Grocery Outlet Sighting : Revlon Nail Strips!

So Thanksgiving is going to be at our place this year so of course my hostess with the mostess plan involves making every dollar stretch.  Well, to my luck I live near plenty of places that can help me with that.

Seriously I can't even shop at regular grocery stores without feeling cheated.

So I go into Grocery Outlet to day to stock up on Thanksgiving munchies.  I pass by the cosmetics aisle (as I always do for cheap make up) and I find Revlon Nail Art strips.  These are available at your local drug store for about $10 but at Grocery Outlet they were $2.99!

So I had to break budget and get a few.

If you are wondering, these apply just like the Sally Hansen ones.  I hear that some people have issues with them chipping and noticed that they are talking about the glitter ones.  In my experience, glitter polishes always either chip on me with the quickness or are impossible to get off.

I just applied Wild One and I love it!  It's super sparkly and look really festive on my short nails.

 

If you can find these then I suggest you buy them.  You never know how fast stock will go at these places.

Now if you'll excuse me I have cakes to bake and a condo to clean...... sigh!  

Review! Givenchy Rouge Interdit Satin Lipstick in Lively Black aka Liv's Lips

Can I get a yay weekend?

Yaaaaayyyyy weekendddd!

Work was a big booty pain this week but only 3 more work days until Thanksgiving!  I'm so not going to be productive next week.

So for you today I have a Givenchy (pronounced ji-VON-shee I think) lipstick.

For a long time now Liv Tyler has been the face of the brand and I really can't imagine another face for them.  It's like how I still think Isabella Rossellini for Lancome and Elizabeth Hurley for Estee Lauder.

To me Liv Tyler and the brand are one in the same.  So it's fitting for me that she gets to give some creative input with the collections.

Liv's Lips is a sheer black lipcolor that turns a sheer berry shade on the lips.  The color depends on the person.  The effect is very much like Dior Lip Glow and less like O-gloss from Smashbox.

Is this just glorified mood lipstick?  Perhaps.  But I loved Dior Lip Glow and I really like this one too.  I find the stain in Liv's Lips to not be as intense as Lip Glow, but it lingers around a little longer.  Dior Lip Glow feel more emollient and more like a treat. Once the actual lipstick wears away a berry pink stain remains and fades evenly.

I compared Liv's Lips (left) to YSL Glazed Blackcurrent (right).  Both give a similar initial feel with a light berry tint to the lips.  But the pink stain in Liv's Lips allows the color to develop into something more complex and in turn is brighter than Glazed Blackcurrent.

I'm not too fond of the cap though.  I really wish that the seal was tighter because there have been a couple occasions when the lipstick came loose from the attached cap and I had a topless lipstick in my purse.

Am I glad I got it?  Yes and no.  While I enjoy this color and will wear it often, I really think for the price it's a bit expensive for a sheer lip tint with staining properties.

Will I buy again?  Probably not.  Unless it goes on sale and costs less than $15 I don't think I will get this again.  Not trying to be harsh but for me personally this product doesn't justify the $30 price tag.  But I do like it a lot more than YSL Glazed Blackcurrent. 

Review Time! Hourglass Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss in Icon

First and foremost I have to say that the name for this product is ridiculously convoluted.....

But the product is straight up gold!

My first thoughts of this gloss when I saw it in store was that it was super saturated with pigment and left a gorgeous shine.  Icon is described as a deep ruby red and I would have to agree. For me it's just light enough not to be considered goth but it borderlines vampy well enough.

As a person with a fair amount of red lipsticks in her collection I decided to get my closest colors and do a comparison.

Icon is swatched on the top

The other reds are as follows: MAC-Strut Your Stuff, MAC-Totally Fab, Elizabeth Arden-Golden Red, L'oreal-Target Red, Giorgio Armani-400, L'oreal-Ravishing Red, MAC-Port Red, MAC-Dubonnet and MAC-"Red" She Said.

Now color-wise I really would have to say that the closest is Armani 400 and I can imagine this gloss looking gorgeous layered on top of it.  But for those looking for a cheaper alternative I think L'oreal Ravishing Red mixed with a little burgundy liner and topped with a high-shine gloss could yield similar results.

Am I glad I got it?  Yes!

Will I buy it again?  Maybe.  

 I have actually only used up an entire tube of gloss twice.  The first time was with the NYC gloss that was clear with white holographic/iridescent glitter in it.  I can't tell you how much glitter I ingested in my youth because of all the glittery lipglosses I had.

The second time was with MAC Deelight.  I wore that gloss until I took the wand scraper off and started digging in the tube.  I'm very close to finishing my Viva Glam 6 gloss but stopped wearing it when summer coral colors came around.

Should you buy it?  That all depends on you.  

It's a great red that looks classic yet updated.  It's a bold lip indeed but not too bright and not too dark where people will think you have a lot of inner angst.  If you like Armani 400 then you will like this color as well.

  

  

Sephora Friends and Family Haul!!!

I'm sure there are a lot of these around now but I thought I would play show and tell as well.

 

These items I'm showing is everything that I am going to keep.  I also bought multiples of a few of them (mainly nail polish remover) so there is more.  This is just representative of the items I got.

 

Out of everything I think the only thing I'm going to return is the Sarah McNamara Miracle Skin Transformer kit.  I tried this BB cream on in store and loved it.  The only thing is that I'm super sensitive to most chemical sunscreens.  This is no exception, but I really did love how the BB cream performed otherwise.

 

Also I want to say that even though the 20% off is over, there are some great sale items to be had still.  If you have a Sephora inside a JCPenney nearby then check that out.  They don't have as much stock as a free standing Sephora store but the discounts are better in my experience.

 

So then.... on to my loot!

 

 

Hourglass Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss in Icon -$28

 Givenchy Rouge Interdit Satin LIpstick in Lively Black (also called Liv's Lips) -$30

Sephora Creamy Body Wash Caps -$0.80

Tokidoki Nail Art Stickers -$2

Tokidoki Nail Confetti and Nail Art Stickers -$4

Sephora Collection Express Nail Polish Remover -$1

Hello Kitty Head of the Class Compact Mirror -$1

Kat Von D Mini Eyeshadow Palette in Little Saint -$5

Tokidoki Scent Stick Trio -$1

Tanda Zap -$10

Tarte Fantastic Foursome Set -$35

Sephora+Pantone Universe Tangerine Tango Faux Lash Set -$9

 

That was all for me.  My friend also got Sultra Hair Extensions for $1 each and the Sadick Dermatology Group 30 Day trial kit for $10.

 

As for reviews..... well I fully intend to do a review on Icon and Liv's Lips so look out for that.  I might do a review for the Tarte blush and false lashes but that will take some time for me to try the stuff out.

 

Also, since I haven't done a confection in a while I have two for you today!

 

Last week I made my famous Mint Chocolate Cupcakes.  I brought some to my old workplace along with some chocolate ones.  With the leftover batter I made me a few batches of mini cupcakes.

 

 

Also an old co-worker and baking aficionado made some shortbread-ish sandwich cookies.  They were heavenly.

 

So there you have it!  Have a happy Wednesday and live happy!

Sephora Friends and Family + I Have an Extra Code

Yeah I should be working right now but nope I'm gonna blog.

So in case you were wondering Sephora's Friends and Family sale is going on right now!  This is for all Sephora VIB members.  If you're not a VIB member then you can still piggyback on the fun for today if you have a friend who happens to be a VIB.

As for me I have no friend I want to email my code to so if you're wanting to save 20% today leave your email in the comments section.  I only have one to give so first post gets it.  It's only valid online and in the US.

Other than that it's a great way to stock up on stuff.  Sephora.com now carries Koh Gen Do, SK-II and Sunday Riley among other top tier brands.

Also while supplies last you get a Sephora tote bag with purchase.

Other than that I really have nothing to left to say.....

Just remember the sale starts when the store opens not like last time when it started at 6pm and there was a giant line around the store just to get in.

Have fun and live happy!

So I Go to the Doctor and.......

So I went to an allergist on Friday in hopes of finding out what to do about my skin condition.  For about 6 months now my skin has been super itchy.  When I scratch it, welts form and it happens all over my body.  I've been controlling this with a Zyrtec every other day but didn't like the thought of being medicated if I didn't have to.

Some of you might already know what I have since I was told it was common.  My condition is called dermographia.  Apparantly it has no known cause or cure and is treated with antihistamine (so basically what I've been doing).

While it's considered beign, it's awfully troublesome and I get really self conscience.  It'a a good thing my friends know I suffer from pretty bad allergies at times but it still makes me feel vulnerable.

Oh well, enough whining.  The doctor says that it can resolve itself just as suddenly as it appeared.  Hopefully I won't have to deal with this too much longer. 

In any case, how many people can play tic-tac-toe on themselves?

Have a great weekend and stay happy!

Review: Revlon Ruby Ribbon and Briliant Bordeaux

So CVS is having a promo where if you buy 2 Revlon beauty items or tools you get $7 back in Extra Care bucks.  I got 2 polishes from their Just Add Sparkle collection for Holiday 2012.

Brilliant Bordeaux on the top and Facets of Fuchsia on the bottom.  So hard to photograph these.

Brilliant Bordeaux is a sheer black base with magenta and holo silver bar glitter with tiny black glitter.  When I saw the color I immediately thought of Facets of Fushcia.  The color is pretty much similar but there's so much more going on in Brilliant Bordeaux..... almost too much.  On the nail it's a very pretty color and spreads easily.  I would recommend layering this over a lighter color (like grey) to see the black glitter in this.  I layered this over my current mani which is a dark (almost black color) similar to Revlon Lunar, which is pretty much a black.

Ruby Ribbon is a clear base with very fine bright orange-red glitter.  This also has larger bar glitter in fuchsia and holo bar glitter.

 

This is really bright and sparkles like crazy.  The two different glitters make this look almost duochrome.  Application was not as nice and can be patchy but it's totally worth it.  Once you apply two coats it's pretty much opaque.

Giveaway News!

So in my last post I mentioned a tiny giveaway for a Nivea Olive Oil and Lemon lip balm.  I set the giveaway to end on Friday but so far no entries.  To enter one must follow my blog and comment on the post.  For those already subscribed, all they would need to do is comment on the post.

Just wanted to mention it again just in case.

Other than that, I hope your Halloween was fun.

  

Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser in the Fall? Yep. Plus a Giveaway!

So the weather is changing and so are my skin's needs.  It's an odd thing what a few degrees will do to the skin.  Since it's not super cold, I still don't need my heavy duty stuff.  But my skin is getting drier.

For cleansers, I will always need some sort of clarifying formula to use a couple times a week.  I was using a sample of 3 Lab's Perfect Face Wash (which you can find here) and I absolutely love it.  However, at $50 I couldn't justify getting it.  Instead I purchased Biore Ice Cleanser to fill my void.  Hopefully it works well and I won't miss the 3 Lab cleanser too much.

Will this work or will this suck?

My lips also got super chapped.  Not flaky per se, but it was rough and felt like I had a mask on my lips that I tried to scrub off but couldn't.  It's almost gone after 2 weeks of applying my Blistex Lip Ointment.  I love this stuff!  I know some people are sensitive to menthol but this is my holy grail of lip balms.

Holy Grail healing lip balm.  Take that Carmex!

Speaking of lip balms,  Nivea has a new one called A Kiss of Olive Oil and Lemon.  I got this balm a couple of weeks ago. It applied like butter but didn't smell at all like olive oil or lemon to me.  It smelled more floral, kind of like jasmine tea but more floral.

Sounds tasty.

Looks tasty too!

Anyways...... I've noticed (by looking at other blogs' comments) that some people are having a hard time finding this.  So I decided to do a little giveaway of this balm.  All you have to do is follow my blog and comment on this post.  This will run until Friday 11/2/12.  I will pick a winner and contact them.  This will only be open to the U.S. residents only.  Sorry about that, but when I have a bigger giveaway I promise I will make it for both domestic and international residents.

 

This one can be yours!

So that's it for today.  If you follow baseball, then Yay Giants! (I'm an SF girl born and raised)

Other than that, have a great week, a safe Halloween and live happy! 

Mini Back 2 MAC Haul

So this past weekend I did a good deal of shopping.  But I also did a little recycling as well.

If you read the title then you know I went to MAC to redeem some recycle-ables.

If you aren't familiar with Back 2 MAC then here's the basics:

For every 6 containers you bring back to them, you get a free lipstick, lipglass or eyeshadow.  This depends on the location.  Pro stores will let you redeem for all of the above.  Most department store counters will only let you get lipstick.  I heard free-standing stores give you the option of lipstick or lipglass but I'm not 100% sure.

In the past I was able to redeem for any lipgloss (not just lipglass) and was able to get lipsticks that weren't part of the permanent collection (like All's Fair) and other types of lipsticks like the Slimshines.  But I think they changed the rules.

Also you can't redeem for any Viva Glam product.

So what can you redeem for free stuff?

Basically anything that is made of plastic or glass.  One thing I know you can't redeem are the caps to pencils that you can sharpen.  The automatic pencils can be recycled.  Lipstick, lipgloss, eyeshadow (only if it's in a container, the pans that go into the palette don't count), blush and powder compacts, skincare bottles and tubes, mascara, false lash containers, packaging to the make-up remover wipes, nail polish bottles, shadesticks, liquid eyeliners, paint tubes (if you still have them), paint pots, lip balm containers, gel liner pots, etc.....

There's a lot that can be redeemed.

Is there a limit?

I have been told that there is a maximum of 4 redemptions per visit.  I like to hoard my empties and get 4 items at once.  Feels so good to come out of a MAC store with 4 items and spending $0.

Where do I find containers?

There are people that swap for empties on sites like MakeUpAlley.  I don't normally go through that route because I am a make-up junkie.  To make the costs a little more bearable, I do go to places like CCO to buy MAC at a discount.  I also tend to buy more of the cheaper basics that need faster replenishing such as mascara (love my Opulash!) or remover wipes.

Can't I just buy the lipstick?

Yes you can!  But in case you have 6 empties (they don't have to be empty) or can wait until you do, why not get it for free.  MAC tends to put out a new collection once every other week.  For me that puts priority on the new collections and I tend to overlook the core line.  This allows me to get the items from the core line and be able to buy from new collections when it suits me.

So what did I get?

I got 3 lipsticks in Midimauve, Lovelorn and Plink!

I've been on a MLBB kick and I love how the Lustre formula wears on my lips.  Plus neutral lips look so polished and go with any look.

That's all for now.  Live Happy!

Dior Holiday 2012 Collection: Diva x 2

So if anyone hasn't seen the Grand Bal Collection from Dior go take a look at it here.  I absolutely love how the collection is presented because it has such a retro vibe that I remember Dior Cosmetics having when I first noticed them in high school.

However, being that I indeed have a crap-load of make up, I decided to only let myself get a polish and a lipstick from this collection.  The polishes are beautiful orbs that look like the perfect ornament.  The lipsticks look like fancy candlestick holders (or something similar).  While I think that the collection is very impressive, I look at the items and think to myself that they're too pretty to use.  Really, it's awful to think that way because after all it's purpose and meaning is to be used.

 

 

So, I got both the nail polish and lipstick in Diva.  The nail color is a gorgeous black polish with hidden golden sparkle.  This keeps it from looking too Halloween-ish and more black-tie.  One thing is that the handle on the brush is short.  This might be a problem for some because the way you grip the handle will be different but the brush is a full-sized brush so at least you have that.

  

The lipstick is a bold true red that isn't too bright and leans a little blue when compared to the other shades in the collection.  This collection is a red lipstick lovers dream.  They vary from a warmer red-orange to a pinker magenta-rose.  The lipsticks are well pigmented and apply smoothly.

If you love retro glamor and art deco then I urge you to check this collection out.  It has a glamorous elegance to it that almost makes it feel a bit Great Gatsby like to me.