MakeUp Guinea Pig - Animal-Friendly Beauty

Exciting News...MakeUpGuineaPig has Moved!!!

2016-02-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

Exciting news! MakeUpGuineaPig has a new home on the web! All new posts will now be at MakeUpGuineaPig.com. Please head over and check out the new look for our new home!

If you are not already, please follow MGP with BlogLovin’. This is a free site where you can stay up to date with all of the latest posts from the blogs you read gathered together in one place.

Thank you all so much for your continuing love and support! I look forward to seeing you at MakeUpGuineaPig.com and bringing you even better content (hopefully!).

Make sure you’re following @MakeUpGuineaPig on social media as well to keep up to date with posts and just all around silliness. J

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love and support! Let’s head on over to the new site and keep the party going!

xoxo

New at the Drugstore: Physician's Formula Cruelty Free Spring Line Up

2016-02-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

Continuing along our journey of all things new and cruelty free at the drugstore, today we have come to Physician’s Formula! Most of the new items are additions to their existing lines: Super CC, Super BB, Shimmer Strips, Organic Wear, Nude Wear, Mineral Wear, Eye Booster, Argan Wear and Bronze Booster, plus another new bronzer. Given that these are mainly additions to existing lines, I feel like there is nothing revolutionary and I didn’t actually purchase much from the new releases. The prices always make me a bit more choosy as well! J Definitely look for coupons (often on the boxes of new products) and sales whenever purchasing from Physician’s Formula. I apologize that most of my pictures are just the products on store shelves and I probably can’t give much of an opinion about most of them. I still wanted to do a brief roundup of what is coming out though, so here we go! Take a deep breath ‘cause there is a lot! J

A New Superhero? IT Cosmetics' New Superhero Mascara

2016-02-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

It Cosmetics released a new mascara and since I’m a sucker for mascara, I had to give a try! It is called the Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara and comes with quite the claims. “96% said lashes look stretched,” “96% saw dramatic volume & length,” “96% saw plumper looking lashes,” and “100% saw a fuller lash line.” As with most IT products, it’s also loaded with good for you ingredients – peptides, proteins, biotin, collagen and “lash-lifting polymers.” It is also paraben free, Opthamologist tested and suitable for contact lens wearers. Thank you for the interesting claims, but we just want to know how does it really perform? J Well, let’s go through the basics and see if we agree with these superhero-worthy claims!

#ManiMonday - Nuance's "Lush Lavender"

2016-02-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

Happy #ManiMonday everyone!!! Somehow I managed to find just the shade I was after this week – a shade I didn’t even realize I owned. In fact, I kept debating buying it every time I went to CVS but never pulled the trigger. Good thing since I already had it! It is from Nuance and it is the shade “Lush Lavender.” I only have a couple polishes from Nuance, which is Salma Hayek’s line exclusive to CVS, and this is the first pastel shade I’ve tried. It applied so well! It is a soft lavender shade that is the kind of color that often ends up a streaky mess. Not so for “Lush Lavender!” Even with one coat this polish looked pretty good. I needed a second for completely even coverage, but it was anything but streaky! So, so happy with the formula and the shade on this one! Absolute perfection and exactly the color I envisioned in my head! J

Briefly on the personal side, my family finally celebrated Christmas this past weekend…well, it might be more like celebrating gift giving, but you get the idea. It was actually kind of nice to delay it so long because no one remembered what gifts they had purchased! J We had to delay everything due to unexpected personal stuff but everything is on the upswing for the moment. It was really nice to just hang around and relax with my family for a while. Barclay (my dog) had a blast because he absolutely loves unwrapping presents. He doesn’t care who they’re for. Only problem with that is he gets upset when too much time passes without a present that’s his! I think he was pleased this year though. J As for my cats, they don’t really get the whole thing. They are cats after all. However, this year they got a Snacky Snowman, which is just a little treat dispenser wobble toy and it was a huge hit! I made the mistake of filling it pretty full, and Emerson managed to get all the treats out, eat them and promptly throw them up. Lovely times! J It was a great weekend, but now the week must go on. With that, I wish you all a fantastic week and I should have another post up on Wednesday! As always, thanks for stopping by! J

New at the Drugstore: Milani Spring Releases for 2016 - Cruelty Free!

2016-02-05T09:00:00.000-05:00

Today we’re going to take a look at the new Spring releases from Milani. As I mentioned, Spring is in the air in the makeup world and companies are releasing tons of new products! Milani is no exception and has the product I’m most looking forward to testing out – an affordable foundation!!! Let’s take a look at all their new offerings! J

Farewell Miserable January! - January Beauty Favorites 2016

2016-02-03T09:00:00.000-05:00

Ugh! It’s January! Well…I’m looking back at my January Favorites. Tell me, does anyone look forward to January? My birthday is during that bitter cold misery stricken month and even I don’t look forward to it! J Dark, dreary, bone-chilling weather aside, it was still a rather odd month for personal reasons, but on the beauty front it wasn’t so bad! J Let’s take a trip down memory lane at the stand-out products in my rotation during January and look forward to Spring…it’s coming relatively soon, right? Please!!! J Right. Back to the topic! January Favorites….

#ManiMonday - Wet n Wild in Air Apparent - ANOTHER 1 Step Wonder Gel!

2016-02-01T10:00:00.000-05:00

Happy #ManiMonday and Happy February!!! I don't know about you but I am so glad January is over and I'm hoping for a better Feb. So to help start the month with a breath of fresh air, I went with Wet n Wild's 1 Step Wonder Gel in "Air Apparent." Ok, I actually just really love this color...and obviously the formula...and wanted a nice hint of baby blue on my nails, but that sounded better. :) "Air Apparent" is just a very white-based baby blue, or maybe sky blue. I absolutely love it! And the formula covers perfectly in 2 coats. A rarity with such a light shade! I managed to trap a piece of lint or something on my pointer finger while painting and my nails and cuticles are a mess, so please ignore that. The polish is still gorgeous. "Air Apparent" is definitely one of my current favorite shades!

New at the Drugstore: Cruelty Free Round Up - Wet N Wild

2016-01-29T09:00:00.000-05:00

It’s a new year, which in the makeup world means it’s time to release everything new for Spring! I thought I would share with you the new cruelty free items hitting drugstore shelves right now (plus a few thoughts if I’ve tried them already). We’re starting out with the always exciting world of Wet n Wild and boy have they been a-chanin’ for 2016! There’s a lot so let’s get right into it….

#ManiMonday - Wet n Wild - Pardon My Peach

2016-01-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

It’s an insanely snow-covered #ManiMonday! Not gonna lie. I’m not a fan of the snow, but it is currently pretty to look at. J I have another Wet n Wild 1 Step Wonder Gel today because I can’t stop buying and wearing them! I feel like they’re overpriced for Wet n Wild, but I really like them. Anyway, today’s shade is called “Pardon My Peach.” I was looking for a nice soft peach when I went to paint my nails and after not really finding what I was hoping for, I decided on “Pardon My Peach.” Though this is definitely not a soft peach, in the bottle it looked like a deep peach. It’s actually much brighter than I expected! It’s beautiful and kind of nice to look at with the multiple feet of snow outside, but it is pretty damn bright! It will be fantastic in the Summer. I would say it’s almost more of a peachy-coral than peach but it’s a lovely shade nonetheless.

I used 2 coats because it was a bit streaky in one. That surprised me because some of the lighter shades cover so well that I thought a deeper shade might be a one-coater. Regardless, it covered beautifully in two. As I mentioned last week, these seem to last really well on my nails. They are relatively shiny – not gel shiny, but good enough. I used a top coat because I almost always use one to speed drying time. This shade didn’t give me issues with bubbling as some others have. A lovely formula for a lovely shade! J

Urban Decay | Gwen Stefani Eye Shadow Palette - Is It For You?

2016-01-22T09:00:00.000-05:00

I feel like there has been a fair amount of buzz surrounding Urban Decay’s recent collab with Gwen Stefani. The Eye Shadow Palette seems to have divided people and I can see why. It’s absolutely stunning, but it’s not for everyone. One thing to keep in mind when considering this palette is that it was designed by Gwen for Gwen. In other words, if you love her style, you’ll probably love these shadows. However, if your makeup style is different, it may not be your cup of tea. Even if you adore Gwen’s signature look, this palette still may not be the right fit for you. This palette was designed with Gwen’s milky skin tone in mind, making some shades potentially impractical even for those with medium skin tones. I feel like there is a decent balance of warm and cool, but if lighter shades aren’t your thing (or don’t work with your coloring), this palette could be a big fat dud! Now that you have my thoughts in a nutshell, let’s take a closer look so you can decide if it’s something that you want to pass or grab!

#ManiMonday & Mini Review - Wet n Wild 1 Step Wonder Gel in Don't Be Jelly!

2016-01-18T17:00:00.000-05:00

Today for #ManiMonday, I actually have a 4-day old manicure! 4 days!!! For me that is unheard of! My nails tend to peel, and though they are improving, my polish tends to peel off with the nail underneath in 2, maybe 3 days tops. Well today's 4-day old polish is the newest release from Wet n Wild. It's called the 1 Step Wonder Gel and I have been testing the formula out for maybe a week and a half now because the first shade impressed me so much. This shade is called "Don't Be Jelly!" and, aside from liking the color, I wanted to test out a really pale formula to see if it was streaky. Nope! I bought the white to test as well, but haven't had a chance to use it yet. Anyway, these polishes are supposed to be comparable to gel. They're not...I don't think since I've never had gel nails...but they are great none the less. The formula is thick, but it is easy to paint and it covers well. The only possible downside is that the first shade bubbled a bit on one nail (I painted it really thickly for some reason which may be why) and I have noticed a spot here and there that may be a popped bubble, but nothing too noticeable or deal breaking. The shine is decent on the first day, but fades a bit and I don't think it resembles gel. Somehow it does still look a bit gel-like though. Maybe the thickness? Not sure.

Wet n Wild's "Don't Be Jelly!" after 4 days of wear!!!

Anyway, these polishes are a bit pricey for Wet n Wild at $4.99 a bottle, but they're pretty darn good. Wet n Wild is often on sale somewhere too (Rite Aid has 40% off this week!) and these have had $1 Off coupons sitting near the displays everywhere I've seen them. That's a good deal. :) I definitely recommend giving them a try. The shade range isn't terribly unique, but the formula is pretty damn good!

As for the color, "Don't Be Jelly!," it is a nice lavender-based baby pink with the subtlest of shimmer in it. You really cannot detect the shimmer unless you get real close and know to look. The color reminds me of Butter London's Fruit Machine or Molly Coddled - maybe if the two had a baby. It doesn't have as much white to the base though. It's a pretty color and kind of a nice not quite neutral skin-tone-esque shade on me. It's pretty and soft and I like it! Fantastic job on these Wet n Wild!!!

December Favorites 2015 - T3, Charlotte Tilbury, Josie Maran, Ardency Inn & More

2016-01-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

It has been a weird December. A bunch of contradictions rolled into one crazy, dull and perhaps even rather ordinary December. J With that, you should be guessing it’s time for my December Favorites! I must say I haven’t really worn much makeup this month, nor have I really been switching things up much. But I still have a few favorites that I want to mention, so we’re gonna dive right in!

Brief Christmas Greetings & Update

2015-12-25T22:00:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas everyone!!! Just wanted to send Holiday wishes and do a brief check-in. I feel like December has flown by, but then it also seems like it’s been a long month. It’s been a bit crazy as I’m sure most people feel about December. I really love this time of year, although there’s something kind of bittersweet about Christmas, don’t you feel? It’s always wonderful gathering together and being with friends and family, but then everyone tends to go their separate ways for part of the day and I end up bored out of my mind. Plus once the excitement of Christmas morning has come and gone, it’s almost a bit of a let down when you realize it’s over until next year. But still, it’s still a wonderful time that I always get excited about.

As a brief update, this year as last year Christmas is being delayed for my family so not really much excitement around here today. Someone quite close to me is in the hospital…as last year. Basically it’s to repair the problem that arose last year. Everything was planned and seems to have gone fine so fingers crossed everything keeps moving along smoothly. That’s part of the reason I’ve been more MIA than usual recently. That and I’m just feeling really tired, drained and all-around kind of burnt out. Everyone needs a break now and then, right? J For the time being, the break will continue but I am hoping to get at least a few posts up in the next week or two. Still not sure when I will go back to a more regular schedule, but I hope it will be soon. I just need more time to rest and kind of regroup.

In other news, little Bailey had 9 teeth pulled this month! If you don’t remember Bailey, she is my little ragdoll mix rescue kitten (ok, cat now) that joined the family maybe 3 years ago. I documented her first six months on the blog so if you want to see tons of pictures of a tiny kitten throughout the weeks, just search the blog for “Bailey” or ”kitten,” or click here for the first post I can find. Anyway, apparently whatever breed you would consider her has a crap ton of issues that I had never heard about associated with it. Some kind of gum disease is one of them. So, the 9 teeth had to go to hopefully save the rest. The poor little girl survived just fine and is bounding around as though nothing happened. Yea!

That’s really about all I have to update you with today. I hope everyone has had a wonderful Holiday whatever you celebrate…if anything at all! All the best from me and mine!

xoxo,

Christine, Bailey, Emerson, Mini, Moxie, Chloe & Barclay (the lone pup!)

#ManiMonday - Blizzard Nails!!! + Update

2015-12-14T14:00:00.000-05:00

It's Monday which means it's time to share my current manicure. It couldn't really be more simple, but it looks cool and somewhat complicated. I simply painted 2 coats of Zoya's "Kristen," which is a beautiful slightly grey-toned baby blue that just screams cold weather to me. It has a fantastic formula. Very smooth, even and covers well. 2 coats probably wasn't even necessary, but I did it for good measure...and out of habit. I topped that with 1 coat of "Whitechapel" from Nails Inc. which I absolutely adore. Unfortunately I don't think it's still available, but it's a gorgeous clear base chopped full of white hexagonal glitter, tiny gold specks of glitter and very fine white bar glitter. I really loved this combination last year but never managed to photograph it and decided to go for it again this year. It just reminds me of a spectacular winter blizzard and I love it! Of course it's currently an unseasonable 60-70 degrees out here, but no complaints from this warm weather lover. :)

On a personal update kinda note, I am currently waiting to pick up my poor little baby kitten Bailey from a dental cleaning and major tooth extraction. :( If you remember a few years ago I posted weekly updates about Bailey right after she joined the family so if you fancy seeing Bailey as a baby and her growth to a whopping 7 pound Ragdoll mix, search for "Bailey" or "kitten" and the posts will probably pop up. Anyway, I believe she had 9 teeth removed. She has some sort of gum issue that is apparently common to the breed that makes her susceptible to something...I can't remember what specifically...and the vet is trying to prevent her loosing all of her teeth. Poor little Boo Bear! I'm hoping she doesn't hate me when I pick her up!

On another note, posts may still be slow as there are many a surgery happening around my world - not to me, but someone close to me - that have kind of disrupted the flow of, well, everything. :) Christmas will have to be delayed as the surgery is scheduled on the 22nd, but it was delayed for a similar reason last year too. Not a big deal really, just unfortunate that the surgeries have been necessary at all. But that's life and you do your best to plod along.

I'm not gonna lie, it's been kind of refreshing not to have to worry about what to post, taking pictures, getting the posts together and all the things that come along with blogging...many of which I'm absolutely rubbish at! :) I intend to get back in the swing of things, but I'm not sure when. I definitely think I'm burned out at the moment. I have a few post ideas here and there, but the thought of sitting down to write them just exhausts me further. So for the time being, I guess I'm taking a break. I may post something here and there and Favorites posts are always fun for me so those may continue until I make a full return, but no promises for anything regular right now. Thank you all so much for being understanding and I hope you'll stick with me through this rough patch. I look forward to having the energy to post regularly again and I will try to make it know when I'm intending to be "back" on social media...if I can remember! :) Such a bad blogger. Anyway, thank you for your continued support and I hope you are all having a fantastic Holiday Season!!!

November Favorites - Farmacy, Herbivore, W3ll People, ColourPop, Makeup Geek & More!

2015-12-02T14:00:00.000-05:00

Ah November. It was the best of times. It was the worst of time. Hehe! It actually did start out a bit troubled, but ended on a fantastic high note. And now it’s December, which is always stressful but exciting! Since I’m lamenting about the passing of another month, it is clearly time for my November Favorites!!! There have been so many sales this past month that I now have a bunch of new things that still need to find a home! Organization is not my strong suit. J Anyway, new things are not necessarily the point this month. What I’ve actually had a chance to use over and over again is the star of the show today. So without further nonsense, I bring you my November Favorites! J

Mani...uh Wednesday! And a Thanksgiving Update

2015-11-25T14:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Mani…Wednesday? I didn’t have a chance to post this until today and I wanted to put up something this week, so here it is. To be honest, my nails are bare right now because I’ve been baking all week and nothing can withstand the furor of baking! J But, I started out the week with 2 shades that I got from an HSN set. Both are from Deborah Lippmann. The navy base color is called “Rolling in the Deep” (2 coats) and then I topped it with one coat of the most gorgeous of blue glitters called “Va Va Voom.” There’s nothing particularly special about “Rolling in the Deep,” but it served it’s function as a nice base for the glitter shade. “Va Va Voom” on the other hand is yet another glitter masterpiece from Deborah Lippmann. She really does glitter like no one else. Anyway, “Va Va Voom” has a very sheer navy base with tons of deep blue glitter hexagons in a variety of blue shades. It’s stunning! As per usual these days, my pictures don’t really do it justice. I just love the 3D quality Deborah Lippmann’s glitter polishes have. They’re so beautiful and rather unique in the nail polish world.

On a random note, I’m in full swing prep mode for Thanksgiving right now. I started baking on Monday (hoping those pies aren’t stale by tomorrow!) and haven’t really stopped since. Well, I’ve run about 20 billion errands as well, mainly to grocery stores with one unsuccessful hunt for a mini maple leaf cookie cutter. I’m actually rather proud of my organizing skills so far because I planned ahead, wrote it out and am actually following my plans! J

I’m basically just making desserts because I love baking. Case in point, there are 5 people attending and I’ve made 3 different desserts! So far I’ve baked mini Dutch Apple Pies (my Grandma’s famous recipe modified slightly to muffin tin size), I made the classic Pumpkin Pie because it’s just not Thanksgiving without one, and super early this morning I made some kind of Pumpkin Crumble Lava Cake recipe that I found on Pinterest (check it out here) and it looks delicious! J I’ve also made a Smoked Gouda Pumpkin Cheese Dip and a Fluffy Pumpkin Dip (basically Cool Whip and Pumpkin Pie spices). Currently I’m on my second attempt for the Cheesecake Factory-like bread. I’ve made it a few times before with no trouble, but this time I keep screwing up! I blame it on my sleepless delirium. Tomorrow comes a crack at Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes, my Tofurkey (everyone else is eating turkey) and I think that’s about it. It’s been a lot of work on my part and no one expects anything special, but I enjoy at least trying to make dinner special.

So that’s been my week so far and I hope you understand why I haven’t been posting. There have also been a few medical mishaps in the family that are adding to the chaos, but things seem to be getting better. If I get any pictures taken tomorrow, I may share them…at least of me. Not sure everyone else wants to be online! J I found an overly fancy dress and will undoubtedly be way overdressed, but I don’t care. Actually, now that I’m thinking about it, I made a Pinterest board with any and all things related to this Thanksgiving – recipes and clothing – if you’d like to check it out. You can find it here. I think that’s going to be it from me for now.

Thank you so much for being patient with me and I hope to be back soon!!! And of course to my fellow Americans, I hope you have a wonderful and enjoyable Thanksgiving. I’d love to know what some of you are doing!

#ManiMonday China Glaze Ruby Pumps & Quick Update

2015-11-16T14:00:00.000-05:00

Today's polish is yet another one from China Glaze. I seem to be on a kick lately! This is Ruby Pumps and yet again I cannot get it to photograph true to life. It's a slightly deeper red than it appears with fine red glitter dispersed throughout. It's absolutely gorgeous in person and so perfect for the Holidays, but it kind of just looks red in these photos. The glitter makes the polish really sparkle and there's a unique multidimensional quality to it. So pretty! I did my best, but it's nowhere near how looks in person. I used two coats, but really one is probably enough. The formula is nearly perfect and it also removes pretty nicely despite all the micro glitter. Highly recommend this polish, especially if you're in need of a good festive red!

In other news, I apologize for being a bit MIA. It will probably continue for at least the next few weeks because there has been A LOT going on at the moment, then there's Thanksgiving and as it is, I'm already totally exhausted. Please bear with me until at least a smidgen of energy returns. :) If I'm able I will post during these next two weeks. If not, I hope to return to my regularly scheduled programming after Thanksgiving. I hope you're all well and I hope to be back soon!!! Thanks for your understanding.

xoxo
Christine

#ManiMonday - China Glaze "Better Not Pout"

2015-11-09T10:00:00.000-05:00

It's Monday yet again, which means time for another featured nail polish! This week's pick is yet another shade from the new China Glaze Cheers Holiday Collection for 2015. It is called "Better Not Pout" and it is stunning! :) Yet again the pictures do not do it justice. It's showing a bit more reddish-fuchsia than it is in person. I couldn't get an accurate depiction of the color - if anyone has some tips for doing that in particular with purples, please let me know! Anyway, "Better Not Pout" is what I would call the perfect jewel-toned sugar plum. It's somewhere between fuchsia and purple with a slightly metallic finish. Absolutely beautiful and actually this was the polish that made me so interested in the China Glaze Holiday Collection. I love "Better Not Pout!!!" Beautiful.

As far as application, the pictures show 2 coats. It's pretty even and opaque in 1, but to ensure it was completely even I did two. The polish itself is quite thin despite it's high pigment. I often found that I had way too much polish dripping down the brush and would have to wipe the brush once or twice while painting a nail. Not a huge deal, but notable. Brush strokes are minimal and mostly evened out as it dried. It also wears fantastically! (Last week's polish did too and I don't know if my nails are just in better condition or if these polishes are longer wearing than I'm used to. I think it may be the former.) I know this wear well because I wore it for half of last week before repainting this week. :) Needless to say, I highly recommend "Better Not Pout!" So far I would highly recommend this entire collection. This shade it beautiful, paints pretty well, covers wonderfully and wears spectacularly. Definitely check this out if you get the chance! :)

Sephora VIB 2015 Recommendations - Cruelty Free

2015-11-04T09:00:00.000-05:00

It’s one of the most glorious times of the year – it’s nearly Sephora VIB Sale time!!! That means 20% Off everything for VIB and Rouge members. That never happens…well, it happens once a year. J The advance dates for this year run from November 6-9 for Rouge members (the code is ROUGE20). VIB members should receive their 20% code starting at the end of that window and running for about another week. Rouge members can usually continue receiving the discount through this period as well. I will try to update the VIB information as soon as I know it. Anyway, I thought I would share my cruelty free recommendations today…and it’s gonna be lengthy. So, let’s get into it!

#ManiMonday - China Glaze "Don't Get Elfed Up"

2015-11-02T09:00:00.000-05:00

It’s the beginning of another week which means another #ManiMonday! J I recently ordered the entire China Glaze Cheers! Collection for the Holiday Season and immediately wanted to wear every single shade! Maybe I’ll find a way to make them all work together…and grow two more fingers…so I can wear them all at once! Hehe! J Since I just picked one, I started out with China Glaze’s “Don’t Get Elfed Up.” Oh. My. Gawd! This color is absolutely spectacular. The picture does not do it justice. It’s a deep almost blackened, not-quite teal, holly green. There's a bit of a purple shift in the bottle, but it really doesn't translate to the nails. Though there’s no black to it, it is very dark. However, it absolutely glows with the most gorgeous sparkly green! This is probably one of the prettiest deep green shades I have ever seen! And it definitely screams Christmas to me. I love how it almost glows. The glow also keeps it from looking black even in really low lighting. This is a polish that you really need to just try to see its beauty because pictures don't show it's true awesomeness!

It applied easily and looked perfect in two coats. I ordered the Collection on eBay and you can find the listing for all 12 shades, or by the individual bottle here. The price was quite reasonable so I'd check it out! “Don’t Get Elfed Up” is definitely a must have polish if you love greens and want something festive this season!

October 2015 Favorites - Frighteningly Good Stuff!

2015-10-30T11:00:00.000-04:00

Farewell October! You know what that means…October Favorites time!!! I think I’ve already talked about a lot of these things in reviews and what not so you may be familiar with them. I will try not to be too repetitive and I’m going to just jump right in! J

Looking Back to October 2012 - Favorites Revisited October 2015

2015-10-28T09:00:00.000-04:00

Another month has flown by so we’re finishing off with another look back at my favorite products from years past. There’s a bit of skincare, some makeup and a few brushes. Hold on to your pants and get ready for the “Where Are They Now” edition of Favorites from October 2012! And don't miss the original craziness posted here!

#ManiMonday - Frenzy Polish ~ Fireside Therapy

2015-10-26T09:00:00.000-04:00

Happy Mani Monday!!! Today’s polish pick is called “Fireside Therapy” from the indie brand Frenzy Polish. Fireside is a good way to describe this polish. The base is a rather basic brown, just like firewood. However it’s anything but an ordinary polish! The little flecks of glitter seem to sparkle all shades of fire – red, orange, gold, amber and even a touch of bluish-green. It actually almost glows! The glitter bits are mostly small, but there are a few mid-size hexagonal glitters here and there. I can’t tell what color they are because of the brown base, but it’s definitely holographic. It’s a really unusual glitter polish in that it’s kind of subtle despite all the sparkling awesomeness in it. In a way it’s kind of ugly, but it’s beautiful in its ugliness…if that makes sense. J Just the way it subtly sparkles and reflects all kinds of fiery hues makes it really lovely to look at.

As for application, the first coat made me nervous! It was quite patchy and it’s a really thick formula – undoubtedly thanks to all the various glitters. There was no evening out the patches, so I hoped for the best with a second coat. Fortunately that worked like a charm! It’s perfectly even and covers well in two coats and it dries to a slightly matte finish. I added the Butter London Hardwear Top Coat…and then I added a second coat of the Top Coat because the polish being as textured as it is just kind of absorbed the first coat, making it a bit dull again. Perfect! Granted, there’s a lot of polish on my nails and it will probably take a small army of cotton and 12 bottles of polish remover to take it off, but it looks pretty. J

Top 5 Beauty Oils for Hair, Skin & Nails - Tamanu, Seabuckthorn, Argan, Coconut & Olive

2015-10-23T10:00:00.000-04:00

I’m sure you’re all aware that oils are hugely popular in beauty these days. You can use them practically anywhere to not only moisturize, but to add a multitude of benefits to the skin, hair and nails. I’ve grown to love oils, though as an occasionally oily and definitely acne-prone girl, I initially found the idea of applying it to my face a bit terrifying! Fear not my fellow acne sufferers. Not only can oils moisturize, but I have found a few that are actually good for treating, improving and even preventing acne!!! Having experimented a fair amount with oils and finding a few that I am completely obsessed with for hair, body and face, I thought I would share 5 of my favorite beauty oils for topical use with you today. J

Breast Cancer Awareness & Shifting Guidelines

2015-10-21T12:00:00.000-04:00

It’s breast cancer awareness month and I’ve told my own personal experience with breast cancer at least twice. If you care to read about it, I have linked one here and one here. This time I have something a bit different to share since The American Cancer Society came out with new guidelines for screening yesterday. This is not a new concept as it seems every year – probably every October – some organization changes their guidelines to further confuse women. The confusion is bad enough, but in the United States at least this can raise problems with getting the screenings you actually may need covered by insurance companies.