Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Black Cherry: Swatches and Review

Hi Pretty Pandas! Milani Color Statement Lipsticks are all the rage right now because they come in a wide range of colors, are cheap at $5.49 a pop, and wear well. I decided to go adventurous and pick up one of the darkest shades! 

 Milani Black Cherry looks like a blackened purple in the tube, but don't let the color of the bullet put you off. This is a pretty, deep raspberry shade that is perfect for a glamorous going out look. There is no taste to this lipstick and a very faint sugary smell. It lasts about 3 hours if you prep well. I suspect it would be longer with a lip liner. 

 

The most interesting thing about this lipstick is how it creates ombre lips without any fuss. Literally one swipe of this and a smush of your lips together and you get this pretty look. Layering the lipstick will further result in true to swatch lips.

 

This is a better example of a little deeper look I achieved with the lipstick. Because the lipstick is so hydrating and a little slippery, the graduated effect almost comes naturally, and I would suggest a lip liner because you can see it feathers ever so slightly (or use a lip brush for more precise application.

 

All in all I feel very vampy when I where this, and I love the look I can get without any crazy mixing or ombre tutorials, which was a hidden surprise. I am happy with my purchase, but I would look carefully for a Color Statement that suits you, as this one might be a bit daunting for some.

 

Which shades of Milani Color Statement have you tried?

 

Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Black Cherry: Swatches and Review

Hi Pretty Pandas! Milani Color Statement Lipsticks are all the rage right now because they come in a wide range of colors, are cheap at $5.49 a pop, and wear well. I decided to go adventurous and pick up one of the darkest shades!  

  Milani Black Cherry looks like a blackened purple in the tube, but don't let the color of the bullet put you off. This is a pretty, deep raspberry shade that is perfect for a glamorous going out look. There is no taste to this lipstick and a very faint sugary smell. It lasts about 3 hours if you prep well. I suspect it would be longer with a lip liner.  

 

The most interesting thing about this lipstick is how it creates ombre lips without any fuss. Literally one swipe of this and a smush of your lips together and you get this pretty look. Layering the lipstick will further result in true to swatch lips.

 

This is a better example of a little deeper look I achieved with the lipstick. Because the lipstick is so hydrating and a little slippery, the graduated effect almost comes naturally, and I would suggest a lip liner because you can see it feathers ever so slightly (or use a lip brush for more precise application.

 

All in all I feel very vampy when I where this, and I love the look I can get without any crazy mixing or ombre tutorials, which was a hidden surprise. I am happy with my purchase, but I would look carefully for a Color Statement that suits you, as this one might be a bit daunting for some.

 

Which shades of Milani Color Statement have you tried?

 

Essence Breaking Dawn 2 Collection: Alice Had a Vision Again

So I normally am not a fan of Twilight and the franchise. Sometimes I hate it as much as Robert Pattinson does, but I did see the final film to wrap up my high school nostalgia for it and I have to say it was well done.

Initially, it wasn't the film that drew me to (what was left of) the collection at Ulta. I just love themed collections in general--especially if they have to do with a movie. At Essence's price points, I bought every single remaining piece of it!

There were a few color themes within the collection as a whole, which is still available at Ulta and ranges from $1.99-5.99, and the one pertaining to Alice Cullen is purple.

 

I love Alice. She is fun and super stylish, so it makes sense that this vampy looking lipgloss would belong to her. It is named Alice Had a Vision Again and costs $2.49.

 

Website for Image

 

The doe foot applicator is helpful and the smell is sugary, but the color? Not exactly vampy. Closer to the color on the above picture than the tube itself. It is a sheer grape jelly color with tons of blue sparkle.

 

A lot more wearable than a deep vampy purple, but a little dissapointing. This can totally amp up another shade though...so it is not a total loss!

Final Thoughts: Love the name, but the color falls flat.

Price: 10/10

Staying Power:9/10

Packaging: 10/10

Color/Wearability: 5/10

Quality/Branding: 9/10

 

Total: 43/50 = B = Marginally Pleased Panda

 

More of the Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 2 Essence Collection to come! Stay tuned!

 

xoxo PrettyPanda

Essence Breaking Dawn 2 Collection: Alice Had a Vision Again

So I normally am not a fan of Twilight and the franchise. Sometimes I hate it as much as Robert Pattinson does, but I did see the final film to wrap up my high school nostalgia for it and I have to say it was well done.

Initially, it wasn't the film that drew me to (what was left of) the collection at Ulta. I just love themed collections in general--especially if they have to do with a movie. At Essence's price points, I bought every single remaining piece of it!

There were a few color themes within the collection as a whole, which is still available at Ulta and ranges from $1.99-5.99, and the one pertaining to Alice Cullen is purple.

 

I love Alice. She is fun and super stylish, so it makes sense that this vampy looking lipgloss would belong to her. It is named Alice Had a Vision Again and costs $2.49.

 

Website for Image

 

The doe foot applicator is helpful and the smell is sugary, but the color? Not exactly vampy. Closer to the color on the above picture than the tube itself. It is a sheer grape jelly color with tons of blue sparkle.

 

A lot more wearable than a deep vampy purple, but a little dissapointing. This can totally amp up another shade though...so it is not a total loss!

Final Thoughts: Love the name, but the color falls flat.

Price: 10/10

Staying Power:9/10

Packaging: 10/10

Color/Wearability: 5/10

Quality/Branding: 9/10

 

Total: 43/50 = B = Marginally Pleased Panda

 

More of the Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 2 Essence Collection to come! Stay tuned!

 

xoxo PrettyPanda

Velvet Voyeur

I kinda have a thing for nail polish names. Don't we all? I couldn't NOT buy this polish, I just thought they name was so sexy haha.

Introducing my pick for Fall 2012's Sexiest Polish: Essie's Velvet Voyeur

 

A deep reddish purple that looks black in some lights is the perfect remix to a black creme. It is sexy and femme fatale while also being unexpected.

 

 

I picked up this Essie from Ulta for around $8. Essie polishes are great, and I love the brush. I got a full 6 days of wear from this polish. (2 coats)

 

 

Some not so discerning eyes (my brother) thought my polish was black...but I can tell, can't you??

 

Final Thoughts: My pick for vampiest polish this winter!

 

Price: 8/10

Staying Power: 9/10

Packaging: 9/10

Color/Wearability: 10/10

Quality/Branding: 9/10

Total: 45/50= A- = Happy Panda!

 

I love vampy nails, do you?

 

xox PrettyPanda

Velvet Voyeur

I kinda have a thing for nail polish names. Don't we all? I couldn't NOT buy this polish, I just thought they name was so sexy haha.

Introducing my pick for Fall 2012's Sexiest Polish: Essie's Velvet Voyeur

 

A deep reddish purple that looks black in some lights is the perfect remix to a black creme. It is sexy and femme fatale while also being unexpected.

 

 

I picked up this Essie from Ulta for around $8. Essie polishes are great, and I love the brush. I got a full 6 days of wear from this polish. (2 coats)

 

 

Some not so discerning eyes (my brother) thought my polish was black...but I can tell, can't you??

 

Final Thoughts: My pick for vampiest polish this winter!

 

Price: 8/10

Staying Power: 9/10

Packaging: 9/10

Color/Wearability: 10/10

Quality/Branding: 9/10

Total: 45/50= A- = Happy Panda!

 

I love vampy nails, do you?

 

xox PrettyPanda

The Best Vampy Nail Polish for Fall: O.P.I "Every Month is Oktoberfest"

I just have to say that when I heard O.P.I was doing a Germany collection, I was really excited. I speak German and I love the people and the culture.

It also doesn't help that I love nail polish.

I bought a few colors from the collection, but this is by far my favorite. I know this will be my go-to vampy varnish for the fall season. "Every Month is Oktoberfest" is a dark brown/black/wine with a dark red sheen. The base is a mix of all three of those colors and it pulls warm on my skin.

I don't really know what this color has to do with Oktoberfest, other than it is a pretty fall shade, but I still think the names are cute; if a bit campy at times. This is one of the more normal examples.

For $8.50, these are (in my opinion) part of one of the hottest fall collections! Click the jump to see more swatches!

I wore this shade (2 coats on my nails here) for 5 days with minor tip wear. And I was *really* hard on my nails this week. I use them as tools...don't judge.

I think this type of color looks best on short nails, but if you are feeling adventurous and have longer nails--go for it! It is too pretty to say no to.

I picked my bottle up at ULTA, but you can find these at any major nail polish retailer. Hurry, before they are all gone!

Final Thoughts: My fave color for this fall, hands down. I know a lot of the collections haven't been released, but this is classy and sexy at the same time.

Price: 9/10

Staying Power: 10/10

Packaging: 10/10

Color/Wearability: 10/10

Quality/Branding: 10/10

Total: 49/50 = A+ = Pandamonium!

What do you think about the new Germany Collection by O.P.I? What is your fave vampy polish?

xoxo PrettyPanda

The Best Vampy Nail Polish for Fall: O.P.I "Every Month is Oktoberfest"

I just have to say that when I heard O.P.I was doing a Germany collection, I was really excited. I speak German and I love the people and the culture.

It also doesn't help that I love nail polish.

I bought a few colors from the collection, but this is by far my favorite. I know this will be my go-to vampy varnish for the fall season. "Every Month is Oktoberfest" is a dark brown/black/wine with a dark red sheen. The base is a mix of all three of those colors and it pulls warm on my skin.

I don't really know what this color has to do with Oktoberfest, other than it is a pretty fall shade, but I still think the names are cute; if a bit campy at times. This is one of the more normal examples.

For $8.50, these are (in my opinion) part of one of the hottest fall collections! Click the jump to see more swatches!