Wednesday, November 30, 2011

butter London 'Aston'

Hello Ladies!

So, I was thinking what color I wanted to wear next and I immediately thought of butter London's 'Aston'. I don't think this color gets enough credit. Yeah, it's not a "fun" color but there's nothing like it! I'd describe it as a 'neutral muted brownish medium toned mauve'. It so happens my Mom's an artist (possesses a B.F.A.) and I asked her opinion on this fascinated color. I'll say it changes depending on the lighting, it can be very brownish or it can be more mauve. Either way it's a unique color. It also has an amazing silver shimmer which makes it more interesting. 

Probably one of the biggest turn offs about this polish is that it was a bit gloppy. Now, I'm personally a big fan of thick polishes but this dries fast and gets gloppy very easily around the opening of the bottle. Mind you... this is my ONLY complaint. :o) You can find butter London polishes at ULTA in-stores and online for $14.00. Of course, there are other shops that carry their products and the butter London website carries all of their products!

I took all the photos outside with no bright sun, so the lighting isn't intense but you can get a true read of this color. 

butter London 'Aston' in natural light
butter London 'Aston' in natural light
butter London 'Aston' in natural light
butter London 'Aston' in natural light
Close-up of butter London 'Aston' in natural light
butter London in natural more shaded light
butter London 'Aston' in natural light (a different perspective & background)
What this polish reminds me of... terra cotta tile (in my kitchen)
 What do you guys think of this color? Is it something you would wear? 


Cheers,
Bridget

Monday, November 28, 2011

ULTA Professional 'For Bitten'

Hello Readers,

I really like to go back and forth between light and dark shades so here I have swatched a dark shade. ULTA Professional's 'For Bitten' has a black base LOADED with a plum-purple glitter. It's interesting because in the bottle you almost see a green/gold glitter but it doesn't show up on the nail at all. None the less, it's loaded with glitter and shines like mad in natural/artificial light.

In sunlight
In sunlight with flash
In shade with natural light
Sunlight
Artificial light
Artificial light

I used two coats and then 1 coat of Essie's 'good to go' top coat. Don't forget to wrap the tips to prolong your manicure! Do you guys like dark colors? If you don't normally wear dark shades I'd try this, it's dark but fun and full of life!

Cheers,

Bridget

Saturday, November 26, 2011

*Layering Post* with Cult Nails 'Clairvoyant'

Hello Readers!

First of all, I apologize for taking so long to get another post up but there are some good ones coming up soon!

So, we all know how incredibly popular (and for good reason) Cult Nails 'Clairvoyant' has been during both the pre-sale for the 'Super Powers Collection' and their current sale that's ends this Monday 11/28/11. If you don't know 'Clairvoyant' is the same flakey we all know and love that was previously named 'Unicorn Puke'. While 'Clairvoyant' is currently sold out, the onwer, Maria, has ordered more and has approximated that more will be available in February.

Alright, now for the good stuff! I know everyone always layers 'Clairvoyant' with black, dark grays, and blues but I wanted to choose a few different colors to see what they looked like with this amazing gel-like blue-purple multi-colored flakey polish!

All the colors used:

From left to right: Cult Nails 'Power Thief', Pure ICE 'Super Star', China Glaze 'Sky High-Top', Revlon 'Royal Cloak', Essie 'French Affair', Cult Nails 'Clairvoyant'

Close up of Cult Nails 'Clairvoyant': 
This polish is MADE for amazing layering, either on top or between sheer polishes. I'd say it has a blue-purple sheer base with different sized flakes that are pink, purple, blue, and green. Stunning!

Close up of Cult Nails 'Power Thief':
I must say this color is a favorite, it's like a hot cocoa with silver, pink and green micro-glitter (same as their 'Let Me Fly' polish) which is just stunning. Nearly opaque with one coat, 2 coats makes it absolutely perfect! I will be ordering an extra ^_^


 Five different shades layered with 1 coat of 'Clairvoyant' on all but the white and pink shade, for those I used 2 coats:
From pinky nail to thumb nail: Cult Nails 'Power Thief', Pure ICE 'Super Star', China Glaze 'Sky High-Top', Revlon 'Royal Cloak', Essie 'French Affair'
Fun close-up of all the colors layered:
From pinky nail to thumb nail: Cult Nails 'Power Thief', Pure ICE 'Super Star', China Glaze 'Sky High-Top', Revlon 'Royal Cloak', Essie 'French Affair'

So, what do you guys think of Cult Nails 'Clairvoyant'? Do you just love the pink, purple, blue, and green flakey polish or what??! I would highly recommend signing up to receive their latest updates, sales, and news events here so you never miss out!

Cheers,
Bridget

Friday, November 11, 2011

China Glaze 'Lets Do It In 3D'

Hello Readers!

I am loooooving China Glaze's 'Lets Do It In 3D', it's a medium-dark gray holographic polish. It's pretty sheer but would become completely opaque with 3 coats. However, I only used 2 even medium coats.

Here's my 1st attempt at 'professionally' edited photos, I want to get in the habit of putting my blog name and having a consistent background.  It's a working progress... ^_^


Pleasssse let me know what you think and if you have any critiques! Any comments are greatly appreciated!

Cheers,
Bridget

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Diva Stuff's Chocolate-Mint Purifying Face Mask, Part II

Hello Readers!

Ok, so this is the second part to Diva Stuff's Chocolate-Mint Face Treatments. This time I'm reviewing the 'Ancient Mayan Secret, Chocolate-Mint Purifying Mask'. 

I used my fiancé again for the photographs below:

Scrubbies on left are Part I, Face Mask on right is Part II (this post)
You can see the mask is thick with a taupe-brownish color
The consistency of the mask is very thick, a little bit goes a long way!
Thin coat of product applied to face (there's that lil' nose again! :o)
Close-up of product on face, you can see how thick it is with a thin layer!

About this face mask:
  • Product is thick and you can see the ingredients right in the container
  • 2 oz. size is plenty of product to last you several months 
  • Great price at $9.99 with free shipping!
  • Ingredients:
    • Raw Cocoa Powder- rich in antioxidants that protect the skin and prevent free radicals from damaging the skin, 
    • Kaolin clay- a gentle non oil absorbing clay. It will not dry out skin but will help deposit needed nutrients
    • Bentonite Clay- A clay that helps fight bacteria and tighten skin
    • Mint oils and extracts- Tighten and tone the skins surface
  • The ingredient description according to Diva Stuff is " Although the ancient Mayans and Aztecs used it long ago for medicinal purposes and skin care because it is full of super rich antioxidants that protect the skin. Chocolate may prevent free radicals from damaging the skin's elastin, collagen and other protein. Because cocoa is so high in antioxidants it helps defend against free radicals and may help stave off lines, wrinkles and discoloration. In addition it may have some UV protection. Our new mask is so wonderful you will want to use it every day. The ingredients help to tone, tighten and purify without drying out the skin. You will find that in most cases you will not even need a moisturizer after using. It is made with all natural raw cocoa powder, bentonite clay and kaolin clay. Kaolin clay does not absorb oils  from the skins surface but does help to deposit beneficial nutrients. This mask is a great anti microbial and anti bacterial treatment. Your face will tingle from the mints used but be assured they are helping to detox your gorgeous diva-ish face."
  • The instructions are to let it dry then rinse but I don't think that's necessary. This has peppermint oil and you feel an instant cooling feeling that can be intense. Both my fiancé (man in photos) and myself have very sensitive skin. He reported that it was so intense that it almost 'burned' while I just felt an intense cooling feeling and was able to leave it on for 10 minutes without discomfort. 
  • Leaves your skin SUPER soft, like a babies butt! And there is no residue leftover!
  • All and all I really enjoyed this mask, if you have normal - oily skin I think this would work best for you! Even if you have the occasional breakout or have 'oil slicks' this should calm your skin.


Does this sound like any other product you've tried before?? They can be found online on their website and eBay. Visit their facebook page and twitter to stay up to date with their latest products, contests, giveaways, and sales!


♥ Cheers,
Bridget

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Diva Stuff's Chocolate-Mint Detox Facial Scrubbies, Part I

This is PART I of Diva Stuff's Chocolate-Mint Face Treatments:

Hello Readers!!! 

Who doesn't love Girl Scout's 'Thin Mints'?? Well, this review is of Diva Stuff's 'Ghia's Chocolate-Mint Detox Face Scrubbies'. Believe or not my fiancé loves this stuff and didn't mind me using his face for the post. So, this is something that men can enjoy too because mint and chocolate aren't sex related! 

Now... for the pictures!!!

Excuse the packaging, they originally looked much nicer :o)
You can see the size of these scrubbies in reference to a man's hand.
A bit of lather with some water added!
What the scrubbie looks like when it's ready for use! Creamy!
Excuse the beard (love you baby! look at that perfect lil' nose!), this is the product being applied.

About these scrubbies:

  • These little scrubbies come with the product on little rectangular pieces of thin towel. 
  • They can be used twice respectively and should be kept in something. However, you can leave on a shelf in your shower for the next day. 
  • They produce a light creamy lather that is tan in color from the chocolate. You can see pieces of the different ingredients which is good because it lets you know they aren't over-processed! 
  • The only 'con' if you will is that small pieces of the towel can unravel or come off, but it's not a big deal.
  • You get about 12 or so of these scrubbies (don't you love this 'word'??), container is FULL
  • Great deal at $8.99
  • Great for women and men!
  • Smell of fresh mint and chocolate
  • Leaves skin feeling smooth and NOT overly dry (tested on two Irish-American pale folks!)
  • Is more like a scrub-face wash combo that can be used every day like any daily face wash.



Part II will feature the Facial Detox mask (2nd item in the 1st photo).

Does this sound like any other product you've tried before?? They can be found online on their website and eBay. Visit their facebook page and twitter to stay up to date with their latest products, contests, giveaways, and sales!

Thanks for reading! All photos taken with the iPhone 4S. Yeah, I've been converted.

Cheers,
Bridget

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

*AMAZING GIVEAWAY* Over $70 worth of goodies!

Hello Readers!
Well, I've officially caught the giveaway bug and have decided to do my own! The rules are simple, see below...
The giveaway officially starts November 2nd at 12:00 P.M. (EST) and will end November 16th at 12:00 P.M. (EST). You must complete rules 1-3 to qualify.

So, now for the good part! Below are images of everything you will receive!







 Good luck to everyone and spread the word!!! Over $70 retail!!!
XXO

Cheers,
Bridget