All Things Beautiful XO

Stephanie Louise Telford & her guide on beauty, style, & glitter!

Mani of the Day: Jail Bait from Spoiled Nail Polish

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Let’s talk about oranges. I find too often that orange hues are often too sheer, nothing like the bottle color, or they just plain don’t appeal to me. Oranges are an iffy topic for me but seeing as they are THE color this season, I had to try right? Well, I’m lucky I did! I went in search of a non-shimmer bright orange & success has been achieved! Spoiled is a company branched off from Wet n Wild that makes just nail polish. It is exclusive to CVS & is regularly priced at $1.99 although you can often find them for 99 cents during sales. 
Neon shades, even bordering neons like this one, are infamously hard to capture. I happened upon the right angles for this one so these AREN’T edited colorwise & they are pretty dead on.  These are all under artificial light….& it took a very long time haha.

Spoiled Jail Bait: A slightly neon orange that dries matte.
I wouldn’t call it fluorescent like Sinful Colors Summer Peach. Easy to apply in 3 coats, 4 coats to remove visible nail line.Seen here is only 3 coats.
This doesn’t apply nearly as thin as many of my other non-shimmer oranges however it will take a few coats. Luckily, this dries thin so it doesn’t feel goopy on. I want it to have a high shine so  added Seche Vite atop it after these photos. You can also see me wearing this on my April Favorites video HERE & if you haven’t subscribed yet, please do! There are things on that channel that don’t appear here on the blog.

May 2012: Kohls Jewelry Haul Part 2

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Here’s the sister post for the Kohls Jewelry Haul Part 1. Actually, this is like the cool little sister of that post. These are my fun pieces plus the gold coral earrings I’ve been lusting after! Enjoy & please do let me know what you think in the comments section!

 Here you can see everything I got but I’m focusing on the 3 strands of bright colored beads that is acting as the frame. These are 3 separate necklaces that are stretchy elastics. They are each ever so slightly longer than the other but they are relatively short. I think these will be great statement pieces & I would feel comfortable wearing this if I knew they might get wet or dirty or whatever too. The colors starting from the top are white, a coral orange, bright blue, & navy. 
Brand: SO Fashion Jewelry
Original Price: $ 20.00                                      Clearance Price: $4.00
 I’ve seen high end versions of these earrings before & found some at Kohls. I’ve stalked. I’ve waited. Finally, they went on sale. & you know what? They’re glorious! Her jewelry is gorgeous & most of it is very delicate looking.
Brand: Lauren Conrad Jewelry
Original Price: $14.00                                       Clearance Price: $4.20
 Long gold chain with texture & black accents? Whatever shall I wear it with except for everything?
Brand: APT. 9
Original Price: $28.00                                       Clearance Price: $5.60
Black filigree plastic earrings. I love these because they’re super lightweight & will be easy to pack.
Brand: SO Fashion Jewelry
Original Price: $12.00                                       Clearance Price: $2.40
 
 
So that’s the end! I mean, I have more jewelery than anyone needs but I consistently buy more. Are you liking any of these pieces? What are your favorite things to shop for besides makeup?

May 2012: Kohls Jewelry Haul Part 1

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I love Kohls. Seriously, its probably unhealthy how much I love shopping there. The key to shopping Kohls on a budget is to check out the ridiculous amount of deals covering pretty much the entire store. I’ve been picking up some clothes for this summer & my vacation but stumbled upon some nice jewelry deals. I actually went to two separate Kohls & got jewelry from each, so here’s part 1.  I THINK all of these are from the APT. 9 line but I somehow lost my receipt… I do have one for the 2nd half though 🙂

This bib necklace was less than $5. I love the colors & the large stone makes it a bit different from everything else I have. Also, not a fringe fan…so this isn’t very long & it probably the closest I’ll get to the fringe trend. I actually think it adds to the reasons I like it.

 These earrings were $3.40. I love blue, especially water types blues for spring/summer. I probably won’t wear them with the necklace even though I’m pretty sure they were selling these with that intention. Too much going on.

 I love this long necklace! These are all off center so I won’t be adjusting it nearly as much either. Its rare I find something earthy (blue, green, brown) in silver tones that I like. This was around $5.

So these 3 are a bit more toned down while the ones I’m posting next are more fun. What do you think? Do you ever shop at Kohls? These were all 60-80% off by the way!

Quick Post: Fixing My Haircut

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So it finally happened: I left the salon without first parting my hair all 3 ways to make sure it was even. After all these years of being so careful to check that my cut looked good from all sides…I didn’t. So can you guess what I’m doing today? Yep, taking it in to get fixed. I parted it on the side when I left which looked fine. Then I had a busy week. Saturday came by & we went over to a friends house but before that I learned that parting my hair down the center wasn’t an option. Dang girl.

I called the salon & they were so nice which I think a lot of people don’t expect. They let me know their hours & that they’d fix it free of charge when I come in. I think whenever someone calls about something like this they expect get to get attitude but it just isn’t so. They offer a service & they want to keep you coming back so they are more than happy to fix it. Thankfully because now the lack of even on the front of my hair is all I can see!

I just wanted to drop you guys this quick little reminder in case anyone is ever nervous about asking for a redo. My other job is writing about hair so it is constantly on my mind! I get asked about stylists like they are lions lying in wait quite often, waiting to pounce on your hair & attack.

Moral of the story: When you get 8 inches of your hair cut off, don’t be so distracted that you forget to check symmetry.

For more tips on similar matters, check out How to Communicate With Your Stylist. Have you ever had a bad haircut? I’m lucky mines not BAD just not quite even. Whenever people try to send me out with a bad one, I point out where it went wrong so it can be fixed! How about you guys? Any bad haircut/hair color/hair do stories?

May 2012: Glossybox has Come to the USA!

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Disclaimer: Normally I put these at the end of posts but this one needs to be at the beginning. This is NOT a regular Glossybox & I don’t want you guys thinking this is what you will get if you sign up. This is an amazing launch box filled with 5 full size products & 1 sample pack that was distributed to some people (me because I’m a blogger) or won by others. This is NOT how most boxes will be. Glossybox generally contains at least 5 products, one being full sized. They work with some amazing brands as well so I do believe this is a good representation of the types of brands we will be seeing in this new subscription service. I didn’t want to mislead any of my readers as this isn’t exactly an example of what you will be getting from Glossybox. Once again, this was in celebration of their launch. A big thanks to Pink Sith for letting us know this information.

Okay, now onto the FUN stuff! This is some of the most beautiful & chic packaging ever to hit my doorway, & I’ve seen some beauts. The box it comes in has the logo & glossy box on it, then a beautiful, pink hard box that I can see myself storing all sorts of things in. Next is some information tied with a bow.

Next up is a “Trend Guide” & Info Card. I love this guide & find it to be a very fun addition. Inside are places for you to write notes along with information about the samples & advice about them. This is organized by oconic places & shows their beauty trends. Fun stuff!

The products are wrapped in a light pink paper with travel landmarks, so fashionable! I see myself hoarding these boxes in the future, so sturdy & pretty!

What I received are 5 full size products & one set of sample packs. Here’s what they all look like:
Kiss Me on My Tulips Nail Polish by OPI which retails for $8.50 for 0.5oz.

Initial Reaction: If you put OPI in a box, I will likely buy it. I love this shade & I don’t own it yet. I have so many nail polishes but this is a welcomed addition. I have this issue with needing every polish like…ever.
High Gloss Brilliant Lip Shine in Toffee by Kryolan which retails for $18 for 4ml.

Initial Reaction: I have always heard the most incredible things about Kryolan but somehow have never managed to have my own to play with. This gloss is very large & a lovely shade.
Lavender & Peppermint Body Lotion by C.O. Bigelow which retails for $12 for 5.2oz.

Initial Reaction: I am a lavender addict so I will be testing this out happily. It smells great in the bottle but for the price I do so hope it performs.
Cucumber Tea Eye Gel from Basq which retails for $24 for 0.5oz.

Initial Reaction: This has a very strong smell that has turned off some other reviewers. I will test it out because I am constantly looking for the perfect eye creams & gels. I’ve used the same gel for years though (from Olay) so this had better bring its A game.
EyeBronzer by CARGO which retails for $22 for 0.035oz.


Initial Reaction: Cargo, we have been apart for too long. This looks lovely & perfect for summer. I can already tell you my blue eyes will love this shade.

& last is a sample pack of the Hollywood Collection by Erno Lazlo which are all creams.

Initial Reaction: These are all named after icons: Ava, Katharine, Marilyn, Grace and Greta so they better make me look fabulous. No really, if you slap their names on something it must be a holy grail item.

I’m sorry I couldn’t review this service as a whole although I am incredibly grateful they were thoughtful enough to send this along. I don’t want anyone misinterpreting this box though, thus the long disclaimer. Looking at just the brands, these are way impressive & definitely something I’m interested to see more of. The price tag for this box is DOUBLE that of many other beauty subscription box service chiming in at $21. If you had received my box, I would say that price tag is more than worth it. Because I do not know what will be in the actual batch of boxes I can’t say if it worth it or not.  I do so wish they had sent me a box that everyone else will be getting so I can tell you if its worth the price but alas, I cannot. Yet.

What I CAN say is that I will be subscribing as soon as possible & giving it a shot. If this month’s MyGlam bag stinks then I will be canceling it anyways. I look forward to seeing more from Glossybox & am excited to see what they bring to the table. They are so wildly popular in other countries I’m excited it has arrived here in the US. This appears to run differently than Birchbox & more like Beauty Army by opening up subscriptions for a brief period every month. To put your e-mail in the pot & sign up to get notified when these boxes are available, simply go to http://www.glossybox.com. These subscriptions should be available sometime in May 2012.

I look forward to hearing what you hope to see from Glossybox, what you think of the brands, & what you have seen from bloggers & vloggers from other countries who have had Glossybox!

See Stephanie Read: You Have No Idea by Vanessa & Helen Williams

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Stunning. Brave. Witty.

These are just a few of the words I use to describe Vanessa Williams after reading the novel she & her mother wrote. I have always loved her, followed her career, & silently cursed her for becoming more & more glamorous as time inched on. I mean really, does she have magic potions hidden away somewhere? Okay, back on topic! She has been asked to write her story so many times but always declined. I love that she wrote this with her mother, it gives it such depth & their dynamic is phenomenal.

So let’s get this straight right now: This isn’t a happy go-lucky book written by a pretty girl. This is a story of struggle, triumph, & mother-daughter love that will leave you laughing, crying, & hopefully you end up satisfied like me in the end. This isn’t an easy read sometimes though, some of the topics are absolutely heart-wrenching.

 I’m really close with my own mom so to see Helen’s point of view & Vanessa’s was oh so familiar. My mom wanted to protect me from everything while my dad tried to give me freedom to make mistakes. They were a great balance. Like Vanessa, I often did exactly what my mom advised me not to do just because…well…she’s my mother.

My mom & I right after I graduated high school.

For every piece of advice, there’s also a laugh or two. If you’re close with your mom, you’re bound to relate. Heck, even if you’re not, you can’t help but find yourself in the story somewhere. There is a lot of laughter but I also cried. A lot. What can I say? I miss my mom!

To find out more about this book or to discuss it with us on BlogHer, go to our main post & then each week there will be a new topic to check out! Our first discussion is labeled “Do you listen to your mother?”

This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own.

Mani of the Day: China Glaze Ray-Diant Swatches

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I will start out with, how gorgeous is this collection? I picked up 2 polishes & honestly could have snagged them all. They only had 3 left when I ran into Sally’s though! These Prismatics got snapped up fast.

 Pointer has one coat, middle 2 coats, ring finger 3 coats, & pinkie 4. This is before I chopped my nails, clearly. They needed it!

China Glaze Ray-Diant: A clear base packed with yellow-toned green sheen mini glitters & with green, orange, blue, and pink small to medium hexagon glitters. Has a slight antique gold feel to it.

I love this shade, it is SO different from everything else I’ve ever found. As always, this glitter is annoying to remove, but applies like an absolute dream. The sheen is extremely gorgeous in person  I got a few questions about what I was wearing. Just to note, I never get questions here in Nebraska 😉

Stay tuned for the other shade I got! Have you picked any of these up?

Glamazon Spring 2012 Collab: Coral Eyeshadow for Daytime

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Are you as obsessed as I am with all the corals this season? I have always been a coral fan (makeup artists say it pops on me!) but I’m glad to have so many more choices. I have scarves, shoes, sunglasses, clothes, & tons of makeup. What was I lacking? The perfect coral eyeshadow.

I find so often that these are either hard to wear or too orange for what I’m looking for. I found it when I wasn’t looking of course! The star of this look is an Essence eyeshadow for only $1.99 I picked up at ULTA.  This look only requires 2 shades which makes it very easy to recreate yourself.

Natural light.
Looks a bit more orange with flash.

My goal was to make it wearable while still being fun. What do you think? Is this a daytime look you would rock? This was an AWFUL skin day for me but hopefully it doesn’t distract you too much!

What I’m Wearing:

Eyes:
– Too Faced Shadow Insurance
– Essence single eyeshadow in Shrimp Me Up which looks SO pink online but it is much more coral/peach.
– Everyday Minerals eyeshadow in Sea Horse is used all over the lid as the base color, in the inner corners lightly, & as the highlight shade.
– Physician’s Formula Shimmer Liner pencil in Black for Blue Eyes
– LASHEM Double Trouble Mascara in Black (both sides)

Lips:
-Victoria’s Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss in Red Delicious.

Face:
– Revlon Photo Ready Foundation + a bit of Revlon ColorStay mixed together
– Revlon Photo Ready Concealer
– MAC blush in Bite of an Apple. Blush was applied very lightly!
-ELF All Over Color Stick in Spotlight applied atop cheekbones & blended out.

Earrings are from Forever 21, necklace is vintage, & my top is from Banana Republic.

A few of us in the Glamazon group participated in creating a spring entry, I’ll be sure to post links to the other posts as soon as I have them all!

Ulta Bargain: TARTE Amazonian Blush & Bronze on the Go + Review

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I usually spring for full size items. I think “What the heck, that mini is a third of the size at half the price!” & often this is true. But I have been dying to try the Tarte Amazonian Clay products but I have a pretty extensive blugh & bronzer collection so I was timid. I picked this up a few weeks ago from Ulta for only $15 & I think it worked out great for me. If you are a person who often doesn’t finish a blush or bronzer, I think this would also be great for you! As far as the duo goes, these are each .11 ounces while the full size is .32 ounces. Price breakdowns are below as well as swatches at the end.

Love the packaging. Some people might be upset they don’ have mirrors but that doesn’t bother me one bit. Very sturdy, not overly messy like some mini size powder items, & most of all, adorable packaging that is very much a Tarte signature.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Dollface
Artificial Light.
Flash.
 This is the shade (along with Tipsy) that I was told I HAD to try. Life or death type thing. This is touted as lasting for 12 hoursbut the most interesting claim is that they are made for ALL skin types. I’m not sure if that’s true as I only have my skin, but i can tell you it lasted all day on my dry cheeks. It again lasted through some rigorous Red Rover we played the other day, never underestimate kids who want to win. I find it to be easily blendable & well pigmented. This color compliments me. It isn’t shimmery but gives a nice glow effect on the skin.
I found this easy to apply if I tapped my brush into the color, not swirled. Tapping got the pigment on my brush without breaking up the powder which is a bit soft. I think this is due to the moisturizing effect its supposed to give. The color Dollface specifically is quite pretty, but I don’t agree its a soft pink. I think of it more as a brighter light pink with cool undertones. This didn’t last a full 12 hours on me though, but maybe a brighter shade would? It did last well over 8.
Tarte Amazonian Clay Blushes are $25 for .20 ounces. The mini is (I’m splitting the $15in half for these!) $7 for .11 ounces. Bargain much? Unless you feel you need a mirror, pick up a few of these suckers & enjoy the free bronzer!
Tarte Mineral Bronzer in Park Ave Princess
Artificial Light.
Flash.
I was most excited about the blush, but I also love me some bronzer. I’m fair so I do find it hard to find bronzers I feel compliment my skin without giving me that over-baked look. This one is quite shimmering in the pan so its likely I wouldn’t have looked twice at it in the store due to its price tag. I can find shimmering bronzers for a lot less.
Once again, Park Ave Princess would have to be the shade I’ve heard most about. Then again, there is only two shades so I guess that’s not saying much! Park Ave Princess is something I wouldn’t have picked up on my own & that would have been a mistake. Although it looks to be packed with shimmer, this gives a beautiful glow to my fair skin. Granted, you need to use a much lighter hand & its not a contouring bronzer. I love the healthy glow it gives & its pigments enough I only use the LIGHTEST touch. I don’t even use my regular brush but a less dense one. I also like this swiped across my collarbones for a night out.
Tarte Mineral Bronzers are $29 for .32 ounces.This mini (again splitting it in half) is $7 for .11 ounces. You can definitely save a few bucks if you don’t mind having a mini & not having a mirror!
Overall, I know a lot of people got these samples for free & if I don’t say something about that I know I’ll get informed of that. But for those of us who didn’t do gifts with purchase & such, this is the perfect sampler of each in shades that should fit many skin tones. I wish they had some darker options for deeper skin tones availible though. I would buy these every time they came out with them as long as they stayed at this value. This has me thinking I need at least one other blush, well done Tarte. No sane person needs another blush with the amount I have, so cheers to you.

Freeman Kiwi & Yogurt Facial Moisturizing Cleanser Review

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Nebraska hates my skin. No seriously, it does. This insane combo skin I have going on has been so hard to treat. My cheeks are very dry & sometimes even to the point of flaky. My T-zone is oily & breakout prone. My under-eyes have been getting hit with eczema. Is it any wonder I’m not digging this change? Going through acne cleansers, combo cleanser, & ultra-hydrating cleansers isn’t helping either. I mean, there’s a war going on between the dry & oily clans on my face. No one is a winner here folks.

What the Freeman website says about this product: This creamy, silky cream cleanser gently rids impurities without stripping the skin of its needed natural oils.  Clears skin without drying it out. Perfect for normal to dry skin.

Directions: dampen face with warm water and massage over skin. Rinse and pat dry.

Key Ingredients:
Kiwi Fruit Extract
Yogurt Extract
Aloe Leaf Juice

Normally I test skincare loner than 2 weeks, but I have to jump on this cleanser. This is the Freeman Kiwi & Yogurt Facial Moisturizing Cleanser & I am becoming rather obsessed. Not only does this come with a drugstore price tag, but it smells like fresh cut kiwis. Not kiwi strawberry drink mix, but the actual scent of kiwis. The yogurt addition is something kind of new to me for a cleanser. I love yogurt masks, but I’ve never used it as a main ingredient in a face wash before. That was my mistake clearly.

I use this in the morning since all my makeup is off & I just have to face off my night creams & that grime from sleeping. This face face doesn’t lather (much like sulfate-free shampoos which are currently all the rage!) which is probably one of the keys to why its so moisturizing. If you’ll notice, most moisturizing washes are cream based so that the lather doesn’t dry out your skin. It looks like a thin yogurt in the tube but it smooths out pretty clear. I have never used it to remove makeup so I can’t judge it on that front.

This leaves my skin with the perfect amount of moisture so that I can treat my oily areas & not worry about my dry ones. The scent is addicting as well as it isn’t too strong when I’m in my zombie morning state. The texture is much like a gel which is pretty different for me. I’m not used to something being that smooth on my skin & being a cleanser. This has me definitely rethinking some of my cleanser choices lately! Love it!

You can purchase this from the Freeman website for the bargain price of $3.99!
This product was sent by PR for review consideration. This in no way effects my opinion on the product.
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