Author: Lara
Influenster Vox Box – Sally Hansen Miracle Gel
It’s been a while since I qualified for an Influenster Vox Box…I’ll admit, I may not have been keeping up with all the surveys, my inbox is a bit of a mess…something like 40k emails in there, 99.99999% of them trying to sell me shit.
In any case, Influenster and Sally Hansen sent me Miracle Gel Nail Polish in “Sugar Fix” – a beautiful periwinkle blue – and Miracle Gel Special Effects Top Coat in “Crystal”. The polishes go for $10.99 each at Ulta, but I received these complimentary from Influenster and Sally Hansen for my honest review.
And I will be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Miracle Gel. I last tried the line shortly after launch in 2014 – I received a set in an Allure Beauty Thrills Box. It was thick and goopy and streaky. I feel like they changed and/or improved the formula though, because “Sugar Fix” was a breeze to work with. There were no streaks and the color was vibrant. I did not use a base coat, but it finished perfectly smooth in two very light coats.
I finished with the Special Effects Top Coat in “Crystal” and I was stunned at the effect. What was once a plain blue polish now has a brilliant pink shimmer – the pictures don’t do it justice. The top coat dried very quickly – almost as quickly as a fast dry top coat.
I’d been ignoring the Miracle Gels whenever I came across them on clearance, but now I may start seeking them out to use with this top coat – I absolutely love it!
Makeup Revolution x Coca Cola
Nothing like a vacation with your bestie…I was quite chuffed to find the Makeup Revolution x Coca Cola Palettes in the goodie bag she brought me all the way from Scotland. It almost makes up for the Buckfast…almost…
The full size palette has 18 shimmery shades, while the mini palette has 9. I’ve tried them both and they are outstanding. They go on smooth and blend well. I dressed up my eyes to go to the grocery store and the sample lady went out of her way to compliment my eye shadow, as I was shoving my face full of sandwich samples. I said, “Thank you – my husband says I look like a sexy racoon.”
I hadn’t seen these palettes in the states…I was under the impression that they didn’t launch here…but a quick Google confirmed that Target has them. Run, do not walk, to buy these!
July 2022 Sucreabeille Mini Subscription Bag
July’s unreleased scent is “Unicorn Farts” (not to be confused with these Unicorn Farts). It’s super sweet and cotton candy smelling – not my vibe, but not horrible.
The rest of this month’s scents are a bit hit and miss…
“Attempted Murder” (think crows, not homicide) straight up smells like Fritos. How does this scent smell like corn chips? The oakmoss maybe?
“Dead or Alive” smells like slightly musky/rotting strawberry scent. It’s not BAD, but it’s kind of a lot.
“Cantankerous Spinster” reminds me of my grandmother. She was not a spinster or cantankerous, yet the scent of peppermint and chamomile reminds me of the rubs and soaks she would use for her arthritis. It’s not Ben Gay I don’t think, but something like that. It is definitely a mature scent.
“Swashbuckler” is a clean, soapy scent, with notes of the ocean…what does it remind me of? Old Spice? Irish Spring? Honestly, I would’ve expected more of a rummy note…this is a good unisex fragrance.
“Lime Tree” smells like…limes and trees. I kid, it smells like fresh limes, not the artificial candy version. Of all the scents this month, “Lime Tree” is one I would be most likely to wear!
I subscribe to the Mini Subscription Bag at just $15/month (shipping is extra), but there’s also a Medium Subscription Bag for $40/month and a Full Size Subscription Bag for $70/month. Click here for a $5 off coupon (for you AND me)!
The Cheeziest!
I am the proud owner of MULTIPLE cheese scented nail polishes. What a world we live in!
Nails Inc. “La Dolce Velveeta” captures the golden goodness of Velveeta, not only in shade, but in its light scent. I’ll admit, I was gagging a little bit when applying this polish…but it also made me a little bit hungry? The scent did not stick around long, but as I rammed my fingers under my husband’s nose at bedtime, he claimed he could smell the cheese.
This is just one coat of “La Dolce Velveeta” over Glisten & Glow Ridge Filling Base Coat. I was considering doing a second coat, but the minor streaks made the polish look more like a cheezy Velveeta sauce, so I went with it. I did not use a top coat, because I wanted to see how long the cheesy odor would last. The matching nail decals did not last long without a top coat – they started peeling after a bout of dishes. Now that I know that the scent doesn’t last long, I’ll use a top coat next time.
I felt quite self conscious about having a nail that said, “creamy,” but since I never leave the house, no one noticed. I like the shell macaroni decals the best…hey, I need someone to make me Velveeta Shells & Cheese!
July 2022 Ipsy Bag – Soak It All In
July’s bag is FAN-friggin-tastic! Not just the products – although the products are great – but look at the bag. LOOK at the starfish zipper pull! And the turquoise matches my wall…
When it comes to eye shadow, ipsy usually gives single pans…occasionally a duo with tiny little pans. I was shocked to see a full 12 pan eye shadow palette as one of my product choices this months. I JUMPED on the Trendbeauty Luminosity Eyeshadow Palette – the colors are gorgeous. I wore it yesterday and the colors are creamy and smooth, blending well without a primer. I am in LOVE.
Also in this month’s bag: Complex Culture Kiss Bliss Lip Gloss in “Joy De Vivre” (I was excited about the kiss of tint until I tried it – fairly invisible on my lips); Pear Nova Hand Cream Mini in “Coconut Eucalyptus” (I may have fucked up and put this on my face – I was wondering why it was SO thick…it d’oh!); Pyunkang Yul Highly Moisturizing Essence Sheet Mask; and The Nue Co. Barrier Culture Cleanser (VERY slimy, but okay).
I decided to splurge on a $5 add-on for my bag – the So Pastel Nail Duo, with We are Fluide “Neptune’s Cove” and Law Beauty Essentials “Net Worth How Much”. I thought these add-ons shipped with my bag, but they charged me $1.49 handling and shipped it separately. How is this profitable??? I guess I should stop asking questions and enjoy my cheap nail polish…
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $13/month and Glam Bag X for an extra $43/quarterly. If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
All this for Velveeta Nails…
Why yes, I DID purchase the viral Velveeta Nail Polish…did you think I wouldn’t?
I snatched up the Nails.INC x VELVEETA Pinkies Out Polish Creamy Smooth Cheese Scented Nail Polish Duo ($15), as well as the Nails.INC x VELVEETA Irresistible Nail Stickers ($4.99). I cannot wait to experience the cheese fingers for myself!
I have a strong aversion to paying for shipping, so I loaded my cart with items to hit the $50 threshold for free shipping. I had always wanted to try magnetic nail polish, so I got the Get Magnetized Magnet Effect Nail Polish Duo ($15). I also got Color Changing Nail Polish in “Feel the Hotness” ($10), Leopard Spot Topper in “Prowling in Paddington” ($10), and Nourishing Lip Balm in “Share My Fantasy” ($3.20).
I used a code to get 10% off my first order, as well as a free Gel Effect nail polish in “Regent Place”.
I do find it rather odd that Nails Inc (a London based company) is selling a nail polish themed after a product that is rare to find (affordably) in the UK. In fact, I’ve mailed Velveeta to friends in Scotland, as it’s so hard to find. I’ve also packed it in my (daughter’s) carry-on while traveling to Alaska, and got popped by Security. Apparently, fake cheeze looks like C4, when packed inside a 6 year old’s luggage…
Lavender Notes
I had just re-dyed my hair blue, and the edges of my nails were blue…if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!
I chose Sinful Colors “Lavender Notes” to camouflage my stained nails. It worked quite well, if I do say so myself.
This is two coats of “Lavender Notes” over Glisten & Glow Ridge Filling Base Coat. Since it’s a matte polish, I didn’t use a top coat…EXCEPT Glisten & Glow Top Coat on my pinkies. I really like it better with a glossy top coat – it makes the shimmer really POP!
FOMO
If I gave out awards for the most outstanding nail polish of the year, Nailtopia “FOMO” would ABSOLUTELY be a contender, if not my #1 pick.
“FOMO” is a fuchsia shimmer, with flashes of bright blue. It’s just a fantastic combination and looks amazing on my skin. I first wore it several weeks ago and I circled back to it again for my vacation polish. Wearing the same polish twice within a few weeks is just UNHEARD of for me, but I love it that much.
This is just two coats of “FOMO” over Glisten & Glow Ridge Filling Base Coat and under Glisten & Glow Top Coat. It’s a long lasting polish, although I did get some peeling after several trips to the pool.
I was a bit annoyed that the polish was leaking when I received it – that’s why there’s smears all over the cap. I imagine that it started literally boiling in my mailbox – it’s getting over 100 degrees every day here! I cannot be mad though – it was only $1.75. I should buy more!
Overboard Hauls
I have always been obsessed with eye shadow palettes, but there haven’t been many good ones in a long while…until NOW!
This post will be a combination of an order I placed a few weeks ago, but it arrived the same day I got my hairs did and bought a bunch of stuff at Ulta. I placed the online order because the Saturday before THAT, I took Lily to get her hairs did and wanted to use the $10 off $40 coupon mailer, but it didn’t go into effect until Sunday. I also had a coupon in the app, so I got to use both!
I had been eyeing the Thor: Love and Thunder line at Ulta and I was THRILLED to find Ulta Beauty items for BOGO. Not BOGO 40% or 50%, but Buy One, Get One FREE. I got the Thor: Love and Thunder Be Worthy Break Apart Eye Palette ($25) and the Thor: Love and Thunder Valkyrie Eye Palette (FREE, from $20). The two palettes also got me a FREE Tote Bag, which was arrived several days later. Although the packaging is top notch, I am a bit disappointed in the quality of the eye shadows. They are not as pigmented as previous palettes (I am thinking of the the AMAZING Frida Kahlo palette). The shadows are a bit flaky and have a lot of fallout. If I had paid full price for both, I’d be PISSED. I’ll still use them, but I think I’ll have to use a primer.
I splurged on my daughter a little bit and ordered some of the wet n wild Lilo & Stitch products. I was disappointed that the eye shadow was out of stock online, but I got her the Hula Honey Glow Face Palette ($10.49) and Experiment 626 Makeup Brush Set ($16.99). I also snagged a few clearance items – Nailtopia Nail Lacquer in “FOMO” ($1.75, down from $10) and Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Color Removing Wipes ($2.80, down from $4). I also grabbed a Colourpop Sonic Blooms Glossy Lip Stain in “Tutti Frutti” ($8). I went to use it the other day, but it was BROKEN! The lip of the bottle had broken off inside the cap. I’d seen nail polish do this, but never a lip product. Ulta Customer Care was very helpful and immediately sent me a replacement.
Oh, and I got a Truly Beauty Break with my $60 purchase – it came with 4 full size products: CBD Jelly Anti-Blemish Body Cleanser (smells like a watermelon Jolly Rancher!); Nice Melons Whipped Body Butter (it had melted in my mailbox); Berry Cheeky Clearing Butt Polish (both my children tried to steal this from me!); and Berry Cheeky Clearing Butt Serum.
All that came in the mail…and I still bought more stuff in person. I was SO excited that my store had the wet n wild Lilo & Stitch Ohana Palette ($16.99)! I also splurged on two more Colourpop Glossy Lip Stains in “Ice Pop” and “Twice Shy”, as well as one of their new eye shadow palettes – X-tra Celestial “Clearly in Love” ($12). (I wanted that free makeup bag.) The Colourpop eye shadow is so much better in quality than the Ulta! It’s creamy and has incredible color payoff without a primer. Ulta needs to get on it. I also snagged a new bottle of Poo-pourri in “Amalfi Flush” for the family vacation…if you know, you know.
Since I wasn’t able to use all the Ulta points I had saved up on the Dyson Air Wrap a few months ago, I used $250 on my hair and purchase…that makes $500 so far this year!
$366 to Diamond in 2023.
Pride or 4th?
Why choose between a Pride Month and a 4th of July Mani? Why not both? (Yes, I realize it’s almost mid-July – my manis are as backed up as my colon.)
To be honest, I wasn’t really feeling Independence Day this year…how the hell can anyone celebrate “freedom” right now?
In any case, this is two coats of Sinful Colors “24k Drips” over Glisten & Glow Ridge Filling Base Coat. I used Sinful Colors “Pride” for my accent nails, topped with Glisten & Glow Glitter Grabber. I then topped ALL of my nails with Glisten & Glow Top Coat.