Author: Lara
Victoria’s Secret Velvet Matte
So…Victoria’s Secret is jumping into the matte liquid lipstick game. As I consider myself something of a connoisseur of liquid lipsticks, I had to add one to my last bra order.
Victoria’s Secret Velvet Matte Cream Lip Stain is $14 (practically a steal) and comes in 14 shades. I chose “Obsessed”, a bright cherry red/pink. The formula is thick and smooth, and applies well. The formula is an enigma – it lasts all day – 12+ hours – but it gets ALL over EVERYTHING. It was on my teeth, on my coffee cup, on my fingers…I don’t even know how it got on my fingers. I don’t even know how it stayed on my lips all day, looking good, while simultaneously getting all over everything else.
It doesn’t dry out your lips – no cracking or dryness, but it is truly a stain. After “removing” it for the night, my lips had a faint pink stain (similar to Benetint) for a day or so.
This is a good product – I’m thinking I need to try other colors – maybe a good add when I need to hit a shipping requirement on an order.
Wrapped in Plastic – The Return
You had to know that this beauty was coming back…
I had to show off Hare Polish “Wrapped in Plastic” along with my other Twin Peaks polishes. I started with Sinful Colors Base Coat, painted two coats and finished off with Zoya Matte Velvet Top Coat. I am in love with how it turned out. It reminds me of a frosted over window in winter, with the crystals reflecting the sun.
The strangest thing happened with this polish – it changed colors. After a day or so, it began to take on a yellow hue, instead of the pure ice blue. I think it might have been caused by my fingernails, stained by the green and yellow polishes that I used last.
The first time I tried it (several years ago!!!), I went shiny. I definitely like the matte version better.
Marina
Oh Marina…
I am in total love with Julep’s matte shimmer formula – even more than the Sinful Colors Kylie ones. This is my other pick for May – Julep Classic with a Twist “Marina”. I’d expect an ocean-y blue color for “Marina”, yet Julep made it royal raspberry matte shimmer. Whyyyyyyy?
This is two coats over Julep Oxygen Bonding Base Coat. It lasted for a decent amount of time, even with no top coat. Go “Marina”! I am loving this color on me.
“Marina” also makes a better Raspberry Beret than the one I did last year. Just sayin’.
Influenster Vox Box – Darling Vox Box
I wasn’t expecting to qualify for another Vox Box so soon…but hey, not complaining!
The Darling Vox Box is definitely MOM-oriented…I’m a MOM, so I definitely appreciate the help. The first thing to catch my eye in the box was the Duncan Hines Perfect for 1: Chocolate Lovers Cake. It’s basically a tiny packet of cake mix, formulated to microwave in a mug…perfect for NOT sharing with little crumbsnatchers!
Also in the Darling Vox Box: Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask (Yassssss); Live Clean Baby Gentle Moisture Tearless Shampoo & Wash and Baby Gentle Moisture Baby Lotion (I’ll admit, my kids are past the prime age for these products, so I gifted to my sister – her little ones have super-sensitive skin and will benefit from the formula); a Country Crock Buttery Spread Coupon (I’ll be using this for an upcoming gathering); and the real MVP of this box…Nature’s Bounty Energy Gummies. HOLY FUCKING SHIT, these things are magic. They have all the benefit of an energy drink, but none of the drawbacks. I am VERY sensitive to caffeine – If I drink any after noon, I won’t be sleeping until one in the morning. The gummies aren’t driven by caffeine (although there’s a but of naturally occuring caffeine from the kola nut), it’s mainly B-12 and guarana. I take it in the morning and feel energized for the day, but I’m still able to sleep at night without a sleep aid like Tylenol PM. 10/10, will buy again!
As always, products were received complimentary for review purposes. Want some free stuff? Check out Influenster for yourself…
Give Me Some Nude Lip – 3rd Edition
Even though I was able to resist the 2nd Edition of Sephora’s “Give Me Some Nude Lip” – I wasn’t able to resist the 3rd. Really, the only reason I didn’t get the second was because I already had a full size of Urban Decay “1993”, but I had none of the ones included in this set.
Inside this 3rd “Give Me Some Nude Lip” ($28): Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Gloss in “Kristen” (very…MOIST); Marc Jacobs Beauty’s Enamored Hi Shine Lip Lacquer in “Sugar Sugar” (haven’t tried this one yet); NARS Cosmetics Velvet Lip Glide in “Bound” (Somewhere between a lip gloss and a matte liquid lip, it stayed put most of the day and was very hydrating); Tarte lippie lingerie matte tint in “Revealed” (I thought I hated chubby lip pencils, but this one is nice and long-lasting and a nice medium brown); Too Faced Lip Injection Glossy in “Spice Girl” (I have regrets about wearing this to work today – my lips were stinging for a good hour and a half…and looked no plumper); and Urban Decay Vice Waterproof Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in “Trivial” (Full size – and the best shade of the bunch). This was a good buy – I can see wearing all of these, except for the Lip Injection.
I also splurged on Taste Beauty Felicia the Flamingo Lip Balm ($10). Even though I hate using my finger to apply lip balm, I will make an exception for this cute little flamingo float.
I used a code to get a Deluxe Sample of Atelier Cologne Clémentine California. I love the smell – like fresh Cutie Clementines – but it doesn’t seem to last very long on me. I’ve worn it twice this week and it faded by the time I got home from work. I was also pleasantly surprised to receive the exact samples I picked: philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser, philosophy Time In A Bottle 100% In-Control, and SUNDAY RILEY C.E.O. C + E antiOXIDANT Protect + Repair Moisturizer.
How am I gonna get to Rouge Status by the end of the year? I have $674 left!
Sephora Play! May 2017 – The Rising Stars
Oh Sephora, you are full of surprises. No flamingos, but surprises.
Instead of a drawstring bag, they included a clear plastic snap pouch this month. I have no idea what I’m going to do with it. Maybe I can throw it in my pool bag?
I’m most excited to try the sample of belif Hungarian Water Essence – I’m a big fan of their Aqua Bomb. Also in this month’s box: rahua Omega 9 Hair Mask; Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil (I’m not sold on cleansing oils); tre’StiQue Mini Highlight Stick in “Maldives Luminescent”; Nudestix Magnetic Matte Lip Color in “GreyStone”; and Tocca “Stella” (blood orange and lily – I’d actually wear this one!).
Not sure about all the sticks this month, but the scent makes up for it.
If you haven’t signed up yet, you’re crazy. This is by far the best subscription box I get every month. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
May Ipsy Bag – Summer Friday
Ooooooooh! More pink flamingos!
First off, you know I have those same glitter flamingo sunglasses – I bought them at Party City. I’ve never thought about putting them on a pineapple though.
…And then I saw the flamingo on Jelly Pong Pong Supercharged Super Intense Eyeshadow Duo in “Electric” (Yes, I get excited about a random brand of eye shadow just because there is a flamingo on the packaging). Also in this month’s super cute, clear, ice cream-covered bag: Urban Decay Cosmetics Afterglow 8-Hour Highlighter in “Sin” (never tried their highlighters before); Pixi by Petra Endless Silky Eye Pen in “BlackNoir”; Hey Honey Besame Mucho Lip Balm; and Luxie Beauty Luxie Dreamcatcher Precision Foundation Brush 660 (not a big fan of foundation brushes, but I’ll give it a spin).
Ipsy is getting their groove back!
If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my link.
Garmonbozia
“Bob, I want all my Garmonbozia.”
As I sit here waiting (just a few minutes now) for the return of Twin Peaks, I figured I’d share my Garmonbozia with you.
Garmonbozia is pain and suffering, but is also represented by creamed corn. How do you make your nails look like creamed corn? And why would you? I figured I could just go for a “wet” look. I started with Sinful Colors Base Coat and two coats of Sinful Colors “Bye Felicia”. I topped with Zoya “Monet” and “HK Girl”.
I didn’t think I could stand the yellow nails, but they are kind of growing on me.
May Birchbox – Low Effort High Impact
Pink Flamingos!
For real, the first thing I noticed in this month’s Birchbox was The Beauty Crop Fabulous Flocking Lashes Mascara. SO cute.
Also in this month’s “Low Effort High Impact” box: CLEAN Reserve Rain Reserve Blend Eau de Parfum (it actually DOES smell like rain); COOLA Mineral SPF 30 Daydream Makeup Primer (love me some COOLA); PARLOR by Jeff Chastain Moisturizing Sea Salt Spray; and Vita Liberata Fabulous Self Tanning Gradual Lotion (NOPE).
I totally spaced and didn’t click on the sample choice email for April. Oops, I get what I get and I don’t have a fit. Not a bad box, except for the self tanner.
If you would like to try Birchbox, click on my referral link – https://www.birchbox.com/invite/5453f – I’ll get 50 points if you join.
Green Formica Table
Twin Peaks is so close I can taste it…so you’re gonna have to put up with a bunch of Twin Peaks-themed manicures.
I’ve been thinking about “Green Formica Table” for ages and ages. (Or technically, “This is a formica table. Green is its colors.) Going off of memory, this is how I remember the green formica table and I was too lazy to watch Fire Walk With Me again…or google it. I think I did pretty well.
I started with Sinful Colors Base Coat and two coats of Sinful Colors “Happy Ending”. I topped with a single coat of Hare Polish “The Owls are Not What They Seem” and then finished with Zoya Matte Velvet Top Coat.
If you’re familiar with “Happy Ending”, it’s a bright kelly green. The jelly brown in “Owls” darkened it up just enough to make it look like aged plastic, plus the matte-ed glitter made it perfect.
Just two more days until Agent Cooper returns…isn’t it too dreamy?