11 Questions + I Love Your Blog

Milani Lip Flash Gloss Pencils - Revisited

Do you remember this post when I showed you a few Milani Lip Flash gloss pencils? Prob not. It's ok. I won't hold it against you.

I want to tell you all the things I love about these pencils. I was going to write a poem, but I was having trouble rhyming the word pencil.

OK, so they're technically called Milani Lip Flash Full Coverage Shimmer Gloss Pencils. Whatev. They're brilliant! What I love about these pencils is that they're full coverage like a lipstick, feel light like a gloss, and they apply (obviously) as a pencil so they're easy to use and very portable. No leaking lip gloss or goopy applicators or caps coming off in your pocket. Has that ever happened to you? No? Oh. Me either.

I have a few more to share today, so I went ahead and did them all together. Oh my gosh this post was a long time coming! I originally did the ones I had, then bought a few more and redid the post, then found the last one that was missing (Number 03!) and had to do the main pics AGAIN. Sheesh! I swatched them on my lips, which was kinda fun (but crazy time consuming). I hope this shows how much I love you guys! Please excuse the various tip lengths and usage, but since I slowly pieced together the entire collection and I've been using them a lot lately!

Finger Paints Haute Taupe

Finger Paints Haute Taupe is a medium chocolate brown that applies like a dream.

Finger Paints Haute Taupe

Week 5: Newspaper Mani

I'm back with Week 5 of a 52 Week Challenge.  I was excited to try this one. I had seen a few pictures and tutorials, but hadn't set out the time to do it - now it's mandatory!

Rimmel Rags to Riches

This is my first Rimmel polish! There is an orchid polish of theirs that has been floating around the net that I actually went to purchase, but then I saw this beauty and thought "I have nothing like this!" and got it instead.

Rimmel Rags to Riches

Tony Moly Nail Polish Galaxy GT Line Collection

TonyMoly Galaxy GT Collection is a total glitterfest! I saw these on Gladys @ Nail Fanatic and had to get them! You can check out the website at Tony Moly but there are a ton of sellers online (ebay, etc) that likely offer them cheaper (considering shipping charges).

TonyMoly has a list of products, including face and nail care, and they're polishes are 10mL and look like Cult Nails bottles. The website says it "does not contain harmful ingredients so it is safe to use" so read into that as you will.

Tony Moly Galaxy GT Collection

Urban Decay X

I love Urban Decay. Period. I love their packaging, their colors, their names. You name it, I like it.

I generally buy their palettes, as I get a variety of shadows. I never use enough to use them up, so I figure, might as well go for quantity!

I thought I'd try something new and go for a single eyeshadow this time around ... So I got X.

Revlon Snow Bunny

What's with the weather? We were all set to have a high of 77 and sunny, and it's rainy drab and dreary. Don't get me wrong, I <3 the rain, but when it just mists all day and it's cold, it does not make for a happy nail polish fiend who is trying to enjoy some holo polishes! Come on sun!

So in reverence of the dreary weather, I'm trying out a new Revlon polish!

Revlon Snow Bunny is a great frosty off white that covers great in three coats. It's not so stark white that it looks crazy bright against any skin tone, but it's white enough to be seen.

Revlon Snow Bunny

Finger Paints Special Effects

I know these have been all over the net, but I wanted to share them too!

Finger Paints Special Effects (Asylum, Flashy, Flecked, Motley, Twisted)

Revlon Varnished

Revlon has been putting out some killer polishes as of late.

Revlon Varnished is a beautiful burnished bronze. Try saying that three times fast. Went on well, hardly movement off nail into cuticles, and is opaque at two coats. It does show brushstrokes fairly easily, but they diminish with drying. I don't care, I think it's beautiful.

Revlon Varnished

Week 4: Plaid Mani

I'm back with Week 4 of the 52 Week Challenge. I am pleasantly surprised at how these turned out. This is my first plaid manicure.

Comparison: Sally Hansen Showgirl Chic vs China Glaze Lorelei's Tiara

I recently posted the China Glaze Eye Candy 3D Glitters Lorelei's Tiara looks awfully similar to Sally Hansen GEM crush Showgirl Chic.

And here are some nail comparison shots (three coats each) ...

Color Club Foil Me Once

Color Club Foil Me Once is from their Foiled Collection. It's a nice medium pink with beautiful shine. I am not a fan of pinks (although I seem to be wearing it more often) and I adore this color.

Color Club Foil Me Once 

Revlon Stormy

Revlon Stormy is a great polish - dark gray with a hint of purple and brown - the usual in the greige polishes that were so rampant this past season.

Revlon Stormy

Orly Fowl Play

Orly Fowl Play.

Enough said.

100th post! with Glitter Gradient Nails

My 100th post! Yay! AND 100+ followers. Double Yay! I decided to share a fun manicure to celebrate!

This was my first attempt at a glitter gradient mani. I initially saw this manicure on Sarah @ Chalkboard Nails - Grey Matters Gradient. Hers, of course, is much better. I used Color Club Worth The Risque and Sally Hansen Showgirl Chic.

Sally Hansen Wedding Crasher

Sally Hansen Wedding Crasher is a new color in the Diamond Strength series. It's a magenta jelly base with medium magenta glitter. Great formula, as usual, good drying time. I love the look of a jelly with glitter, it's like it's suspended. Nice color coverage on the nail but it doesn't overpower the glitter nor take away from it's beauty. At first when I put it on, I was like, what the? Then after three coats, I was pleasantly happy with the color.

And check out the new bottle!

Week 3: Color Block Mani

I have a confession to make. I had no idea what a Color Block Mani entailed, and I had to google it along with tutorials and images. I found a great one, that I used as inspiration. It took some dang good detective work, but finally found out it's from Chloe's Nails Patchwork Mani Tutorial. Mine didn't work out quite as well, but it was fun! I tend to lean toward purple polishes, so I tried to go outside the box and use greens!

Revlon Ignite + Essie As Gold As It Gets

Who can't leave well enough alone?

Me!!

I really liked the gold/orange tones coming from the Revlon Ignite and thought I'd add a layer of gold to it, so I layered on Essie As Gold As It Gets.

I'm Versatile & Cute!

Yay! Awards.


Thanks to Wig Wam for this award!!

Now I'm supposed to tell you seven things you don't know about me. Seven. Why is it always seven? Who made up that number? What's so special about it? =) You can see my previous post here where I gave you seven things. Now I have to think of seven more...

1. My favorite movie is Bring It On. I used to watch it once a week. I can almost quote the entire movie. I make references to scenes quite often. 

2. I work in the medical field and I wash my hands (no joke) 40-50 times a day, which is what I blame for my dry cuticles.

3. I love rain. I love the sound, the smell, the rolls of thunder, the lightening flashing. Everything. Adore it. I should do a manicure dedicated to rain. 

Random fact (that has nothing to do with me): The smell after rain that people talk about - it's ozone you're smelling. It's made when oxygen is hit with electricity.

4. I'm a nerd and like to know random facts to offer up randomly. I realize it makes me appear socially awkward but I'm a hit at parties. 

5. I'm fluent in basic and medical Spanish but I'm trying to learn more to become fluent. It's a been a long, slow road and I feel like I'm getting nowhere. When I try to speak Spanish (and I mean try) I liken it to a third grader with poor grammar. =)

6. I love to swim. I'm a total water baby. I was a lifeguard back in the day and I would love to buy a house with a pool so I can swim every day. 

7. I would love to travel the world and see new places and learn about new cultures while doing medical mission work. That's my goal in life. =) 

and ...

Thanks to Polish and Charms and Nail Reflections for tagging me with this lovely award! 

Here are the rules:

1. Link back person who awarded you

2. Answer award questions

3. Tell us something about yourself you haven't told us in your blog yet

Questions:

1. What is your go to makeup product?

Foundation. And mascara. Foundation does wonders for my uneven skin tone but I need mascara or I look dead.

2. What was your favorite fashion trend of 2011?

Glitter! Not that it's new, but I love the full coverage opaque glitter polishes that came out. Is that considered a fashion trend?

3. What is your favorite dessert?

Warm cookies with cold milk.

4. Favorite color?

Purple

5. What is your middle name?    

Michelle

6. What was the last song you listened to?

Don't You Remember by Adele. I'm so addicted to that song I feel like a stalker.

7. Cats or dogs?

Dogs!!

Something I haven't shared yet about myself ...

The reason I love nail polish (and makeup in general) is because it always fits. Always. I'm overweight, and I hate shopping for clothes. They never fit, they're unflattering, and expensive when you have to shop in a specialty store that carries your size. But nail polish - it always fits. You can be fashionable, demure, sweet, sexy, proud, beautiful - anything you want to be. And that's why I love it.

Consider all of you out there tagged! I've tagged so many people in the past month I'm sure I'm going to get blocked pretty soon. 

Revlon Ignite

Revlon Ignite is a fun, bright coppery red with a shimmery finish. Nice smooth formula, streaky as hell, but covers nicely in two coats. I almost got away with one thick one, but I did the second for good measure to make sure they were swatch-ready.

Revlon Emerald City

Revlon Emerald City is a matte-suede finish dark green with subtle shimmer. It doesn't dry like I thought a matte /suede would (from pictures, I own no matte nail polishes), and to me, it looks more like a rubber finish. Anyhow, it's a really cool polish as it's a deep forest green and fun finish. I love it. I keep coming back to it.

Milani 3D Holographic Swatches + Review

I mentioned awhile back that Milani had a Black Friday sale, and I scooped up the holographic polishes because I couldn't find them at my local Walgreen's. They were on sale for 50% off, so I got the whole set. The sun was dodging me today, so I had to keep running outside when the sun wasn't hiding to snap some pics before going back inside. It was comical. My husband things I'm insane.

Sinful Colors Hottie

I saw this polish and immediately picked it up to buy. A beautiful blue jelly glitter? Duh. No brainer.

Sinful Colors Hottie

Kreativ Blogger Award!

Thanks to Nail Reflections and Shannara @ Nails N Stuff for the Kreativ Blogger Award!

I guess she thinks I'm Kreativ! At least SOMEONE does... =)


Here are the rules you have to follow when receiving the award:
1. Link back to the person who gave you this award.
2. Complete the form below.
3. Award 10 other blogs and let them know in a comment or email
4. Share 7 random things about yourself.


FORM: 
1. Name your favorite song.

Everything I Do, I Do It For You by Bryan Adams. I first heard this song in the fourth grade and I cried. It was the epitome of love for someone else, and I always thought it was the pure emotion. I can't listen to it now without thinking of Robin Hood (damn Kevin Costner) but when I hear it, I have to stop and close my eyes and just listen.

2. Name your favorite dessert.

Mom's cookies. Warm from the oven. And a glass of cold milk.

3. What ticks me off:

People talking over me or cutting me off. Drives me crazy. Or people being disrespectful to others based on their station in life. Who cares if you're a CEO or a janitor, you're a person and you deserve the respect inherent in that.

4. When I'm upset, I ..

Cry. Mad, angry, frustrated, sad, hurt. Whatever. I can't help it. Intense feelings = waterworks. Not generally in public, but when I get time alone, it needs to be released. 

5. What's your favorite pet.

My doggies! I have three (that live with my parents, but they're MINE no matter what they say!) mutts that are the best dogs EVER.

This is Hunter. He's the middle child. Sweetest dog ever. Loves to be petted, and has to be touching you somehow, sitting on your foot, leaning against you. He's a lover. I found him on the side of the road one day and brought him home, where he's stayed ever since.

This is Molly. She's the youngest. She may look sweet here, but she's rambunctious and she'll annoy you until you scratch her back until she is content. She's a good doggie. I got her while in school at a pound.

And last, but not least, is Scooter, the alpha. She was my first "rescue." I got her while working at a vet's office in college. She was found abandoned a school park. She's a nervous little doggie, but a sweetheart. Smart like crazy! She knows lots of weird commands, like "go under cover" where she army crawls on her belly. She's a nut.

6. Black or White?

Black.

7. Biggest Fear.

Not making a difference in the world.

8. Every day attitude.

Silly. I like to make people laugh and smile. I'm pretty upbeat and funny for the most part.

9. What is perfection?

Snuggling with my hubby. I know. Gag me. It's so cute it makes me want to puke.

10. Guilty pleasure?

Massages from my husband. He has magic hands. I tease him that I'm going to rent him out so I can have more money for makeup.

7 random facts about me:
1. My favorite TV show of all time is Gilmore Girls. Loved the fast talking and quick wit. Firefly is a close second.
2. I used to hate purple in high school because that was everyone's favorite color. Now, I can't live without a little purple in my day.
3. I can't stand quiet - I always need something in the background playing.
4. My husband proposed to me with a wad of cash. It's actually a funny story.
5. I donate my hair every few years to Locks of Love. Right now if I cut it shoulder length, I can donate FOURTEEN inches. I'm really close to cutting it because it's getting too long and it's obnoxious since I don't fix it. It gets pulled back and just looks unappealing (to me, my hubby loves it. men.) I'm thinking about posting about it when I do it! Some before and after pics!
6. I love the smell of coffee, but I hate the actual taste of it. I have to smother it with creamer or sweetener.
7. I love to read, and do so whenever I can. I LOVE iBooks on the my iphone because I can download free books so I can spend money on my polish!

Now I tag ...
1. Visual-Addiction @ Addicted2Nails
2. Theodora @ Red Hair and Black Nail Polish
3. Sarah @ See Sarah Swatch
4. Georgia @ Enchanted
5. Caitlin @ Something Creative
6. The Dragon Lady @ Nails To Scales
7. Whimsical Glam
8. Bee Happy @ Bee Polished
9. Maggie @ Bling It On!
10. Cassandra @ Both Hands Polished

China Glaze Eye Candy 3D Glitters Collection Swatches + Review

I know these are old for other people, but they're new to me! I just did a few skittles to see how they covered and looked on my nails. I was impressed. But I did find some dupes. Sigh. I think I have like four polishes that all look the same...

I ordered these from Ulta.com and they were out on one polish (Love Marilyn, sad) but I grabbed the other five. I'm still on the hunt for Love Marilyn...

China Glaze Blonde Bombshell

I'm Someone's Liebster!

I was recently given this award by Jenna @ I'm Still Thinking and I'm super excited! Thank you so much! 

The Rules are:
1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Reveal the five blogs you have chosen and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award onto your blog.
4. Request that people you have sent the award to forward it on to their favorite bloggers.

"Liebster is a German word, meaning dearest or beloved, but it can also mean favorite. The idea behind the Liebster Blog Award is that it is given to bloggers who have less than 200 followers in order to create new connections and bring attention to these wonderful blogs!"

My 5 picks!
1. Ally-Rose @ AllyRoseNails
2. Cindy-y @ Square Polish
3. Caitlin @ Something Creative
4. Sarah @ PrncssSarah02
5. KB @ Darling Nails 

Week 2: French Tip Mani

I'm not sure I've ever done a french tip mani. I tried using tape, and that, well, didn't work out. I was too impatient and took off the base color when I removed the tape. Although it was a clean removal. I freehanded the tips, although I'm sure some tape or a guide would have been smoother and cleaner. Next time!

Week 1: "Make It Sparkle" Mani

Welcome to my first challenge for the 52 Week Challenge. I know I'm late to the game, but here is the first one.

Make It Sparkle Mani!!

Look at all that shimmery goodness! I <3 flakies.

This is two coats of Orly Fowl Play topped with one coat of Essie Shine of the Times. I loved this combination, more than I thought I would. I'm so glad to share it with you!

Up soon will be the second challenge since I'm so behind! Hehe. Let me know if anyone else is joining up, I'd love to follow along!

I'd also like to mention a giveaway that The Polished Perfectionist is having. I entered, and so should you! Can you believe the beauty that you would get? OMG I'm in love.

Good luck everyone! And when I say good luck, I mean I hope I win the polishes. =)

Please don't forget to check out everyone else's nails to see their version of the challenge!

• Rachel-Karina @ Polished Criminails * Kia @ Nails 'N Cupcakes * Char @ Nails Actually * Olivia @ Olivia Writes * Hurr Did, Nails Did * Arielle @ Only Always Soccermom * Laurie @ Lauriestrodes Fun With Nails * Fun With My Nail Polish * Shally @ Polished & Not Quite Put Together * KB @ No More Nail Biting * Sarah @ PrncessSarah02 * LizMarie @ I'm Simply Complex * Cindy @ Square Polish * Liz @ Nothing But Nail Polish * Kirsten @ Darling Nails * Caitlin @ Addicted 2 Nails * Nice! @ Operation: Nail It! * Charlotte @ Charlottes-Nails * Lissa @ Lissa's Nail Blog * Kevan @ The Dragon Lady * Jenna @ I'm Still Thinking

Sinful Colors - Frenzy

Sinful Colors Frenzy is a great glitter. Clear base with small turquoise and purple glitter. Decent application but I've been spoiled by all the recent glitters that are opaque in 2-3 coats. Pics below are three coats, and I refused to go any further. It's a fun color though. I like glitter way too much.

Sinful Colors Frenzy, three coats

52 Week Challenge

I ran across this challenge on Polished Criminails blog and it looks like fun. The 24 Days of Christmas was hard as it was daily nail art, but these are more manicures and done weekly. Maybe my cuticles will be nicer to me if I'm nicer to them!


Anyway, I'm a little late as the second mani is due in two days, but better late than never!


The List:
1. Jan. 1st - "Make it Sparkle" Mani.
2. Jan. 8th - French Tip Mani.
3. Jan. 15th - Colour Block Mani.
4. Jan. 22nd - Plaid Mani.
5. Jan. 29th - Newspaper Mani.
6. Feb. 5th - Half-moon Mani.
7. Feb. 12th - "Valentine's Day" Mani.
8. Feb. 19th - Corset Mani.
9. Feb. 26th - "Vintage" Mani.
10. Mar. 4th - Polka Dot Mani
11. Mar. 11th - "St. Patrick's Day" Mani.
12. Mar. 18th - Skittle Mani.
13. Mar. 25th - Ruffian Mani.
14. Apr. 1st - Striped Mani.
15. Apr. 8th - "Easter Day" Mani.
16. Apr. 15th - Dotticure Mani.
17. Apr. 22nd - "Earth Appreciation" Mani.
18. Apr. 29th - Cartoon Mani.
19. May. 6th - Floral Mani.
20. May. 13th - Bows Mani.
21. May. 20th - Fruit Mani.
22. May. 27th - Splatter Mani.
23. Jun. 3rd - Ombre Mani.
24. Jun. 10th - Flag Mani.
25. Jun. 17th - Pride/Rainbow Mani.
26. Jun. 24th - Neon Mani.
27. July. 1st - "4th of July" Mani.
28. July. 8th - Gradient Mani.
29. July. 15th - "Rockstar" Mani.
30. July. 22th - Water Marble Mani.
31. July. 29th - Crackle Mani.
32. Aug. 5th - Needle Marble Mani.
33. Aug. 12th - Galaxy Mani.
34. Aug. 19th - "Bling" Mani.
35. Aug. 26th - Cupcake Mani.
36. Sept. 2nd - Tape Mani.
37. Sept. 9th - "We Remember 9/11" Mani.
38. Sept. 16th - Metallic/Magnetic Mani.
39. Sept. 23rd - Dry Marble Mani.
40. Sept. 30th - Animal Print Mani.
41. Oct. 7th - Patchwork Mani.
42. Oct. 14th - "Pink 4 Breast Cancer Awareness" Mani.
43. Oct. 21st - Spider Web Mani.
44. Oct. 28th - Halloween Mani.
45. Nov. 4th - Tribal Mani.
46. Nov. 11th - "Moustache, 4 Movember; Prostate Cancer Awareness" Mani.
47. Nov. 18th - Thanksgiving Day Mani.
48. Nov. 25th - Feather Mani.
49. Dec. 2nd - Glitter Sandwich Mani.
50. Dec. 9th - Snowflake Mani.
51. Dec. 16th - Red Mani.
52. Dec. 23rd - Christmas Mani.
53. Dec. 30th/31st - you've learnt enough; go all out and show 2O13, what its all about!


Fellow Challengers:
Rachel-Karina @ Polished Criminails
Jenna @ I'm Still Thinking
Kevan @ The Dragon Lady
Lissa @ Lissa's Nail Blog
Charlotte @ Charlottes-Nails
Nicel @ Operation: Nail It!
Caitlin @ Addicted 2 Nails
Kirsten @ Darling Nails
Liz @ Nothing But Nail Polish
Cindy @ Square Polish

Anyone wanna join me? I'll make sure to add you to the list on the side bar!!

Sally Hansen Crackle Overcoat Fractured Foil

Crackle topcoats were the it polish this year. I mean, last year. I realize I'm behind the ball here, but this is the only one I own. I like them, but I can't seem to decide which to buy. When I saw this at Walgreen's, I decided to grab one and see how I liked it. I wasn't too impressed, but according to online reviews, Sally Hansen crackles aren't that great - they are too thin and don't crackle much.

It was hard to get an even coat - my middle finger has a thinner coat than the others, so you can see the dark blue peeking through the silver even where it was supposed to be just silver. The thicker coats on the other fingers are more opaque, but not much cracklin' going on.

China Glaze C-C-Courage

China Glaze C-C-Courage, part of the Wizard of Ohz Ahz Returns, is a beautiful dusty medium purple with glitter. It went on beautifully, as China Glaze tends to do, and the pictures below are three coats without top coat. The finish is different, it acts like it wants to be a different texture, like a cross between a shimmer and a matte. Strange, but pretty. Of course, the color appears more blue in these pictures. I know everyone says that, but it's true!

China Glaze C-C-Courage swatches! Wee!

China Glaze C-C-Courage