Barielle - Falling Star

What is this? I have an actual NOTD? NO WAY! I recently went to the salon and got a mani and told them to just chop my nails off so I could start over. Hence the nub-a-dubs. I don't think they did a great job on my cuticles but I am currently trying to restore them back to health. Anyway, on to the mani...

Two coats of Falling Star by Barielle topped with one coat of Seche Vite. A beautiful dusty blue with red/copper flecks. LOVE! I featured this in my last haul and I believe the only place you can get it is barielle.com.

It's going to take me a while to get back into painting my nails because I haven't done it in so long, bare with me.

Haul 2/1/12

I blogged maybe twice in January. I have no excuse for that but I will be blogging more this month. I already have a ton of things planned.

On to the haul!

 Left to Right: Revlon Aloof, Sally Hansen Laser, sally Hansen Fairy Teal, Sally Hansen Thinking of Blue, sally Hansen Navy Baby, LA Girl Celebrate, LA Girl Eutopia

I've gone to Rite Aid a few times over the past few weeks and Wednesday I saw that the Sally Hansen polishes (select few) were 75% off so I snatched up the ones that I liked. If you go there now they should still be on sale.

 I really wish Icing named these polishes. Anyway, I've been wanting to jump on the magnetic train for a while now but I didn't feel like spending $10-$16 on a polish. These bad boys run $9 and were buy one get one 50% off. You can't beat that!

 Left to Right: Barielle Falling Star, Buddha-ful, Elle's Spell

I purchased these from Hautelook back in January but Hautelook being the slow people that they are took about 3 weeks to ship it to me. This happens every time yet I still buy from them. I will never learn.

 I went to Meijer on Wednesday and they had a LOT of things on clearance. The Sally Hansen strips were originally $8.58 and I paid $2.14. Great deal, right? I can't wait to try these out. Polish strips are heaven for lazy people like me...

 Left to Right: China Glaze Thataway, OPI Metallic 4 Life

I picked these up at my local beauty supply store because they are cheaper there than Ulta.

 Left to Right: Barielle Coco Bar, Rimmel Midnight Blue, Orly Rock Solid

I love going through the clearance at Ulta. I can always find things I wouldn't ordinarily look for. Both the Barielle and Rimmel were $.99 and this was the last Rock Solid I could find.

Left to Right: China Glaze Techno, Electric Beat, Gothic Lolita, Frostbite, Orly Le Chateu

Picked up a few polishes at Sallys from the new collection which I can't remember the name of lol. Frostbite has been on my list for months but for some reason I never picked it up until now. 

 Left to Right: China Glaze Tinsel Town, Champagne Bubbles

This was in one of the holiday packs that came with a free ornament. Sally's had it on sale for $3.99 and of course I couldn't pass it up. Honestly, I only purchased it for Tinsel Town.

I have been on a healthy hair kick lately so I recently purchased these natural oils. I have been using them for almost a month now and so far so good!


That's it! What have you purchased recently?

Birchbox: January 2012

Where have I been?! Well my nails have taken a beaten lately so I'm just waiting for them to grow back. But here is my Birchbox for January! If you don't know what Birchbox is, it's a monthly subscription that gives you samples each month. And not those little samples Sephora or Ulta gives you, I mean good samples that can last you a long time! All for $10 a month! Sometimes what is it the box is worth way more than $10.

This month I got 5 awesome items and I believe this is my favorite Birchbox so far.

 ORIGINS | Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash

What if your skin gas dry and oily spots? Alleviate both concerns with this multi-tasking cleanser. Full-size $19.50

I have already tried this face wash and it is actually very good. It has sort of a minty smell to it which I love. It does make my face very dry and kind of tight but I have very oily skin so I don't really mind. I have not used this an entire day yet so I can't give a full review on it but once the entire 1oz bottle is gone I will let you know my thoughts.

 Archipelago | Pomegranate Bodo Soap

Laced with good-for-you pomegranate extracts, this triple-milled soap smells divine and leaves skin feeling clean, not stripped. Full-size $12.50

I have not used this yet but OMG it smells so good! When I opened my Birchbox the entire thing smelled like this! Even the card!

stila | Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner

It's time to put down the black liner. This colorful pigment makes eyes stand out and stays put for hours. Full-size $20

I don't wear makeup at all. My makeup has been sitting in my drawer for about a year untouched. I've used it here and there but not often enough to buy anymore. But stuff like this makes me want to wear it again and I may do that. I have heard nothing but great things about the Smudge Stick and I love the color!

LARABAR | Mini Bar

You won't find any artificial fillers in these natural bars: just dried fruits, nuts, and other wholesome ingredients. They're as tasty as they are healthy.

I did not like this at all. Mostly because I do not like dried fruits or nuts.

Juicy Couture | Juicy Couture

Juicy's signature fragrance is a blend of sweet floral notes. Sophisticated and feminine, it's perfect for day or night. Full- size $69 - $89

I own Viva La Juicy and Couture Couture and I am so glad they did not give me a sample of either of those. That would have been a waste seeing as how I already own both of them. I'm not sure if I'm a fan of this one. It just doesn't stand out like the others. I think it's suitable for someone older.

I almost forgot! They also sent me a free refrigerator magnet.


Text in italics taken directly from Birchbox.

2011 Favorites: Nail Polish

Happy New Years Eve! Instead of swatching each and every one of these polishes I thought I'd just show you to the bottle and link you to the post it was featured in. Not all of the polish mentioned were featured on my blog.

Not all of the polishes came out this year, these are just the ones I happened to fall in love with this year.

In no particular order.....

Click the picture to enlarge so you can see all of the awesomeness!

1. Orly - Bubbly Bombshell: I wore this on my hands and feet to my graduation in June and I got soooo many compliments! I love it! It's the perfect summer glitter.
2. Orly - Fowl Play: I haven't worn this one by itself yet but what is there to not love about it? My favorite color mixed with my favorite finish? Thank you heavenly nail polish God!
3. Sally Hansen - Trouble Maker: I got this on clearance a while back and if it wasn't on clearance I still would have purchased it. Amazing color!
4. China Glaze - First Mate: I love a nice dirty navy blue. Not a true navy blue jelly like Revlon Royal but a little grayer.
5. Wet N Wild - Black Creme: AKA the best black polish I have ever used. All you need is one coat of this where most blacks are a little watery and have sort of a gray tint to them. This is the purest of blacks. Blacker than my brothers toenails.
6. Color Club - Wild At Heart: This looks so much better on the nail than in the bottle. Purple holo goodness!
7. Revlon - Facets of Fuchsia: This is called something else now but I can't remember what it is. I haven't worn this one yet but this is the first black base with purple glitter that I grabbed (I have a few). They are my weakness. 
8. OPI - Uh Oh Roll Down The Window: I love olive colors! I like China Glaze Westside Warrior more than this one but I couldn't find it.
9. China Glaze - White Cap: When I get married this is the nail polish that I want to wear. It's just so subtle and pretty yet it can add that little edge to any mani. I have to get a backup of this.
10. Milani - Hi-Res: Another purple holo. I can never pass up a good purple holo. And it's from the drugstore? YES! I loved all of the holos from this collection but of course it would be silly to post them all.
11. Kleancolor - Chunky Holo Purple: This one represents all of the chunky holos. Every single one of them are awesome but I didn't want to feature all of them.
12. Ruby Kisses - Mickey Mouse Me: My favorite pinky nude simply because it doesn't make me look washed out.
13. Nubar - Nubar 2010: Essie Shine Of The Times is another one. Perfect flakie top coat and of course you can never have too many of them.
14. Tony Moly - GT03 Mars: I need to get more into international brands because they are always so unique and awesome! Chunky gritty glitter may be a pain to remove but it is so worth it.
15. Butter  London - The Black Night: *speechless*

Honorable Mentions:

1. China Glaze - Brownstone: I usually don't wear your typical red polish. That's why this one is perfect for me. It's more on the browner side and I think it looks great on darker skin.
2. Revlon - Modern Grace: Such a pretty lavender color. Makes me think of being in the South and drinking your sweet tea at a beauty pageant with your pinky up.

What were your favorite nail polishes in 2011?

December 2011 Haul

I decided to start doing monthly hauls. At the end of the month I will show you everything I purchased during that month. If I ordered something online but it doesn't show up until the next month then I will show you in that month. Did that make sense? I feel like it didn't....

Instead of saving the best for last I will save the best for FIRST! Again, I feel like that made no sense at all.

FingerPaints Special Effects Flakies: Motley, Flashy, Asylum, Twisted, Flecked

I didn't really plan this one out so I have no idea really which one is which.

 China Glaze: Ultimate Holiday, Fireside Glow, Flying Dragon (Neon)

Ultimate Holiday and Fireside Glow are on clearance at Ulta RIGHT NOW! If you don't have them now is the time to get them because they were Ulta's holiday exclusives so they will be discontinued soon.

 Color Club: Worth The Risque, Fashion Addict

I fought against these two for so long but I am a sucker for holos so of course I gave in. You can't tell in these pics but in the sun they are gorgeous!

 China Glaze Innocence, OPI DS Mystery, China Glaze Life Preserver, China Glaze Fairy Dust, Essie Shine Of The Times

Queen Helene: Refining Pomegranate & Raspberry Natural Facial Scrub, Mint Julep Natural Facial Scrub

I purchased these two from Sally's (2/$5) and I have a feeling I am going to love them both! Especially the mint julep. Lord knows how much I love the masque!

2011 Favorites: Hair Care

TGIF! This is my first Friday off of work and I will do nothing but sleep and clean. The joys of adult hood.

I have my favorite hair care items of this year even though I've been using most of these products for the last few years.

First let me tell you from age 17-20 I went to the salon every 2 weeks and had my hair washed by a professional, I didn't learn how to do it myself (I knew how to do it I just didn't know how to do it right) until I was almost 21. That's when I realized how ridiculous it was to have someone else do it but my mom offered to pay for it every time and who was I to turn her down? LOL! Well when she did my hair she would tell me the products she used and I have stuck with a few of them over the years because I loved how they made my hair look and feel. Let's just get started!

 Chi Iron Guard, Chi Silk Infusion, Chi Shine Infusion

I recently started using these products again (by recently I mean last week) and it reminded me why I loved it so much! I do not get compliments on how my hair smells unless I use one of these products.

Chi Iron Guard is a recen favorite because the heat protectant I used before was a little too sticky for my taste.

Chi Silk Infusion was one product my stylist used on my hair every time she did it. After a while we decided to experiment with other products and my hair never felt the same unless I used Chi Silk Infusion.

Chi Shine Infusion is just a finishing spray that I use to make my hair shiny and a little less frizzy.

 Kera Care Anti-Dandruff Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner

My scalp tends to get very dry and sensitive and the Kera Care Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner helps heel my scalp and moisturize. It is one of the few products that actually does what it says and I can feel a huge difference when I don't use it. My stylist started using this on me about 3 years ago and since I have been doing my own hair I have tried other things and nothing has ever compared.

 Soft and Beautiful Lite Creme Moisturizer

Soft and Beautiful Lite Creme Moisturizer was found by accident. I was on vacation with my family over a year and a half ago and we wanted to wear our hair in a ponytail but didn't have any moisturizer. My mom went to Walgreens and bought this stuff because it was on sale and it has become a favorite of ours ever since. It is so lightweight it doesn't make your hair feel greasy at all. That is the main thing I love about it.

Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo

Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo was a shock when my stylist first used it on me when I was 17. I knew nothing about hair then and I washed it with whatever I could find. She put this on my scalp and the Angels starting singing to me. I have been using this shampoo every time I wash my hair for the past 5 years and I don't see myself stopping anytime soon. It makes my scalp tingle and it is great at removing oil and dirt from your hair. This would have to be one of my favorite hair care products of all time.

Honorable Mentions:

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum how could I forget you? I use this before I add my Chi Silk Infusion and both of them together reduce dry time fast! All I have to do is run the blow dryer over my hair for a few seconds (in sections) and it is dry in no time flat. It smells great and makes straightening your hair a breeze.

What are your hair care favorites?

Royal Navy

This is my first real mani in a while and although I love the color I'm not too happy with the opacity.

This is two coats of Royal Navy by Orly topped with one coat of Revlon Quick Dry Top Coat. I probably should have used another coat or two but I didn't notice the nail line until I uploaded these pictures to my computer.

This is still one of my top 5 blues. Look at the light blue shimmer!