Beauty for Ashes

The War on Debt-A review

2012-03-18T00:30:00.001-05:00

In a small group I went to at my church, they played the War on Debt video by Dani Johnson.
At first, I was skeptical because I didn't understand how you can get out of debt on a dead end job that pays next to nothing?
This was my preconceived notion. Until I started listening, and had it explained to me. Dani offered sound advice that met people where they were at, and how to achieve success as well as get out of debt.
I was really tuning in because she offered practical advice on HOW to get out of debt.
One of the steps was to look at your budget, and find the "fat"-the money you spend on things you do not need.
The other step was take that money from the "excess" and apply it toward a debt. If you have more than one debt, apply it to the smallest debt first, then once that is paid off, go to the next one. A snowball effect of sorts.
I wanted to try this out myself, and see what happens. I figured out the fat, and I stopped excess spending on things I don't need. Since there is not much room for fat in our budget anyway, I also took Dani's advice from the video and applied it toward my grocery bill.
This video was definitely life changing for me and I would recommend this DVD set. It is wise counsel and it only serves to help others.
A couple that I know form church applied the principles taught in the video, and it worked! Their income actually increased, they learned about spending money wisely, and they have become debt free. Today, they are living in a beautiful home, have successful careers and are helping others learn the War on Debt
My final thoughts: A definite must have, this has really helped me see that there is hope, even on a really tight budget, but it also helped me see that there is more out there than low paying jobs! I was so happy that she offers sound advice and has so many free resources to help people.
Are you ready to change your life, get out of debt and be successful?
Click here for more information
Are You Getting Everything You Want Out Of Life? Free Video Shows You How!

China Glaze Review & Hunger Games Collection

2012-03-05T03:19:00.000-06:00

For the most part, China Glaze polishes have been great. They last about 5 days with out chipping and the color selection is wide.
I usually buy China Glaze nail polish at Sally's Beauty Supply because they are cheaper by a couple of dollars. China Glaze is also sold at Ulta (I found online to be cheaper and China Glaze is often on sale I have seen).
I currently own 5 China Glaze polishes:

Starting on the left, the colors are: Near Dark, Tempest, Camisole, Go Crazy Red and Trendsetter.
As I said earlier, I have been pleased with this brand except for one of my polishes. This one polish does not apply very well and it is very streaky. It takes a good 3-4 coats to get a good color. The one I am not pleased with is Tempest. Only for that reason. I still have the color because I love the bluish purple color , it is a beautiful color! It just does not apply well. Maybe I just got one that had a bad consistency.
All of my other colors I absolutely LOVE. They are opaque, and only take about 1-2 coats. The colors dry very quickly (which is good for me because I get impatient waiting for nails to dry). :D
China Glaze comes out with collections and they have such pretty colors! But I already own enough nail polish:D I may get the hunger games collection because I like the colors. So pretty!
Final Thoughts: I love the China Glaze brand. With the exception of Tempest, the application is even, and only takes 1-2 coats. The polish dries quickly and lasts about 4-5 days. The prices are not expensive and you are getting a great quality product (except Tempest). China Glaze polish is definitely one of the brands I will keep wearing.

Sale!!!!!

2012-02-29T22:58:00.001-06:00

I just got this email and I wanted to share it with you all...Too Faced is having a semi annual vintage sale!!! Up to 85% off select products. The sale starts on March 1, 2012 and ends March 11, 2012. I am so excited about this:) I love when high end goes on sale. :D Enjoy 85% OFF MAKEUP on TooFaced.com! Hurry - offer ends 3/11/12. I want some palettes by them, so I am hoping those go on sale!:)

Review: Elf Complexion Perfection Powder

2012-02-29T02:12:00.001-06:00

I have had the elf complexion perfection powder for some time now. I already started hitting pan on it.

This powder is only $3 and it works really well. I have never seen a corrective powder for this cheap. At first, when I bought it for the first time, I was worried that I would be allergic to it, since I have very sensitive skin and I break out easily. I was fine with this powder. I can wear it around my eyes even and I am just fine.
The powder is very soft and fine. It is meant to be used to color correct, and it does its job. The picture below I have swatched the powder on my fingers. the pink is on my pinky finger and it is very light, but it works just as well.

As you can see from the swatches, there is yellow, blue, green and pink. These colors are meant to be blended together to even out your skin tone. I used this powder in my DIY foundation primer video and it works really well in evening out my skin tone.

There are four colors in this powder which I have previously mentioned.

blue is on the top left, pink is on the bottom left. yellow is on the top right and green is on the bottom right.
I usually just blend all the colors and even out my skin tone, but since I did that in my foundation primer, I now use it for any spot treatments...i.e., around my eyes to set the concealer and also to even out the skin tone on my eyelids. I use the blue for that which i explain down below.

What do the colors mean?
blue candles out yellow or orange on the skin. Sometimes, I use this on my eye lids because there is a hint of orange on them.
green cancels out red. I use this to cover a pimple or redness on my face.
yellow cancels out blue and purple. I use the yellow around my eyes as well because the dark circles are almost blueish/purple and it cancels them out. The yellow also warms up the skin and makes you look brighter. I also use the yellow to cancel out the redness I may have, it works as well as the green for redness:)
pink counteracts green. If you have greenish veins showing or greenish under eye circles, the pink will counteract that. I have greenish veins showing on my hands and I put the pink concealer over it for demonstration purposes.

This first picture is my hand without the pink powder. It has greenish veins showing through. It is kind of hard to see with the lighting but its there.

This is my hand with the pink powder on it. the green is not as apparent:)
All of this is on the color wheel

yellow is opposite purple, blue is opposite orange, green is opposite red and so on. The colors cancel one another out, which is what this correcting powder by elf does. It cancels out any discoloration you may have on your skin.

My final thoughts:
Being as this is my second time having purchased this powder, I can honestly say I love it! It is very inexpensive $3.00 US. Very budget friendly, and you are not wasting your money on something that may not work. This powder works wonders on my skin, and I will be purchasing this again and again. It is definitely worth it!

Spa time!

2012-02-22T01:08:00.001-06:00

I was browsing around at sigma because I want a Clarisonic, but $150 is just crazy expensive for that, so i went to Sigma to see if the cleansing and polishing tool would a good option for a lot cheaper.
For $59 I found this bundle....

Quoted from the website:

The Spa Solutions Complete Kit contains six customized attachments for the ultimate spa experience. The Sigma Beauty Cleansing and Polishing Tool includes three specific brush heads for all skin types. In addition, the NEW Spa Solutions Kit has three unique attachments for you to personally select your specific skin needs. Discover your natural radiance!

Attachments in this kit:

Extra-Soft Brush - Recommended for gentle cleansing of extra-sensitive skin. Silicone.

Massager - Maximizes absorption of skin care products and stimulates skin circulation. Silicone.

Exfoliator - Best for removing dead skin cells to reveal healthy looking skin. Pumice Stone.

Soft - Recommended for daily facial cleansing and polishing.

Medium - Perfect for daily, all over, body exfoliation.

Firm - Recommended for deeper body exfoliation of dry areas, such as the elbows, knees and heels.

I am liking that. I may need to invest in that, has anyone tried this? I am wondering if it is comparable to the Clarisonic.
This is a great deal for what you are getting.

Until next time...stay beautiful!:)

A movie is sometimes all you need:)

2012-02-18T23:10:00.001-06:00

When I don't have anything to do, I like to sit at home watching movies and eating popcorn and chocolate:D When I want to buy a new movie, I found some awesome deals on amazon.com I bought the whole collection of Saved by the Bell for a great price:D there are many new releases on amazon for a lot cheaper than the store! I was recently browsing through movies that are on my wish list to buy, and I found some on amazon. Movies on my list: Veggie Tales (yes, I love watching these guys)! Any Disney ( I absolutely love Disney movies) My Future Boyfriend The best of Happy Days (gotta love the Fonz)! What are your favorite movies?

Weekly Favorites

2012-02-11T02:51:00.001-06:00

This week, I have 2 favorites, both from elf cosmetics.
The elf concealer is my first favorite.

It cost $1 and it does a great job of covering my under eye circles and blemishes. The shade I use is light beige and I wear MAC NW20. It matches me really well (the light beige).

Here's a swatch on my hand. It's hard to see...

Check out the elf website!
My second favorite is the elf liquid eyeliner.

This is great eyeliner for $1! It does not smudge, and it goes on pretty smooth, (with a steady hand of course!)

I recently did a tutorial on how to apply eyeliners, which featured the elf liquid liner:)

These items I have worn a lot in the past month, and I was really impressed with the quality of these products, usually with makeup, you get what you pay for, but elf really has great quality at good prices.

Right now until Feb. 13, elf is offering this coupon:

Get a Free Beauty Clutch, a $15 value, with orders of $25 or more! Take advantage of this offer with code BEAUTY from 2/7-2/13!

Ulta sale!

2012-02-06T20:16:00.001-06:00

I put this on YT and wanted to share here too.

I was browsing online at Ulta.com and I saw a lot of things on sale, including butter london and china glaze nail polish. That made me ecstatic. So I wanted to let you guys know, so that you can take advantage of the sale.
On Sale Now at Ulta
I was looking at the butter london, and it said three butter london polish for $14. The China Glaze ranged in price from $1.88-$7.99
I was looking at a lot of other stuff too, but those nail polishes caught my eye:)

A guide to buying on eBay

2012-02-06T01:02:00.002-06:00

When buying come tics on ebay, be VERY careful about what you buy. Especially with higher end brands...there are a lot of fakes out there, and sellers who are claiming that the cosmetics are authentic when they are not.
>When buying cosmetics on ebay, I always buy from sellers within the US. Overseas, I have experienced a lot of make-up brand fakes
>Look at sellers feedback....Some people may have left feed back claiming the item is fake.
>Look at the price...Real MAC does not sell for $3; that is probably a fake.
>Also- compare the prices with the actual MAC cosmetics website...Many prices are actually HIGHER on ebay. Lipsticks at MAC do NOT cost $25.
>Pay attention to shipping...eye shadows should not cost $10 to ship. I understand a profit needs to be made, but be reasonable in the shipping prices...

When make-up expires

2012-02-06T00:39:00.002-06:00

This is a general rule of thumb when it comes to replacing old make-up.
Mascaras and liquid liners-These should be replaced every 3-4 months. When it goes over, bacteria can settle in and cause eye infections.These items dry out when they are old.

Lip and eye pencils-These can last up to 5 years. Keep these items sharpened so they stay fresh.

Lipstick/lip glosses-2 years. Old lipstick will be dried out.

Powders/blushes/eyeshadows-2 or 3 years. I toss most of mine after 3 years. Old eyeshadow, blush or powder will be packed down and hard to pick up with a brush.

Cream eyeshadows-6 months. I have kept mine up to a year, and they have been fine.

Liquid Foundation-I have kept mine up to a year, and it's been fine. Life span can average 6 months to a year. Old foundation will separate and look crusty.

A guide to buying mascaras

2012-02-06T00:27:00.000-06:00

When buying a mascara, keep in mind how soon the expire, what you can wear, the type and price.

How to know if you are allergic:
-Swollen eyelids
-conjunctivitis
-Itchy or runny eyes
-Dryness of eyes
-Imflammation/redness of the skin around the eye
-Styes (small bumps around the eye

Note: test the mascara on your hand first. If you feel an itching or a burning sensation, do NOT apply the mascara to your eye!

Expiration:

Mascaras expire in 3 months. A whole tube of mascara most likely won't be used in that amount of time. Consider making use of travel size mascaras if available. Ulta has travel sizes of Benefit, Urban Decay and Too Faced Mascaras. If you are able to wear drugstore mascaras, they can be inexpensive for the most part

Type of Mascara:

What type of mascara are you looking for? Lengthening, volume, curling? Consider your lashes...Someone with long lashes will not need a lengthening mascara but may need a volumizing. Just consider what you prefer. There are just basic black or brown mascaras that are waterproof. If you cry it won't smudge:)

The type I like is the Urban Decay Super curling mascara. It keeps my lashes curled which is good because they are just straight. I also like the Victoria's Secret Mascara for volume. It makes my lashes look fuller. The Too Faced lash injection mascara really separates my lashes and makes them look full.
I mainly use higher end mascaras because I can't wear drugstore mascaras. I tried the Rimmel London mascara and I was allergic to it, as well as with maybeline, cover girl, etc. It took me a while, but I found the few mascaras I do like and that work well for me. It may take time, but you will find a mascara that works for you that you like a lot.

15% OFF Makeup + 2 Free Gifts + Free Shipping... what more could a girl want this Valentine's Day? Use code: VDAYSALE12!

PRICE:

The most important part...besides allergic reactions!
The prices at the drugstore on many mascaras have become increasingly expensive.
Rimmel London Day to night Mascara is $6.99 at Walmart
Urban Decay Super Curling Mascara is $9 at Ulta for a smaller size. (It's not much smaller than the full size).
L'Oreal Mascara is around $9.99 at WalMart
Victoria's Secret Lash Stash (full size) $12.00

When you pay attention to the prices of ALL mascaras, most are only a few dollars difference.
The cheaper mascaras can run around $5 at Walmart for the Maybeline Great Lash.

Formula:

What's the consistency? Is it dry? Clumpy? Wears off easily? This is all apart of the formula. Some mascaras have a lot of fiber and that can fall into your eye. The formula is something I pay attention to, especially since it affects my eyes

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Him & Her

2012-02-04T22:49:00.003-06:00

Valentine's Day is coming up, and it's not only spending time with your significant other, but also your friends and family.

Here are some gift ideas for her:

Flowers-Usually, every woman likes flowers. Im not one of them, but then again Im not a romantic either. LOL

Chocolate-Who does not like this one? Godiva has some really good chocolates, not too expensive either:)

For the Lovers of Lindt Chocolate truffles, Here's a 60 count box:D

Stuffed Animals-for the stuffed animal lover, these are a great option. They have them everyone, and pillow pets fall into this category. They are so cute!

Monkey

Red and White plush bear

Puppy Pillow Pet

Panda (affectionately known as Pandee, for those who watch Miss Glamourazzi on YT)

Perfume: Scents are a favorite, but be sure to get a scent she likes.

Listed below are two of my favorites, as a guide:

DKNY Be Delicious

Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift

Gifts for Him:

Cologne-be sure to get a scent he likes. My husband's favorite is Fahrenheit 32

Food- which man does not like food? haha. Bake (or buy) him some cookies, or whatever treat he likes.

Wine-for the wine lover, there are bottles of wine or The Wine Bible

Julep Maven Review

2012-02-02T23:56:00.001-06:00

Julep Maven is a monthly subscription. It is $19.99 a month, and you take a quiz and then based on your results, you get certain products. I was an American Beauty and I got an age defying brightening hand cream, and two polishes. I bought the monthly subscription for a penny on a promotion. It was a great deal, but it is not worth the hype that you hear all over You Tube.

Inside the box:

A letter

a card with my quiz results

age defying hand brightener

Two samples: hand cream and scrub

The nail polish that came in my box is Anne, which is a medium purple, and Maria, which is a rosy pink color. The colors are beautiful, and it only takes 1-2 coats.

Anne:

Maria:

That's the only thing that I have to say that is positive. The nail polish chips after one day (even with a good base coat and top coat) and is not good quality (in my opinion). The hand brightener did nothing for me, and I will definitely not be repurchasing this. I would rather spend the $19.99 on OPI polishes.

Nail Life Nail Revitalizer Review

2012-01-31T15:03:00.001-06:00

Weekly Favorites Jan. 31, 2012

This week, I have only one product, and that is the Nail Life Nail Revitalizer. This is a nail treatment for chipped, peeling nails. My nails have been peeling and weak, and this product has helped immensely.
Of course, there are other things I need to do in conjunction with this product, such as filing my nails, using an oil treatment and this nail revitalizer.
It has taken a while, but one nail has stopped peeling and one of them is pretty close.
I picked this as a weekly favorite first because I use this every week. I use it alone, or as a base coat and top coat.
I have tried many different products to help and the closest one I could find was Orly Nail Bonder. That helped a little, but not as much as this product with the peeling. However, Orly Nail Bonder is an excellent base coat and helps prevent nail polish chipping.
But for the meanwhile, I need to use this to help the peeling on my nails. This week, I am using it alone, and trying to get my one nail fixed up.
The downside to this product...it takes a while for the peeling to go away. It took about 3 weeks for one of my nails to stop peeling. It's not quick acting, so it takes time and patience.
This product also has to be reapplied every day for 7 days. I often forgot to reapply and it did take longer for nail to heal. It takes work, but this product does work well (I have included photos of my two nails that just healed up). It just doesn't seem like it at first.

These pictures are shiny on the nail because I am wearing the nail revitalizer. It has a shine to it.

The price is another downfall..or may seem to be. It is $7.99 at Sally Beauty Supply, and because this product is not "quick acting" it may seem like a waste of your money. But give it time, and you will see it's not.
Also, my nails were peeling pretty badly, so it may work faster for some people who not have badly peeling nails.

Makeup Brushes for Beginners

2012-01-29T04:02:00.001-06:00

When first starting out with makeup, it can be difficult knowing what brushes to get. I did a beginners makeup brush guide on my website
Beauty For Ashes

I recommend looking for a brush set. There are many sets sold but not all of them are inexpensive. There are some inexpensive ones at Coastal Scents at Elf Cosmetics
The Coastal Scents Brushes include:

it depends on which kit you get. There are some beginner friendly kits, but not many. A lot of the kits have brushes that a beginner may not know how to use yet, however, there kits range from $9.95-$39.95

The elf brush kit includes (for the basic beginner kit:

Concealer Brush
Blush/Bronzer Brush
Foundation Brush
Blending Eye Brush
Smudge Eye Sponge
Eye Liner Brush
Total Face Brush
Defining Eye Brush
Eyelash & Brow Wand
Lip Defining Brush
Brow Comb & Brush
Eye Shadow Brush

There are pallets from elf cosmetics that range in prices and brushes are great quality like Coastal Scents. It's up to you and your preferences. I

I own both elf and coastal scents brushes. I am pleased with both brands and both have precise and easy application. I do feel that for beginners, an elf set would be fine, its not expensive and it is a good chance to get used to makeup brushes.

1001 Beauty Tips: A Review

2012-01-26T19:43:00.000-06:00

There is an ebook out on the market called 1001 Beauty tips. If you are a beauty lover like I am, the title alone should have caught your eye.
Well, I was looking through it, and honestly, There are some good tips, and people will enjoy it. I think there is better out there (that is just my opinion).
There are resources for beauty tips all over the internet, but on the same note, this book has it all in one. If you want the convenience of having a lot of beauty tips in one place, and natural beauty than this book is for you.
Personally, I enjoy looking around and doing the research myself. I am not really about the convenience of having all my beauty tips in one book. Though, I have to admit, it is easier to have it all in one book. So I am torn...
The downside to this book is the cost. For those on a tight budget, I wouldn't recommend it. It is $17 now, normally $27, which may not be bad, but for the budgeter, this may be of concern, especially if you are able to find these tips on the internet for free.
Im sure not EVERY tip in this book is online for free, but many are.
If you want the convenience of all the tips in one book, and some natural beauty tricks, this book may be for you. I do encourage you to check it out (link will be below) for yourself and see what you think.
1001 Forver Beauty Tips

Sigma dupes for Mac Brushes

2012-01-24T22:56:00.002-06:00

Recently, i went to MAC and purchased the MAC 227 (Large fluff brush) and the MAC 129 (blush/powder brush). These brushes are great! Very soft and the perfect size. They were also very expensive. The mac 129 brush was $34 and the mac 227 brush was around $30. The 129 also shed a little. Not much, but for the price I wouldnt expect it! Haha
I was interested in seeing if Sigma had any dupes. Why? Well Sigma brushes are excellent quality cheaper by almost half! I looked and researched some dupes. Sure enough, I found the Sigma E50 (large fluff brush) and the Sigma F10 (powder/blush brush). These brushes are the EXACT same as the MAC 227 and 129. The only difference is the E50 brush has a slightly shorter handle than the mac 227 and the F10 is shorter than the mac 129. Thats it. Both brushes apply the same, feel the same and the bristles even LOOK the same.
The sigma brushes were MUCH cheaper as well. The E50 brush was $11 and the F10 brush was $16. Quite a price cut! And it's the same brush!

see pictures below for detail.

If interested in purchasing the Sigma brushes, click the link below.

Sigma Beauty

I was pleasantly surprised on the affordability and quality of the brushes. Especially how comparable they are to the MAC brushes.

studying and the essentials...

2012-01-21T15:18:00.001-06:00

Currently, I'm out with my friend studying. So here is a light hearted blog post...

What essentials are needed for studying?
1. Coffee (or other beverage of your choice)
2. Lipstick, this is Sequin by MAC...for the touch ups of course!:)
3. Phone- my friends phone pictured has the blingy case. I absolutely love it.
4. Books, highlighters, pens, etc.
5. Laptop or iPad if you have one..why not take a study break for youtube or facebook...distractions, distractions, distractions....

With these 5 things, you're all set!

My New website, update

2012-01-21T14:28:00.000-06:00

It's been a while since I last updated this blog, but I wanted to share some exciting news!

I have my own website now, and I can update you guys regularly on this site and the actual website has many tips such as buying cosmetics on ebay, buying mascaras, etc.,

http://beautyfashionmakeup.com/
So please come on over and check it out, it's new and I will be updating it regularly

There is also a store tab on there, but it isnt open yet:)

Also, make sure to check out my new video: How to acheive a simple smokey eye

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGeEgM__wIM

I have a few DIY videos in the making, so stay tuned for that.

I posted a DIY brush holder nit too long ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDK5W5KCctc

These were made from old candles.

There a couple of new videos, and they are much better quality:) i got a new computer and i can film in HD now:)

I am so thankful for everything I have been blessed with, and for all of my subscribers. You all are a blessing and I am thankful for each and every one of you.

Aling those lines, my youtube channel has reached 200 subscribers! I will having a giveaway coming soon:)
So thank you all for watching my videos, reading my blog, etc. it means a lot to me!:)

100 Subscriber Giveaway Contest Results!

2011-12-23T13:53:00.000-06:00

Thank you to everyone who entered! I wish you all could have won:)

I picked two winners...
1st Place...allaboutbeaudee
2nd place...ilovedawsonscreek

Congratulations to the two winners.

There will be many more giveaways coming, so stay tuned:)

A smile is sometimes all you need...

2011-12-21T02:22:00.000-06:00

For many, the Christmas season is a tough time of year. Many people are in need this Christmas. Sine people can't afford to have a Christmas. Others have no where to go, no family, no friends around.
People who are sad just sometimes need a smile. Some need a hug. everyone needs prayers.
What do you have around your house that makes you smile?

I have my birthday present:

I was a cheerleader in my days:) As cheerleaders, you inspire the team and get the crowd pumped up. You cheer on your team and motivate them!
This makes me smile because it reminds me of happy times:)

Sometimes, a friend may be in need of a hug or a little Christmas cheer. You may be far away from them but you can post a cute picture of something you know would make them smile on their facebook wall, email ot even a letter:)
I have a friend who dreams of opening her own cafe someday. I love to encourage her in that. She hasnt been feeling to well, so I posted the cheerleader bear on wall

It's something I know would make her smile.

How can you make someone smile today?

❤❤❤100 subscriber contest!❤❤❤

2011-11-29T23:16:00.001-06:00

Official Links:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Iamamall

Twitter:
http://twitter.com/#!/Iamamall

RULES:
1. You must be subscribed to my channel (I will be checking)
2. If you are under 18, you must have your parents permission
3. If you enter via facebook, blog and twitter as well, you must be a fan of my facebook page and follow me on twitter (I will be checking). If you leave a comment on my blog, you must be a follower of my blog (I will check)
4. Contest is open

How to enter:
❤Leave me a comment on this video saying what videos you would like to see
❤Leave a post on my facebook wall telling me what videos you would like to see
❤Tweet me what videos you would like to see using the hashtag #IamamallsYTcontest
❤Leave a comment on my blog under the 100 subscriber giveaway telling me what videos you are interested in seeing

When entering on twitter, tweet me using the hashtag #IamamallsYTcontest
ex. @Iamamall I would like to see a video on makeup expiration dates #IamamallsYTcontest

You may enter through leaving a comment on this video, you may also enter through facebook, the blog entry about the contest and twitter. You can enter all four ways if you wish.

A Review: China Glaze Trendsetter Nail polish

2011-11-19T23:30:00.000-06:00

This polish is a very different color. It is an olive green with some shimmer in it. It is so pretty!

This polish was on sale at sally's Beauty Supply for $1.99 Who could beat that? I couldn't. I just had to have it!:P

The application takes 2 coats and it applies evenly on the nail. No streaks, and it chips after about 4 or 5 days.

The drying time was quick. In about 2 minutes, my nails were completely dry after 1 coat. I was able to wash dishes:D

Sigma haul and first impressions:)

2011-11-07T21:04:00.000-06:00

Hello beauties!
I recently made a purchase from Sigma Beauty. I need some makeup brushes, and they were having a sale on the Sigmax brushes F84 and F82. I also ordered a concealer brush and eyeshadow brush from Coastal scents...would you be interested in a comparison between Sigma and Coastal Scents? Let me know...

Anyways, I paid $21.00 for these two brushes:)

I was so happy to finally receive these! It took a week but it seemed like two weeks to me:P

The packaging was cute minus the box (haha), It came in a pouch and each brush had a brush protector. It also came with a flier explaining what the brushes are ideal for.
The roundtop kabuki is the F82 brush. The bristles are very dense but soft...VERY soft. It applies the product very nicely amd the prodeuct doesnt get INTO the brush, it stays on the edge (the lighter part of the bristles).

I used this brush to apply my foundation, and I got a very nice, even coverage! The brush really got into the smaller areas of my face like my nose and underneath my eyes. I was loving this! The brochure said "the round top kabuki brush simplifies precise makeup application under the eyes and around the nose. This brush is perfect for achieving flawless coverage using liquid and powder products" The brush did exactly that! It was amazing. I was using an elf studio brush to apply my foundation before, and I wasn't getting as much of an even application as I was with this brush.
The F84 brush is the angled top kabuki. I used this brush to apply my blush and to contour. It gave me a nice coverage on my cheeks and contoured very nicely! It was a precise application that blended as well and looked awesome! The brochure said "the angled top kabuki brush is the perfect brush for precise, yet blended application of product to the cheeks. It seamlessly applies cream, powder and liquid products." This brush did exactly that!

I am going to be ordering the flat top kabuki as well (F80). These brushes worked so well and provided excellent coverage that I can't wait to order more!
If you would like to see a tutorial on how I use these brushes, let me know:)

Sigma does have some great brushes, and they are worth every penny. Also, the prices are not bad at all (compared what I would have paid at Benefit, Clinique and Sephora). Sigma has some great affordable brushes, and the shipping was not too bad. Mine was about $5.00

Click here for the Sigma website:
http://www.sigmabeauty.com/?Click=63923

Zoya nail polish: a review

2011-11-02T22:23:00.002-05:00

Zoya polish is one of my favorites. Today, I am wearing Caitlin, which is a grayish violet color. I love the color and the application. It applies evenly for the most part, if you shake the bottle prior to application.:-) if you don't, and I learned the hard way, its streaky:( personally, I prefer an even application.
I like the color and it dries quickly. Not as quick as Zoya's Pheobe, but still pretty quick. My nails were completely dry with in 10 minutes with 2 coats of polish.
I washed dishes and no problems:D