Urban Decay 'White Widow' Nail Polish Swatch & Review

This is Urban Decay's new polish, 'White Widow.'  I think that the color of this polish is really hard to accurately capture.  It's like a white creme/slight shimmer with a touch of purple and a touch of mushroom/brown color.  In a dimly lit place, I really pick up a slight purple color when I look at it. 

I like it and I don't like it at the same time.  This was three coats and I have to say out of all the Urban Decay polishes I have tried so far, I am most dissappointed with this one.  It applied with streaks and was hard to control.  I don't think this color works too well on my skintone so I don't think I will be reaching for it in the future.

What do you think?  Have you tried this polish or any of the other ones Urban Decay has recently released yet?

Lime Crime Lipsticks, 'D'Lilac' & 'My Beautiful Rocket' Swatches & Review

I got my package of two lipsticks that I ordered from Lime Crime Makeup yesterday!  I preordered these and they arrived just in time to be used for Halloween and also for all of the upcoming festivities that I have!

As you can see the packing is super cute, holographic unicorns on each tube of lipstick make for a 'gleeful' time when re-applying.  Doe Deere is a strong believer that when you apply lipstick, it should be an artful process, not something that should be done hidden in the depths of a bathroom.  I definitely would not be ashamed to take of this lipstick and apply it in front of everyone, what a conversation starter it would be!

Above: This is what D'Lilac looks like on my lips.  I have really been in love with lilac colors as of late, I think it exudes a sort of Cyberpunk sort of look and I am really smitten with this lipstick.  In fact, I am wearing it today to work!  I love the way it mutes out the natural color of lips and really speaks for itself!

Above: This is what My Beautiful Rocket looks like on my lips.  A beautiful, pure orange without any red undertones.  Exactly what I have been looking for in an orange lipstick!

I would definitely recommend applying these lipsticks with a lipbrush for precise application or I would advise applying slowly to make sure you get a nice crisp line (especially on the lower lip).

Pros - a multitude of colors you won't find any where else, lasts on the lips for quite awhile before reapplying is needed, fast shipping/packaged well, pure glee every time you put it on!

Cons - kind of expensive ($16 for one lipstick), a bit dry when you first put it on (I would apply a bit of chapstick/Carmex to prep the lips before applying), bright colors make for a statement so try to apply it as best as you can (watch for messiness!).

Overall, I have to say that I am in love with Lime Crime Makeup and what Doe Deere has to offer.  She gives you a multitude of colors (both with these new lipsticks and the existing eyeshadows that are sold) that you cannot find anywhere else.  I am impressed with Doe Deere's ability to be both inspiring as well as a teacher through her work with her cosmetics line and I am sure she will continue to revolutionize what it means to wear makeup and how you make a statement with it!  If anything, I would buy one color just to be part of the experience!  I am sure at some point in the future, I will be buying myself another color from the site!

Check out the lipstick shades that are offered by Lime Crime Makeup by clicking here!

Computer Update

Hey everyone,

I broke my computer last night so I will try my best to get a new one as soon as I can so that I can resume with regular/normal updates.

Thank you for your understanding and patience until I get back into the swing of things.

Lacy

Clinique 'Super Rescue Antioxidant Night Moisturizer' Review

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According to Clinique, Super Rescue Antioxidant Night Moisturizer (for Dry Combination Skin) can be described as follows:

No matter how well you protect your skin, sun, stress and pollution bring daily damage. Now a potent moisturizer works overnight to deliver a unique complex of eight rapid and delayed-release antioxidants that defuse this free-radical activity. Helps keep skin strong and prevent visible signs of aging.

When I first tried this moisturizer, I didn't like it that much. I think I had an initial reaction when I applied it and it made my skin feel dry in the morning when I woke up. However, a few weeks later, I tried it again and now I have been applying it every night with out any problems. 

This lotion is rich and creamy feeling, a little goes a long way.  I don't have any wrinkles really (yet!) but I want to protect and help my skin repair itself after being in the California sun every day. Basically, I am using this as a preventative measure so I apply it to my face and neck at night.  When I wake up in the morning, I just splash my face with water and use a warm washcloth against it and I feel good as new.

Pros - A little goes a long way, a bottle will last a long time, moisturizes well, feels good on the skin, light scent (no strong perfume smell), I think it could be used in any climate.

Cons - expensive (around $42 depending on where you get it).

Remember!  There is a great gift with purchase going on at Macy's right now (online and in the store). You can click here to see the description of the gift with purchase on Macy's website!

Urban Decay - 'Grunge' Nail Polish Swatch & Review

Here is what Urban Decay's nail polish, 'Grunge,' looks like. It is one of the nail polishes featured in the Apocalyptic Nail Kit.

It's a deep blue, almost black in color. Not quite navy, not metallic but it still holds some of these qualities. The shimmer that it has is very slight and doesn't feel rough to the touch like some shimmers can. This polish applied easily, dried quickly (I have a coat of Seche Vite as a topcoat). I am in love with the little bottles because I never use an entire bottle of nail polish and I think I might actually be able to do that with these.

I really like it but I am fond of dark nail polishes and a lot of the colors in this Apocalyptic Nail Kit are dark, bold or vampy in some way.

Sally Hansen 'Nail Art Pen' Review

I had been wanting to get a few of these pens for a quite awhile and I finally picked myself up two of them a few weeks ago. I got the white one and the black one as it seemed like they would be the two that I would most likely want to put designs on with.

Overall, I am not that impressed with them. They are easy to use but require several coats for it to be opaque and not see through, I wish they applied thicker like normal nail polish. And if you don't put a top coat on right away (and apply it nice and thick), they wash off!

I feel like it's kind of like using Crayola markers or something to draw on your nails, just doesn't apply how I would like it to. I would rather use a skinny tipped brush like the L.A. Colors Art Deco nail polish. I have liked the results I have seen with that brand and I will have to try it sometime.

Pros - Easy to use (holds just like a pen), variety of colors, endless possibilities for designs. Check out this advertisement, for ideas!

Cons - Washes off if you miss any part of the top coat (which is good if you get some on your skin), hard to use with a non-dominant hand, have to apply several coats (i.e., you want to do a french manicure, apply white to the tips several times to make it white enough), kind of pricey (around $7 for one pen - watch for coupons you could use if you want to pick some up!)

Also, I don't know about other locations but in Southern California, these are constantly sold out at all the stores, the only colors that are ever left are ones like light pink or navy blue. Have you found this to be the same for you? What do you think of these nail pens?

Clinique 'Lash Doubling Mascara' Swatch

Here is a look at what Clinique's 'Lash Doubling Mascara,' looks like on my eye.

You can see my review on this mascara by clicking here.

Clinique 'Lash Doubling Mascara' Review

I think that Clinique's 'Lash Doubling Mascara,' is an incredibly great mascara. I got a sample size of it a little while ago in one of those gift with purchase specials at Nordstrom's.

The first time I tried it, I didn't think much of it. In fact, I thought it flaked all over my cheeks as the day wore on. But it must have been the eyeshadow or something that I was wearing because I have been reaching for this every day now for about the past two weeks and I love it! I literally have no complaints about it.

Pros - Lengthens, deep/inky black, separates each lash, can apply multiple coats, lasts all day, easy to wash off and remove with a normal makeup remover, doesn't make my lashes feel dry or brittle, affordable ($14 at Macy's), the wand allows you to maneuver it with ease to reach all the lashes you want to coat with the mascara.

Cons - I can't think of one, I really am impressed with this formula.

There is a great gift with purchase going on at Macy's right now (online and in the store). You can click here to see the description of the gift with purchase on Macy's website!

I will post pictures of what this mascara looks like on my eyes tomorrow. Let me know if you like this mascara as much as I do or if you have any other suggestions. I'd love to hear what you all think!

"Phisoderm 'Deep Cleaning Cream Cleanser' for Normal to Dry Skin" Review

I got 'Phisoderm Deep Cleaning Cream Cleanser' after my Basis Cleaner Clean Face Wash ran out. I figured I might as well try something new/different and let everyone know what I think about it. I was intrigued by the idea of a cream cleanser since with Fall arriving and the weather turning a bit cooler, my skin has been really dry and tight feeling.

According to Phisoderm, this cream cleanser:

• Thoroughly removes dirt, oil and makeup without drying the skin. Vitamin E helps moisturize, while natural aloe and chamomile soothe and soften skin.
• Is pH Balanced
• Is for normal to dry skin
• Dermatologist recommended
• Alcohol free
• Soap free
• Aloe and chamomile to help nourish the skin

Pros - Removes makeup thoroughly, leaves skin feeling soft and not tight, lightly moisturizing, affordable, rinses fairly clean, bottle will last a long time, sturdy bottle, pump top allows for ease and control of how much product comes out.

Cons - Doesn't entirely remove waterproof cosmetics, I wish the cap/pump was a different color, smells a bit perfumey (might not be good for people with sensitive skin).

Phisoderm has a bunch of different cleansers that can be chosen based on whatever skin type you have. I think overall, this isn't that bad of a cleanser. I would like to check out their moisturizing products and see how I like those as well.

What's your favorite face wash? Have you tried any Phisoderm products? I'd love to hear what you think!

Lime Crime 'Enchant' & 'Fairy Wings' Swatches & Review

Here are swatches of Lime Crime Magic Dusts, 'Enchant' and 'Fairy Dust.'

These are swatched over Too Faced Shadow Insurance.

Pros - You can see that 'Enchant' is a kind of grayish, dusky green color, it's good for a smoky eye look that is slightly out of the ordinary. I especially like it applied wet.

'Fairy Wings' was really hard to photograph (I apologize), it has sparks of violet and looks beautiful layered over another color (like layered over black). Since I think it's more appropriate as a layering color or a sheer wash on it's own, I would never apply it wet but I thought you guys might like to see that. I also like to use it as a highlight to my brow and cheekbone.

These shadows last a long time (product & wear-wise) so they are well worth the investment and would be especially for colors that you can't find anywhere else!

Cons - The one thing I do not like about these shadows is the container, they spill easily and do not seal tightly, causing me to get violet sparkles all over my bathroom, makeup case, etc. I find it annoying and I am tempted to transfer them into better containers.

I am definitely going to check out more Lime Crime shadows in the future, Doe Deere just revamped the website and they are now offering double the amount of product for the same price! I am for sure going to get some of the brighter pigments in the future.

Go to Lime Crime Makeup to see more color options and to buy a few for yourself!

Does anyone else have these shadows (or other Lime Crime products)? How do you like them?

Urban Decay - 'Meltdown' Nail Polish Swatch & Review

Here is what Urban's Decay new nail polish, 'Meltdown,' looks like. It is one of the nail polishes featured in the Apocalyptic Nail Kit. I think it photographs on the blue side but trust me, this is a purple nail polish.

I am in love with this bold, vibrant purple. It has an almost metallic finish to it that I feel is very modern, chic and edgy. I can't wait to continue trying the other colors I have received and I will be sure to share them with you all! I don't think there are any cons with this polish. It applied easily, dried fast, was true to color, etc. I think it is all around excellent.

'Neutrogena Clean Replenishing Shampoo' Review

I was looking for a shampoo that I could alternate with this more creamy, rich Japanese shampoo I am using. The Japanese shampoo has a tendency to leave a lot of residue after a couple of uses and I needed to switch it up. I thought about buying a more expensive brand (after the recommendation from some fellow makeup/product lovers on http://www.specktra.net/) but I decided to get something more affordable.

Low and behold, Neutrogena Clean Replenishing Shampoo.

I love this shampoo. It has a clean, subtle scent which I look forward to and does an excellent job of getting hairspray, etc. out of my hair. I also enjoy the package design, it's kind of minimalistic and sharp looking. I love a clear bottle that shows you how much shampoo you have left. I think I will definitely be buying more of this in the future.
Pros - rinses clean, smells light and wonderful, modern/clean package design, affordable, don't need a lot of product to get it to foam and clean your hair, moisturizing.
Cons - I got this at Target and I wish there was a conditioner to coincide with it, my Target doesn't offer it but I am sure other places do.

'Starz Inside: Fantastic Flesh (The Art of Make-Up EFX)' Review

See a preview of the documentary on Starz.

I just watched 'Starz Inside: Fantastic Flesh (The Art of Make-Up EFX),' which is a movie on Netflix through their Instant Watch feature. Overall, I was really impressed with it. The documentary had a lot of emphasis placed on horror movies (which aren't my favorite) but there was also the inclusion of other films that have used a lot of special makeup effects. Films such as: The Chronicles of Narnia, Planet of the Apes, Total Recall (love this one!), Kill Bill, etc.

I also liked this movie because even though there was a lot of discussion about the director of a movie, the artistic vision, intended style, etc. there was a lot of focus on key individuals who have revolutionized makeup artistry and changed the way that people have done special effects. I like that this documentary gave these individuals for the inventive and imaginative work that they have done. I was really touched by the beliefs and practices of people like Dick Smith (The Exorcist & Amadeus), who has exemplified to other artists over the years, his willingness to pass on what he knows about the industry and what tricks will gain what effect.

If you have an hour or so, definitely check out this movie, I think it's enlightening, takes you behind the scenes, shows you how a few tricky things have been done and reminds of you of movies that have altered the way that people see things and what can become of a movie.

"Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. II" Swatches & Review

I just got the new 'Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. II' eyeshadow palette in the mail yesterday. I couldn't wait to share it with you all! It is available on Urban Decay's website right now as well as other sites like Sephora.

All swatches seen below are over 'Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner,' which I received a sample tube of at Sephora! (See product info on Sephora).

As you can see, these eyeshadows are pigmented and lovely as usual. The ones with asterisks next to them are new shades that are currently only available in this palette. The colors range from subdued to sparkly and bold. I think this is an excellent palette that can suit both day and nighttime wear.

Here are swatches of what each of the eyeliner's look like that come with this palette. I swatched them both with and without primer, just as an experiment. I actually think they are just a tad more vibrant without primer and I like them better that way.


You can see in this picture that this palette has a pull out drawer which reveals the eyeshadows, eyeliners and makeup primer. There is also a mirror which stays shut with a hidden magnetic closure and a little book of 'inspiration' is hidden beneath the two doors with the peacock feather print on them. I personally don't think the mirror is necessary but I know there are people out there that appreciate that feature.

Pros - affordable (when you do the math, this equals $3/eyeshadow, not even counting the primer & eyeliners), good pigmentation, sturdy construction (I feel like I could carry it around & it wouldn't break), good size pans of eyeshadow, good range of glitter and matte eyeshadows, suitable colors for both day and night, will last a long time.

Cons- the drawer that pulls the eyeshadows out can get annoying and stuck-feeling, I wish it opened like a compact instead.

I really like this palette and I can't wait to show you guys some looks that I do with it! Soon to come!

What do you guys think of this palette as well as Urban Decay's other Holiday releases?