Beautiful Bri
After my disappointing experience with “Disco Baby”, I wanted a sure thing. Julep polishes are almost always a pure pleasure, so I pulled one of the polishes from my most recent order – Julep It Girl “Bri”, purple ember holographic shimmer.
This is two coats of “Bri” over Glisten & Glow Base Coat and under Glisten & Glow Top Coat. Application was a dream – It was the perfect consistency and self-leveling.
This combination is lasting well – there’s a bit of edge wear, but no major chips. Ugh, I wish Julep was still putting out new polishes!
Liquid Chrome Disco Baby
Fuck. This. Nail Polish.
Not since essie “Belugaria” have I hated a nail polish formula this much. But Sinful Colors Liquid Chrome “Disco Baby” broke me. It had so much potential, but I couldn’t get it right, even after trying a second time.
I was super excited to find the 3 piece set at HEB for $6.99. In addition to the Liquid Chrome polish in “Disco Baby”, it comes with a base coat and Sinful Colors Mirror Shine Top Coat. (HEB also had 3/$5 coupons for Sinful Colors – I squealed and grabbed 3 Sinful Shines – “Diamond in the Raw”, “Wine Not” and “Galaxy” – HEB spoils me rotten).
I followed the instructions to the letter. After the base coat, I painted one coat of “Disco Baby”. The polish dragged a bit, but I expected that. There were a few thin spots, but nothing too egregious. I then finished with the Mirror Shine Top Coat. What the fuck, why the polish start swirling as soon as I applied the top coat? It even got a few bubbles.
Fuck. I know I am spoiled by Glisten & Glow, but the time it took this top coat to dry was totally unacceptable. I sat through a whole episode of The Walking Dead and it was still a tad tacky. Even they next day, it had an almost sticky feel. I hated the way it felt and hated the way it looked – see left picture. Oh – and it started peeling away from the edges of my nails. Not chipping – this shitty polish peeled down from my cuticles.
No one likes a quitter, so I decided to try again. The very next day, I took off the polish and tried again. Again I started with the base coat and a single, albeit slightly thicker coat of “Disco Baby”. This time, I finished with Glisten & Glow Top Coat. Well, THAT was a mistake. The top coat literally made the polish start to swirl and dissolve. It was an effect similar to the Transforming Top Coats. Have you ever balled up a piece of aluminum foil and then tried to smooth it again? THAT is what my nails looked like. At least they weren’t sticky.
I don’t know if my nails are too bumpy, or if I am just not patient enough or if this formula is just stupid, but I gave up on this polish. Not one to be selfish with my misery, I promptly boxed up the Liquid Chrome set and sent to my nail buddy, Angie. She is not blessed with HEB up in Plano, and I am hoping that she can prove me wrong by making this nail polish her bitch!
November 2019 Allure Beauty Box – Thanks a Whole Lot
November’s Allure Beauty Box focuses in on skincare (and other products) you can be grateful for.
I literally TORE into the e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer. I used it before going out and it made my skin look flawless. I used it under a powder foundation, but I bet it would also do great under a liquid foundation. At $8 at Ulta, it’s on the more expensive end of e.l.f. products, but compared to any other brand – it’s a steal!
Also in this month’s box: tarte Color Splash Lipstick in “yachting” (full size!); Freeze 24-7 Anti-Aging Eye Serum (I keep being unimpressed by eye serums, but by the time I need them it will probably be too late); Curology The Cleanser; Vichy Double Glow Peel Mask; and Bliss That’s Incredi-Peel Pads (Hmm, 2 peel products this month).
My skin is looking forward to being pampered and exfoliated!
The Allure Beauty Box is $15/month, but they give you $5 off your first box. They also offer an option for $150/year – a savings of $30. Sign up via my referral link.
Come Closer
Here in Texas, it will be fall for approximately three weeks, before we get three days of winter and then summer again. I took advantage of the brief autumnal interlude to try out Sinful Colors “Come Closer” from The Naughty Nudes Collection. I’d describe this polish as creamy cafe au lait. That’s a fancy way to say coffee and milk.
After Sinful Colors Base Coat, I painted two coats of “Come Closer”. I wanted to see both shiny and matte finishes, so I used Glisten & Glow Top Coat on my thumb/ring finger and then Glisten & Glow Matte Top Coat on the rest.
Target Beauty Boxes – October + November 2019
Oops…I did it again…
I finally thought to check for Target Beauty Boxes and found that I missed a month…again. I don’t think Target is sending out email notifications anymore – or else they’re getting lost in my spammy inbox and I am just not seeing them. Come to think of it, I haven’t been seeing anyone else post about the boxes either – no wonder there were still October boxes left – Target is not telling anybody!
There were actually TWO November boxes, but one was entirely for Curly hair, so I just picked up the “Beauty Boosters” box. Inside the box: Love Beauty Planet Radical Refresher Body Wash – Coconut Water + Mimosa (just a packet, so good for travel); Olly Undeniable Beauty Multivitamin Gummies; Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil Eyelash & Eyebrow Grow Serum (I don’t need more eyelashes, but I am intrigued by the idea of growing thicker brows – mine never recovered from the plucky 90s); Garnier Fructis Sleek Shot In-Shower Styler (weird); Pantene Gold Series Hydrating Butter Creme (what is this?); and Pantene Gold Series Leave-On Detangling Milk. A very odd box.
October’s “Hers” box was themed “Your Autumn It-Kit” and included Ardell Faux Mink Lashes (nope); Crest 3D White Brilliance Toothpaste, Vaseline Extremely Dry Skin Rescue (I need this – my skin is parched); No7 Laboratories Line Correcting Booster Serum; L’Oreal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup in “Hot Pink” and “Raspberry” (Seems like a waste of effort for me, but I might try it); Lumene Nordic Hydra 24 Hour Moisturizer (This is a nice moisturizer, but be warned that the scent is strong and you can smell it on your face); and Head & Shoulders Royal Oils Moisture Boost Shampoo and Moisture Renewal Conditioner (I really feel like Head & Shoulders has upped their game from just dandruff shampoo – I’ve liked every new formula they’ve put out). I like the October box more than the November one.
October’s “His” box was themed “Moving & Grooming” and included Suave Mens 3-in-1 Citrus Rush Shampoo + Conditioner and Body Wash; The Art of Shaving Unscented Pre-Shave Oil, Shaving Cream & After-Shaving Balm; Bandito Chill a Minute…or 30 Cream Mask (chance of my husband trying this are slim); Crest Gum and Sensitivity All Day Protection Toothpaste (I’ll be stealing this for myself to try); Dove Men+Care Active Fresh On the Go Deodorant Wipes; and Head & Shoulders Old Spice 2-in-1 Shampoo.
Each box was $7, free shipping, plus 5% off with my Target Red Card. Of course, the coupons in the October boxes have already expired, but I should be able to use the November $3 off coupon – it is regular old coupon again!
Blue in the Dark
This polish TOTALLY DOES glow under a blacklight!
Yes, I realize this is the third of the “Wicked Neons” that I’ve tried and previously have been unable to confirm it’s blacklight qualities…until my husband reminded me that his old blacklight is in our daughter’s room. I honestly had no idea! I ran in there that night and confirmed that yes – it does glow, and quite brightly!
This fascinating bright blue polish is Sinful Colors “Blue in the Dark”. This is two coats over Sinful Colors Base Coat and under Glisten & Glow Top Coat. I feel like I am amassing quite a collection of bright blue nail polishes. I predict that I will buy even more.
The Lolita Por Vida Palette
Ohhhh…Kat Von D‘s newest palette might be my favorite ever. it launched in early October, but I knew that my 20% off was coming, so I held off on ordering it. Say hello to “Lolita Por Vida” ($49.50).
I’ve used this palette every day for the past week and I am in LOVE with it. I’ve sampled all but 3-4 of the shades and they are all supremely blendable. The absolute best shade is that rose gold glitter, “reina”. It gave me full coverage in one swipe, with NO PRIMER. The fallout was minimal and it stayed all day. The one downside is getting the glitter off – it’s nearly impossible. I used liquid soap, a makeup eraser, but finally had the best luck with micellar water on a cotton pad.
I also picked up a Lock-It Powder Foundation Refill in “Fair 120”, since I hit pan on my current one. The refills are just $23, compared to $36 for the full compact – that’s a great deal. More makeup brands should do this!
So…I’ve been feeling a bit weird about continuing to buy Kat Von D’s makeup – I’ve been feeling uncomfortable about her anti-vaxx statements and other recent missteps. But then when I think about it, are there any celebrities who are not batshit insane? And are there any beauty influencers that are not batshit insane and/or soulless shills? I guess I am erring on the side of assuming positive intent – maybe Kat is just ignorant of the science behind vaccines and NOT blatantly disregarding the health of her child?
I actually got both of the samples that I chose: Dior Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet and philosophy Amazing Grace.
$485 to Rouge status…I’d also used my code for Xmas shopping, but I don’t think I’ll be getting to Rouge for next year.
Ulta Persistence
Ulta had been sending me emails with a 20% off code for at least two weeks – sometimes two a day. They knew I would break down eventually…
I’d been pining for Black Moon Cosmetics “DeVille” ($18) since it launched, but I’d been waiting for Ulta to carry it, so I could get the points. It is the perfect, metallic red. I might as well throw all of my other red lipsticks in the bin – this one is PERFECT. Who am I kidding, you can never have too many red lipsticks. I also picked up Black Moon “Haunting” ($18), a deep purplish brown. Ulta, please pick up the rest of the Black Moon line!
I also decided to try out Mandelic Acid 10% from The Ordinary ($6.80). I’ve been reading about fungal acne and wondering if that might be a factor in the breakouts on my chest. Several articles indicated that the antibacterial properties of Mandelic Acid are a miracle cure, so why not try it. I’ve only been using it for a few days, so it’s too soon to tell…
We put highlights in my son’s hair again, so I picked up a Travel Size of Joico Colors Balance Purple Shampoo ($4.99) to tone down some of the brassiness. I also wanted to try an Eyeshadow Stamp ($4.20, down from $6). I forgot that I ordered it and haven’t tried it yet.
When I ordered, the Beauty Break gift with purchase was a 9 piece bath sampler, which included Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter; Iroha Nature Hand Mask Repair Gloves (I am excited to try these – we are barely a week into cold weather and my hands are already dry and cracked); YUNI Shower Sheets (a huge wet wipe?); bliss That’s Incredi-peel; The Body Shop Drops of Youth (I’ve been wanting to try this!); Megababe Deodorant Wipes (so does Ulta think I am stanky?); Ahava Time to Clear Purifying Mud Mask; Start Happy Geranium & Peppermint Body Wash; and a NEST Fragrances Body Mist Collection (4 fragrances: Bamboo & Jasmine, Ocean Mist & Coconut Water, Ginger & Neroli, and Grapefruit & Verbena).
$419 to Diamond status.
Jelly Monkey
Time to try another ipsy bag polish – this time it is Pretty Woman “Don’t Be Jelly” from October’s ipsy bag.
I started with Glisten & Glow Ridge Filling Base Coat and two coats of “Don’t Be Jelly”, but it was missing something.
Butter London “Brass Monkey” was still on my coffee table, so why not use it for accent nails again? I topped my first three nails with Glisten & Glow Top Coat, but used the Matte Top Coat on my ring finger and pinky. I cannot decide which look I like better – they are both stunning.
“Don’t Be Jelly” is very similar to Butter London “Rebel Fox”, the polish that originally came in the “Fire Duo” with “Brass Monkey”. The formula is far better – not so thin and streaky. I really like the Pretty Woman polishes!
October 2019 Sephora Play! – Your Beauty Recipe
Better late than never, aight?
A very odd Sephora Play! box this month – there doesn’t seem to be an overarching theme, other than pieces you can mix into your beauty routine. The first sample I tried was the dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Masque. I was worried that it would have a vinegary smell, but the smell was rather light. I used it in the shower, so I probably only left it in my hair for 5-7 minutes – but it made my hair feel really nice and silky.
I also tried the Tarte Quench Hydrating Primer – Rainforest of the Sea Collection. I wish there was more in the tube, because it was really nice. There was only 2 uses in the tube!
Also in this month’s box: Shiseido WASO: Clear Mega-Hydrating Moisturizer; Origins Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega Mushroom Relief & Resilience Soothing Treatment Lotion (Is that name long enough for you?); Youth to the People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser (why is it in a tiny glass bottle?); and Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray.
Oh, something new in this month’s box – instead of a 50 point Play! pass, this box came with a code for 20% off any foundation, tinted moisturizer, BB or CC Cream. If I didn’t just get the 20% holiday bonus, I’d definitely use it!
Sephora Play gives you 5-6 prestige samples a month, for just $10! You can sign up at sephora.com/play.