Monday, May 27, 2013

Philly Loves Lacquer - Swatches & Review


Happy Memorial Day, everyone! Today I'll be heading back to my roots and doing some nail swatches from a lovely indie called Philly Loves Lacquer. Let's check out the swatches!

Boathouse Row - a clear base with pastel glitters, hexes and diamonds in various sizes.
Boathouse Row's formula was smooth and the right amount between thick and thin although I did have to fish around for a lot of the larger hexes and diamonds.

Love Park is a milky soft pink base with pastel hexes and glitters of various sizes.
First off, I LOVE the name of this. It's so perfect for such a delicate polish. Formula was amazing and there was no need to fish for anything in this. I think three to four coats would bring this to full opacity.

Mummers Parade is a red-tinted jelly with blue and red stars, bars, diamonds and hexes.
Talk about the perfect polish to wear for Memorial Day, right? This would obviously look brilliant over a red or black base, but I kind of like it by itself. I think it might take a few coats to build up opacity. I had a little trouble fishing the stars and bars (as in they wouldn't come out, like, at all) out but overall, this polish was smooth and easy.

South Street is a simple clear base with blue and purple glitters.
Sometimes less is more. I don't know why but this was my favorite with it's extremely smooth and just the right amount of glitter application. With about two more coats, this could be a total glitter bomb. Love it!

Check out Philly Loves Lacquer:
Facebook / Shop - Price: $10 for full size and $5 for minis. 

Psst. PLL is moving stock so all full size bottles are only $6 and make sure to pre-order the holo top It's Always Sunny! Also, keep an eye out for phillyloveslacquer.com and a new collection coming out the mid-end of May.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Michael O'Rourke Rock Your Hair Products - Review


Hi ladies and gents! I'm SO excited to share this review because it's definitely been a long one. I was asked by the lovely people from Michael O'Rourke's Rock Your Hair to review some of their hair products. I'm pretty finicky about which hair products I use because my hair is pretty fine and I feel like a lot of products  might be awesome at first but weigh it down over time. So I decided to try these products out for one month without using anything well, almost. I'll get into that later.

Let's check what I thought of these hot pink bottles and what was inside 'em!


First off, let's talk about the awesome cardboard box these babies came in! I'm a sucker for great packaging and they definitely nailed it with this. Hot pink leopard print? SQUEE!

Shampoo, conditioner, hair spray - oh my! All the hair goodies inside the box! 

Rock Your Hair Big Hair Rocks Shampoo & Conditioner
Okay. So here's where I have to explain. These things were tiny! So unfortunately I had to use a different shampoo the last two weeks of the month. But while I did use this, I noticed a significant change in my hair. It felt lighter. It felt softer. It was definitely easier to manage. My hair is IN LOVE with this shampoo and conditioner. I'm always weary with conditioners (IE: I never use them) but this one left my hair soft and not greasy. Thank goodness. Both scents for the shampoo and conditioner were the same: a clean almost laundry type scent but very pretty. 

Rock Your Hair Bombshell Big Hair Powder & Miracle Leave-In Conditioner Weightless Detangler
Guys, these products right here! Oh my goodness. I'm in love. The Bombshell Big Hair Powder (not to be confused with dry shampoo which I did and poured this all over my hair - OOPS!) is awesome. It's super lightweight but definitely creates volume and thickens up my otherwise thin and flat hair. Basically, you just lift up your hair where you'd tease with a teasing comb, sprinkle this in and rub it a little and you're good to go. It's that easy. I really can't go anywhere without putting this in. Once I run out, I'll be repurchasing for sure. Oh, and it also smells really good! The Miracle Leave-In Conditioner is also amazing. It's comparable to It's A Ten for half the price. Again, this conditioner didn't leave my hair feeling flat and greasy but super light and detangled. It also says it's a heat protectant!

Rock Your Hair Spray It Hard Big Volume Hairspray & Size Matter Big Volume Root Lift
I brought these two to my fiance's sister's wedding for myself and back up for anyone else that might need a little touch up. Needless to say, everyone was grabbing for these two and fell in love. Spray It Hard keeps your hair where it needs to be for forever. The wedding was outdoors and naturally, windy as all hell and my curls actually stayed curly! I was speechless. Size Matters is a root lifter that I spray in when my hair is damp and kind of scrunch it and work it up into my roots and then blow dry. Keeps my hair nice and big all day!

Stay Connected: Rock Your Hair / FaceBook
Where To Buy: Ulta, Ulta.com, Walmart, Walmart.com, local drugstores, RockYourHair.com.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Mascara Monday - Maybelline One By One Volum' Express Satin Black


Hello baby dolls! It's Tuesday but no need to fret because it's Mascara Tuesday (hm, doesn't seem to have the same ring to it as Mascara Monday, name ideas anyone?) and that always makes things better. For whatever reason, I can never seem to post this on a Monday! SIGH. It's the thought that counts, right? ;) This Tuesday I'm featuring a somewhat oldie but goodie: Maybelline One By One Mascara!



The Mascara: Maybelline One by One Volum Express
 A mascara that delivers eye-catching volume without the clumps thanks to its Patented Lash Catcher™ brush that has up to 3 bristles per lash that catch, coat and de-clump your lashes to make them look more volumised.

The Wand: A round silicone applicator with 300 bristles to catch every lash.




The Mascara Meltdown: It's funny when you go through old things and stumble upon something you'd otherwise forgotten about and fall in love with it all over again. I think what I love the most is that it gives your eyes a more va-va-voom look then say the Maybelline Clump Crusher which offers a bit more natural look but still lengthens and volumizes all without clumping. The only issue I had with this was that after about five hours of wear, I noticed smudging under the eyes. Sadface! I want to blame it on the crazy humidity today but I did read other reviews that said the same thing. Whomp whomp! 

Grade: B

Where To Buy: Walmart, local drugstores.
Thursday, May 16, 2013

April Starlooks Starbox - Review & Swatches


Hello dollfaces! Today I have up the April Starlooks Starbox for review. For those who have missed the last two months I reviewed, Starlooks Starbox is a $15 monthly subscription service that sends out about 2-3 full size products of their own. Let's hop into April's Starbox and see what's inside.

As I always mention, the packaging is always classy and simplistic.

This month's postcard definitely reminds me of Coachella. I wouldn't mind getting one of those headbands in the box! ;)

Translucent Mineral Powder - $19
I was thrilled to find this in the box since I was on the market for a new powder, especially with summer around the corner (hello oily t-zone!) because it'll be great for setting my makeup and soaking up the oil. This powder was very silky to the touch. 

Mint SPF Lip Balm - $5
Nothing too special about this lip balm except that it tastes AH-MAZING! It also doesn't tingle the lips like I thought it would being a mint lip balm. 

Tender Gloss Lipstick in Trinity - $11
The best product in this box! Holy guacamole. It's the coolest mix of a lipstick but a lipgloss at the same time. I can't even describe it. It's super moisturizing and somewhat opaque.  I was afraid of the color at first, a bronze-y gold, but it seems to be flattering.

Tender Gloss Lipstick in Trinity

Unfortunately, the color wouldn't catch on my camera. It's definitely a bit darker but at least you can see the flecks in it.

Lash Boost Mascara Base - $15
I have always wanted to try a mascara base under my mascara! First off, check out the packaging! So futuristic and awesome looking. 

When I first opened it, I had no clue what the little "hairs" were on it. Then it dawned on me they were fibers and I got nervous. I wear contacts and my eyes are kind of sensitive. What if those fibers get in my eyes? Ahhh. Needless to say, they didn't and my peepers were fine. The fibers attach to your eyelashes to make an "extension" as a base. 

Lash Boost Mascara Base before mascara top coat.

Okay. So I may need some practice. I was slightly freaking out over the fibers at the time so forgive me. I did notice an extreme extension of my eyelashes and they looked cool when they weren't being macro'd by my camera. This is one coat of Clump Crusher over the base.

Check out Starlooks on:

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Rite Aid Nail Extravaganza and Giveaway!


Hi everyone! If you haven't heard, Rite Aid is hosting a Nail Extravaganza "Show Us Your Nails" Competition starting May 13 through the 24th. You could win 1 of 20 prizes including a $500 Rite Aid gift card (Shopping spree, anyone?) and more! 

Round One: Enter & Win (May 13-24)
Submit a photo of your best nail art design to Rite Aid Nails and share with everyone you know so they can vote for you! Top 20 designs move onto round two!
Round Two: Top 20 Finalists (June 10-20)
Top 20 entries with the most votes become a finalist. Finalists will receive an exclusive nail art bag that they will use to create a design. Celebrity judges include Anette Falso (Revlon SVP of Global Market Design), Julie G. (Make up and nail design artist) and Kate Cazorla (Kiss Nail Dress Brand Ambassador) and popular vote will then decide the top 3!


SO on top of all of that awesomeness, Rite Aid has teamed up with yours truly to bring my awesome readers an ah-mazing giveaway! SQUEE! Check out what you can win below!

(All of this comes in a sweet Rite Aid drawstring bag!)




a Rafflecopter giveaway
(18 years old or older. US residents only!) Good luck! xx
Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Mascara Monday - CoverGirl Clump Crusher by LashBlast


Hi loves! It's Mascara Monday (on a Tuesday, okay, I'm late)! Hold up. What's Mascara Monday, you ask? It's a new "series" I'll be doing every Monday (except today) where I'll review a mascara and give you the total lash-down on it. If you all don't know, I'm obsessed with mascara and have a pretty huge collection so I'm pretty excited to share my thoughts about them with you. So with that, let's get started with my first ever Mascara Monday post!

The Mascara: CoverGirl Clump Crusher
"A breakthrough in no-clump mascara. Get 200% more volume and zero clumps. Features an innovative double-sided brush with lash-loading and clump-combing zones to crush clumps."

The Wand: A plastic curved applicator with bristles positioned close together (I'm assuming to crush those clumps!). 


   

The Mascara Meltdown: After hearing a million A+ reviews on this, I knew I had to try it. I'm a mascara freak after all. Needless to say, it doesn't really disappoint! As you can see in the pictures above, it definitely lengthens your lashes. I would also agree that it does volumize although I wouldn't say it's "200%", maybe more like 100% (I don't really know what scale that's even on). I think this mascara is amazing for those looking for long, natural and whispery lashes but not for those looking to fake false lashes. I experienced absolutely no clumping whatsoever no matter how many times I reapplied. Formula was perfect, wet and slightly thicker than other mascara's I've used but provided just the right amount onto the applicator. You can actually hear the applicator scraping off the mascara before you pull it out. 

The Grade: B+ 

Where To Buy: Local Walmarts and drugstores or online.
Friday, May 10, 2013

Instahaul - Walgreens, Sephora.com & The Cosmetics Company Store!


 Hi gorgeous! Today I don't really have a huge post but just a quickie one to share with you all the goodies I bought on my recent little shopping sprees. The first store is Walgreens which is basically my home away from home. Then Sephora.com because they were having a 20% deal going on and I can't pass that up. Lastly, is The Cosmetics Company Store Outlet which I've been dying to go to and the wait was so worth it. MAC galore, guys!

From Walgreens:
  • Maybelline Dream Sun Bronzing Powder Glow in Light Glow (So far, not a fan. WAY too orange for me)
  • Maybelline Color Show Polish in Bare Escape 
  • Revlon Lash Potion Mascara
  • CoverGirl Flamin' Out Mascara
  • Maybelline Great Lash BCBG Edition Mascara
  • Maybelline Define-A-Lash Mascara
  • Revlon Color Stay Ultimate Suede Private Viewing
  • Maybelline Clean Express! Makeup Remover


From Sephora.com:
  • Too Faced Loves Sephora Palette (JAFJASDKJSAKD SO IN LOVE! Review will be coming up soon!)

From The Cosmetics Company Store:
  • MAC Mineralize Concealer in NW15
  • MAC Matte E/S in Royale
  • MAC Cremesheen in Pure Zen
  • MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation in NC58 (for contouring)
So what do you guys think about these "instahauls"? Want to see me more? Let me know!

 In the mean time, make sure to enter these two giveaways ending this weekend:
Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Hard Candy Plumping Serum, Shadowholic & Get Gorgeous Palette - Review & Swatches


Hey cupcakes! So recently I was sent a few products from one of my favorite "drugstore" make-up companies of all time: Hard Candy! I've always been a big, huge fan of theirs. I mean, they're affordable, convenient (exclusive to Walmart!) and are amazing quality? What more is there to ask for? Nadda. Except if they were made of chocolate.

Hard Candy Eyeshadow Palette in Naturally Gorgeous, Shadowholic in Pink Lady and Plumping Serum Volumizing Lip Gloss in Girl Next Door

Hard Candy Eyeshadow Palette in Naturally Gorgeous
Naturally Gorgeous is part of Hard Candy's "Top Ten Eyeshadow Palettes" from their Fall 2012 collection. The palettes are a ten-pan set with .04 oz of eyeshadow each of "warm" neutral colors. At first I thought this palette was a cheap dupe of Urban Decay's Naked Palette but I was way off. This palette is full of warmer neutral shades while UD's Naked is a mix of cool and warm shades. Also, this palette is all shimmers while UD is a combo of matte and shimmer. I also noticed that a few of the shades in this palette have some fall out issues but for the most part, this palette was amazing, especially for the price ($6!). Very well pigmented with great color pay off. Unfortunately, none of these shades have names.

Shade #2 on the inner lid, #8 on the outer lid, #3 in the crease, #4 on the bottom.


Hard Candy Shadowholic 12 Hour Waterproof Eye Crayon in Pink Lady
Pink is definitely in this spring! This crayon is a vibrant pink. I wasn't sure how to even work with pink eyeliner but I found that this crayon is very wearable. The crayon just glides onto your eye. Super smooth and creamy. Absolutely no creasing with this baby but you can still blend it or move it around. This came with a jumbo crayon sharper which is ah-mazing for them to do. I likey! 


Shadowholic Pink Lady



Hard Candy Plumping Serum Volumizing Lip Gloss in Girl Next Door
I have a love/hate relationship with plumping serums. I love the effect but hate the just-ate-a-hundred-hot-wings-feeling on my lips. Thankfully, while this lip gloss does tingle, it's more of a minty tingle and it doesn't last too long, maybe about five minutes. The color is a sheer pink with light pink flecks in it and is absolutely gorgeous. I bet those would look amazing over a nude lip! 



So what are your feelings on Hard Candy make-up? Do you believe a quality product can have a cheap price? 

Check out Hard Candy:
Facebook / Site / Exclusive to Walmart stores.
Monday, May 06, 2013

Ellen Sirot's Hand Perfection System (Day and Night Cream) - Review


Hi gorgeous! Today I have a review for Ellen Sirot's Hand Perfection Anti-Aging Hand Care System. I started using this system about two weeks ago and have been pretty impressed with the results.

Ellen Sirot's Hand Perfection Anti-Aging Hand Care System was developed by America's top hand model to keep her hands looking smooth and young. The system is the first clinically proven product line formulated specifically to reverse visible signs of aging.

Let's check out what's inside the box!

What's inside: Hand Perfection Nourishing Day Cream, Rejuvenating Night Cream and a cuticle pen

Hand Perfection Nourishing Day Cream
Directions: Apply pearl sized amount to hands each morning and when needed. 
Real talk: I could recommend this system for this hand cream alone! It has a somewhat thick consistency and extremely moisturizing without leaving a greasy feeling behind. This cream hydrates, nourishes, replenishes and is a SPF15 sunscreen. The only issue I had with this (while others probably won't) is that there was no scent. I just prefer pretty smelling lotions on my hand but I know that that isn't a huge deal for most.


Hand Perfection Rejuvenating Night Cream
Directions: Gently massage a pearl sized amount into your hands at night.
Easy enough, right? Again, this hand cream is just out of this world. Combining this with the day one makes your hands incredibly soft 24/7. Consistency is the same as a cold cream, very light and clean. No scent. 

Hand Perfection Nail & Cuticle Treatment
Directions: Massage into nails and cuticles daily.
My cuticles are hopeless so I'm always in the market for a great new cuticle oil to soften them up. So did this cuticle pen work miracles and make my dry cuticles vanish? Well, no. But it is a pretty awesome throw-in-your-bag-and-go pen to have. The applicator is pretty cool with a spongy/furry end that allows the oil to come out evenly. In a clinical testing, 100% of women who used this treatment hand more hydrated nails! That's pretty awesome.

Hand Perfection Cuticle Pen

Overall: So I know you're doing to know, did this work for me? Were my hands wrinkle free and softer? Were my cuticles soft and gorgeous? I noticed a significant difference in my hands using the hand and night cream in one day. My hands were very soft and smooth. I don't have any wrinkles on my hands (yet) so I can't vouch for that. 

As an added bonus, make sure to like Hand Perfection on Facebook for a chance to win the Hand Perfection Nail & Cuticle Treatment (one winner)!

Where to find:

the latest on the 'gram.