Loose Powder

I love dark red nail polishes and this is no exception!

Zoya’s Colbie is a dark red with metallic shimmer. The red shifts a little bit depending on the light. In the pictures below, you can see the difference between direct sunlight (left) and indirect sun (right).

Two coats got me the coverage I wanted and there were no brush stokes. This is a very pretty red and will definitely be worn again!

Colbie is available from Zoya, whose nail polishes are all formulated without formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) or camphor.

It took me years to figure this out, but I have combination skin and this might be due to the acne medication I use. My T-zones would be ridiculously oily, but my cheeks would be dry. I had tried all kinds of moisturizers before discovering Neutrogena. I had previously used Nivea, Olay, Ponds, and some others, but all had the same problem of having oils that caused me to breakout after a few uses, or they would dry out my skin then cause me to breakout.

When I saw Neutrogena had an “oil-free” moisturizer, I was sold. I purchased the SPF 15 and Combination skin moisturizer.

On back of the bottle, it notes that the moisturizer won’t clog pores and it is hypoallergenic, alcohol-free, and fragrance free. Though I notice that the SPF 15 has a light scent that is usually accompanied with sunscreen, and I’m not talking about the tropical coco butter scent. The combination moisturizer has a very light scent that I like and you don’t even smell it after applying it on your face.

The directions tell you to use only one pump, and one pump is more than enough. Once I even tried using two pumps and it was moisturizer overkill. I ended up with excess moisturizer all over my hands. The 4 fl. oz. bottle can last quite awhile. I usually use the SPF 15 moisturizer in the morning under my makeup and it keeps my face moisturized throughout the day. Before bed I would use the combination moisturizer since the benzoyl peroxide in my facial cleanser dries my skin. This routine has kept my face from drying out during the winter months, and the SPF 15 moisturizer offers my skin protection during the summer months.

If you’re looking for an oil-free moisturizer, I recommend giving Neutrogena: Oil-Free Moisture a try. In addition to the SPF 15 and Combination Skin moisturizer, Neutrogena also has a moisturizer for Sensitive Skin.

I’ve never thought of using a glass nail file until recently, mostly because the ones I have seen in person looked too scary to use! They’ve been letter opener shaped and had a filing surface like coarse grit sandpaper – hardly something I would want to use on my nails!

However, the advantages of glass nail files sounded great! Since the glass is permanently etched, the surface won’t get worn down like a traditional emery board. The glass surface is also less harsh than a steel file. Also, since it’s glass, you can wash the file to clean it! If you need to, you can also sterilize them by boiling in water. The downside is that they’re breakable, so be careful not to drop them and to store them safely.

Not liking any of the glass nail files at my local beauty supplier and a bit wary about buying duds online, I happened to come across a review on All Lacquered Up. Their reviews of files from GlassNailsFiles.com was very positive, so I thought I would give those a try!

Be warned: the site does look kind of sketchy and there is a loud audio introduction on the main page, so turn your sound down! My nail files arrived very quickly, though, so I don’t hesitate to recommend them. For $7 and shipping, I got a set of 3 different files.

The surfaces on these files are very nice! They don’t feel at all abrasive, but I’ve used them several times already and they do a nice job filing down the nail without taking too much or leaving jagged edges. Here are some close-up of the filing surface:

The three different sizes are nice, but I do find that I’m using the medium sized one more than the others. The smaller one would make a good travel file.

I definitely recommend buying files from GlassNailsFiles.com! (Just remember to turn your sound down!) I will probably be buying some more sets in the future for gifts and to have extra on hand in case something happens to mine.

6/24/2010 – I just wanted to post an update to this. I placed a second order for files from GlassNailsFiles.com on May 23, but hadn’t received them after a month of waiting. I’d been out of town and only today had the chance to hunt down their number and call them. The guy I spoke to on the phone was very nice and tracked down my order. Apparently, there was some sort of mix up – my order had never been shipped and it’s possible there was a mix up in order fulfillment.  In any case, he apologized profusely and said the files would be going out tomorrow. To make up for it, he’s including two free files. I was a little worried about having recommended this company here, but after speaking with their representative, I’m satisfied they are still a good company.

After a referral from Cyn, I have become an Eyes Lips Face (ELF) fan mainly because their products are good and at great prices. Additionally, they always have great coupon deals on their website. So much so that sometimes it feels like they are spamming your inbox.

As a result of the excess amount of coupons they send out, I discovered the ELF Professional Eye Makeup Remover Pads. Since they were only $1, I thought I’d give it a try. The small round container contains 18 single use pads, and it is advertised as fragrance free. The only fragrance that I can detect is a light soap cleanser scent.

Each cotton pad is pretty thin, but each pad is soaked in cleanser and one pad is more than enough to clean off heavy makeup on one eye. I’ve tried using one pad for two eyes with heavy dark eye makeup, and the pad takes off quite a bit of the makeup, but you still end up having streaks of color residue around the eyes and might need another pad anyway. I recommend using one pad for each eye if you have on heavy eye makeup. However, you can get away with using one pad for both eyes if you have lighter eye makeup on.

The remover does pretty decently in removing waterproof mascara and waterproof eyeliner, but there are some waterproof mascara that are a bit tougher to remove, but I found that if I leave the pad on the area a little longer before wiping, it will be able to remove more of the mascara.

Another positive for these eye makeup remover pads are that they do not leave an oily residue around the eye that other removers leave behind. After wiping off my eye makeup, my eye area feels very clean and fresh.

Even though this only costs $1, for 18 single use pads, it can become expensive especially if you are one to use heavy eye makeup, which means that this container would only last you a little over a week.  However, I think these remover pads would be great for traveling because it’s small and compact and not a liquid (no more spills!). Also these pads also eliminate the need to search for a cotton pad or tissue to use with your liquid removers, so that’s one less thing to carry in your makeup bag when you travel.

Pros: small and compact, no liquid, not oily, cleans off waterproof makeup well, great for travel

Cons: Only contains 18 single use pads

Anthea is described as a, “soft coral-red crimson with hints of dark pink, strong gold shimmer and a touch of golden microglitter.” The color reminds me a bit of some flowers we have blooming in the backyard right now.

I only needed two coats to get the color I wanted. You can see the golden microglitter in the second photo. Very pretty color!

Anthea is available from Zoya, whose nail polishes are all formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and camphor free!

Of course, I thought the color could use a little bit of a boost, so I put on a very light coat of China Glaze’s Medallion.

To get this effect, you have to wipe almost all the polish off on the side of the bottle, otherwise you get too much glitter. Like the Jo + Medallion look, I got a lot of compliments on this manicure!

Uh… sorry. The “Iron Manicure” thing was something friends came up with! I was just calling it my Iron Man-inspired manicure.

This is actually my second attempt at this manicure, which I wore when I went to see Iron Man 2 on May 7th. My first attempt was a disaster as the tape I used to mask the more intricate design I had planned wouldn’t release from the polish, so it pulled it all off.

Here’s the result of the freehand design:

I used OPI’s Thanks So Muchness as the red base and OPI Bling Dynasty as the gold accent.

This was kind of difficult to photograph as the gold and the red get a bit lost. I do like this manicure, though next time I might try a darker red for more contrast.

Akyra is part of Zoya’s Holiday 2007 collection. It’s a really lovely teal color that shifts from blue-dominant to green-dominant.

Below are pictures taken in direct sunlight and indirect sunlight, respectively. You can see how the color changes a bit.

This color is a bit sheer, so I’ve used 3 coats here. It does apply very nicely, though, so I didn’t have any problems with brush strokes.

Akyra is available from Zoya.com and as always, Zoya polishes are formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and camphor free.

This is Perrie, one of the colors I got as part of the Zoya nail polish exchange. It’s part of their summer 2010 collection Flash and since I love purples, I had to have it. Glad I tried it, it’s beautiful!

The picture actually makes it look a little lighter than it really is. It’s a beautiful creamy lilac, slightly darker than it looks here, goes on really nice & smoothly. I put on two coats of color and a clear topcoat, and the coverage was perfect and it was sooo pretty and shiny! Edges started wearing after a day or two, but that’s always my fault for being rough on my hands. Another Zoya I love!

I discovered the MAC counter at Macy’s around 5 years ago – I got sucked in by the pretty, vibrant colors like a crow drawn to gold. My first few purchases were eye shadows, which I loved, and at some point I decided to give their eyeliners a shot. I’d tried a zillion different eyeliner pencils over the years, none of which I was super happy with. They were either too thick & I had trouble making a nice concise line, or they were hard and scraped on my lid when I tried putting it on, and the few liquid liners I tried were a disaster. I’d pretty much given up. I started with one of their Powerpoint Eye Pencils, which I was somewhat happy with, but didn’t use too much. On the advice of a friend, I then picked up one of the Eye Kohl pencils, which I was assured was soft, went on nicely, and also lasted all day.

Well - found my holy grail eyeliner! Until I try something I like better, this is my all-time favorite eyeliner ever. I started with the color Rosemary & Thyme, which is a shimmery green/gold and loved that. My next color was Teddy, which I’m reviewing here - a nice, coppery brown. The pencils are soft enough to apply really smoothly and usually evenly without clumps, and when sharpened to a nice point they go on very concisely. On top of going on nicely, it also stays on nicely – I can wear this all day and at the end of the day, it will look almost as good as when I put it on. I got a sharpener from MAC (probably could’ve found one cheaper, but…) and sharpen it probably every 2x that I use it; it sharpens pretty well and doesn’t usually break or get peely or anything.

Teddy is a great color. I’d tried mostly purple or black eyeliner previous to discovering these pencils and I figured I should branch out a little. It’s a soft coppery brown that I wear with tan/neutral, brown, pink, etc. shades of shadows. You can also shade the color up your lid a little to add to your shadow – the pencil’s soft enough that is smudges and blends well.

(Pic – left, just bottom lid lined – right, bottom & top lids lined with Orglamix mineral eye shadow in hot chocolate. Yes, I was too lazy to do both eyes up for the photos. )

At $14.50 they aren’t cheap, but for me it’s worth every penny. All in all, these are fantastic eyeliners for me and I will be continuing to buy them.

Who knew that soft brushes could be bought without breaking the bank? For years I have been using cheap brushes I’ve found at discount stores, since I had always assumed that good quality soft brushes would cost me an arm and a leg and maybe an ear. But thanks to Cyn’s recommendation, she told me to give Ecotools a try.

Since there was another “Buy one get one free” sale at Rite Aid, which happens every so often, I picked up the 5 piece brush set for about $9.99 and the Retractable Kabuki Brush, but this review is for the 5 piece brush set.

This set comes with the following:

• Mineral Powder Brush
• Concealer Brush
• Eye Shading Brush
• Baby Kabuki
• Cosmetic Bag

Mineral Powder Brush

I used this brush for my mineral foundation and it works very well, and I just can’t get over how soft the bristles are.

Concealer Brush

This brush is still soft, but it is still stiff enough to apply concealer on a specific location without it spreading all over the place.

Eye Shading Brush

Again I love the softness of the brush, but I like my eye shading brushes to be a little stiffer. This brush might be a bit too soft for eye shading. Though I think it makes for good shadow blending and applications for a softer or natural look.

Baby Kabuki

I love this Baby Kabuki. This Kabuki is perfect to carry around because of its size. Because it’s not huge and not too small, I can apply my finishing powder all over my face quickly when I’m not at home. And like all the other brushes putting this on your face just feels like heaven.

Cosmetic Bag

This ecofriendly cosmetic bag is made of 55% hemp linen and 45% cotton. All the brushes fit neatly into the bag. However, the cream white color of the bag may get dirty very easily, but it is still a very cute and ecofriendly bag, but wish it was a darker color.

These brushes are “travel size” so they are nice and short and can fit into any makeup bag easily. The bristles are amazingly soft and they also pick up the powders very well. I have not noticed any shedding, and they don’t feel like they are going to shed anytime soon. The handles of the brushes are made from bamboo except for the Baby Kabuki. Bristles are synthetic taklon and 100% cruelty free, and lastly, the ferrule is made from recycled aluminum. So not only are these great brushes at a great price, but they are also earth-friendly.

After one usage of these brushes, I was in love, and I highly recommend these brushes. I will most likely review the other brush sets once I get my hands on them.