More Holiday Nail Art

I painted my mom's nails today for her Christmas Party.

What I used:

• Sinful Colors Gogo Girl
• Art Club Nail Art Lacquer in White
• OPI DS Radiance
• Dotting Tool

Three Daily Moisturizer Comparisons

Everyone uses a daily moisturizer, but have you ever wondered what makes yours better from all the others? Is it really as good as it claims to be? This is something I have been wondering, so I decided to compare my 3 moisturizes (Lancôme Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector, Sephora Collection Instant Moisturizer, and Vaseline Total Moisture). When comparing the ingredients side by side, there were some similarities between these products, but not many. Below is a chart that shows the similar ingredients.

Visionnaire Aqua (Water), Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, C12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carbomer, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Cetyl Alcohol, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Citric Acid, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, D-Limonene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linalool, Maltodextrin, Mica, Parfum (Fragrance), PEG-8, Phenoxyethanol,, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate.

Sephora Adenosine, Alcohol Denat, Ammonium Polyacryldimethyltauramide/ Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Argilla/Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16, PEG/PPG-16/16, Dimethicone, Citronellol, Cyclohexasiloxane Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipropylene, Glycol Disodium EDTA, Fragrance, Glycerin, Hydroxycellulose, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Hyaluronate Tetrahydrojasmonic Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Water

Vaseline Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Avena Sativa (Oat) Straw Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Dihydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Disodium Edta, Ethylparaben, Fragrance, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate,  Hydroxyethyl Urea, Isopropyl Palmitate, Lactic Acid, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Petrolatum Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Propylparaben, Stearic Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Water

  

I recently purchased Lancôme Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector at the BX. I paid $69.00 for a .67 FL. OZ bottle, which is not a lot of product. One of my friends recommended it to me. Even though it says the product is for wrinkles, pores, and evenness, it can be used as a daily moisturizer, which is what I use it for. I love this product; it makes my skin feel so soft and moisturized immediately after using it. It even adds a glow to the skin. This product contains LR 2412, which allows the product to go through layers of skin in order to be more effective. One thing I do not like about this product is the fragrance. It is pretty strong and irritates my eyes after applying it. While researching the ingredients, I discovered that this product also contains a lot of alcohol. Too much alcohol in a product can be damaging to the skin, which defeats the point of a moisturizer. Is it worth the $69.00? I would say no, probably not.

The second moisturizer I use is the Sephora Collection Instant Moisturizer. This is an oil-free moisturizer. I purchased a 1.67 FL. OZ bottle from Sephora for $22.00.  According to Sephora’s website, the ingredient cassia angustifolia in this product “forms a protective barrier on the skin's surface that is able to harness and retain water for optimal moisture that lasts all day long.” This product also claims to fight wrinkles and add a glow to the skin. I am only 20 so I do not know whether it works on wrinkles or not, but it does add a glow effect to the skin just like Lancôme’s Visionnaire. Not only is this product $47 cheaper than Lacome’s Visionnaire and basically does the same thing, but you also get a lot more product for the price. A little bit of this product goes a long way and I find that my face stays moisturized and glowing all day. 

"SEPHORA COLLECTION Instant Moisturizer." Sephora. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2013. <http://www.sephora.com/instant-moisturizer-P276329>.

The third moisturizer is Vaseline Total Moisture. This product can be used on your face and all over your body. I purchased a 3 FL OZ bottle for $5.98 at Target. Vaseline claims, “Our clean formula combines pure oat extract and Stratys-3 ^TM multi-layer moisture, infusing moisture at the top, core and deep down layers of skin, absorbing quickly – without greasiness.” I find that this product does absorb quickly, but it does not last long at all. I have to continue to reapply this throughout the day and it is greasy. I can feel it on my face and I do not like the feeling of it. If I had to choose between the 3 moisturizers I just discussed, I would choose Sephora’s.  

"TOTAL MOISTURE®Body Lotion." Total Moisture® Lotion. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2013. <http://www.vaseline.us/products/vaseline-total-moisture/total-moisture-lotion/>.

Pink Cheetah Nail Art

I painted my nails today, and this is the look I chose. J

What I used: 

• Essie Fiesta 
• Zoya Rory
• Nail Art Paint Polish in Black
• Silver Nail Sequins
• OPT Top Coat

Maybelline Color Whispers

A lot of people have been talking about the Maybelline Color Whispers, so I purchased some to see what all the hype was about. I purchased them at the BX for $5.95 each. Overall, this is a great product if you are not looking for a long lasting lipstick. These lipsticks are true to color and very buildable, but they do not last very long. I found myself reapplying color after about an hour of wearing it. Below are pictures of the three lipsticks I purchased. Lust For Blush (25), Pin Up Peach (30), and Petal Rebel (60).

Sephora Rouge Shine Lipsticks

Sephora Rouge Shine Lipsticks are one of my favorites, as you can see I have just about used up all of #15. I purchased these lipsticks from Sephora for $12.00 each. There are 44 shades total, including glossy, shimmer, and metallic textures. These lipsticks are very moisturizing, go on smooth, and are buildable. The only thing I do not like about this product is the smell. It is a hard smell to describe, but I want to say it is like an expired lipstick smell. Even given the smell, I still love these lipsticks and will purchase more. Below are pictures of the 4 that I purchased. They are all shimmer lipsticks. 

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H Foundation vs. Make Up For Ever HD Foundation

I just recently purchased the Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H Foundation, in the shade 100 Ivoire N, from the BX for $45.00. I love this foundation. It is a full coverage, oil-free, foundation that lasts all day. This product is so light and not cakey at all. I can barely even feel it on my face and it almost immediately turns into a matte finish after applying it to my face. According to Lancôme’s website, the ingredients include, “Eternalsoft Polymer (allows increased comfort level with ultra‑long wear), NAI pigments (specially coated pigments maintain consistent pH level with skin, so color stays true all day), and Perlite and Silica (two of the most effective oil‑absorbing ingredients).” This product is well worth the price.

"Teint Idole Ultra 24H - Long Lasting Foundation SPF 15 Sunscreen - Face Make Up by Lancome." Lancome Cosmetics and Skin Care Official Site: Make up, Skincare, Perfume, Sun & Body care. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Dec. 2013.

I have been using Make Up For Ever HD Foundation, in the shade 110 Pink Porcelain, for about a year now. I purchased it for $42.00 at Sephora. It a medium to full coverage, oil free, foundation. I find this foundation to be more of a light to medium coverage and it does not last on my face very long. It stays wet  for a while after applying it, which you can see from the swatch below. A powder definitely needs to be used to set this foundation. According to Sephora’s website, the ingredients include “Relipidium which is supposed to moisturize the skin, and fucogel, which forms a microfilm that prevents dehydration and protects against external aggression”. Even with those ingredients, my skin would get dry after applying this foundation, and it would start flaking. After using Lancôme’s Teint Idole Ultra 24H Foundation, I recommend paying the $3 difference and purchasing that instead. There is a big difference in quality for just $3 more.

"MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation." Sephora. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2013. <http://www.sephora.com/hd-invisible-cover-foundation-P217905>.

Left: Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H  Right: Make Up For Ever HD

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner vs. Lancôme Artliner 24H Bold Color

I have been searching for a long lasting liquid eye liner for a while now. I picked up 2 while I was at Sephora, Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in jet black ($20) and Lancôme Artliner 24H Bold Color Precision Eye Liner in black diamond ($30). I have to say that I was disappointed in the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner. This product claims to be quick dry without any smudging, feathering, or running, but that was not the case. As you can see from the swatch below, this product feathered immediately after applying it. I have worn this eye liner several times and it smudged throughout the day every time. I would not recommend purchasing this product.

I love the Lancôme Artliner 24H Bold Color. This eye liner dries fairly quickly, is waterproof, and lasts all day. I even fell asleep with this eye liner on and it still looked the same when I woke up! It did not feather, flake, or fade throughout the day. I know $30 is expensive for a liquid eye liner, but I definitely recommend purchasing it. It is well worth the price.

OPI Natural Nail Strengthener

Questions I get asked on a daily basis are, "Are those your real nails? How do you grow them so long?" My nails are in fact real. I found a great product that I use on my nails to help keep strengthen them, which is OPI Natural Nail Strengthener. I purchased it for $8.99 at Target. I apply a coat of Natural Nail Strengthener to my bare nails before applying any nail polish. I believe this product is amazing. I bit my nails for 11 years, and never thought I would be able to grow long healthy nails again. My nails were so soft that I could bend them, but after using this product my nails are stronger than ever. It can be applied on its own, under, or over your nail polish. Below is a picture of my natural nails and the bottle.

Lancôme Color Design Lipsticks

I recently purchased 3 Lancôme Color Design Lipsticks in the shades Wannabe, Poodle Skirt, and Pink Attitude. Wannabe is a cream lipstick, Poodle Skirt is metallic lipstick, and Pink Attitude is a shimmer lipstick. I love these lipsticks. They are very moisturizing and last for hours. They do not dry out your lips after wearing them for a long period of time like most other lipsticks. All you need is one coat and your lips have full coverage. I purchased these for $22.00 each at Sephora, and I think they are well worth the price. There are 36 shades total. Below are pictures of the lipstick tubes I purchased and swatches.

Essie's Ballet Slippers

I have been looking for a neutral nail polish for a while now, and I was so excited when I saw Essie's Ballet Slippers. I purchased this at Target for $8.59. Unfortunately, this nail polish did not meet my expectations. I was looking for a full coverage nail polish, but this nail polish is very sheer. I applied 4 coats, and my natural color was still peaking through. If you are looking for a sheer neutral colored nail polish, this is a great product. If you are looking for full coverage, I recommend choosing a different nail polish.

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette

If you are looking for a neutral palette, I highly recommend the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette. It includes 12 eye shadows, both shimmery and matte shades, and a shadow/crease brush. You can create so many different looks from this palette, and the eye shadows are very pigmented. I purchased this palette at Sephora for $52.00. Urban Decay eye shadows purchased alone are $18.00 each. In this palette, you are getting 12 eye shadows for $52.00 versus $216.00. What a steal! Below are pictures of the palette, as well as swatches.

Holiday Nail Art

It is the first of December! What better way to start the month off than with holiday nail art?

I used a dotting tool and LA Colors Art Deco Nail Lacquer for the designs.

My First Beauty Blog!

Hi everyone!

I'm Kristen Wolfe and this is my first blog! I will be creating a beauty blog for my Writing 393 final project. This blog will include my personal reviews of cosmetic products, swatches, pictures, nail art, as well as comparisons between similar products.

Hope you enjoy it!
Kristen Wolfe