My Monthly Stunning Nails Girly Nail Art + Subscription!

December 3, 2014 By StephanieLouise 214712 Comments2014-12-03+22%3A26%3A03StephanieLouise

Are you a nail art newbie? Do you constantly search for ways to make nail art easier? Do step-by-step instructions make you squeal with joy? Well then this post may very well be for you!

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My Stunning Nails was started by a nail tech who has a real passion for nail art. She even has a blog which you can read here! My Stunning Nails is a monthly subscription which contains all the items you need to create an awesome nail design. This month’s look is very girly & a classic brown + pink duo. It comes in a bigger box with a cute box inside. Everything was packaged quite nicely. [Read more…]

My Favorite Lipstick for Over 5 Years & Other Favorites

December 2, 2014 By StephanieLouise 210623 Comments2014-12-02+23%3A09%3A25StephanieLouise

Today I wanted to take a break from holiday posts just for a moment to bring in a post I’ve had waiting in the wings since before I even cut my hair. I took these photos when I realized I was using some of my favorite products in my collection & realized this would probably be helpful to share. My collection is pretty vast so the go-to items are really important to me. & some have been around for ages. I just love favorites don’t you?

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Have you ever picked up a lipstick & thought “I could wear this with everything…”? It is rare for me. I really do switch out lip colors seasonally & quite often so it is a pretty big deal. If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile now then you likely know I grew up raiding my mother’s Lancome stash. It was a pretty big deal. Although I know for a fact I’ve been using this lipstick for 5 years at a minimum…it is likely more like 10. I think it was 3-5 years ago that my mom & I randomly started a conversation talking about our favorite purse lipstick…& it was the same one. The one I’m wearing above is Lancome Color Design Lipstick in Love It! which is probably the best thing ever. I mean- that name? Was it not meant to be a favorite? This is the perfect, creamy pink & you’ll find it in my purse at all times. [Read more…]

Butter London Lippy Moisture Matte Lipsticks Swatches & Review

December 2, 2014 By StephanieLouise 211522 Comments2014-12-02+15%3A14%3A03StephanieLouise

Has anything hit harder in the lip arena lately than the matte trend? Matte lipsticks are so hard to get right. For my dry lips I have to pay attention to moisture content & something that glides on beautifully. I need something that is beautiful, easy to apply, & won’t make my lips look like the Sahara. Is that too much to ask? Is it really?

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Butter London has solved so many issues for me including not having very many matte lipsticks to recommend to people. Butter London has some of my favorite exterior packaging ever with cute nature touches. You will be able to see close ups of the Butter London Lippy Moisture Matte Lipstick shades below including swatches & lip swatches below!

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It Cosmetics Limited Edition- The IT Girl! CC+ Lip Serum Holiday Collection Lip Swatches & Review

November 25, 2014 By StephanieLouise 207434 Comments2014-11-25+01%3A53%3A57StephanieLouise

This morning I woke up to the heater being off. I left my slippers downstairs so I had to walk barefoot on the tile. I then proceeded to freeze my hands when washing them. Winter is definitely here. Because I grew up in southern California, I am a bit bias about this winter nonsense. I would much rather visit snow than live in it. The one shining light during this season for me is the makeup…& all of the new releases! It Cosmetics is one of my favorite brands & today I get to share one of my favorite lippies in a limited edition form.

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The packaging on this trio is obviously amazing- the more companies that catch on to the awesomeness that is holo the better. The It Cosmetics CC+ Lip Serum Limited Edition Holiday Collection includes three Hydrating Anti-Aging Color Correcting Crème Glosses. All three shades are limited edition & I believe exclusive to this set. I’ve actually reviewed It Cosmetics glosses on my blog here & here…& actually bought one for my mom as an early Christmas present! Can you guess if I will like these yet? [Read more…]

C is for Copy Cat with Zoya Matte Velvet Nail Art

November 13, 2014 By StephanieLouise 200715 Comments2014-11-13+15%3A39%3A34StephanieLouise

This #A2ZNails weekly series has been so fun so far. I love that you guys love it- repetitive? Yes but factual. After last week & my B is for Bold nail art I was looking for something a bit more fall or even winter. The theme this month is Copy Cat so there were tons of options here…but I decided to go with this idea that I pinned awhile ago & just loved. (ps if you don’t follow me on Pinterest you’re missing out- my nail obsession isn’t just restricted to my blog!)

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So basically I kind of took her fabulous idea & made it dark, vampy, matte (until I added top coat…), & of course multi-colored because I have no self-control. I personally love it.

So my base color is Zoya Dovima which was lovely. You let it dry completely & then add your striping tape kind of randomly focusing at the tips. I then sponged on each colorful shade focusing again on my tips. I think the outcome is so easy & so beautiful. Obviously her design is way more awesome-ly in your face color-wise but this just feels so fall! My pointer finger (red) is Zoya Posh, middle (purple) is Zoya Savita, ring finger (green) is Zoya Veruschka, & the pink looking color on my pinkie is Zoya Harlow.

In the end I decided to add a topcoat because…shiny! Plus it makes those shimmers really flash. Please ignore the obvious pet hair on my pointer. #that’smylife In the end I really love the design & I barely had to think about it- just pretty much came together!

So what design would you copycat? Next week’s design will be D for Dark, any ideas? I’m kind of at a lost- I need some inspiration! Remember to check everyone else out below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick Collection Swatches & Review

October 21, 2014 By StephanieLouise 168536 Comments2014-10-21+01%3A27%3A27StephanieLouise

I bought it. Affiliate links.

Are you a fan of the Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipsticks? I reviewed my first few here (I’ve since bought more!) along with face swatches- & obviously love them. I recently happened upon this Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick Collection for holiday 2014 & immediately snatched it up. This is a set of 4 deluxe sized Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipsticks & a cute little pouch. Keep reading to check out these beautiful shades! [Read more…]

Stila Not So Nude Palette Swatches, Review + Favorite Look

October 8, 2014 By StephanieLouise 421 Comment2014-10-08+00%3A55%3A00StephanieLouise

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Confession time… I bought the Stila Not So Nude Palette within a set called the Stila Natural Born Bombshell Set…which is unfortunately no longer available. I know I’m super late to this review & shame on me! BUT the excellent thing about this set is that everything inside is still available…so take that as you will! I love Stila products normally so when I found the photos I thought were lost on a missing card I knew I wanted to share ASAP! Although this is a neutral palette that is great for year round- this is definitely going to get use from me this fall! Keep reading to check it out! [Read more…]

The Hottest Wearable Fall 2014 Lip Trends! + Lindt HELLO!

September 29, 2014 By StephanieLouise 441 Comment2014-09-29+14%3A34%3A00StephanieLouise

Thanks to Lindt HELLO for sponsoring today’s post! All opinions are my own. #ItStartedwithHELLO

Milani Bella Eyes Full Eyeshadow Line Swatches & Review

September 9, 2014 By StephanieLouise 522 Comments2014-09-09+18%3A38%3A00StephanieLouise

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When Milani brings out new products- you better pay attention. Milani has dropped 30 new shades in their brand new Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow line of singles. Each shade can be used wet or dry & is labeled on the bottom by finish for easy differentiating.These swatch & blend beautifully. With a wide variety of different shades you’re bound to find multiple shades to add to your list- check all of them out below!
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Lip Monthly Bag for August 2014 featuring City Color, Pixi, & More!

August 26, 2014 By StephanieLouise 54Leave a Comment2014-08-26+15%3A11%3A00StephanieLouise

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So this month’s Lip Monthly left me a bit confused because I didn’t have one last month- but apparently City Color was a big hit? I’m definitely glad they included the card (which you can see below) because I was pretty darn confused upon first opening! I was also surprised to see my items in a bag- it fit everything inside unlike some past boxes so I think that’s great! Keep reading to see what was inside & my thoughts!

So here’s my card for this month which definitely helped me fill in some of my blanks! You can see prices & official names here as well. Normally I have a video as well but my camera has been out of commission & HOPEFULLY it will be okay to pick up tomorrow!

Inside my Lip Monthly Bag for August 2014-

Jesse’s Girl Cosmetics Liquid Glass Lip Gloss in Lickity Split– I really enjoyed this gloss! It is really small so perfect for a purse. This shade has iridescent, cool-leaning shimmer & is a semi-sheer fuchsia-leaning purple. It is a bit tacky but that isn’t something I mind because it will last longer.

City Color Cosmetics Magic Balm– I actually can’t this on the City Color site which is a shame because I quite like it. This applies nearly clear then I assume color adjusts like some blushes do. I really like the texture & the color on my lips is actually quite pretty.

City Color Cosmetics Be Matte Lipstick in Phoebe– This is my first Be Matte lipstick from this line & I love it! This is so creamy & has beautiful pigmentation.

City Color Cosmetics Lip Balm in Ultra Pink– Another product I love! Super smooth & comfortable but I don’t think of it as a balm. It doesn’t seem to help cure my oober dry lips but it also don’t seem to make them worse. I can also apply a balm underneath which is key for me right now.

City Color Cosmetics Glossy Kiss Lip Gloss in Flirty– This is the main product that just isn’t for me- rarely do I wear really sheer shimmery nude glosses. I just don’t think it looks good on me & it smells like a lip product I used in middle school. I also didn’t find it wore off evenly.

Pixi Lid Last Shadow Pen in Gentle Gold– My favorite product this month! I love these Pixi shadow pencils & Gentle Gold is no exception. I use these as eyeshadow bases, eyeshadows on their own, & even eyeliners. This color is a beautiful gold that is more wearable than a lot of other gold pencils I currently own.

Left to right- Pixi Lid Last Shadow Pen in Gentle Gold, City Color Cosmetics Glossy Kiss Lip Gloss in Flirty, City Color Cosmetics Lip Balm in Ultra Pink, City Color Cosmetics Magic Balm, City Color Cosmetics Be Matte Lipstick in Phoebe, & Jesse’s Girl Cosmetics Liquid Glass Lip Gloss in Lickity Split.

I was actually really happy with this month’s box but I do prefer a more varied selection from brands & colors since this was definitely a pink-toned box. Anyway- for only $10 I think this is an amazing value & definitely feel like I got a great selection.

What lip products are you loving right now? have you ever tried anything from City Color Cosmetics?