skin focused sephora haul (plus a little lip color)

Late last week my friend texted me a sephora 10% code that worked if you were a VIB (The code was V436CB. Not sure if it still works but it doesn't hurt to try!) I am a sucker for codes even if it is a small amount. I mean 10% is so little that it amounts to basically the tax but still, it is something right? (and I used my ebates account...) I know I am just making excuses to spend money but half of my little haul ended up being products I felt were needed.

My skin has been going haywire lately. I blame hormones and a mask that I plan on talking about in a future post. My skin has been screaming for some attention which led me to pick up a few masks that I have been eying. Both were featured on my skincare mask wishlist post.

ORIGINS CLEAR IMPROVEMENT CHARCOAL MASK
My first Origins item. Here's to hoping I don't get obsessed since they carry so many items. My skin has felt so congested and spotty, I hope this helps clear it up or at least purge it out.

REN GLYCOL LACTIC RADIANCE MASK
I am the most excited about this mask. It has been pretty popular in the blogosphere lately. Plus I am all about the chemical exfoliation. Will report back on my thoughts.

NARS LIGHT RELFECTING SETTING POWDER
Another item that has been taking over the beauty world. I debated between this and the Hourglass version and decided against the Hourglass. I think I will wait in person to see them to decide if I want to try it out since some of them seem a bit too shimmery and that isn't what I am looking for. I just wanted a nice soft powder that blurred imperfections. Very excited to try it out and let you know how it performs.

YSL GLOSSY STAIN IN #9 ROUGE LAQUE
I wanted to throw in something fun in my virtual basket so I choose this YSL stain. This color is an online exclusive and not in store.

I can't wait to try all my picks out. A few days after I made my purchase I heard NARS launched their radiant creamy concealers at Sephora! Wish I would have waited but there is always next time. I'll be sure to update you all on how these items perform.

box of neglect round 2

It is time for the second round of my Box of Neglect Challenge. If you are confused or have no idea what I am talking about, check out THIS post to get briefed and if you missed the first round you can catch up HERE. Which products get a second chance this time? I have to choose a fate for each product: BOX (to be sold/donated), DRAWER (I am keeping), or TOSS (to the garbage it goes).

THE CONTENDERS

L'OREAL TRUE MATCH BLUSH IN TENDER ROSE
This blush has a really great texture for being drugstore. It isn't very pigmented but that isn't bothersome since I feel like the majority who rely on drugstore makeup need a blush that is impossible to overdo. I would definitely recommend this lineup if you are on a budget. Unfortunately this color is not the best choice for me, it is a bit too cool on me. Because of this I know it is not something I will reach for often. Shame since I think overall the blush is lovely. BOX

MILANI BERRY AMORE BAKED BLUSH
This is my favorite shade out of the Milani baked blushes I own. It isn't so frosty that it makes my skin texture look bad and the color is also flattering on me. If you want to see a swatch, you can check out my old post on it HERE. I am also wearing it below (blue hat picture). Happily choosing to keep this. DRAWER

WET N WILD LAGOON
I think I have come to terms with the fact that colored eye shadows and me are just never going to happen often. Neutrals FTW! The only "colors" I realistically use are taupes and olives. Every thing else lays gathering dust. This eyeshadow texture is smooth and nice. The pigmentation is great and the color is gorgeously bright. It is nice to smudge into the lower lash line every now and then but I won't reach for this often. It deserves more love than I can give. BOX

Wearing Milani Berry Amore blush & WnW Lagoon Eyeshadow

MAC BLANKETY LIPSTICK
Yikes. This shade just does not look flattering on me at all. I don't know what it is about it. Perhaps a bit too rosy? Too pale? I am not sure. I just know every time I give it a chance and slap it on (heavily or dabbed on, it doesn't matter) it just does not work on me. BOX

NYX ESPRESSO BLUSH
I pulled this out, wore it for a few days, and declared myself a fool. Why did I throw this in the box?!? NYX makes really great blushes. This color is really awesome. Think of a versatile peachy neutral and that is exactly what Espresso is. I bought this way back when all because of Laura since she once expressed her love for it. Definitely a keeper. DRAWER

PHYSICIAN'S FORMULA VEGAS STRIP SHIMMER STRIPS
This is really nice. I seem to have picked the cream of the crop when it comes to my drugstore choices. Granted PF is on the "higher end" on a drugstore scale, but the quality of this product is very nice. It isn't too frosty, the texture isn't too chunky, and the finish is really pretty. It has the ability to be subtle but you can also build it up. I usually apply this to the tops of my cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and cupid's bow. I have so many highlighters though! It would be more practical for me to give this up. The only downside to this is the packaging. I always have trouble opening it. Again, if you are on a budget this is a great choice. I just have too many highlighters to warrant keeping this. BOX

REVLON REALLY RED LIPSTICK
I spontaneously wore this one day and surprisingly didn't hate it. I am not a red lipstick wearer, but this lipstick makes me want to be! I am going to keep this. It is fun to wear and I think it will help me emerge out into the bold lipstick world. DRAWER

Wearing Revlon Really Red and Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips heavily.

I posted the above picture on my Instagram, but I think the angle of this picture showcases the products better. I am wearing Revlon Really Red, Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips, and NYX Espresso.

That is the end of round two. How did I do this time?

ROUND TWO
BOX: 4
DRAWER: 3

TOTAL SO FAR
BOX: 8
DRAWER: 5
TOSS: 1

Not bad. Glad to see so far I am getting rid of more items rather than hoarding them. Hope you enjoyed this round. Until next time...

a little chat over mac 109

The MAC 109 brush is one of my favorite and most used brushes BUT it also annoys me. It annoys me because the quality isn't great. My brush is so battered and it isn't even that old. It also sheds like crazy. I am not sure if it is because I am rough with it (it doesn't feel like it?) or if it is because I don't wash it enough (could be the case since I am terrible at keeping up with it) but my poor 109 has had better days.

I use this for contour/bronzer application and I don't quite like using any of my other brushes as much as I do with this one for that purpose. It just perfectly applies and blends the color out and I love the shape.

This is where I turn to you, my dear readers. Do you know of any brush similar to this one that is better quality? I thought about just picking up a brand new 109 but I don't know if I want to risk the same problem again. I would love some input. What brush do you use for contour/bronzer application? Sound off in the comments!

my world: injecting personailty into the vain

I realized something. My favorite blogs that I thoroughly and genuinely enjoy reading not only write about beauty products, but also about THEMSELVES. I love the little snippets they share about their lifestyle, it makes me enjoy their content and look forward to reading more. It isn't just a site that churns out reviews and swatches. It's like getting to know someone and soaking in their personality, you know?

I think for the most part I have made it a point for my blog to be mostly about beauty and leave the lifestyle shenanigans out. The reason being...I lead a boring life! Despite still thinking this, I have decided to inject more personality into my blog. Every now and then I will incorporate what what I've been up to/my life. I want to show snippets of my world (I have made a label for this in my label cloud on the right column of this blog).

Of course the main focus of my blog will still be beauty (with a little travel and food thrown in the mix) so don't run away screaming yet. What you can expect to see is my attempt to sprinkle a little bit of me every now and then; my interests, my activities, etc. I will start the title of these posts with My World so that can be your cue to opt out on clicking and reading if you are simply not interested.

BINGO
I recently went to visit family & friends in Detroit where we went to Drag Queen Bingo. I'm sure you are asking yourself, "What the heck is it?!" Basically you play Bingo with a drag queen being the person reading off the letters/numbers while cracking jokes. Think a comedy show with Bingo mixed in.

The audience was very responsive to this show. I personally thought it was shit. Lots of repeating the same jokes that just weren't funny. I certainly wasn't offended by the show but ALL the jokes were meant to humiliate at the expense of others and that can get very stale quickly. I think it is super popular because it heavily involves the audience. I wouldn't go back or recommend it.

One of the people I went with bought boxed water and I thought it was the strangest thing. It was definitely a novelty item since it literally is just water in a box. My sister got a chocolate cherry coffee drink which tasted exactly like its name.

EAT YOUR GREENS
I love salads (as sides or for in-between meals) and I have been really loving THIS kale salad. I usually get sick of the same meals everyday (I am the queen of variety) but I ate this everyday last week and did not tire of it. I add chicken to my recipe since I am a carnivore but you can add whatever you like.

INFINITY
I have been obsessed with this infinity striped scarf from GAP. It is a lengthy bundle in a neutral color while being super cozy and soft. I pretty much wear this everyday. Easy to throw on and go. I bought it recently so perhaps it is still floating around in stores?

COOKIE MONSTER
I am not someone that has a sweet tooth or who craves sweets but I have been craving freshly baked chocolate chip cookies like mad lately. The best recipe I have tried is THIS ONE which is what I used for the (overcooked but still amazing tasting) cookie above. I have tried both methods of baking immediately without refrigeration and waiting until the next day to bake. There is a MAJOR difference. I mean both are good (who can say no to a gooey warm cookie?) but leaving the dough in the refrigerator adds this caramelizing flavor that is out of this world. Oh, and I use THESE chocolate chips. Makes a difference using quality chips, trust me!

DARKNESS
My manicure of choice: Essie Bobbing for Baubles. While I do like bright colors and neutrals, I am truly a dark polish lover at heart. This shade is a wonderfully rich navy-gray and applies very nicely. One coat was opaque enough but I did two out of habit.

SUPERNATURAL
So confession, I love the show The Vampire Diaries. And when I say love, I mean I am absolutely crazy about it. I admit when I first was encouraged by a friend to watch it I scoffed and thought, another Twilight wannabe (fun fact, TVD is based off a book series and was written before Twilight. Oh & the books are a bit terrible). But one boring Sunday I noticed it was on Netflix so I sat down, said what the hell, and watched it. And the obsession began. I admit the beginning is a bit slow and a few scenes are very cringe worthy but once you get past the introduction of the characters and murky "are you a vampire" beginnings it is really great. The writers are very talented, they manage to make you ride a roller coaster of emotions that you never want off of. It is primarily aimed at a younger audience but I know plenty of adults who really enjoy the story lines and character complexities.

If you watch TVD too...so like, this scene last night pretty much?

Enough about me, what is new with you guys? What have you been up to? Do you watch the Vampire Diaries? If so which team are you on, Damon or Stefan? :)

the basics: products I have hit pan on

THE STAPLES

I think I speak for beauty bloggers everywhere when I say that hitting pan on a product is a big deal. At first it seemed to be a rare occurrence to me since I enjoy variety and like to switch things up in my makeup routine. But as I get older and lazier I have started to stick to a certain routine for my base makeup (for the most part) causing me to be able to see the shiny pan marking the beginning of the end of a product. These are the products I currently have hit pan on. Some are absolute staples and are used almost if not every day while others are just stuck in my routine and I am determined to use it up.

MAYBELLINE DREAM MATTE POWDER
Not an absolute favorite but I certainly think it is a decent product. I haven't dabbled much in powders if I am being honest, the only other powder I have used is the MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural which I like more than this. But, like I said, I think this is a decent product especially for being inexpensive. It doesn't feel or look cakey and it takes away shine. It doesn't keep oil at bay for long but for the price point this is at I don't think that is a deal breaker. I would repurchase this if I was in a pinch and needed something quick.

SMASHBOX PHOTO OP TRIO IN FILTER
This is a staple product for me. I think these trios are seriously underrated in the beauty community. The texture is spectacular, the packaging is compact and this particular color option is invaluable. The brule-like color matches me so well, it just blends right into my skin tone, so of course it is the first color I hit pan on. I usually apply the cream color all over the lid then blend a mixture of the medium brown (similar to MAC Cork or Wedge) and dark brown (similar to MAC Brun or Espresso) into my crease and outer corner. This is a no-brainer item. I would definitely repurchase and prefer this over my MAC counterparts.

NARS ORGASM/LAGUNA DUO
NARS Laguna, one of the most talked about beauty items ever. Some hate it, some love it, some feel neutral. I would say I am in between the love it and neutral ground. I like Laguna and I would repurchase it. I reach for this compact for two reasons: nights out and traveling. I feel like Laguna looks best for nights out or events since it isn't matte. It isn't sparkly but I do think it adds a certain glow. I also always have this in my travel makeup bag when I go on trips. Having a blush/bronzer duo makes everything easier for travel.

MAC CREAM COLOR BASE IN HUSH
I featured this in my highlighter collection post so if you want to see swatches feel free to check that it out. This is a favorite amongst MAC artists and I can see why. It makes skin look really healthy and it blends seamlessly. Hush has a peachy tone making it look skin-like and not harsh the way some champagne or white highlighters can be. This also is great for pairing up with powder highlighters if you want to make your highlight really stand out. A favorite combo of mine is this with NARS Albatross on top, something I normally pull out for special events.

MAC TEMPTING EYE SHADOW
This shade holds a bit of nostalgia for me since it was the first MAC shadow I ever purchased. It is a lustre finish which is the known finish in the MAC eye shadow world for being a nightmare. Tempting however is the exception to the known. It is richly pigmented without the fallout. When I first started using it I would just blend this out all over the lid and call it good. I now only do that when i feel like rocking a smokey eye. On a daily basis I usually smudge this over my bottom lash line since the shimmers make it look pretty.

I am happy I have this little set of items that I have hit pan on and can consider staples. I hope to add a blush to this at one point but since I am a blush fiend it is so hard to stick to one blush. What do you consider staples? Do you have quite a few items you have hit pan on?

burberry lip mist in copper

When it comes to me and lipstick, on a daily basis it is more realistic of me to reach for some balm or neutral gloss and head out the door on my way. But some lipsticks I own make it easy for me, case in point - Burberry Lip Mist in Copper. It is a neutral color, easy to apply, and has a glossy finish.

The lip mist formula is really comfortable. The color on me is a natural peachy shade. There is a scent to this product, a bit floral, but I don't find it overwhelming or off-putting. This is one of my favorite lip products I have ever tried and I really recommend it. For someone who isn't an avid lipstick wearer, Burberry's lip mists are a great start. I really enjoy the finish and feel so of course I am interested in more shades. I have my eye on Blueberry next.

The only negative about this product is it is soft and tends to be a bit melty in texture in the tube causing the bullet to slide around. I have to apply this on my lips very gently in fear of breaking it. I didn't want to show you guys the state my bullet is in because it is quite a sorry sight.

Have you tried the lip mist formula? If not I really recommend you check it out! Happy Friday my dear readers. I hope you have fun or relaxing plans.

current obsession: masks

Lately all I really want to put my money towards is skincare masks. Initially I couldn't be bothered with masks. I was too lazy, it was messy to clean off, and it seemed time consuming to slather on and wait around for it to do its work. My newfound love of masks stems from using (and finishing!) Lush's Mask of Magnaminty. It opened up Pandora's Box since I enjoyed its soothing and skin boosting results so much that I didn't mind finding ways to creep mask application into my routine. I compiled a little wish list that I have had in the back of my mind to share with you all. I like variety so I picked concoctions with different promises.

*NB: If you are a lazy girl like me or just don't want to be bothered with the mess a mask can make, I find applying before hopping into the shower is the easiest and cleanest method. No bird bath puddles of water around the sink or missed splotches of clay on the neck and hairline to be found, all of the residue goes straight down the drain. You can trudge on with your shower routine and rinse off at the end.

REN GLYCOL LACTIC RADIANCE RENEWAL MASK
My main fascination with skincare is chemical exfoliants. This item has been talked about so much that I am very intrigued. I like that there is a mixture of lactic and glycolic acid.

LUSH COSMETIC WARRIOR MASK
I was always a skeptic of Lush, perhaps because everything seemed so gimmicky and too good to be true. I am still not convinced when it comes to their bath products, but I am already convinced they know what they are doing when it comes to skincare. I have already tried two things from their skincare line and have been impressed with both. It is probably a good thing I don't live near a Lush since I would probably try out every fresh mask they have. The mask I am interested the most in at the moment is the Cosmetic Warrior mask which is supposed to battle blackheads and blemishes.

AESOP PARSLEY SEED MASK
This is another mask I have heard a lot about. It is supposed to lift out impurities and balance out the skin.

ORIGINS CLEAR IMPROVEMENT CHARCOAL MASK
I always wander by the Origins counter but never give myself enough time to actually try out or look at a product since their product lineup is so extensive. This mask has caught my eye though since it is supposed to unclog pores. Plus I have always wanted to try a charcoal mask.

OLE HENRIKSEN BLUE/BLACK BERRY ENZYME MASK
I am a sucker for anything with the word enzyme in it. It just sounds like it is going to do a good job, you know? This mask is supposed to smooth out and polish the skin. And supposedly it smells great too, always a plus!

What are your favorite masks or what are you using and enjoying right now? I would love any recommendations since I am new to the mask world...

room snippets & makeup organization

I am not a very organized person. I wouldn't go as far to say that I am a full out slob, but I am definitely not OCD and don't mind a little mess every once in a while. Late last year I was determined to change my non organizing ways so I wanted to revamp the storage of my things since they were mostly shoved away in a sorry little stack of plastic drawers. It was not aesthetically pleasing at all. It took lots of patience and searching for my vision but here is where I am at today:

The white table is from IKEA, it is the MALM Dressing Table. It took me a lifetime to find this. It is exactly what I wanted. Simple square design, one drawer with no handle, glass top for easy wiping, white in color, decently priced. Assembly wasn't too bad, it took me about 1.5 hours to put together. The mirror is from Lowe's, it is a beveled 48x36 mirror and 1/8in thick. This was the hardest part of the setup! I hate mirror mounting.

To keep all my perfume samples in one place, I use my Urban Outfitters Helping Hands Dish. I love the look of this and it is very affordable. The white floral letter holder that is holding my palettes is from a regional store near me. The little oriental looking hexagon dish holds bobby pins and it was a gift.

The rectangle glass with the beads (holds my sister's brushes) and the green sea glass cup (my brushes) are from Michael's. My glass skull holder is from TJ Maxx, it was around $5. It holds Q-tips and my eyelash curler. The perforated metal cup holds my eyeliners and mascara. It is actually a tea candle holder from Urban Outfitters. The mirrored jewelry box is from Urban as well. The straightener holder I believe is from Sally's, I received it as a gift.

This is just my cheek/blush collection. All my makeup plus my sister's makeup (which is a much smaller collection than mine by a mile!) fits into the one drawer this desk has. I am not entirely happy with the setup inside this drawer which is why I am not showing you what my lip and eye shadow setup looks like. I need better separators. As of right now I am using old boxes and plastic drawer inserts. What do you guys suggest? I am looking for something sturdy and either clear, black, or white.

So that is a little peak into my room/makeup setup. I just need to find a nice bench and tweak a few other things and I will be satisfied. How do you store your collection?

review: ole henriksen enlighten me skin tone corrector

Skincare is all the rage for me right now. I can't get enough of it. I have a long wishlist even though my bathroom cupboard is full of skincare items I bought during Cyber Monday sales last year. During Sephora's sale I picked up a hyper-pigmentation product from the brand Ole Henriksen: the Enlighten Me Skin Tone Corrector. I have never tried Ole Henriksen before but I have heard great things about the brand. I bought this because I wanted to see how it performed on my acne scars and I wanted to try a product that was new to me.

DETAILS
This serum costs $48 USD. It comes in a glass bottle with a pump and 1 oz of product. It contains THC, lactic acid, lemon and mulberry extracts, and ester-C, all known skincare ingredients for chemical exfoliation. It contains no sulfates, phthalates, or synthetic dyes. Here is the full ingredients list for those interested:

Water, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Lactic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Calcium Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Thioctic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Sorbitol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Oleth-20

THE SERUM

FORMULA/CONSISTENCY
The serum is a marmalade colored fluid. The viscosity is thicker than water but not by much. It is very light and a bit runny. I find a full pump of the product is too much so I use half a pump (the amount shown in the above picture is what I use). It soaks into the skin quickly and doesn't leave my skin feeling sticky. The scent is pleasant, like candied oranges. It isn't too overwhelming and it doesn't linger.

PERFORMANCE
For reference, my skin type is combo/oily, visible pores, and acne scarring. My main concerns include scar fading, pore reducing/unclogging, and evening out skin tone. I have been using this every night since the end of November. I wash my face, spray on toner, apply this serum, then moisturize.

I do feel like my skin tone has evened out and gotten a bit brighter after using this. Unfortunately I don't think it has had any effect at all on my older cystic acne scars, however, I do see noticeably faster and better healing with any current breakouts I get. When I breakout, I usually get scarring and redness. This serum heals my skin faster and vanishes the mark before it can scar.

OVERALL
I think this is a very nice product if you breakout or get blemishes and want to avoid scarring or heal up the redness faster. If you only have old hyper-pigmentation and scarring and don't suffer from breakouts or blemishes anymore, this isn't the best option. My old scars looks the same but my newer breakouts don't get the chance to linger and scar. I also think if you have pretty clear skin but it seems a bit dull, this would be great at brightening and making your skin look its best. I enjoyed this. The scent is nice, it absorbs quickly and doesn't feel sticky, and I actually saw results even if it wasn't for my main concern (reducing old scarring).

I WOULD recommend this if:

+ you break out/get blemishes often and want to avoid scarring
+ your complexion is looking dull and you want to brighten it
+ you want to try a serum with a great non-sticky formula

I WOULD NOT recommend this if:

+ you only suffer from old hyper-pigmentation/scarring
+ you don't like the smell of candied oranges

Have you tried this product or anything from the brand? Seeing positive results with this product makes me want to try more from the brand. I am eying the Blue/Black Berry Enzyme Mask and will probably end up getting it eventually!

box of neglect: round one

Here is the first round of my Box of Neglect Challenge. If you are confused or have no idea what I am talking about, check out my post HERE. Which products get a second chance? I have to choose a fate for each product: BOX (to be sold/donated), DRAWER (I am keeping), or TOSS (to the garbage it goes)!

CONTENDERS

MAYBELLINE DREAM MOUSSE CONCEALER
I don't care for this. This is discontinued but from what I gathered from the beauty community, it was popular. It doesn't match me very well and it doesn't do a great job at covering anything. There isn't much product left in this so I have decided to either use this up myself or toss it. I don't want to burden anyone with it. DRAWER/TOSS!

WET n WILD E/S PALETTE in VANITY
I completely forgot I had this palette. It is really nice for drugstore. The colors aren't unique but staples. I like this but I have so many other shades from higher end brands that work much better on me. The matte beige color is too stark on me and doesn't blend into my skin tone. This is a good product but I have other choices similar to it that suit me better. BOX!

MILANI BAKED BLUSH IN DOLCE PINK
I actually really like Milani's baked blush line. But I have to face reality. When it comes to my skin texture (scarred and large pores), these aren't my friends. Dolce Pink is very frosty. I love the shade of pink on me, but the frost and sparkle factor really emphasizes my skin texture. This would be lovely on smooth skinned ladies. This is a sad verdict, and I might even give this a third chance, but...BOX(for now)

STILA SUN BRONZING POWDER SHADE 2
Another item I completely forgot about. It don't mind this. I have been so exasperated by the poor performance Benefit Hoola gave me so it is nice to use a product that I like. It is matte, pigmented, and blends into my skin nicely. The texture isn't the best and the color could be potentially orange on pale ladies, but on me it turns out ok. I will use it up since I don't like any of the other bronzers I have right now. DRAWER

STILA ILLUMINATING FINISHING POWDER in ROSE GOLD
Every time I use this, it just does not want to show up on me. Perhaps that is the point? To be subtle? I just don't see any effect with this at all. I have tried using it all over and just on the tops of my cheekbones. Sorry, I like my highlighters to be noticeable. BOX

MILANI BAKED BLUSH in ROSE D'ORO
This color looks dirty on me. And has high frost just like Dolce Pink. It is so pretty in the pan, but I think frosty corals just don't suit me. Remember how I felt about MAC Stereo Rose? Wish it looked better on me...BOX

IN ACTION
In the above picture, I am wearing the Wet and Wild Vanity palette, Stila Bronzer, Milani Rose D'Oro blush. So what is the tally this first round?

BOX: 4
DRAWER: 2 (kinda)
TOSS: 1 (kinda)

That is it for this round in the challenge. Until next time. I am determined to give all my Milani baked blushes a chance even though they pretty much all have the same frosty finish...

dior poison

Today's nail polish pick is relatively new to my collection. I say new because I haven't picked up any nail polish lately due to a promise to myself to hold back on going crazy with new collections. Dior Poison was part of a little trio collection of polishes (Orchid and Shadow were the other two shades included) Dior released called Les Violets Hypnotiques. It was released in limited locations but was made available during Nordstrom's annual sale last year. I picked up all three of the shades during this sale since they all played on nuances of deep purple and were too beautiful to pass up. Deep purples are a personal favorite of mine when it comes to polishes.

Poison is a deep indigo. When it comes to purple, I prefer when they lean more blue. It is a cream formula. It applies darker on the nail compared to how it shows in the bottle. It is quite dark but not so much that is looks black. In person you can tell it has a purple tinge to it.

This trio collection was my first experience with Dior polish. It is very thick! I am surprised but neutral about this. On one hand (hehe pun kinda?) it covers the nail with complete opacity in one coat but on the other hand the thickness makes me have to apply carefully and slowy for even coverage. I applied two coats out of habit but I could have easily gotten away with just one.

I really love this color. Dark polishes are my favorite especially when they are gray and purple. The formula isn't my favorite but I have worked with worse. The wear time is average for me (3-5 days depending if I washed dishes or not).

Unfortunately I don't think this shade is available anywhere any more. If you were curious about the collection and what the other shades looked like, check out The Beauty Look Book's post on the collection. She is one of my favorite blogs to read and she did a great post on these polishes.