Friday, August 30, 2013

Noelle's August Favorites!


Hello butterflies! You know what time it is. Yup, my August favorites. How is August already over? I feel like it just started. This month I turned 25 (EEK!), made some progress on the house we're purchasing (longest. story. ever.) and am celebrating our five year anniversary with my fiance tomorrow.

I feel like this month was the "Return of Past Favorites" mixed with some new stuff. I think that whenever I'm transitioning into a new season, I stop trying new things and I'll just keep wearing my favorite stuff from the previous season. Does that make sense?



True or False Lashes in Monroe
So last month, True or False was having a sale where you could buy up to four boxes of their new lashes "Monroe" for free, just pay shipping (Just checked and the deal is STILL currently going on!) Needless to say, I was all over that, for just the deal alone and hey, trying out new lashes was an added plus. I ended up absolutely loving these lashes! These are very va-va-voom and in yo face type of lashes - just like Marilyn would have them!

MAC Heaux
If the name alone doesn't make you go run out and buy it, I don't know what will. I kid. But I think everyone saw that this was going to be in my favorites. I gave it a pretty glowing review, if I do say so myself. This lipstick really just embodies everything I could ever want: a deep red (but no too goth), matte (but not super drying) and leaves a nice little stain. Oh, and my gurl RiRi collaborated with MAC to make it. No big deal.

MAC Soft Matte Lip Cream in Milan
I'm almost positive this was in a favorites post a few month's back and it's stuck around since. I really don't know how to describe this other than that it goes on like a lipgloss but appears as a matte lipstick. MIND BLOWN.

Maybelline Telescopic Shocking Extensions Mascara
I know 100% for a fact this has been in a few favorites posts. I can't seem to find anything better. It lengthens, volumizes and doesn't clump? LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Sigma Beauty Performance Eyes Kit + E20 Short Shader
Talk about absolute life-changing. As someone who is still a beginner (at some things) it the beauty world, nothing is more frustrating than trying something out and not having the right tools to make it work. My biggest issue with eyeshadows is that even with the most pigmented ones, using a not-so-great quality brush would make them not blend well, not pick up enough of the eyeshadow, etc. and it was extremely frustrating. These brushes totally ended that frustration. Each one does its job so well. They make blending easy peasy. They pick up product. They're just so awesome and I can't rave about them enough!

KB Shimmer Excuse Me, I Blurped, You Go Ghoul! & LCN Hot Chili
For swatches of the KB Shimmer polishes, check out my review here! I loved these two and can't wait to rock them for fall. I also reviewed LCN Hot Chili (and the rest of the collection) here and will let the swatches speak for themselves. Ay papi!

Bath & Body Works Sexy Dahlia Rush Body Spray
Oh my goodness, guys! I picked this during one of B&BW's sales and died because it smelled so good. Description says it smells like wild dahlia and black jasmine wrapped in velvet plum and I feel like there's some apple top notes or something in there.

Bath & Body Works Mahogany Teakwood
Yes, I've had this in my favorites before. Yes, it smells exactly like Abercrombie & Fitch. Yes, I love that smell. It reminds me of fall and back to school shopping so much. Thank you to my friend, Nicole for getting this for me for my birthday :)


Charlotte Russe Spike Necklace
Let's all just sit and stare at this necklace. I am so in love with it. I wore it for my birthday and received so many compliments. It's edgy with the studs, yet girly with the big pink stone. 

Favorite Vloggers / Bloggers:
I cannot stop watching these three!

Favorite Songs:
Berzerk - Eminem
We Can't Stop - Miley Cyrus
That's My Kind of Night - Luke Bryan
Take Back The Night - Justin Timberlake

What were your favorites this month?
Wednesday, August 28, 2013

KB Shimmer Polishes - Swatches & Review


Howdy all! Today I have for you some old KB Shimmer polishes that Christy had sent with the KB Shimmer Fall collection. Let's check them out!

The Dancing Green, Iris My Case and Ice Queen

Ice Queen - is a mix of micro, hex and diamond holographic glitters in a clear base.
This is two smooth coats over China Glaze Sweet Hook. I love this! It looks like a disco ball on my nails. 

Iris My Case - is a violet base with pink, purple, white, periwinkle and blue glitters.
This polish screams spring to me although I think you can wear it all year round. I love the speckled effect it has. This is three smooth coats for full opacity.

The Dancing Green - is a bright emerald base with fuchsia square glitters, chartreuse dots,  sapphire hex glitters and fuchsia dots.
How fun is this polish? I don't normally fall in love with green polishes but this is fantastic! 
This is two coats but I think three coats would bring it to full opacity. 

So what do you all think of these polishes? Do any of you own KB Shimmer nail polish? 

Availability: KB Shimmer 
Price: $8.75
Make sure to like KB Shimmer on Facebook!


Monday, August 26, 2013

August Ipsy Bag - Pictures & Review


Hey beautiful! How was your weekend? I celebrated my 25th birthday this weekend with hibachi Friday night, shopping at Captain's Cove with my family Saturday and then a party Saturday night, a picnic on Sunday and finishing it all off with a Toby Keith and Kip Moore concert. PHEW! Thank goodness I have this whole week off to recuperate (and blog my butt off)! 

Let's hop right into this week with an Ipsy bag review! For those who don't know what Ipsy is,  
 
This month's theme is "Glamour Academy" - Get ready for your first day at the "Glamour Academy" at ipsy! This month's August Glam Bag is perfect for the professional or student. It's full of beauty essentials that are perfect for stashing in your school bag or when you're prepping for your next big party!

Sneak peek of what's inside!

The Bag - A royal purple material with gold print. This bag is perfectly-themed for back to school. I love that the crest has beauty products in it. So cute!

Pixi Beauty Lash Booster Mascara in Blackest Black
As a mascara freak, I was excited to see this in my bag but after using it, I can honestly say it didn't do much for me. Sigh. I didn't notice any difference in my eyelashes minus them being covered in mascara. It didn't lift. It didn't lengthen. It didn't volumize.

Pixi Beauty Lash Booster Mascara

MicaBeauty Cosmetics Eyeshadow in Bronze
Bronze is a mid-toned shimmery brown eyeshadow. This eyeshadow is super pigmented, smooth and easy to blend. The website says you can mix this into clear lipgloss, nail polish or mascara for color. MicaBeauty also boasts that they're extremely gentle, free of preservatives, chemicals, dyes, talc, oils, and other fillers.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
I really like this primer! It's velvety smooth and is oil free. It says it helps reduce the appearance of pores and fine lines and creates a smooth foundation. I do find it comparable to Benefit The Porefessional but I think Benefit's primer is better and cheaper.

Michael Todd Pumpkin Nutrient-Rich Facial Mask
Yay! I had my fingers crossed this one would be in my bag. This facial mask is made with pumpkin and glycolic acid. I have yet to use this but I can't wait to try it.

"This rejuvinating facial treatment removes dead skin, impurities and toxins, moisturizes and firms, improves elasticity and pliability of the skin, unclogs pores allowing skin to breathe and facilitates movement of skin oils. Adds brightness and radiance to the skin and significantly improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles."

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in 69
Wee! Another product I was hoping would be in my bag! I received the color 69 which is a bright red with pink undertones. It is so pigmented and left a nice stain after wearing off around 5 hours. 

So what did you guys get in your bag? If you aren't subscribed to Ipsy, what product would you like to try?

Interested in subscribing to the Ipsy bag? Sign up here! (Contains referral link)
Monday, August 19, 2013

Lime Crime Babette - Swatches & Review


Good afternoon, gorgeous! On the blog today is my review of my first ever Lime Crime lipstick - Babette! I've always wanted to try Lime Crime because they're a cruelty-free vegan company and I really admire that. When the press release for Babette came out, I died and knew I had to have it! Let's see if Babette matched up to my hype!

Lime Crime Babette

First off, the packaging is SO FUN! Even the box that it was shipped in was all white on the outside but the inside was hot pink polka dots and lime green tissue paper. A+ on that!

And the unicorn! How adorable is this?

Lime Crime Babette

Babette - is described as a pastel coral and to think of it as Coquette's pinker sister.

I agree that it's a pastel coral but one thing that bothered me is that this looked so different on me than shown on the site. Wahh. It's still pretty though. On me, it seemed a bit darker. That being said, it's super pigmented and is very thick and creamy. It did settle into my lip lines a bit within a few hours but never felt dry to me. Some have said Lime Crime lipsticks smell like vanilla (a la MAC) but I didn't smell it. Lasting power was about two hours. Overall, I really like this color and the formula. It's so smooth and creamy to put on.


What do you think of Babette? Would you buy it?

Availability: Currently sold out on Lime Crime
Price: $15.99

Be kept up to date by following Lime Crime on Twitter / Tumblr / Pinterest / Instagram.
Sunday, August 18, 2013

LCN Shades of Desert Collection - Swatches & Review


Hello (again!) dolls! Awwww yes. It's a two posts in one day kind of day! I'm feeling pretty darn productive if I do say so myself. *Brushes shoulders off*

Ahem.

I have swatches and a review of the LCN Shades of Desert Collection - inspired by the bold, colorful hues of the Orient, this quad of jewel-toned hues embodies all of the luxury and mystery that is the Far East.


LCN Shades of Desert Quad

Shades of Desert Collection

Pink Pepper - is a jewel-toned magenta.
First off, I love the name! The polish itself is fantastic. One smooth coat was full opacity but if you're OCD like me and think it always needs at least two, that's works too :)

Fiery Cumin - an exotic, spicy orange.
I didn't think I was going to like this but I think it's my favorite from the collection. One coat will do the trick. Excuse the indents in my nails. I had one stickers before this and the removal was not kind to my nails. Wah. 

Blue Oasis - a cool, calming turquoise.
Besides one coat giving me full opacity, I feel like I have a million of these turquoises and it didn't seem to stand out. I will say that this is the best formula of the turquoises I have. 

Hot Chili - a bold, passionate red.
OHEMGEE. I love this red! It's almost neon, that's how bright and bold this baby is. Two coats did the trick for me and were super smooth. This is the perfect cherry red.

Availability: In stock on LCN
Price: $7.50 each or $24.90 for quad

What do you think of this collection? How amazing is Hot Chili and Fiery Cumin?!

Sunday, August 18, 2013

KB Shimmer Fall 2013 Collection - Swatches & Review


Happy Sunday everyone! Fingers crossed this next week flies by because Saturday is my birthday (!!!!) and the week after, I have off from work. Expect LOTS of posts that week! 

As for today, I have my first fall collection of the year to show you all and I think you're going to flip over it - it's the KB Shimmer Fall 2013 Collection! Let's check it out.

KB Shimmer Fall 2013 Collection

You Autumn Know - is a white crelly with fuchsia, gold and orange hex glitters and micro bars sprinkled in. This polish is inspired by the first snow of the year lightly covering the crunchy autumn leaves.

This is two very smooth coats. For those who don't want to layer for opacity, this would be fine over just a plain white polish.

You Go Ghoul! - is a black jelly with grape, berry and orange hexes and glitter mixed in.

I love, love, LOVE this polish and these colors together. This is one you can rock on Halloween as well as year round. This is two very smooth coats but is still a little see through. I recommend three coats or using a plain black polish as a base for full opacity. 

Vicious Circles - a blood red jelly with silver holographic circles (!!!), silver holographic hex glitters and sliver micro slices.

GUYS. This polish is amaze-balls. This is three very smooth coats. For some reason, this picture is giving this polish a more pink-ish tone, but I would say this is more red in person. Do you see those holo circles!? Ahhh. So fun. I had no issues pulling those circles out of the bottle.

Excuse Me, I Blurped - A blurple (blue-purple) with multi shades of blue, purple and a hint of copper glitters.

Ahh, this is such a fun polish and I love the name of it. This is three smooth coats with no top coat.

Every Nook & Cranberry - is a cranberry satin matte polish with pink and gold shimmer.

What an unexpected yet AMAZING surprise to find a matte polish in this collection. This is two coats. The formula on this was absolute perfection.

Turbulence - is a satin matte finish slate gray inspired by storm clouds with silver flakes and micro blue and fuchsia sparks inspired by lightning and rain.

This is one of my favorite polishes from this collection! I just love the sparks and flakes in this. It turns a simple grey into so much more. The formula was awesome and smooth. This is two coats.

Turbulence

Teal Another Tail - is a teal green polish with a pink duochrome shimmer. Inspired by a mermaid's tail.

Oh hello! Right off the bat, this polish reminds me of RBL Aqua Lily on steroids. This is so chock full of duochrome, it's ridic. I mean, I still have this on which I think proves a huge point. This is two incredibly smooth coats.

Availability: KB Shimmer / Release date is Sept. 1st!
Price: $8.75
Make sure to like KB Shimmer on Facebook!

So what do you guys think of this collection? My absolute favorites are Turbulence, Teal Another Tail and You Go Ghoul!


Monday, August 12, 2013

Sigma Beauty Haul - First Look & Pictures


Hi dolls! So a few weeks ago, Sigma Beauty had a crazy 20% off sale going on and I decided this was the perfect time to go cray cray and buy a few things I always wanted to try out!

So I ended up getting the Sigma Beauty Limited Edition Resort Palette, Limited Edition Paris Palette, the Performance Eyes Kit and the E20 Short Shader brush. Let's check them out!


Limited Edition Resort Palette
I have been dying for this palette since it came out earlier this summer. The colors in this palette seem to be perfect for summer time and are very bright but totally wearable. I don't think I would've even thought about purchasing this palette if it wasn't for LollyDolly28 and Casey Holmes rockin' amazing eyes with this. 

Limited Edition Resort Palette

Limited Edition Resort Palette

Neela & Midori
Really? Like, how beautiful are these two colors?

Luna & Topaz
Quick swatches show Topaz being extremely pigmented and Luna being amazing for an inner corner of the eye highlight.

Muse & Fawn
Every summer palette needs some beautiful neutrals!

Heavenly
I really like that they added a summer-appropriate blush to this. The color is ah-mazing!

Luminesce Liquid Highlighter & Dual Eyeliner in Daydream and Earth Goddess
I couldn't ask for more in this palette. 8 eyeshadows, one blush, a highlighter AND (technically) two eyeliners!? DEADY DEAD DEAD. 

Swatches of Daydream, Earth Goddess & Luminesce
KILL-ER, guys. These eye pencils are out of this world. So pigmented and creamy. I'm a tid bit nervous of this hightlight (Hi, I'm pale and gold may not work for me as a highlighter) but I'm excited to find some way to work this.

Sigma Beauty Performance Eyes Kit
After hearing nothing but rave reviews about their brushes, I knew I had to try them. I chose the Performance Eyes Kit (although it was a toss up between this and the Mr. Bunny Kit). The kit includes eight high quality brushes that range from an eye liner brush to blending brushes to crease brushes. It's everything I could ask and more for an eye kit. The brushes are SUPER soft and it feels like I'm rubbing nice, soft, hair pillows on my eyes (weirdest analogy award goes to...). I'M USED TO SCRATCHY BRUSHES OK!?
Performance Eyes Kit

Wee! A fun picture to show you which brush is which.

Sigma Beauty Limited Edition Paris Palette
Truth? I have no clue what made me buy this. Probably that damn "limited edition" tag again. It was a total whim and THANK GOODNESS because this palette is heaven. What I really like about this was that seven beauty gurus on YouTube came up with this palette - everything from the packaging to the brushes! Each one had a monument to get inspiration from to make their eyeshadow. 


Eiffel & Seine
Excuse Eiffel's surroundings. It looks like some of the edges of the eyeshadow broke off and it was EVERYWHERE. Also, Eiffel is EXTREMELY pigmented. Like, holy crap pigmented. Eiffel developed by MakeupbyTiffanyD / Seine developed by all the beauty vloggers.

Louvre & Orsay
Sweet niblets. I haven't swatches these yet and I'm so afraid Louvre is going to be chalky but the color is beautiful. Louvre by Petrilude / Orsay by MACNC40.

Elysees & Notre Dame
Yay for some gorgeous purples! Elysees by DulceCandy87 / Notre Dame by xteeener.

Triomphe & Versailles
JAW. DROP. Just look at these two. Do you guys see the duochrome in Triomphe? Triomphe by frmheadtotoe / Versailles by xsparkage.

Rouge, Peche & Lumiere Blushes/Highlighter, Large Angled Contour Brush & Eye Shading Brush
Another full circle palette. I love how much this includes into it and the Paris theme flows through. I have yet to try these blushes but I really like how they seem to be universal.

So how much did I save? Total I would've paid with no discount? $179.55 and total I paid with discount? $147.15 - Cha-ching! $32 saved! I'm so thrilled with everything I've purchased and can't wait to put up full reviews of these palettes and brushes!

Anyone else buy anything from the Sigma sale? Anyone have these palettes? What do you think?

Website: Sigma Beauty

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