L'ORÉAL Color Riche lipstick in Blushing Sequin: Swatches and Review

Spring is almost here! Well not almost...but bright lipsticks are becoming all the rage once more!

 

 

L'ORÉAL Color Riche lipstick in #172, Blushing Sequin. It is a bright pink with a slightly coral tinge that has pink sparkle and a slightly sweet smell that is not overpowering. It retails for just over $10 at Ulta and Target and comes in classy gold packaging with a strip of color so you can see which hue you are reaching for.

 



 

If you want a lipstick that is going to last around 6 hours, fade evenly, and be on trend, then this shade is for you. It is creamy enough to go on smoothly, but it doesn't feel like much on the lips. It is slightly drying so I suggest a balm layered under or over it.

 

 

I really like the Color Riche lipsticks because they come in trendy colors, wear well, but do not look too heavy. This looks natural and light!

 

Price: 9/10

Performance: 10/10

Color/Wearability: 10/10

Packaging: 10/10

Overall Quality: 9/10

Total: 48/50 = A = Happy Happy Panda!

What is your favorite Color Riche shade?

 

 

 

L'ORÉAL Magic Lumi Primer: Quick Review

I have been searching for a good primer for a while now...

 

But a good primer is hard to find. I have been using my moisturizer (Philosophy's Hope in a Jar) as a stand in as it is tacky enough for my foundation to stick to it, but I want a real primer, ya know?

 

 

 

 

L'ORÉAL's Magic Lumi primer is a light infused primer that is supposed to give a subtle glow to your skin. It retails for around $12, but luckily I picked it up in a buy one, get one 50% off sale...you will soon see why.

 

 

I was pretty impressed with the packaging at first: sleek, portable, classy...but when I went to test it, all of my happiness jumped out of the window. It came out like water! Sparkly water, but water nonetheless. I tried shaking it, squirting more out, tipping it upside down...and all that happened was more water and some gross, lumpy, separated primer. Eww.

 

After doing some research, I found that a lot of other people had the same problem. I don't know if it has a short shelf life, or if it was just a bad batch, but it was unusable and I wasn't the only victim. I am really sad about it, but this was just one big fail!

 

 

Save your money and spend it on a different primer. Also, don't make impulse buys!

 

Price: 8/10

Performance: 0/10

Color/Wearability: 0/10

Packaging: 10/10

Overall Quality: 0/10

 

Total: 18/50 = F! = Sobbing Panda

 

What do you think? Tried this primer? Had the same problem? Sound off!

 

 

Mani of the Week featuring Julep's Lauren!

I have been thinking of doing a mani of the week so this is an attempt!

 

 

 

This mani was very much inspired by a hopefulness for warmer weather in California as well as a nod to 60's mod. I did a white base with Sally Hansen's White On and then left a little bit of the white exposed as I painted the hot pink over it. Finished with a layer of Posche topcoat.

 

 

Julep's Lauren was the perfect color for this mani. It is a bright, almost fluorescent pink that dries slightly matte. The matte finish would have been cool too, but I love manicures to be glossy. The formula for this particular color runs a little thick but is still easy to work with.

 

 

What do you guys think? Hit or miss?

 

 



Sneak Peek! Frankens!

I recently ordered a make-your-own frankens kit off of Etsy here. It came with 10 bottles with solvent and tons of glitter as well as funnels and little spoons. I set aside an afternoon to make them and I came up with 10 really fun glitter polishes. Once a week I will be showing you one of my creations as well as how you can make your own version.

Who knows, maybe I will open my own Etsy store one day!!

I am really happy with how they came out! Here are some swatches on a nail wheel of a few of them!

 

 

Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick by Kate Moss

I am forever hunting for matte things! Whether it be polish, eyeshadow, or in this case--lipstick--I am always searching for the perfect fit!

 

Will Rimmel's new Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick by Kate Moss be a winner?

 

 

This shade, simply called 103 is a medium pink with a slight peachy/dusty pull. It is supposed to have a totally matte formula but there is a bit of creaminess before it dries down. Retails for $4.99 at Ulta, Target, and drugstores and is housed in a pretty red bullet with Kate's iconic signature. 4 hours of good wear, no flaking, and feels feather light on the lips. However, there is a very strong, lingering floral mixed with candy smell that is really off-putting.

I really do love the packaging. It is a pretty tube that will get noticed when you pull it out to apply.

 

 

This lipstick is for any fans of Rimmel, Kate Moss, and matte lipsticks, pretty much in that order. If you are looking for a way to ease into matte's, this is a nice baby step because it is so comfortable and user friendly. Not very dramatic, and very smelly...so be warned!

I love the way it looks on my lips, and has gone strong for 4 hours...but the smell is still there and is killing my sensitive nose! Ugh, so sad!

 

This would have been my new Holy Grail matte lipstick if it weren't for the smell. I am so disappointed. I urge you to check them out for yourself! They really are worth it besides the scent.

Price: 10/10

Performance: 10/10

Color/Wearability: 7/10 (smell makes it hard to keep on for me)

Packaging: 10/10

Overall Quality: 9/10

 

Total: 46/50 = A- = Happy Panda

 

Have you tried the new matte version of the original? Thoughts?

 

 

 

 

Different Dimension Polish

Indie polishes are ALL the rage right now...

 

I have bought my fair share of them. This post has been a long time in coming, as I have had it for a while but have been experimenting with it. It was something that grew on me over time and it is high time that you all see it!

 

 

 

Twelve Years in Azkaban is a custom glitter polish by Different Dimension. Currently she does not have custom listings anymore but her normal collections include themes such as Mean Girls, Pretty Little Liars, sports teams, Twilight, 50 Shades of Grey, Big Bang Theory, and others. They are $8.50 each, which is a steal for this bottle that will last you forever! She has been featured in Nails Magazine and her polishes are 3 Free!

I messaged her wanting to create a polish based on Sirius Black from the Harry Potter series. She was very professional and messaged me pictures, working on my polish until I was satisfied. It has a clear base with very fine black bar glitter, small maroon glitter, small gold glitter, and medium sized green glitter. Perfect fit right?

I love her custom label as well! Shipping was fast and wear time is so long! I get compliments every time I wear it, and I know all of her other polishes have the same effect!

Here is a close up of all the pretty glitter. This is chock full! I can swipe it on, I don't have to dab, which is a huge plus!

 

Different Dimension polish is for anyone looking to try out the indie polish scene that wants reliability. You won't be disappointed with any of her polishes, and I truly believe she is one of the best at this price point on the market.

 

 

For this mani combination, I layered Twelve Years in Azkaban over Julep's Dendrie. I will not be doing a full review on this...but rather stick a mini one in right here! Beautiful grey creamy polish, rather watery but I find that helps the sheer/nearly jelly look of the outcome. Beautiful wear. Panda Approved!

 

 

I love Different Dimension polishes. I have others I need to review so look for more soon! I highly recommend checking out her Etsy shop, or if you want your own personalized franken, convo her!

 

Price: 9/10

Performance: 10/10

Color/Wearability: 10/10

Packaging: 9/10

Overall Quality: 9/10

 

Total: 47/50 = A = Pandamonium!

 

Have you tried Different Dimension polishes or any other indie brands? Favorites?

 

 

Zoya Emme and Happi: Swatches and Review

Zoya polishes are wonderful, but I hardly ever buy them...

I don't know what it is, I love the formula and the colors, but they always fall under my radar in favor of prettier and flashier things. I will never make that mistake again! After participating in the 3 for $10 deal Zoya.com offered (did anyone else do it?), I rekindled my love for Zoya polish.

 

Happi is on the left and is a medium barbie pink with a yellow shift and a slight shimmer. Emme is a lighter pink with a slightly metallic finish. Both retail for $8 and are 3 free polishes. Wear on these is over a week for me with barely there tip wear.

This is a shot with flash of my nails painted with Happi and Emme on my ring finger so you can see them compared side-by-side.

The two polishes are great for anyone looking to add some staples to their collection. I rarely buy pinks but both of these are different enough to be interesting on the nail and get plenty of compliments. Emme has also been my pedicure all week and I am in love!

I am really in love with both of these polishes and Zoya in general right now. Happi ran a bit thick for me and Emme a little streaky, but nothing noticeable from far away. The pretty colors more than make up for it, as does the extremely long wear time.

Price: 9/10

Performance: 10/10

Color/Wearability: 10/10

Packaging: 9/10

Overall Quality: 9/10

Total: 47/50 = A = Pandamonium!

 Do you have a favorite Zoya nail color?

 

Julep Cindy: Swatches and Review

Well...green is the pantone color of the year...

Okay so emerald, but this is a fun twist on the trend. I think Julep polishes have gotten better since they were first released. They have definitely tweaked the formula and they are a much better performing product.

Julep polishes are 3 Free and come in a tube that almost looks like a lip gloss. They are sold for $14 singularly, but you can join their box program and get up to 3 polishes a month for $20. This polish came in their special New Years box, but is always available. Cindy is kelly green base with green, silver, and a tiny bit of black glitter.

 Cindy is for any one that wants an updated take on a green polish. There are very few good glitter polishes in this color and it got lots of compliments over the course of the week. Julep polishes wear well at around 6 days and flow nicely. They are also some of the best smelling polishes I own.

A fun spring color, Julep's Cindy is one to check out. And hurry, their website is having a BOGO right now!

Price: 7/10

Performance: 10/10

Color/Wearability: 10/10

Packaging: 9/10

Overall Quality: 9/10

Total: 45/50 =  A- = Happy Panda!

Have you tried Julep polishes? Any favorites?