Nail Polish Review: Color Club Eternal Beauty

Today I'll be reviewing Color Club Nail Polish in Eternal Beauty

What the polish brush looks like: 

My nails with 2 coats of polish, all nails have Orly Won't Chip, Chip Resistant Topcoat on

Availability: This is available at shopcolorclub.com and at amazon.com. All holographic finishes are $12 on the Color Club website and are a bit cheaper (about $10-12) on Amazon.

Would I buy this again?: Possibly.

Notes: Color-wise this is a blue-based violet purple with a holographic finish. The holograph on this shows up in all lighting as far as I've noticed but artificial lighting - run of the mill translucent light-bulbs or direct sunlight make it most noticeable.

Application was fairly easy with this and the brush is simply your average nail brush - nothing to write home about. The polish is mostly opaque in two coats. I could see the whites of my nails under it but only if I was looking for them.

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer: I paid for this myself.

Nail Polish Review: Color Club Angel Kiss

Today I'll be reviewing Color Club Nail Polish in Angel Kiss

What the polish brush looks like: 

My nails with 2 coats of polish, all nails have Orly Won't Chip, Chip Resistant Topcoat on

Availability: This is available at shopcolorclub.com and at amazon.com. All holographic finishes are $12 on the Color Club website and are a bit cheaper (about $10-12) on Amazon. 

Would I buy this again?: Yes

Notes: Color-wise this is a vivid sky blue with a holographic finish. The holograph on this shows up in all lighting as far as I've noticed but artificial lighting - run of the mill translucent light-bulbs or direct sunlight make it most noticeable. 

Application was fairly easy with this and the brush is simply your average nail brush - nothing to write home about. The polish is mostly opaque in two coats. I could see the whites of my nails under it but only if I was looking for them.

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments. 

Disclaimer: I paid for this myself.

BB Cream Review: Urban Decay Naked Skin Illuminating Beauty Balm

Urban Decay Naked Skin Illuminating Beauty Balm

Availability: This item has been discontinued.

Would I buy this?: No.

What is a BB cream? 

I have been doing research on Youtube (mainly BubzBeauty's videos) and others' blogs (I don't remember who, exactly) and this is what I've come up with: BB creams, also known as beauty balms, blemish balms, or beblesh balms were invented in Germany and were given to patients who've had laser surgery in order to help heal their scars or other blemishes while providing tinted coverage. I also understand that the word "beblesh" is just a poorly translated form of the very familiar "blemish." I had a Chinese friend and on our many trips to Chinatown, starting about 4 years ago, I always noticed "whitening" creams of all sorts. The BB cream is nothing new and I don't quite understand why it's only becoming popular/catching on now. We had a discussion about this at my makeup school and came to the consensus that the Western market is probably more interested in the blemish coverage/healing properties than the whitening of the BB creams, not all of which have whitening properties. I want to mention that since I will now be reviewing "Western" or "US-Market" BB creams - they're not all formulated with blemish-healing abilities, so be sure to read the packaging claims and ingredients. 

What is this particular balm? What is it supposed to do?

According to Sephora.com here are its benefits:

What it is:

A five-in-one, illuminating beauty balm that minimizes flaws and supports firmer skin in eight weeks. 

What it is formulated to do: 

- Lends skin a tighter appearance and blurs flaws 

- Leaves a radiant finish 

Urban Decay’s oil-free, silky-smooth formula delivers hydration and supports firmer skin—instantly priming makeup so that it goes on smoothly. This beauty balm pampers skin as it evens skintone, protects against sunlight with SPF 20, and light-diffusing spheres give skin a retouched look, minimizing the appearance of pores, lines, wrinkles, and redness. Pepha®-Protect shields skin cells against daily stress, while Vitasource™ and dGlyage® support elasticity and blur the appearance of wrinkles. 

What else you need to know:

This illuminating shade is formulated with champagne-colored pearls that give skin a gorgeous, radiant look. 

Research results:

In a clinical study of 30 participants, immediately after use: 

- 65% of participants’ complexion looked significantly improved 

- 59% of participants’ skin looked lifted. 

- 68% of participants’ skin hydration improved significantly 

In a clinical study of 30 participants, after 8 weeks of use: 

- 93% of participants had significantly firmer, more lifted skin 

- 90% had significantly more radiant skin 

- 84% had a significant improvement in fine lines* 

*Based on subjective analysis

Does this come in any other shades than the one pictured above?

This only comes in one shade :I

What's the coverage/consistency like?

The coverage is nearly non-existent and can be built up to be more on the light side. It does have a visible glowing/sparkly property to it that makes skin look healthy and lit-from-within. Consistency wise, it feels like a very lightweight gel-like primer. I love its texture and how it feels like you're not wearing any makeup at all. 

What makes this different from a regular foundation or tinted moisturizer? Does this have any beneficial ingredients in it?

So here goes, again copied from Sephora.com and edited to be easy to read:

- Vitasource™ and dGlyage®: Firm the appearance of skin, support elasticity, and fight wrinkles. 

- Pepha®-Protect (derived from watermelon extract): Protects skin cells against daily stress. 

- Light-diffusing Spheres: Create a professionally-retouched appearance

Is this scented?

This has a minty scent that's combined with something sweet, something that reminds me of Thai iced coffee - which isn't helpful because it contains a lot of spices. Cardamom perhaps? Not too sure. So think minty Thai iced coffee. I thought I wouldn't like it because it's mint, but I kind of like it. 

What has my experience with the product been like?

I'll address the "what it's supposed to do parts" first:

In a clinical study of 30 participants, immediately after use: 

- 65% of participants’ complexion looked significantly improved - I wouldn't use the word "significantly"

- 59% of participants’ skin looked lifted. - No, but other than being chubby, my skin doesn't droop from aging-related causes.

- 68% of participants’ skin hydration improved significantly - yes

In a clinical study of 30 participants, after 8 weeks of use: 

- 93% of participants had significantly firmer, more lifted skin - again, not quite an issue for me

- 90% had significantly more radiant skin - yes

- 84% had a significant improvement in fine lines - this ain't me, so no comment there.

This particular one, I use as a primer only because I know it doesn't have coverage in it. It does a really good job of holding my makeup in place throughout the day, smoothing out the texture of my skin, being hydrating, and feeling really lightweight.

What do I use to apply the product?

For quick application, I simply use my fingers to apply this.

I feel like this review is as thorough as it gets but please let me know if you have any questions or comments. 

Disclaimer: This was provided for testing purposes. I am under no obligation to mention it here on this blog.

NARS Orgasm Blush Review

Today I'll be reviewing NARS Blush in Orgasm

Availability: This retails at $30 for .16 oz (4.8g) and is available at sephora.com, jcpenny.com, bluemercury.com, macys.com, nordstrom.com, bloomingdales.com, narscosmetics.com, along with their respective store/boutique locations.

Would I buy this again?: Yes.

Notes: Orgasm is quite the famous, quintessential blush and one I've kept meaning to buy but haven't because though I had similar colors already, I was pleasantly surprised by this and receive a ton of compliments each time I wear it. The color is described as a peachy pink with shimmer. I'd describe it as a heavily pinky coral with a golden pearl. What's interesting to me is that it swatches this meh shade of orange-y coral on my hand and doesn't seem pigmented at all but is a GORGEOUS golden pink on my cheeks and is well-pigmented. I think I may have put off buying it for so long because I don't love how it swatches one bit. The texture feels relatively silky but isn't very soft compared to other powder blush I have. Again, applying it with a brush onto my face has a completely different result than touching it with my finger. Now with the packaging, I love the sexy sleek design of NARS makeup. I also hate that the velveteen/suede-ish texture is an utter dirt/stain magnet. It drives my OCD off the walls. :x The mirror is pretty decently sized if you're in a pinch and need a mirror.

Please let me know if you have questions or comments.

Disclaimer: Bought this baby with my own funds.

Candle Review: Bath & Body Works Limoncello Scented Candle

Candle: Bath & Body Works Scented Candle in Limoncello

Here are the fragrance notes:

Availability: 14.5 oz/429mL - $24.50, burn for: 30-45 hours

Would I buy this again?: Hell yes!

Notes: My reasoning for buying the candle: I love lemon scented things when they're properly lemon-scented and not you know... artificial cleaning product scented. 

Here's what I'm getting from smelling the candle cold - it smells like a lemon tart. You get the lemon with a yummy sugariness and it seems just the slightest scent of like bread or a crust or something cookie-like more than fizzy drink-like. *shrug*

As the wax warms and burns, the scent becomes stronger - I swear it smells like you're in a wonderful lemon-scented bakery. It's so uplifting and happy. I am in utter love with it! The perfect balance of sweet and sour. 

The candle melts absolutely gorgeously and scents up my whole 14 x 11 ft room (lightly). 

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer: I paid for this myself.

Sephora Collection Colorful Eyeshadow Review: Apple Mojito, Surfin USA, Sailor Kiss, Pop Idol, and Full Moon Romance

This post is going to be a bit different from the others. As in - the makeup photos will come after the general notes. In addition, there will be photos so you'll see what each product looks like in color and consistency. 

Onto the blog post then:

Sephora palette packaging. I actually didn't think to photograph what a shadow looks like in its regular packaging

Availability: All of these shades have been discontinued.

Notes: So I was actually scheduled for a training where I got to play with these shadows before they were launched and was told all about how the Sephora colorful mono shadows were getting reformulated and all that jazz. I've never been the biggest fan of Sephora Collection eyeshadows because some of them had this dry texture that just wouldn't play nice and there were more appealing things on the market. They are way smoother now, easier to use, just plain... good. Would I choose them over another brand? Not necessarily. Did the training perhaps... prompt me to buy these? I would say so. However, I probably would've picked some up anyway, because of the newness and the nice colors and textures. I did purchase all these colors myself as the disclaimer will say - there was a tin that was provided for testing purposes for all Sephora employees which contained boring-arse colors (to me - a black and gray... which I have plenty of) so I gave that away to someone who has more use for it than I. In addition, there's no doubt in my mind that I would've bought the Pop Idol, in particular because there was a color in the Smashbox Love Me palette this year (not too sure if that's the official name of the palette, but there was a Love Me collection that featured a palette of blue-toned shadows and that's what I'm referring to) that had this luscious purple sparkly color. It's the only one I wanted in the palette because I pretty much had dead-on dupes for the rest but this... oh this captured my heart and I wanted it alone. I do like Pop Idol better, in fact, because it's more pigmented and intense. But I'll get to that later. Despite all the long-last claims (10 hours on the shimmers and mattes, I believe and then 8 on the glitters and 6 on mirrors - or perhaps I've got the mirrors and glitters mixed up here, either way) I suggest the use of a primer. Not only to prolong wear but to enhance the color and application of the shadows. It's a crime not to prime - ESPECIALLY the eyelid area. Just sayin. In addition, the eyeshadows can also be used wet for more intense pigmentation. I haven't really tried them wet so... I mean, I don't mind ruining the testers in the store because well... clients will ruin them anyway, but I don't want to ruin mine by getting them wet. I have seen them used wet though and yes, they do go on more intense that way. Not too sure if they'll form a crust though. The testers haven't. :P I think that if you're not a person who likes pre-made palettes or are often unhappy because you use up only certain colors in a palette then this is for you because it gives you control over what shades to include. 

Onto the fun part

Apple Mojito is described as a citrus glitter. Does that make sense to you? No... citrus comes in many colors, first of all and then... why call it apple if you're describing it as citrus? Is apple citrus? No... no it ain't. Get it together naming and/or color description team! Seems like someone may have had one apple mojito too many when describing this. All in good fun. Anywho, I'd describe this shadow as a vibrant matte chartreuse base (so we won't get into arguments with which fruit family it belongs in) with loads of pretty gold micro-shimmer. The glitter finishes in Sephora collection remind me a bit of the Inglot DS (double sparkle) finishes because they have the uniqueness of a matte shadow that has glitter particles in it. It's definitely a fun color and one I tend to gravitate towards. 

To know me is to know that I would never custom-make a palette and NOT include a teal. How can I possibly not? What a heinous sacrilege to leave teal out of the picture. I'm a mermaid after all, I need the color of my homeland. Surfin USA is described as a(n) azure blue shimmer. It's a beautiful bright glowing blue-based teal that I want to live in. I absolutely adore it. :) I'd say definitely worth a look.

Sailor Kiss is described as a dark blue matte. I'd describe it as a delicious, buttery navy. The texture is just... ugh so nice to play with. I have to say I'm impressed because mattes are so hard to get right and Sephora really nailed it with these. I wasn't too sure about getting this color but my wife (aka work bestie, but c'mon... wife just sounds way better) convinced me that it needs to be owned. It looks amazing over a black base, like the night sky or the depths of the ocean. It's genuinely sad that this has been discontinued because matte navies are so hard to get right and I have to hand it to Sephora for having done so.

Pop Idol is described as a black plum mirror. I actually really like the way that sounds, makes it seem real exotic and such. I'm sad that the true gorgeousness of this color cannot really be captured by a camera. In fact any of the mirror finishes are definitely worth a look in person as far as I'm concerned. They all have an intense shimmer finish but... not glittery, more subtle.  This particular one is super stunning, I can't even explain it but... I just really needed this in my life. It's definitely the kind of color that if you were to wear it by itself no one would dare say "oh how lame that you're calling this a look and you only have one shadow on" because it's so multidimensional. I hope I'm making some sort of sense here, but if not, go look for yourself.

Full Moon Romance is described as a purple shimmer. Pfffft... That's underrating its gorgeousness. I would describe it as a deep blue-based purple with a violet sheen. It's not really a duo-chroming but a violet halo. Violet is my new favorite thing (and pairs beautifully with both the teal and chartreuse) so I had to have this too. Uber pretty. :)

Overall, I think that if you're in Sephora, these are worth checking out.

Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

Disclaimer: I paid for all of these myself. :3

Eyeshadow Review: Dior Gold Touch 1-Colour Ultra Smooth High Impact Shadow

Today I'll be reviewing Dior 1-Colour Ultra Smooth High Impact Shadow in Gold Touch

Availability: This has been discontinued.

Would I buy this again?: I'm not really sure, I love the color but... if I'm going to be honest I'm sure you can find it elsewhere for cheaper.

Notes: The color is described as a golden bronze shimmer. It pretty much is. People always ask me about the Dior quints in-store. It seems that, although other luxury brands - YSL, Givenchy... NARS... offer palettes it's Dior's that seem to be the most popular and coveted... which naturally made me curious. Initially the idea of a quint was overwhelming and none called my name enough for me to commit. I have to admit that I did love swatching them, but if I loved a shadow... maybe two... in a palette... I didn't love the entire palette and at the price point there's no justifying buying the palette for just one or two shades. If I'm going to splurge - and this is most definitely a splurge, let's not lie to ourselves here - I have to LOVE the product enough to commit to it. So... I swatched the individual shades (this was before the Mono Shadows were launched) and wasn't impressed until I hit upon this baby. Now, I will say that what makes Dior eyeshadows... most luxury eyeshadows... special is the pearlized effect they have that it seems cheaper shadows don't. When the light hits them just right they light up like a prism, you can see little bits of green and pink and silver along with the base color and it's... glorious. Just glorious. It's like... you have a crush on someone and like them from afar (cheaper shadow) and then like... you find out your crush likes you back... and you kiss and it's magical (luxury shadow). Let's not kid ourselves that there's something wrong in the way I just described what the eyeshadow is like... and yet.. that's what it's like! This color is absolutely stunning and one that I love seeing on anyone, because it just looks pretty across the board - no matter what skin-tone or eye color. Plus it's pretty... and the color payoff... it takes just the gentlest touch for it to yield lots of pigment. It FEELS luxurious. Plus that cute quilted design and packaging don't hurt it at all... not even a little. The texture is mega silky. I absolutely love the packaging also. I love navy to begin with, it has a regal... mysterious feel to it. I love the beautiful iconic navy packaging with the CD in it. I love the cute little mirror (though honestly not the most useful) that comes inside. 

Is it worth splurging on? It's a matter of opinion. To me it was because... honestly... I love everything about it. From the packaging, to the color, to the texture... it wears just like any other shadow - about 6 -8 hrs before any creasing happens (with a base). I like to feel that bit of luxury in my routine when I wear this. That said, this isn't a hard color to dupe in a cheaper formula. Sure, you may not get that crush-kissed-you prismatic gloriousness... but then... it only happens under certain lighting and in general... everyone who wears eyeshadow, in my opinion, needs a shadow this color... it's just so flattering... it's great for day or nighttime... it's just... the color itself is worth having for sure. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer: Bought this baby with my own funds.