Long Time No See!

Hello, all!  Wow, have I been busy the past few months!  First my cat needed surgery, then I got married, then I got a new job.  Add to the mix that I had been previously unaware that you could add authors to a blog and change the E-mail associated with the blog (I started the blog on an account I no longer use,) and I just wasn't getting around to posting.  Hopefully, I'll be back up doing reviews and swatches -- and maybe the occasional rant or opinion piece -- in short order.  I really want to pick up a few things soon, so we'll see how quickly I get around to posting, and whether or not I get back to a regular posting schedule.  I definitely won't be able to do Mondays anymore due to a variety of conflicts, but I have been having Tuesdays off with some regularity, so we'll see about switching it up a bit...  I've been aching to get back to Blogging, I just have not had the time and motivation at the same time!  Adding my current E-mail address to the authors will definitely help, too, because now I don't have to sign in and out to make a post.  See you soon!

Pseudo-Hiatus

Hello, everybody.  Today I decided to take a sort-of-vacation from the blog.  I will still be posting LOTDs and NOTDs when I can, but I will be halting product reviews temporarily.  This news comes on the coattails of a vet visit I had today with my cat, Pepper.  He is about 14, and he suffers from severe anxiety when he is forced to go somewhere.  He howls, soils himself, and sheds like mad, and it's very disheartening to watch him go through so much turmoil.  Because of this, I have not taken him to the vet for regular checkups to avoid unwarranted stress to him.  I have tried to find a vet who makes house calls, but to no avail.  It's not that I don't care, or that I don't want to pay for his vaccines.  I would gladly pay a house visit fee plus any costs associated with a visit; the issue here is that I worry the stress of traveling does him more harm than the visit benefits him.  So now that you (hopefully) understand my reasoning and don't think I'm an awful pet owner, I will tell you that I noticed Pepper had a tooth out of place on Wednesday evening.  It was obviously causing him pain, as he pulled away when the area was touched and he stopped eating.  I worked a long shift Thursday, so I couldn't take him in right away.  Today, I took him to the vet, and  felt awful as he howled and urinated in his carrier.  I was told he has gum disease, and will need to have the tooth extracted.  He was administered fluids for dehydration, and was given a senior wellness check consisting of  a blood test and a urinalysis to make sure all of his other body functions are normal.  I was given a small bottle of pain medication for the time being, as well.  Monday I need to take him in for oral surgery.  They will administer anesthesia, clean his teeth, take X-rays, and extract the tooth.  Needless to say, this will be an expensive procedure, and I don't have that kind of money just laying around.  So I won't have any spare money for awhile to buy new stuff and do reviews.  I WILL be back once I get back on track, but in the time being I may not be doing as many posts.  I appreciate your understanding.  Thanks for reading!

Palladio Herbal Lip Gloss + Palladio Plump 'n' Shine Swatches

Hey, guys!  I feel like this week went by really slowly for some reason, and it's been forever since I wrote a blog post.  So I guess that might be why I decided to show you two products this week.  The first item is something I've shown briefly on the blog before, but didn't really talk about, Palladio Plump 'n' Shine.  The other is a product I've been meaning to write about for some time and just haven't gotten around do doing so, Palladio Herbal Lip Gloss.  I will be swatching three colors of each today.  Pictures after the jump!

Butter London Henley Regatta Swatches

I've done this polish combo before, and I love love love it!  I did post a grainy phone picture to the Facebook page, but I never got around to posting it on the blog as a NOTD.  This is one coat of Orly Bonder, three coats of Orly Green with Envy, one coat of Butter London Heley Regatta, and a final coat of Orly Polished.  The color is gorgeous, and the sparkle is amazing.  Swatches after the jump!

Shiro Cosmetics Tributes Collection Swatches

I totally forgot that I had taken these pictures until I went to compose tomorrow's post...  Whoops! O_o  But here it is: The Tributes Collection from Shiro Cosmetics!

Clinique Spring At Last GWP 2012 Swatches

Clinique is in gift right now at work, so I picked up my gift on Thursday.  My qualifying purchase was an Almost Lipstick in Tender Honey ($15) and a Color Surge Eye Shadow Duo in Plum Potion ($19.50).  I chose the nude color option for my gift, which includes a full-size (I believe) Chubby Stick in Mega Melon, a color compact with a Color Surge Eye Shadow Duo in Like Mink and Soft-Pressed Powder Blusher in Mocha Pink, as well as sample sizes of Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser, Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Bonfire, and High Impact Mascara in Black.  See the swatches after the jump!

Maybelline SuperStay 10 Stain Gloss Swatch + Wear Test

I picked up a tube of Maybelline Superstay 10 Hour Stain Gloss in Cool Coral the last time I was out and about shopping for beauty-type stuff.  I decided to put it to the test and photograph it throughout the day.  See the results behind the jump!

New Stuff!

I placed an order a few days ago for the new Shiro Cosmetics Tribute Collection, which I will be swatching for all of you when it gets here!  I just wanted to do a quick update to let you know you can expect the swatches here. :)

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter Swatches

My apologies for another late post, but here it is! I was looking for a couple of lip products to review, and the Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter caught my eye.  I thought I'd give it a whirl, so I picked up Tutti Frutti to try it out.  You may have read in previous entries about my obsession for orange lippies...  Pics after the jump!

Swatch Dump!

Hey, everybody!  Sorry about the late post today.  I lazed around in the morning and only got about half of my photos done before going out and about for the remainder of the day.

The Shop: Brazen Cosmetics

What I Ordered: Full-size jars of Scorching, Millennium (which I misspelled on the swatches -- oops,) and Free Love

Valentine's Day!

Okay, guys!  Here's my Valentine's look...  It's pretty simple.  I started with moisturizer all over my face, then used UDPP on my eyelids.  I curled my lashes, and lined my lower lashline and waterline with a brown pencil.  I covered my entire lid up to my browbones with Pink Eye from My Pretty Zombie, using a bit in the inner corner as well to brighten the eyes.  Then, I worked Kiss Me Quick from MOI Minerals into the crease.  I lined my upper and lower lashline with Kink from Rock A Betty Beauty, and worked a tiny bit into the outer corner.  I applied black mascara to finish the eyes.  Next, I applied Lancome Blush Subtil in Aplum to my cheekbones.  On my lips, I applied a small amount of Tarte Lipsurgence Lip Tint in Enchanted, and topped it off with Lancome La Laque Fever in Glitterstick.  Pics after the jump!

Tarte Maracuja Divine Shine Lipgloss Blissful Swatch

Hey, guys!  This week I 'll be doing a review of the new Maracuja Divine Shine Lipgloss from Tarte.  The packaging is adorable, if a bit large.  It's about the size of a marker, and you dispense the product by clicking a button on the end.  The gloss comes in ten shades; I picked Blissful, described as a "warm peach."  The formula is thick, and on the sticky side.  Since I prefer a slick gloss, I've taken to applying it over my usual balm.  It does feel hydrating, and provides a stimulating tingle.  The color is fairly sheer, but it definitely lends a nice tint.  Swatches after the jump!

OPI Monsooner Or Later Swatches

Hey, everybody!  I had an awesome post written, but Blogger lost it.  So I guess I'm just going to tell you that this particular mani consists of two coats of Orly Bonded, two coats of O.P.I. Monsooner or Later, and one coat of Orly Polished.  Pics are after three days of wear.  The topcoat made them super-shiny, like vinyl; I even got asked if it was Shellac!  I wasn't very fond of the wider brush, as my nail beds are quite small and painting my pinkie nails got a bit messy.  But I do love the orangey color, and it's stood up to some pretty good abuse.  Pics after the jump!

I can't find my camera...

Hey, everybody!  I wanted to make a quick post to say that I have good news and bad news this week.  The good news is that after several days of red, puffy tenderness, my face is back to normal!  The bad news is... I can't find my camera.  So while I did create a look with all of the Tarte minis today, I couldn't photograph it for you.  I do like all of the products, though, and I promise I'll post pictures as soon as I can.  The Lights, Camera, Lashes! was a nice.  I'm not sure that it lived up to the 420% more volume it claims on the tube, but I did like it.  Much like the Lancome Definicils I lauded in my Best and Worst post last month, it's a thinner formula that provides a realistic boost and doesn't get thick and spidery.  The eyeliner, I was happy to discover, does not leave a mark on my upper lid after a day of wear if I apply a thicker line.  It does come off a bit on my hands if I rub, but I have had the upper lip issue before and I was glad to see this liner didn't give me this hassle.  The blush is a bit pink for my preferences, but I like the way it feels once applied, and I like the touch of glow and color it provides.  The lip tint is also a bit pink for my taste, but the look and feel is more what I had hoped for when I ordered the Palladio Herbal Lip Slix that I mentioned in the Best and Worst post.  So that's how I feel about the mini Tarte collection.  I will update this post with photos as soon as I find my camera.

Edit 1/26/2012, 1:40 p.m. Pics after the jump!

Tarte Swatch Dump

There are a couple of reasons I won't be doing a full review today.  First of all, my whole face has been really dry the past couple of days, and looks horrible.  I used a new lotion on my hands before bed the other night, and I think it may have gotten on my face while I was sleeping and caused irritation.  My skin is patchy, sensitive, and has a rough texture at the moment, so I don't want to apply anything to my cheeks.   For this reason, I also don't feel particularly comfortable taking pictures of my lips or eyes with the product applied.  So I've done the usual arm swatches for today, and I'll try to post a full look once my face clears up.  Yesterday my face was super-red, mostly in the cheeks, and felt like it was burning all day.  The redness has gone down quite a bit today, but it is still really tender and rough.  I'm hoping that if I moisturize like crazy by tomorrow or the day after it will be pretty much normal again and I'll be able to do an update with a full face look.  The other reason is because I didn't plan very well this week and I ended up making an Ulta run this morning with nothing in particular in mind.  I already had eyeliner and mascara on, and don't want to wash my face or use a harsh remover and dry it out any more than it already is, so I haven't had time to try out the liner or mascara in the set.  Swatches after the jump...

Pixel High Shine Nail Lacquer Fresh & Frosted Swatches

This polish look is a base of Fresh & Frosted by Pixel High Shine Nail Lacquer topped off with Henley Regatta by Butter London.  Swatches after the jump!

Pixel High Shine Nail Lacquer Oh Sooo Good!! Swatches

Okay, guys!  Since I didn't get around to posting anything last week, I'm going to do a double-post today.  My first post is a review of Pixel High Shine Nail Lacquer, and I will also be posting a nail of the day featuring A second Pixel color topped with Butter London.

I picked up two shades of Pixel High Shine Nail Lacquer at Ulta.  They retail for $2.49, but it appears they're currently on sale for $1.99.  I wanted neutral shades, so I picked Fresh & Frosted, a pearly brown with a slight pink tint, and Oh Sooo Good!!, a sheer brown with lots of bronze-y sparkle.  The bottles are quite small, containing only .17 oz. of polish.  The polish itself is fairly thin and quick to dry.  It showed wear at the tips of the nails on the second day, and started chipping noticeably the next day, despite using a coat of Orly Top 2 Bottom before applying.   These photos were taken on the second day, so you'll see the wear for yourself in the swatches. Now, to be fair I'm quite rough on my nails.  I work in clothing retail, so I'm straightening denim, folding, typing on a keyboard, etc. at work and then making dinner and doing dishes when I get home.  And I really haven't worn nail polish in years, so I don't really have anything to compare to.  Swatches after the jump.