Thursday, August 29, 2019

KBShimmer Returns for the September Polish Pickup

Press Sample

There are only a few more days left in August and soon it will be Halloween! I'm normally excited about Halloween, but since I missed out on decorating with selling the house last year, I'm all the more eager for this one to come around. Until then, we all can look forward to the opening of the September Polish Pickup next week!

The theme for next month is Magic & Alchemy, and indie creators have really stepped up to the plate with their  wares. For today's blog post, I have the offerings by KBShimmer to share with you. Christy has designed a beautiful magnetic nail lacquer and a delicious scrub that are sure to win you over. Let's jump in and check them out! First, the nail lacquer!

Something Wicca This Way Comes
College was hard, but what made those years bearable for me was coming home to watch The WB!  In the late 90’s and early 00’s, The WB had all the magical shows: Buffy, Angel, and my favorite, Charmed.  Charmed featured a trio of sisters trying to make it in the world, all while dealing with a family loss and their newfound identities as, "The Charmed Ones," the most powerful good witches of all time!  Fans of the show discussed whether Dan or Leo should win Piper's hand, had a love-hate relationship with Cole, and many even wanted their our own Book Of Shadows.  Inspired by this magical show, Something Wicca This Way Comes is a magnetic polish full of mystery and magic.  The deep duochrome base shifts from shades of blue to hues of purple. When a magnet is used, the effect pops through shades of peach, pink, lime and gold. Finally, sparks of holo micro glitter and colorful flakes flow through this polish like magic floating through the air.


I wanted to share what this beauty looks like both with and without a magnet. I used a magnet on my pinky and middle fingers and applied as normal without a magnet on my index and ring fingers.


This polish is very pigmented, so depending on how you want to wear it, you may only want to use one coat. I prefer to use a thicker second coat when creating a magnetic effect, so I used two coats here.


I get the best duochrome shifts when I change my light source, so I snapped this and and following photo away from my light setup.


As I mentioned previously, Something Wicca This Way Comes is pigmented, so those that tend to use thicker coats likely will find one will suffice. I prefer to use a thinner first coat and a thicker second coat when it comes to magnetic nail lacquers. I used a S magnet to create the effect and then topped my nails off with a glossy top coat.


Something Wicca This Way Comes will retail for $10 per bottle, and there is no cap on the number of bottles available.

Lime Margarita Sugar Scrub
As summer draws closer to its end, I find myself feeling nostalgic, and watching old movies.  One movie I recently re-watched was Practical Magic.  This witchy movie follows a cursed family who struggles with their relationships with men and each other.  One of my favorite scenes starts with the sound of a blender. Then, the quartet of witches sings about limes and coconuts while sipping their margaritas.  This magical scene inspired our September sugar scrub, Lime Margarita.  This juicy, drink-inspired scent starts with notes of salty lime blended with subtle hints of raspberry, apple, strawberry, and peach. Finished with wisps of jasmine and vanilla, this scent smells so much like the real thing that you'll wish you could drink it!


If you're a fan of citrusy scents, this scrub it going to be perfect for you! I don't consume alcohol very often, but when I do, it often ends up being a simple lime margarita; needless to say, I was pretty thrilled when I saw this. The fragrance is a little strong, so that is something to keep in mind. I have a heightened sense of smell, and this is too strong for me to use on the body while in the shower. Instead, I like to use a small amount on my hands to keep them soft. It's also a great way to remove excess shimmer from around your fingers after taking off a particularly shimmery or glittery nail lacquer!


The Lime Margarita Sugar Scrub will retail for $10; there is also no limit to the number available for purchase.


The September Polish Pickup will be open from Friday, September 6th at 11am Eastern time through Monday, September 9th. This is the only time these items will be available, so be sure to mark your calendars so you don't miss out! Orders are submitted as a pre-order; please allow three weeks for domestic shipping.

I'd love to hear what items you are interested in from the Polish Pickup! Will you be picking up Something Wicca This Way Comes, the Lime Margarita Sugar Scrub, or both? Do you prefer Something Wicca This Way Comes applied normally or with the magnetic effect? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful day!
XO!


Helpful Links
Facebook Group (Polish Pickup Pack): www.facebook.com/groups/polishpickuppack
Instagram: www.instagram.com/PolishPickup

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Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Literary Lacquers Brings Every God and Devil to September's Polish Pickup


August is rapidly coming to an end, and that means the September Polish Pickup is almost here! Each month, the Polish Pickup opens the first Friday through following Monday each month. Here, indie purveyors join together in one website to sell their inspired creations for one low shipping cost. Each month, members of the Polish Pickup Pack Facebook group submit theme suggestions and vote for the following monthly theme. The winner for September is Magic & Alchemy. There are so many fun things indie makers can use for inspiration to suit this theme, and for today's post, I have the Literary Lacquers' offering to share with you. Let's check it out!

Press Sample

Amy, the creative mastermind behind the brand, has selected the comic The Invisibles by Scottish writer and chaos magic practitioner Grant Morrison for her inspiration. Presenting: Every God and Devil There Ever Was!


Every God and Devil There Ever Was starts off with an indigo blue-purple base that is then loaded up with micro glitters and colour-shifting flakies.


The base is jelly-like in nature, so it really lets the colour of the flakies and micro glitters sparkle!


I've been using nail polishes by Literary Lacquers for several years, and I have come to expect a fantastic formula from the brand. Every God and Devil There Ever Was is no exception to the rule: not too thick or thin, it applies easily to the nails with a wide brush. I had no issues with the micro glitters or flakies clumping- they dispersed just perfectly without any extra attention or manipulation needed.


Because of its composition, Every God and Devil There Ever Was dries to a slight textured finish. This is to be expected from this type of nail polish, and it smoothes out nicely with top coat. All the photos above are shown with two coats of Every God and Devil There Ever Was followed by a single layer of shiny top coat. There is still a hint of visible nail line, especially in my bright light setup, but it's not very noticeable to the naked eye in regular lighting. You can opt to add a third coat or layer over an opaque base shade if you prefer to avoid any sign of visible nail line.

Every God and Devil There Ever Was is quite spectacular with a glossy top coat, but if you really want to make those flakies and micro glitters pop, you're going to want to pull out your matte top coats. Here's why:


As much as I prefer to keep all things shiny, adding a matte finish to flake-filled polish is swoon-worthy!


While you can see the colour change of the flakes with a glossy finish, adding the matte top coat helps them show up even more, allowing you to appreciate them in their full glory.


How pretty is this nail lacquer! I enjoy it immensely with both finishes, but I do love just how much the flakies and micro glitter pop here.


Every God and Devil There Ever Was has been creating exclusively for the September Polish Pickup. The Polish Pickup will be opening Friday, September 6th at 11am Eastern and will remain open through Monday, September 9th. Be sure to mark your calendars so you don't miss out on this beauty!

For those new to Polish Pickup, please note that orders are submitted as a pre-order. Once the Polish Pickup closes, individual makers send their polishes (and other goods!) to Polish Pickup headquarters where final orders are compiled and sent out. Please allow up to three weeks for domestic shipping. It is well worth the wait, especially since packages ship for a flat $3 rate no matter how many you buy!


Every God and Devil There Ever Was will retail for $12, and there is no cap on the number of bottles that will be available for purchase.

Are you familiar with the comic inspiration for Every God and Devil There Ever Was? Do you prefer it with a glossy finish or with the matte top coat? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful day!
XO!


Helpful Links
Facebook Group (Polish Pickup Pack): www.facebook.com/groups/polishpickuppack
Instagram: www.instagram.com/PolishPickup

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Sunday, August 25, 2019

Highlights from the Beauty Spotlight Team


Are you interested in organic, vegan, cruelty-free cosmetics? If so then check out Beauty Info Zone to see what The Organic Skin Co. have to offer. You won't be disappointed. 

 Need a little something new in your makeup bag without breaking the bank? I Know all the Words talks the new (and kind of amazing) Revlon Ultra HD Vinyl Lip Polishes that offer an opaque cover and perfectly glossy shine. 

  Lola's Secret Beauty Blog has been on a quest to find the perfect eco-friendly mattress and platform bed, check out the final contenders! 

 Stacie from The Makeup Obsessed Mom introduces us to a new anti-aging skincare product from Clinique in an informative video. 

  Never Say Die Beauty has been trying a trio of K-beauty Belif skincare products for normal and combination skin that are perfect warm weather solutions for her dry skin! 

 Ever heard of a reverse hair dryer? Blythe from Prime Beauty gives us the 411 on RevAir, the revolutionary new hair dryer. 

 $160.00 worth of quality beauty products including skin care, makeup, hair care and more for only $21.00? Erika of Notes from My Dressing Table shares the best value in beauty subscription boxes going! Check out her Boxy Charm Beauty Subscription Box Unboxing for August to see all of the amazing get pretty goodies that landed on her doorstep. 

 Do your scent preferences change with the season? Are you looking for the perfect fall fragrance? Jen from Laugh, Love, Contour reviewed the roll-on perfume in Peridot by The Sage Lifestyle and is loving it!

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Friday, August 23, 2019

Simple Nail Stamping for those Hot Summer Nights with Born Pretty Store Stamping Polish

Press Sample


Like it or not, summer is quickly coming to an end. For some of us, summer is over when the new school year begins, while others still remain in summer mode until the nights are cold once again. No matter where you fall on this debate, there is no question that the days and nights are still toasty, and I wanted to create a simple look to match. I had received this beautiful blue stamping polish from Born Pretty Store, and I just had to give it some love before the season changes over!


As you are already aware, I live in Arizona, and does it get hot here over the summer! We had been hanging close to 115 degrees although today is a balmy 105. I have a pool, but with temperatures this hot, I actually do most of my swimming at night. Between the dark skies and the blue pool, thanks to the tile and the lights, this manicure actually matches my nights by the pool perfectly!


To create this look, I started off with Rogue Lacquer It's Little And Broken But Still Good (ocean blue polish with flakes) and Indigo Bananas When Are We? (black with multicolour shimmer). I then paired Born Pretty Store stamping polish in Summer Mints, found here, with a dotted pattern from What's Up Nails B011 Intergalactic Encounters stamping plate.


I used the same image for this stamped design, and I noticed something odd. While one design transferred nicely onto the nail, the other left a pock-marked look. I wasn't rushing while stamping, so I'm not sure if it was an issue with this polish or just the combination with the stamping plate and my stamper that was the problem. I may have been my technique and I just applied with too much pressure. Either way, I still wanted to note this experience. Overall, I've had great experiences with the Born Pretty Store line of stamping polishes, and I do think this is a good one to pick up and perfect application if needed.


This stamping polish is currently marked down to $2.99 per bottle. While you are there, be sure to shop around to pick up all the supplies you need for your nail art needs. You can save 10% off full priced items with discount code QWL91. This is not an affiliate code so I don't get anything if you use it, but it is a way for Born Pretty Store to pass along some savings your way.


How are you enjoying the last few weeks of summer? Are you taking any last minute vacations? Are you in count down mode to Halloween? Only 69 days to go!

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful day!
XO!


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Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Mesauda Milano: Testing out an Italian Cosmetic Brand

Press Samples

Happy hump day, dear readers! As you all know by now, I had the pleasure of attending Cosmoprof North America this summer. One of my stops included a visit with Italian cosmetic company, Mesauda Milano. Not yet seen in the US, I had already been following the company on social media and was already familiar with some of their products. I had the opportunity to try out a few things, and I am all too eager to share them with you. Let's check it all out!

Diamond Baked Blush
Shade: Christina

Mesauda Milano has three different blush formulas, including beautiful baked blushes like the one shown above. There are currently six shades in this formula, and Christina is such a nice rose-pink shade. The pigment of this one is lovely, and the colour lasts on my cheeks all day!

Retail: €16.10

Light'N Bronze Highlighting Powder
Shade: Rose Gold

I am obsessed with highlighters, and I am happy to report that Mesauda Milano offers them in three different formulas: a creamy stick, a lightweight liquid, and this powder formula. Available in three different shades, this highlighter is velvety smooth and can be applied with a light hand for a natural glow or built up for a dazzling glow that can be seen from space. Ok, so that might be a slight exaggeration, but I do like that you can wear this to your preferred intensity.

Retail: €17.80

Luxury Baked Eyeshadow
Shade: Smoky Quartz

In a world full of eyeshadow palettes, I have really developed a newfound appreciation of singles! I love the ease of applying a single wash of colour some days, while other times I want to supplement with a shade without having to commit to purchasing a whole other palette. Mesauda Milano offers singles as matte compact singles, eyeshadow pencils, and these luxury eyeshadows in a shimmery finish. The formula is incredibly smooth, and I get full day wear with this when I'm using my normal primer and setting spray routine.


Top to bottom: Smoky Quartz Luxury Eyeshadow, Rose Gold Light'n Bronze Highlighter, Christina Diamond Blush

Extreme Matte Longlasting Liquid Lipstick
Shade: Marshmallow


I don't wear a lot of liquid lipsticks, and with matte shades being notorious for drying out your lips, I was a little unsure about this one at first. This matte lipstick applies with a doe foot applicator, and it dries down on the lips in about thirty seconds.



You guys! This is possibly the most comfortable matte lipstick I have ever used! I can still feel it on my lips, but it doesn't feel drying. I've also been impressed with how well it holds up while eating and drinking during the day and still looks good hours later. While I don't see myself jumping over to this matte formula exclusively, I do like having the option!

Retail: €15.70



Dip Liner Matte Professional Matte Eyeliner

With my combination of hooded and oily eyelids, I don't wear liquid eyeliners often. With such valuable eyelid real estate and the inability of liquid eyeliners to stay put, I admittedly don't have high expectations of liquid eyeliners.


When applied with the tip, I got nice fine lines, and holding at a slight angle allows for a thicker line. I've used a few other liners that promise to work for me (they don't), but this one is the real deal! I have been amazed that this stays put all day long on me. It's the first eyeliner I had used that has been able to do that! I'm really excited to be able to wear eyeliner now, although I'm not exactly sure how I'm going to be getting a replacement here in the US. Here's hoping a distributor picks up this company pronto, or I'll be back to coordinating with European acquaintances for swap packages!

Retail: €12.10

Lash Infinity Lash Multiplying Effect Mascara

Have you been trying to find your perfect mascara? Mesauda Milano has 8 different formula and brush combinations to get you the lashes you've always wanted. The Lash Infinity uses a wide brush with short bristles to really give your lashes some oomph. If you are looking to add length with curling action to your lashes, this is definitely one you'll want to try! It does add some volume, but if you want volume specifically, this one may not be a good match for you. The formula is not waterproof, and I had no issues with smudging or flaking.

Retail: €14.00


I've used all the products from this post to create this particular look.




I'm going to have to get a little more practice with the eyeliner, particularly when using the actual applicator. I've tended to stick with my makeup brushes and am more comfortable with the longer handles. That said, the applicator is pretty easy to work with! I also went with an ultra simple eye look, pairing the eyeshadow with a nude brown for a natural look.



Here is another look at the Smoky Quartz eyeshadow with some purple hues.



I have really enjoyed trying out these products from Mesauda Milano! All the products I have used have been nicely pigmented, easy to work with, and have stayed exactly where I want them all day long. What a great introduction to the brand!

At this time, Mesauda Milano ships throughout Italy and other European countries. There are also authorized dealers in Italy if you are interested in picking up items in person. With all the connections that took place at Cosmoprof North America, I am hoping to see more of this fabulous brand on this side of the ocean soon! Only time will tell, but I just had to share this great find with you!

For those of you that wear cosmetics, do you pick up items that are harder to find in your country while traveling? Would you be interested in hearing about more international brands? Chime in below and let me know what you think!

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful evening!
XO!


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