Mats and Mascara

I've Moved!

2011-10-08T23:10:00.000-04:00

I know it's been awhile since I posted on this blog. But I have not forgotten! Instead, I have started my own YouTube channel!

You can find me on http://www.youtube.com/user/ATouchofBelle

Since I don't want to completely abandon my other interests such as fitness, I have also started a blog by the same name. http://www.blogger.com/ATouchofBelle I hope if you have enjoyed this blog you will follow me with my move!

Summer Vacation

2011-06-11T21:54:00.000-04:00

I am posting again, to explain my past and future absence. Over the past month, I have finished classes for the semester (I had 9 papers, tests, projects, etc. due for my 4 classes over a period of 2 weeks), gone home, come back and started a new internship.

My internship has been incredibly rewarding, as well as time-consuming. Unfortunately, as it is in the cosmetic industry, continuing to write this blog while interning would be a conflict of interest. So I will be taking the summer off, and hopefully returning in the fall as I love to share what I've bought, what I'm loving and what I'm aiming for.

I hope everyone has an incredible summer. Stay cool and do all you can while the sun is out!

No-Buy: the Beginning

2011-04-27T20:20:00.000-04:00

Many of you have heard of lollipop26's "Project 10 Pan" creation (aka torture.) Laura created this project for makeup addicts like myself (and probably yourself) to help control the continual shopping urges. Participants stop purchasing new makeup (or skin care, hair care, etc) until 10 products they already own are used up.

That's not what I'm doing.

While I think that is a great idea, I know myself too well. I would "accidentally" waste product, try to give it away, etc and in the end, come to hate it. Perhaps when I come to having a healthier relationship with my products, I can attempt this. In the mean time, I am putting myself on a No-Buy, which means no new products for two months (this is my arbitrary time limit). Here are the rules:

-If I run out of a product, I can repurchase that product only if there is nothing else in my collection that satisfies that need. For example, if I run out of mascara and do not have any more, then I can repurchase it.

-Limited edition items are exempt from the no-buy rules. If there is a item I have to have, then it is acceptable as I will not be able to purchase them later. However, this rule is not to be abused. (Note to self.)

-Birchbox items are exempt as I have a monthly subscription. However, purchasing full-sized items from the Birchbox website is not allowed until the end of my two months.

-Skin care is a little trickier. I would like to include this in the no-buy, but if I run out of an item that is working for my skin, I will repurchase despite having other products that have the same function (in about every category). My skin is fickle and I am trying to maintain a consistent skin care routine.

-If I do feel that there needs to be a new skin care item purchased, I must wait at least a week to see if I really need it.

I am hoping that this gives me a chance to focus on what I have, not what I want. Also, it's a great way for me to save some money.

Here are a few items I have purchased recently that I look forward to using:

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in "Coral Reef"

A great summer shade, very pigmented

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in "R.S.V.P."

I have used this almost every day since I bought it. It's beautiful.

Essie Nail Polish in "French Affair"

I loved "Nice is Nice" so I had to pick this up too.

LaVanila Roller Ball Perfume in "Vanilla Grapefruit"

The smell of this is divine. A full-sized bottle may be my first purchase after the no-buy.

As you can see, I have a lot of new things I'm loving, as well as some old favorites. So Sephora, see you on June 28th.

Garden Review: Week 4

2011-04-25T23:01:00.000-04:00

I'm of two minds about the product for this week. Yes, I was able to control myself and only test one product. Amazingly.

Creamy Cleanser (unscented)
If you thought of a basic milky cleanser, this would be it. It is the least drying of the three cleansers I ordered in my sample pack. It is a white cleanser with a "slippery" feel to it. There is a faint smell to it which I don't care for, but am willing to look past as it is not too overpowering.

*Picture will be added soon*

I took this on vacation with me and my skin has finally started to look great. My skin tone is more even, I have no breakouts and my "chin bumps" are starting to lessen. However, I feel like there are many factors that may have added to this, not just the new cleanser. First of all, I have stopped putting any oils directly on my face and I think my skin is appreciative of that. While I needed the extra moisturization during the winter months, I think my skin is now only suffering from dehydration. The oils have become unnecessary and perhaps a bit too heavy. Secondly, I cut down my skin care regime as I was traveling; I only used this cleanser, the Strawberry Hydrating Mist and the Majik Coconut Revival Cream (plus some eye cream) while I was away. Whenever testing new products, I always come back to the conclusion that simple is better and this trip proved that yet again. GoW has so many products that all do so many great things, that I think the layering of products is the norm. However, I feel that most days I only need to do the classic "Cleanse, Tone, Moisturize." I love the direction my skin is moving in now.

This cleanser is a little on the pricey side in my mind for something fairly basic. Because of this, I am going to spend this week using the Burt's Bees Radiance Cleanser, which is a creamy cleanser that I have used in the past. I know that I love my hydrating mist and moisturizer and that these are unique products, but I am not sure that I need to order a basic cleanser from GoW to use with it. The Burt's Bees Cleanser is $10 for 6 oz while the Creamy Cleanser is $14.30 for 4 oz. That is a moderate price difference, especially since I feel that I need to use quite a bit of the Creamy Cleanser each wash. If it turns out that this cleanser does significantly contribute to the look of my skin, I do not mind paying the price. But being able to use a less expensive and more easily accessible product as a cleanser and turning to GoW for their unique products is an ideal situation.

Never Again: Parabens and the Revlon Temptress

2011-04-23T23:07:00.000-04:00

About a year and a half ago, my skin freaked out. I had more acne than I ever had in high school and my skin was just not happy. I started using a Lorac foundation I had lying around, but quickly realized that this was only adding to the problem. I switched over to the Clinque Perfectly Real Foundation which is a beautiful, easy to use foundation.

I had read up a lot on parabens. Parabens are preservatives used widely in the cosmetic industry. They are found in many liquid formulas, but also in pressed products as the binding agent needs to be preserved. But they have caused quite the stir in past years due to health concerns. There are arguments for both sides of the debate, I will let you do your own research and decide. When I thought about how much of our makeup and skin care we accidentally ingest or absorb, I decided it would be a small change to make. On top of that, many products that contained parabens just weren't right for my skin, while options without them were gentler and more healing.

So I switched my skincare and I started to see improvements. My skin cleared up except for three large spots that never seemed to go away. Or they would clear up and new ones would occur. It took months for me to realize how much the Clinque foundation was taking a toll on my skin. My mentality was "Clinque is all green and lab-coat-y. They must make things that are good for me skin." Right? Wrong. I stopped using the foundation and those spots cleared up.

Reading the ingredients list will really open your eyes. Companies are great at marketing and not all of them live up the image that they present. (Another ingredient that is good to stay away from is Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate, which is the agent that causing foaming, but is incredibly drying.) For example, Lush seems like a natural solution. Almost all of their liquid products contain parabens and many contain sodium lauryl sulfate. I love Lush and use their massage bars frequently, but I have restricted my use to their solid items.

Every now and then, something tempts me away from my paraben-free regime. There is no doubt that Revlon Colorstay is one of the most popular drugstore foundations out there. Perhaps included in the general popular foundations category, as well. And every time I walked down the cosmetics aisle, it called to me. "Isabel, here I am. Your solution to the most flawless, perfect skin. You'll wonder how you lived without me." (This is what most products say to me...) I caved while CVS had a Buy One Get One Half Off deal. I put it on right when I got home and my skin did look pretty amazing. The next day my boyfriend, who can always tell when I'm wearing foundation, took no notice. It was that good. And my skin's reaction? Nothing. Nada. The same as usual.

For two days.

Then, my chin started getting more and more bumps. I started breaking out and I knew I had made a mistake. My skin cannot handle products with parabens and it never will. It's a long, hard diet. In a lot of ways, it is a lot like my gluten intolerance. It is in most things, there are few side effects of eating/using it for a little while, but ultimately, it has bad side effects. If you are having problems with your skin, I would try a paraben-free diet. There are many main stream options out there. Origins is paraben free, Neutorgena has a new "naturals line." Covergirl Natureluxe is an option for paraben-free foundation.

As for me, I am saying "Never again" to parabens.

What I'm taking: Carry-On Edition

2011-04-21T11:09:00.003-04:00

So I'm off on a weekend trip with my fam and I quickly snapped a picture of what I'm taking along with me:

Makeup

-Naked Palette

-Josie Maran Tinted Moisturizer

-Milani HD Advanced Concealer

-Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden

-Josie Maran GoGo Mascara

-Mac Mineralized Skin Finish

-Josie Maran Blush/Bronzer in Flushed/Contoured

-Mac Studio Finish Concealer

-Benefit Powderflage

-L'oreal Lineur Intense

-LaVanila Rollerball Perfume in Vanilla Grapefruit

Brushes

-Tarte Blending Brush

-(my new!) Beauty Blender

-Lowell Cornell Brush for lid color

-Sephore Blending Brush

-Mac 187SE

-Sonia Kashuk Blush Brush

-Eco Tools Blush Brush (I use it with bronzer)

Happy weekend everyone!

Fitness Journal: Running

2011-04-20T21:28:00.000-04:00

I have not been to yoga since the last horrible one. I felt uninspired and cramped and grumpy. Cardio was missing from my routine. I finally gathered myself up and went to the gym. And you know what?

I liked it.

Let me preface this by saying, I have never been super athletic. I played soccer for years, but not well. In gym when we had to run the mile, I ran a 9:30 mile and was gasping for air by the end. Running sounded as god-awful to me as it did to most (sane) people.

I started the Nike running program last year which is fantastic. I needed a pair of new running shoes so I investing in the Nike+ shoes and the little doodad you put in your shoe. The walk-to-run program I participated in took 12 weeks and took you from walking for 15 minutes to running 20-25 minutes straight. It took me a few times to really commit to it but I finished it in the end.

I also suffer from shin splints when I run on concrete. All of these obstacles have held me back from running. But a week or two ago when I got to the gym and started running I felt great. My stamina was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be and I had no shin issues the next morning. Since I have started running some more my energy levels have been through the roof. I never believed that this was true; I always felt miserable and exhausted after running. Sometimes after running in the evening, I laze around for the night. But in the morning, it is easier to get up and I drink less coffee. I'm almost in disbelief that I feel this way about running, but I plan on trying to continue running as long as possible.

Garden Review: Week 3

2011-04-18T08:47:00.000-04:00

There was no Garden Review last week as I felt I needed some more quality time with the products that I have been testing. But now I have three brand new items to review.

Strawberry Hydrating Mist:

I felt that my routine was missing one of these hydrating mists, as well as a few other products, so I placed a second order to fill the gaps. These mists can be used multiple times throughout the routine, but I use this right after I cleanse my face. I chose Strawberry because it is recommended for acne-prone skin, but there are many different options for the hydrating mists. I like the way this feels on my skin, but I'm not too keen on the smell. Many of the other items with fruit smell delicious, but this smells like the strawberries have gone a little mushy. I don't mind too much though, because I am seeing great results with this in my routine and I don't get that weird, discolored look I got when using the CocoBasil clarifying toner. When this runs out, I am going to reuse the bottle to make Jen's Vinegar Toner.

Sorry for the blurry picture. Hope your eyes aren't crossing!

Majik Coconut Revival Cream:

This may possibly be my favorite item from GoW that I have tried. As you probably know by now, I love coconut oil. This moisturizer is as if coconut oil and heavy whipping cream met and had a baby. My skin was very dehydrated before starting GoW. Dehydrated skin is skin that lacks water, which can be aided by a moisturizer. Dry skin, on the other hand, is skin that lacks oil, which is aided by a carrier oil such as jojoba oil. This cream feels incredibly luxurious going on and you only need a small amount. It leaves my skin healthy and hydrated. I really don't feel like I need anything else when I have this (though I often use it in conjunction with my argan oil or the Blueberry HA serum). As an added bonus, I love the silky-almost-matte finish the cream dries down to. It's almost like airbrushing your face!

Some Kind of Wonderful Detox Serum:

This was the product that I really needed the extra week for. This is what the GoW website says about this product:

"When toxins and impurities build up within the layers of our epidermis, our skin becomes dull, gummy, often times exhibits signs of blemishes and in worse case scenarios, full on breakouts. A serum for all skin types that need a little "boost," this formula will help to detox the skin, allowing it to be radiant, glowing, and revert back to its natural beauty.
This serum also addresses bacterial and fungal issues, helps to discourage hair growth, and aids in the maintaining of skin elasticity. It may also address collagen damage in the skin due to UVB absorption, and may inhibit wrinkle formation due to UVB absorption."

The idea of a detox sounded great as I transition over to the GoW way of life. I have not been as consistent as I should have been with this ...no one is going to hire me as a research assistant anytime soon... but I do think my skin has shown signs of improvement. If you are worried about the word "detox" don't be. I didn't have a massive breakout from this product, just a few here and there and all of the bumps cleared up very quickly. Also, it helped my skin return back to normal after making a poor makeup decision. Two days ago my entire chin was red and bumpy. Today, it was clearer than before I started using previously mentioned makeup item. I think this is a good product to have at the beginning of a routine and I know that no one is going to object to some extra glow.

Be sure to check out my other GoW reviews:
Garden Review: Week 1
Garden Review: Week 2

Do You Stretch Your Feet?

2011-04-17T18:18:00.000-04:00

We all know the importance of stretching before and after a workout. Most likely, we stretch the areas that have been utilized the most: runners stretch their quads, pilates practicers stretch out their core and shoulders. However, few people remember to stretch their feet.

Feet do the most work for us, whether we are working out or just walking around. In high school, my dance teacher always told us how important it was to stretch your feet. I never thought much of it. But after living in a city where I am walking constantly (and usually not in the most supportive shoes... I choose fashion over comfort), I understand why this is so important. There have been morning where I could barely put my full weight on my feet.

To stretch my feet, I sit with my foot in my lap and move it in all possible directions, using my hands, not the muscles of my feet. I'll bend the top of my foot in and then stretch it back the other way. Separate your toes in all directions. It may seem weird, but trust me, it helps.

However, the absolute best tool for stretching your feet is a cat toy. Yes, you read that correctly. A foam cat ball is the best thing for sore feet. Put your foot on the ball, apply some weight (not all of it, but enough to feel some pressure) and roll it around the ball and arch of your foot. A few minutes on each side before you go to bed will help eliminate pain in the morning. I know it sounds weird, but give it a try! Your feet will thank you.

Outfit of the Day

2011-04-14T17:37:00.000-04:00

It's finally starting to feel like summer! Today, I just had class and I'm off to the gym after posting, so nothing too fancy.

Jacket: Urban Outfitters

Shirt: Ella Moss (from Anthropologie)

Boyfriend Jeans*: H&M

Flats: Matt Bearnson

From Left to Right

Chunky Crystal (esque) bracelet: J. Crew

Watch: Anne Klein (found it at Nordstrom Rack)

Black Pearl bracelet: Nordstrom Rack

Chain bracelet: Tiffany's

Makeup:

(I am still working on getting a good photograph of my makeup)

Face: Revlon Colorstay, Josie Maran Bronzer in Contoured, JM Blush in Flushed

Eyes: Naked Palette Sin on lid, Buck blended in crease

Lips: Revlon Pink Pop Lipgloss

I have also been having some Photoshop fun with my photos. I might start using this effect for when color is not as important (i.e. when it's not makeup).

Original Photo

Fun photo!

Hope you're all taking advantage of the sun. I'm off to the gym before my friends come over for our usual Thursday night get together.

*A note about boyfriend jeans: They are not always the most flattering cut. I think they look better in real life when you can tell where your leg is and where it's just material. I like wearing them, however, because they have a laid back look and they are so comfortable.

About Me "Tag"

2011-04-14T10:25:00.000-04:00

I love hearing a little about YouTubers and bloggers and I was just watching "Zoella280390" video on this so I took this straight from her video and thought I'd answer them myself:

About Me Questions:
1.Do you have a middle name?
I do but it's just my mom's maiden name. "Gaines"
2. What was your favourite subject in school?
English. I'm always reading and now I'm an English major (so I have to always be reading.)
3. What's your favourite drink?
Coffee with half and half. I have had quite a craving for a root beer float lately though...
4. Favourite song at the moment?
I have to choose two. "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros as well as "Perfect for Me" by Ron Pope

5. What would you name your children?
Something unique. I've never had anyone else named "Isabel" in any of my classes and it's been great. I grew to appreciate having a unique name.
6. Do you participate in any sports?
I do yoga and I have gotten back into running. As for team sports, I played softball in high school.
7. Favourite Book?
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts; If you ever need a 900 page book to read, this should be the one. It's incredible and based on his real life.
8. Favourite Colour?
Blue; there are very few ugly shades of blue
9. Favourite Animal?
I can't choose just one. I'm CRAZY about animals. I want a shiba inu when I get a dog and I point out every one I see to my friends (which, obviously, they love).

10. Favourite perfume?

Euphoria by Calvin Klien. Sadly just finished my bottle.
11. Favourite holiday?
Thanksgiving; The food is amazing, fall is my favorite season and it's a warm and cozy holiday.
12. Have you graduated High School?
Yep, three years ago.
13. Have you been out of the Country?
I have been out of the country many times. My family travels a lot and I studied abroad in Paris last summer.
14. Do you speak any other Languages?
Some French. I am a French minor.
15. Do you have any siblings?
I have a younger brother who is 17.
16. What's your favourite store?
If I had to choose one, I'd probably say J. Crew. I'm liking Zara lately too.
17. Favourite Restaurant?
Olive Garden! This has somehow become a joke among my family and friends. I have never actually been to one.
18. Do you like school?
I used to love school. I have one year left so I'm a little burnt out at the moment.
19. Favourite YouTubers?
MakeupbyTiffanyD, Pixi2woo, Meganheartsmakeup, and I've just discovered Zoella280390 who is incredible.
20. Favourite Movie?
I really love Garden State and Donnie Darko... quite different movies.
21. Favourite Tv show?
Seinfeld and Arrested Development. But favorite show still on TV: Modern Family
22. Pc or Mac?
Mac
23. What phone do you have?
iPhone 3Gs
24. How tall are you?
5'6"

13 Personal Questions:
1. What do you order at Starbucks?
Grande coffee (and I add 2.5 sugars and lots of half and half)

2. One thing in your closet you cannot live without
Jeggings by JBrand
3. What's one thing most people probabaly don't know about you?
I have my scuba diving license. And I've bungee jumped. Guess that's two.

That actually is me. I bungee jumped on a trip to Bali.

4. Name one thing you want to do before you die
As long as we're on the topic of extreme sports, I want to sky dive. I'm absolutely terrified by it though.
5. What's one food you cannot live without?
Chocolate.
6. What quote/phrase do you live by?
"Be who you are. Everyone else is already taken." - Oscar Wilde
7. What do you like/disslike about the YouTube community?
I'm not a part of it, so this does not really apply. But I know I love watching the videos.
8. What's your most listened to song on itunes?
Hey Soul Sister - Train
9. What kind of style would you define yourself as having?
I don't think I really have a style type. I just like to look pulled together.
10. Favourite number?
"15"
11. Two Hobbies?
Cooking and Photography

From a high school photography class

12. Two Pet Peeves?
There are so many! But actually, people who blow their nose really loudly in public (my friends give me a hard time about this, but I think people should just politely excuse themselves or go to the bathroom.) I also hate it when people chew with their mouth open.
13. Guilty Pleasures?
YouTube, Makeup, chocolate, shopping, Jersey Shore. Pretty standard actually.

*Starbucks photo from weheartit.com. Special thanks to Zoella280390 for introducing me to this website.

Grocery Grooming: Coconut Oil

2011-04-11T20:36:00.001-04:00

*The new feature "Grocery Grooming" will be replacing Garden Review this week. Back to our regularly scheduled programming next week.

As I look at my (ridiculous amount of) skincare items, I have noticed that more and more the items that fill the shelves come from the grocery store. So every other or week or so I will be featuring a grocery store item that I use in my routine.

This week's product is one I have been raving about on Twitter: Coconut oil. Coconut oil is an inexpensive product that can be found in most health food stores and many grocery stores. Interestingly, it is a solid at room temperature (this is due to the high amount of saturated fats). However, it is easily liquified by being run under warm water or applied directly to the skin.

I bought coconut oil months ago to use as a moisturizer. I dream about a grocery grooming exclusive skincare rountine and I was expecting coconut oil to be the answer to all of my prayers. (This is not as true now that I have discovered Garden of Wisdom.) I got a little ambitious one first testing this out and my finicky skin was not happy. I used it as a face wash and a moisturizer morning and night when I first got it. Needless to say, my skin was not having it and it resulted in a few breakouts which caused me to worry I was torturing my skin and so I quit completely. This may explain why I have so many skincare items...

Please excuse the odd picture. This is coconut oil in both a solid and liquid form.

I forgot about the coconut oil until a few months later when my skin was in dire need of hydration. This time, I approached it a little more slowly, first using it only as a moisturizer at night and then increasing my usage. Coconut oil feels great, smells like summer and leaves my skin bright, hydrated and plump. I was so happy with my results that I used it as a hair mask next. I saturated my dry hair with the oil (which takes quite a bit) and slept with a shower cap on it. I had to shampoo twice in the morning, but it gave my moisturized hair and it had released some of the weight of my hair, giving me a natural curl I didn't even know I had. A week later, I could tell that the effects had worn off at my hair was much less manageable. I even gave some to my mom when she had an allergic reaction to some Vietnamese food, resulting in a skin rash.

Coconut oil is often used in cooking. I have not experimented with this much, but I tried it spread on toast and it was surprisingly good. My next experiment will be using coconut oil for weight loss. There is a lot of varying opinions about whether coconut oil is healthy, so you be the judge from your own research, but I have read many accounts of weight loss from a tablespoon of coconut oil every morning so I will be starting that soon. For now, my skin and hair are happy and hydrated.

To stay updated with Grocery Grooming, please subscribe!

Yoga Rant

2011-04-10T21:13:00.000-04:00

I just got back from a yoga class. Not just any yoga class, the WORST yoga class I have ever attended. I go to a donation-based studio which means that there is an abundance of bodies everywhere. And you can bet, if they can squeeze you in, they will. Don't get me wrong, I love the studio and I think it is great that they give everyone an opportunity to practice yoga, but sometimes it can get a bit...squishy.

I was already in a bad mood walking to class. I have not been feeling well the past few days and I just wanted to bum around at home, but my boyfriend reminded me how much better I feel after yoga. At the studio, a girl came up to me and hounded me about which spot I was saving, and then sat down next to me and started yammering away to her friends. We were asked to move multiple times to allow more and more people into each row and I could feel my impatience growing. The teacher dimmed the lights and instructed everyone to move into child's pose. Usually, at this point, I allow my body to relax and focus on the next hour of yoga. However, there were still people in line for the bathroom making lots of noise. Someone was dropping something metallic on the floor repeatedly, cell phones were ringing and beeping and a guy in the back farted. Loudly. All these noises kept me rooted in the present and my frustrations.

I tried to stay positive, thinking that once the sweat got going I would focus more on the pain and less on the people around me. I did not click with this teacher and I never really found my flow with this lesson. Furthermore, my lower back, neck and shoulders were feeling crunched and sore (which has been a constant obstacle for me with any exercise I do). I returned to child's pose often because I felt that continuing would be worse for my body than taking a break.

At the end, all of those people who were squished together, tried to squish through the one narrow door, gathering shoes and jackets, giving donations and catching up with friends, all at the same time. I did not feel like my body had been challenged to the usual degree. But do I regret going? Not at all. All of this is part of the practice. Sometimes my hour will not be as rewarding as others. But I still got myself over to the studio and committed to allowing my body and brain to move and stretch for an hour even when TV and junk food where calling to me. Every hour counts, and while this one may not have been as enjoyable as others, it was an experience in and of itself.

Haulage 1: BBW, Revlon, Essie and More

2011-04-08T18:49:00.000-04:00

I have been doing some shopping this week. My purchases have been mostly Spring related. The weather has been depressing here lately so I was ready for some light and fun colors. Here's what I got:

Lipsticks: Rosy Nude and Carnation Nail Polishes: Nice is Nice and Watermelon

Rosy Nude is a perfect every day color when sheered out and a nice rosy color when applied straight from the tube. Carnation will be perfect this summer. It is a pronounced color, but not too in-your-face to wear during the day. These colors wear well and feel moisturizing.

I had a 20% of coupon to Bath and Body Works. When I was picking up a few Wall Flowers for my apartment (Fresh Lemon for the kitchen, Vanilla Coconut for my bedroom), I saw this moisturizer by the checkout counter. Sometimes I just can't get to a sink and Purell dries out my hands so this is the perfect solution. I wore Sweet Pea body spray in middle school so this lotion also includes major flashbacks.

Today, I went to Sephora because my current mascara was just not working out. (More on that later.) I went to pick up a mascara I knew would not lead me astray: Bare Minerals Flawless Definition Volumizing Mascara.

While I was wandering the store, this box of everything I wanted caught my eye:

Josie Maran is the brand I gravitate to every time I'm in Sephora. There is nothing I don't want from her line. And when I saw this box (the last one!) I knew I had to have it. I thought that the products would all be sample sizes. When I opened the box, this is what I found:

At $52, this might seem expensive. However, the lipgloss, blush/bronzer and argan color stick are all full size. Buying those separately would already be over the price of the box. It also comes with a half-size illuminizer, the sample size of the argan oil (which I already have and love), a sample size mascara and a sample of the hair serum. I was so excited to find this box, I just couldn't pass it up.

Blush in Flushed, Bronzer in Contoured, Argan Color Stick in Rosey, Illumizer, and Lipgloss in Soledad

Illuminizer part way rubbed in. How beautiful is that?

I am thinking about doing a Project 10 Pan after my upcoming trip (can't pass up international makeup!). With these items I feel like I have everything I will want this spring and summer. What colors or items are you loving as you await the sun?

Garden Review: Week 2

2011-04-04T19:22:00.000-04:00

It's Monday again and it's time for another Garden Review. This week I exhibited a little more self-control and only tried two products. Weirdly, I'm not sure what to say about either product, but I'll try to give a sense of where I am at with them right now.

CocoBasil Clarifying Tonic

This was a product I added to my original cart on Jen's recommendation. I am prone to small bumps on my chin and she recommended this to help keep them at bay. There is a definite basil smell, which was not my cup of tea, but many people enjoy it. I sprayed this on after cleansing and let it dry a little before moving on to my HA serum. I only used this a few days though because it gave my skin an uneven tone. It's difficult to describe exactly what it did my face as there were no acne bumps or dry patches. It just made it look strange. I did not stick with it long enough to notice any affect on my chin-bumps (quite the image, right?), but I may have to give this another try.

Mandelic Acid [yes alcohol/ yes seaweed]

This is what GoW says about using Mandelic Acid:

Mandelic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that helps clear away dead skin cells that have built up on the skin's surface, and because of its smaller molecule size it can also work within the pore as well. Unlike glycolic acid, it cannot penetrate the skin's layers to enable deeper exfoliation, but it can help to refine pores. Mandelic acid has antibacterial properties.

I was excited to try this exfoliator as people have great things to say about it on the forum. I was expecting a burning or stinging sensation, but I felt nothing. Previous use with acids may contribute to my skin's lack of reaction. In the morning, there was no real difference in my skin. I only got a chance to try this once. As my skin is very sensitive, I try not to scrub, exfoliate, treat, etc. all the time. I have had much better luck when I keep my routine simple and gentle. I have not given up hope on this product. I think over time the results will be clear. Once I finish this sample size, I may order a larger concentration or try the lotion version of this product.

At the end of last week, I reexamined my routine, perhaps a bit prematurely, but these are the thoughts that aid me in my constant procrastination. I love my cleansers; after reading my post last week, Jen recommended mixing them with some oil to help avoid the flakes. I have been mixing Jen's Green Tea and Shea Cleanser with a drop or two of jojoba oil and it makes it even more luxurious. I love my moisturization routine. However, I do have some spots and clogged pores and I felt like nothing in my order was targeting those problems (the Mandelic Acid may have some affect in the future). I placed another order for some samples so I can make an informed decision when I order larger sizes of a set routine. Stay tuned next week to see what I ordered and what I am testing out.

the Concept of Mindfulness

2011-04-03T14:10:00.002-04:00

While on vacation, I picked up a copy of "Yoga for Beginners," a magazine by Yoga Journal. I highly recommend it to those starting out with yoga. It had great descriptions of the different types of yoga that are available, as well as other useful articles. One such article was about "mindfulness," which is a Buddhist ideal. Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of your thoughts and feelings while in meditation. Keeping my thoughts at bay has always been a challenge for me, whether it is when I am at my mat or in bed trying to fall asleep. Here is a sample of my brain at any given moment:

"I love yoga. I am feeling great. Although this hurts a little. But that's ok. Right? I can write about this for my blog. How should I describe it? Oh well, it's great that I have a blog to keep me motivated. Oh shoot, ok focus on meditation. Ok meditating, meditating. I am keeping my mind clear right? Or was I thinking about something? Ok, breathe in, breath out. But is that thinking?"... and on and on and on.

I am not sure I have ever achieved some pure meditative state. But enter the idea of mindfulness. Rather than try to fight your thoughts, as I have been doing, be aware of them. That way, instead of trying to push out the thoughts of the day, note that you are thinking them. Instead of punishing myself for not meditating, I am accepting that I have other thoughts and feelings, making it easier to let go of them all. Previously, I have felt a kind of nagging anxiety while trying to clear my mind. I always had the image of myself in an empty room, with all of my thoughts trying to break down the door. I was focused on what I was doing wrong causing myself anxiety rather than peace.

Mindfulness has also helped with the pain of certain positions in my practice. When in a particularly challenging position, I would try to talk myself out of the pain, saying, "This is just an illusion. I can actually do this, no problem." But the pain would still be there and at that point I would come out of the pose, probably when it would have the most effect. Now, I accept that I actually am feeling pain. I accept that my leg is wobbling out of control. And because it no longer feels wrong, or like something I need to take personal action to fix, I am more easily able to work through it.

It may seem like mindfulness leads to inaction. I am not advocating taking a passive view on life. Instead, to me, mindfulness means allowing experience to occur without being bogged down by analyzation. Accepting the pain means that I am able to hold the pose and build muscles so I will feel less pain next time. Noticing my over-active brain means staying calmer and coming closer to finding inner-peace. There are plenty of times when action is necessary, but if you run too fast, you may pass by the answer.

20% off Josie Maran Products - Tomorrow Only

2011-03-29T20:18:00.002-04:00

Josie on Today Show! Celebrate with 20% off!

In honor of Josie Maran's appearance on the Today Show, all products will be 20% off March 30th only! The code to be entered at checkout is "todayshow." I was ecstatic when I saw this on Twitter as this is the ONE brand I'm obsessing over lately. My no-buy has encouraged me to more carefully consider my purchases, but I want everything from Josie Maran! Here are my top three lemmings (and probably what will be in my cart tomorrow!):

1. Bronzing Argan Oil ($52) - I have mentioned before that my skin loves argan oil. With my Garden of Wisdom routine, I am hoping that my skin is close enough to perfection this summer that all I'll need is a little of this beautiful bronzing product for a healthy glow.

2. Argan Color Stick ($22) - This stick is the perfect lip color that can double as a blush. My lips always seem to be dry so the argan oil will be a blessing.

3. Argan All-Over Face Palette in Lovely ($36) - This palette is filled with four beautiful colors that are so effortless. I imagine myself in a long sundress, swiping one of these colors on my lids, adding a touch of the bronzing oil and finishing off with the color stick. (Can you tell I am ready for summer?)

Will you be taking advantage of this deal? What catches your eye? I'm curious to hear!

Garden Review: Week 1

2011-03-28T20:17:00.001-04:00

I have a confession to make. This past week was the first week of my Garden of Wisdom experiment. I was scheduled to use one product, but I ended up using....

Wait for it....

Five!
I couldn't help myself. I have a reason (aka excuse) for all of the extra products, but really, it was just because I could not resist. And two months of incorporating products was just way too long for me. Not when the solution for perfect skin was sitting on my dresser. Keep reading for my reviews!

Oats, Milk and Honey Cleanser
This was the product I chose to test this week. I figured that I should start at the beginning of the routine. I loved the texture of this product; it almost reminded me of the First Aid Beauty cleanser, which has great reviews on Makeup Alley, that I have tried a sample of. There was almost no smell and a little goes a long way, so my half ounce container was a generous sample size. At this point, my routine was this cleanser, a Thalgo toner and coconut oil for a moisturizer. However, a few days into this, my nose started flaking with dry skin and it was probably the driest looking it has been all winter. This leads me to my second product sample.

As you can see, the ink will smudge if you get it wet.

I plan on taping over the labels to prevent this in the future.

Jen's Green Tea and Shea Cleanser
I then switched to this cleanser sample because I attributed my dryness to the other cleanser. This cleanser also has a smooth texture, but is green in color. A pea size amount is enough for my whole face and after working it between my hands for a few seconds it becomes a little milky (not foaming, which can be harsh on dry and sensitive skin). I also really enjoyed this cleanser, but I was still seeing some flaking on my nose.

Fruity Meow Meow Lotion
Since my skin was dry, I figured that what it really needed was some moisturization. So a few days into the week I added in this lotion. I have the kind with wax (which has not seemed to irritate my skin or clogged my pores). This lotion has a purple tint, glides on easily, and dries to a somewhat matte finish. Because of this matteness, it is not the most moisturizing product that Garden of Wisdom offers. It almost acts as a sealant.

Bluberry HA Serum
I then decided I must fully commit to the moisturization technique that GoW recommends. This includes an HA serum. I selected Blueberry to try first. I love the way this feels and the faint smell of blueberries is very pleasant. Once I added this into my routine, the flakes were gone. My current routine is: wash with Jen's Green Tea and Shea Cleanser, apply the HA serum to a barely damp face, let dry, add some type of oil at night (I rotate between Jojoba, Argan and Coconut) and then seal it all in with the Fruity Meow Meow Lotion.

As for the fifth product, I am still working on my review, but it will appear in some later post.

I do not think that the cleansers dried out my skin appreciably. However, I feel that with a consistent, effective routine, my skin could calm down enough to show what it was really lacking. Before this experiment, I used different products every night. Finally, it had a chance to slow down. I have always had skin on the drier side. This school year it has been somewhat oily, which probably means that I was stripping my skin with products that were too harsh for my skin (I'm looking at you Arcona).

My skin is already looking a bit more even and I have had only one breakout (which could be purging). The spots I did have have cleared up nicely. This week I will be working in a few more products (hopefully I can limit it to one or two) and I am already planning another order from GoW.

Yoga Journal: Entry 1

2011-03-25T22:12:00.000-04:00

It's been a few weeks since I decided to commit myself to yoga and a healthier lifestyle. So far it has been an interesting journey.

It has been a struggle to fully commit to yoga. I have been attending yoga classes every now and then since freshman year of college. (For reference, I am now a junior.) I always loved the high that I felt after class. I was shaky and exhausted but I felt like my body appreciated the work and that all the sweat was flushing my system. But then I wouldn't return for weeks or months at a time. Excuses piled up. I am prone to headaches and any time I felt one coming on, the last place I wanted to be was at my mat in downward dog. I am claustrophobic so I do not like being in a crowded studio, too close to sweaty people. And so, my practice remained fragmented at best.

This year, my yoga practice seemed to feel the same. My busy schedule was just another excuse not to walk to class. However, I started to think continually about the practice. While I am still not at the frequency level I would hope for, I am starting to increase my class number per week. One of the biggest motivations came two or three weeks ago. When coming out of half pigeon, yogis would pop their back leg up to give themselves a further stretch. I have never been able to do that. I was convinced my body did not move that way. But miraculously, one day I felt my muscle flex as I watched those in front of me reach back for there leg. When I tried, my leg popped right up. It's an incredible feeling to be able to do something that just a day or two before seemed impossible.

In class earlier this week, I had yet another new experience. Whenever the instructor has us in a particularly challenging position, he tells us to feel the heat. I always thought I knew what heat he was talking about. I was sweating buckets after all. But this class, while in a long and tortuous downward dog, I did not let myself quit. While pushing myself to the limit, I felt "the heat" in a way I never have before. It was hotter than that sweaty mess I was feeling before, but it felt like strength, not weakness. It was a great motivator. The next day, my muscles were sore, but I felt so much stronger. I finally felt like it was "paying off."

It's not just the physical rewards that make yoga so fulfilling. An hour class of yoga is like an hour session of therapy for me. Yoga is linked with the idea of meditation. When you come to your mat, that is a time for you to focus solely on your practice. In a world of computers, cell phones, etc. it is hard to slow down enough to focus on one task. Multitasking is praised. Yoga is a break, an opportunity to put all your care and focus into one thing. In this way, yoga becomes a reward, not simply a workout. And I always remind myself: "The time to relax is when you don't have time for it" (Sydney J. Harris). Another great lesson I have learned from yoga is a phrase that is often repeated at the studio where I practice. "You are so much stronger than you think you are." Often, we let our mind convince us we are unable to achieve something. In reality, if we go for it, putting in the effort rather than thinking about the possibility of failure, we are likely to succeed. Yoga has become a metaphor for life. The philosophy has inspired me on and off the mat, and because of this, the more I practice yoga, the more I want to do yoga. I am not yet at a point where I feel the need (or find the time) to practice everyday, but I do not doubt that I may get to that point someday.

Entering the Garden of Wisdom

2011-03-19T19:03:00.002-04:00

I have not been faithful in a long time... to a skincare routine that is. I have gone on many dates, even had a short relationship with a few, but they always disappoint. They all hold the hope of skin perfection, but I have yet to discover that ideal state.

Enter Garden of Wisdom. Tall, dark and handsome, this website of natural skincare may just get me to commit, for life. Garden of Wisdom offers "Finished Products" as well as raw ingredients for those who like to experiment with their own concoctions. Their website is a little overwhelming at first as there is just so much to choose from, but because of this, I feel like I will eventually find a routine that works for me.

I have extremely sensitive skin. "Sensitive skin" isn't a type listed on Garden of Wisdom, but a condition. After being subjected to the dirty city air, it is no wonder my skin is out of whack. And as it is winter, it has been on the drier side. On top of that, I seem to always be fighting one or two breakouts and I always get little bumps on my chin. I would like to clear up my spots, even out my skin tone and fade some old acne scars, all without stripping or abusing my skin.

Perhaps one of the best aspects of Garden of Wisdom is their forum. Skincare lovers can get together to offer each other advice or rave about a current favorite product. Jen (Camellia Rose) is great at getting back to everyone quickly. After looking through the website for weeks and reading the forum, I narrowed my focus enough for a first purchase. With the help of Jen, this is what I chose:

-the Cleanser Sampler Pack
   Jen's Green Tea and Shea Butter Cleanser
   Oats, Milk and Honey Cleanser
   Creamy Cleanser
-Sensitive/Irritated Skin HA Sampler Pack
   Crisp Apple
   Blueberry
   Honeycomb
-Concord Grape Antioxidant Serum
-Fruity Meow Meow! Facial Lotion
-Mandelic Acid 5% [yes: alcohol yes: seaweed] Serum
-CocoBasil Clarifying Tonic
-GoAway Scar Cream
(Note: GoW also frequently includes carrier oils in their routines. I did not order any as I am currently loving my coconut oil and argan oil. I will continue to use these oils.)

Instead of shocking my skin with an inundation of new products, I am going to phase in one product each week. This way my skin can adjust slowly and I will be able to tell whether a product is working for me or not. Each week, I will report back on the product I am phasing in. It will be hard to control myself, but I believe with all the options that GoW offers, I will eventually find a routine that is right for me. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

*Here are the links to the finished reviews:
Garden Review: Week 1
Garden Review: Week 2

Detox for the Box

2011-03-14T17:32:00.000-04:00

Today marks my month long makeup no-buy. You may not know this, but I have been on major detox from my makeup buying addiction. If you have watched Missglamorazzi on YouTube, then you have probably seen her videos of her unwrapping her BirchBox. If not, I will explain. BirchBox is the best $10 a beauty lover will ever spend. It is a monthly subscription program. Each month, BirchBox sends you 4-5 deluxe beauty samples in an appropriately cute box. That was enough for me; $10 to satisfy my need to try something new? Sold. But the best part is the samples are from brands that are actually desirable. Among these are Korres, Benefit, Laura Mercier and Nars.

However, while looking at my growing piles of makeup and skincare last month, I couldn't justify my purchase just yet. So I made a deal with myself: a one month beauty no-buy (not including skincare as my skin is going crazy, but that's a different story) and a "Project 5 Pan" (using up five products in my collection) before I could place my order for lemming satisfaction. As of today, I have reached my goal!

Here is what I finished:

-Elnett Hairspray

-Mac Cleanse Off oil

-Trind Nail Strengthener

-Neutrogena Face Wipes

-Buxom Mascara

I realize that two of these products don't really fit into the category of skincare or makeup, but anything that cuts down on the products cluttering up my apartment works for me. I cannot wait to place my order; I will be sure to photograph it when it arrives.

In-Flight: Make-Up and Food

2011-03-10T23:51:00.001-05:00

As I'm packing to go home for Spring Break, I thought I would share what I'm bringing with me on the plane.

Make-up:
I've always believed in looking pulled together for a flight. I fly in jeans and a sweater, not sweatpants and I would always go with a full face of makeup. Now, I realize how drying these flights actually are. For my flight tomorrow, I am slathering my face in Josie Maran Argan Oil for the flight and holding off on the makeup application until the end of the flight. I discovered the wonders of argan oil a few weeks ago: it hydrates my skin, leaving it soft, full-looking and glowing. When I first got it, I got a little too enthusiastic and used it day and night which resulted in my skin freaking out and then breaking out. Lately, I have been using it every second or third day and I have had no adverse reactions. (I have also been using it nightly as an eye cream which has not caused any problems. A few drops make my hair look shiny, thick and hydrated). Here is a picture of the products I am bringing on the plane:

Mac Mineralized Skinfinish - This is my current foundation as I am beginning to suspect my Bare Minerals is causing the little bumps on my chin. I am going to look for a more "natural" mineral makeup in the future, but for now I like the finish and wear of this product.

Smith's Rosebud Salve - I have literally been through multiple tins of this lip balm. It is one of the only products that keeps my lips moisturized and I love the finish. I have pretty pigmented lips so this comes off almost like a lipgloss. If you are looking for some more color, I highly recommend the Fresh Lip Treatments in Rose or Plum.

Rimmel Lash Accelerator - This is my current mascara. I don't have a real opinion on it; it works (as a mascara; I'm not sure about the lash acceleration).

Tarte Lock and Roll Shadow in Sandstone - One side is a hardcore cream shadow that does not crease. The other is a roller ball powder eyeshadow. This is perfect for the plane as it's a two-in-one product. And sandstone is the perfect champagne color to make you look awake after a long flight. Quick tip: Roll the eyeshadow onto your finger and then apply over the cream eyeshadow. Your eyes are gentle and this rollerball is a little too harsh applied directly.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Eye Pencil in Zero and Whisky - A cult favorite; as you can tell I love the Whisky color (I originally wrote "I love Whisky"...not quite what I meant).

This look requires only a few products, takes no time to apply and is easy to do from the plane seat. There is definitely more makeup coming with me in my checked luggage, but I could get away with just this.

Food:

I hate that "travel stomach" feeling so I have been much better about stocking up on food pre-flight. I finally learned that M and Ms, while delicious, are not going to cut it for a cross-country flight. For this flight I picked up:

-Fage Yogurt with Strawberry - my breakfast, pre-flight. I find that eating something filling, like dairy or protein, before boarding helps me avoid that horrible stomach feeling.

-Go Macro MacroNutrient Bar in Chocolate Crunch - I have never tried these bars before, but I'm hoping I like them as they are "organic, vegan, macrobiotic, and an excellent source of Omega-3." And of course, gluten-free.

-Rice Works in Sea Salt - I just read the back of the bag to write down the nutritional facts, only to discover that this product contains sesame seeds. I have had these before, reaction-free, but I am not going to risk it (especially while up in the air!). These are staying home.

-an Apple - I have been bringing apples on long flights since I was little. They just make you feel healthy, fresh and hydrated.

-Tea's Tea in Green Jasmine - Obviously this is not coming on the flight with me, as no liquid is allowed past security, but I'll have this in the cab ride to the airport. Antioxidants and a little bit of caffeine, the unsweetened way.

-Cadbury Crunchie bar - I'm a chocolate fiend, so this is my chocolate of choice. Cadbury says there are trace amounts of gluten in this product, so if you have Celiac, stay away.

I am very excited to have a break from my hectic homework schedule. I'll be spending time with my family and friends, getting ahead on some reading, applying for summer internships, and shopping with my mom. I plan to keep up with this blog so look for a post about my current skincare routine (including my upcoming experiment), my Birchbox challenge, a review of the Go Macro bar, and perhaps a "haul" if I find some good spring clothing with my mom.

No Gluten for the Glutton

2011-03-08T22:24:00.001-05:00

I have never had any airborne allergies and always thought I was relatively lucky. However, as I got older a developed a few food allergies such as MSG and sesame (my mom is allergic as well). Last summer, I spent two months in Paris for a study abroad program. So of course, my life for two months centered around food. I am in love with Paris, like any true francophile, and so I was busy trying to jam a life time of Paris into two short months. However, I started feeling so tired after my morning French class that I would forgo shopping at Bonne Marche to take a long nap. I would sleep for hours on end, only to wake up feeling even more worn out and falling back asleep for a few more hours. I figured this was due to the heat (Paris does not believe in air conditioning...or ice cubes) as well as living in a country with a different language and different customs. About a week before I was scheduled to return home, things took a turn for the worst. My stomach felt as if someone had inflated a balloon inside of me. It was so painful that I could barely move, let alone navigate the metro. This happened a few more times after the first incident, but luckily never to the same degree.

When I returned home, I spoke to a family friend who performs acupuncture and who focuses on the relation of the body to nutrition, etc. He said that it was most likely an intolerance to gluten, a condition that often develops later on in life. I promtly cut out gluten from my diet and I was feeling better within a matter days. I regained my energy and my stomach stopped hurting. After a few weeks of trying to avoid gluten completely, I started testing my limits to see what does and doesn't affect me. For example, a slice of sourdough bread does not bother me at all, but a bagel causes my stomach to turn against me.

When I returned to school, I was at a loss for how to continue eating gluten-free. I had Jamba Juice for lunch everyday because it was close by and I couldn't think of anything else to eat. While I love Jamba Juice, the thought of only consuming that for the rest of my life made me a little hysterical. The thought of drinking Jamba during a snow storm brought tears to my eyes. So I made an appointment at the health center and ended up getting a blood test. Three days later I was calling everyone who had been a victim of my selective diet to invite them out for cupcakes. No Celiac markers to be found.

Since being tested, I went back to my regular diet (or non-diet, you could say). I have had a few "relapses"since last fall. After eating a bagel a few months ago, my stomach "balloon" inflated again. I had many bagels in between my negative Celiac test and that particular bagel, but for some reason, at that time, I was susceptible to it. The other week when I decided I needed to eliminate gluten again, I was feeling tired again. I am a college student, so not being tired would be a weirder symptom. But gluten-induced sleepiness feels different. It was that same feeling of just wanting to go home and never get out of bed, even though that doesn't feel too good either.

As you can see, I am still trying to find my balance. I have begun to find some great resources as well. Follow Sarah on Twitter for tons of great recipes/information @glutteny. And check out Helene's blog "Tartelette." She sometimes posts gluten-free recipes such as these Nutella Cupcakes and her photography is to die for.

As for me, this is one bad boy I can't wait to test out:

Vegetables - Green Machine

2011-02-24T18:56:00.000-05:00

I hate vegetables. As a child, the only vegetable I would eat was carrots; this meant that I had carrots every night in my mom's desperate attempt to add some "roughage" to my diet. As I've gotten older, my palette has expanded some. I will not be starting the raw food diet anytime soon, but my carb-loaded meals often feel incomplete without some greenery. This slight increase in vegetable consumption does not bring me anywhere close to the daily suggested amount. That is where the Naked Juice Green Machine comes in.

It is a horrible color. The first time I saw it, I could not believe anyone would want to buy it, much less consume it. The people at Naked Juice acknowledge this... less than appetizing appearance. The side of the bottle reads:

Somehow, this admission of an obvious truth convinced me to give it a try. And true to the confession on the bottle, it tastes great. It has a strong apple juice flavor, but the other fruit flavors come through as well. The thing that fascinated me the most was the list of ingredients.

Broccoli? Blue green algea? And what the hell is spirulina? Anything with all those ingredients, and that horrid color, should taste awful. Instead, it is actually a rather pleasant way to drink your vegetables. I am not saying that this should replace all greens; it takes the "rough" out of roughage, which is important too. But this is a great way to bridge the gap between daily suggested amount and actual consumption.

Snap. Crackle. SHATTER.

2011-02-23T21:41:00.000-05:00

I'm sure you have heard about the new OPI shatter nail polish. It is being promoted with the Katy Perry Collection and people have been reviewing it like crazy. I have been desperately waiting for the release of this nail polish, but it was sold out everywhere. Finally, I snatched up at bottle at Ricky's. The manager informed me that the display had been restocked 2 hours prior and that they usually sell out in 6 hours. 6 hours! Of course, I could not wait to try it. Here is my first attempt, shown over Sally Hansen's Pedal to the Metal.

My first attempt at a Shatter manicure

OPI Shatter Nail Polish

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Pedal to the Metal

I really love these nail polishes. They are very pigmented, the brush is big and easy to use and it dries quickly.

I love that each nail is unique. My best advice is go for a thin coat if you want a lot of small shattered pieces with less color showing through or a thick coat if you want bigger breaks and more "background" color. And work fast, the shatter effect happens quickly and there is no time for second coats.