Sunday, May 22, 2011

Pretty in Pink for Spring and Summertime

My favorite nail polish color in spring/summertime is a pale, bright, clean pink. I just think its classic and beautiful. Here are a hand full of my favorite pink nail colors. 

Sephora by OPI is a very sheer, milky pink. Great for a clean classic manicure.

Essie Fiji is a creamy baby pink, perfect for nails and toes. 

OPI I'm OK, You're Bouquet is a mid-tone pink that's little darker than Essie Fiji and more red toned as well.

OPI Mod About You is a bright and clean blue-toned pink with hints of lavender in it. Gorgeous on the toes too.

MAC Love & Friendship is the darkest of the bunch, it leans more on the side of lavender.


Pictured left to right: Sephora by OPI A True Romantic, Essie Fiji, OPI I'm OK, You're Bouquet, OPI Mod About You, and MAC Love & Friendship.



Three coats each and Seche Vite as a topcoat
Thumbnail: MAC Love & Friendship
Pointer: OPI Mod About You
Middle: OPI I'm OK, You're Bouquet
Ring: Essie Fiji
Pinky: Sephora by OPI A True Romantic


Essie's Fiji


On a recent trip to the nail salon, I chose OPI's Mod About You as my pedicure color. I loved how light and bright it was. The color was perfect for Spring and made my toes look clean and crisp. When I got home I immediately Googled the nail polish and realized it was probably going to be really hard to find. Next, thing I searched for was a dupe. The one that kept popping up was Essie's Fiji. I read about how horrible the application was and about how it was a pinkier version but I picked it up at Longs (CVS) anyway. All the reviews were absolutely right, it was a tricky little sucker to apply but after being extra careful and slapping on about four coats I came out with this (picture above). I topped it off with my fave Seche Vite Fast Dry Topcoat, it smoothed everything out and it was gorgeous. To my surprise it did not shrink due to the topcoat (others usually do on me), and it did not chip for at least four days (I usually change my nail color every two days). All in all, I'm happy that I picked it up, it's become one of my new faves and if  you have a steady hands and some patience I would recommend Essie's Fiji to you.

*Side note: Of course with me being just a little bit crazy, I still searched high and low for OPI's Mod About You and I found the last two bottles at my local Trade Secret. I'm not sure if it's discontinued but if you can get your hands on a bottle I'd highly recommend it.  

Saturday, May 21, 2011

True Religion Hippie Chic

Wanting to get out of the house last week, I decided to go "window" shopping, with "window" being the operative word, I headed out to my local Macys. I always, always, always parooz the cosmetics/fragrance section which I conveniently park near. Walking through the fragrance section the salesperson stopped me and asked if I'd ever smelled the new fragrance from True Religion called Hippie Chic. Intrigued I let her spray a card and hand it to me. I didn't know why, but I needed to have it. It smelled fresh, clean, and fruity which I love. I gave her my usual window shopping line, "Thanks, I'll think about it." After all, I didn't want to be a sucker. ;) I continued smelling different perfumes, Ireally liked everything I smelled, but I was hooked on Hippie Chic. I made my way back to the little True Religion set up and with the salesperson on my tail I turned and said "Yes, I will take this please." I was a happy camper and walked away from my window shopping experience totally satisfied and smelling like a "you-know-what."


True Religion Hippie Chic Specs:

*Eau de Parfum
*Launched this year '11
*Available in 50 ml and 100 ml (I have the 100 ml)
*Available at truereligionbrandjeans.com and anywhere fragrances are sold

Notes:
Top: Raspberry, Pomegranate, Fuji Apple
Heart: Hibiscus, Jasmine, Lily of the Valley
Base: Woody notes and Musk



Monday, May 2, 2011

April Favorites


Shampoo: Head & Shoulders
Conditioner: Dove Daily Conditioner
Styling Products: Tresemé Heat Tamer Spray and TiGi Rockaholic Flexible Hairspray
Shower Gel: Dove Softening
Body Moisturizer : Lollia Cabbage Rose & Citrus
Deodorant: Secret
Face Wash: Cetaphil (Target brand) and Aveeno Clear Complexion Cleansing Pads
Exfoliator: Clarisonic
Primer: None
Foundation Brush: MAC 182 Kabuki brush
Foundation: MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in Medium Dark
Concealer: MAC Studio Finish
Powder: none
Blusher: NARS Multiple in Orgasm and NARS Luster over top
Bronzer: NARS Casino
Highlighter: Dior Amber Diamond
Eyeshadow Base: Two Faced Shadow Insurance
Eyeshadows: MAC Softbrown and MAC pigment in Naked
Eyeliner: MAC Blacktrack Fluidline
Mascara: Benefit Bad Gal
Lipstick: MAC High Tea
Lipgloss: MAC Moonstone Lip Gelée
Nail Colour: Essie Fiji and OPI Mod About You
Perfume/Scent: Marc Jacobs Daisy and Miss Dior Cherie