A Sinfully Shimmery French Manicure.....

With some extra time on my hands, I decided to do one of my all time fav nail looks....the french manicure. But sometimes old habits need a kick in the rear to spice them up a bit! So I used strictly shimmer polishes. I picked up Sinful's Tokyo Pearl and Glass Pink at Walgreens for less than $2!!! I applied Tokyo Pearl to the tips, and then did a coat of Glass Pink over....finished with a topping of NYC Instant Dry topcoat, I was set to go in less than 15 minutes!

Yes, yes, I know the lines aren't perfect, but it was all done free-handed without any guides. Plus I was distracted watching the movie 'Up' for the first time.....btw, what a freakin' cute movie....









Thanks for a-lookin'

Review: NYX 'Pinky' Blush

Oh my, I surely love this bubblegum-pink blush! I was on the hunt for a perfect pink blush and I found it with NYX 'Pinky'. I was actually going to get a $25 Nars blush before I found this at my local HEB for only $5usd, its really a fantastic deal!! The quality, consistency, pigmentation, and application is comparible to that of high-end brands. Applied with my cheapie elf blush brush, I now have instantly bubblegum-pink cheeks in an instant. It goes perfect with my work uniform! but thats another story...lol!

And with the $20 I saved buying this NYX blush, I can get 20 dollar-menu items at McDonalds. Ah yes....good times.

Review: Lancome Power Oscillation Primer

I had this sitting in my makeup drawer for months. I recieved this as a gift and it just sat there, never getting any attention. Fast forward to a couple weeks ago, when I have excess time on my hands before going to work. I decided to give it a spin and wow~what have I been missing out on?!

This eyelash primer makes my lashes so much fuller and volumous, so much so that after I apply my normal mascara (Rimmell Glam Eyes), my lashes look kinda fake! But in a good way. Yeah, I already have thick, dark lashes, but this just makes them live up to their fullest potential, if that makes any sense.

Packaging is interesting, to say the least. The vibrating effect probably isn't necessary, really....come on...But it's a big selling point with Lancome lately. Hear about their new vibrating foundation? lol....anyways, application is a breeze, I just apply it on my lashes. It coats the lashes with its white formula and I let it 'set' for about a minute before applying my regular mascara. All in all, a 4.5 rating. The price point, of course, brings the rating down. But at around $40usd, you'll be pleasantly suprised with how transformed your lashes will appear!

Cheap thrill: Tresemme Heat Tamer Spray

I flat iron my hair almost daily now during this intensely hot summer here in Texas. I am big on the sleek and low ponytail look lately. I needed a product to protect my strands from the intense heat of my ceramic flat iron. I picked up Tresseme Heat Tamer Spray at Target for under $4 bucks. What a great purchase!!! I simply spray this non-sticky product onto my hair, mainly on the ends, brush through, and flat-iron away. I am left with silky soft strands without any crunchy, yucky residue that many products leave behind. The scent is moderate and it actually smells kinda like bananas to me. lol. Enriched with vitamins, I feel alot better knowing that I am not hideously damaging my fragile strands anymore since using this product, but rather nourishing them. 5/5 stars!

Cheap Thrill: Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge

For $9.99 at Target, I picked up SK's new Blending Sponge, a dupe of the Beauty Blender which sells for twice the price. I haven't tried it yet, but was compelled to let the masses know what I did with my spare Target giftcard today. I wasn't planning on getting it, but hey~it was there. I am looking forward to using this with my neglected liquid foundations I have. I know, I know~ I am a mineral girl, but I'm up for a change. That's what its all about! I hear the Blending Sponge gives a flawless, airbrushed appearance in a fraction of the time it takes to use a brush, fingers, or conventional makeup sponge. I'm looking forward to putting Ol' Bluey to use!

Review: Pur Minerals Pressed Mineral Foundation

This is a great medium to heavy coverage foundation for acne-prone skin!

I purchased this Pur Minerals starter kit before Christmas time for a steal~about $10 at Dillard's. This set includes the full-sized foundation, Chisel Brush, Mascara, and some makeup removing wipes. Not bad, eh? Well, I never got around to even opening the box until earlier this week. Yes, I know.

Let me preface this review by saying that I am a devout mineral foundation user. Never look at liquid foundations anymore! And, I look for a foundation that gives me medium coverage in a natural finish. My skin is combination/acne-prone and occasionally dry in all the stubborn places~around the nose, mouth, and sometimes cheek area. I had been using L'Oreal Bare Naturale foundation daily, and to a pleasant reception, but I just like to keep my options open in regards to foundation choices.

Now, back to Pur Minerals foundation. I'm glad I opted for the 'Light' kit which definitley was the right choice for me. I've gotten to the point where I can just look at a foundation and see if it is gonna work for me. The 'Light' shade has the yellow/beige undertones which is what I need, rather than the rosy/pink undertones. After a few trial and error test runs with Pur Minerals Pressed Foundation, I have found a perfect way to achieve a natural and ideal finish on my delicate skin!

First, I wash with my daily cleanser, apply my toner, and proceed to moisturize with my daily spf lotion. After 5 minutes or so, I use a couple spritzes of MAC Fix+, to give my skin an extra boost of moisture. This step also helps allow the mineral foundation a smooth, hydrated canvas to begin. Yes, the chisel brush is great! I swirl the chisel brush into the foundation, tap off the excess into the lid, and apply in short circular motions on my skin. Boy, this covers acne, redness, and uneven skintones in an instant! Sure, a touch of concealer is needed afterwards sometimes on those stubborn zits that defy all logic and sanity. After applying the foundation all-over, I spritz my MAC Fix+ a couple of times. This sets everything together, and helps give that 'dewy' finish.

I haven't had any irritation or breakouts from using this foundation. You know how sometimes mineral foundations tend to make skin itch? Think Bare Escentuals...Not Pur Minerals! It feels silky and light on my skin. Plus it has SPF 15 and doesn't contain talc, harsh chemicals, or preservatives. I am completely excited about the possibilities with this foundation. I know it's only been a few days, but I feel an extra boost of confidence regarding my skin. I am happy as a clam.

Orly Polo Princess

well, I fell in love with this shade....