Sunday, June 16, 2013

Revlon Dazzle

Hi Pandas!
 
Sorry for my extended absence, the stomach flu kept me down, but....
 
I found this Revlon Brilliant Strength nail color in Dazzle and was very impressed with how it held up on my nails!
 
 
I love the peachy/pink color, the glitter, and the brush!! To see more swatches, check out my full review on Impressionist Nails!
 
Have you tried this formula? Love it or leave it?
 
 photo panda-sig_zps4a356226.jpg

Revlon Dazzle

Hi Pandas!
 
Sorry for my extended absence, the stomach flu kept me down, but....
 
I found this Revlon Brilliant Strength nail color in Dazzle and was very impressed with how it held up on my nails!
 
 
I love the peachy/pink color, the glitter, and the brush!! To see more swatches, check out my full review on Impressionist Nails!
 
Have you tried this formula? Love it or leave it?
 
 photo panda-sig_zps4a356226.jpg

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Color Club: Almost Famous

While perusing Llarowe, I decided to finally try a Color Club polish. They are inexpensive and I have heard great things, so I picked up the bright yellow called 'Almost Famous', which I love.
 
 
In two, fairly thin coats, I got a marvelous lemon yellow color that is opaque and so fun for summer! To see more swatches and how I made a fun striped mani out of this, check out the post on Impressionist Nails!
 
Are you a fan of Color Club polish?
 
 photo panda-sig_zps4a356226.jpg

Color Club: Almost Famous

While perusing Llarowe, I decided to finally try a Color Club polish. They are inexpensive and I have heard great things, so I picked up the bright yellow called 'Almost Famous', which I love.
 
 
In two, fairly thin coats, I got a marvelous lemon yellow color that is opaque and so fun for summer! To see more swatches and how I made a fun striped mani out of this, check out the post on Impressionist Nails!
 
Are you a fan of Color Club polish?
 
 photo panda-sig_zps4a356226.jpg

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Franken Fun: Must Be A Weasley and PineGalaxy Nail Decals

Hey Pandas! You may remember that a while ago, I started to do 'Franken Tuesdays' to show off my handmade Franken Polishes. But, now that I am not keen on keeping a schedule for that, and have my very own nail blog that will soon start to handle all of my nail posts (Impressionist Nails) I have decided to call these posts Franken Fun! and they will be showcased here and in detail on my nail blog.
 
I am actually really excited about this franken, mostly because it is named after some of my favorite people in Harry Potter (and we all know how much I like Harry Potter...)
 
 
'Must Be A Weasley' was inspired by Draco Malfoy's famous line to Ron Weasley, but is a franken that sums up the entire family. You can see it on all of my fingers by the ring (which is Chanel Dragon). It is a jelly red/orange glitterbomb packed with gold, red, and orange glitter. Not only Gryffindor colors, but very 'ginger' as well!
 
 
I think they would approve right?
 
And I do have to mention PineGalaxy's awesome nail decals over on Etsy. On my ring finger is a Gryffindor one, but next time I will use a lighter polish, although I like the tonal quality of it. Her nail decals are so awesome, and she has great customer service!!
 
To see more photos of this franken, hop on over to Impressionist Nails! And many thanks if you do!
 
 photo panda-sig_zps4a356226.jpg

Franken Fun: Must Be A Weasley and PineGalaxy Nail Decals

Hey Pandas! You may remember that a while ago, I started to do 'Franken Tuesdays' to show off my handmade Franken Polishes. But, now that I am not keen on keeping a schedule for that, and have my very own nail blog that will soon start to handle all of my nail posts (Impressionist Nails) I have decided to call these posts Franken Fun! and they will be showcased here and in detail on my nail blog.
 
I am actually really excited about this franken, mostly because it is named after some of my favorite people in Harry Potter (and we all know how much I like Harry Potter...)
 
 
'Must Be A Weasley' was inspired by Draco Malfoy's famous line to Ron Weasley, but is a franken that sums up the entire family. You can see it on all of my fingers by the ring (which is Chanel Dragon). It is a jelly red/orange glitterbomb packed with gold, red, and orange glitter. Not only Gryffindor colors, but very 'ginger' as well!
 
 
I think they would approve right?
 
And I do have to mention PineGalaxy's awesome nail decals over on Etsy. On my ring finger is a Gryffindor one, but next time I will use a lighter polish, although I like the tonal quality of it. Her nail decals are so awesome, and she has great customer service!!
 
To see more photos of this franken, hop on over to Impressionist Nails! And many thanks if you do!
 
 photo panda-sig_zps4a356226.jpg

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Great Gatsby Look Book: Jordan Baker

Hi Pandas! Welcome to the second installment of my Great Gatsby makeup looks, where I am taking looks from the 2013 film based off the book, and making them just a little bit easier to wear.
 
This post centers on the lively Jordan Baker
 
 
While Daisy's look is a classic spin on something natural, Jordan had the darkest eye makeup in the movie, which was fun to play around with.
 
 
Her look is mostly metallic smoky eyes, some blush, and a berry lip. Simple, but pretty.
 
 
Altogether, this look took me under 10 minutes, and keep in mind that I don't have her gorgeous 20's bob, but the makeup can look equally awesome on anyone.
 
The Products:
 
 
1. The eye look was made entirely with the Khroma Beauty Kim's Kardazzle Palette. I used the black matte shade, the metallic silver, and the metallic white, blended together.
2. To add some color to my cheeks, I brushed on a very light layer of Milani Baked Blush in Red Vino.
3. Jordan's lashes are so fluttery, so I added some falsies. Katy Perry Lashes by Eyelure in Darling were perfect!
4. For the berry lips, I swiped on Tarte Lipsurgence in Pouty, a sparkling raspberry.
 
 
This look can easily be created with your own products, and falsies are optional if you do not have the time nor patience!
 
 
Here are two close ups of the eyes. You can blend the smoky eye in whatever way you want, but I chose a wash of metallic color and a little crease definition. I would also suggest liner, even though I have none on.
 
 
I think this is a perfect easy-going night out look. Just use your favorite foundation under it all and you are good to go! A grey smoky eye and a berry lip are also easier to pull off than harsh black and a red lip.
 
 
 And of course, the black and white, trying to be from the 20's picture!
 
 
I hope you liked this look! Stay tuned for the last of the series!
 
 photo panda-sig_zps4a356226.jpg

Great Gatsby Look Book: Jordan Baker

Hi Pandas! Welcome to the second installment of my Great Gatsby makeup looks, where I am taking looks from the 2013 film based off the book, and making them just a little bit easier to wear.
 
This post centers on the lively Jordan Baker
 
 
While Daisy's look is a classic spin on something natural, Jordan had the darkest eye makeup in the movie, which was fun to play around with.
 
 
Her look is mostly metallic smoky eyes, some blush, and a berry lip. Simple, but pretty.
 
 
Altogether, this look took me under 10 minutes, and keep in mind that I don't have her gorgeous 20's bob, but the makeup can look equally awesome on anyone.
 
The Products:
 
 
1. The eye look was made entirely with the Khroma Beauty Kim's Kardazzle Palette. I used the black matte shade, the metallic silver, and the metallic white, blended together.
2. To add some color to my cheeks, I brushed on a very light layer of Milani Baked Blush in Red Vino.
3. Jordan's lashes are so fluttery, so I added some falsies. Katy Perry Lashes by Eyelure in Darling were perfect!
4. For the berry lips, I swiped on Tarte Lipsurgence in Pouty, a sparkling raspberry.
 
 
This look can easily be created with your own products, and falsies are optional if you do not have the time nor patience!
 
 
Here are two close ups of the eyes. You can blend the smoky eye in whatever way you want, but I chose a wash of metallic color and a little crease definition. I would also suggest liner, even though I have none on.
 
 
I think this is a perfect easy-going night out look. Just use your favorite foundation under it all and you are good to go! A grey smoky eye and a berry lip are also easier to pull off than harsh black and a red lip.
 
 
 And of course, the black and white, trying to be from the 20's picture!
 
 
I hope you liked this look! Stay tuned for the last of the series!
 
 photo panda-sig_zps4a356226.jpg

Nail Art Society and Kiss Marbleizing Polish

Are you a member of the Nail Art Society? I am, and I am super happy with my bag last month. It had over $30 of product! For $10. Score.
 
 
I was super curious about these Marbleizing polishes from Kiss...if you wanna see how my attempt at water marbling my nails sans water turned out...head on over to Impressionist Nails
 
Are you a member of the Nail Art Society? Love it? Hate it? Tried these?
 
And is anyone else a little miffed that we aren't getting our June bag?
 
 photo panda-sig_zps4a356226.jpg

Nail Art Society and Kiss Marbleizing Polish

Are you a member of the Nail Art Society? I am, and I am super happy with my bag last month. It had over $30 of product! For $10. Score.
 
 
I was super curious about these Marbleizing polishes from Kiss...if you wanna see how my attempt at water marbling my nails sans water turned out...head on over to Impressionist Nails
 
Are you a member of the Nail Art Society? Love it? Hate it? Tried these?
 
And is anyone else a little miffed that we aren't getting our June bag?
 
 photo panda-sig_zps4a356226.jpg

Sunday, June 2, 2013

NYX Be Free Palette: Review and Swatches

 
Hi Pandas! I love when NYX puts out palettes, because they are usually really fun and affordable, and of course, cruelty-free.
 
This is the NYX Be Free palette that was released about a month ago. They are going on sale now, and Ulta always has coupons. I got mine for $10. It retails for $19.
 
 
This set includes 25 eye shadows3 blushes, and 7 glosses, in a classy, sleek, two-layer case.
 
 
I think this is such a cute palette, for reference it is about the size of a spread hand.

 
The eye shadows run in the cool category, with mostly browns, purples, blues, and greys. They don't scream summer, but they are nice neutrals. There are also a lot of mattes.
 
This post is picture heavy, so if you want to see the swatches...keep reading!
 


 

 This is the first row from left to right if you want to compare in the above full pan picture. Not my fave row. Neutrals, but not very pigmented. All swatches are without primer.

 
But moving onto the second row, we are getting somewhere. I love the teal!
 
 
The third row of the palette is my favorite. Fun colors, very smooth, and pigmented.
 
 
The fourth row has some mattes. They are pretty colors, but need a lot of TLC and buildup.


 
The last row is mostly matte dark colors. A little patchy. Not the best.
 
 
The blushes and lip glosses are in a separate drawer, which I like. I didn't swatch the glosses, as they were a bit too sticky for my liking. I will try to mix them together and play Frankenstein or something.

 
The blushes are very pretty and very pigmented. One of my favorite parts of this palette!
 
Overall, I am only 50% sold on the NYX Be Free palette. Since I only paid $10 and got 3 awesome blushes and about 10 shadows I like, I would say that is a good deal. If you don't see much you like, go ahead and skip it. Or opt for some NYX single products.
 
Overall, it gets a B from me. What do you think?
 
 photo panda-sig_zps4a356226.jpg

NYX Be Free Palette: Review and Swatches

 
Hi Pandas! I love when NYX puts out palettes, because they are usually really fun and affordable, and of course, cruelty-free.
 
This is the NYX Be Free palette that was released about a month ago. They are going on sale now, and Ulta always has coupons. I got mine for $10. It retails for $19.
 
 
This set includes 25 eye shadows3 blushes, and 7 glosses, in a classy, sleek, two-layer case.
 
 
I think this is such a cute palette, for reference it is about the size of a spread hand.

 
The eye shadows run in the cool category, with mostly browns, purples, blues, and greys. They don't scream summer, but they are nice neutrals. There are also a lot of mattes.
 
This post is picture heavy, so if you want to see the swatches...keep reading!