Happy Halloween!!!

One day I was browsing through Instagram and came across a super cute Halloween themed manicure and figured I wanted to recreate it for my own Halloween mani. I don't normally do anything for Halloween but this was too cute to pass up.

I started out my base with some Cult Nails polishes. I used Tempest on the index finger, Grunge on the middle finger, and Nevermore on the thumb, ring, and pinky fingers.

Then I took out my brushes and dotting tools to create these. First I used the dotting tool to create the eyes of my "Jack" face and then used a small brush to make the eyes a little more oval, then I used a striping brush to add the nose and mouth. My hands were a little shaky so it didn't turn out quite how I had pictured it but it was pretty close. Then on the ring finger I wanted to add some googly eyes. All I did for these was use Tempest for the white dots and then Nevermore again for the center of the eyes in a smaller dotting tool. Then for something more I added Maybelline Polka Dots in Clearly Spotted to the top of Grunge to carry on my black and white theme. I had to be super careful and make sure that my art was dry before I added my top coat so that I wouldn't smear my work.

Thankfully I took these pictures before I added my topcoat because I did have a mishap. Of course I thought I had waited long enough but ended up smearing a little on my Jack face when I added the top coat. Oh well, next time I will just wait a bit longer. Darn me for being impatient, LOL!

I hope you all enjoyed this Halloween themed mani as much as I do!

Cult Nails polishes can be purchased through their site here.

*all pics were taken indoors in natural lighting with flash (I had to use flash because the sun was not out on this day)

Zoya Tomoko & Arabella

Today I am going to bring you two of the newest Zoya polishes I have added to my collection. As I have said many times before, I LOVE the textured polishes but I especially love Zoya's Pixie Dusts! I don't know exactly what it is about their formula that makes them my favorite textured polishes but they are.

They are textured but not rough and don't snag on your clothing or scratch you if you brush your face. They are surprisingly easy to remove (I use the foil method for removal), you don't have to scrub to get them off. They apply so smoothly and I've never had a problem with the formula being thick or goopy. They even dry in a reasonable amount of time. My most favorite part of these is the fact that if I accidently smudge one before it's dry, I just use one of my fingers to lightly pat out the smudge and I never know where that smudge was once it's all dry!

This first one I have on Tomoko and it is described as a champagne silver with a matte, textured, sparkling metal finish (description from Zoya). I just think it's absolutely gorgeous! I think this one is going to be perfect for the holiday season. I am already imagining some beautiful holiday manicures using this one.

The next one I have on is called Arabella. Arabella is described as a rich fuschia pink with a matte, textured, sparkling finish. I just called it berry delicious! I think this one is going to be perfect for many occasions year 'round.

Zoya polishes can be found at your local Ulta store (I think they are in store only because I have never found them on Ulta's website), on Zoya's site here, or in select salons. If you haven't tried them yet you are really missing out because they are just so versitile. If you don't like the textured finish, just add a top coat to really make them sparkle! It is recommended that you do not use a base coat for best results.

*pictures were taken in natural lighting with no flash

Butter London Disco Biscuit

This is another recent purchase that I scored last month during Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty sales. I got this and 2 others on Butter London's day and scored them for only $10 each!!

This one is Butter London Disco Biscuit. It is a bright pink somewhat sheer polish with blue micro glitter. These pictures are with 3 coats of Disco Biscuit, I used 3 coats to get the opacity that I was desiring. Plus I am not one for a visible nail line when I'm wearing polish. 3 coats did the trick. I only wish my camera picked up the micro glitter better on my nails but you can see it in the bottle in the pics here. These pics were also taken with no flash and in sunlight.

The formula was Butter London's fabulous formula that I love. Everything always applies so smoothly and evenly. No clumps, streaks, or goops. I love this formula and wish I could have every color Butter London offers. Dry time was a few minutes and I topped this one of with a top coat of Out The Door for added shine and to make sure they were dry before I started doing any housework. I wouldn't want to smudge all the work I put into these babies, lol!

Butter London polishes can be purchased at Ulta, and through their website here. I also believe they are also available at Nordstrom, Dillards, and other fine stores and salons. You can find a complete list of locations on their website.

Cult Nails All Access Collection

 

I managed to get in on Cult Nails' presale they had for their new All Access Collection that was just released. I was so excited that I managed to get my order in just before the presale ended. Talk about in the nic of time!

This collection is TO DIE FOR!!! I am loving this and I am in love with it. For those of you who don't know Cult Nails is owned and operated by Maria and her hubby John. They make some of the best polishes I have ever tried. Cult Nails is free of Toulene, Formaldehyde, Dibutyl Phthalate and Camphor.

Now, let's get on to the All Access Collection. There are five polishes in this collection, 3 creams and 2 glitters. They are Grunge, Lamestain, Wack Slacks, Disillusion, and Feedback.

Grunge is described as a moss green that in different lighting can lean grey. This crème is so versatile and can easily pass as a neutral in my books. This is 2 coats but I could have easily gotten by with just one coat. Topped it with Cult Nails' own top coat Wicked Fast (super shiny and dries wicked fast). Lighting in these pics were natural lighting (sunlight).

Next is Lamestain. Lamestain is described as a vampy red (think oxblood) that leans brick red to brown to deep burgundy. This one is a cream but a little bit of a thinner formula than their other creams. It isn't watery or thin but I recommend using 2 coats to get the best opacity. I used 2 coats here and topped with Wicked Fast.

Next up is Wack Slacks. Wack Slacks is described as looking like a cornflower blue but leans purple hued in sunlight. In my pics you can see that in the different lighting the color changes slightly. This is the EXACT blue I had been searching for. I am loving this one so much!! It has the usual Cult Nails cream formula which is amazing and this is a one coater for most. I have on one coat here topped with Wicked Fast.

The first glitter one I'm going to show you is one that I was very excited about because I LOVE black and pink! Especially together! So when I seen the preview pics of this one I knew I was going to HAVE to have it! This is Disillusion. Disillusion is a hot pink mylar flake in a light black jelly base.

You can either wear it alone or put it over a black base (I recommend Cult Nails Nevermore, the best black one coater EVER!). If you wear this one alone you are going to need 2-3 coats and it is very important that you let it fully dry in between coats because with the mylar flakes being heavy in the jelly base they will move when you apply the next coat. I used it alone here and used 3 coats topped with Wicked Fast. I think next time I wear this one I am going to try it over Nevermore just because I am too impatient to wait for the coats to dry again, lol.

The last one in this collection is Feedback. Feedback is described as a gold and iridescent mylar flakes in a clear base. This is a really fun one in my opinion because you can wear it in so many different ways and over so many different colors.

Again with this one you are going to have to wait for drying if you are going to wear it with more than one coat. What I did here is sponged it on to make a gorgeous glitter gradient over Wack Slacks. I can't tell you how amazing this combination is in person. I literally can't stop staring at my nails!! This is also topped with Wicked Fast.

All of these are made with the fabulous formula that Cult Nails uses and I had no issues with any of them. No problems applying and no clumps. Cult Nails is one of my all time favorites and I think it is the one brand I reach for the most. Try it if you haven't already, I promise you'll be hooked!

Cult Nails polishes sell for $12 each for a full sized 0.5fl oz bottle and you can purchase them here on their site. Wicked Fast sells for $10 for a full size bottle or you can purchase the Wicked Fast topcoat in combination with Get It On, their base coat for a package price of $18 for both full sized bottles.

Whimsical Ideas by Pam "20 Pounds of Middle"

Another Whimsical Ideas by Pam polish I purchased is also from her Camp Whimsy collection. This one is called 20 Pounds of Middle. I love black and white, I don't know why but I guess I'm a little weird that way, and this glitter topper was a perfect addition to my collection. I knew I HAD to have this one also.

I layered this one over Cult Nails' Nevermore and did kind of a skittlette mani with this. I have Sally Hansen Sugar Fix Sugar Coat textured polish on my ring finger and on my pinky I have just some silver nail art that I free-handed. I just wanted to make this mani as fun as I could!

20 Pounds of Middle is a mix of matte white glitter in several sizes and shapes in a clear base. There are circles, rectangles, hearts, and hex glitter. This is another fun one that will have so much versitility to it. You do have to fish around a little bit to get the larger pieces of glitter but that's ok, I don't mind. I did notice that I also had to do some manipulating on my placement but I think that's just because I am just particular on where I wanted the larger pieces.

20 Pounds of Middle, along with all the other fun, cute polishes Pam has available are listed on her Facebook page. Pam makes a point of having a list of all her available polishes for her customers to see.

Whimsical Ideas by Pam polishes can be purchased directly from Pam and all her ordering information is clearly listed on her Facebook page. You can get to her Facebook page here.

Whimsical Ideas by Pam "Pippin"

Here is another one of my recent purchases. I just love the polishes Pam over at Whimsical Ideas by Pam makes. They are so much fun!! This one is Pippin and it is a gorgeous glitter topper. I layered Pippin over my Butter London Royal Navy mani because I wanted to add something fun to it.

Pippin is from the Camp Whimsy collection and it has small blue and pink glitter, blue and pink micro glitter, and large blue circle glitter in a clear base. You do have to fish for the large circle glitter but it is so worth it! I know that the first time I seen I knew I had to have this one. This is gorgeous!

Whimsical Ideas by Pam polishes can be purchased through her directly. All her ordering information is on her Facebook page here.

Butter London Royal Navy

Last month when Ulta had their 21 Days of Beauty sales I managed to make a trip there for the Butter London sale. I love it when they have Butter London on sale. I managed to score 3 Butter Londons when I was there.

I am bringing you one of the colors I purchased during that trip. This is Butter London Royal Navy. I think this color is going to be perfect for fall but if you're like me, I like to wear dark colors all year round.

Royal Navy is a navy blue creme. The formula is Butter London's typical formula that applies so nicely. Not thick or goopy and does not apply streaky either. These pictures here are with 2 coats. I am pleased that the pictures were able to show the depth of this blue and I am in love with this one!

Butter London lacquers can be purchased through their site, Ulta stores, and other fine retailers and salons. They retail for $15 for a full size bottle (which is .4 fl oz). Butter London lacquers are also 3 Free Nail Lacquers for all of you who want to be cruelty free!

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick

This month in my August Ipsy Glam bag I received a sample of the new Urban Decay Revolution lipstick and I was very impressed with it. I am one who hasn't worn actual lipstick much over the last few years, I've stuck mainly to lip gloss and when I have purchased lipstick I've just went with drugstore brands because I never understood why people would pay more for a lipstick. Well, now I understand! These Revolution lipsticks are the best I've ever tried. They are so smooth and they don't dry out your lips.

Well the sample I got in my Ipsy bag was a red called "69" which I think it is more of a bright red with pink undertones. While I've never worn red I thought I'd give it a try. Not bad I thought! The more I wore it the more I loved the color on me. I also loved the way my lips felt while I was wearing this lipstick. My lips also didn't feel dry afterwards either. I liked it so much that I decided to go to my local Ulta and purchase a full size.

When I got to Ulta I was overwhelmed by the selection of colors. I liked "69" but another red caught my eye. I tried on "F-Bomb". I liked this one even more! "F-Bomb" is a red with blue undertones and on me I felt that it was a better fit for a red. So I bought it! $22 was the most I've ever spent on a lipstick but this was so worth every single penny!!

Then after having "F-Bomb" for a couple weeks I decided I wanted another Urban Decay Revolution lipstick but this time I wanted one in a more neutral color. Something I could wear everyday. I went back to my local Ulta and took my best friend with me. After we looked through all the testers and tried on a few I decided on "Rush". I would describe "Rush" as a mauvey nude. It's close to my natural lip color and it was exactly what I was looking for. So with my tube of "Rush" in my hand, off the the check out counter we went.

As you can see in my pics that it even has a nice shine to it. Urban Decay makes a liner that prevents feathering called Ozone and I can see after reviewing my pictures of "69" and "F-Bomb" that I should make the Ozone liner my next purchase when I go to Ulta! I didn't notice the feathering until I was editing the pictures but by then it was too late. From reviews I've read the Ozone liner is amazing and if you have issues with your lipstick feathering you should definitely purchase it as well. The Ozone liner sells for $19.


Urban Decay Revolution lipsticks can be purchase at Sephora and Ulta in stores and online.

Essie Watermelon

Today I just have something fairly simple for you. I did this mani a little while ago and I finally have it up on the blog for you. I have Essie Watermelon which is a beautiful pinky watermelon shade. I really love this color. I love Essie's formula, it goes on pretty smooth and I haven't had any problems with it being too runny, streaky, or too thick and goopy. For me it has been pretty spot on with the Essie polishes that I've gotten lately. This color just screams summer to me for some reason.

I wanted to add a little something so I added an accent finger with a paint splatter effect. I had read online somewhere on how to do this and though "huh, can't be that hard". Let me tell you, it isn't difficult but it does take a good set of lungs to pull off a paint splatter.

To achieve a paint splatter take on a sheet of paper put drops of the colors that you want to use, I used Zoya Purity and Raven. Then take a regular drinking straw. But before you start doing anything make sure you use tape to tape up your finger leaving only your nail showing through, it makes clean up so much easier, trust me.

Once you're all taped up, you have your straw and polishes ready. Dip the end of the straw into one of the colors, position it over your finger and blow. I mean BLOW and blow hard and quick. The first time I was just like "Whew" and nothing happened, then I blew a little harder, still nothing happened, then I gave it all I had and voila! Splatter!! Repeat with that color if desired.

Then when you have the first color finished repeat the process with your next color but I used a new straw for the new color. I mean, straws are cheap, right.

Once you've got your splatter done to your liking you can remove your tape and use your brush/swab and acetone to finish clean up. Let dry somewhat and then apply a topcoat. Now you're good to go!

Essie polishes can be purchased at most drugstores, Ulta stores, Walmart, and Target. Zoya can be purchased at Ulta, their site, and select salons.

NYC New York Color Sparkle Eye Dust

***PRESS SAMPLE***

The people over at NYC New York Color also sent me some of their Sparkle Eye Dust eyeshadows to try out. They sent me a nice neutral in Golden Champagne and a very pretty lilac called Amethyst Dazzle. I was pretty impressed with these and very disappointed in myself for not trying these before since I love NYC's cosmetics.

I've tried other brands of eyeshadows in a tube like this. They are a powder eyeshadow that is applied with a wand like a lipgloss wand. The others that I've tried have been more creamy and a bit more difficult to blend because they were more "moist" and creamy but these were a true powder and were very easy to apply and blend.

As you can see by the swatches on the back of my hand the Golden Champagne is a very light neutral and I figured it would make a great highlight color or perfect for an all over lid color like how I used it. The Amethyst Dazzle is a very pretty lilac ( a color that I would have never chosen for myself but ended up loving the way it looked on me). I figured I would use it for an "in the crease" color to create some depth to my look I was going to create with these two colors.

So as you can see I used the Golden Champagne all over the lid and almost all the way up to the brow. Then I applied the Amethyst Dazzle to the crease. I put the Amethyst Dazzle on a little heavier than I would have normally because I was going to do some blending with a brush and I knew the blending was going to dimish some of the intensity of the color.

But here is my completed look with these colors. They were so easy to apply. Because they are a true powder you should make sure that you tap the wand a little bit before applying just so that you don't have any powder fall on your cheek or clothing. They blend beautifully and are so smooth! I have to say that I am definitely going to go out and purchase some more of these!!

The NYC New York Color Sparkle Eye Dust eyeshadows can be purchased for just under $3 at Walmart, Target, or some drug stores.