/

For my CHRISTMAS manicure, I decided to go with a bold red and include a fun accent color on the ring finger.

Nails1

Main Polish: Sephora by O.P.I in And A Cherry On Top

Accent Polish: Nailtini in Millionaire

Nails3

Nails3a

 I love the Sephora by O.P.I brand – all the colors are so beautiful and the polish does not chip easily, which is always a plus! Nailtini is a brand I was not familiar with until I received this full size bottle in my November Ipsy Bag. The texture is a little on the rough side because of the confetti in the bottle but I actually love it. The color is so nice and again, this polish is not moving!

Nails4

/

As obsessed with nail polish as I am, I refuse to spend a lot of money for one bottle. What is a lot? Well, it depends on the brand, the store I’m purchasing it from and the mood I’m in that particular day. I have become so accustom to Sinful Colors being $1.99 that when I see a $5+ bottle of nail polish I like – I cringe. Pretty ironic since I have no problem paying up to $7 for a bottle of either of my 2 favorite top coats. I ended up a local Pharmacy store yesterday and was told by one of the employees  that they had the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure colors for $1.89. You can imagine how shocked I was because these bottles usually are $8 at this particular store. There was no sale sign so I’m not sure if this was a computer error or if it was newly on sale. Either way – I was super excited and picked up two colors I liked.

This was my first time trying this line from Sally Hansen. Basically all you have to do is brush two coats on your nails and you’re done, no base or top coat required. Apparently this particular line has 5 Steps in 1 Bottle: Base Coat, Strengthener, Growth Treatment, Color and Top Coat and is made with Vita-Care Technology for advanced wear, more shine and nourishing care. I actually decided to still use my base and top coat out of routine but when I have extra time  I plan to test the polish out again sans base/top coat.Sally Hansen

Base Coat: Salon Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails

Main Polish: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Back to the Fuchsia

Accent Polish: Wet n Wild Fergie in Hollywood Walk of Fame

Top Coat: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat

 SH3

SH2

(the photo above shows the true color of the polish)

Wow! That was my initial response after I did the 2 coats on my nails. I always avoided a wider nail polish brush but this one makes painting my nails easier and it covered the full nail with just a little polish. I find that with some other brands I have to re dip multiple times. I am officially in LOVE with this line from Sally Hansen. I could tell it was different from other polishes right away. I definitely did not need a top coat and I am so excited to pick up some more colors. After the second coat, my nails looked like they do when I leave a salon (don’t mind my cuticles) and were so shiny! As for the Fergie Line of Wet n Wild – ehhh, I guess I won’t bash it until I give it a few more chances and try out her solid polishes. The bottle caught my eye but the results are very minimal. When I swiped the brush across my nail all I got was clear polish which led me to attempt to strategically place the stars on my ring finger.

/

I have a few different Beauty & Lifestyle boxes I am subscribed to per month but the PopSugar Must Have Box is the one I was looking forward to most . This was my 2nd box since I’ve signed up and I’m very happy with it so far. PopSugar’s Must Have Box is more pricey than my other boxes, $35 per month, but the contents are so different and very useful.

PS1

PS2

The Must Have’s include:

PS3

Must Have Fashion: Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kit

Must Have Fashion: Rent The Runway $30 gift certificate

Must Have Tech: Goswipe – Microfiber Cleaning Cloth

Must Have Home: A set of Bodum Bistro Mugs

Must Have Beauty: Jaboneria Marianella Soaps

Must Have Food: Sampler Box of 10 Tea Forte Infuser Tea Bags

Must Have Food: Box of Bogdon’s Peppermint Poles

PS4

I was happy to receive the Goswipe – Microfiber Cleaning Cloth because I’ve needed one for so long, and even though they are inexpensive, I just never got around to getting one. This will go a long way since I hate finger prints and dirt on all my tech stuff. I’ve never tried or even heard of for that matter of  Jaboneria Marianella Soaps but I am excited to try it. It is made with goat milk, cocoa butter, argan oil, soothing oatmeal and vitamin-rich Shea butter. My box of Bogdon’s Peppermint Poles is about half way done already! They are dark chocolate covered peppermint stick and absolutely delicious!

PS5

I thought the  Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kit was such a cute addition to the box. I took a photo of the front and back of the box so you could see the adorable little bag and all of its contents. It is so compact and perfect for the woman on the go. Just throw it in your purse and you’ll be ready for anything that may come your way.

PS6

As of next week, I will be a homeowner! Therefore – I immediately felt like the set of Bodum Bistro Mugs was my first housewarming gift. These mugs are supposed to keep cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot because of their double wall glass thermal effect. I cannot wait to put these to use. As a tea lover, the Sampler Box of 10 Tea Forte Infuser Tea Bags was something different for me to try. I love the pyramid shaped bag with the little leaf sticking out the top and will be testing them out in my new mugs 🙂

Also included was a Rent The Runway $30 gift certificate. I enjoyed this one more than the one included in my Birchbox package because with this one, there is no minimum purchase necessary.

Overall I was happy with this months box which was valued at over $100.

Interested in trying Popsugar out for a month or longer? Click HERE and use code: REFER5 for $5 off one month!

/

This is my 3rd Ipsy Glam Bag since signing up and they seem to get better every month. Out of all my monthly $10 Beauty Box subscriptions – this is my favorite one by far! A majority of the products are full size and they are always accompanied by the cutest little make up bag.

Holiday Ipsy Glam Bag

ipsy

My Glam Bag included:

-Mirabella Primer

-Mai Couture highlighter papier

-Be A Bombshell Lipgloss in Hot Mess

-Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Pencil in Zero

-NYX’s Ultra Pearl Mania Eye Shadow in Shimmering Dark Grey

ipsy 2

 I am now familiar with the brand Be a Bombshell because of Ipsy. They make some of the best pigmented lipglosses I have come across. They consider “Hot Mess” to be a true red and semi-sheer. You can layer this gloss for a more deep red that gives your lips a very glossy look that is sure to make a statement. It is not sticky and the sponge applicator is soft and works very well. Visit the Be a Bombshell website and receive 30% off all purchases until the end of the month with the code: IPSY30

ipsy 3ipsy 3a

 A highlighter on paper – what a brilliant idea! Basically you just rip a sheet out and lightly press and swipe on your desired area for a gorgeous glow. This makes your complexion glow without the messy residue that other highlighters tend to leave. Tip: Don’t forget to swipe this across your collar-bone. Visit the Mai Couture Website through 1/15/13 for 20% off all purchases with the Code: IPSY1212

ipsy 4

I have yet to try the Mirabella primer but did swatch it on my skin. It was very silky and is also weightless and oil-free which is always great.  This product can be used for the face and eyes and because of its size is great for traveling. Visit the Mirabella website to receive 30% off any purchase until 1/31/13 with the code: ipsy

NYX is a great brand at an affordable price which most of us can always appreciate. I loved the color my Glam Bag came with and I can’t wait for a night out to test it out. Want to try it out? Visit the NYX website and enter code: IPSYDUST for 30% off all Loose Pearl Shadows.

Already obsessed with Urban Decay, receiving the 24/7 Glide-On pencil was such a treat! I’ve been wanting to test it out for a while and I am beyond happy with the results. I would not recommend this if you want to do a smokey eye because it does not budge. This pencil  is so creamy and really does “Glide-On”. It also comes in 7 other colors which I recommend trying if you like to add a pop of color to your eyes with liner.

Also included was a $20 credit for Just Fab!

Click HERE to find out more information on Ipsy Glam Bag and to sign up.

/

My December Birchbox has arrived!

BB

What is Birchbox?

Birchbox delivers the best products and the best insider secrets, without any fuss. Every month Birchbox members will receive a curated box of luxe beauty samples. Each box will span beauty categories and deliver exciting products that fit into both your day-to-day routine, and into those days when you want to turn up the drama a notch. The Birchbox subscription is $10 a month.

My December Birchbox Goodies:

BB4

BB1

BB3

BB2

I LOVE this month’s box. Some of the highlights for me would be:

1. RentTheRunway.com $50 credit – I love the concept of Rent The Runway and have often browsed their site in hopes to rent something fabulous for an event but never have so this credit gives me more motivation to do so.

2. Emily’s Chocolate Peppermint Holiday Fortunes… no explanation needed, I’m a female & it’s chocolate.

3. ModelCo’s Shine Ultra Lip Gloss – This was my full size product and it is valued at $16.00 which makes my $10 Birchbox subscription total worth it! The color is called Striptease and it is sheer. The application is so smooth and as a lip gloss freak that is something I really appreciate and look for in an everyday lip product. There’s a built-in mirror for very easy on-the-go application.

I also received deluxe sample sizes of Amika’s Nourishing Mask, Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream and Juicy Couture perfume.

I suggest everyone who loves monthly surprises and Beauty products to try it out for at least one month & I’m sure you will fall in love! If not – you can cancel at anytime.

Click HERE for more information on the $10 monthly Birchbox subscription.

Are you already subscribed to Birchbox?? If so, what was in your December box?