My Pretties

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Showing posts with label Essie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Essie. Show all posts

Monday, January 30, 2012

Just Another Mani Monday: Essie Sand Tropez

Hello, my Pretties!

I have an idea for a new series!

I haven't been that consistent with my Pink Wednesday posts but I have a new idea for another nail polish series.  Mani Mondays!  It will be just like Pink Wednesdays but without the pink!  I have run out of pink nail polishes!

Mani Mondays will showcase other nail polishes in my collection.  Any and every color except pink.  I will still do Pink Wednesdays when I have a pink polish to share with you.

And for my first Mani Monday post, I chose my favorite color of the moment.  My very first nude nail polish--Sand Tropez by Essie.



One coat.

Two coats.

I am in lust with this color.  I've always been a fan of bright flashy nail polishes but when I saw this shade sitting on the shelf, I just new I had to have it.  I adore it!  I hate saying this but it looks much better in person.

Thanks to Angie of Beauty Fashion Fitness, I used this on my toes for the first time and she was right, it looks fabulous!  This color is just so classy.  It's work appropriate yet feminine.

So, tell me what you think of my Mani Monday idea?  Would you like to see what other shades I have in my nail polish collection??

I think this Monday series will be good for me because it will keep me polishing my nails.  I can go weeks without painting them and I'd like to change that.  Let's hope this works and I can keep up with it!  I have loads of shades to share!

Luv & Luk,
--L.

♥♥ All items mentioned in this post were bought by me with my own money. ♥♥

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Collection: Essie Nail Lacquer

Hello, my Pretties!

Tonight I have a quick post to share with you all.  So many of you have requested that I do a collection post or video but that is just not possible right now.

I have no organization to my makeup collection at the moment.  It is all pretty much stashed in drawers and boxes in my bedroom.  I keep my most used products on top of my dresser in a plastic storage container.  I don't have a vanity set up or anything like that.  Sorry.  *Makes sad face.*

So, at the end of last year I decided to show you some of my collection by showcasing my smaller collections that makeup my massive one.  Does that make any sense?

I already did a collection post on my E.L.F. Brightening Eye Color eyeshadow quads which you can check out HERE.

I just recently started really hauling nail polish.  I have a lot of different brands but I didn't have any Essie.  Back in November, fellow beauty blogger Julie of My Beauty Rate, sent me a package of four different nail polishes.  In the package were two Essie Nail Lacquers.  My very first ever!

And here they are!

Essie Nail Lacquer
Left to Right:
475 Castaway and 655 Big Spender

To see the original post, click HERE.

Once I tried these beauties on, I needed to get some more!  And I did.  Here are another four Essie Nail Lacquers I purchased for myself.

Essie Nail Lacquer
Left to Right:
852 Sand Topez
853 Nice is Nice
886 Lady Like
744 Trophy Wife

And there you have it.  My entire Essie Nail Lacquer collection.  It's not much but I love them all!

Do you own any Essie?  Is there a specific one you think I should have in my collection?

Luv & Luk,
--L.

♥♥  All items in this post were purchased by me with my own money unless stated otherwise.  ♥♥

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Favorites: November 2011



Hello, my Pretties!

I love Twitter.  I was tweeting away earlier when someone mentioned that they already had posted their monthly favorites.  I was like, "OMG, I totally forgot!"  What else is new?  I know.

And in case you don't follow me on Twitter, I announced late last week that I had gotten a job as a nanny.  Sounds weird to say it because it's for my two year old nephew.  He has health issues so his doctors recommended that he be taken out of daycare and for my sister to hire a nanny to go take care of him at home.  And so she hired me!

So yeah, that's what I've been up to lately.  My days are long now.  I'm with him from 7 a.m. to about 7 p.m.  I have my nephew and my daughter, both two years old, all day and then I have my six year old daughter from 3-7 after I pick her up from school.  Yeah.  My hands are full.

So, you might see my blog start to suffer a little bit from it.  By the time I get home, it's dark out so I can't take pictures for a new post. I'm going to have to save all of that for the weekend when I'm off but then again, I have my two munchkins at home all day so that's why I would never work on blog posts on the weekends, only on weekdays when one was in school and the other was napping.  LOL.  So, I guess I'm going to have to try something else.

Anyway, I managed to get in my Monthly Favorites post today.  Here it is.  Enjoy!

November 2011 Favorites

Blistex Cold & Allery Lip Soother
External/Analgesic/Lip Protectant
Net wt. .15 oz/ 4.25 g
I got this a couple of weeks ago when I was really sick with a cold.  My nose was so stuffy that I was basically panting like a dog just trying to breathe.  My lips were so dry so when I went to get some Kleenex from Walgreen's, I saw this and I bought it.  I love how it smells.  It's so citrus-y.  It claims to relieve lip discomfort and dryness due to illness or medication.  That is does!  Instantly my lips felt moisturized.  They were already all cracked and peeling prior to application.  I put it on before bed and in the morning, my lips were almost normal!  It is infused with vitamins C and E along with green tea, elderberry, chamomile and honey.  No wonder it tastes so good.  Good stuff.
Avon 24 Karat Gold Lip Gloss
in Honey Gold
I've had this lip gloss for what seems like ages and I love it!  I'm not a pink lip gloss person but this one works for me.  I adore this shade.  Sad thing is, it's no longer available.  You can't see it in the shot but it's more than half empty.  I think this one will appear in my monthly empties post very soon.
Swatch of Honey Gold.
As you can see in the picture, it's a very pretty pink.  But what you can't see, is that it has loads of shimmer in it.  You can see it in the tube as well as on your lips when you're out in the sun.  Such a cute color.
Avon Anew Rejuvinate Night Sapphire Emulsion
50 g net wt./ 1.7 oz
Another Avon product to share with you today.  I had also tweeted about this product about a month ago.  I said I was using a new face cream that made my skin look almost air brushed.  So many of you wanted to know which one it was!
Very cool looking night cream.
I love the look of this.  It's a gel but it's like glittery blue.  Super pretty.  It feels weird on.  It's a gel and I'm used to a cream consistency.  In my opinion, when I wear this night cream, in the morning, my face is so soft and smooth and my pores are less visible.  Yay for shrunken pores!  This one is pricey for me but I figure that I'll be 30 in December so I need to take care of my skin.  The only downside to this is if you have sensitive skin like I do, it's recommended that you wait 15 minutes after cleansing your face before applying the night cream.  If you don't wait, you could get a burning feeling on your face.  Not like I'm-on-fire but it's plain old discomfort.  I like it.  It claims to make you look 5 years younger in two weeks.  It cost me about $30 but I think I do look more youthful.
E.L.F. Shimmering Facial Whip
in Citrus 
OK, this one did not cost me $30 but it cost me $1.00 and I love it.  I use this product as a brow highlight or as a highlight on my cheekbones.  But lately I have been using it as a base for my shimmery shadows and it works beautifully.  The shadow sticks so well to it and it lasts all day.  No creasing on me.  Best $1.00 ever.  I've seen other posts done on this product and I have seen some bad reviews.  To each his own.  Every experience is different.  Mine was a good one.  For a dollar, try it out and see if it works for you.  There are many shades to chose from on the E.L.F. website.
M•A•C Fluidline
Eeek!  I can't believe I have M•A•C.  I got this as a part of my Tartan Tale gift set that my sweet-tart gave me last year for Christmas.  I kept saying I was going to show it off but I never did.  Maybe I should still do it.  One year later and it's practically untouched.  I cherish it so much, I don't want to use it.  LOL.
Blitz & Glitz Fluidline
Net wt. 3 g/ 0.10 oz
This is such a smooth application.  It's like butter.  For real.  I've never said that about any makeup item I own.  Love this stuff.  I use it on my waterline too and it applies effortlessly and evenly and it stays on all day.
I've had this for about a year and I just started using it.
Man, I have missed out on this eyeliner!  I should have used it since I got it but, no, I had to hold on to it for God knows what reason.  If I had used it from day one, I would be out of it by now.  Lately, it's the only eyeliner I want to use.

This eyeliner is black but with little gold shimmers in it that I don't really see when I apply it to my eyes.  I just enjoy the darkness and richness of the black and the creaminess.  It's wonderful.
Maybelline The Falsies Flared
Volum' Express Mascara
I won't go into too much detail about this because I plan on doing a separate blog post on this one with pictures of before and afters.  I love this stuff.  I doesn't leave my eyes looking like the ones in the commercial but I do see a difference.  My lashes are much longer and that's always fine with me!
Essie Nail Lacquer
in Lady Like
.46 fl oz/ 13.5 mL
I have been looking for a pink like this.  It's not full on bubble gum pink at all which is why I think I love it so much.  It's more of a romantic, refined pink.  Definitely, a lady like pink.
Swatches of Lady Like.
As you can see in the picture, it's so glossy.  Just the way I like it.  And with no top coat and two coats of nail polish.  I can see myself wearing this very often.  It's a nice everyday color and it will also look nice with a LBD and it's even work appropriate.
Swatches.
Here I have all the swatches to the Blitz &  Glitz eyeliner.  The dot on the top is the Shimmering Facial Whip out of the tube and below it is the swatch of it blended in.  A little goes a long way.  Underneath that, is the swatch to the Honey Gold lip gloss.
Victoria's Secret Refreshing Body Mist
in Pure Seduction
125 mL/ 4.2 fl oz
And one more thing.  I love how this smells.  I've been using this everyday instead of perfume.  I don't usually use perfume, I use body sprays more.  This one smells of casaba melon, plum, and freesia.  It's perfection.  And, I'm almost out of this one too.  Another monthly empties candidate.  Since it's so hot here in Texas, I enjoy spritzing this all over my body because it definitely refreshes me.  Maybe next time, I'll try a different scent.

Wow, half and hour later and I'm done typing.  Good God.  Well, that's all I have for this month, my dears.  I wonder what the month of December will have in store.

Luv & Luk,
--L.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

PO BOX Talk

Hello, my Pretties!

I have a little box of goodies to share with you today. This came to me about three weeks ago and I am just sharing it with you today. Whoops!

I met Julie on Twitter and one day she was asking Tweeties what they did with nail polish they didn't want anymore. I asked her if she had ever tried Frankens. A conversation ensued when she asked me what Frankens were.

From there on we tweeted for a while and at the end, she said she was going to just give them away. Then she asked me if I wanted them since I had mentioned I was trying to grow my nail polish collection earlier. Of course, I said yes. I'm not a fool!

I was in disbelief. First of all, who doesn't want nail polish? And second of all, what kind of a person would just give me something the first time I chatted with them? A really sweet, giving person, that's who.

So, I waited anxiously for my gift. I didn't know what colors she had put in. It was like a pregnant woman waiting to find out if she was having a boy or a girl.

And then they arrived!
Hello, my pretties!

My very first Essie nail polishes!

Essie Nail Lacquer in 475 Castaway

Essie Nail Lacquer in 655 Big Spender

O•P•I Nail Lacquer in Got A Date To-Knight

Sally Hansen HD Hi-Definition
Nail Color in 01 Cyber

Swatches with flash.

Swatches without flash.

(I don't know why it posted this way. UGH!)
Sorry for the sideways photo. In the preview, it's correct. I post it, and it's like this. Oy vey! Second time this happens to me.

Well, anyhow, she did send me a sweet little note to go along with my new nail polishes. It says:
"Lisa,
Here are the nail polishes I said I'd send. I added in 2 extra! I hope you enjoy and appreciate them more than I did! Good luck on your collection!!!
-Julie"
So, so sweet. 

And yes, Miss Julie, I am in love with my latest addition. I can't believe that you parted with them. I love them all but my favorite are Got A Date To-Knight and Big Spender. Thank you so much, again. I am truly grateful and humbled that there are still sweet people out there. And I will always remember that you gave me my very first Essie nail polishes!

So, my Pretties, stop by Julie's blog at MyBeautyRate and you will fall in love with her blog :)

Luv & Luk,
--L.

♥♥ All items mentioned in this post were given to me as a gift from MyBeautyRate. I did not have to blog about this or mention her blog in my post. There were no requirements for accepting this gift. I did this post out of my own free will. These are my own thoughts and opinions. ♥♥

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Pink Wednesday: October 26, 2011 (Late Post)


Hello, my Pretties!

I know, I'm late with my Pink Wednesday post since today is Thursday.

I was up polishing my nails last night at 11:30 so I didn't get a chance to take pics and post before Wednesday was over. Sorry! But I swear I did have them done last night. I posted a pic on Instagram just to show you that I did do my Pink Wednesday look. That counts, right?

And now, here is this week's pink polish. I had meant to do a Breast Cancer Awareness post since October 1st but you know how it can be. Life gets in the way of everything you ever planned on doing. So, again, I'm sorry for not posting a Breast Cancer Awareness look sooner.

Pink Polish:
N.Y.C. Long-Wearing Nail Enamel in 109A Pink Promenade Creme
Essie Nail Polish in 475 Castaway
(no flash)

I've had this N.Y.C. nail polish for the longest time and was really excited when I found it in my stash. A new pink polish to use for my Pink Wednesday. I'm starting to run low on pinks, here.

Pink Promenade Creme is a very bright, hot pink. It's a very fun color. It's almost so bright that it looks slightly red. It is a creme finish and is very glossy.


Pink Polish:
N.Y.C. Long-Wearing Nail Enamel in 109A Pink Promenade Creme
Essie Nail Polish in 475 Castaway
(with flash)

The Essie nail polish was a gift from MyBeautyRate and I love it! Love, love it! She was getting rid of some nail polishes that she wasn't using anymore so she was kind enough to share them with me. I'll do a separate post on that, though, so stay tuned!

Castaway is a mix of cotton candy pink and Barbie pink. It's so girlie. It's cute. It is a very true to pink PINK. This also is a creme finish with high gloss.


With flash.

As you have seen from my previous nail art posts, I'm not that good. I kept this one super duper simple and just did the pink ribbon on my ring finger as my accent nail. After I did both hands, I looked at the final product and I thought, "Maybe I should have done Pink Promenade Creme as the base color and Castaway as the ribbon accent color." You know, most pink ribbons designated for breast cancer are light pink. Aren't they?


Without flash.

Well, anyway, that's all she wrote. 

I didn't even want to do a nail post because I was so depressed that I had to cut my nails. They were finally growing and were looking good. One nail on my left hand broke on Monday and then one broke on my right hand on Tuesday so on Wednesday, I just cut them all! I hate having uneven nails. Oh well. Time to start all over.

Luv & Luk,
--L.

P.S.
I just wanted to say that if anyone of you out there is suffering from breast cancer or knows someone who is, I am truly sorry. I wish that there was no such thing as breast cancer. As women, we need to support each other and help each other. While my words are just plain words, I hope that it might bring one of you out there some comfort knowing that there is someone in this world who is rooting for you. God bless.