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.