Rock Candy

Rock Candy by Essie

This is, as Temptalia described it, "a typical Essie sheer." I love sheer nail polishes. I think they make my nails look very clean and sophisticated without being in your face. This is a sheer milky pink, and you'd even need another coat if you wanted most people to notice you were wearing a color at all. This is definitely appropriate for work (especially since I'm not allowed to wear nail polish to work... at least a color they'll notice. Muahahaha!) and a good color for anyone who doesn't want to look like they've painted their nails.

Unlike some of Essie's sheer polishes, this one was not streaky even on the first coat alone. Me gusta mucho. This is my new love for natural looking nails.

This was part of Essie's 2009 Christmas collection.

Photo taken inside, no natural light.

This is:

-1 coat OPI Nail Envy
-2 coats Rock Candy by Essie
-1 coat Seche Vite topcoat

Mint Candy Apple

Mint Candy Apple by Essie

This is such an amazing color! There have been a few shades released recently that are similiar, the most popular probably being MAC's Peppermint Patty. I'm not a huge fan of MAC nail polishes so I didn't get that, but I do love Essie! The first coat went on a bit streaky, but everything evened out by the second. I did a thin first coat and a slightly thicker second coat. This lasted several days with no chipping (aside from my two nails that always chip because I'm convinced they just hate nail polish of all types) and only a small amount of tipwear. This was taken after about 3 days of wear.

The color is a creamy pastel light green with a strong blue undertone. One of my friends was convinced that this was blue, not green but to me it looks more green. A very unique color and I love love love it.

This was part of Essie's 2009 Christmas collection.

Photo was taken indoors, no natural light.

This is:

-1 coat OPI Nail Envy
-2 coats Mint Candy Apple by Essie
-1 coat Seche Vite topcoat

Dark Opal

FACE

-id Bare Minerals Matte Foundation- Fair
-NARS blush- Desire
-MAC pigment- Pink Opal

EYES

-UDPP
-MAC Paint Pot- Painterly
-MAC pigment- Pink Opal
-Raving Beauty Cosmetics e/s- Spring Violet
-UD Deluxe e/s- Frigid
-MAC pigment- Deep Blue Green
-MAC e/s- Gesso
-Stila Eye Kajal- Onyx
-MAC Reflects Transparent Teal Glitter
-Buxom Lash Mascara- Black

LIPS

-L'Oreal Hip Jellybalm- Plush
-MAC pigment- Pink Opal

November Favorites

Products Mentioned:

-Philosophy Purity Cleanser
-Clinique Clarifying Lotion 4
-Lush Ocean Salt Exfoliator
-Lush Honey Trap Lip Balm
-Philosophy Unconditional Love Eau de Toilette (sample)
-UD 24/7 eyeliner pencil- Ransom
-MAC Fluidline- Macroviolet
-NARS e/s duo- Eurydice
-Sonia Kashuk Blusher Brush

Sephora Haul!

Products Mentioned:

-NARS lipstick- Manhunt
-NARS Bronzer- Irresisteblement
-NARS e/s duo- Eurydice
-UD 24/7 eyeliner pencil- Yeyo
-id Bare Minerals Allover Face Color- Clear Radiance
-Sephora clutch with samples

Holiday Look

FACE
-Bare Minerals Matte Foundation- Fair
-NARS Bronzer- Irresisteblement

EYES

-MAC Paint Pot- Rubenesque
-L'Oreal Wear Infinite e/s quad- Earthscape
-Stila Kajal Eye Liner- Onyx
-Buxom Lash Mascara- Black

LIPS

-NARS lipstick- Manhunt

LUSH Haul

Products Mentioned:

-Sexy Peel Soap
-Honey I Washed the Kids Soap
-Honey Trap Lip Balm
-Snowshowers Shower Jelly

Soft Pink and Purple

FACE

-id Bare Minerals Matte Foundation- Fair
-MAC blush- On A Mission (LE)

EYES

-UDPP
-MAC Paint Pot- Painterly
-UD e/s- Sellout
-MAC e/s- Lotusland
-MAC e/s- Satellite Dreams
-MAC pigment- Circa Plum
-NARS e/s duo- Habanera
-MAC e/s- Blanc Type
-UD 24/7 Liner- Zero
-Buxom Lash Mascara- Black

LIPS

-MAC Lipglass- Underage

October Favorites

Products Mentioned:

-Bare Minerals Matte Foundation- Fair
-Lush Honey Trap Lip Balm
-Lush Honey I Washed The Kids Soap
-NARS e/s duo- Habanera (dark purple)
-MAC Bronzing Powder- Solar Riche (LE)
-Buxom Lash Mascara

Grecian Goddess Halloween Tutorial

FACE

-MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural- Light
-MAC Bronzing Powder- Solar Riche (LE)
-MAC blush- Springsheen

EYES

-MAC Paint Pot- Painterly
-UD e/s- Half Baked
-UD e/s- Twice Baked
-MAC e/s- Blanc Type
-UD 24/7 Liner- Deviant
-MAC e/s- Clarity
-MAC pigment- Mutiny (LE)
-CS 88 Shimmer Palette
-MAC e/s- Crystal Avalanche (optional highlight above the blue)
-L'Oreal Lineur Intense Liquid Liner- Carbon Black
-UD 24/7 Liner- Honey
-UD e/s- Flipside
-Buxom Lash Mascara- Black

LIPS

-MAC lipstick- Brave New Bronze (LE)
-CS 88 Shimmer Palette
-MAC Dazzleglass- Smile

Natural Neutral Eye

FACE

-MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural- Light
-Clinique Acne Solutions Concealer
-i.d. Bare Minerals Allover Face Color- Clear Radiance

EYES

-UDPP
-MAC Paint Pot- Painterly
-UD e/s- Sellout
-NARS e/s- Cairo
-UD e/s- YDK
-UD 24/7 Liner- Bourbon
-Buxom Lash Mascara- Black

LIPS

-Stila SPF 20 Shine Lip Color- Sarah

Depression Awareness Month & Green Smokey Eye

Many people know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but very few know that it's also Depression Awareness Month. I was inspired by Scrangie to do this post and video. Thanks Scrangie. :) If it weren't for you I wouldn't have known about this.

To visit the website for To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA) and read about their story and vision click here. If you know someone/have ever known someone suffering from depression or any related issues please check out their site! It's really inspiring and offers great ideas for helping those going through a bad time in life.

Here are some statistics Scrangie posted on depression from Uplift Program that I mention in my video:

• Depressive disorders affect approximately 18.8 million American adults or about 9.5% of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year. This includes major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and bipolar disorder.
  
• Everyone, will at some time in their life be affected by depression -- their own or someone else's, according to Australian Government statistics. (Depression statistics in Australia are comparable to those of the US and UK.)
• Pre-schoolers are the fastest-growing market for antidepressants. At least four percent of preschoolers -- over a million -- are clinically depressed.
  
• The rate of increase of depression among children is an astounding 23% p.a.
• 15% of the population of most developed countries suffers severe depression.
• 30% of women are depressed. Men's figures were previously thought to be half that of women, but new estimates are higher.
• 54% of people believe depression is a personal weakness.
• 41% of depressed women are too embarrassed to seek help.
• 80% of depressed people are not currently having any treatment.
• 92% of depressed African-American males do not seek treatment.
• 15% of depressed people will commit suicide.
• Depression will be the second largest killer after heart disease by 2020 -- and studies show depression is a contributory factor to fatal coronary disease.
  
• Depression results in more absenteeism than almost any other physical disorder and costs employers more than US$51 billion per year in absenteeism and lost productivity, not including high medical and pharmaceutical bills.
  
• Antidepressants work for 35 to 45% of the depressed population, while more recent figures suggest as low as 30%.
• Standard antipressants, SSRIs such as Prozac, Paxil (Aropax) and Zoloft, have recently been revealed to have serious risks, and are linked to suicide, violence, psychosis, abnormal bleeding and brain tumors.
  
• Government (FDA) warnings highlight concerns over the efficacy and use of antidepressants in children. Antidepressants with the exception of Prozac have been banned in Britain for children. The BMJ recently reported they found no scientific evidence whatsoever that SSRIs work for preschoolers (or for anyone under eighteen).
• Antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) work only as well (or less) than placebos.
  
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has an 80% relapse rate in the long term.
• Physiological problems, plus learned beliefs and behaviors, make functional decisions difficult, and the results reinforce the depression in a vicious cycle.
  
• Depression can “somatize,” or become expressed in the body.
• 80% of people who see physicians are depressed.
• Studies are increasingly linking more illnesses to depression, including: osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, some forms of cancer, eye disease and back pain.

Some of the symptoms of depression in adults are:

• Persistent sad or "empty" mood.
• Feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless, pessimistic and/or guilty.
• Substance abuse.
• Fatigue or loss of interest in ordinary activities, including sex.
• Disturbances in eating and sleeping patterns.
• Irritability, increased crying, anxiety or panic attacks.
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions.
• Thoughts of suicide; suicide plans or attempts.
• Persistent physical symptoms or pains that do not respond to treatment.

(From SAVE.org)

To visit Scrangie's blog post click here.

And finally, here are the products and pictures from my video:

FACE

-MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural- Light
-MAC blush- Springsheen

EYES

-UDPP
-Stila Kajal Eye Liner- Onyx
-CS 88 Shimmer Palette
-MAC e/s- Blanc Type
-UD Liquid Liner- Perversion
-UD 24/7 Eye Liner- Zero
-Buxom Lash Mascara- Black

LIPS

-MAC Slimshine Lipstick- Funshine

NAILS

-OPI n/p- Yoga-to Get This Blue!

Fade Acne Scars!

I love this stuff to death! I've used (almost) 2 bottles of it and it really helps with my acne scarring. I've tried a couple of other products, one from Clinique's acne line, with no real results. While this doesn't make my skin picture perfect, it does significantly help with unevenness and dark spots from acne and (I would imagine) sun damage. This product is also suitable for all skin tones from light to dark.

NOTE: Be sure to use sunscreen with this! The active ingredients in this serum make your skin more susceptible to sun damage.

Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Corrector, $39.50 @ clinique.com

September 2009 Favorites

Products Mentioned:

-i.d. Bare Minerals Allover Face Color- Clear Radiance
-MAC Paint Pot- Bare Study
-UD e/s- Sellout
-NARS e/s single- Cairo
-NARS e/s duo- Habanera
-MAC 217 brush
-Sigma SS224 brush
-Stila SPF 20 Lip Shine- Sarah
-OPI n/p- Lincoln Park After Dark
-OPI n/p- Strawberry Daquiri

Barbie Loves Stila Smudge Pots!

I am soooo in love with these liners! They're all so pretty and so unique with the added perk of them being the Stila Smudge Pot formula that I adore so much.


Products Mentioned:


Cobalt Clutch, $20 @ stilacosmetics.com


Purple Pumps, $20 @ stilacosmetics.com

Little Black Dress, $20 @ stilacosmetics.com

SPF 20 Shine Lip Color, $22 @ stilacosmetics.com

OPI n/p- Lincoln Park After Dark, Royal Rajah Ruby

Katy Perry's "Waking Up in Vegas" Inspired

FACE

-MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural- Light
-MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer- NW15
-MAC blush- Springsheen

EYES

-MAC Paint Pot- Painterly
-Ben Nye Cream Color- White
-MAC e/s- Electra
-MAC e/s- Smoke & Diamonds
-L'Oreal Hip Duo- Platinum
-MAC e/s- Carbon
-MAC e/s- Blanc Type
-MAC e/s- Crystal Avalanche
-Stila Kajal Eye Liner- Onyx
-UD Liquid Liner- Perversion
-L.A. Splash glitter liner- Huntington Silver
-craft glitter
-Buxom Lash Mascara- Black
-MUFE False Lashes- #14

LIPS

-MAC lipstick- Vegas Volt

NAILS

-OPI n/p- Miami Beet

Faded Copper Eyes

FACE

-MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural- Light
-MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer- NW15
-MAC blush- Eversun (LE)


EYES

-MAC Paintpot- Rubenesque
-Shadow Sample from Coastal Scents- Moroccan
-CoverGirl quad- Hot Cider
-CoverGirl quad- Creme Fraiche
-MAC e/s- Crystal Avalanche
-MAC e/s- Coppering
-UD 24/7 Liner- Honey
-UD 27/7 Liner- Zero
-UD Liquid Liner- Perversion
-Buxom Lash Mascara- Black

LIPS

-MAC lipstick- Brave New Bronze (LE)
-Clinique lipstick- Bronze Star

NAILS

-OPI n/p- Miami Beet

Urban Decay Haul

Products I got:

-Primer Potion
-24/7 Eyeliners- Zero, Bourbon, Ransom, Deviant
-Liquid Eyeliner- Perversion (loveness!)
-Eyeshadows- Sellout, YDK

Wow... that really doesn't look like much. I've used the eyeshadows and Bourbon almost daily since I got them for a really nice fresh and neutral look. I am so in love with Urban Decay... *sigh*

Sephora Lashstash No. 1

Anastasia Lash Lifting Mascara, $22 @ sephora.com

"Lash Lifting Mascara
What it is:
A multi-effect volume mascara that is formulated with hard waxes and synthetic polymers.

What it does:
Anastasia Lash Lifting Mascara thickens and curls lashes with one stroke! The formula contains hard waxes to build lashes and synthetic polymers to give them body and volume. The rich and creamy formula conditions lashes and an elastic veil helps mascara adhere to lashes without clumping.

What else you need to know:
This product is dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic."

My thoughts: An excellent everyday mascara, easy to apply and free of clumps.
My overall rating: 8/10

Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash, $18 @ sephora.com

"What it is:
A paraben-free, lash-volumizing mascara.

What it does:
Bare Escentuals Buxom® Lash Mascara - Blackest Black holds the style of your lashes for a continuous 12 hours with no flakiness. The silky, vitamin-rich formula darkens, lengthens, and thickens from root to tip without ever clumping. Its patented, hourglass-shaped brush is designed to lift and separate every lash while delivering the perfect amount of antioxidant-rich mascara needed for bigger, fuller lashes.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Phthalates

What else you need to know:
It Intensely volumizes lashes up to 300%."

My thoughts: An excellent dramatic mascara, or a good everyday mascara for those with short lashes. Very black, very volumizing.
My overall rating: 9.5/10 (I only give it a 9.5 because it's not my all time favorite mascara)

Smashbox Bionic Mascara, $19 @ sephora.com

"Bionic Mascara
What it is:
An innovative ionic mascara.

What it does:
Smashbox Bionic is the first ionic mascara—it will leave you with longer, stronger, and more voluminous lashes! The specially-engineered brush coats lashes with our revolutionary long-wearing, water-resistant formula for a dramatic full lash. Aloe, silk, and wheat protein strengthen and condition."

My thoughts: AWESOME stuff. Great for everyday, buildable for more dramatic looks. Clump free and flake free. Very black. Wonderful brush.
My overall rating: 10/10 (W00T! Fav mascara.)

*all descriptions and prices are from sephora.com

Fresh Berry Lips: Fall Trend '09 Inspired

FACE

-MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer- NW15
-MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural- Light
-MAC blush- Gingerly

EYES

-MAC Paint Pot- Painterly
-NARS e/s duo- Portobello
-MAC e/s- Blanc Type
-MAC e/s- Crystal Avalanche
-UD Liquid Liner- Perversion
-UD 24/7 Glide On Pencil- Zero
-Buxom Lash- Black

LIPS

-MAC Lipstick- Hang-Up

Back To School: I'm Late!

FACE

-MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer- NW15
-MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural- Light
-i.d. Bare Minerals Allover Face Color- Clear Radiance

EYES

-UDPP
-MAC Paint Pot- Bare Study
-Clinique Color Surge e/s duo- Buttered Bronze
-MAC e/s- Blanc Type
-Clinique Cream Shaper for Eyes- Brown Sugar
-Smashbox Bionic Mascara- Black

LIPS

-MAC Tendertone- Honey Bare

Back To School: Smokey Purple & Taupe

FACE

-MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer- NW15
-MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural- Light
-i.d. Bare Minerals Allover Face Color- Clear Radiance
-MAC Bronzing Powder- Solar Riche (LE)

EYES

-UDPP
-MAC Paint Pot- Rubenesque
-UD e/s- YDK
-NARS e/s duo- Habanera
-MAC e/s- Sketch
-MAC e/s- Blanc Type
-Stila Kajal Eye Liner- Onyx
-Smashbox Bionic Mascara- Black

LIPS

-MAC Tendertone- Honey Bare

Perfect Red Lip

LIPS

-Mary Kay Satin Lips- Lip Treatment
-Burt's Bees Pomegranate Lip Balm
-MAC lipliner- Cherry
-MAC lipstick- Ruby Woo
-C.O. Bigelow Mentha Shine Lipgloss- Double Chocolate Shake
-MAC 316 lip brush

(MASSIVE) Birthday Haul

Products Mentioned:

-Sephora Bath & Shower Bubbles- Vanilla Cupcake
-Stila Kajal Eye Liner- Onyx
-Sephora Lashstash (LE)
-NARS e/s single- Cairo
-NARS e/s duo- Portobello
-NARS e/s duo- Habanera
-MAC e/s- Electra
-MAC e/s- Smoke & Diamonds
-B&BW Body Lotion, Shower Gel, Bath Bubbles- Vanilla Noir
-Lancome Mineral Powder Foundation Brush
-Sonia Kashuk Spoolie
-Sonia Kashuk Lash Comb
-MAC lipliner- Nightmoth, Cherry
-MAC lipstick- Underworld, Vegas Volt, Ruby Woo, Hang-Up

Products I should have mentioned:

-MAC 316 lip brush
-OPI n/p- Makes Men Blush, Black Onyx, Cajun Shrimp

Underworld Inspired

FACE

-MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer- NW15
-MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural- Light
-Ben Nye Cream Color- White
-Clinique e/s- Bewitched

EYES

-MAC Paint Pot- Painterly
-MAC e/s- Smoke & Diamonds
-MAC e/s- Beauty Marked
-MAC e/s- Carbon
-MAC e/s- Blanc Type
-MAC lipliner- Nightmoth
-Clinique Kohl Shaper for Eyes- Black Kohl
-Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara- Black

LIPS

-MAC lipliner- Nightmoth
-MAC lipstick- Underworld

Sex Divide

Sex Divide by Essie

This is hands down the BEST purple nail polish ever. It has a slight pinky purple and purple shimmer to it that shows up in the sunlight. It's beautiful! I'm such a purple person...

This is two coats. I'm also trying out a new topcoat from Essie (Good to Go!) and so far I like it a lot.

Classic Smokey Eye

FACE

-MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural- Light
-MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer- NW15
-MAC blush- Springsheen

EYES

-UDPP
-MAC Paint Pot- Painterly
-MAC e/s- Smoke & Diamonds (LE)
-CS 88 Palette
-UD e/s- Oil Slick
-MAC e/s- Crystal Avalanche
-MAC e/s- Blanc Type
-Clinique Kohl Shaper for Eyes- Black Kohl
-Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara- Black

LIPS
-Lancome lipstick- Coquette

NAILS

-Essie n/p- Ballet Slippers