Holiday Nails!

The red color is Sample Sale from Sephora OPI.

Study Nails

Just a random design I did while taking a break from studying for finals!

EOTD: Neutrally Bronze

Products Used:
1. UDPP
2. Mac e/s: Naked Lunch (entire lid)
3. Sally Girl Shimmer Strips: 4th color (crease, outer corner)
4. Revlon ColorStay 06 In The Buff: 2nd color (used to blend out harsh edges)
5. Mac Liquid Last: Coco Bar
6. Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme

EOTD: Teal Smokey

Products used (in order):
1. Urban Decay Primer Potion
2. Stila Charmed Eyeshadow Palette: teal color (lid)
3. e.l.f. eyeshadow in Charcoal (crease and outer corner)
4. Prestige Cosmetics liquid eyeliner in LE-02 Black/Brown (top lash line)
5. e.l.f. eyeshadow in Charcoal to line bottom lash line
6. Lancome Hypnose Mascara in Black

EOTD: Autumn Purple

Products Used (in order):
1. Urban Decay Primer Potion
2. Kate Von D Rock N Roll Palette: Groupie (entire lid)
3. Kate Von D Rock N Roll Palette: Confessional (crease)
4. Palladio Liquid Liner
5. Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Mascara

Revlon Quick Dry Base Coat

I bought this base coat a while ago to see if it'll help the staying power of my nail polish. It helps prevent the polish from chipping. I can go about a week and have no chipping. What I've noticed is that the polish on the tip/edge of the nail still wears away pretty quickly.The bottle indicates that this is a "quick dry" formula but I haven't noticed any difference in drying speed between this and other base coats. But since my main purpose was for it to help my polish look fresh longer, I didn't mind the fact that it wasn't really "quick dry". Although in the bottle, the polish looks cloudy, it actually dries clear.  

I would repurchase this in the future.

e.l.f. Liquid Eyeliner

I purchased this eyeliner off of the website www.eyeslipsface.com for $1.00, not expecting it to be anything fancy, just hoping that it would live up to some of the better reviews- serving its purpose as a liquid eyeliner.

Upon receiving the product, the packaging was pretty simple and ordinary. After opening it, I noticed a strong chemical like scent that was very unpleasant. The brush is a felt tip applicator that is supposed to create lines thin or thick. However, it was poorly made and actually felt harsh on the eyelid. The liquid content itself was watery but looked very pigmented so I decided to give it a try. After applying a thin line to the eyelid, I started to feel a burning sensation and immediately tried to wipe it off with a tissue. It did not budge, but instead started to flake off so I ended up "peeling" off the eyeliner. This is by far one of the worst liquid eyeliners I have ever tried. I have tried other brands including: Almay, Revlon, Maybelline, Palladio and L’Oreal. Although some of these didn't great staying power, at least they didn’t burn my eyelid! I would definitely not recommend this to anyone even if it is only a dollar.

Urban Decay Shadow Primer Potion

This primer potion is supposed to prevent creasing of eyeshadow, improve pigmentation as well as lasting the entire day. This product really does do all of that! The primer is applied on the eyelid before the application of any eye makeup. It is a nude color so it's suitable for all skin tones.

I have oily eyelids so this was the perfect product for me. In the past my eyeshadow would crease or fade within a few hours, but with this primer potion, it has been able to last me for 7+ hours which is good enough for me! A little bit does the trick, but be sure to let it dry completely before applying eyeshadow. This product can also extend the staying power of eyeliners that tend to smudge. The silicone ingredient makes application smooth and easy.

Also, now available in a beautiful champagne color called "Sin." Sin serves the same purpose as the original nude primer except it gives your eyeshadow an extra pop of color.

Lancome Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover

This gentle yet effective eye makeup remover does wonders even with the toughest waterproof makeup. Made with water base, it hydrates skin and does not cause irritation even to sensitive eyes. To use this you need to shake it first so the water and oil contents in the bottle mix. Then apply to face. A small amount on a cotton pad/ball or paper towel is sufficient enough to remove all traces of eye makeup. The only downside to this product is that it can feel a bit greasy on the face so I would advise you to follow up with cleansing your face afterward. The 4.2 ml bottle retails at $26.00 which is quite pricey, but a bottle lasts a long time so it's worth it.

La Sirène Whitening Cleansing Gel

The La Sirène Whitening Cleansing Gel is very effective in removing the layer of dead skin cells thats sits on top of your face revealing the healthy skin underneath. This product, which was developed in Paris, France, is gentle to the skin and is made for all skin types.

The gel itself is clear and has a mild scent that takes some getting used to, but it isn't unpleasant; just a bit different. You need about a pea sized amount for each of your cheeks and another pea sized amount split between your forehead, chin and nose. When you start gently rubbing your skin with the gel, you will feel the dead skin cells come off of your skin. You can actually see the dead skin and that way you know it's working! I know it sounds like the product is very harsh but it is actually not. It feels just like rubbing water on your face. After you have worked the product onto your entire face, rinse with cool to lukewarm water (whichever you prefer) and pat dry. You will feel that your skin is softer and will be more vibrant.

The gel contains grape poly-phenols which is supposed to have great health benefits and can also be found in red wine.

The tube I purchased is 5.07 Fl. oz/150mL and I have yet to see a bigger tube. I bought this at SaSa Cosmetic Supply Company in Hong Kong. I do not believe that they sell this in the United States.

Boscia Clarifying Detox Mask

This mask is supposed to contain primarily organic ingredients. It retails for about $28.00 which is quite pricey for a such a small tube but a little goes a long way. My current tube has lasted me about half a year so far with a little bit less than half left. A pea size amount is enough for full coverage of the entire face. Directions state that only a thin layer needs to be applied. I try to use this product weekly and when I do, it's at night directly following my cleanser. After leaving the product on for about 5 minutes, I just rinse it off and pat dry. The product texture is a bit different as it is a bit cakey when taken out from the tube but once rubbed on a damp face, it's really smooth. I'm a huge fan of this mask because it leaves my skin feeling smooth, refreshed and most importantly, cosmetic free! At the end of the day, nothing feels better than a hot shower and clean face.

St. Ives Apricot Scrub

Hey guys. So I bought the St. Ives Apricot Scrub today from Duane Reade because recently I've heard so much about it. There are actually 3 versions of this scrub; one for sensitive skin, one for oily/acne prone skin and one for all skin types. The one I purchased and will be reviewing was the one for all skin types.

If you're not used to exfoliating scrubs, this one may feel a bit harsh because of the fine sand-like granules which is what allows this product to work so well. The fine granules allow for better removal of dead skin cells and other build-up which causes skin to look dull and unhealthy. If you find that it is painful to use, try not using as much pressure. The apricot extracts enable the product to clean deeply into pores and remove the dirt and oil which causes breakouts and blackheads. It is dermatologist tested and non-irritating.

After using this product for the first time, I was amazed at how smooth my skin was. My skin was soft and smooth and I noticed a significant difference in the way my skin felt. After using the St. Ives Apricot Scrub, my skin did not feel tight or dry. This scrub instantly changed the way my skin felt. My skin now feels light and soft to the touch. If your skin dries out easily it may be a good idea to use the one made for sensitive skin. This inexpensive scrub priced at $4.99 (even cheaper at Wal-Mart) is a must have in anyone's skin care regimen.

This product also has a very pleasant fruity smell. The smell can be described as mildly sweet. It's not too overpowering but it is still noticeable. Before I even opened the cap, I could smell the light airy scent.

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On the back of the 6oz tube that I bought, St. Ives boasts of pure Swiss glacial water, Swiss botanicals and 100% natural exfoliants. " Only St. Ives captures these secrets in this deep cleansing formula with 100% natural exfoliants that gently exfoliates, removing dull, dead skin cells to instantly reveal smooth, visibly healthy skin."

This product also has also been awarded the Allure Readers Choice Award.