June 27, 2014

A Mani In Memory

Hello readers,
As some of you may know, my dad passed away last weekend.  Tomorrow is his memorial service and though it seems trivial I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what polish was appropriate.  Then it clicked.  My dad was an electrical engineer so I decided to use Pipe Dream Polish Electric Soul and Enchanted Polish Engineered To Destroy.


I used Electric Soul as the base and then stamped Engineered To Destroy using a pattern on Cheeky plate B that reminded me of gears.  The stamped design is very subtle and only shows in certain lights but I'm still very happy with it.  Photos show the mani with CND Super Shiney top coat in natural light.





Happy polishing,

Michelle

June 24, 2014

China Glaze Seahorsin' Around Swatches & Review

Hello readers,
Today I have one of the polishes from the China Glaze Sea Goddess collection.  It's been sitting on my shelf for a few months now and I finally got around to trying it.  Why did I wait so long?? This polish is gorgeous!


Seahorsin' Around is a teal leaning blue.  It's very shimmery and has a surprise subtle gold shimmer that comes out when it's on the nail.  The formula fantastic and went opaque after two coats.  The wear time for this polish was very good and surprisingly it removed very easily too.  Photos show two coats of Seahorsin' Around in natural lighting.




I think I may have found my new favorite texture polish.  It just screams 'tropical ocean'.  I also got the purple texture polish from this collection too and I'm looking forward to finding out if I love it as much as this one.

Happy polishing,

Michelle

June 18, 2014

Emerald & Ash Cuddle-Butt Swatches & Review

Hello readers,
Today I have a really cute polish from Emerald & Ash, Cuddle-Butt.  This polish was inspired by Emmett, the adorable doggy who lives with the creators of E&A.


Cuddle-Butt feature a shimery white crelly base packed with brown and teal glitter in various shapes and sizes.  The formula was easy to work with.  I didn't have to dab to get even glitter distribution.  Because of the amount of glitter in this polish it does dry somewhat unevenly however a top coat will smooth it out.  One coat will smooth the bumps and two will get you a glassy sheen.  Photos show three coats of Cuddle-Butt with one coat of Seche Vite in natural lighting.




I think this polish is really cute.  My boyfriend described it as "very fancy".  I think next time I might layer it over a light blue or white base so it dries a little bit smoother.  If you want to get your hands on some E&A polishes (and you totally should) you can find them at



Happy polishing,

Michelle

June 17, 2014

Beauty Box 5 June 2014 Review & Free Box Coupon Code

Hello readers,
I'm running a little behind as I got this box at the end of last week but am just getting the post up now.  Sorry about that.  This month's theme was 'summr chic'.  Let's get to the box!


 First off, they included a free box code - FREE614.  Feel free to use this and give this box a try.  You can sign up at the BB5 website.


 Vita Bath Body Wash | Retail: $7.95 12 fl oz
"Free of propylene glycol, mineral oils and silicone, this delicious, antioxidant rich body wash smells good enough to eat (please resist!) and creates a luxurious lather that will leave you feeling fabulous!"
 This body was does smell quite sweet and candy like.  I don't know if I would have purchased this scent myself but I'll definitely use it up.

Glam Natural Mascara | Retail: $28.00 0.25 oz
"It's hard being a girl who loves makeup and has sensitive eyes, but this mascara is the answer to our prayers! Gluten-free, paraben-free, and hypoallergenic, this vegan formula lifts lashes and won't irritate your pretty peepers - layer away!"
 I don't wear mascara so this will go in the swap pile.

 Nicka K New York Nail Color | Retail: $4.99 0.5 fl oz
"What a sweet sheen! This lovely polish goes on smooth and offers even, long-wear coverage that doesn't chip! Plus, the short brush makes application easy and yields a clean, formaldehyde-free finish."
 I was excited to get a polish in this month's box but I hate red! I don't understand why I get red every time there's a color option.  Another item for the swap box.

Estor Introductory Collection Calming Kit | Retail $28 2 fl oz, $28 1.7 fl oz, $38 1.7 fl oz, $65 1.7 fl oz
"Ready for a transformation? This paraben-free kit includes ome of Estor's all-star products, including a soothing refiner and cleanser, replenishing scrub, comforting mask, and soothing cream that will hydrate and protect your skin!"
Foil samples.  I really don't like foil samples.  You just can't use a product enough to tell if it works for you.  I'll use these up but they're not my favorite.

Organix Coconut Water Shampoo & Conditioner | Retail $7.99 13oz
"Parched hair, begone! Ultra-light and wightless, this hair hydrating duo is charged with electrolytes and coconut oil to give your hair a silky, healthy shine! Plus, it's sulfate-free!
More foil packets! I especially hate hair product foil packets.  My hair is long and there's never enough conditioner for even one use.  I will use these up but again, not my favorite sample.

Conclusion
I do like some of the products in the box I just wish they were proper samples.  There were a lot of foil packets this month.  I also wish there was a better way to pick your colour preferences in your profile.  Hopefully next month will have more products that I can use.

Happy polishing,

Michelle

June 12, 2014

LynBDesigns Wait. Wait. Wait... Is This A Kissing Book? Swatches & Review

Hello readers,
Today I have an unusual polish for me... a pink one!  I usually don't go for pinks but the flakes in this one won out (especially since I was able to snag it during a 50% off sale).


Wait. Wait. Wait... Is This A Kissing Book? features a pink jelly base packed with hot pink, red and gold flakies.  The formula was great.  I got dense even coverage with a single coat and it dried completely smoothly.  Photos show one coat of Wait. Wait. Wait... Is This A Kissing Book? over China Glaze Creative Fantasy with one coat of CND Super Shiney top coat in natural lighting.





I love this topper.  If you do to you can find LynBDesigns at:


Happy polishing,

Michelle

June 09, 2014

Sweet Delight Summer 2014 Divalicious Sample Box Unboxing & Review

Hello readers,
My summer divalicious sample box arrived in the mail today and I wanted to share what I got with you.  In my last box my main dislike was the amount of bar soap.  Going through the list of contributors there didn't seem to be quite as many soap company's this time around so I gave it another shot.  Here's what came in my box.


First up is a full size sugar scrub from Raw Love Body.  It smells quite nice and I always love a good scrub.  I'm really happy with this product.

Nature's Aura Cucumber Melon tea light.  I really don't use candles much but if nothing else I can use it in a pumpkin at Halloween.

This pack from Soaps by Sarah has a Lime and Cilantro solid lotion stick as well as two small soap bar samples.  I'm looking forward to trying the lotion stick and I don't mind small soap samples since I will actually be able to go through them.

Routine natural deodorant which contains no aluminum zirconium, aluminum chlorohydrate, parabens, triclosan or propylene glycol.  I got the beeswax formula to try.  Considering I normally use the clinical strength drugstore antiperspirants I don't think this will do the trick but I will definitely give it a shot.

Nese Cosmetics lipstick.  My only problem with this is that it doesn't say the shade name on the tube.  Based off of their website *I think* it's Mocha Glaze.  The colour is really pretty and I love that it has a moisturizing balm going right down the center.  Really looking forward to giving this one a try.

ROCKin GREEN laundry soap.  Everyone does laundry so this will definitely get used.

Lowen's Line in 'da Coconut lip balm.  I love citrus smells and I love coconut so I'm glad I got this one.  I also love that it's a stick and not a pot.

Waxalene tube.  I'll probably use this on my dry heels.

Koche Coco Lemon lotion.  I can always use more body lotion since I go through it like crazy.  More citrus scents too which I love.

Dana's Cosmetics Nourishing Eye Cream.  I will admit, I only use eye cream when it's free or comes in a box like this.  I'll definitely give it a try though.

The Pampered Pear Watermelon Body Polish.  As I said before, I love scrubs, so I'm definitely looking forward to using this.

Just'a Spray personal odour eliminator.  Everybody goes to the bathroom.  Get over it already.  This seems like the Just A Drop from the last box but in spray form.  I don't think it fits with the theme of these boxes and I'm probably just going to toss it.

The Soap Barista bar soap in Skin-de-Mint Tea.  I'm not a huge bar soap user.  I've been using it lately as shaving lather and that's likely how this one will get used up too.

Lather Life...Naturally Goat's Milk Soap in Fresh.  Like with the soap above, this will end up being used as shaving lather.

Demes Butter Me Up moisture stick in cherry.  This smells delicious.  It reminds of of cherry lipsmackers.  I'm looking forward to trying this product out.  The only thing I'm a little worried about is the cardboard tube packaging.  I don't think it would deal with moisture or humidity well so I'll have to make sure to store this outside the bathroom.

DSO Soaps and Such Tropical Freesia Lotion.  Again, lotion is something I go through a lot of so this will definitely get used.

Conclusion
I'm really happy with this box.  First off... way less soap! I think I got twice as many bars in the last box.  Second, no lavender!  I know these boxes aren't customized and this was just luck of the draw but I'm really happy I didn't get any lavender scented things like I did last time.  For $27 I definitely think I got my money's worth.  If you want to find out more about these boxes check out https://www.sweetdelight.ca.  I will definitely be purchasing again.

Happy polishing,

Michelle
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