NOTM: Prom nails and/or Colored Glitter Gradient Tips

 Yep, these nails are from around 2 months ago during my High School Prom. Oh the memory. It was one of the nicest and worst nights of my life. Big last minute rush for everything. I was stuck being the designated makeup artist for a couple friends and I ended up having less than 5 minutes to do my own before getting rushed. *sigh* On the upside the venue was very nice and fancy. They also had chocolate fondue with the most ripe strawberries I've ever seen. Long story short, I was glued to it for a good 15 minutes. ^^;

 This was probably my first time ever accomplishing free handed French nails so NEATLY. Then again my actual nail tips grew long enough to acted like an outline. I quite like this look. It's very clean and sophisticated, but still fun because of the glitter.

Nail polish Used:

Sephora by OPI - Already Famous

KleanColor - Holo Chrome

Sephora by OPI - Only Gold for Me

AND because I was so fond of this nail style, I recreated it using red tips and fine holographic glitters.

Nail Polish Used:

Sephora by OPI - Already Famous

China Glaze - Ruby Pumps

Sephora by OPI - Meet Me at the Disco

NOTM: Saran/Plastic Wrap Duo-Chromes

I found this amazing idea from a discussion post in the Makeup Alley's Nail board. It looked so complex and possibly water marbled, but to think that it can be achieved so simply. This technique is so easy, mess-less, and cheap that it was dying for me to attempt it.

 (Sorry for the chipping. Second day nails and after busing tables)

This beauty is a mix of:
2 coats of China Glaze - Rare & Radiant
1 coat of China Glaze - Deviantly Daring

Both Polishes are from the Bohemian Luster Chrome collection by China Glaze.

To get this look, all you need are 2 varnishes of your choice and as bit of saran wrap.
1) Lay down your base color.
2) Wait for that to dry
3) Lay down a coat of your 2nd color.
4) Quickly before the 2nd color dries, dab the loosely clumped plastic wrap onto the nail.
Wah-la~ That's it.

On their own, I was quite displeased with the strength of the duo-chrome in these polishes. To me they pretty much look like regular metallic polishes. Still pretty, but SUCH a disappointment.

NP Swatch: China Glaze - It's a Trap-ese!

"Jelly Sandwiches" are just one of the many crazes happening in the world of nail polish fanatics. It's hard to find a premade Jelly Sandwich from a non-indie polish brand, so I was pleasantly surprised and immediately on the hunt for China Glaze's Cirque du Soleil collection for It's a Trap-ese!. 

It's A Trap-ese!
- Densely packed opaque (pink, yellow, green silver, blue) circular and hexagonal glitter that are suspended in a milky white base.
- Apart of the China Glaze's Cirque Du Soleil collection
- $6.59 from Sally's
- 1 to 2 coats to be opaque
- 2 coats pictured above
- It's a Trap-ese! is a bit thick because of the density of the glitters.
- Luckily, it doesn't dry abnormally slow despite the thickness.


-I absolutely adore this polish. This might be odd, but It's A trap-ese! reminds me of my childhood. My thoughts every time I see it go back to early mornings before school eating Trix or Fruit Loops with milk. Yummy sickly sweet goodness.

Happy St. Patties Day~

Hope everyone is having good day, and hopefully you don't get pinched too hard, if your not wearing green. *Wince* The nostalgia of my childhood. After this post, I'll be off to Disney World, but before then here's a quick Nail of the Week/Moment.

 Indirect sunlight

Direct sunlight

Used:

China Glaze - Holly Jolly

China Glaze - Cracked Medallion

Out the Door - Fast Drying Top coat

Nail Polish Swatches: China Glaze Colours from the Capitol

*Flails arms* It's FINALLY here, sorta. Let me start off with saying(ranting) about my love for the Hunger Games. I read all 3 books in a week and book one and two within a day each. Loved the 1st book to pieces, 2nd was alright, and the third was good with a in my opinion, a crappy rushed ending. No, it's not because I'm anti-Peeta or something, I'm actually for him. Although I won't spoil anything so just read it yourself. CAN'T wait for the movie though, I'm thinking about taking my boyfriend out on a date to watch it for his birthday. Shh... :X

China Glaze Effie looks Fabulous by the way with her Paperself eyelashes~

I've been waiting so patiently for this collection, but I'm a bit blah with about half of it to be honest. ^^;

 Harvest Moon  *Natural light*

 Harvest Moon  *Flash*

Harvest Moon is a golden bronze foil. Opaque with basically one coat, but I applied two just in case. Goes on nice and smooth.

 Fast Track *Natural Light*

Fast Track *Flash*

Fast Track is a greyish tan/nude type taupe creme with micro golden flakes/shimmer. Opaque in 2-3 coats. I applied three. Goes on pretty sheer but smooth with loads of gold shimmer flakes.

I'm personally a bit on the fence with Fast Track because the color looks a bit odd in person on me, wish it was a bit less grey though.

Giveaway Mention!
Makeup Withdraw is giving away 5 colors from this collection. It ends on March 19th so hurry and Check it out~
The shades are:
Luxe and Lush
Mahogany Magic
Hook and Line
Riveting
Fast Track
 Link: http://www.makeupwithdrawal.com/2012/02/win-polishes-from-china-glaze-hunger.html

Haul: Sally's Beauty, Target and Ross

Life Update:
Geez, I need to stop getting so busy. School has been pretty brutal this year; managed to get the worst grades I've ever had in my entire life. *Bangs head against table* Good News though, I got into a early admission program. So I'll technically be a college freshmen nest year. Hopefully the college schedule will allow me to get some rest since my sleep schedule has been out of whack since I started high school. I'm talking, sleeping 3-4 hours at night, waking up at 4/5 and then passing out on my bed after I get home. Not good. ^^;

Note: I've decided to list all the sales and clearance prices I got things for at the bottom of posts from now on, so check that out if your interested.

To the Haul~

Sally's Beauty Supply:

Ion Silk Drops - $7.99($6.99 w/card)~ I believe this has the same concept as Biosilk drops or Chi silk infusion. Recently my hair has been acted horrible and frizzy so I've been wanting to get a de-frizz moisture product and apparently you can use this on your skin which is interesting. It's smells amazing too.

China Glaze in Harvest Moon and Fast Track - $5.99($4.99 w/ card)~ Completely pysched about this collection and  movie coming out soon. Harvest Moon in a golden bronze foil.So beautiful. Fast Track is a grey nude taupe color with packed small gold flecks. I'm still a bit on the fence with this color.

Palladio Shadow liner in Eclipse, Raspberry and Icicle - $5.99($5.39 w/ card)~ I've been also on a base colors/Jumbo pencil kick lately too and heard these were quite nice and good on their own.

Target:

 Boots Original Beauty Formula Cleansing Milk Geranium- $7.99~ My eyes have been getting so red/puffy/irritated from cleansers/makeup removers lately, and when I found this, the word "milk" had me hoping that is was a very gentle makeup remover for some reason. I used it right when I got home and so far so good, removed and didn't burn. :D

Sonia Kashuk luxury lip color in Truffle - $8.99~ Seems like a nice brown nude, just what I've been needing. Love the white sleek squared tube it's in.

Ross: 

Sorry for the washed out picture.

Roxy Lieutenant purse - Original: $44. Store: $16.99~ I needed a compact less "Loud" purse to carry around casually. It's a over the shoulder satchel-type purse and the sides are about 2 inched wide.

Sale/Clearance Breakdown:
Sally's Beauty Supply
Ion Silk Drops - Free from renewing my card in February
Palladio Shadow Liner - Buy 2 get one free on Palladio products
Target
Boots Cleansing Milk - $3.98 on sale because the box packaging was ripped at the top.
Sonia Kashuk lipstick - $0.69 on sale because of repackaging or discontinuation. Rang up 69 cents even though it said $2.24 on the sticker.

NOTM: Turquatic

Yup, completely inspired by MAC's Turquatic perfume in the newer bottle. Even though I have yet to own anything from MAC.... ^^; but enjoy anyway~

 I took this with my cellphone since my camera died so excuse me for the bad quality (even though it turned out better then I thought).

What I used:

 

Used left to right in order.

Finger Paints in Paper Mache: (2 coats) Not to shabby of a white nail polish, streaky but manageable.

LA Colors - Art Deco in Yellow: Used this as the first gradient color because I don't own any yellow nail polish. It worked out nicely. :)

Nina Pro in Leaf Me Alone: Gotta love the name of this, so corny. Anyways it's a Leaf Green jelly. 2nd color in gradient and lightly applied it over entire nail to further blend colors.

Sinful Colors in Rise and Shine: Green Turquoise color with small teal shimmers. The 3rd color. To be quite honest, I personally think this color looks absolutely hideous with my skin tone, sadly even though it is a lovely color.

Rimmel - Lasting Finish Pro in Marine Blue: Sky Blue with teal shimmers. The 4th color. I absolutely adore this color. <3 Sadly discontinued I think because it was in CVS's semi annual clearance sale for 75% off.

Wet n' Wild - Wild Shine in Blue Moon: Navy Blue jelly with teal and green shimmers. Totally recommend this if your looking for a navy blue.

China Glaze in Jolly Holly: Dark Green with lime green shimmers. This came out in last years limited edition holiday collection. Was the base for the kelp/seaweed

LA Colors - Art Deco in Green Glitter: Used over Jolly Holly just to add some pazazz to the kelp/seaweed.

NOTM: Medallion of Minty Apples and Mangos.

Don't mind the post name. xD I just thought it'd be an interesting touch. Anyways, here's my latest NOTW.

Does it remind anyone else of those chunky gold turquoise rings? Well that's sort of what I was going for. It looks really "Summery" to me. Although I really don't care if the nail polish I'm wearing fits a season at all.

What I Used:

~Essie - Fill the Gap, base coat: It's my new love~

~Essie - Mango Bango: A little-darker-then-a-traffic-cone orange. I think this is discontinued, got it on clearance for $2 and never saw it in stores.

~Sinful Colors - Mint Apple: Minty green that's more on the blue side with silver shimmers, I got a few compliments wearing this alone once.

~Seche Vite - Top coat: My Favorite Top Coat.

~China Glaze - Cracked Medallion: Golden copper crackle. I bought this over the gold crackle because this looked more like an intenser gold because of the Copper. Upon application I thought I hated it and that it would be a bust like Sally Hansen's Fractured Foil. It looked too sheer, but once I applied a top coat that's when I KNEW I fell in love.

Note: Here are some words of advice. When applying metallic crackles it's better to apply it quickly when your base nail color is still not completely dry or when you can touch it without getting any nail polish on you finger.

NOTM: ChG Tempest plus Konad Dupe

Eh... I haven't been posting any reviews at all because I've just really chilled at home the entire summer plus my face has been getting randomly inflamed for no apparent reason soooo I'll probably just be uploading hauls and NOTWs(Nails of the Moment) the rest of it till school starts and I start getting into wearing makeup again. ^^;

 Yep, my nails are nubbies at the moment. They were in horrible condition for half the year because of my Ceramics class so I decided that I need to start fresh. Also, please excuse the chipping (this picture was taken a week into doing my nails) and my really dry finger tips.

What I Used:

~Essie - Fill the Gap, base coat: AMAZING... Definitely the best base coat I've ever used so far. It really does give you a nice even surface to paint your nails. It's also my cheapest one, on sale for $2 at a hair salon in my mall.

~China Glaze - Tempest: Blurple color, or more specifically a purple base with a really strong blue shimmer. Took 3 coats to make it opaque though. :T

~Sally Hansen - Xtreme Wear in White On: Absolutely horrible white nail polish if your trying to coat your nails because its extremely goopy and thick, but great for nail stamping because of that reason.

~Seche Vite - Top Coat: Yes the oh so famous topcoat, but I honestly do believe it deserves the praise that it gets, it's fast drying, shiny and protective. Surprisingly it's not getting thick and goopy like everyone says and I'm about half way finished with it...

~Kand Nail Stamping set: Cheapy Konad dupe~ I don't own any Konad so I can't compare, but I think it would work just as good as the Konad one. Its just that the plastic scraper that comes with this cheapy set sucks, so I use a Razor blade to scrape it off.

Haul: ELF, NYX, and a little more. :P

Okay, I've been getting a little too much stuff lately. Sure, they're all cheap products, but it adds up... And before any person says anything, this is a collective haul. The store I've visited were Target, Ross, The Dollar Tree and a little beauty supply shop near my dad's work. 

My Eyes Lips Face Portion of My Haul:

I went a little Elf crazy, My Reason: Because my Target FINALLY got an ELF display and I've been DIEING to get some things, since I can't buy online. I usually Only Buy Products if they're on sale, but I made an exception for ELF. Reason being since everything was either a $1 or $3. So yes ALL of these products were purchased at full price.

Studio Bronzer in "Golden": $3~ I was hoping for the warmer bronzer because I'm too dark for this and I knew that, but I still got it because I was hoping it could be a nice highlighter or Maybe still give me a "sun-kissed" sorta look still.

Essentials Eye Primer: $1~ I sorta got this confused with the Mineral Primer. ^^; I didn't notice there were 2 versions till I remembered that the shape was different then the Raved about one. I guess I was too Excited when I saw the Display. XD

Facial Whip in "Lilac Petal": $1~ I wanted a highlighter so I for a buck why not? The only 2 choices of facial whips on the display were this and "Spotlight" but, I thought spotlight would look too light so I chose this. In Reality, its not lilac at all in my opinion, more like a light beige.

Essentials Lipstick in "Fantasy": $1~ Its a nice brown color, but goes on sheerer then my hand swatch. Turned out to be a nice nude lippy on me. Definitely buying more of these.


Studio Cream Liner in "Black": $3~ I've recently have been obsessed with Cream/gel liners. I have to say, The mini brush it comes with is the Best free brush so far, its not scratchy and JUST as soft as the other studio brushes.

Studio Powder Brush: $3~ a.k.a. the Flat Top brush. Holy Crap... I'm in LOVE. I've been dieing to get a flat top because I want that "flawless airbrushed finish" everyone's talking about too. D: I was really debating to get the either the Sonia Kashuk $15 brush or the $13 highlighter brush OR the Face Secrets $13 one, after losing hopes on getting this since I can't buy online. You BETTER believe I immediately grabbed this when I saw it at my local Target.

Dollar Tree: 

Studio Lip Stain in "Lucky Lady" and "Mysterious": $3 - selling for $1~ I really wanted to try out a lip stain, and for a dollar at the Dollar Tree, again why not? After trying it out its definitely not a lip stain and more like a long wear lip stick.

Ross:

Beauty Book in the "Eye Brights Edition": $5 but $4.29 at Ross~ I was so happy to see this at my Ross after I saw a Video comparing this to one of the Urban Decay Book of Shadows. To be honest, I'm not impressed. The colors looked pretty, but its REALLY bad. I mean after the Wet N' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadows for the same price, this in Horrible quality...

The NYX Portion of the Haul:

From a Local Beauty Supply Store near my Dad's Workplace, in Tampa 40 Minutes away from me. This was the ONLY place I've ever seen that sells Nyx products. So since the first time I discovered it I was itching to go back and get me some more stuff. And so a couple months later, I finally got this chance.

Concealer in a Jar in "Glow": $4~ I really wanted to try a jarred concealer for awhile and hear this was quite good.

Round Lip Gloss in "Peach": $2~ My Favorite Lip Gloss Formula EVER. I've never tried the Mega shine ones though. These are completely somewhat hydrating, smooth and not sticky. I wanted the peach or apricot one because I'm really into the mindset of wanting to buy corals/peachy shades lately. I ultimately chose the Peach one since I wasn't sure I wanted to go so bold so fast.

Jumbo Eye Pencil in "Dark Brown", "Yogurt", and "Cottage Cheese": $3~ Now what is a Nyx hauls without these? after getting Milk, I Really wanted to get these. Dark Brown for a smokey look base. Yogurt for a shimmery nude base. Cottage cheese for a inner highlight.

Now for the Extra Things I've Purchased:

From Target:

Nivea, A Kiss of Recovery: $3ish - sale for $1.99~ I've loved Nivea Lip Balms for a long while now and I wanted to try this out HOPING it'd be my savior form these random serious chapped lips I've been getting. And so far its Pretty nice.

Nivea, A Kiss of Smoothness: $3ish - sale for $1.99~ My SECOND kiss of Smoothness. Keep in mind that THIS was the ONLY chap stick I Ever finished in my entire life. I Love this stuff.

Pixi, Eye Bright Kit in "No. 3 Tanned/Deep": $24 - Clearance for $6~ WHOPPING six dollars!!!! :D That's 18 bucks saved people. My first semi-high end product. But to be quite honest from first impressions, I'm not too impressed... Not worth the Original $24, maybe okay for 6 though.


 And with THAT I end my Haul. 
My Last Haul for awhile too. ^^;

Review: China Glaze's Crackle Nail Polish in "Black Mesh"

 Here's my 2 cents about one of the recently most Raved and wanted nail polishes on the market. Everyone and their grandmother have been raving about these. And Yes, I'm talking about the Shatter Nail Polishes.

I was so freaking ecstatic when I found this at my Sally's Beauty Supply on the 26th, since I never found OPI's Black Shatter. Then I died a little on the inside when I noticed the whole display was basically sold out, so I was all panicked and asked the sales clerk if They had more. Thankfully, there were still black meshes in the Back. (SO don't be afraid to ask if there more). Apparently I came right on time, since the sales person was saying how they just put them out the day before and sold 8 of them and mind you, I was there at 11 Am. XD

My Nails of the Week:

 OPI's Conquistadorable and ChinaGlaze's Black Mesh

Without Flash:

With Flash:

 
I really love the idea of these, very cool and entertaining. Probably the most fun I had painting my nails ever.
And to clear things up, China Glaze wasn't first to think of this, neither was OPI or Barry M. It was actually in fact Covergirl, who in the 90's came out with a variety of them, but discontinued them long ago too.


These Crackle Polishes $6.49, but a Sally's Card it's $4.99.
China Glaze has come out with 6 shades: Black Mesh, Heartbroken, Lightning, Concrete, Crushed Candy, and Fault Line.

The first time I tried it I sorta failed because I was too slow with it and used too thin of a coats. So I suggest getting a good amount on your brush and working fast. It also gives you a texture on your nails, meaning that it isn't smooth. It Dries Pretty Fast. It also dries matte or semi-matte. So use a top coat if you want it shiny(Obviously).

I honestly can't tell you how long they hold up considering I'm wearing a top coat and another nail polish under, but if you still wanna know, its been 7 days and there still going strong with minimal chipping. which is amazing considering I'm in a ceramics class so my nails go through a lot of abuse during the week days.


The ONLY Problem I found...
~ Is that it does sorta Goop up on the brush shaft a bit.

Overall:
5 Out of 5 Stars.
I completely recommend you to go for these. They're amazingly cool.