Author: Lara

Revved Up Like a Douche
Admit it, you thought the lyric was “Revved up like a douche”, too.
Originally written and released by Bruce Springsteen, the cover by Manfred Mann is the better known version of “Blinded by the Light”. This version includes the oft misheard lyric “Revved up like a deuce”…but wouldn’t if be more fun to be revved up like a douche?
Swamp Gloss Indie Polish “Revved Up Like a Douche” is from June’s Polish Pickup – Misheard Song Lyrics. It’s a sheer, but buildable crelly jam-packed with different shapes and sizes of glitter. It’s also giving me heavy 90s Taco Bell vibes.
This is two coats of “Revved Up Like a Douche” over Vibrant Scents Base Coat in “Island Petals” and under both Glisten & Glow Glitter Grabber and Vibrant Scents Top Coat in “Island Petals”.

Polish Pickup June 2023 – Misheard Song Lyrics
I love a good misheard song lyric, don’t you?
June’s Polish Pickup theme is indeed Misheard Song Lyrics, and I had a hard time picking just one…or two…so I picked four!
Zombie Claw “I Wanna Have Boobies” ($13.50) is a baby pink polish inspired by Pussycat Dolls’ “I Wanna Grow Up”. I’m not keeping this one – it was a get well gift for a friend going through some boobie “stuff”.
Lucky 13 Lacquer “You Can Dance, You Can Die, Havin’ the Time of Your Life” ($11) is a red glitter mix inspired by ABBA’s “Dancing Queen”.
Danglefoot Nail Polish “Wooaaaaaah Pigeon on a Chair” ($13) is a blue glitter mix inspired by Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer”.
Last, but not least, Swamp Gloss “Revved Up Like a Douche” ($13.50) is a turquoise glitter mix inspired by Manfred Mann’s “Blinded by the Light”. Come on, we ALL sang douche instead of deuce!
Not a cheap order…but these babies are worth it!

Sage Simulation
OPI Infinite Shine “Sage Simulation” is CLEARLY misnamed. Although sage has a greyish tinge, it is green?
I supposed it’s possible that OPI means ‘sage’ as an adjective – a profoundly wise person – but then I looked at OPI’s website description of “Sage Simulation”. They really DO be thinking this is a sage green nail polish. Is their nail polish name colorblind?
I admit, the polish has a shimmery grey finish that doesn’t come through my phone camera…but this is simply NOT green. It was FREE though, so whatever.
This is two coats of “Sage Simulation” over Vibrant Scents Base Coat in “Island Petals” and under Vibrant Scents Top Coat in “Island Petals”.

Last (Semi-Annual) Chance!
Believe it or not, I only hit Bath & Body Works ONCE during this Semi-Annual Sale…it was the first day of the sale, so they had lots of stuff, but the discounts weren’t there.
About a week in though, they had a really good coupon code – 20% off AND free shipping, so I loaded up my cart with hand soaps, plus some of the Aromatherapy line was 75% off, so I decided to try “Orange Flower Sandalwood” Body Wash and Ultimate Hydration Cream – it’s really good! Most orange products are sickly sweet, but the Sandalwood gives it a nice woody undertone.
Technically, I guess I hit the sale twice…I believe that TODAY is the last day of the sale, so go get some soap!

Chamomile Calm
Is it me…or does this nail polish color look like hummus?
That’s not necessarily a bad thing – I LOVE hummus. I eat it as a whole-ass meal several times a week.
It’s NOT hummus though, it’s supposed to be chamomile – Sinful Colors “Chamomile Calm”. Chamomile flowers have white petals, with bright yellow centers – so I’m assuming that this goldish polish is supposed to represent the color of chamomile tea. I am not a big chamomile drinker – I don’t know that I’ve ever had a cup – but this scented polish certainly did smell a bit like Sleepytime Tea, so that must be the chamomile.
This is two coats of “Chamomile Calm” over Glisten & Glow Ridge Filling Base Coat.

Licorice Allsorts
Say hello to my new favorite nails polish: Lilypad Lacquer “Licorice allsorts”, from May’s Polish Pickup. I don’t say that lightly, either. It’s black, but it’s pink, but it’s rainbow! It’s the perfect polish for my Goth Barbie heart. This is the first polish that I’ve loved enough to wear TWICE IN A ROW. That’s right, I took it off and then put it right back on my nails, wearing it for nearly two weeks straight. I also took it with me to the nail salon for my most recent pedicure. I love this polish THAT much. Even though it’s full of flakies, it doesn’t lift or peel. It’s very long lasting, yet easy to remove. It’s the holy grail of flakie polishes!
How ironic that my new favorite nail polish is named after my LEAST favorite candy, if indeed you consider licorice to be candy, which I do not. (Technically, I’ve never had licorice allsorts, but I’ve had regular black licorice – close enough.)
This is two coats of “Licorice allsorts” over Vibrant Scents Base Coat in “Island Petals” and under Vibrant Scents Top Coat in “Island Petals”.

National Nail Polish Day 2023
Last June, I wanted the Scünci Pride Claw Clips ($7.99), but I didn’t order them in time and they were sold out. Not this year! One for me and one for daughter. The Great Hair Event was still going on when I placed the order, so I ordered Arctic Fox “Poison” for 50% off ($9.24 instead of $18.49). I intended it for my daughter, and even ordered a Lime Crime Bushy Brow Pencil in “Valentine” ($15)…but it was missing from my order! Then she told me that she has to die her hair back brown for Band…so I guess I’ll use it in my hair? I don’t need the brow pencil, so I just accepted a refund from customer care.
Oh, and I have been liking moisturizing primers lately, so I decided to try Tula Filter Primer Blurring & Moisturizing Primer ($38). I really like it so far – it is very smoothing and as far as I can tell, I am NOT breaking out. It’s a similar texture to Benefit Primers, except it doesn’t roll up into booger particles on your fingers.
Since I ordered this little haul on National Nail Polish Day, I received one of two different samplers with my $50 purchase. Inside the sampler: Flowery Duraboard Nail File 2 pack; Dashing Diva Glow Gel Nail Strips in “Ballet Blooms Mini”; Londontown KUR Perfecting Nail Veil “Shade 4” (‘Nail Veil’ – that’s a new one); Sally Hansen Insta-Dri “Petal Pusher”; Essie “Mrs. Always Right” (it me!); OPI Infinite Shine “Sage Simulation”; and China Glaze “Tropic Like It’s Hot”.
Just $591 to Diamond in 2024.

Purple Thunder
By Vanessa Molina “Purple Thunder” was the first polish I tried from May’s Polish Pickup. I was really impressed by the formula – it went on smooth and lasted quite a long time. Why can’t all polishes be like this? How do they get the flakies to lay so flat without lifting?
This is two coats of “Purple Thunder” over Vibrant Scents Base Coat in “Island Petals” and under Vibrant Scents Top Coat on “Island Petals”.
I still haven’t come across a Circle K yet, to try to find the elusive Mountain Dew Purple Thunder…I’ll keep trying though.

Summer Fun Ulta Haul
I must be depressed…I’ve been shopping an awful lot lately. Hmmm…oh well, I’ll feel a lot better if my skin looks nice.
I cannot believe I am saying this…but I cannot WAIT to get an ingrown hair, so that I can try out the Fur Ingrown Microdart Patch ($22.40, regularly $28). I am a longtime sufferer of ingrowns on my bikini line – I am thrilled to find out if these little patches can ease some of my pain! Updates to come…
Speaking of skincare, I wasn’t thrilled with the wet n wild micellar water I got recently, so I picked up Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water with Rose Water ($11.99). I also want to save the planet from my cotton pad habit, so I also got Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Eco Pads, Reusable, 3 Pack ($11.99). I also received a gift with purchase: a Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water deluxe sample.
I did splurge a little bit…I got the limited edition Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain in “Fuchsia Wife” ($27). I know that’s a lot for a lippie, but I really liked the color name. I was hedging my bets in hoping that the formula is similar to Colourpop Glossy Lip Stains – and it is, although at a premium price. I’ve worn “Fuchsia Wife” a few times and that stuff stays on like crazy! No regertz.
My $60 purchase garnered me ANOTHER gift with purchase – a suncare sampler: Ulta Beauty Gradual Self Tan Facial Mist (gifting to the daughter); Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion (this shit is BOMB); St. Tropez Luxe Tan Tonic Drops (gifting to the son); CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion; COOLA Organic Makeup Setting Spray; La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Correct Daily Lotion; Avene Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Sunscreen Fluid; Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer (gifting to son); and Dermalogica Daily Moisturizer. Ain’t NOBODY gonna burn in my house.
$667 to Diamond Status in 2024.