bright colors flashing around all the time. I didn’t get a pic of the first one but it was a pearl finish. This is Essie’s T-Bills Putty that I found on clearance a few years ago and never used! Love it!

3 thin coats and Seche Vite top coat.

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nails

by Lara on June 3, 2011

in beauty

These pics will have me caught up from the past few weeks.

So I tried my first water marbled nail. I’ve seen this technique done to beautiful effect but it took 10 tries in the paper cup before I could dip my nail. I need more practice.

 

So this is 3 different golds I have, layered and layered. It was also the manicure that would NOT dry. It got wrecked. The bf said, “Do you remember that wrestler Goldust?” Ahaha!

I also revisited the grey I did a while back – this was supposed to patch that split nail but didn’t work – a prequel to the tips I did.

NYX Girls in Gemma

So I went ahead and did tips on the 3 middle fingers of both hands. My thumbs and pinkies always stay long. This is Rimmel 10 Day in Pink Punk with Seche Vite top coat.

This lasted over a week. Between the tips, base coat and top coat, my manis have been holding strong so, I will probably just do a manicure of the week post and that’s it.

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nail repair

by Lara on May 18, 2011

in beauty

So, I got a huge horizontal split into the quick of my right index finger and it was too deep to cut. I tried a manicure with a sticker that was supposed to strengthen it but it cracked again. Then the nail next to it shattered super short. I really hate having all my nails the same length and then one stubby one right in the middle.

Last Sunday, I finally got a quick gel tip kit at ULTA to repair them. I’m totally using this from now on to patch splits and keep my nails the same length when one bites the dust. At my rate, they’ll all have tips on them soon enough.

 

Nutra Nail Power Gel Instant Nails – no mix acrylic kit (read the instructions completely before you start!)
This set at CVS is pretty much the same thing.

I used to do acrylic nails salon-style (with the powder) when I was a kid  (once at a salon that absolutely ruined my nails). This is so much easier and better for your nails. You don’t have a thick coating on the majority of your natural nail and they can just grow out nicely with a bit of buffing and without having to refill them.

You pick a tip (file the sides a bit if too wide), put the gel on the tip of your own nail (glorified crazy glue), put the fake tip on carefully and press out any air bubbles. It should adhere almost instantly. File the nail down to your desired length and buff down a bit to be closer to the level of your natural nail. Add a few drops of gel at the ridge, let dry and buff again. Coat entire nail in gel then a coat of activator while the gel is still wet. All done!

They don’t feel thick or heavy.

 

Who remembers Lee Press-on Nails?!!!

 

I haven’t been using a nail primer and with manicures lasting 24 hours if I’m lucky, and my nails busting left and right, I got this and I’m pleased with it.

Oh! I’ve been having a rough time with top coats. The 2 Sally Hansen ones I have are bubbling, cracking and lifting off some of my polish when brushed on. They haven’t made a manicure last any longer either. I finally splurged and bought Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat. HOLY COW I will never use another clear coat! It’s like buttah!

 

My friend Jen has always been a stickler for doing a manicure right – base coat, polish and top coat. Her nails always looked professionally done. I finally get it.

 

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NYX haul

by Lara on May 16, 2011

in beauty

Just like the e.l.f. purchase I shared, Cherry Culture recently had their periodic 50% off sale on NYX products. I’m already sold on this line from some products I got at Ulta so, I took advantage of the sale and grabbed a few things I was curious about.

Full prices are shown.

First, the things I’ve previously purchased before these crazy sales:

Eyebrow marker – LOVE this so much I’ve given up on my beloved Rimmel pencil. This has a super fine point that’s perfect for filling in sparse areas with hairlike strokes. Doesn’t smudge like a pencil, lasts all day but not waterproof. $10

Eyeshadow base – I’ve already said how much I like this stuff. I use the white but there’s also white pearl and peach. $7

Mega Shine Lipgloss – I’m a total lipgloss junkie and I’ve been pleased with these. Not too sticky with good color payoff but I could take em or leave em honestly. There’s always a new one to try and I am loyal to NO gloss! I have Beige (a natural pale pink when put on lightly) and Copper Penny (a universally flattering shade) Check out those swatches here. $5.50

Slim Lip Pencil in Sand Pink – This is a pretty bright pink, a nice base to gloss that lasts. $3.50

 

Now for the new products:

I got a few polishes and just now realized how similar the colors are. I’m a moron. Here are swatches from other people-

NYX Nail Polish in Juliette $5  via

NYX Nail Polish in Thunder $5  via

NYX Girls Nail Polish in Gemma $3 (my own manicure shot coming soon)

NYX Girls Nail Polish in Perfect Grey $3 via

NYX Girls Nail Polish in Algae $3 via

I’m in love with their polishes!

Candy Glitter Liner in Disco Queen & Aqua $4.50

Liquid Crystal Liner in Crystal Onxy – This is a black glitter liquid eyeliner with a black base. Swatches here. $4.50

Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk – This white pencil is frequently used instead of the primer. I wanted to see for myself. It works great! Swatches here. $4.50

 

Slim Lip Pencil in Coral – I love lip liner and needed this shade for all the orange lips I’ve been doing. $3.50

I got all of these lipsticks and I hate them all. Seriously the quality is absolute crap. B52 was the only one that felt and looked nice. I would much rather get cheap lipstick from e.l.f.

Round Lipstick in Margarita via

Tea Rose via

Louisiana via

Fig via

B52 via

If you can’t catch a 50% off sale at Cherry Culture, NYX products can be purchased cheapest at Beauty Joint, in store and online at Ulta, Makeup Geek Store, and the NYX site. Tons of deals can be found on eBay as well.

 

 

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nails

by Lara on May 11, 2011

in beauty

I guess these nail posts will be a regular-ish thing until I get sick of it.

I’ve been in the mood for orange and peach shades the past few weeks. All of these manicures look like crap! I’ve been rushing and/or the polish was bad.

An oooold Rimmel polish in Apricot Pop. This was my last manicure with it. It was thick, clumpy and actually shrunk on my nails!

NYC quick dry in Spring Street- with Hard Candy’s top coat Matte-ly in Love. The matte effect is so trendy right now. You need to apply it carefully so you don’t have shiny bits peeking around the edges.

I did another glittery orange but got the kitten and never took a pic.

 

e.l.f. Passion Pink. 2 coats and topcoat. Sloppy job. This stuff was dayglo in the sun. I’m impressed with how long this cheap polish has lasted.

 

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e.l.f. haul

by Lara on May 9, 2011

in beauty

I had never used e.l.f. cosmetics before. There were super cute sets for $5 at Target around Christmas but I had no faith that it would be of any quality. After following so many beauty and nail blogs lately, I’ve seen people sing their praises. They just had a 50% off sale a couple weeks ago so, I went ahead and placed an order.

Full prices are shown.

conditioning lip balm in Strawberry Creme $1

The scent/flavor was almost unnoticeable but I put it on before bed and woke up with lips still soft and velvety. I want to keep one of these everywhere!

nail polish remover pads $1

Little screw-top jar of 18 pads. Great to keep in your purse for a nail emergency. One pad took care of a 3 coat glitter nail. Reviews said 1 pad could do an entire mani. No way. Pleasant smell is nothing like acetone. A little oily.

Shine eraser sheets $1

50 oil-blotting sheets. I’m obsessed with these things and can never have too many. They work but are a bit delicate. I probably won’t get them again.

Vanilla Coconut body butter $4

Love the scent – very beachy. Absorbs quickly.

waterproof eyeliner pen $1

I got this in plum and teal. The plum should just be called black. I’ll be using that to touch up my liquid liner. The teal is more a navy blue. Great for those who hate brush tips. No idea how quickly it will dry out though.

cool bronzer $3

I heard great reviews about this non-shimmery bronzer (the Cool one). I have never been a fan of bronzers since I hate shimmer on my skin but this is really nice, blends well and is great for contouring cheekbones and giving a healthy glow on my super pale skin. The bf randomly looked at me yesterday and said “Your skin looks exceptionally brighter today.” NO LIE. If that isn’t an endorsement, I don’t know what is.

lipstick in Fantasy $1

This is a really pale brown shade w/ a touch of pink. Holy cow does it stay put! Doesn’t feel drying either. Wonderful pigment. I want every color of these.

Hypershine gloss box set in Summer Ready $5

I got this to toss in my mom’s bag for Mother’s Day. The color selection and velvety texture is lovely but I can’t stand the scent/flavor. It’s very perfumey, like when you spray perfume and get some in your mouth. Mom loves them. No thanks for me. You can purchase them individually for $1.

lip lock pencil $3

When I bought this, I didn’t read the description completely and thought this was a lip primer. Nope. You put it around the outside of your lips to keep color from bleeding. I don’t have that problem and haven’t used it yet. If you do have trouble with bleeding color, check this out because the reviews are great!

nail polish in Passion Pink $1

All the trendy shades were sold out so I grabbed this just to see what the quality is like. 2 coats did the job. Much better than other cheapo polishes.

Messy mani – the color is neon in the sun!

All in all, I’m really pleased with the products and the prices.  They have different lines (studio, mineral, etc). There are reviews of each item and people have even uploaded swatches since the colors are not true to the online pics. That’s my one major complaint but, through the power of the internet you can now check real swatches online before any color purchases!

Soon, I’ll have a NYX haul to share, since they also just had a 50% off sale!

Have you tried any e.l.f. products? Have a fave?

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