I'm just buying time.

Let's be real, I've been a bit busy. While I work on a more substantial post, here is some spam!!!

If you don't own China Glaze - Cowgirl Up YOU NEED TO.

I mean LOOK.

It's amaze-balls, correction ...cowgirl-balls.

Almost equally as awesome is China Glaze - Heart of Africa. 
It is deep, more burgundy, not quite a duochrome like Cowgirl Up, but still rich and delicious.

I really loved wearing this mani.  It was so fun. :D
It makes me think of cotton candy and balloons!

Revlon - Whimsical over Color Club - Take me to your Chateau

(2 coats of each)

Color Club - Fashion Addict

Of course every time I wear Fashion Addict the sun hides. Finally I got lucky, this is the one and only pitiful picture I took.  Must re-wear.

L.A. Colors - Treasure Island (BCC 556)
This glitter is beautiful, but sparse.  I layered at least three coats (my memory fails me as this was probably a year ago) over L.A. Colors Atomic.

An older OPI - Wanted...Red or Alive

I'll leave you with a few shots of Soul Train from the 70's.  I am so grateful for the entertainment my antenna picks up!

A dude wearing a boxing get up, gloves included, doing a head stand move.

Then there was this epic dance off. Two dudes with serious moves.

Somehow in the midst of all the excitement his shirt came off.

We were all ecstatic. LOL

He then started brushing his teeth with a large over sized toy toothbrush. The pictures didn't come out, but I was all O.O

Red Flag

I am a big advocate in research, education and knowledge of all things nails. Actually all beauty products. I've never been one to buy things on a whim. I think this is a consequence of my own frugalness, skepticism, and curiosity. I want to know how and why products work. Would they work in my circumstance?  Are they worth my hard earned money?

Frugalness:
I grew up kind of poor, so although I find it much easier to splurge now, when it comes to most things I can wait months if not years before caving. I am the master of denying myself things. As with most people, I have ideas in my mind about whether things are worth it, so perhaps I'm not denying myself at all.

Skepticism:
I would say with most things in life I am pretty optimistic. Beauty products are not one of those things. Part of the problem with nail products (and beauty product too) is that companies can make pretty much any claim they want without too much repercussion. The thing that bothers me most is that at times companies either consciously or unconsciously prey on what people don't know. I guess that is why advertising is such a big business.

Curiosity:
My love for chemistry started when I was a kid. I was a label reader. Perhaps a weird thing for a 12 year old to do, but I couldn't help it. What is that, what does it do? What purpose does it serve in the formulation? What other products contain this ingredient? How does price and efficacy compare in products containing similar ingredients?

These three things often govern my shopping habits and more times than not throw up a red flags. This is not a bashing post, but rather a conversation with myself.  These are the kinds of things that cross my mind when I research products before I buy.  On to the products...

Knockout nails (Link)
On occasion I receive emails asking for my opinion on certain products from fellow readers.  One that has popped up on more than one occasion is "Knockout nails".

I had not heard of "Knockout nails" before, but after doing some research I can say I'm pissed off. With the popularity of soak of gels, it's no surprise so many gel products are popping up so frequently.  One important thing the normal consumer may not know is that soak of gels are different from traditional gel systems. Traditional gel systems cannot be soaked off. The product has to be filed off.  This opens the door for potential nail damage. The company portrays the product as a nonchalant way to do your nails and in my eyes tries to ride on the coattails of soak off gel success without making this important distinction. Had they made this product for "professional use only" (as most traditional gel systems do) I would not have batted an eyelash, as nail professionals would know this distinction, but their target consumer seems to be the everyday woman. NO BUENO.

Flexinail (Link)

Holy hell! The whole selling angle seems so shady, very miracle in a bottle. Guess what, it's just oil ... and a jacked up price for standard ingredient cuticle oil. RAGE. There are a lot of expensive cuticle oils, but this one takes the cake. If I'm going to pay $80 for cuticle oil it better have DNA changing ingredients that permanently transform my nails in 3 hours.  

The truth is the use of a basic cuticle oil (or cream/balm/whatever you like) consistently and frequently is what makes a difference. It will not be a miracle. Unless you were born with amazing nails already, it will take hard work and dedication. I was not blessed, so I'll stick to using the basics on an everyday basis. I preach this all the time ... see moisturizer tag.

If I come across any other delusional products/companies I will pass along the information.   

Oh and a few pictures just because...

DC Cherry Blossoms 2012

China Glaze - Agent Lavender topped with Prisma Luminous Color glitter

Effie told me to do it

I saw Hunger Games last night. Armed with the new Illamasqua Fundamental Palette, I now understand Effie Trinket.

The goodies ...

Illamasqua:

Nail Varnish - Nomad
Precision Ink - Scribe
Intense Lipgloss - Fierce
Fundamental Palette

Illamasqua Fundamental Palette:
Liquid Metal - Surge (pewter)
Cream Pigment - Bedaub (mint green)
Powder Shadow - Inception (violet),
Hype (yellow)

It must have been a rough ride to my house because it came sweaty and dirty. 

Do you see the crust and beads of sweat? Click to enlarge. :D







This was pre- Hunger Games viewing.

This is my face with foundation.  Otherwise, I have on Fierce on my lips and Scribe on my lash line.  Later, I actually read the packaging for the Precision Ink and it clearly says NOT to put it on the water line. Woops. Great, I hope I don't go blind.












To avoid blindness I put Scribe on my upper eyelid.  This was not easy because I couldn't avoid getting it on my lashes.  To make it look okay I Tammy Faye Baker'd the hell out of my lashes.  I have L'Oreal Hip Kohl Eyeliner - Teal on my water line.


Nomad is sneaking in here a bit. 

I did a swatch of Scribe on my hand and just left it on there to see how it would wear.

A couple hours after application, I broke a sweat and took a shower ... not too shabby.

A full 24 hours and another shower later.  Kind of impressive.

 Illamasqua - Nomad



















Post Hunger Games: I knew immediately I had to put some color on my eyebrows.

I used Illamasqua Powder Eyeshadow - Inception on my eyebrows and lined my upper eyelids.

I had L'Oreal Kohl eyeliner in Teal holding on for dear life from the night before. I like this the way it is, but I just had to add some black liner.

I put black liquid liner between my lashes (upper and lower) using L'Oreal Telescopic (lower set of pictures).  It's more dramatic, fo' sho'.







Initially when I thought about doing this whole look, I didn't think I would wear it out mainly because of the purple eyebrows.  But it ends up being a subtle pop of color.  Subtle glam, yea! 

I also used Inception as a contour, yes, yes I did. 

I have just a touch of blush (Maybelline - Pinch o' Pink) and the lips are a light mix of Revlon - Colorburst in Fuchsia (030) and Illamasqua - Fierce.




It's pink purple gorgeousness!

Thoughts so far ... I must play more with the other colors!




I'll get back to nails in no time. I just really love makeup too. 

*These products were sent for review.*

Illamasqua Human Fundamentalism ... Intro

While I play/write about these new goodies, please enjoy the following intro video to a few of the products in the Human Fundamentalism Collection.  As you will notice, my one cat was going bananas while the other one watched ... because that's what frienamies do.



*products were sent to me for review*
The video was shot in HD so feel free click on that option. :D

Also, I would like to apologize for not being able to keep up with and respond to comments and emails.  I find great pleasure in mingling and being silly with you guys, but the volume is getting a bit overwhelming and I just can't keep up. :(  I'm sorry guys.  It makes me sad.  I will try my best to do what I can.

P.S. I love all your cuticles! :D

Hangover Cure

Seeing as how it is the day after St. Patrick's Day you are either nauseated from seeing so much green or ... just plain nauseated.  Out of respect for the latter (and my own laziness) today I present more pictures and less words.  If you are sick of green, see ya next time ...

Nars - Night Porter

BIG BIG thank you to Emilie! Go visit her blog and give her lots of love.  She gives the best chocolate kisses!! ;)

She also has a YouTube channel. 

What a beauty (her and the polish! :D).  I really favor dark greens and this one is a complete WIN.

I failed to capture the glory.

Every time I wear it the sun hides. :(

I love surprises.  This $1 polish is pretty sweet.  Run do not walk to your nearest dollar store.

Nail Fetish - Storm

Check out my stamp.  I hardly ever do this, mainly because I suck at it.


















China Glaze - Four Leaf Clover

China Glaze - Passion in the Pacific.
Blue/Green shimmer.

A decent dupe of Rimmel - Green with Envy that I showed in my last green post.


Comparison:

The Rimmel has a much more obvious duochrome property.

CQ - Green Gem
This CQ is a weak holo with a weak green flash.

Two wrongs (or rather weaknesses) DO make a right, because I actually really like it.

Illamasqua - Kink

The glorious rubber look!

If you want a shiny look, slap on some top coat.

China Glaze - Outta Bounds

Comparison to Rimmel - Camouflage.  I showed that one here.


Quite obvious that Rimmel has a duo quality that Outta Bounds does not.

China Glaze - Watermelon Rind

This one looks better in person.  Unfortunately, it's very sheer so wear some green undies.

China Glaze - Turned Up Turquoise (neon)

It dries matte.

I like it shiny.  Sorry for my crusty cuticles.

Random: From Left to Right ...
Dark Green Franken - (Black + Color Club - Rebel Debutant)
Color Club - Rebel Debutant
China Glaze - Four Leaf Clover
China Glaze - Turned up Turquoise




What was your St. Patrick's Day mani?

Black and White

Guys!  For some reason I am really happy today.  Do you know how I know?  Because I can do this ...

Work in progress

Having desire or creativity has been a struggle of late.  At least the creative part is coming to the surface a bit.

<3

Revelation!

I had a thought yesterday!  The kind that forced steam out of my ears.  Growing up as a FOB, many of the things that happened during my first few years in America didn't make much sense.  In those moments you quickly learn to laugh with the group and assimilate.  Often times it wasn't until years later that I would actually get "it".  Such is the story of ... Green = Horny.  O.o <---  See Illamasqua - Kink in that post.

As a recap if you didn't click on that post: "... in high school when someone wore green, did you guys used to say they were horny? ..."  The sexual undertones were clear, but where did the euphemism come from?!   

Finally, some 15 years later I had my 'Aha!' moment ... Thank you Horny Toad!

Image Credit

Toads have warts or horns.  Toads are frogs.  Frogs are green.  Thus Green = Horny.  Ah yes, juvenile humor at its finest.

To celebrate my growth, I though I would show you some greens I really enjoy, which is kind of perfect considering St. Patties day is approaching.  Yay!

Image Credit

First, one more picture of a frog because he is such a beautiful behemoth. 











Today I will show you a few of my Rimmel treasures and one from that whoe Sally.

Rimmel - Green with Envy

Rimmel - Green with Envy


Blue, Green

A blue/green duochrome!

If Pure Ice - Heartbreaker had an opaque baby, I would imagine it would resemble this beauty.

Pure Ice - Heartbreaker is similar to NYC - Empire State Blue.  See this post.

Really something.  The pictures speak for themselves!

Rimmel - Camouflage

Rimmel - Camouflage
Warm light.

Love love love the golden glow.
Maybe, just maybe we can call it a duochrome?

Rimmel - Rags to Riches

Much more golden under warm light!

Sally Hansen - Emerald City

Stop. Backup. Yea, emerald is perfect.

I found it at the Dollar Store for ... wait for it ... a dollar.

I have more, many more.  I will show them as St. Patrick's Day approaches! :D

Do you plan to sport green on the 17th this year?  I didn't feel like it last year, but I think I have one picked out for this year.