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.