Review- Cover Girl Aqua Smoothers

My skin is very acne prone, so I need a foundation and powder that won't clog my pores.  Aqua Smoothers and Smoothers Pressed Powder works perfectly for me.  It blends in well, it is long lasting, and doesn't give me more acne than what I am trying to cover up.  I have medium light skin, and my liquid foundation is 710, and my pressed powder is 705!  Here are swatches of the liquid foundation-

 

This is what the pressed powder looked like- I'd swatch it, but you wouldn't be able to see.  (That is my parrot in the mirror (: )

 

 

 

 Overall- *****
I would totally buy this again, and definetely plan on it.
-C

Erica's Nails and More 10-Day Challenge Day 5

So today I have my day 5 of Erica's Nails and More 10-Day Challenge.  Today's theme was half moons.  I used Pure Ice in Jaguar for the base and it bubbled. . .a lot.  This made the red (OPI An Affair in Red Square) look pretty bad.  I love how Christmas-y these look! :)

Erica's Nails and More Day 4

Uploading at the last minute again?  Ahg!  Well here is my day 4, I liked my rainbows from the first day, so I redid those with black on the sides to make it look a little neater.  Then I did leopard print, so my ''Delicate Print'' was stripes and leopard print! lol

Erica's Nails and More 10-Day Challenge Day 3

Today is inspired by a tutorial!  This look is very summery, but that's ok!  I'm gonna be frank- my feet are extremely ugly because I am a dancer and I do dance on pointe.  But, I wanted to do my toes. :P
Here is the tutorial I used-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMi4mBuE5mw&feature=relmfu

Here is what I did!  (I seriously just did this- I didn't mean for it to be so last minute, but I had teasting today and yesterday, plus over 4 hours of dance yesterday- so that is why I didn't clean up!)

Erica's Nails and More Novermber 10-Day Challenge: Day 2

I had all intentions of getting this up yesterday, but I had dance rehersal in the middle of the day, so that really split it up and made it hard to get much of anything done, as it is a 45 minute drive there and back.  I am, however, pleased to say that I came out of it with only 7 bruises.  :)
Now on to the nail art!
Today's "theme" was polka dots!  Here is what I did-

 

 

I used almost all of the same colors as last time!  The black is black creme by wet 'n' wild, I do not know what the orange is, but everything else is the same!

Day 3 is inspired by a tutorial and I haven't even thought about it yet! lol

 

-C

OPI Holiday Part II

This is Part II of the OPI Holiday information!!

First are 4 nail stickers!

   OPI adds four new, limited-edition designs to the Pure Lacquer Nail App collection, which offers instant, easy-to-apply nail designs. The precut nail strips are made of 100% real nail lacquer and provide a high-shine finish, long-lasting wear, and zero drying time. The new designs inspired by Skyfall include Nice Tux (silver and black glitter zig zag stripe), Positively Shocking (glittery gold), Floating Dragon (bright red crème with black dragon print) and Shaken Not Stirred (silver with martini glass print).

 “We are pleased to expand our Pure Lacquer Nail App offerings with designs inspired by OPI’s thrilling partnership with EON Productions and Skyfall,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “The popularity of nail design is booming with both the everyday woman and nail professionals. Pure Lacquer Nail Apps provide women with quick, easy and unique nail looks, offering long-lasting designs that could not be created by hand.”

To apply, peel off plastic cover and place Nail Apps on nails, while smoothing down all edges. Each pack contains 16 strips to ensure perfect sizing for all finger and toe nails. File the nail edge to remove any strip excess. Pure Lacquer Nail Apps already contain a base coat and top coat; do not use regular base or top coat with the strips. Simply remove with an acetone polish remover. For longer wear (about two weeks), have a manicurist cure the nail strips with OPI’s GelColor Top Coat.

 

 

I think these look super cool, especially Nice Tux!  Positively shocking is really the only "Holidayish" one, but you could probably pull off Floating Dragon as the dragons are pretty subtle.  I'm not a huge nail sticker person, but I will most likely try these, atleast as a nail accent!  The pictures wouldn't upload correctly, but they will be posted in another blog post later, that I will link to this.

 

Next their first magnet polishes, as a result of teaming up with EON!

 

 

            OPI celebrates the 50^th anniversary of James Bond with the release of three, new magnetic lacquers inspired by the upcoming film Skyfall – the first magnetized colors from OPI. The three hues, gunmetal gray, gold shimmer and rich burgundy, each come with its own unique, specially-designed magnetizer to create striped, diamond or wavy patterns, respectively. 

 “For the first time OPI is launching magnetized lacquers in honor of our exciting partnership with EON Productions,” said Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “Nail design is here to stay, and these limited-edition shades offer a fun, easy way to experiment with lacquer. There are no limits when it comes to having unique, eye-catching nails.”

The three Skyfall Magnetic Lacquer Packs include:

 

Is That Silva?

Don’t mistake this gunmetal gray for anything else.

A diagonally striped pattern appears with this lacquer.

 

Bond…James Bond

Be spied in this elegant gold shimmer.

A diamond pattern forms over this shade.

Morning, Moneypenny

You secretly desire this heart-throbbing burgundy.

This lacquer has a dreamy, wave-like pattern.

These colors are more traditional holiday colors and look very cool.  I have acutally never used a magnet polish before, so I'll have to try these out!!

Last, is The Man with The Golden Gun, a top coat!

 

 OPI has crafted the perfect, decadent holiday treat - complete with a dash of luxury, a sprinkling of fashion, and touch of intrigue - to celebrate James Bond’s Golden Anniversary with the introduction of 18 karat gold leaf top coat The Man with the Golden Gun. This luminous, rich top coat adds an additional layer of chic gold leaf texture whether painted over completely dry OPI nail lacquer or directly to the nail itself.

 Inspired by the world of 007, this stunning, real 18 karat gold top coat comes packaged in a special limited edition collectable gold bottle and makes the ultimate holiday gift.    

 “For 50 years Bond beauties have graced the big screen with their dazzling looks and opulent style, and gold has always played a prominent role,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “Gold transcends time; from the first Bond film to the soon to be released – Skyfall – Bond Girls have adorned themselves with gold accessories from jewelry and heels to clutches. This top coat’s radiant hue and stunning 18 karat gold leaf texture and patterns take accessorizing this holiday season to new heights!”

As with all OPI nail lacquers, The Man with the Golden Gun contains no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and features OPI’s exclusive ProWide^™ Brush for the ultimate in application.

I am super pleased with OPI's holiday collection and can't wait to try it out when it hits stores!

Erica's Nails and More 10-Day Challenge Day 1

Like I said previously, I am participating in Erica's 10-Day Nail Challenge! 

Day 1's theme is rainbow and here is my interpretation!

For this design I used Sinful Colors Snow Me White, Piggy Polish Are You Sirius, China Glaze Sky High Top, Pure Ice Creme Wild Thing, ORLY Charged Up, OPI Strawberry Margarita, and Sinful Colors Cloud 9.

OPI 2012 Holiday Part I

Yesterday OPI sent me some information on their holiday collection.  I would have posted about it yesterday, but I didn't see the e-mail until fairly late and figured it would take a while to put in a full post, but here goes (everything they said I will italicize)-

Hydrate Skin this Holiday Season!

OPI Introduces Holiday Avojuice Skin Quenchers Hand & Body Lotions in Vanilla Snowflake and NEW Peppermint Shimmer

 

 

            This holiday season, OPI releases Avojuice Skin Quenchers Hand & Body Lotion in two limited edition scents, Vanilla Snowflake (a blissful blend of sweet vanilla and buttercream) and new Peppermint Shimmer (a soft peppermint aroma with a kiss of shimmer).  These lotions are a festive way to keep skin hydrated and healthy during the season’s unforgiving cold weather with smooth, rich and moisturizing formulas.

            Holiday stress and winter chill can make skin dull and lifeless, but saturating hands and body with the aloe and avocado extracts in Peppermint Shimmer and Vanilla Snowflake can rejuvenate and reinvigorate dry skin, making it feel moist and silky smooth.

“Though the holidays are a festive and joyous time, the winter cold can be harsh on skin,” said Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “Peppermint Shimmer and Vanilla Snowflake are both delicious fragrances, but they are also designed to completely moisturize skin, leaving hands and body feeling soft and replenished.”

In addition to the regular bottle, both Avojuice lotions will be available in miniature sizes, perfect for stashing in the car, carrying in a purse, or giving as a stocking-stuffer.

These look cool, OPI doesn't usually do lotion I don't think, but I am interested to see what these will be like.
Next up is their Bond-ettes and Top Ten Minis-

Deck the Halls with Gorgeous Colors!

OPI Releases Two New Limited Edition Mini Lacquer Sets for Holiday 2012

 

          OPI celebrates this holiday season with two new mini lacquer sets, the perfect stocking stuffers. Bond-ettes features four shimmery shades from the new limited edition Skyfall lacquers, inspired by the latest installment in the James Bond series. The Top Ten mini kit showcases ten miniature bottles of OPI’s most popular reds, sheers, neutrals and more.

 “This holiday season, it’s all about variety! OPI offers a wide array of colors in glamorous, elegant hues to wear for every festive occasion,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “Bond-ettes offers four of the hottest colors from the new Skyfall collection, while The Top Ten mini kit features many of OPI’s greatest hits from over the years. These sets offer new and classic favorites in a variety of shades, making perfect stocking stuffers for all the special women in your lives: mothers, daughters, sisters, friends—and don’t forget about yourself.”

The Bond-ettes mini set features a spectrum of light to dark shimmers: GoldenEye, The Spy Who Loved Me, Live and Let Die, and The World is Not Enough. The Top Ten Mini Kit includes some of OPI’s most well-known colors: Alpine Snow, Bubble Bath, Tickle My France-y, Kiss Me On My Tulips, Red Lights Ahead…Where?, Big Apple Red, I’m Not Really a Waitress, You Don’t Know Jacques!, Vampsterdam, and Lincoln Park After Dark.

 

I'll include more information and pictures in the next post!

-C

First Ever Nail Art Challenge!

So this month, I will be taking part in Erica's Nails and More 10 Day November Nail Challenge!  This will be my first nail art challenge, and I am so glad it is not everyday.  I hate to work so hard on a mani just to have to take it off the next day!!  It will be every 3 days, which also helps because sometimes I just don't have time with all my dance!  So here is what the "agenda" looks like!

 

 

I hope to get my Day 1 up before November 3, I don't have too much dance on Thursday and Friday, so I'll have plenty of time to get it done!

I am super excited!!  I have wanted to enter something like this for a while, but I never found time!  Hopefully I can complete all 10 days on time!!

 

-C

OPI Skyfall Collection

Holly and Polish is having another OPI collection giveaway, and this time she is giving away the Skyfall Collection!!  You should go check it out and definetely enter!

Halloween Skittles Mani

Hey Guys!

Today I am finally sharing my Halloween skittles mani from like a week ago with you!!

So here is my left hand!

and here is my right!

 

 



For my left hand, I had a pumpkin on my middle finger.  I did this by doing everything from the Jack-o-Lantern tutorial, but I stopped right before the face. 
My ring finger was inspired by someone- I can't remember who right now, but I'll add it in when I do.  I painted my nail orange, then let it completely dry.  Then I painted it green, purple, and black, only waiting 30 seconds in between colors.  Then take an index card with a zig zag cut out along the edge.  Bend it so that it matches the curve of your nail, then drag it across your nail while it is still tacky.  You can do this multiple times if you don't get the exact look you want.

Jack-o-Latern Nail Tutorial!

The boring fading purple form my last mani was driving me crazy!! So I pulled out my oranges, a green, a black, and a tooth pick and made this!  It currently is only on one nail lol!

What you need-
2 different oranges- 1 should be more faded and matte, and 1 should be shimmery and brighter
a green, I used a lime, but a darker forest green would probably go better
a black or yellow, I used black, but when jack-o-laterns have a candle in them, they're yellow

1. Paint the whole nail with the matte orange, then paint vertical stripes with the shimmery one

2. Using the green paint a sort of zig-zag at the top.  This might be easier if you use painters' tape.

3. Add a creative face using the black and the tooth pick!

4. Top coat!!


Here you can watch the youtube video if you would prefer:

Thanks for Reading/ Watching lol

-C

Spider Webs Nail Tutorial

So last night I finally got to Sally's and got some rhinestones so I was able to do my nails!
Here is what it looks like!

Here's what I used!

 

(I didn't use the paper with a pumpkin on it, it was just there so you didn't see as much of my desk lol)

 

1. Put a dot of purple in the corner of your nail, and do this to 2 nails, with out getting more nail polish on your brush.  Then wipe excess nail polish off your brush on the rim of the bottle and use the brush to blend the polish out.  You want it to look like it is fading, sort of ombre-ish. Do this to every nail but 1 on each hand (I did pinky and ring finger) Paint those black.

 

2.  Next use the black and paint spider webs on your thumbs.  You can use a tooth pick or dotting tool, I just used the brush because the tooth pick was a pain for me. 

 

3.  Paint a layer of glitter on every nail.
 

4.  Make sure you have your rhinestone(s) out so you can place it quickly.  Paint a layer of top coat on 1 thumb, then quickly place your rhinestone and repeat with the other thumb.  I pput my rhine stone in the corner where the center of the web would be.  Then add another layer of top coat, mainly focusing on where the rhinestone is.

 

5.  You can add top coat to the rest of your nails, or I used a couple coat of Goulish Glow.

 

 

-C



Kiss Nail Dresses

These nail stickers actually work.  They stick well, peel off when you want them too, and fit your nails well.  They also have a bunch of super cute designs from animal print, to rhine stones, to peacock feathers.  Also, there isn't any wasted sticker, the end that you cut off can be used on your toes!!  One con would be that they don't always sit flat which makes a big difference.

These are super awesome and I am totally getting more!

Overall
B+
(***)

-C

Trendy Nail Wraps

It says:
For preparation, clean and dry nails.  Warming each wrap before application with a hair dryer may help smooth wrap.
Instructions:
1. Choose the nail wrap that best fits nail shape, trim if neccessary.
2. Using a nail fil, file down at a 45 degree angle to remove excess nail wrap and shape to the nail.

To be frank, these sucked.  They didn't fit the nail shape well, and were extremely thick.  Even with a top coat, they didn't sit flat, which was irratating and led to peeling them off.

Overall
I definetly would not repurchase these.
D
(**)



-C

Wet ‘n’ Wild ColorIcon Eyeliner

This eyeliner was $.97 at WalMart and definitely worth it. I only bought it in 650D Purple/ Violet as the WalMart I went to didn't have a huge selection. Overall I am pleased with this product. It goes on smoothly, doesn't drag, and isn't too hard. It does smudge if you don't wait a little bit, but dries in about 20 seconds. The pencil itself is actually very long compared to others. The only con would be it is a regular pencil- not a twist up, so you have to sharpen which results in lost product.

I definitely plan on going back to WalMart and picking up a couple more.

Overall
I do plan on repurhasing.
A+
(*****)

-C

Nail Polish Collection

On Wednesday, I spent half an hour working on listing all my nail polish on the nail polish collection page, so I would appreciate if you check it out!! (:

Thanks!

-C

Arbonne Mandarin Pomegranate Lotion

I just attended my second Arbonne Party last night.  First of all I love Arbonne, and being a consultant would be so much fun, but I'm not even legal to get a work permit yet. 

So our consoultant let me try the Mandarin Pomegranate Lotion from the Holiday Spa Set, since it was my mom's party.  It was amazing.  It was moisturizing, and not irrritating.  It smelled absolutely amazing plus, it has glitter in it and makes your hands sparkly.  It is very obvious, but if you look in natural sunlight, you can tell.

Overall, I love this and I would definetely buy it if you could buy it seperately instead of having to get the entire spa set.

Overall
A
(****)

-C

Saran Wrap Black, Silver, and Purple

What you need:
Black, purple, silver, and saran wrap!!

Paint every other nail black and purple, and let it completely dry.  Cut up 2 inch squares of saran wrap and crumple them up.  Paint one layer of silver over your first nail, then dab it with the saran wrap.  Repeat this alternating with black and silver, but make sure you don't do black on black.  Make sure you use the saran wrap quickly after, otherwise it may dry.

You can watch the tutorial on youtube here!

-C

Nail Designs

Here are some of my designs so far

 

-C

 

October!

So finally it is October!  That means Halloween is right around the corner.  You may not be a crazy Halloween person, so maybe you don't dress up.  But, I can give you some cute nail tutorials, so that you can be festive and subtle!!

In the meantime, you might not have these nail polish colors, so here's what I am using, so that you can get them!

-Orange
-Yellow
-White
-Purple
-Glitter (silver specs is good)
-Black

My orange and black are Wet 'n' Wild, which are BOGO free this week at CVS!!

Also, you'll need saran wrap and rhine stones!

Stay tuned for the tutorials!!

-C

Garnier Fructis Fall Fight

 

Images from GarnierUSA.com

From GarnierUSA.com:
Shampoo-
Save Up To 1500 Strands Per Month

Notice strands in your bathroom sink or brush? Improve hair's resistance to everyday hair-fall due to breakage.

The formula with energizing caffeine, fortifying biotin and fruit vitamins, strengthens hair from root to ends, reducing falling, breaking strands.

How to use: Lather hair thoroughly & then massage into scalp for one minute. Rinse. Use the Garnier Fructis Fall Fight 3-Step regimen of Shampoo, Conditioner, and Strand Saver Anti-Breakage Spray.

Conditioner-
Save Up To 1500 Strands Per Month

Notice strands in your bathroom sink or brush? Improve hair's resistance to everyday hair-fall due to breakage.

The formula with energizing caffeine, fortifying biotin and fruit vitamins, strengthens hair from root to ends, reducing falling, breaking strands.

How to use: After shampooing, apply conditioner to hair from root to tip, then massage into scalp for one minute. Rinse. Use the Garnier Fructis Fall Fight 3-Step regimen of Shampoo, Conditioner, and Strand Saver Anti-Breakage Spray

 

Recently, I ordered a free sample of Garnier Fructis Fall Fight.  If you want a sample, you can get one from www.samples.target.com. My hair is super thick in the Winter, and thins out a little bit in the Summer.  However, I am always having my hair fall out, though it never seems to get any thinner sadly.  I will find hair in my brush, all over my shower, and even in the sink.  Its gross, quite frankly.

So when I saw that they were giving free samples away, I had to try this.  On the package of the sample it said it was only enough for 1 wash. . . I got 3.  Regardless, even after just the first wash I had a lot less loss of hair.

This does smell quite good, but is no where near compareable to the Organix shampoo and condition.

I would definetly buy this, and probably will.

Overall
A+
(*****)

-C