Panda-monium Mondays Vol.4

Happy Monday once again Pandas! The weeks are flying by so fast!

First, our weekly Panda picture!

Sooooo cute

It hardly looks real but it is. This is a very very small baby panda with some unidentified noodle shaped towels. I don't know.

Did you know baby pandas suck their thumbs just like baby humans? Adorable.

Also, hope you guys all had a happy Easter! If you did anything fun, let me know, or tell me what you wore! Here is my Easter Outfit!

Only about 4 more days to enter my Franken Polish Giveaway. I don't have enough entries to give away 5 polishes, so it might end up only being three. I just recieved all of teh supplies and I am ready to make them, so enter! The more people that enter, the more polish that can be given away, increasing all of your chances. Tell your friends!

And song of the week: How to Be A Heartbreaker by Marina and the Diamonds. Kinda a weird/dumb video...basically her just running around with a bunch of guys in showers, but a fun, catchy song that I am kinda addicted to.

 

Have a happy monday friends!

 

 

Panda-monium Mondays Vol.4

Happy Monday once again Pandas! The weeks are flying by so fast!

First, our weekly Panda picture!

Sooooo cute

It hardly looks real but it is. This is a very very small baby panda with some unidentified noodle shaped towels. I don't know.

Did you know baby pandas suck their thumbs just like baby humans? Adorable.

Also, hope you guys all had a happy Easter! If you did anything fun, let me know, or tell me what you wore! Here is my Easter Outfit!

Only about 4 more days to enter my Franken Polish Giveaway. I don't have enough entries to give away 5 polishes, so it might end up only being three. I just recieved all of teh supplies and I am ready to make them, so enter! The more people that enter, the more polish that can be given away, increasing all of your chances. Tell your friends!

And song of the week: How to Be A Heartbreaker by Marina and the Diamonds. Kinda a weird/dumb video...basically her just running around with a bunch of guys in showers, but a fun, catchy song that I am kinda addicted to.

 

Have a happy monday friends!

 

 

Polish, Pages, and Pretties: Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from PrettyPanda!

 

This edition of Polish, Pages, and Pretties is a skittles mani with my favorite pastels and an intro into two of my newest polishes...all set upon the gorgeous background of one of my favorite books: Lewis Carroll's Alice and Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass.

 

I love Alice in Wonderland, and I think it is a good Easter-ish book to showcase this (the white rabbit!)

 

 

 

Here is the color run down:

Thumb (first picture): L'Oreal Versailles Romance Royally Yours ($7)

Index: O.P.I I Think In Pink ($8)

Middle: Butter London Fiver ($15)

Ring: Orly Peaceful Opposition ($8)

Pinkie: Julep Simone ($12)

 

 

And here are the two newest additions to my stash featured in this Easter pastel mani. I love Orly Peaceful Opposition. It looks like a Robin's Egg and is a creamy white base with white and silver glitter. Easy to layer.

 

Royally Yours is very pretty, a powder blue worthy of Marie Antoinette but it needs 3 coats otherwise it looks too sheer and streaky.

 

What did you wear on your nails this Easter? Any fun plans?

 

 

 

 

 

Polish, Pages, and Pretties: Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from PrettyPanda!

 

This edition of Polish, Pages, and Pretties is a skittles mani with my favorite pastels and an intro into two of my newest polishes...all set upon the gorgeous background of one of my favorite books: Lewis Carroll's Alice and Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass.

 

I love Alice in Wonderland, and I think it is a good Easter-ish book to showcase this (the white rabbit!)

 

 

 

Here is the color run down:

Thumb (first picture): L'Oreal Versailles Romance Royally Yours ($7)

Index: O.P.I I Think In Pink ($8)

Middle: Butter London Fiver ($15)

Ring: Orly Peaceful Opposition ($8)

Pinkie: Julep Simone ($12)

 

 

And here are the two newest additions to my stash featured in this Easter pastel mani. I love Orly Peaceful Opposition. It looks like a Robin's Egg and is a creamy white base with white and silver glitter. Easy to layer.

 

Royally Yours is very pretty, a powder blue worthy of Marie Antoinette but it needs 3 coats otherwise it looks too sheer and streaky.

 

What did you wear on your nails this Easter? Any fun plans?

 

 

 

 

 

L'Oreal Color Riche Balms from the Versailles Romance Collection

As you may have heard from my Panda-monium Monday post, I was really excited for the L'Oreal Versailles Romance collection for Spring 2013. When I saw the set-up, I had to pick up some of the Color Riche balms and some nail polishes (post coming soon!)

 

I know everyone is buzzing about that blue. I KNEW it would be a flop, but you know what? I bought it anyway! The blue is called Sundays by the Seine and the pink is Come by My Window. Both are so pretty and pastel-y in the tube, and of course the fancy Color Riche tube is luxe in itself, very worthy of Marie Antoinette and Versailles. These retail for around $8 each.

They are truly very pretty and would be conversation pieces when pulled out of a purse. Or really cute for a "Is it a boy or girl?" baby shower as favors. Am I right?

 

Yeah, thats about all these are good for...

 

The blue is swatched on the right, the pink on the left. As I expected, the blue is just a clear balm. The pink is very sheer and baby pink, but neither showed up on my lips other than a shiny slick of balm. Meh.

 

Here you can see the pink a bit better in flash, but the blue is pretty invisible.

 

All in all, good formula as expected of the Color Riche balms, pretty packaging, and cute concept, but there are cheaper balm alternatives. I won't be purchasing more, but I will leave the decision up to you.

 

Have you tried this? Love or hate?

 

 

L'Oreal Color Riche Balms from the Versailles Romance Collection

As you may have heard from my Panda-monium Monday post, I was really excited for the L'Oreal Versailles Romance collection for Spring 2013. When I saw the set-up, I had to pick up some of the Color Riche balms and some nail polishes (post coming soon!)

 

I know everyone is buzzing about that blue. I KNEW it would be a flop, but you know what? I bought it anyway! The blue is called Sundays by the Seine and the pink is Come by My Window. Both are so pretty and pastel-y in the tube, and of course the fancy Color Riche tube is luxe in itself, very worthy of Marie Antoinette and Versailles. These retail for around $8 each.

They are truly very pretty and would be conversation pieces when pulled out of a purse. Or really cute for a "Is it a boy or girl?" baby shower as favors. Am I right?

 

Yeah, thats about all these are good for...

 

The blue is swatched on the right, the pink on the left. As I expected, the blue is just a clear balm. The pink is very sheer and baby pink, but neither showed up on my lips other than a shiny slick of balm. Meh.

 

Here you can see the pink a bit better in flash, but the blue is pretty invisible.

 

All in all, good formula as expected of the Color Riche balms, pretty packaging, and cute concept, but there are cheaper balm alternatives. I won't be purchasing more, but I will leave the decision up to you.

 

Have you tried this? Love or hate?

 

 

My Foundation Routine

Hey Pandas! Today is about my two life-saving products that give me a flawless base everyday.

On the left is NYX Photo-Loving Primer ($10) and on the right is Clinique Perfectly Real Makeup in Shade 01 (N) ($26).

 

I have already mentioned the Clinique foundation in a lot of my FOTD posts, but a quick recap: It is makeup for those of you who want a medium coverage, skin-looking makeup. My face is thankfully blemish free on most days (thanks to my skincare routine) but I do suffer from blackheads, acne scars, and general lack of luster. This foundation fixes those things, is so lightweight, and blendable but on the drier side as I have oily skin. I recommend it if you are oily or t-zone oily, don't like a heavy look, and want something that will not make you break out.

 

This NYX primer is new to my arsenal. This is supposed to not give you strange aura if photographed and it works with that. It is clear and gel like and smooths easily onto the skin. It is cruelty-free but full of silicones. I was wary of that at first because EVERY primer I have tried with silicone breaks me out like nothing else. I have been using this for a while now and no breakouts. But if you have the same irritation, be cautious and do a patch test for a few days.

 

Other than that, this primer is great. It extends my Clinique foundation wear by 3-4 hours and kept my skin matte and flawless through a particularly stressful and trying first date...and to me, that is a good indicator of a product under pressure and performing well!

 

 

Here are some swatches so you can see the consistency of the primer (clear) the foundation unblended and then lightly spread out. It looks slightly yellow here, but is a true neutral base.

 

I hope you guys enjoyed this post. If you want to see a run-down of my skin care routine, just let me know!

 

 

 

My Foundation Routine

Hey Pandas! Today is about my two life-saving products that give me a flawless base everyday.

On the left is NYX Photo-Loving Primer ($10) and on the right is Clinique Perfectly Real Makeup in Shade 01 (N) ($26).

 

I have already mentioned the Clinique foundation in a lot of my FOTD posts, but a quick recap: It is makeup for those of you who want a medium coverage, skin-looking makeup. My face is thankfully blemish free on most days (thanks to my skincare routine) but I do suffer from blackheads, acne scars, and general lack of luster. This foundation fixes those things, is so lightweight, and blendable but on the drier side as I have oily skin. I recommend it if you are oily or t-zone oily, don't like a heavy look, and want something that will not make you break out.

 

This NYX primer is new to my arsenal. This is supposed to not give you strange aura if photographed and it works with that. It is clear and gel like and smooths easily onto the skin. It is cruelty-free but full of silicones. I was wary of that at first because EVERY primer I have tried with silicone breaks me out like nothing else. I have been using this for a while now and no breakouts. But if you have the same irritation, be cautious and do a patch test for a few days.

 

Other than that, this primer is great. It extends my Clinique foundation wear by 3-4 hours and kept my skin matte and flawless through a particularly stressful and trying first date...and to me, that is a good indicator of a product under pressure and performing well!

 

 

Here are some swatches so you can see the consistency of the primer (clear) the foundation unblended and then lightly spread out. It looks slightly yellow here, but is a true neutral base.

 

I hope you guys enjoyed this post. If you want to see a run-down of my skin care routine, just let me know!

 

 

 

Let Them Eat Cake

Another NYX Love in Paris palette! I adore these! So, merci NYX for making them!

 

This is the NYX Love in Paris palette in Let Them Eat Cake which features a range of pinks and browns, clearly inspired by Marie Antoinette and her confectionery phrase. Adorable and affordable at $10. Also cruelty-free!

 

I love the sleek design of these palettes, making them easy to store and stack, and the see-through casing allows you to glance at the shadows quickly. And how I do love the names! This is adorable and I love how they are color coordinated. These shadows all go together, and wear beautifully for hours.

 

 

The shades: (from top left to bottom right) A matte chocolate brown, a sparkly burnt orange, a pale dusty pink, a matte cream, a shimmery coral sorbet, sparkly dark chocolate, matte light brown, bubblegum pink, and matte light pink.

 

I tried to cram all the swatches together. They are nice on the hand but better on the eye. Not the best pigmentation, but impressive for the colors and the price. The palettes also include a double ended sponge brush. Not amazing, but useful on the go.

 

Let Them Eat Cake is a great warm-toned pink and brown palette to make you feel sugary and sweet. Love it! Very wearable.

 

Price: 9/10

Performance: 9/10

Color/Wearability: 910

Packaging: 10/10

Overall Quality: 9/10

 

Total: 46/50 = A- = Happy Panda

 

So what do you think? Let Them Eat Cake? Or not so much?

Let Them Eat Cake

Another NYX Love in Paris palette! I adore these! So, merci NYX for making them!

 

This is the NYX Love in Paris palette in Let Them Eat Cake which features a range of pinks and browns, clearly inspired by Marie Antoinette and her confectionery phrase. Adorable and affordable at $10. Also cruelty-free!

 

I love the sleek design of these palettes, making them easy to store and stack, and the see-through casing allows you to glance at the shadows quickly. And how I do love the names! This is adorable and I love how they are color coordinated. These shadows all go together, and wear beautifully for hours.

 

 

The shades: (from top left to bottom right) A matte chocolate brown, a sparkly burnt orange, a pale dusty pink, a matte cream, a shimmery coral sorbet, sparkly dark chocolate, matte light brown, bubblegum pink, and matte light pink.

 

I tried to cram all the swatches together. They are nice on the hand but better on the eye. Not the best pigmentation, but impressive for the colors and the price. The palettes also include a double ended sponge brush. Not amazing, but useful on the go.

 

Let Them Eat Cake is a great warm-toned pink and brown palette to make you feel sugary and sweet. Love it! Very wearable.

 

Price: 9/10

Performance: 9/10

Color/Wearability: 910

Packaging: 10/10

Overall Quality: 9/10

 

Total: 46/50 = A- = Happy Panda

 

So what do you think? Let Them Eat Cake? Or not so much?

NYX Love in Florence: Eat, Love, Be Fab

As you already know I kinda adore the NYX Love in Paris Palettes, and I adore the Love in Florence ones as well! I really think the name of this is cool (I am a sucker for a good name) as I think it is a play off of 'Eat, Pray, Love'.

 

 

The Love in Florence Palettes retail for less than the Paris ones because they have less colors and less product, landing them at $6.99. This color combo is called Eat, Love, Be Fab and has a earthy mix of greens, browns, and a pop of coral.

 

 

It also comes with a small sponge applicator. I think the bottom two color strips are kinda awkward to get into, but I can see the design concept.

 

 

Once again, I love that NYX is cruelty-free and cheap while still producing good products. No, these aren't as pigmented as Urban Decay, but they are better than ELF, Coastal Scents, and even most drugstore brands for such a great price.

 

 

I was actually really impressed with the pigmentation of the top three colors. The left color is a sparkly warm toned caramel. The middle is a pink/coral shade with gold sparkle, and could double as a blush in a jam. The right shade is a matte brown which I was really impressed with. These are all very light swatches over no primer.

 

 

The bottom two were less impressive, but the green is still pretty and wearable! You could do this as a whole wash of color because it is so light and has gold sparkle. The dark brown was a mess, though. It had very little pigmentation. But four out of five is good with me!

 

 

I am in Love in Florence as well! These are good neutrals and would be great for a weekend trip. Just stash it in your bag and go!

 

Price: 8/10

Performance: 8/10

Color/Wearability: 9/10

Packaging: 10/10

Overall Quality: 9/10

 

Total: 44/50 = B+ = Happy Panda!

 

What do you think? Cute little palette or not worth it?