Friday, August 31, 2012

Sinful Colors Magnetic Polish Review

I know I haven't been around much but this review had to be done. I couldn't find many (well, any, really) other reviews on Google so I figured this had to happen to prevent anyone else from spending (read: wasting) money on this product.

I found a huge display of these at Target on a new Sinful stand. I was pulled toward this color right away, it seemed really unique. On top of it, this magnet was a star pattern instead of the bog standard wavy line thing. The shade I picked up is Polar Opposites.



Now, I wouldn't consider myself a noob at nail polish, not even at magnetic polish. I put my usual gel base coat down and let it dry completely, and then went away to paint my nails. First off, the magnet is practically glued into the top, and I quite literally nearly lost a nail trying to pull it off from the bottle cap. I put on a thin layer and then placed the magnet above my thumbnail immediately. The polish was decently opaque in one coat, except... nothing happened. I did one more thin coat (nice thing about magnetic polishes) and tried again. That time, the magnet was too strong and nearly pulled color from my entire nail. Needless to say, it was a chore. The magnet switched between simply not working, to working too well and pulling color unevenly.




Sorry for the lack of clean up, I'm not keeping this on anyway.

The polish was just... poor. Maybe it's this color, but there are weird random teal sparkles scattered on my nails, and some parts are grey, some are an inky charcoal with the sparkle, and other areas are nearly black with the teal sparkle. It looks really uneven and like a child painted my nails. I tried to get a picture of it here...


The real problem is when I tried to use my top coat. I've used 2 other brands of magnetic polish and not had an issue, but this polish smeared horribly once top coat was applied. It also would not dry, even with my top coat being fast dry, and waiting about 15 minutes.


Yeah. It's not cute. Not even worth $1.99. Boo on you, Sinful. No bueno. I much prefer the Boots version. Save your money!

Sunday, August 19, 2012

FOTD: Sunlit Cactus

Just a look I came up with yesterday when I was feeling creative with my makeup. It's similar to the look my husband did on me when we did the Husband Makeup Tag. I really liked this one!







FACE:
- Avon Smooth Minerals Foundation in Nude
- Mac MSF Natural in Light
 - Maybelline SuperStay Concealer in Light
- Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer in Light
- Mac MSF in Semi Precious Crystal Pink

EYES:
-Too Faced Shadow Insurance
- Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bold Gold
- Maybelline Color Tattoo in Edgy Emerald
- Jesse's Girl Eye Dust in Sunlit Cactus
- Jesse's Girl Eye Dust in Mardi Gras
- Jesse's Girl Eye Dust in Pixie Dust
- Wet n Wild eye pencil in Sky Blue
- Wet n Wild eye pencil in Black
- Urban Decay Glitter liner in Distortion
- Maybelline The Mega Plush mascara

LIPS:
- L'Oreal Caresse Lipstick in Sunset Angora
- Avon Glazewear Sparkle in Mirage

Friday, August 17, 2012

Most Worn Things Tag! (Video)

I've done a video on the Most Worn Things Tag that is going around on Youtube... there's lots of info in the description box but here it is:



Here are the items I mentioned and where to buy them if available:
- Color Club Blue-Ming: http://www.cosmeticgroup.com/shop/Blue-Ming   $8
- GOSH Rainbow: Unavailable, £5
- Macadamia Healing Oil Spray: http://www.target.com/p/macadamia-healing-oil-spray-4-2-oz/-/A-14017133   $27.99
- Xhilaration Black Crossbody Bag: Similar at http://www.target.com/p/mossimo-supply-co-washed-crossbody-black/-/A-14087830   $23.99
- J Crew Edie Purse (Pecan): http://www.jcrew.com/womens_special_shops/HandbagShop/FeaturedHandbags/PRDOVR~44804/44804.jsp   $238
- Classified Tan Peep Toe Flats: Similar at http://www.amazon.com/City-Classified-YAGER-PEEP-TOE/dp/B0085DAG76   $15.63
- Pearl cuff bracelet: Similar at http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=acc_bracelet_stretch&ProductID=1000047624&VariantID=  $4.80
- Turtle long necklace: Similar at http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Lovely-Cute-Colorful-Rhinestone-Little-Turtle-Pendant-Long-Necklace-HOT-/260973985096?pt=Fashion_Jewelry&hash=item3cc342fd48   $1.94
- B/W Stripe Maxi Skirt: http://www.target.com/p/mossimo-womens-convertible-maxi-skirt-assorted-colors/-/A-13845461   $24.99
- Mint green lace dress: Unavailable
- Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream: http://www.misshaus.com/ctrl.php?page=mainProductDetail&p_code=MSMS1052&ctg=AAA  $29.99 (cheaper on Amazon)
- Mac Light Year Mineralize Skinfinish: Sold out, but other colors are at  http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/159/782/Products/Face/Powder/Mineralize-Skinfinish/index.tmpl  $29.00
- Mac Prism blush, http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/156/329/Products/Face/Cheek/Powder-Blush/index.tmpl   $20.00
- Revlon Kissable Balm Stains: http://www.target.com/p/revlon-just-bitten-kissable-balm-stain/-/A-14081497  $7.69  (price varies)
- Rimmel Sexy Curves mascara: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/rimmel-london-sexy-curves-mascara/ID=prod5406335-product  $7.99
- Sleek Monaco palette: Unavailable
- Jesse's Girl Eye Dust in Pixie Dust: http://www.jessesgirlcosmetics.com/products/view/32   $4.99

Monday, August 13, 2012

The Chequered Lily Apothecary: Review + Swatches

I recently placed a small order with The Chequered Lily Apothecary. I heard about the company through Sirvinya and was interested in some of their colors. I decided to order two blogger sample packs and was pleasantly surprised when Kimberly, the owner, immediately messaged me and thanked me for my order. She also asked if I wanted any colors in particular and said she would ship out my items the following day. I really appreciated her customer service on this -- she was so friendly! I ended up just letting her pick the colors.

The shop is through Etsy, and you can reach it here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheChequeredLily
Kimberly only does eye products right now, including some glitter blends. You can get a set of 7 samples for $4.00, or a full size for $6.50. My "Youtuber/Blogger" sample pack was $3.00 and Kimberly included some additional samples, so I ended up with 19 samples total.

All of the colors were interesting and had different textures and formulas. Sometimes with indie companies, you find that each shadow is the same base with a different color glitter over the top -- not so with Chequered Lily. Some were more metallic, some were glittery, and I even had a matte finish in my sample pack. The colors were pigmented and smooth over Darling Girl's Glitter Glue. I did find that on the colors with an intense glitter overlay, it took two layers to achieve full opacity. Think of it like a glitter nail polish that needs that second coat to get the 'wow' factor. Overall, I am loving what she sent me and I cannot wait to use them in some looks!




Left to right: Jack Frost, Bayou and Dorothy

Jack Frost is a medium grey-toned blue with baby blue and silver sparkle. This was slightly sheer but was easily buildable.

Bayou is a brilliant sparkling teal. It only has a faint hint of green and there is noticeable gold sparkle.

Dorothy is a matte sky blue. Definitely a unique color from an indie company. It was also very smooth with little to no patchiness in application.




Left to right: Stranger Tides, Oxalis and Mr. Wednesday

Stranger Tides is a blackened teal with strong teal shift. At one angle, it just looked nearly black, but once the light hit it, the teal lit up. Gorgeous.

Oxalis is my favorite of what I was sent, and it is a medium grass green with loads of darker green and gold sparkle. This was incredibly pigmented and smooth.

Mr. Wednesday is a buttery champagne with lots of sparkle. There were some minor coverage issues with this but I think as a wash of color on the lids, it would be very pretty.




Left to right: Delicate, Snow, Glass and Apples, and A Dustland Fairytale

Delicate is a soft 'snow' white with soft shimmer. Would make a great tear duct highlight.

Snow, Glass and Apples is a sheer pale gold with reddish pink shift. Really unique!

A Dustland Fairytale is a soft mauve that borders on cranberry.




Left to right: The 13th, November and Haute Cocoa

The 13th is a shimmering metallic red with pink shimmer.

November is a really interesting medium brown with a slight 'burnt' quality. It looked like a dark orange in the baggie, but instead it's the color of dead leaves. It may sound unappealing, but it's actually a really pretty color and reminds me of November as the name suggests!

Haute Cocoa (cute name!) is a richer chocolate brown. Love this one.



Left to right: The Labyrinth and Stormbreak

The Labyrinth is a really tough color to describe. It's got a deep brown base but a plummy-brown-blue overlay. It's like Mac Club with less red tones, and more purple. This was a real stunner.

Stormbreak is a taupey deep violet. Is that possible? Yes, yes it is. I squee'd out loud when I saw this. It's SUPER shimmery as well with large silver and purple sparkle.




Left to right: Divine, Princess Aurora and Crackberry

Divine is a bubblegum pink without being overly obnoxious. It has a softness about it that is really unique for a pink of this tone; there's also a strong shimmer overlay.

Princess Aurora is a magenta pink with a purple-blue shift. This has SUCH a perfect name.

Crackberry is a deep plum with a teal shift. Another unique shade.




Left to right: Snow Angel and Stormbringer

Snow Angel is an intense shimmery white -- this is like snow glittering in the sun. Seriously beautiful.

Stormbringer is a deep blue-grey with a pretty metallic finish.

I think my favorites are Stormbreak and Oxalis, though it's tough to decide. What about you? See anything you like?

Friday, August 10, 2012

Darling Girl Cosmetics: Not An 80s Band Collection Review + Swatches

I have to apologize -- I've had these for a while and have just now been able to post swatches of the colors! I've only done a little playing with a couple of the colors, but I am probably going to do a Darling Girl Week here on the blog soon so I will be sure to use some of these then!




Left to right: Miles From Nowhere, Tell Me Now and On the Hunt

Miles From Nowhere is a really interesting shade as it shifts color depending on the light. It looks grey but then shifts to a gold with lots of sparkle.

Tell Me Now is a orangey red with strong pink sparkle.

On the Hunt is a grass green with a slight brassiness about it.




Left to right: After You've Gone, Cut Me Deeper and No Sign of Life

After You've Gone is a beautiful shimmering silver with a slight purple undertone.

Cut Me Deeper is a metallic blood red.

No Sign of Life is a vibrant blue that shifts to a golden teal in certain lights.




Left to right: Shooting Star, Blue Silver and Dancing on the Sand

Shooting Star is a medium pigmented black with a ton of silver and purple-ish sparkle. It some lights, it's nearly a dark purple.

Blue Silver is as the name suggests, a very metallic blue-based silver. Darker than After You've Gone.

Dancing on the Sand is a medium tan with a soft blue shift; this would be great to blend out the crease on a brown or black smokey eye.




Left to right: One Night Stand, Razor's Edge and Lonely Satellite

One Night Stand is a gorgeous peach with pink shift. One of my new favorite eyeshadows!

Razor's Edge is a metallic red with what appears to be blue sparkle lurking about. It's darker than Tell Me Now but lighter than Cut Me Deeper. The finish is also more metallic than Cut Me Deeper (whereas that one is mostly sparkle).

Lonely Satellite is the only one that had some minor patchiness issues; it is a blackened blue-based purple with silver sparkle. 

Overall, really loving the colors and finishes of the shadows in this collection. Susan had some trademark issues with an outside company and had to rename many of these shades; you can purchase them here.

DISCLAIMER: Post contains products sent for review by owner. This does not change my opinion of said products and I received no monetary compensation for this review.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

FOTD: Liquid Lilac

Quick-ish post for you tonight. I am trying to get back into the swing of blogging. I've swatched the last Darling Girl collection and that post will be up tomorrow, so definitely check back then! I filmed a quick video of my outfit with this look, as I had an HD camcorder for the weekend.




FACE:
- MUFE HD Foundation in #120
- Mac MSF Natural in Light
 - Maybelline SuperStay Concealer in Light
- Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer in Light
- NYX blush in Summer Peach

EYES:
-Too Faced Shadow Insurance
- L'oreal Infallible eyeshadow in Liquid Diamond
- Jesse's Girl Eye Dust in Secret Weapon (inner corner)
- MUA eyeliner in Lovely Lilac
- Maybelline The Mega Plush mascara
 
LIPS:
- Cover Girl Lip Perfection in Romance

Here is the outfit video: