REVLON COLORSTAY NAIL POLISH "BOLD SANGRIA"

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen! Today, I would like to share Revlon Colorstay nail polish in the shade called Bold Sangria. Last month I purchased quite a few Revlon and L'Oreal nail polishes. Slowly, but surely, I am in the process of doing a manicure with each one for you all to get a review and pictures. 

Although Bold Sangria is not a traditional Spring or Summer color, it is one of the many polishes I recently added to my collection last month while Revlon and L'Oreal was on sale. Bold Sangria is a dark eggplant shade. It can also be described as a blackened plum (without red tones). As I was applying this polish, it reminded me of my favorite jam - blackberry jam. 

This polish has a nice creme formula. I did not find it to be thin or runny or gooey or too thick. It was just right. I am wearing two to three coats in these pictures. Although the Revlon Colorstay polishes have a pro "U" shaped brush, which allows controlled application, this particular shade was tough to apply. I felt like a little kid going wild with my watercolors and not painting "inside the lines." As you can tell from the pictures, the manicure looks a little shabby. I don't think anything is wrong with this polish though. There are certain dark shades I find difficult to apply neatly. I don't like the sides of my naked nails peeping through, especially when the polish is a dark one. So, I am always trying to get into the crevices. 

Overall, Revlon's Bold Sangria is a beautiful shade that reminds me of delicious blackberry jam. If you like dark vampy polishes and you want something different from the usual burgundy and wine colors, this is a nice pick. It has a purple rather than a red base. It is a softer, more feminine alternative for a black polish. Just make sure to have a steady hand during application and you will be good to go. You can also dip an thin eyeshadow brush in nail polish remover and clean up the skin around your nails. 

Well, I hope you enjoyed taking a look at Revlon's Bold Sangria. Stay tuned for more nail polish and lip color reviews, outfit of the days, and fashion and jewelry hauls. Take care! 

Thank you for reading! If you like this post, take a look at the rest of my blog. Show your support and follow me here through Google Friends Connect, Blog Lovin', Twitter, and She Said Beauty. Please leave your comments for feedback and suggestions. I would be so delighted!

Essie Nail Polish in Madison Ave-hue (Essie Spring 2013 Collection)

The special on the menu today is Essie's Madison Ave-Hue. This polish has recently released as part of Essie's Spring 2013 collection. 

I purchase Essie polishes at Kohl's because I get a pretty decent discount (about 30% off). I don't like to spend more than $5-6 on a nail polish. I honestly don't feel like Essie polishes are worthy of the hefty price point of $8. The Essie formula is a hit or miss. Sometimes the formula is lovely, but sometimes it is worse than a $1 nail polish from an unknown, questionable brand. If it weren't for the fact that Essie is available to me at Kohl's, where I receive a considerable discount, I most probably will not be able to justify purchasing an Essie polish. 

Essie's Madison Ave-Hue is a dark hot pink with strong blue and purple undertones and subtle silver shimmer. I would describe it as a lavender fuchsia because it is too pink to be lavender and too purple to be fuchsia. Forgive my strange description. I know my descriptions are quite intricate sometimes, so I have added plenty of pictures for you to reference. 

The formula of this particular shade is a sheer creme base with subtle shimmer. The application was not bad. However, this polish is thin when applied even though it doesn't seem that way on the brush. I had to apply three coats for a fully opaque look. I added Essie's Good to Go top coat on top as always.  

I removed this polish after four days. I did not observe any chipping. My nails grow fast so I could see my naked nails peep through near the cuticles, but otherwise the polish was holding up quite well. I don't know if a four-day period is long enough to give you all a good idea of the longevity of this polish, but most people I know, including myself, change up their nail color after a few days.  

I tested the other shades from this collection in the store. The collection includes Go Ginza (true lilac), Bond with Whomever (milky lilac), Hip-Anema (bright orange), Avenue Maintain (deep topaz blue), and Maximillian Strasse-Her (grayish milky green). I strongly disliked the formula of most of these shades, except for Avenue Maintain and Madison Ave-Hue. 

If you all like the colors of Madison Ave-Hue (pictured) and Avenue Maintain (deep  topaz blue), I would recommend these particular shades for their decent formula and application. 

Thank you for reading! If you like this post, take a look at the rest of my blog. Show your support and follow me here through Google Friends Connect, Blog Lovin', Twitter, and She Said Beauty. Please leave your comments for feedback and suggestions. I would be so delighted!

MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner SPF 15 Calm Mode

Today, I would like to review one of MAC's limited edition tinted lip conditioners. This particular shade is called Calm Mode. It was released as a part of the Cham Pale limited edition collection in the Winter of 2010-2011. 

I found this product at a Cosmetic Company Outlet store a little while ago. Although this product is no longer sold at MAC counters, you may be able to find it online or at a beauty outlet that carries discontinued or limited edition products. I purchased it for $11. This lip balm was originally sold at MAC counters for $15. 

I had recently finished a container of the original MAC lip conditioner (pot / not tube) when I came across this one. I recently wrote a mini review for the regular, colorless, MAC lip conditioner (pot) in my "Finished Products, Hits and Misses, Feb 2013" post. Simply put, I really liked the original MAC lip conditioner (pot). However, I mentioned that I would not repurchase it because of its packaging. I had stated that I wish this conditioner came in a stick or squeeze tube form. I dislike using my fingers to apply this product. It just feels very unsanitary. MAC does have a lip conditioner in stick and squeeze tube form, but I believe those do not have sunscreen. Well, I purchased another one even though I had decided not to. I think the baby pink color drew me in.

I cannot say that this lip condition is miraculous, but I find that it does make my lips feel moisturized, hydrated, and smooth. However, this good feeling does not last a long time. You must reapply every two to three hours or after a meal. In my experience with lip balms this is definitely the best. I have tried Fresh Sugar (original and tinted), Neutrogena, Chapstick, L'Oreal, Maybelline, Vaseline, and some other random brands at the pharmacy, but this by far has been the one and only to impress me. Fresh Sugar lip balms are nice as well, but it is not as nice as this one, and very expensive. 

I like applying this balm underneath my pinky mauve lipsticks. Not every lip balm can be worn under a lipstick. For example, the Sugar Fresh lip balm, which is a bit waxy, leaves a heavy film on your lips and does not allow lipstick to adhere properly to the lips. It really sheers out the lipstick and gives off a patchy appearance. On the other hand, the MAC lip conditioner sinks into your lips allowing the lipstick to glide on effortlessly on the smooth surface. This technique works especially well with fully pigmented matte or satin lip colors. 

I would definitely recommend this lip balm if you do not mind the packaging, but I would prefer the original, regular, non-tinted version over the tinted ones because I feel like the latter are not as moisturizing.

This lip balm has a pleasant vanilla and lavender scent. It is a very mild and reminds me of a herbal spa. If you are sensitive to scents like I am, don't worry! This is not one of those intense herbal scents that makes your nose feel tingly and gives you a headache. The label at the bottom of the container states that the balm contains lavender. MAC products are known for their vanilla scent.

Also, if you get minor sunburn around your lips, then you might like this product. The area around my lips is very sensitive and prone to sunburn. Although this balm has a low amount of sunscreen, it has been a great protectant for my lips. A lot of drugstore lip balms with sunscreen caused my lips to burn more. My dermatologist told me that I may be allergic to an ingredient in this balms. Perhaps she said it was petroleum, but I don't remember clearly. Anyways, if you are having this problem, you may want to consider this lip balm.

Well, I hope you found this review helpful!

Thank you for reading! If you like this post, take a look at the rest of my blog. Show your support and follow me here through Google Friends Connect, Blog Lovin', Twitter, and She Said Beauty. Please leave your comments for feedback and suggestions. I would be so delighted!

Essie Nail Polish in Butler Please

I finally gave it a try - Essie's Butler Please. I knew I shouldn't have, but it is human nature to be curious and try the unknown even when you know you will not like it in the end. Essie's Butler Please is a beautiful cobalt blue shade. It is definitely a trendy shade along with the celebrity cobalt blue colored skinny jeans and high-low sheer button down shirts. Here now and it will be gone tomorrow. Of course like any fashion and beauty enthusiast, I wanted to join the trendy and stylish folks, so I purchased Essie's Butler Please. I could have bought the cheaper alternative, Sally Hansen's Xtreme Wear Hard as Nails Pacific Blue ($2.99), but I didn't realize the similarity until after I purchased this one for about $6.59 on sale. 

My problem with this nail polish was the formula and application. Maybe I picked up a defective bottle, but this polish smelled awful like an intense chemical fusion. The formula was extremely thick, gooey, and sticky, like old paint. This polish applied streaky and patchy from the onset through multiple coats. In order for me to take these pictures, I had to pile it on instead of paint it on. I added Essie's Good to Go top coat to add shine because this polish dried matte and looked drab. Of course I returned it and exchange it for another polish I had wanted to try. I didn't repurchase it because I was skeptical of every aspect of this polish - color, formula, and application. The color just did not sit well with me. I felt like I dipped my fingers in a kindergartener's watercolors. I feel like I like the classy colors more, like red and nude browns. If at all I step outside the comfort zone to lilacs and soft pastels, I select soft and soothing or lady-like and warm shades. 

I cannot vouch for the longevity of this polish because I removed it only minutes after applying it and taking these pictures. I suppose cobalt blue nails and red orange lips is not in the cards for me this season. Sigh! Well, I hope you all found this review helpful. If you do like this color, I would give Sally Hansen's Pacific Blue a try first. I have definitely had good luck with the formulation and application of those particular Sally Hansen polishes and they are an affordable option.

Thank you for reading! If you like this post, take a look at the rest of my blog. Show your support and follow me here through Google Friends Connect, Blog Lovin', Twitter, and She Said Beauty. Please leave your comments for feedback and suggestions. I would be so delighted!

Outfit of the Day: Bollywood meets the Boonies

Sleeveless Kurta Dress (Chandigarh Sector 22 Market India) 

L'Oreal Fuchsia Nail Color Members Only (Meijer $4.99) 

Studio M Lilac Nail Lacquer Sweet Dreams (Meijer $2.99) 

Shiseido Lacquer Rouge Nocturne (*New* Hong Kong $25) 

Dolly Wink Liquid Pen Eyeliner (*New* Hong Kong $15) 

Estee Lauder Alluring Rose Blush (Belk $35) 

"Audrey Hepburn" style sunglasses (Sears $15)

Turquoise Gold Chandelier Earrings (Francesca's $14) 

Turquoise Gold Stretch Bracelet (Charming Charlie $9.99) 

Michael Kors Cognac Brown & Beige Tote (TJ MAXX $119)

ALDO Brown Flat Strapped Sandals (ALDO 2011 $29.99) 

Thank you for reading! If you like this post, take a look at the rest of my blog. Show your support and follow me here through Google Friends Connect, Blog Lovin', Twitter, and She Said Beauty. Please leave your comments for feedback and suggestions. I would be so delighted!

SALLY HANSEN COMPLETE SALON MANICURE GREEN TEA

Hello, hello! Today I thought to share with you all a new Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure nail color called Green Tea. Has anyone tried a Green Tea or Matcha frozen drink? Starbuck's Green Tea Frappuccino, perhaps? What do I like more than a Green Tea Frap? A nail polish called Green Tea. This may seem quite silly to someone who is not a fan of tea and coffee and nail colors, but for someone like me, it definitely puts a smile on my face. Kudos to Sally Hansen for such a delicious and alluring product name. 

First, I would like to apologize for not posting much lately. I have quite a few products lined up for review and swatches, some outfits of the days, and a couple of fashion hauls, but I have not been able to set aside any time for blogging. I think I will be more consistent after my exams finish up in May. Now, let us get to the review.

I must share that I have received countless compliments for this unique shade. I believe this shade is eye catching because this is not just another mint or a tiffany blue or a pistachio green - all popular and common pastel green shades for the Spring. I would describe this nail polish as a soft milky sea moss green shade. It reminds me of sea green water bodies displayed in pictures of island beaches and tropical cruise ads. 

This nail color has a slightly thick, but not gooey or heavy, creme formula. The application is a bit streaky on the first coat, but with a second or third coat, the appearance can be evened out. I used three coats. I would advise to apply this polish with a light hand, which the pro brush allows you to do with ease. If you apply this polish with a heavy hand, patches may result. I would also wait a few seconds before adding your second or third coat to prevent patchiness. So, the application is slightly troublesome, but not bad. I am very selective when it comes to application and don't try to work with a product even if it is not working for me just because I love the color. This is definitely a workable product. 

I paid between $7-8 for this nail color at Meijers (grocery store). I found this shade in a new seasonal display. I seem to find the most beautiful and random nail polishes while grocery shopping. I have not spotted this shade anywhere else. I have checked the new displays at Target and Walmart, but I have only noticed a shade called Jaded, not Green Tea. Jaded is a deeper blue-green shade than Green Tea. 

Green Tea is a soft and feminine shade. It exudes the ambiance of bone china tea cups, frilly knit table mats, lace frocks, and sunny days. If Essie Mint Candy Apple, China Glaze Re-fresh Mint, Orly Gum Drop, or Revlon Minted is not your cup of tea, then I would try out Green Tea. This shade leans more in the family of these colors rather than colors such as China Glaze For Audrey or Essie's Turquoise and Caicos. 

Thank you for reading! If you like this post, take a look at the rest of my blog. Show your support and follow me here through Google Friends Connect, Blog Lovin', Twitter, and She Said Beauty. Please leave your comments for feedback and suggestions. I would be so delighted!

Revlon Colorstay Long Wear Nail Enamel in Coastal Surf

As some of you know, I recently hauled a bunch of nail colors. I have never before bought a bunch of beauty products all at once within a couple of weeks and posted up a haul, so I wasn't sure whether or not to post swatches. I thought about buying a color wheel and swatching the nail colors, but I much prefer seeing shades on someone's hand rather than multiple shades on a color wheel. I feel like I can never tell whether or not I truly like a shade unless I see it worn on the hands. Unfortunately, this may be harmful for my nails in the long run to change my manicures on a  weekly basis. To compromise for the health of my nails, sometimes for long stretches of time, I won't wear nail polish. I am not sure why, but sometimes I start off my posts with a tangent topic. Eventually I realize I have to review a product. So, today I am presenting Revlon's Coastal Surf from the Colorstay Longwear line. 

*** Revlon's Coastal Surf *** 

Color: I really like some bright statement polishes, but as soon as I actually wear it, I get a weird feeling like I dipped my fingernails in paint. This shade was a bit outside my comfort zone. It reminds me of purely blue turquoise. It reminds me of the time I traveled to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas with my parents, where my mom and I purchased some hand-made turquoise silver jewelry at a Native American tribe exhibition. I feel like sometimes there is a story or memory or meaning behind many things I like to wear. I suppose that must be my "style"! 

Formula: Creme finish. Superb consistency! This is not a sheer, runny, or heavy polish. I applied top coat to add a little shine. I have noticed that the blue creme polishes I have tried are not very glossy, almost a semi-matter, and require top coat in order to avoid a flat look. 

Application: Applies easily with the pro style "U" shaped brush. I used two coats. Many people may only need one coat. This polish applies opaque and non-streaky in a single coat. 

Longevity: I cannot review the longevity of this polish because I removed it after wearing it for a couple of days. I must add that I have observed chipping on my index and middle fingers with most of my nail polishes after wearing them for more than a three or four days. 

Price: $5 - $8 (USD) 

What makes Colorstay different from the regular Revlon polishes? 

1. Pro "U" shaped brush. I love this type of a brush because it gives you so much control and aligns well with the shape of fingernails. 

2. Most, but not all of course, Colorstay polishes I took a look at seemed to have a stronger consistency than the regular polishes. I don't know if this makes any sense, but the regular polishes in comparison to the Colorstay polishes seem weaker or watered down in consistency. 

What are the claims made by Revlon? 

I found this language on the Revlon website:

"Up to 11 days of lasting color* and gel-like shine in 30 easy to remove shades. No light required. *When worn with Colorstay™ base & top coats. "

I have not tried the Colorstay top coat or base coat. 

Overall: Yes, I would recommend this product. I myself don't think I will wear this polish too often, but that is because of the boldness and brightness of the color. Otherwise, the formula is absolutely lovely. 

Thanks for reading! If you like this post, please take a look at the rest of my blog, and follow me here through Google Friends Connect, Blog Lovin', Twitter, and She Said Beauty to stay connected. I would also love to receive your comments, suggestions, and support. 

Yours Truly,

REVIEW: L'Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Lip Colors and L'Oreal Colour Riche Lip Balms SPF 15

I was happy to hear from some of you in regards to my first makeup haul post and so glad that you all enjoyed reading about it. I know that the most helpful part of showing products is swatching the shades. So, today I will be reviewing and swatching some L'Oreal lip products. 

First, let us take a look at L'Oreal Colour Riche Lip Balms. 

Packaging

The packaging of the lip balms is very girly and cute as you can see. I really like the colored translucent tops with the golden bottoms. The lipsticks are sort of rectangular, not rounded or an odd shape, which would make them otherwise tedious to store. 

Pros / Cons

The best feature of these lip balms is their vanilla or cupcake, dessert-like scent. I also appreciate that these lip balms do have a little bit of sun protection (SPF 15), which is very important to me and I would highly recommend protecting your lips from sun rays to everyone. Sadly, I wish I had not purchased these lip balms at all. I cannot justify purchasing four lip balms and not getting an actual balm or anything worthwhile for that matter. The so-called balms did not moisturize or condition my lips. In fact, these balms didn't even add a shine to my lips. My lips felt drier after I tried these out. Lastly, the pigmentation on these is quite sheer to non-existent. Legally Regal and Plush Plum were slightly pigmented, while Tender Mauve and Caramel Comfort made my lips look white and grainy. I am saving my receipt and returning Tender Mauve and Caramel Comfort. I will keep Legally Regal and Plush Plum to wear underneath more pigmented lip colors to add a little sheen. There is no question of longevity here. These just seemed to absorb into my lips within minutes.

Swatches

 Caramel Comfort, Tender Mauve

Plush Plum, Legally Regal

Legally Regal (milky lilac pastel) *Part of the New Limited Edition Versailles Romance Pastels Spring 2013 Collection 

Legally Regal underneath Chanel's Culte - I was so excited about this color as you all know how much I adore lilac and lavender shades. It is definitely pigmented lip color as you can see from the picture above, but it does not look normal. It appears streaky and as if I just ate a purple powdered sugar donut. I have paired Legally Regal with some of my lipsticks, like Chanel Culte, Bite Pepper, and Sonia Kashuk Sheer Plum for a Spring lilac-lavender-pink look. 

Plush Plum (sheer rosy pink) 

Tender Mauve (milky whited-out pink)

Caramel Comfort (milky golden nude) 

Lastly, saving the best ones for last are L'Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Lipsticks. 

Packaging

The packaging here is not very interesting or cute like the lip balms above. I like small, compact, study, and colorful or classy back packaging. I don't like this sort of light gold reflective plastic tubes. It looks cheap and tacky like plastic mental colored silverware. 

Pros / Cons 

I found these lipsticks more comfortable and moisturizing. My lips did not feel dry or cracked after these two wore off. Although these are sheer shades, the colors are significantly buildable. I particularly love the two shades I decided to purchase. These lip colors smell like vanilla cupcakes too. I find that for being an emollient product these stay on my lips for as long as any of my other lipsticks (on average two hours) and fade into subtle stains. These lip colors are great for someone who doesn't like lipsticks because they feel too heavy and pigmented and wants something lightweight, shiny, and colorful without the sticky mess of a gloss. I feel like this is an ideal lip product for day-to-day wear. I am definitely glad I have added these two lip colors to my collection and would highly recommend that you all gives these a try. If only these had sun protection, then L'Oreal would have had no need for those useless lip balms. I suppose for them it is about creating different products for all of the consumers with their unique tastes all around the world. Dear "Whom Ever it May Concern" at L'Oreal, if you are reading my post, please add SPF and slightly more colors to your Caresse range. Thank you! 

Swatches

Rose Taffeta (blue-toned deep baby pink) 

Silky Java (chocolatey mauve pink) 

Thank you for reading! If you like this post, take a look at the rest of my blog. Show your support and follow me here through Google Friends Connect, Blog Lovin', Twitter, and She Said Beauty. Please leave your comments for feedback and suggestions. I would be so delighted!