Bath & Body Works Candle

This candle (Bath & Body Works White Barn Nutmeg and Spice) is AMAZING!  It's tiny and adorable since it's a mini candle.  You can pretty much put it anywhere, and at $3.50, you won't feel too guilty about buying it.  The best part is definitely the scent, though.  It smells like Christmas and love (or, to be more cliche, it smells like sugar, spice, and everything nice).  Influenster sent me the mini, but I would consider getting a bigger size, too, since I'm so obsessed with the scent.

I'm back! Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips

The end of my senior year was so hectic with papers, tests, senior stuff, graduation, moving, etc. that I've been off the blog scene for a while, but I'm back and ready to go!

I received the Spring Beauty Vox Box from Influenster, which included Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips in Kitty, Kitty (leopard print).  I'd never used these before, but I have to say I was impressed!  I was preparing to go on vacation for a week, and while I wanted to have painted nails, I didn't want to have to worry about touch-ups.

It took a long time to prepare my nails (pushing back my cuticles with the included stick and filing and buffing my nails with the included 3-way file).  Applying the actual strips was a little tricky at first since I didn't really know what I was doing, but once I got the hang of it, it went smoothly.  I absolutely LOVE that there's no drying time because that's the most frustrating part of painting my nails:  I always get impatient and end up messing them up.  Also, I usually end up painting a good bit of my finger, but this was also not an issue with the polish strips.  Even though the instructions claimed that no top coat was necessary, I did it anyways.  I wore the polish for 10 days before removing, but it would have looked good for a few more days (but it had begun chipping around 9-10 days, so I figured it was time).  Removing was the worst part of the polish strips; it took at least 2 acetone remover-soaked cotton balls per nail, and it took a really long time.  Part of this difficulty may have been a result of the top coat, but a large part was the polish itself.  This negative aspect would not prevent future use, however.

The manicure was long-lasting and resilient, mess-free, and easy to use.  Plus, I got a ton of compliments! Overall, I was very impressed with this product, and I would definitely use it again!

Matte nail polish

To be honest, when matte nail polish first hit the scene, I didn't like it (why the hell would anyone want nails that aren't shiny?).  But, I eventually got curious about it.  A lot of brands have matte colors, but Sephora by OPI has a matte topcoat that allows you to make any color matte!  I bought it a while ago, but I finally got a chance to use it!

I actually used three different Sephora by OPI products:

3-in-1 Base, Top, & Strengthener

Nail Colour in It's All About Me

Matte Top Coat

For a before-and-after comparison, my left hand nails have the matte top coat, and my right hand nails don't.  I'd say it works!

What do you think of matte nail polish?

Tale of two eye products

So, I'm a synchronized swimmer, and aesthetics are a big part of synchronized swimming, meaning 1) we wear makeup in the water and 2) no goggles allowed.

1)  The makeup issue:  NARS Smudge-Proof Eyeshadow Base

Cream blush, lipstick, and waterproof eyeliner and mascara work fine, but eyeshadow is the problem since we only have powder shadow in our makeup stash.  But the NARS primer kept it on, even after swimming 4 routines.  I'm very impressed!  (Excuse my demonic eyes--that issue is next!)

2)  The no-goggles issue:  CVS version of Refresh Optive Lubricant Eye Drops

As you can see from the left picture above, my eyes are extremely irritated.  They start hurting during the show and continue to hurt like hell for several hours afterwards.  But I bought these eye drops yesterday, and I used them before, during, and after the show.  There was still a great deal of pain, but it subsided MUCH more quickly, and after only an hour, the redness had cleared up!

Beauty products I'm digging right now

1.  Aussie 3 Minute Miracle:  This is an especially thick, moisturizing conditioner that does wonders for your hair even in just one use.  I love using this when I've been swimming a lot!

2.  mark. Calm & Composed Super Soothing Moisturizer:  This moisturizer is AMAZING.  My face has been dry (due to the swimming), and this is the only moisturizer that's kept my face from peeling.  It has avocado and oat, but it doesn't smell strongly.  It also doesn't make me break out, which was a fear I had.

3.  NARS Smudge-Proof Eyeshadow Base:  I've used a lot of eye primers, and I didn't think anything could beat Urban Decay's Primer Potion, but I have to admit that the NARS primer has impressed me!

4.  Clarisonic Mia:  I bought it for myself as a Christmas present this year, and now that I've been using it for a few months, my face has never been clearer!  I have almost no pimples, and the ones that I do get are infrequent and less severe.

5.  Shiseido Benefiance Concentrated Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream:  As a college student, I'm perpetually tired and stressed, which has very negative effects on my eyes.  I put this on the skin under my eyes at night, and the area always looks smoother the next morning!  I got a sizable sample from Sephora, but I won't be buying the full size since it's crazy expensive.

6.  e.l.f. Studio 11-Piece Brush Kit:  They shed a little bit, but they do what I need them to do, and I got the set for only $20.  I've been pleased with how they work so far!

my wannabe polyvore layout

I've somewhat recently joined Pinterest, and the pins from Polyvore are my favorite!  I love seeing combinations of clothes and accessories, and I'm surprised at how many styles I really like that I thought I didn't.  Anyways, here's a similar layout for a spring outfit that I made.  Everything is mark. except the jeans and the nail polish!

mark. Blaze the Way Blazer (Mag 4)

mark. Lend Me Your Earrings (Mag 4)

mark. Borrowed From The Boys Watch (Mag 4)

mark. Bold Ambitions Top

mark. Linked To My Heart Bracelet

mark. Bohemian Style Bag

mark. Tall Order Sandals (Mag 4)

Esprit Boy Cut Boyfriend Jeans

butter LONDON Nail Lacquer (in Hen Party)

This week's LOTW

Ok, here's round 2 of Looks of the Week!

Look 1

• Makeup:
• mark. Powder Buff foundation (Ivory)
• mark. Good Glowing blush (Kitten Glo)
• Benefit Stay Don’t Stray primer
• mark. On The Dot Neutral eyeshadow palette (Shades 5 & 7)
• mark. No Place To Run long wear eyeliner (Foxy Brown)
• mark. Lash All You Want high-volume mascara (Brown/Black)
• Benefit Glitz, Glam, & Gloss (Who Are You Wearing)
• Hair:

• I teased my hair gently until I had what looked like the worst bedhead ever.
• I smoothed over the top layer, twisted my hair into a bun, and secured it with an elastic band and with several bobby pins (the large ones were doing most of the work).
• Finally, I added the headband
• Accessories:
• mark. Make it Double Necklace (Burnished Silver)
• Earrings from Walmart
• Goody no-slip hairband

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Look 2

• Makeup:

• mark. Powder Buff foundation (Ivory)
• mark. Touch & Glow Shimmer Cubes
• NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
• Sephora Colorful Mono Eyeshadow (Peach Beige 13)
• mark. No Place To Run long wear eyeliner (Foxy Brown)
• mark. What a Line felt tip eyeliner (Brownie Points)
• NOTE:  It's easier to use a liquid liner on top of pencil eyeliner because you have a guide line.
• mark. Lash All You Want high-volume mascara (Brown/Black)
• Anastasia Hydrafull Gloss (Sorbet)
• Hair:
• Nothing fancy, just my normal straight style. . .
• Accessories:
• mark. Lighten Up Earrings (Silver)

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Look 3

• Makeup:
• mark. Powder Buff foundation (Ivory)
• mark. Good Glowing blush (Kitten Glo)
• NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
• mark. On The Dot Neutral eyeshadow palette (Shades 4 & 6)
• mark. i-mark eye shadow (Biscotti)
• mark. No Place To Run long wear eyeliner (Foxy Brown)
• Clinique High Lengths Mascara (Black)
• mark. Lipclick SPF 15 Color Shine Lipstick (Pinkie)
• Hair:
• Loose bun (it was crazy windy!) secured by hair clip
• Accessories:
• mark. Some Like it Haute bag (Violet)
• Guess watch (I got this with the mark. rewards program!)
• Owl earrings from Kohl’s
• Scarf from Walmart