Monday, April 29, 2013

LORAC GLOGetter Palette - Review & Giveaway!


Hi angelfaces! Tonight I have for you a review, two eye looks and swatches from the gorgeous Ulta exclusive LORAC GLOGetter Palette. I first saw this palette on a friend's Instagram and just about died - exclusive (total sucker for that) summer palette from LORAC for $20? Yeah, I'm there.

GLOgetter's outer packaging is a metallic turquoise with a gold frame.

The palette itself is a brown reflective plastic palette with a gold frame.

Inside is a full mirror. The palette comes with eight eyeshadows and two base/highlighter shades.

Unfortunately, these shades don't have names. Wahhh. 
  • #1 - Matte red brown.
  • #2 - Shimmery red/brown bronze.
  • #3 - Shimmery peach.
  • #4 - Shimmery turquoise.
  • #5 (base/highlighter) - Matte soft beige.

  • #6 - Shimmery dark periwinkle.
  • #7 - Shimmery gold/purple.
  • #8 - Shimmery gold/light turquoise duochrome. OH-EM-GEE!
  • #9 - Matte eggplant
  • #10 - Shimmery cream (I have no clue why it came out so orange-y in this pic!)

LORAC GLOGetter

LORAC GLOGetter

Get the look: #7 on the lid, #9 in the crease, #6 in the inner eye and #8 on the lower lid.

Get the look: #2 on the lid, #1 in the crease, #3 in the inner corner and #4 on the lower lid.

Unfortunately, the pictures kind of washed out the colors but I can assure you that a.) my camera sucks and b.) these colors were very well pigmented and blendable and looked awesome in person :)

Pros: The colors make up a perfect mix for summer - turquoises, golds, oranges, purples; they just scream summer to me. I also love that they threw in some neutrals for the gals who just want a natural eye with a pop of color sometimes. Very well pigmented and blendable with minimal fall out. Honestly, that gold/turquoise shade is enough reason alone to buy this baby. For $20, you really cannot go wrong with this palette. It's everything you'd expect from LORAC and more!

Cons: I'm not sure if this is limited edition or just an ULTA exclusive. Also, there aren't any dark shades. Not that I mind but for anyone who was looking for that, you won't find it in this palette.

Availability: ULTA & Ulta stores. Price: $20.00

Now for the good part: SO, I've heard from a few little birdies that this is pretty hard to find in stores now, but don't fret because I bought an extra one to giveaway! Nifty, eh? 

WIN A LORAC GLOGETTER PALETTE!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Monday, April 22, 2013

bigRuby Nail Tattoos - Review & Swatches


Ready for quite possibly the coolest thing you'll come across today for your nails?

Okay. So raise your hand if when you were little, you'd rock full sleeves of those temporary tattoos that you put on with water. Remember your mom would be like, "OMG. On your forehead?! How did you even do that?" Ahem. Now take those temporary tats, shrink them and tada!: you have awesome nail tattoos from bigRuby Tattoos - AND they're Mom-approved!

Maria over at bigRuby was awesome enough to send me two packs: Ikat (OBSESSED with this print!) and the "Hers" pack.

Each pack comes with two sheets of decals and directions on the back.
Instructions:
  • Cut the tattoo out to fit on your nail and remove the clear sheet on top of it.
  • Press that tattoo onto your nail. It will stick to your nail so make sure it's where you want it to be. The paper on the back of the tattoo has a "shadow" of the tattoo shape so you can be precise with where you put it.
  • Wet the back of the tattoo and press down for 15 seconds.
  • Carefully, peel the paper off your nail and smooth out the wrinkles.
  • Top with a coat of top coat.

The Her's pack includes 92 tattoos of various girly nail decals.

I'm so in love with this pack. Look at the lip prints and the kitty cats! Ahhhh!

SQUEE! How cute are these!?

The decals were so easy to put on following the directions and I absolutely love the finished product.

This look took about 5 minutes TOPS. Love it!

Ikat pack includes 20 strips!

How cool are these? I just cut out the strip to my nail length and put it on. Easy peasy!

So what do you guys think? Would you rock these nail decals? My favorites are the lip prints and the diamonds!

Price: $12 / Availability: bigRuby Tattoos
Follow bigRuby on Pinterest and Twitter!

* This product was sent to me for an honest review but you'll get the truth and nothing but the truth! :)
Saturday, April 20, 2013

Beauty Blogger Tag!


Howdy baby dolls! How's the weekend going? I have a lot of reviews planned for this week but until then I found this tag floating around and wanted to fill it out. Hopefully, until I get a FAQ page going, this will give you a little peek into my life.

1. Is your hair naturally curly or straight?
My hair is naturally wavy/curly. Does that make sense?

2. What is your natural hair color?
Dark brown but it seems to get lighter every year.

3. Do you dye it yourself or go to a salon?
I don't really dye it anymore but if I do, my mommy dyes it for me.

4. How often do you wash your hair?
My hair gets so oily that I have to wash it every night or every two days.

5. Do you wear the same style every day or change it?
It's usually always blow dried straight but sometimes I'll curl it, wave it or straighten it even more. I almost always wear it down though.

6. Do you do your own mani/pedi or go to a salon?
I usually do it myself. Except if I want a french mani or pedi, then I'll go.

7. How often to you change your nail polish?
Two or three times a week. If I'm swatching, who knows.

8. Do you polish your toes in the winter, too or just in the summer?
Usually just for the summer. In the winter, my toesies are all covered up!

9. How long does it take to put on your makeup?
About 15-20 minutes. If I'm attempting liquid liner, who the hell even knows.

10. What do you do first? Face or eyes?
The face first.

11. Do you "collect" makeup or just buy what you need when you need it?
If you say it's "limited edition", I'll be buying it. I collect like a nut.

12. How often do you wear false eyelashes?
I would say somewhat often. If we're going out to dinner or somewhere, I'll put them out.

13. Do you do a full face of makeup every day?
Not really. Everyday make up to me is concealer, bronzer and mascara. That's it.

14. Do you wear makeup when you are home alone (or with family)?
Not usually.

15. Will you leave the house without makeup?
Of course! I don't think I look THAT bad without it. Lmao.

16. How many high end products do you have?
Not too many but I'm slowly getting into them. Benefit is my new splurge along with Too Faced, MAC and LORAC.

17. How often do you wash your makeup brushes?
I suck so bad at this. Like, rarely. I need to get on this!

18. Do you plan your OOTD every night or decide when you are getting dressed?
I plan my outfits for work (cute shirt, yogas) and but when I go out, I kind of just go with it and decide that second.

19. How often do you change your handbag?
About once a month.

20. What time do you get up & go to sleep?
I go to sleep around 11PM and get up around 6AM for work.

21. How often & when do you workout?
Twice a week but I need to go more! Now that it's getting warmer, maybe I can fit in a walk during the day.

22. Left-handed or Right-handed?
Righty.

23. How tall are you?
5'6

24. Do you speak a foreign language?
Nope.

25. How many pets do you have?
My Yorkie, Scarlett and my hedgehog Ludacris.

26. How often are you on Blogger?
Every single day.

27. Do you read the comments posted blogs?
YES! I love reading what other people think about a post/a product review/etc. Sometimes the comments are the best part.

28. Do you keep a list of products to try as you see other posts?
Yes! I keep a list on my iPhone of products I want to buy. It's pretty long. It's separated by drugstore and high end.

29. How did you come up with your blog name?
Well, "XO" because it means hugs and kisses and I'm friendly like that and then "Noelle" because I love that name and, er, because it's mine. It was a no brainer.

30. What kind of camera do you use?
Sony Cybershot but I want a new one badly.

31. How often do you clean your house?
I don't have a house (yet!) :( but I'd like to say I'd be a clean freak. Don't judge my room right now.

32. What is your favorite color?
It's a tie between turquoise and coral.

33. What is your favorite beauty/fashion magazine?
Teen Vogue, Seventeen, Cosmo and Allure.

34. Do you swear?
More than I should but never on my blog.

35. What are you doing with the rest of your day?
My new favorite hobby: geocaching!

I tag: EVERYONE! Leave me a link to yours so I can check it out :)

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

BadAss Polish Chocolate Covered Cherry & Copper Waters - Review & Swatches


Hi everyone! Today on the blog, I have two absolutely stunning polishes from BadAss Polish, Chocolate Covered Cherry and Copper Waters!

Bottle shots! These babies were kept safe during shipping with BadAss Polish's fantastic packaging. Each polish comes wrapped in felt in a small tube. To see pictures, check out this post of mine. 

Chocolate Covered Cherry is gorgeous combo of micro brown and pink holographic glitters in a clear base.

Let's talk about absolutely stunning (and ignore my perpetually dry cuticles)! This is one coat over a random brown polish I had. The pink holographic glitter really makes this polish something special. Perfect formula and application although the glitter does leave the top "gritty". It's really nothing a top coat can't fix.

Copper Waters is combo of micro copper and holo blue glitters in a clear base.

Same formula as CCC! So easy to work with. Both are incredibly easy to build up opacity with in about 4 coats or you can wear them over something like I did. Again, a little gritty to the touch by itself but a top coat easily fixes that.

Overall: For both of these polishes, the holographic micro glitters really make them something different. Each looks beautiful over undies or by itself. 

Keep In Touch with Bad Ass Polish:

* This product was sent to me for an honest review but you'll get the truth and nothing but the truth! :)
Monday, April 15, 2013

Press Release: China Glaze Textures




GETTING DOWN TO THE NITTY GRITTY

China Glaze® Introduces Texture: the Newest Technology in Nail Lacquer

Los Angeles (January 2013): China Glaze® introduces Texture, a unique new lacquer that applies as a crème but dries with a 3D texture effect. Unlike traditional nail art techniques that require multiple steps, Texture only requires one step—painting the nail.  Texture dries matte, but can be combined with China Glaze® Fast Forward Top Coat for a glossy effect. With a finish similar to that of a sugared rim, Texture is the perfect accessory for a beach day, night-on-the-town, or special rendezvous.  

In The Rough— light lime-green with textured grit
Itty, Bitty & Gritty— melon with textured grit
Of Coarse!— bright, cobalt-blue with textured grit
Unrefined— bright pink with textured grit
Bump & Grind— hot pinkish-red with textured grit
Toe-tally Textured— tangerine-orange with textured grit

The China Glaze® Texture collection will be available in May 2013 at fine salons and beauty supply stores nationwide.  

China Glaze is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde.

China Glaze nail lacquers are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, please visit www.chinaglaze.com or follow China Glaze on Facebook (@ChinaGlaze), Twitter (@ChinaGlazeOfficial) and Pinterest (pinterest.com/chinaglaze).

China Glaze® is a division of American International Industries.

About American International Industries
For 42 years, AII has been the leading manufacturer and worldwide distributor of innovative, quality beauty and skin care products for men and women.  Our product lines include Andrea, Ardell, Body Drench, Bye Bye Blemish, Checi, China Glaze, Clean + Easy, Clubman/Pinaud, Duo, European Secrets, EzFlow, Fright Night, Gena, GiGi, Gypsy Lash, IBD, It’s So Easy, Jeris-Lustray, LASH BeLONG, Nail Tek, No Tweeze/Micro Tweeze, 'N Rage, Poshe, Prolinc, RAW, Seche, SuperNail, Surgi-Care, Waterworks, Winning Nails, Woltra, Woody’s, and Youthair. For more information, visit our website: www.aiibeauty.com.


Monday, April 15, 2013

March Starlooks Starbox - Review


Hi loves! Starlooks was kind enough to send me another box to review! I'm a bit late since this is their March Starbox, but so much has been going on lately, I've been a little behind. Sowee guys!

For those who haven't seen my last review, Starlooks Starbox is a monthly subscription service that sends out about four items of their own cosmetics every month. 

I love their boxes! They're so put together and always seem to reflect with theme.

Every month they send out a little postcard (kind of like Ipsy) with their package.

Lipstick in Flutter - $11
Formulated to shade, define, and style your perfect lip. This ultra smooth formulation applies and blends effortlessly. True vibrant colors with hydration. 

Flutter is a rusty red lipstick with gold flecks. I'll admit it. I was shocked when I saw this color. Like, how the heck can I pull this off? Flutter is actually pretty wearable. For a more natural look, I recommend dabbing the lipstick on with your fingers.



Eyeshadow in Disarray - $9
Richly pigmented eye shadows that glide on smoothly for dazzling eyes in matte, frost, and shimmer finish.
There's a first for everything! I've never tried a navy eyeshadow before this one. This eyeshadow is in a matte finish (which I love) and the color payoff is pretty good if you use a primer under it. It didn't seem to fade or crease on me. This eyeshadow is the teensiest bit of shimmer in it. 


(Excuse the unruly eyebrows!)

Lengthening Mascara - $15
Starlooks "Lengthening Mascara" has a HUGE, fluffy, tree-shaped applicator that allows for NO clumping, and is formulated with our rich, black "kohl" pigment to allow the blackest, smoothest lashes possible. This Mascara creates the Starlooks Signature, feather-like lash, lengthened to the fullest. Expect longer lashes, and (with two or 3 coats) the base of the lash will thicken by 50%!
I was explaining this mascara to a friend and referred to it's size and weight to be comparable to a little flashlight! Holy crap. This could definitely be used as a weapon, ladies. That being said, I'm really digging this. Does it lengthen? Yep. Does it clump? Nope. So basically, it's everything I'm looking for in a mascara. I would definitely say this is in my top 5 favorite mascaras ever!

This picture gives no justice to just how big that applicator is.

Lip Sugar in Vanilla - $2
As an added bonus, Starlooks threw in their new all natural Lip Sugar! I've been really lovin' lip sugars since winter has left me with dry and chapped lips. For whatever reason, chapstick just hasn't been cutting it. Anyway, the flavor is vanilla and it's amazing! Unfortunately, this seems to be a Starbox exclusive!



Check out Starlooks on:

* Products in this post were provided to me by the manufacturer or their PR company for an honest review!
Thursday, April 11, 2013

Studded Nails with Born Pretty - Review & Swatches


When people ask me what my style is, I always say it's beachy-girly girl-comfy-glam-edgy-trendsetter-romantic-80's. Which is kind of a mouthful so I usually just show them my nails. 

I've always wanted to try studs on my nails. Unfortunately, my nails are ridiculously tiny and almost every nail art stud I've come across has been about the width of half my nail. Not cool. Until I came across the ever amazing nail art (and more!) store Born Pretty!

* You can also use them to decorate your home, cell phone's case, glasses, made card, body art, etc.
Material: aluminium
Quantity: 1 bag
 

Here's the end result! So how do we achieve it!?
  • Paint your nails basically whatever colors you want. I used Essie Sand Tropez for the ring finger, Essie Mint Candy Apple for the pointer and pinky and a random lilac purple polish (I can't remember the name! EEK! Sowee!)
  • Taking a clear top coat and paint a thin coat on which ever nails you'd like to place the studs on.
  • Quickly, dip your dotting tool/toothpick in water (or lick it!) and pick up your studs and place them on your nails.
  • Paint one (or two) layers of top coat over your studs to keep them in place.

Born Pretty always has free shipping worlwide but to sweeten the deal, Daisy has given me an extra 10% code for my readers! Use NSL91 at check out to receive the discount.



Stay Connected with Born Pretty:

* This product was sent to me for an honest review but you'll get the truth and nothing but the truth! :)

Tuesday, April 09, 2013

Hard Candy Nail Lacquers - Swatches


When I think of Hard Candy, I automatically go back to 8th grade. The brand has been around for FOREVER. This year, Hard Candy has totally revamped their style and brought out some new polish goodies - five new collections with nine new shades in each! Say whatttt!? That's 45 new polishes! On top of polish, Hard Candy offers a full make-up collection, eyeglasses and apparel exclusively at Walmart.



L-R: Sparkle City, Crush on Lava, Pop of Peach, Little Bo Pink & Glitter Jam


Pop of Peach is a dark peach crelly (creme/jelly) base with red and silver hexes from the Candy Sprinkles line. This reminds me a lot of the Nails Inc. Sprinkles collection (Review is here) but for a lot less cheap. Same formula, same application (which is awesome, btw).

Crush on Lava is a blackened red/gold duochrome from the Crushed Chromes collection. Excuse me while I pass out from the awesomeness of this polish. First off, this duochrome needed no undies! This is three coats all by itself. Secondly, I mean, c'mon. Just look at it.

Sigh.

Drool.

Little Bo Pink is a neon pink with gold flecks from the Itsy Glitzy collection. This polish screams summer to me. This is two smooth coats. No application problems.


Glitter Jam is a mix of blue, magenta and red hexes in a red tinted base from the Glitterazi collection. This definitely could've been more opaque with about one more coat. Super pretty. No issues.

Sparkle City is a dense silver micro glitter base with random black hexes mixed in from the Glitterazi collection. Another polish that could've been opaque with one more coat. This looks like a mini disco ball on your nails. No issues although I think I would've loved this more without the random black hexes.

What do you think of this collection? I absolutely loved Little Bo Pink and Crush on Lava. Which ones are your favorites?

Check 'em out:
Hard Candy / Walmart / Facebook / Instagram

* This product was sent to me for an honest review but you'll get the truth and nothing but the truth! :)

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