Category: Beauty

Sephora X Nail Polish

Got my hands on the new SEPHORA X nail polish, and so far I think they truly are as eXceptional as advertised.  With the constantly growing nail art trend comes the pop up of so many new polish brands, so what makes this line stand out?  Apparently, Sephora has scoured the globe for the most state-of-the-art formulas combined with the newest technologies to create the “one coat that changes everything.”

Check below for the Sephora X line of polishes

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According to a few of the sales girls, my local Sephora is one of the few stores to have an actual display as of now since the brand is still doing a test run of how well the polishes do.

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SEPHORA X Display/Tester Booth

Roll of disposable tester strips so you don't ruin your current nail polish!

Roll of disposable tester strips so you don’t ruin your current nail polish!

The two polishes I purchased were Chaotic from The Illusionists and Explosive from The Sparklers, both of which are already sold out online.

Chaotic I love because it adds a splatter effect to any simple nail color you have. As seen here over Orly Dazzle.

SEPHORA X Chaotic

SEPHORA X Chaotic

Explosive is on my accent finger also over Orly Dazzle.  The color of the sparklers actually comes out pretty translucent unless you use several coats, so I would suggest using them over a base color.

SEPHORA X Explosive accent nail

SEPHORA X Explosive accent nail

I am seriously loving both polishes on my nails right now, and will definitely go back to try the other polish formulas and colors.  The only gripe I have is that the square brush handle doesn’t line up with the bottle when you close it.  It seems like Sephora attempted to mimic the Chanel bottle design but didn’t spend the extra money to make a separate circular cap.  I’m also predicting that splatter top coats in various colors will be the next big thing since the crackle/shatter polishes from the past years.  Have any of you tried SEPHORA X yet? If so, what do you think?

If you haven’t, hurry over to your nearest Sephora store or sephora.com to check them out because many are already sold out online!

 

Happy Thanksgiving Shopping Spree

Sorry it’s been awhile since my last post, but like many of you I was busy celebrating the Thanksgiving season with family, friends, and of course food.  Hope everyone also had a Happy and Hearty Thanksgiving holiday and was able to squeeze in a little (or a lot) of shopping at the same time.

As usual I didn’t take advantage of the major Black Friday sales to start my Christmas gift shopping and instead snagged some stuff for myself.  Whoops! Well here are some of the purchases I was super excited about.

I was fortunately able to attend the first ever Phillip Lim sample sale in Los Angeles two weeks ago and left with some amazing deals!

Blue Silk Evening Gown with Cut-out Back and Beaded Neck Detail

 

This dress was originally $900, but I got it for $250 at the sale.  The bright blue color is such a stand out, and the simple cut makes it a timeless classic.  It’s the only one I saw, and it was my size so I couldn’t pass it up.

Silk Zipper Front Dress


This silk dress was a true sample and the epitome of why I love sample sales.  There was no size or tag on the label and no others like it on the racks.  I knew I had to get it when other girls at the sale we eyeing me while trying it on and waiting to see if I put it down.  The fit is perfect and only cost $100!

Lastly, I was able to score these pants for $75 a piece!

Double Layer Floating Kite Tail Trousers & Silk Acid Wash Sweatpants

As seen on the runway

Similar to these current season silk sweatpants

Each of the pants originally retailed around $475 each, so I definitely got a bargain.  All in all I think I majorly scored at the sale.  Were any of you able to make it out and get any good deals too? Let me know what you got, and hopefully Phillip has another sample sale next year!

Other recent purchases I made were in the beauty department.  I’ve stated repeatedly how much makeup I already own, but as many of you know you really can never have too much!

YSL Holiday Set from Sephora $65

I was in Las Vegas when I realized to my horror that I had forgotten to pack my Touche Éclat, which is pretty much a daily necessity for me.  I immediately headed to the nearest Sephora and discovered this YSL Holiday Set.  It’s such a great deal at $65 because it includes a full size Touche Eclat No. 2 and full size Golden Gloss in Golden Peony.  Those two items alone are $40 and $30, but then you also get a travel size mascara, almost full sized waterproof black eyeliner, and a makeup bag that could even double as a clutch!

This holiday set is pretty much a no brainer. Touche Eclat No. 2 is YSL’s most universally flattering color, and you can never have too many of them laying around.  Of course it’s limited and exclusive to Sephora.  Get yours here now!

Lastly, as mentioned in a previous post, I’ve pretty much been obsessed with the Nars X Andy Warhol makeup collaboration.

This eye palette is just so unique because of the color combination and especially because it’s made of Andy’s face! I almost don’t want to use it for fear of messing up the picture.  Plus, the quote etched into the mirror, “I never met a person I couldn’t call a beauty” automatically forces you to smile as you apply your eye shadow.  Can still be purchased here.

Thanks for tuning in to the longest post I’ve written yet! Hope you all were able to get some good stuff during the sales as well.  Let me know what you got!

Holiday Nail Goop

Sounds gross but this may be THE most perfect holiday nail polish set yet!

A collaboration between Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop and Butter London, the collection really channels the spirit of the season. The three colors Hampstead Heath, Bread & Butter pudding, and Abso-bloody-lutely evoke feelings of pine trees, egg nog, and Santa’s red velvet suit coming down your red brick chimney. Endless amounts of holiday themed nail art combos are currently filling my brain…

At $36 for the set, this would make the perfect gift for your besties! And yup, you guessed it, the holiday lacquer collection is exclusive to Goop AND limited edition.

Get it here now!

Hot Girls In Headphones

Stumbled upon these amazing illustrations by Yanni Floros of Girls With Headphones

Seriously wishing I could draw hair like that. I especially love how they’re all so beautiful even though we don’t get to see the girls’ faces. Prints are limited to 50 and can be purchased here.

via We are so Droee

Holiday 2012 Is Looking Good

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Christmas songs playing 24/7 on my local radio station, gingerbread lattes at Starbucks, festive store window displays… these are a few of my favorite things come winter season; but none of them come close to my anticipation of Limited Edition Holiday Makeup Collections. Each year our favorite cosmetics companies release new and limited combinations of shadows, glosses, blushes, and liners all wrapped up in beautifully designed holiday packaging. Despite the amount of makeup I already own, I usually falter and buy a few different palettes swearing they are gifts but never actually giving them away. Plus, the palette combinations are always perfect and easy choices for those holiday trips and parties. My favorites from this holiday season:

Too pretty to pass up!!!

P.S. I slipped and purchased almost the entire NARS X Andy Warhol collection. I couldn’t resist and opened all the boxes. Anyway, though the colors may seem intimidating they’re actually very wearable, and I have been using them exclusively for the past two weeks. Especially the Beautiful Darling Set – I suggest you get it!

Caviar Dreams Fulfilled

Finally had a chance to play around with my Ciate Mini Mani Month caviar nail polish set which I mentioned in an earlier post.  With all the different colors, glitters, and caviar beads I must say this set is truly amazing and the creativity and color combinations are endless.  The quality of the lacquer goes on smoothly and lasted almost a week, which is pretty good for me since I wash my hands about a thousand times a day at work.

On to the looks:

Base: Essie Good As Gold, Detail: Ciate Twilight covered with Bumble Bee caviar pearls

Inspiration for this design from Work/Play/Polish

Base: Ciate Dangerous Affair, Stipes: Ciate Headliner

Hope you like the looks!

I have seen the Mini Mani Month calendar still available at some Sephora stores and online, so I suggest you run out and get one while you still can.  Also, even if you have some similar colors to the ones in the set, the cute little bottles are great for bringing on trips or for quick touch ups.

nail wishes and caviar dreams

popped into sephora this weekend  to pick up some beauty necessities and accidentally found this new limited edition ciate caviar mini mani month nail set exclusive to sephora. wasn’t really in my budget, but honestly who could resist this packaging? and i was even more excited to find out what’s inside:

packaging like a mash up of missoni and pendleton

opens up to an advent like surprise!

each window contains a unique nail polish or caviar…

…and fun quotes or nail tips

candyshop caviar & ladylike luxe

twilight & cookies+cream

ciate is a fairly new u.k. nail fashion brand which prides themselves on being innovative and  fashion forward.  they are most known for their caviar manicure which released in the u.s. this past april and sold out in hours.

better run out and pick up this limited set before it sells out too!