L'Oreal Gold Dust Collection: Review & Swatches

As continuation of Mani Monday, is another glitter fest. I can't help it, I have a huge soft spot for glittery items. So when I saw these in the stores I did a little happy dance, and checked each and every shade out. If I could, I probably would have gotten all the shades, but I did the responsible thing and picked ones that I didn't have.

To continue reading the review and see swatches, click the link below.

Orly Secret Society Collection: Review & Swatches

For Mani Monday I wanted to review one of the holiday collections from Orly, the Secret Society. I found it on one of my trips into Sally Beauty Supply. It's sometimes hard to find polishes that are unique to my collection, but I was able to find two. Macabre Masquerade and Masked Ceremony are two of the available glittery shades. There are creams and metallics in the collection as well.

To continue reading the review and see swatches, click the link below.

NYX Butter Lip Balm: Review & Swatches

The newest to the NYX family (on the heels of Butter Gloss success) are the Butter Lip Balms, the stick-form balm cousin to the shiny gloss. The shade range of these balms are less than the gloss version. There are 8 colors available currently.

To continue reading the review and see swatches, click the link below.

Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balm: Review & Swatches

The flip side to the Revlon Matte Balms are the Lacquer Balms. These would clearly be the traditional glossy balm version of the jumbo lip pencil product of Revlon's newer lip offerings. These are more like the Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in the way it works. 

To continue reading the review and see swatches, click the link below.

Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm: Review & Swatches

The new thing from Revlon in the lip department are the new Colorburst Balms. There are two finishes, and today I'll be reviewing the Matte Balm. There is a good range of colors from light to dark to brights. These are to be part of the permanent collection as far as I can tell, so even if the displays have been picked over in your local drug store, you should be able to find them restocked soon.

To continue reading the review and see swatches, click the link below.

Almay Shadow Softies: Review & Swatches

The newest eyeshadow technology from Almay are the Shadow Softies. A cream to powder formula that comes in varying shades of shimmer and matte. I found these hidden away in a corner at my local drug store.

To continue reading the review and see swatches, click the link below.

SquareHue December Box: Review & Swatches

The December box is the beginning of the Passport Collection that SquareHue has planned for this upcoming year. It's starting in one of the biggest fashion/beauty capitals of the world, New York. It contains two new finishes, and it's a nice mixture of colors. I'm hoping there will be a Tokyo collection in the works.

To continue reading the review and see swatches, click the link below.

Maybelline Color Sensational Elixir in Captivating Carnation: Review & Swatches

Maybelline may be one of my most loved drug store brands (if my many posts are not a huge giveaway). So when I saw the display of the new Elixir, the liquid color balm, in the fall I got excited. I wanted to try it out, and see if the hype is worth it.

To continue reading the review and see swatches, click the link below.

Mally Beauty Evercolor Shadow Sticks Collection: Review & Swatches

Holiday time is great for many reasons, but it's especially great because of the lovely "value" sets that the different brands make. Too bad it's often limited edition. That said, as the holidays near the end, these sets are not only available, but often marked down. So with that in mind, I figure it would be helpful to still review the Mally Evercolor Shadow Sticks Collection especially since the individual products are available year round even if the set isn't.

To continue reading the review and see swatches, click the link below.

New Purple Themed Milani Shadow Eyez: Review & Swatches

Milani has come out with another limited edition Shadow Eyez collection involving multiple shades of purples and silver/smokey eye look colors. For whatever reason, the matte shade limited edition colors never showed up in my neck of the woods, but I found these! I'm a sucker for purples, so a grabbed a couple.

To continue reading the review and see swatches, click the link below.

Ipsy December Glam Bag: Review & Swatches

The December Ipsy Glam Bag is the Celebration collection. This bag was actually aesthetically pleasing. I would actually not be embarrassed carrying this around. It came with only full-sized items as far as I can tell, which is a total score since the value of the items are much greater than the monthly fee.

To continue reading the review and see the contents of the bag, click the link below.

Meaningful Beauty Creme de Serum

To start off, I wanted to do this post on the Meaningful Beauty Creme de Serum, a product that I received for free to review from Influenster Voxbox. I've seen ads and the display of Meaningful Beauty products in the stores, and have been rather curious.  I mean Cindy Crawford is still super hot (a lot thanks to cosmetic help, but still). Combined with the fact that I actually truly enjoy trying out skin care products, made this a voxbox truly meant for me. You can go to Ulta or get it directly from the website.
Also to learn more info about the products and other offerings, click here.

To continue reading the review, click the link below.

I'm Back!

So for those of you that read my humble blog, thanks! I truly appreciate it. It's been a super long time since I posted anything, and thanks for sticking with me. I had some academic things that I needed to deal with, that took up all of my free time.  As in I finally graduated from graduate school (for the second time), and took my national boards (and passed!). Then I drove close to 3000 miles across the country, and crashed for a week.  All that to say, that I now have time to do more posts, and really make this into something better (I hope).  Here's to making it an awesome 2014.

P.S. These are my two pups that I've been away from, and now have back! Kira and Nero :)

Revlon Parfumerie Polish: Review & Swatches

These new Revlon Parfumerie Polishes have hit the stores in the last month or so, and more displays of these are cropping up. It's not the first time that Revlon has promoted a polish that is meant to have a scent (last time was roughly 3 years ago), but they have revamped the look with this go-round. These retail for $4-6, making a rather reasonably priced polish. However, keep in mind that at 0.4 fl oz, it's 20% (0.1 fl oz) less than the average polish amount.

To continue reading the the review and see swatches, click the link below.

Maybelline Gilded in Gold Collection Recap

Here is the round up of all the items that I got from the Maybelline Gilded in Gold Collection. I included the links of the individual reviews as well for the convenience. You can see the type of display I found the items in to give you an idea. Hopefully I'll be able to find the Brocades collection soon too!

To continue getting the individual links, click the jump.

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Pink Grandeur: Review & Swatch

Here is the last item from the Maybelline Gilded in Gold collection that has hit stores (or the last of the items I bought). It's the Color Sensational Lipstick in Pink Grandeur. There is another red color as part of the collection, but I thought I would stick to this one only.

To continue reading the review and see swatches, click the link below.

November Ipsy Glam Bag: Review & Swatches

I almost didn't make this post in time before the end of the month, but the November Ipsy Glam Bag is the Glam it Up collection. This bag is a cheap looking, metallic gold snake skin clutch with a wrist strap. I would never carry this around in public, but I might give it to my 5 year old niece. But the point of this subscription is not the bag, but the contents.

To continue reading the review and see the bag contents, click the link below.

Fitness Friday: Whole 30 Week 4 Update

Today's Fitness Friday is my week 4 round up and conclusion of my Whole30 diet. Of course as I mentioned at the beginning, I was not going to do a full 30 days in deference for my Thanksgiving pumpkin pie, but I did complete 26 days. You can revisit the progression of my Whole30 course by going here.

To continue reading my thoughts, click the link below.

Maybelline Color Show Brocades Nail Polish: Review & Swatches

For today's Mani Monday I have polishes that are a part of the Gilded in Gold collection by Maybelline, the Brocades. These are only two of about 10 polishes available. The only two I found in the limited display I found, but I hope I see the extended display soon. The two that I have available are Crushed Crimson and Silver Swank.

Click the link below to see swatches.

Fitness Friday: Whole 30 Week 3 Update

This is my third week update of the Whole30 regimen presented to you for Fitness Friday. You can check out the progress by reading about week 1 and week 2. As a quick recap, this is a modified "paleo" diet. When it comes down to it, I can eat meat/fish, veggies, and fruit (sparingly). I haven't tried to kill myself or anyone, so it's a good start. (pic: Google images/whole9life)

To continue reading, click the link below.

Maybelline Plum Shimmer Blush: Review & Swatches

The next item that caught my eye in the Maybelline Gilded in Gold collection is the Plum Shimmer Blush. This is one of three available in the collection. There is a pinker color (Pink Weave), and a tan color (Bronze Tapestry), neither of which where truly eye catching. I wanted a good fall/winter blush and what better than plum for that job?

To continue reading the review and see swatches, click the link below.

Maybelline Gilded in Gold Color Tattoos: Review & Swatches

These new limited edition Maybelline Color Tattoos might be the next big thing to hit the drug store. These are part of the Gilded in Gold collection available for the winter. There are three, everyday, neutral shades that would work well as part of your core collection. I have Just Beige and Nude Pink for this review. The last shade is a medium brown named Matte Brown.

To continue reading the review and see swatches, click the link below.

Essie Shearling Darling Collection: Review & Swatches

Essie has a few collections out currently, but today we will be concentrating on the Shearling Darling collection. It's definitely a winter inspired theme of polishes based on the color offerings and the names. There are 6 shades total, of which I have 3 for your enjoyment.

To continue reading and see swatches, click the link below.

China Glaze Happy Holiglaze Nail Polish in Your Present Required: Review & Swatches

Happy Mani Monday. As the winter/Holiday nail polish shades are coming into stores, it's truly hard not to get caught up in all the fun. China Glaze has their Holiday collection out, and it's name is Happy Holiglaze. Ya, a little silly, but it has a fabulous glitter bomb polish called Your Present Required as part of the collection, so no complaints from me.

To continue reading the review and see swatches, click the link below.

Walgreens Eos Dupe: Review

I'm a little bit of a lip product junkie, especially balms. And anytime I can find some fun flavors, its even better. Walgreens has had their version of the Eos Lip Balm for a few months now, and it's called the Revo Lip Balm. Now that the Holidays are approaching there are special edition flavors. What's better is that they are currently (until 11/27/13) BOGO free, so you get 2 for the price of one! Score!

To continue reading the review, click the link below.

Anastasia Catwalk Palette: Review & Swatches

Here is another Anastasia Beverly Hills offering for your enjoyment. It's the Catwalk Palette, which in my mind has been eclipsed (unfortunately) by it's cousin the Lavish Palette. At $29, this is a great option as a present to someone for the Holidays. There are 10 very usable shades of varying finishes in this palette, as long as you can get past the uber glitzy/garish gold and fuzzy leopard print exterior.

To continue reading the review and see swatches, click the link below.

Fitness Friday: Whole30 Week 2 Update

For today's Fitness Friday I have my week 2 update of my Whole30 paleo inspired diet. You can refer to my original post on the specifics of the diet, and my thoughts after week 1. Now that I have another week under my belt, I have a better understanding of the plan. (Pic: Google Images)

To continue reading about my experience, click the link below.

Essie Leading Lady Nail Polish: Review & Swatches

I do realize (and apologize) for the extreme delay in posting this review, considering this polish was in a collection released nearly a year ago. There's always a way to get older polishes, but Essie is a brand that's a little more elusive in finding shades gone by. Now you might think that this a polish from the current Winter 2013 collection of Shearling Darling, but don't be fooled. This polish is Leading Lady.

To continue reading and see swatches, click the link below.

SquareHue November Collection: Review & Swatches

It is once again Mani Monday, and the November SquareHue subscription is the Coastal Collection. It perfectly exemplifies the turbulent coastal oceans. Interesting choice for a November collection, but that's what I like about SquareHue. They like to keep me on my toes.

To continue reading the review and see swatches, click the link below.

Belated Fitness Friday: Whole 30 Week 1 Update

So I was a little (a lot) lazy, and didn't get my Friday Fitness post up yesterday, which usually wouldn't mean much, but I have a mission. That mission is to update you on this Whole30 paleo diet that my roomies and I have been doing. (Pic: Google images)

To continue reading, click the link below.

Updated Elf Winter 6 Piece Eyeshadow Set: Review & Swatches

If you've found yourself wondering the aisles of your local Walgreens recently, you've probably spied a ginormous display of Elf Cosmetic winter goodies. It ranges from a few item sets, to bazillion. Most are rather scary, and unapproachable, but this 6 Piece Eyeshadow Set seem to fit the bill. Especially at $3 a pop, and my recent good luck with the Halloween collection I figured why not?

To continue reading and see swatches, click the link below.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Eye Covet Liner Set: Review & Swatches

Now that Halloween has come and gone, and it's full fledged Holiday extravaganza time, I figured it would be a good time to introduce some items that might be a nice gift for a special someone (or yourself-no judgement here). One of these nice items is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Eye Covet Set. You get 7 of the Covet Waterproof Liners in the set for $28, which is rather reasonable price for such an expensive brand.

To continue reading the review and see swatches, click the link below.

Great Essie Fall Purples

Fall is always a great time of year. The leaves are changing, it's not as hot, etc. Also it's a great time of year to wear purple. The best part is that you can go between two extremes of the color spectrum from the muted barely purple to a rich jewel toned purple. Enter Essie Merino Cool and Sexy Divide respectively, both of which are part of the permanent line.

To continue reading the post and see swatches, click the link below.

Sinful Colors Faceted: Review & Swatch

Now for the daily dose of pretty. I have Sinful Colors Faceted for you to enjoy. I found this within a display that also housed some Halloween polishes, but I don't think it's actually part of the Halloween collection. I was confused. But it caught my eye, so I decided to take it home with me.

To continue reading the review and see swatches, click the link below.

Fitness Friday: Whole 30 It's On!

All right folks, I'm making it "blog official". For today's Fitness Friday I'm letting you all know that I'm going to attempt the Whole 30, which is going on a paleo diet for 30 days. My roomies and I are all in on this together, and starting tomorrow, the horror begins. (pic: google)

To continue reading what this entails, click the link below.

Pumpkin Cookies Recipe

Going along with the culinary themed posts I've (sorta) established. Here's another fall snack for you to make. The best part about Pumpkin Cookies is that you can add whatever you want into them to jazz it up. Anything from chocolates, dried fruit, or even nuts. I took a recipe from food.com and made it my own in terms of the additives.

To get the recipe, click the link below.

Halloween Friendly: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Cake Recipe

If you need a yummy idea for a lovely fall/Halloween friendly pumpkin recipe that's sure to please, here is a Pumpkin Cream Cheese Cake recipe. Alas, I didn't inherited my mothers creative culinary skills, so I have to follow someone else's recipe. I credit this to letsdishrecipes.com.

To get the recipe, click the link below.

Happy Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Not everyone celebrates I know, but it's still a fun excuse to dress up and play. I have a quick (link friendly) list of all the Halloween collections from this year for those interested in buying up a few things, as well as some Halloween makeup looks (videos). Not to mention a NOTD (Nail of the Day). I tried to go for a loosely candy corn inspired nails. Thumb: Gap Irridescent Pearl as base color with Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Rockstar Pink and China Glaze Techno towards the tips. Other fingers: Ruffian Fox Hunt as base color with Essie Luxe Effects in As Gold as it Gets and CG Techno on the tips.

Halloween Links:

China Glaze Monsters Ball Collection: Part 1, Part 2
Disney Collaboration with E.l.f.
Disney Collaboration with Kiss
Makeup Looks

Jane Cosmetics Reintroduction: Eye Product Review & Swatches

For us "older" ladies, we remember Jane Cosmetics as being an affordable drug store brand that had a myriad of cosmetic offerings. It was on par with Wet n Wild and NYC. Pricing was similar, and quality (pre-revamping) was similar. Then it all faded into nonexistence. Now that quality of drug store makeup has improved, Jane Cosmetics is making another go-round at an Ulta near you.

To read the review and see swatches, click the link below.

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Liner: Review & Swatches

This product truly doesn't need any introductions since it's made the rounds already, but nonetheless, here are the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal. That is a mouthful of a name if there ever was one. As the name suggests, these are kohl kajal liners that are meant to be rich with pigment, while easily gliding onto the lids. As an drug store option, it's even more appealing.

To continue reading the review and see swatches, click the link below.

Zoya Aurora: Review & Swatches

Continuing on with Mani Monday is Zoya Aurora. This is part of a holographic collection that came out last fall/winter. The great thing about Zoya though, is that you can easily access ALL past collections on their website. It might be harder to find in the stores, but you have access. Added bonus, Zoya often has good sales.

To continue reading the review and see swatches, click the link below.

Sinful Shine Polishes Permanent and Limited Edition Shades: Review & Swatches

On to actual nail polish review for some Mani Monday fun. These Sinful Shine nail polishes (a branch of Sinful Colors) first came into my sphere of knowledge when I got one in an Influenster Voxbox (check that post for extra info about the line). These are currently only available at Walgreens. I don't know if they'll ever be available in a wider market, but I did notice that there was a new display of polishes besides the permanent/original collection display. Of these 3 polishes, Who's the Gloss was the only polish in this newer display.

To continue reading the review and see swatches, click the link below.

Gap Nail Polish Preview

This is a quick "teaser" post with some GAP polishes. I'll get around to doing swatches and reviews, but I wanted this up for Mani Monday since right now they have buy one ($6) and get one free. That's a steal by any polish standards. I don't know how long this deal will last, but I say go check it out. Especially since the pretty teal shade on the far left (Bright Pool) is supposed to be a dupe for the Rescue Beauty Lounge Aqua Lily, which is a limited edition products (if I'm not mistaken).

October Ipsy Glam Bag: Review & Swatches

Yet another month has past, and another subscription service has come in the mail. The October  Ipsy bag is The Art of Beauty collection. The bag is horrible (although I do agree with the quote), and nothing that can be used in public in my opinion, but most of the contents were great.

To continue reading the review and see the contents, click the link below.

Kat Von D Palette Starry Eyes Makeup Palette: Review & Swatches

In celebration of a special someone's birthday, I figured I'd finally review something that was given to me from them. That would be the Kat Von D Starry Eyes Makeup Palette. Ya I know, this particular palette no longer exists, but the review is still pertinent since the individual items within this palette/set are still available. I'm sorry you can't get the whole shebang, but I'll still show you everything in it's glory.

To continue reading the review and see what you can get individually, click the link below.

Fitness Friday: Recovering from Shin Splints & 2XU Compression Guard Review

Not everyone gets shin splints, so for those of you who don't, I hope you're enjoying your pain free life. For those that do, you know that it hurts like the dickens, and nothing really seems to help. Of course prevention is the best method, but sometimes that doesn't work either. Especially if you're ready to go back out, but can't for fear that you'll make your shin splints worse. I've actually picked the brains of a personal trainer regarding this, so here is what I've learned (along with my personal experience).

To continue reading and get the tips, click the link below.

More China Glaze Halloween Collection: Boo-gie Down Review & Swatches

I've already reviewed two of the polishes from the China Glaze Monsters Ball collection here, but I kept on coming back to Boo-gie Down, and I finally caved. I was really afraid it might be a repeat of quality to Carried Away from last year's collection, and that's what was holding me back.

To see what my thoughts are and see swatches, click the link below.

More Cover Girl Capital (Catching Fire) Collection: Review & Swatches

When I originally came across the Cover Girl Capital collection, there was only a limited display. I reviewed those items from this collection here. I figured based on the pamphlet/booklet that there must be more items (at least more Glosstinis), and I was correct. I found an extended display, and couldn't help myself from buying a few more things (especially since there was a sale going on).

To continue reading the review and see swatches, click the link below.

L'Oreal Le Matte and La Laque: Review & Swatches

Sorry for being MIA these past (almost) 2 weeks. I was on a little vacay, and otherwise trying to catch up on school work that I've purposefully put off. But on to the things that matter the most. L'Oreal has once again another trick up its sleeve in terms of a new lip color product in the Colour Riche line. These would be the La Laque and Le Matte lip pencils. I personally haven't seen this display in many places where I live, but I live in the boonies.

To continue reading the review and see swatches, click the link below.