Introducing, Sally Hansen's Head Bang - from the Miracle Gel seasonal (Fall/Winter 2015) collection, a cool-toned, dark mushroom, chocolate brown. I have been smitten with this nail color ever since I first came across it. At first I convinced myself that I did not need another mundane chocolate brown from yet another earthy fall/winter collection, especially a pricey one ($7.99 - $9.99).
After seeing this color pop up on my radar while picking up some milk at the grocery-store and during a coffee-date with one of my best friends, Megan, at ULTA, I came to the conclusion that Head Bang was no ordinary brown nail color. Eventually, I purchased it at my local Bed, Bath, & Beyond, using a 20% off coupon, which justified my purchase even more.
I have nothing like Head Bang in my nail polish collection. As you can see from the pictures, there is something about this color that is different. It draws my attention, almost as if it catches me by surprise and I find myself admiring Head Bang's subtle uniqueness. I think it is the first cool-toned, deep mushroom, chocolate brown that I have come across, which is not too purple or too gray or too dark.
The first coat is a bit thin so I recommend using at least two coats or three, if you are a perfectionist. It is not very messy or difficult to do three coats because the polish layers nicely without bubbling up or streaking. Although I only wore this polish for about five or so days, it only chipped on the index fingernails. I am not one to keep my nail polish on for longer than four or five days because one, I find it boring, and two, shabby once chipping has occurred and natural nail growth is visible.
Overall, Head Bang is a must-have! Not only is it a stunning color, but a trendy one as well. Brown is such a happening color at the moment in the beauty world, especially brown lip colors. So what's not to like about a chocolate brown nail polish to pair with your favorite chocolate brown liquid lipstick. I have received so many compliments on my nails while wearing Head Bang. I hope Sally Hansen adds it to its permanent collection or that y'all can get it before the seasonal displays disappear.
Essie Salt Water Happy is a dusty corn flower blue shade. I purchased mine at Harmon's Beauty in Bed, Bath, & Beyond ($8.99). I have spotted Salt Water Happy at other retailers too, such as ULTA and Kohl's.
Although this shade was released as a part of Essie's Summer 2015 Collection, I believe it is versatile enough to be worn during any season. This is not a "childish" blue - meaning it does not look like you have polished your nails with actual coloring paint. There is a perfect balance of bright and muted here. This has to be my most favorite blue of the few I own. I usually do not fancy blue nail polish on myself, but this one has won over my heart. I recently purchased another one for one of my best friends a.k.a. fellow-beauty-lover - hello Megan!
A couple of years back I purchased one of the cult-favorite shades from Essie called Bikini So Teeny. Unfortunately, the formula of Bikini So Teeny was a huge disappointment - very thin and applied really streaky and patchy. I returned that one the very same day I purchased it. Ever since then I have been on a hunt for a shade like Bikini So Teeny, but of course with a better formula. In my attempts to finding the perfect emulation of Bikini So Teeny, I tried Sinful Shine Alfresco, Julie G Santorini, and Wet 'n' Wild Wearing Blue Jeans (swatches / review coming soon). Alfresco, Santorini, and Wearing Blue Jeans are significantly identical to each other. If you have one of these beauties, you do not need the others. I was really impressed by the formula of these three nail polishes so much so that I gifted these shades to a few of my friends. Sally Hansen's Babe Blue is another option nearly identical to Alfresco, Santorini, and Wearing Blue Jeans, but I returned it because of its poor formulation.
My point is that there are a lot of beautiful corn-flower blue nail polish options out in the market, but I prefer Salt Water Happy - even to Bikini So Teeny - for its color. It is the exact version of corn-flower blue that I have been dreaming of. Oh, and did I mention its amazing "just right" formula (not thin and not thick) and how it applies evenly (no streaks or pockets)? I am wearing two coats in the pictures topped off with Essie's Good To Go top coat. Salt Water Happy will surely make you very happy!
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Hi Lipstick-Lover-Peeps! Well, this one is especially for my Red Lipstick Lovers - my review of the L'Oreal "Star Matte Red" lipsticks is posted on my channel ChaiTimewithMeesha. The "Star Matte Reds" is a new collection from L'Oreal, which includes a gradient of "special" red lipsticks and nail polishes. Each shade is named after a celebrity ambassador of L'Oreal. The concept behind this collection is that L'Oreal has a diverse collection of reds for women of different skin tones and colors from all around the world.
Hope y'all will like my picks and enjoy the video. Bisou! Bisou!
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Hi Lipstick-Lover-Peeps! I recently posted my review of the Milani Moisture Matte Lipsticks - new additions to the permanent Moisture Matte line. I have a few fun shades to share with y'all. One of the shades is a real gem. Take a peek!
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Hey y'all! Have y'all seen my review of the new Maybelline Creamy Matte Lipsticks - the latest additions to the permanent Creamy Matte line? If you haven't, take a peek! I have also included a special "Dupes" segment to this video. I think y'all might find it helpful.
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Hey y'all! I recently posted my review of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Glosses on my YouTube channel, ChaiTimewithMeesha. I have six colors to show you - Undressed, Vintage, Peony, Melon, Papaya, and Flame.
Make sure to take a look at the description box below the video for any additional information. The more I revise my reviews or continue to use the products, the more details I want to share with all of you. Of course I try not to make my videos too lengthy because I don't want y'all to snooze. I know the main focus are the swatches and demos.
I hope y'all will enjoy watching this video and find it informative as well. Thanks for watching!
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Hey y'all! Today, we are stepping away from lipsticks and taking a look at a new nail color. I recently spotted a new collection from Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure called the Beach Side Astrologer Collection at my local Target ($6.99). Oddly, my own sun sign - Aquarius - did not appeal to me at all. The only one to impress me enough to purchase it was the Gemini polish called Gemincello. It is such a beautiful and unique shade. I would describe it as a dusty, muted, pastel custard yellow. It makes me think of cartoon ducklings or a baby's nursery and its milky sweet aroma.
Yellow polishes are notorious for having horrible (hopeless) formulas. Well, not Gemincello! It has been placed in my "Hall of Fame of Impressive Yellow Polishes" along with OPI's I Can't Copacabana and Salon Perfect's Mellow Yellow. I only needed to apply two coats to achieve even application. Wow! I consider Gemincello a treasurable find; a special addition to my nail polish collection. I usually don't spend more than $5 - $6 (pre-tax) on a nail polish, but I do make exceptions when the color is uncommon and refreshing from the usual repeat releases. I highly recommend it.
Visit my Instagram to read my reviews and see pictures of two other lovely yellow nail polishes - OPI's I Can't Copacabana and Salon Perfect's Mellow Yellow (the link is provided below).
Hey y'all! I have posted my review, with swatches and demos, of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipsticks on my YouTube channel, ChaiTimewithMeesha. I have five colors to show you - Neon Coral, Electric Coral, Persimmon, Spicy, and Vamp. Take a look at the description box below the video for any additional information. I hope y'all will enjoy watching this video and find it informative as well. Thanks for watching!
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Hey y'all! Here is Part 2 of my Sephora Haul from the Spring VIB Sale. I have included mini-reviews and swatches for some of the items that I had a chance to try prior to filming. Make sure to check out Part 1 if you have not watched it already as well as my collective review video (including swatches and demos) of the new Marc Jacobs products at Sephora. Enjoy!
Hey y'all! Welcome back my Lipsticks-Ninjas. Last night I uploaded a new video on my channel, ChaiTimewithMeesha. I have linked the video below for your convenience. Once you open the video, you will see a description box below with related details/information. Please visit my channel to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE. I enjoy interacting with all of you, so let me know in the comments your thoughts about this video. Thank you! Enjoy!
Top to Bottom: Powerful, Vengeful Red, Envious, Impassioned, Dynamic, Intense Nude, and Discreet
*Review*
Color Description | Price
Discreet is a neutral/nude category shade. It is a deep purely brown-based nude, which means it is an ideal nude for beige, olive, tan, deep, and dark skin-tones. Despite being a nude, Discreet covers my pigmented and textured lips very nicely; no need for a lip liner.
Intense Nude is also a neutral/nude category shade. It is a true mauve-nude. Once again, another neutral shade for deeper skin-tones without looking too deep or boring.
Dynamic is a pink/neutral category shade. This shade is a medium pink-nude. It has a bit of rosiness to it, which adds depth to it, but makes it less of a baby-pink or mauve-pink. This is my signature "my lips but better" shade.
Powerful is a purely pink category shade. Powerful has slight lilac-purple and blue tones overpowered by the pink. Although it appears very cool-toned, I believe it is a slightly cool, more so a neutral-toned shade, which is why it suits my warm-beige skin-tone. This is the ideal bright, fun, sobered "barbie-pink" for individuals who share my skin-tone. I really like this shade for its capability of brightening up my face. I usually don't prefer wearing pink lipstick, but I do really enjoy wearing this one.
Impassioned is an orange/coral category shade. This shade is a vibrant, bright (non-fluorescent) orange-red-coral shade. On the balancing scale of red versus orange, this shade leans more orange. I live for wearable, yet bold orange lipsticks. I love Impassioned. Other than Discreet, this is one of my favorites from my Estee Lauder lipstick collection as well as my entire lipstick collection.
Envious is a purely red category shade. This one is a neutral-to-warm toned red. Initially, I was under the impression that Envious is a red-orange, but the more I wear it I realize that is actually a bright scarlet red (no brown and no brick tones).
Vengeful Red is also a purely red category shade. This one is a cool-toned, blue-toned blood red, which should imply that its brightening, yet has some depth to it. I immensely dislike (with all my might) berry-toned or pink-toned reds (for example, if I accidentally purchase - because of Sephora's God-awful lighting - a raspberry red, someone may have to call 911 for me).
... Price $30 USD ...
Claims | Formula | Application | Staying Power
Estee Lauder claims that the Pure Color Envy Sculpting lipsticks provide "high-intensity color," hydration, and comfortable staying power for 6-hours of wear. Furthermore, "the lipstick bullet is shaped to sculpt the curves of your lips." Source: Estee Lauder website.
If you all love the formula of the NARS Audacious Lipsticks and the MARC Jacobs Beauty Le Cremes and Lip Gels, then you all will definitely enjoy the formula of the Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting lipsticks. These lipsticks apply smoothly and feel like a buttery and creamy balm on your lips during as well as after the application. Here pigmentation is not sacrificed for the luxurious texture. They are intensely pigmented. In one swipe, my lips are covered with color. The tapered (angled) shape of the lipstick bullet results in precise application, allowing the lip color to stay within the outline of one's lips. Indeed, the shades I own do have good staying-power. Although these lipsticks are emollient in texture, they are not so fickle as to wash away with a cup of Chai or a spicy chaat (Indian street food) or a plate of pad-ki-mao (savory oily Thai gravy noodles). Of course, gentle transferring and wearing off is to be expected when consuming a full meal. In fact I recall I was so impressed by the staying power of the shade Envious that I considered wearing it on my wedding day.
The lipsticks are encased in a classy, elegant navy and gold solid tube with a magnetic closure.
Vengeful Red, Envious, Impassioned, Dynamic (Left to Right)
Discreet, Intense Nude, Powerful (Left to Right)
Vengeful Red, Dynamic, Discreet (Back Row Left to Right)
Envious, Powerful, Intense Nude, Impassioned (Front Row Left to Right)
I do want to note that a few shades in the Pure Color Envy Sculpting line did not suit me, either because of the formula or color. The ones that did not suit me because of the formula/patchy application look good on less pigmented, less textured lips. I returned these shades and so I do not have them pictured here. The shades included Desirable (poor formula / applied patchy), Potent (poor formula / applied patchy), Impulsive (poor formula / applied patchy), Fierce (disliked color), Carnal (disliked color), and Defiant Coral (disliked color).
*Visual Demo on "ChaiTimewithMeesha*
*Lip Swatches*
First Row: Dynamic and Envious
Second Row: Vengeful Red, Intense Nude, Powerful
Third Row: Impassioned, Discreet (my two favorites)
I'm starting off the new year here on my blog by reviewing a YSL Kiss and Blush Baby Doll Lips and Cheeks Soft Matte Color. When the YSL Kiss and Blush collection first came out, I was so eager to try them out. Upon my initial experience with this product, I wanted several shades from the collection. In fact, I did purchase three shades, but I only kept one and returned the other two.
How do the YSL Kiss and Blush colors function as a lip color versus cheek color? I would describe this product as a light-weight, mousse-liquid. The pigmentation for the purposes of wearing this as a lip color is good, however, this is not the case for wearing this as a cheek color. As you can tell by the picture of my arm below, I had to liberally apply the product for it to show up on my arm (the same is true for my face). Although this product blends nicely and effortlessly on the cheeks (I recommend using a stippling brush and a light hand), it is too drying on the lips. Lastly, the staying power of this product as both a lip and cheek color is underwhelming.
Additionally, the YSL Kiss and Blush colors are expensive! This is the single most expensive high-end makeup product I own. I justified the steep price point of $40 by reasoning that this product served two purposes - lip color and cheek color. I thought a high-end blush and a high-end lipstick typically cost about $21 each so it made sense that a two-in-one product would be more expensive. However, I did not take into consideration that the amount of product of this multi-functional product would obviously not be the same as the amount of product of a blush and lipstick sold separately. Anyway, I am sure all of you get my point here. This product is very expensive considering both the overall functionality and quantity of the product.
Other than the beautiful shade range of the YSL Kiss and Blush collection and their luxurious fruity scent, I was simply not impressed by them. I really had high hopes for this multi-functional liquid lip and cheek color. I especially liked the concept of wearing the same shade on the cheeks and lips for a very monochromatic and natural makeup look.
I would pass on these if you have not yet tried them. There are plenty of other fish in the sea! I hope you found this review helpful. Please subscribe for more reviews here on my blog as well as on my Instagram page and YouTube channel. Thank you!
