Stella McCartney EDP

I only ever use a couple of perfumes as I like to have a "signature" scent, and to be honest find it really hard to find fragrances I love anyway. I detest sweet, cloying perfumes on myself such as Lola or Daisy by Marc Jacobs, Pomegranate Noir by Jo Malone, which my husband hates too, and even my bottle of Chanel Chance Eau Tendre which is sitting collecting dust on the shelf. I do however love fresh and floral simple scents such as Jo Malone French Lime Blossom and Orange Blossom. (Saying that Tom Ford's entire fragrance collection is divine and perfect for evening perfumes).

I am however still in love with Stella McCartney's original Stella Eau de Parfum which I have worn since its release way back in 2003, (crikey thats a looooong time ago.) Anyway the large 50ml bottle was on offer in Boots so I couldn't resist and snapped it up. If you haven't tried this perfume it is just gorgeous, a modern rose scent which blends rose and sensuous amber. With top notes of rose, peony and mandarin essence; middle notes of rose absolute and base notes of amber. The bottle itself is a heavy beautiful purple gradient glass, reminiscent of old vintage bottles and beautifully crafted to look like crystal.
I love rose scented products (see my post on Terry's Baume de Rose here) and this is top of my list. It is light and floral, yet individual. I very rarely smell this on anyone else which is a huge bonus. Love, love, love.

What's your favourite perfume? Let me know if you have any good recommendations.

Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color!

OK guys and dolls- its been a while admittedly- I don't have to tell you how insane the summers can be, especially with three kids and a Katy leaving for Romania!  WELL- I got ANOTHER Vox Box compliments of Influenster and I got some fun goodies to share with you!!

FIRST UP! Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color!  I had heard about these magnetic nail polishes and the theory intrigued me.  I have to admit, I'm a bit lazy and typically wont travel to many stores to hunt down nail polish.  When I saw that Sally Hansen was making one, I thought- GREAT!  If I love this, I can get it at Walmart!  They sent me a really pretty metallic silver and black color which as you know is RIGHT up my ally.  I loves me dark, sometimes vampy nail colors.  I was a little worried though because since getting my own gel nail system, I seldom use traditional nail polish.  This effect was so unique I couldnt pass it up for a try though!  

Isnt it cool looking!

Can you see the waves of color?

They sent me a cuticle and hand cream by Sally Hansen too!!

So as you can see- the effect is super cool!  You put on a base coat followed by a thin coat and let dry completely.  You then put a thicker second coat on and IMMEDIATELY hold the cap (which is where the tricky little magnet is hidden) over your nail for 10ish seconds.  When you remove the magnet- voila!  Rippled, waves of color!  

So what is my overall impression??  I LOVED the color, I really liked the effect and it dried somewhat quick for traditional polish.  You can only do one nail at a time because you have to get the magnet on there ASAP.  I actually waited just like 10 seconds to see what would happen.  It still waved but not nearly as crisply or as pronounced.  I would still recommend a base and top coat.  I am TOUGH on my nails so it only lasted about 3 days which is to be expected with traditional polish on me.  I really like it!  Its a really fun thing to spice up boring old manicures! 

OH!!  And I got a sample of the Nails and Cuticles Hand Creme too.  I have the most deathly dry hands and cuticles and so I am ALWAYS in need of a good moisturizer.  I really like this as a hand cream.  Its not as thick as I need a cuticle cream to be- but it worked great as a lotion.  It also absorbed pretty well and didn't leave me all greasy!  

Whats your new favorite mani for summer?

Nail polish obsessions....

SO... summer is upon us and I have had a change blow through me lately.  I am usually all about BOLD BRIGHT or DARK color.  Jewel tones are typically my go to pallet of choice.  All of a sudden, I find myself interested in pastel, nude and sheer tones.  Weird- huh?!  I am LOVING a sheer white/nude on my fingers and a pastel on my toes.  Right now- I am wearing Essie Limo-scene on my fingers alone.  I imagine that this shade was meant to be worn with a french manicure.  It is a SHEER white nude BARELY pink color.  Online its shown as pink- it is not AT ALL.  Its a sheer white nude.  

On my pedi- I'm wearing Essie Nice is Nice which is a pastel lilac lavender.  Its really quite beautiful.  I am not a purple fan- but I LOVE a lavender.  I tend toward the smokey gray purples but this is not that color at all.  Its a true lavender.  Its really quite lovely on the nail.  


This is my first time using Essie brand polish.  I am usually not a huge fan of traditional polish.  I have been converted to the UV polish world.  I tend not to have the patience for dry time, streaks, smearing.  I decided to try these polishes since I have heard such raving about Essie.  I have heard that they wear AMAZING and never chip and are really true to color. I must admit to you that I purchased both bottles on discount- so I didn't pay the full $7 that they retail for.  I got two for $7 at Ross.  I figured if I would try them out, I would pay less for them.  


The PROs to Essie polish is that it is really true to color and it dries hard and with a great shine- even without a top coat.  I put it on without base and top coat to see how it would wear.  Don't do it.  It wasn't great.  The CONs to Essie are mainly the brush is small and thin and I don't feel like you get optimal coverage which can result in streaky or uneven application.  To get the coverage that you see above, it really does take three coats.  This polish really benefits from a base and top coat.  Once on with base and top coat, I didn't have any chipping.  I had to pit a band aid on one of my fingers and the moisture locked onto the nail caused the whole nail to peel, which I think could happen to any traditional polish.

Personally, I don't HATE Essie polish but the OPI brush is like 1000 times better.  If I could use an OPI brush with the Essie polish, it would be perfect.  I give this 3 out of 5 overall.  You can find Essie at Walmart now for $7 a bottle.  Happy polishing!

Must haves to prevent summer meltdown!!

OK, So summer is here and it is HOT!  Whether you live in Florida or California- your weather and consequently- your skin needs will change.  I have deathly dry skin 9 months out of the year and then for a freakish three months, I get an oily T zone and normal skin everywhere else (except under my eyes).  Here is my list of must haves to make it through the summer!


#1- SPF!  I don't care if your moisturizer, your foundation, your powder etc has SPF, you NEED to wear SPF daily!!!  Even if its a cloudy day, you NEED to protect your skin.  A "healthy glow" is not worth looking like a piece of tanned leather in the end.  


#2- The Present by Philosophy.  It is the most AMAZING primer I have ever used.  BAR NONE.  You have to let it set for at least 2 minutes before you put your foundation on or you will have a mess that resembles Elmer's glue.  It evens out texture, it fills the lines and pores and it keeps your makeup LOCKED into place.  *note* it has lavender oil infused in it- so be careful if you are sensitive to it.




#3- Foundation in the correct formula.  I cant tell you how overlooked this is.  If you have oily skin and you are putting a formula on your face that is made for dry skin- it will never set and you will instantly have an oily mess on your hands.  My go to foundation is Revlon's ColorStay and every color comes in both a Dry and and Oily formula.  Be SURE to check and don't be afraid to buy both formulas.  The weather changing isn't the only thing that can change your oil production.  Sometimes just the time of the month can ramp up how oily your skin is.  


#4- Setting Spray.  I LOVE De-Slick by Urban Decay (by Skindinavia)  If you have oily skin, this stuff will keep your makeup set and prevent the meltdown effect.  For added staying power, spray it on under AND over your foundation.  For a cheaper version- try the ELF setting spray.  Not as amazing as Urban Decay but its a fraction of the price and its great if you are just trying setting sprays for the first time.


#5- Blotting Papers.  Remember those tissue paper things that came out in the 90's that you are supposed to use to remove excess oil?  They are back and really quite helpful.  They really do remove the oil without shifting and smearing your makeup around.  They also wont cake up like adding layer after layer of powder will.  Even if you just use them on your T-zone and then touch up with powder- you will see far less mess and a more natural effect.  





#6- Translucent Powder.  Duh- right?!  This is the tried and true thing that every woman has as a touch up in her purse.  Just refrain from putting too much on too often or over super oily skin or you will look like a pancake face.  Oh, and use a travel Kabuki or similar brush rather than those powder puff things. They sop up the oil but then they breed bacteria.  






And there you have it- your Summer Survival kit!  What is your favorite Summer product?

Happy 4th of July!!

Happy Independence Day to all of my American folks!  I LOVE Independence Day.  I love that it truly is a great reminder of how fortunate we all are.  No gifts, no pressure- just a great day to be surrounded with family and friends in celebration.  I also love that it is an amazing day to give thanks for all of the members of our military families that have fought to keep our Independence secure.  We had a fun and inspirational makeup morning with my tiniest of muses- none other than my beautiful Sophia.  She wanted to go all out so we did :)  Tiny muses are much harder than big muses not just because the scale is smaller, but because their patience for irritation is much smaller.  None the less- we persevered and had a blast!


Here is a few pictures and list of products used.  Have a fun day!!

Maybelline 24 hour Color Tattoos in Tenacious Teal and Too Cool
Sugarpill Shadows in Love +, Tako, Afterparty and Bulletproof
Maybelline Master Drama liner in Midnight Master
L'Oreal Million Lash Mascara in Blackest Black
Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Red Revival
Kiss Nail Stickers and Duo Clear Lash Glue