This Duri Cosmetics whimsical palette of soft nail polish shades brings summer to life with colors that embody clear skies, pink sunsets, carnivals and carousels. Duri Cosmetics Founder Faina Ritz said, “The pigment-rich pastel palette isn’t meant to put you to sleep, but to dream big for long-lasting summer days and temperate nights.”  True, these lovely pastels do look like something a Disney Princess would wear. I enjoy bright summer shades too, but there is something about these ice cream colors –they are so delightful!

The Once Upon a Dream collection includes the following colors and since they remind me of ice cream, I’ll compare them to that too!

107S – CLOUD TRUE BLUE – a warm blue if there is such a thing. Cotton candy!

108S ­– PILLOW PINK -a medium baby pink–Pink bubblegum ice cream

19S – SOFT SLUMBER BLUSH – a pale true peach–an orange creamsicle

110S – LILAC DREAM – a pale lilac with pink undertones–the purple swirl in Baskin Robbins Wild n’ Reckless!

111S ­­– SLEEPING BEAUTY INDIGO – a periwinkle blue or blurple–Baskin Robbins Pop n’ Rock swirl!

112S – PIE IN THE SKY GREEN – a minty green with blue undertones-pistachio ice cream, my favorite!!

L to R: Soft Slumber Blush, Lilac Dream, Cloud True Blue, Pillow Pink, Pie in the Sky Green and Sleeping Beauty Indigo.

All of the shades are a creamy opaque with an almost matte finish–you will definitely need a top coat if you want a glossy shine.  This is two coats but you could get away with one with the exception of Soft Slumber Blush–this was the only one I had streaking with and it didn’t cover as well as the rest of the shades. I’m not a great manicurist so I appreciate the self-leveling characteristic of Duri polish, it pretty much makes it goof-proof.

For my manicure this week, I chose Sleeping Beauty Indigo, a creamy periwinkle blue–a mix of blue and purple. This is two coats with a top coat of Color Club Wish Upon a Rock Star on my ring finger. Wish Upon a Rock Star is a glittery bunch of goodness. It makes me happy. Multi-colored glitter is suspended in a silver base–I absolutely love how it looks over Sleeping Beauty Indigo–it really brings out the blue glitter. I was tempted to do all my digits this way but refrained–don’t ask me why because I don’t know!

Bottom Line:  Not only are all Duri nail polishes completely safe,  but they are environmentally friendly and free from DBP, Toluene and Formaldehyde and only $6!!  For more spring/summer nail trends, click here! 

Are you hungry for ice cream yet? I am!

Don’t be afraid to make a splash this summer! You can still look your best at the beach or the pool, thanks to Make Up For Ever. The award-winning Aqua range is introducing some new vibrant shades for summer that are smudge-proof and made to stand warm weather overload. I’m a HUGE fan of the Aqua line so I’m excited about these new offerings! First up, Aqua Rouge Lip Color ($24).

The new lineup includes these five new bold shades:

• #16 Fuschia
• #19 Pomegrante Pink
• #20 Baby Pink
• #17 Bright Coral
• #18 Coral (you KNOW I gotta me some of this)!

This über pigmented liquid lip color can be worn alone or topped with the clear gloss on the double ended tube (the color side has a doe foot, the clear gloss a brush). The formula reminds me very much of my favorite liquid lipstick, YSL’s Glossy Stain. Aqua Lips delivers full-on pigment, a mirror shine and lasts longer than Kim Kardashian’s pregnancy (uggg, SO sick of hearing about it). When munching or drinking I get 4-5 hours of wear, if sticking to my diet, an incredible 6-7 hours. They also leave behind a nice stain that fades evenly which is rare with these type formulas. I was sent #16 Fuschia to try, a super bright pink that is totally on trend for spring and summer! Oh, and how about non-transferable? AKA…kiss-proof just in case that hunka hunka pool boy is too irresistible!

Gosh, you didn’t expect MUFE to stop there did you? You’re so silly! The perfect complement to Aqua Rouge is Aqua Lip ($19)! Aqua Lip locks in your lip color, keeps lipsticks and glosses from migrating and is, of course smudge-proof. These liners use evaporating silicone emollients that allow the pigment to glide on and set.  They are creamy and matte and I think best used as a base to gloss or lipstick. On their own they look too dry to my liking. Two new shades are #19 C Pomegrante Pink and #20 Baby Pink. Baby pink is is exactly that, a warm. matte baby pink shade that should work with many, many lipsticks/glosses.

Now that the lips are covered (heh heh), lets move on to the eyes.

There are three new Aqua Cream eye shadows ($23) in #53 Pearly Pastel Green, #52 Pearly Green Lagoon and #54 Pearly Mauve, all limited edition. Aqua Cream shadows are crease free and TOTALLY budge-proof. Pearly Green Lagoon is a gorgeous green–a cross between seafoam and teal with a shimmery/frosty finish. It kind of reminds me of a mermaid. Apply sheerly for a wash of color or layered more heavily for a pop of summer color. I like to use either my fingers or a synthetic brush but work quickly to blend because when it sets, you’re done! I love the texture of aqua creams–not too thin, not too thick–juuuuuust right!

Perhaps my favorite in the Aqua line are the Aqua Eyes liners. Shh, don’t tell the other products. They don’t run, budge or smear and they glide on effortlessly. They last longer than Snookie’s 15 minutes of fame and come in FABULOUS colors! Here are two news shades to add to the list of must-haves: #25L Matte brown and #52L Pearly Green Lagoon(LE). Pearly Green Lagoon brings up visions of those over-water bungalows in Bora Bora or Fiji. It’s on my bucket list to go there. Know any rich, single older men for me ladies?

Fuschia, Green Lagoon, Matte Brown & Baby Pink

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for smudge-proof, budge-proof makeup for summer in an array or fantastic shades, Look no further than Make Up For Ever!

One thing NARS Cosmetics and I have in common (other than my devotion to the brand) is that we LOVE New York City! I’ve only been there once but I have plans to go back again and again and again. What an interesting, vibrant, dynamic and versatile city!!

Since my trips to NYC are few and far between, I guess I will have to get my “New York state of mind” in the NARS Hearts New York City limited edition palette complete with the fast-paced city’s top-selling hues.

The Gift Set ($75) includes:

AMOUR BLUSH: Peachy pink–a fab universal shade
BIARRITZ SINGLE EYESHADOW: Neutral cream colored beige
NEPAL SINGLE EYESHADOW: Soft, shimmery peachy rose
NEW YORK SINGLE EYSHADOW: Matte plum brown
GALAPAGOS SINGLE EYESHADOW: Bitter chocolate infused with gold
LAGUNA BRONZING POWDER: Brown with golden shimmer, perfect for fair skin

NAIL POLISH
CHINATOWN: Deep blood red

AVAILABILITY:  NARScosmetics.com, Barneys, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, Henri Bendel, and Bloomingdale’s Soho.

This week Best of Everything After 50 is hosting this FASHION FLASH, the best of Over 40  beauty, health and lifestyle bloggers. This group of elite bloggers tell you how to everything you get fit, eat well, look fab and be the best you can be . . . at any age! You won’t want to miss this weeks posts!

We’d also like to take a moment to congratulate our very own Phyrra for five years of beauty blogging! To commemorate the event, she’s hosting a mega-givewaway here that you don’t want to miss.

Question of the Week – Tell us about a funny makeup/beauty mistake you have made…or care to admit to? I remember the first time I used a facial scrub and got carried away with the scrubbing–my face was red and sore for a week!

My Beauty Bunny – has a fabulous guest post from the Lipstick League’s Clumps of Mascara sharing the 5 Best Cruelty-Free Beauty Brands for Women of Color. Trust us, ladies of every complexion will love these colorful choices!

Nouveau Cheap – the best multi-tasker to come out this year is also limited edition. Here’s why you need the new Milani Shadow Eyez in Almond Cream (but hurry before it’s gone).

Prime Beauty – takes a look at the Lancôme Summer 2013 Color Design Eye Show Palette. The colors are so summery you’ll want to dive right in, PLUS she has a Lancôme giveaway to give your skin a luminous summer glow!

Phyrra – shows off the new Makeup Geek Pigments! Which shade will you fall for?

we heart this – presents a drugstore eyelid primer that’s WAY better than pulling a rabbit out of hat! It’s L’Oreal Magic De-Crease.

Beauty Junkies Unite – Take off for your summer vacation early with the review & swatches for the brand new Essie Resort Collection for 2013. These new nail hues are bright & fun!

Clumps of Mascara – adores the brand Simple and their awesome skincare products. Got sensitive skin? You HAVE to try this drugstore brand out.

EauMG – Here’s a video review of one of Victoria’s favorite classic perfumes for spring/summer, Chanel Cristalle.

Gouldylox Reviews – Did a temporary color stain your hair? If you aren’t up for the pastel trend, here’s how to remove the unwanted color.

Guest Post of the Week, as chosen by My Beauty Bunny – Did your spring cleaning include a thorough washing of your makeup tools? If not, Kristie of Blushing Basics has the details on tackling this important task: How To Clean & Sanitize your Makeup & Makeup Brushes.