New Nail Polish Bottle Spam + Tell Me What You Really Want!

April 17, 2013 By StephanieLouise 474Leave a Comment2013-04-17+17%3A55%3A00StephanieLouise

photo 7b52635c-b6df-4de3-b32a-1f79f145331a_zps89e796a3.jpg

Recently I decided I wanted to start doing come collection/swatch/bottle spam posts but with my prepping for my bestie to get here this weekend I’m putting it off a bit! I DO have some new polishes I picked up last night to show you though. This isn’t all of them (Yes, I have a problem) but these are the polishes I’d like to show on the blog next. With such a back log I can’t decide so I’m letting YOU decide what you want to see on the blog next! I’ve also posted this on Instagram/Twitter/FB so I’ll be taking feedback from those areas too!

Option #1:New Revlon Chroma Chameleon Polishes.

Option #2: New Essie Resort Collection

Option #3: Rue 21 Pink Ice Collection

Option #4: New Sinful Colors shades from the Bare Necessities display

Option #5: Rue 21 Beaute Nail Deco polishes

Option #6: 2 China Glaze 2013 Holographic polishes

Sorry some of these bottle shots are sloppy as heck, I was just excited to get this up! Feel free to pick multiples & you can vote anywhere you want. I’m not picky! I’m excited to see what you’re interested in & thanks so much for voting! XO

Sephora X Special Effect Top Coat in Chaotic Swatches & Review

April 16, 2013 By StephanieLouise 475Leave a Comment2013-04-16+13%3A55%3A00StephanieLouise

I purchased this. Affiliate links.

Black & white nail polish has been big for quite awhile now & I’m just not getting sick of it. In fact, I just snagged another version (this one for a drug store price!) recently. I love that they are all a tad different & I reach for them a lot when I’ve worn a shade for a few days & want a change. Sephora X Special Effect Top Coat in Chaotic is just fantastic…check out the swatches for yourself!

Sephora X Chaotic- Large, medium, small, & extra small hex glitters along with short bar glitters in both black & white suspended in a clear base. Seen her over Flower Beauty Nail Polish in Good Bud-dy.

Sephora X Special Effect Top Coat in Chaotic is part of the Sephora X line (there’s all kinds of polishes, not just glitters!) & they popped up I believe last Nov/Dec? I’m honestly not sure because this was the only shade I was dying for & I have to drive out to Sephora to see things in person which I try to plan out. I believe these retail for $11.50 but I’ve heard they sometimes go on sale because they are a Sephora brand. I really do love this shade even though it costs a bit more. This has great flow & lays perfectly flat on the nail for me.

This isn’t a dupe for Lynnderella Connect the Dots but I did want to point out that I PREFER the Sephora version! Connect the Dots has a shimmering base which I don’t like as well as the clear one. There are also some varying sizes & no white bar glitters in Chaotic. Whatever. I mean…I can add shimmer if I feel the need right? Plus…definitely less stress & less money!

I am not a huge fan of the lid. This big lid & bottle size/shape is pretty much identical to the Covergirl polishes (which I’ve been asked to review by you guys so I’ll try to do that soonish!) & I’m just not a fan overall. They are a bit bulky & I prefer smaller lids for careful application.

Have you tried this shade? Are you a fan of polishes like this? What are some of your favorites?

Teal & Brown Smoky Eye – Urban Decay Vice Palette

April 15, 2013 By StephanieLouise 476Leave a Comment2013-04-15+15%3A09%3A00StephanieLouise

photo udvicepalettetealampbrown_zpsc4a0297f.jpg

I purchased this palette. Affiliate links.

When it comes to makeup palettes, I definitely go through phases. Right now my favorite is the Urban Decay Vice Palette which was limited edition & worth every penny. Each shadow is unique, pigmented, & just overall beautiful. I have been reaching for this palette so much…a lot more than I had actually thought I would. I don’t buy all of the Urban Decay LE palettes but this one really appeals to me because there are bright shades, neutrals, smoky shades, & awesome base colors. Today I’m showing you one of my favorite combos ever, teal & brown!

For this look I used the shade Junkie (the teal shade which actually looks way more green in the pan) & the brown smoky outer corner shade is Muse. I used anonymous as my subtle brown highlight. I just love this combo & I got lots of compliments the combination is really striking & looks even better in person.

I’m wearing Revlon Lip Butter in Cotton Candy (sorry I don’t have a hand swatch of this but maybe I need to do a swatch spam of the Revlon Lip butters I own?) on my lips & Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed on my cheeks. On my face I believe I was wearing L’Oreal True Match Foundation. As an eyeshadow primer I stuck with my Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer in Eden.

Do you love teal & brown together? What are some of your favorite smoky color combos? Do you love the Urban Decay Vice Palette?

City Color Cosmetics Blooming Beauty Lipstick in Mauve Swatches & Review

April 14, 2013 By StephanieLouise 477Leave a Comment2013-04-14+13%3A40%3A00StephanieLouise

PR Sample.

When it comes to lip colors I think everyone has a bit of a safety zone. I love hot pinks, fair nudes, & pin up reds as much as the next but when I don’t want to think too hard I tend to reach for a mauve.I reviewed a palette from City Color Cosmetics recently & here is another adorable product. Today I’ll be swatching & reviewing the City Color Cosmetics Blooming Beauty Lipstick in Mauve which even has a little rose on it!

From what I can tell online, each shade corresponds with the color of the rose bud. Because this shade is Mauve, it is a mauve/rose shade but others will be different. One issue I have is that with the online site…this shade looks totally different! In fact, I’m guessing that the other shades are more wearable too because online they look kind of off & way orange/brown based. That would be really confusing if I was shopping online!

I really like this color, it is a creamy medium mauve toned pink. Great application! I am definitely not digging the scent though….it took me awhile but I’ve decided it reminds me of playdough which isn’t exactly my idea of a great lip scent. It doesn’t look cheap on my lips at all though & it doesn’t have shimmer which makes it more wearable for me.

So I have a few issues with this lipstick but overall I’m really digging it. The shade just looks fab on me & I think it would be lovely on other skintones as well. It is a bargain for only $2.99 on the City Color Cosmetics site & there are 6 shades total to choose from. I’m really interested in seeing what the shade Melon actually looks like.

What do you think of this shade? Do you like the packaging? What is your go-to shade?

ON MY NAILS: http://stephanielouiseatb.blogspot.com/2013/03/nails-opi-oz-lights-of-emerald-city.html

** PR sample. All opinions are my own.

City Color Cosmetics Elegantly Bold Eye Shadow & Blush Pastels Palette Swatches + Review

April 12, 2013 By StephanieLouise 478Leave a Comment2013-04-12+20%3A58%3A00StephanieLouise

PR Samples.

When it comes to trying out new brands, I like to start off with a bang. I have quite a few products from City Color Cosmetics to show you over the next few weeks but I love mini palettes so this was easily scheduled as the first! This is the City Color Cosmetics Elegantly Bold Eye Shadow & Blush Pastels Palette & it is just adorable.

I love the range of shades & the option of 3 different blush shades without being bulky. I opted to swatch over the City Color Cosmetics Primer that I’m testing. This palette fits in my hand easily & has a nice sized mirror. I find a mirror to be absolutely necessary for products I’m considering taking with me on the go. You also receive 2 brushes, one a sponge tip & the other I assume meant to be a mini blush brush. I prefer to use a much larger brush for blush so I tend to use it as my highlight/blending brush in a pinch.

Again, I love having blush options! You can use these 3 individually as swatched or swirl them to create a blend all your own.In this palette you get a very soft pink, medium/bright pink, & a rosy mauve that has a bit of sheen but not too much.

I really like the modern vibe of these shades although I wouldn’t have necessarily called it a “pastel” palette. There are only 6 shades but it is enough to create a variety of looks especially with the addition of a black shade. On the go, you can use this as a liner as well. I swatched these shades over the primer but using them with the sponge tip is also a nice way to add some pigmentation. Preferably with the sponge a bit damp!

Left to right: shimmery white, shimmery light pink, bright turquoise.

Left to right: matte black, shimmering warm light violet with a bit of a pink flash, slightly darkened teal.

The City Color Cosmetics Elegantly Bold Eye Shadow & Blush Palettes retail for only $4.99 with three shade variations: Pastel (which I showed), Neutrals, & Darks. I really like the look of the other 2 palettes & definitely want to try them out! The neutral version has really pretty peach blush shades while the dark has pretty jewel tones. You can pick this palette (& the primer used) up from City Color Cosmetics.

What do you think of this palette? Are you a palette lover like me or do you work with more singles?

Butter London Jasper + Cuppa with Swatches, Review & Nail Art

April 12, 2013 By StephanieLouise 479Leave a Comment2013-04-12+12%3A37%3A00StephanieLouise

PR Sample. Affiliate links.

When it comes to spring, I’m always up for some unique shades. Jasper & Cuppa are both from the Butter London Spring 2013 Sweetie Shop Collection. Check out the swatches & nail art below!

Jasper- A warm, glossy cream that reminds me of butter. It has a touch of brightness beneath the pastel as well. 2 coats opaque.

Cuppa- Tan creme that remind me of the outer shell of a toasted nut. I love this shade. 2 coats opacity.

I did a little bit of nail art but nothing too intense. I thought this would be a unique color combo, what do you think? I call these double dots: a dot inside a dot. Base is Butter London Jasper then dots of Cuppa & dots inside that of Jasper. Butter London polishes apply like…well they do really apply like butta. Smooth, clean, & lovely. If you’re digging either of these shades, I urge you to check them out!

*PR Sample provided. Affiliate links used. All opinions are my own.

Throwback Thursday: L’Oreal Glass Shine High Shine Lip Gloss in Pink Iridescence Swatches & Review

April 11, 2013 By StephanieLouise 480Leave a Comment2013-04-11+22%3A29%3A00StephanieLouise

So when I asked you guys on twitter/facebook if you’d be interested in seeing some old school posts about makeup I used back in the day, you seemed genuinely interested. Good thing, because I’m a hoarder. You know on tv when they tell people “You need to get rid of this. I know it is a good memory but you have to let it go” or something like that? Well I held onto quite a few makeup products from back in the day & I’m excited to show you how I used them, what they looked like, & all that jazz. If you’re not interested in see my old makeup (as hip, & cool, & with it as I was back then) then feel free to check out any of my other hundreds of posts. I’ll be featuring products every Thursday for awhile so sit back & enjoy!

Are you guys ready for another Throwback Thursday post? I sure hope because today we’re talking about something I’d run out & buy right this minute if they were still being sold in stores! L’Oreal released a line of glosses called Glass Shine High Shine Lip Gloss that were unlike anything else. I’m so bummed I only own one shade but it has been well loved.

Because this comes in a metal tube (much like a hand cream or actual oil paint) it isn’t all that pretty to photograph. Sorry about that. It also wasn’t mess free. I know for a fact I got some on multiple outfits back in the day. Didn’t care, still loved it. I think this came out in 2002/2003 which means I was right at the beginning of high school.

The scent brings back tons of memories. I checked out online & saw a lot of people wither loved or hated it. It is definitely a floral with a slightly fruity scent that you really smell. I personally like scented products over non-scented & ended up really liking the smell. As soon as I opened the tube I was transported back to the times I used it in the girl’s bathroom.

This is a clear gloss with lots of pink shimmer. It really pops over another shade but I also wore it alone. I really did like the scent a lot.

Left to right we have L’Oreal Glass Shine High Shine Lip Gloss in Pink Iridescence alone & then over Maybelline Color Sensational Pink Petal, Revlon Cherries in the Snow, & Wet n Wild Ferguson Crest.

This isn’t the easiest thing in the world to apply & the packaging isn’t great. Like most oil paints (just in case you aren’t familiar) it oozes out a bit as soon as you remove the cap. I think because I painted this didn’t bother me as much but it can be messy. It is best applied with a lip brush or a fingertip if you don’t mind getting lipstick on it.

I don’t know why I liked this so much but it did last more than my cheapie glosses back then & was shiny. & had pink opal like sparkles. Okay, I guess I do know why I liked it so much! Have you tried any of these glosses? I really wish I had bought some other shades!

My Spring Must Haves + Jergens Update/Giveaway!

April 11, 2013 By StephanieLouise 481Leave a Comment2013-04-11+18%3A01%3A00StephanieLouise

photo 7d474d30-58ca-4c94-ab5a-46e88c88e20e_zpse5a6d43e.jpg

Affiliate links. Sponsored. Product provided by PR. Product purchased by me.

So in preparation of spring I’ve been accumulating all of the things that make me happy this time of year. Stackable bracelets! Bright nails! Maxi dresses! Ah why isn’t the sun shining as I write this? Seriously there is snow/frost all over our bench outside! Ridiculous! But, when it actually starts to look like Spring outside…I’ll be ready! Jergens Natural Glow 3 Days to Glow Moisturizer has quickly made it into my testing routine & I’m impressed! From a seriously pale girl you know I love a self-tanner that actually shows a natural color without that self-tanner scent. I still get a tad bit of it but it doesn’t bother me anymore! Did you know it can smell stronger on some people due to their skin chemistry? I hadn’t ever thought of that but it is true! Anyway, let’s look at what I’m seriously loving this spring shall we?

Click here to read more…..>>>

Birthday Haul, Makeup Look, & Shopping! Lots of Shopping!

April 10, 2013 By StephanieLouise 482Leave a Comment2013-04-10+20%3A24%3A00StephanieLouise

So I took a little break from blogging for my birthday but I definitely needed it. I’m feeling so much better & am excited to jump back into it. We had a week of night shift for my husband’s job which always throws us for a loop then he took up until Monday off for birthday fun! & boy was it fun!

I freely admit I am spoiled. We don’t have kids so Ryan tends to spoil me for my birthday, especially since we’re so far from family. Military life! Anyway! So we went & watched two movies & ate sushi. & went shopping pretty much all weekend. Woohoo! I picked up some awesome stuff & that combined with the products that have landed on my doorstep I’m pretty avalanched with items right now. So I want your help! As you read this, keep in mind things you want to see sooner rather than later & let me know in the comments pretty please? I’d appreciate it!

So I went with an easy purple eyeshadow look using my Urban Decay Vice Palette. I love this look so much & I felt so confident & fantastic in it! From inner corner to outter corner I have Urban Decay Provocateur (applied wet), Rapture on the lid, & Vice to darken up the edges. Loved it!

So the day of I got some beautiful roses, an absolutely sweet card, Heath Ice Cream Cake, & Cake Batter Ice Cream. He’s a good man. & I posted pictures on my Instagram! I love Instagram so I hope you’re following me. if not, then check it out here! Now onto the presents!

So first off is the randoms. The Marc Jacobs Sunshine Eau So Fresh is from Ryan for my birthday & I adore Marc Jacobs fragrances. This screams pretty spring to me & I love it! The other fragrance is from Carol’s Daughter & it is called Ecstasy. I got a sample of this scent in a lotion & fell in love so now I finally have a rollerball! I’m hoping to review this later on. The lipstick is a Rimmel Kate Moss in the shade 17 which I somehow didn’t own. I picked up the Sephora birthday gift freebie which is from Benefit this year & contains a mini They’re Real Mascara & Watt’s Up! which is super cute. Love a freebie. The palette was on clearance & is one the the all-in-one Sephora brand mini palettes that I love to stash in my purse or travel with. It was Limited Edition.

Let’s talk Lancome! I’ve been NEEDING these two items (seriously it was unhealthy) & I’ve been pretty much putting my face against the glass for them both. I went in thinking I was getting the Lancome Color Design single eyeshadow in All That Glitters. I’ve swatched it in pretty much every store. It may not look special in the pan but it is glorious enough for me to go wild. From the texture to the complexity I fell in love! The beggest suprise was walking out with the 5 Color Lancome Color Design Palette in Mint Jolie. It has a bit of a hefty price tag but I’ve been dying over the combination of these shades. That mint, the jade liner, the whole combination is heavenly. I’m just dying.

So I got a whole lot of nail polish recently. I know. I get I really didn’t need more…but there are some in here I’ve been dying for or that I managed to find at a discount!

So this is Nails Inc Feathers Nail Polish in Brighton. I’ve been wanting this so hard but just never managed to pull the trigger. Ryan grabbed it up & bought it so I’m really excited! How adorable is the packaging on this???

This was a rarity I went nuts about but couldn’t manage to get my hand on Pantone Jewel Lacquer in Parachute Purple. This is a close-ish dupe of the oh so popular polish Scrangie & I can’t believe I found it in Sephora. Real life freak out, I’m surprised they let me buy it & didn’t sick security on me.

The next polishes we got at Sallys, TJ Maxx, Walmart, our military BX, Walgreens, or CVS. I’ll just throw down names & you guys can let me know what you want to see most! Deal?

Left tor right: Nicole by OPI in Here Kim’s the Sun, Nicole by OPI in Strike a Pose, Sephora by OPI in Good Tidings We Bling!, Sephora by OPI in I’m So Sari!, Sephora by OPI in If You’ve Got It, Haunt It, & Sephora by OPI in Club Scene Queen.

Left tor right: Essie Maximillion Strasse-her, Essie Bahama Mama, Essie Yogaga, Essie Jamaica me Crazy, Essie Mojito Madness, & Essie Nothing Else Metals.

Left tor right: China Glaze Mosaic Madness, China Glaze Scattered & Tattered, China Glaze Tranzitions Altered Reality, China Glaze Tranzitions Duplicity, & China GlazeFlip Flop Fantasy.

Left tor right: L’Oreal Nail Polish in VIP Status, Sally Hansen Please Sea Me, Sally Hansen Jungle Gem, Sally Hansen Polar Bare, & Hard Candy in Black Tie Optional.

Wowie! This was a big post guys! I also picked up some new hair color to start this year right & I’m in such a happy place. We’ve rid our lives of a lot of negativity & drama so I’m just feeling great! Turning 24 was actually pretty fabulous! So do let me know what you’re interested in seeing on the blog sooner rather than later! I also have some polishes from Jesse’s Girl, more Hard Candy, Covergirl (blog first!), & some new Revlons! I’ve also picked up some random awesome polishes to sprinkle along the way!

**All items were bought by me, Ryan my husband, or from friends/family. All opinions are my own.

Hard Candy Nail Polish in Sweet Tooth Swatches & Review

April 6, 2013 By StephanieLouise 483Leave a Comment2013-04-06+15%3A33%3A00StephanieLouise

I was recently sent a few of the new Hard Candy nail polishes to try which I’m really grateful for since my local Walmarts have been tore up by the new craze! In case you missed my post about Hard Candy So So Sequin you can check that out here! Today I’ll be showing you Hard Candy Sweet Tooth from their Sprinkles Collection.

Hard Candy Sweet Tooth: Pale blue milky base with blue & pink metallic glitter & white glitter small hexes. Seen here 3 coats no top coat.

I find this to be a really interesting but simple combination. Because the light pink & light blue are metallic (not matte or satin) they catch the light without being in your face. I think these colors blend really nicely together & it definitely reminds me of some more expensive glitters. The formula was a bit thinner than some of the other Sprinkles collection I’ve tried but not to any detriment to the end result. Photographing this was a bit tougher because my camera kept wanting to turn the blue glitter silver & I do apologize for my cuticles I swatches these right after soaking off a gel manicure!

What do you think of this glitter combo? Are you digging the Sprinkles line from Hard Candy? I think I picked up 2 or 3 more of these but they’re all pretty different!

**Polish sent in consideration of review. All opinions are my own.