New Sephora Lip Gloss Mini-Haul

I ran out of my go-to lip color, Cute Pink, the other day so I had to pick up another from Sephora. I ended up spending almost $100 on a few glosses but they last for so long (a year to two years per tube) that it’s not really a big deal. I’m super excited and content with the colors at the moment and I will pick up some more when I get the chance in the future. I have a lot of pinks and I think a few violets and nudes would be good, too. They’re only $14 a tube so they’re pretty affordable. I like that they’re not overly pigmented so that they are noticeable yet not harsh. I’ll do a swatch test later on but I just wanted to show you all my new glosses for now. Sorry for the image quality. I’m still waiting for the Note 3 to be released and I refuse to get a new phone until I get to play with it. Note: The colors are slightly darker than the photo depicts.

My new Sephora glosses!
My new Sephora glosses!

Here are the list of colors (from top to bottom) and my names for them:

#10 Baby Doll Pink (shiny): I actually wanted a gloss that was a very pretty and light pink for the days when I’m wearing a dramatic eye look. Baby Doll Pink is perfect for that because it stands out without taking the spotlight from any other features you may want to be showcased. For the strong eye and ballet pink lips, I’ll call this one my Angelina Jolie.

#11 Pin Up Pink (shiny): I LOVE THIS LIP GLOSS! The color is a very hot pink and it is so flattering, fun, and youthful in my opinion. I honestly think every girl and woman should have this shade in her make up stash. The color is highly pigmented and it’s quite opaque. I think my Cute PInk will have some competition because I wouldn’t mind wearing this one every day (I actually plan on wearing this to work today lol!) I feel like Nicki Minaj when I wear this because I feel so vivacious and fierce.

#15 Cute Pink (shimmery): I’ve had this shade for just about a year or two and I really love it. It’s wearable and great for an every day look. You can amp it up with a second coat and it’s actually quite natural looking unless you’re very light or very dark complexion-wise. It’s has light-reflecting particles in it so it gives off a three-dimensional effects when light hits it. This is a must-have for the minimalist and even the professional woman. Believe it or not, but this shade exudes Drew Barrymore to me. I know she wears a lot of reds and plums but she has also worn a lot of sheer pinks and mauves. This shade is just like her – fresh, subdued and approachable.

#18 The Red (shiny): I know the photo doesn’t do this shade any justice (will post new ones soon), but this is actually a fire-engine red “red”. I wasn’t sure what to think of it at first but I can definitely tell you that the color is semi-opaque and it’s not as harsh as it would seem. It’s such a sexy color that I think everyone should have. Red is empowering, seductive, and mysterious. I see people everyday at work but the ones with a strong and beautiful lip color always stand out in my mind, and typically, those ladies are wearing a red. This is my Marilyn Monroe because Marilyn Monroe really knew what she was doing! Like I said, this red is sheer but you can really layer it on with second coat.

#09 Love Me Pink (shimmery): This pink feels like a sheerer version of #11 Pin Up Pink with some hot pink and blue light-reflecting elements incorporated in it. You’d think that blue and hot pink particles in a pink lip gloss wouldn’t look good but it actually does. If #15 Cute Pink is three-dimensional, this really takes it up a few notches, super holographic. I’m not saying you’ll look like a disco ball but it’s sheer enough that you won’t. This is possibly the sheerest shade of all the lip glosses named here. I’d say this is for the days when you don’t want a strong lip color but you still want your lips to look finished. This shade really reminds me of Ke$ha who loves glitter so much and it’s afraid of a dewy, experimental look.

Before I sign off, I just wanted to answer the question of why Sephora when there are so many better brands out there such as NARS and MAC? I am a NARS die hard and I agree that their lip glosses are so highly pigmented as with all of their products. However, for over $25 a tube, I’m a little reluctant to spend. I like variety in my lip color so it is more important for me that whatever collection or brand I went with that it had a large color selection and that is was slightly more affordable than $25. I have no issue with $12-14 a tube. NARS is extremely pigmented as is with MAC lip glosses and I think the NARS glosses and Larger Than Life glosses tend to be stickier and tackier than I like. I typically never wear lip gloss because I absolutely hate the tacky, sticky feeling that always seems to draw my hair to my lips.

From my experience, I think the Sephora Collection lip glosses are very light in texture and they hydrate and smooth out my lips which are always dry. Your lips are actually in better shape after using them. They don’t have any strong fragrances or tastes to them and the consistency has stayed the same throughout a one to two year period of usage. You get 0.11 oz. per lip gloss and like I said, my #15 Cute Pink has lasted me for nearly two years. The applicator wand is one of my favorites because it looks lips a spongy cotton swap with a pinched waist, very hourglass like. At first, I didn’t like it but then I understood why the design was like that. The pinched waist is for your bottom lip so that the product glides on effortlessly. The flat portion of the wand can be used for your upper lip and to “pat” on product to fill in spots, etc. I think the wand makes it a lot easier to put on your lip color even without a mirror or if you are in a rush because of it’s organic shape and design.

Here is the link to the Sephora lip glosses and you can even get them at your local Sephora:

http://www.sephora.com/ultra-shine-lip-gloss-P266811?skuId=1254929

I hope you enjoyed reading this review and I will post more photos later. There are so many other shades I want to get but that’ll come with time. I have to get ready for work that I start in a couple of hours so it’s time to get glammed up.

Nails, Video Cards, Zorro and the Frosty Caboose

I don’t always do my nails, but when I do …

Image

I went to LA Nails Supply yesterday because I’ve been wanting to do my own nails at home for a while. So I got the CND Brisa gel system to start. There are some items that are not in the photo and some things I own already. I admit that gels are a little harder than I imagined but I’ve gotten better at controlling the product in just one day. I applied Soft White sculpting gel to my whites and I did a coat of clear sculpting gel instead of using a pink (I bought two of the cool pinks though). I had used Brisa long before applying the gel coats and I used Brisa Gloss topcoat to seal the finished work. I opted for hard gels because of the staying power, durability, and versatility. I don’t like soak-off gels because they only last for so long and I like that I’m able to paint my nails as often as I like without losing the gel layers.

So far, I’ve done both my fingernails and my toenails and they look quite natural. I don’t have to worry about peeling or chipped polish and the gel coating helps to add strength to my generally thin nails. My nails grow easily yet they break just as easily, too. Here is a picture of my hands and these are my real fingernails after apply the gel coating. I forgot to get forms yesterday but the good thing about the sculpting gels is that you can add length to your nails without tips.

WP_003989

I painted Red Nouveau by Essie onto my toenails but I’m not going to post a photo of those although they look really nice.

Two weeks ago, I got a new graphics card and a new power supply. I only needed something to be able to play The Sims 3 on the highest settings so I’m not going to listen to the bitching and moaning about how I could’ve gotten something better. I paid less than $150 after rebates for the graphics card, the power supply, and a mini HDMI cord from Micro Center so I’m not complaining. I tell you this, I am quite happy with how it turned out and I am happily playing TS3. Getting a dedicated graphics card has been on my mind for a few years so I decided to finally get it over with.

WP_003953 WP_003960

It’s been a pretty jumbled post but better than no post. School is almost over and I’ll be taking the summer off.

I’ve been working at Guest Services lately and I have the next few days off (finally!). Overall, it’s been a great job and I’m happy that it gives me the freedom to do my homework simultaneously. I had my first meeting last Sunday and I got to meet everyone from Phipps Plaza as well. I’m still waiting for my extra shirts and my name badge. :)

The Sunday meeting lasted from 9-11 AM and I had to work immediately afterward until 5:30 PM. I had a play analysis due on Monday so I had bought tickets to see Zorro at the Alliance Theatre on Saturday. There was a stand set up in front of my booth and the Alliance Theatre representative and I were on great terms. So when I asked her to get me two tickets for the 7:30 PM showing of Zorro for Sunday night, she was delighted to get me great seats and a 45% discount. Peter agreed to go with me so I was delighted. Her computer was a bit slow (not slower than mine at work) so I left her my AMEX and told her she could bring me my card after she was done since I was located right behind her stand. I only asked for three things: tickets close to the front, two of them, and for them to be for 7:30 PM Sunday. Pricing wasn’t a concern as long as the criteria was met. She was so nice and she gave me tickets at group pricing.

After work, I had to go find an outfit for the play. I’ve only shopped at Forever 21 once before Sunday but I knew if I needed a place with a large variety. I bought a white sheath dress with a floral print, white and gold lucite heels, and a gold bracelet.  I was aiming for Spring meets Lana Del Rey. I got everything for under $75 and I’m quite proud I got it together for cheap within 20 minutes of time because I had to leave the mall with Peter at 6 PM. Here is a photo of the look for that night after work and after the play. My nails weren’t painted but of course (wish I had gotten the gel system before then), I didn’t have the time and my make up looks pretty washed out after the busy day.

WP_20130414_007

Zorro was great! The musical was so fun and Peter and I had a blast singing and dancing to the music. I’m really considering going again and spreading the word about it. Originally, it was so I could get my assignment done but I’m glad it turned out to be so much more.

We went to the Frosty Caboose yesterday. It was my first time! I got a scoop of chocolate and a scoop of raspberry sorbet on a waffle cone and Peter got himself a banana split.

WP_003980

That’s everything so far. I’m a bit tired so good night for now!