NOTD: Essie 'Cute as a Button'

Today's nail of the day is a pretty coral for Summer. It is Essie's 'Cute as a Button:'

2 coats, natural light

This color is SO pretty and I've had it tucked away for so long. It's a pink with orange tones to it. This color can look really orange under certain lighting (which I think is why I neglected it for a while), but under natural lighting you can really see how lovely it is!

This color is perfect for the Spring and Summer seasons because it is bright yet not a surprising nail color. It'll go with all sorts of outfits! This color was super opaque and rather thick. The thick formulation made for a perfect manicure though so if you're willing to work with the formula a bit then this color's for you!

Essie nail polishes can be found at Ulta, Target, and some drugstores for about $8 a bottle (0.5 fluid oz).

xxSJ

NOTD: Essie 'Asbolutely Shore'

Today's nail of the day is a really pretty and muted color for the Summer from Essie's Summer 2011 Braziliant collection:

2 coats, natural light

The color 'Absolutely Shore' is a light sea foam green.  This color is the perfect way to rock some pastels this Summer! It is eye catching but since it is so muted it remains an understated addition to any outfit.  I like to wear this color with a bright purple hue as this light green is very complimentary to a pretty purple.
The application of this polish was splendid. Two coats was all it took to achieve full opacity with this creamy hue and it wears for days with out chipping.  This is one of Essie's better polish formulations.

Essie nail polishes are sold at Ulta, Target, and many drugstores for $8 a bottle (0.5 oz).  Even though this color came out in a special collection, it is still available on Essie's website and I commonly see it on display.  It's so pretty that Essie may have made it a permanent addition!

xxSJ

Review: Revlon's Lash Potion Mascara

Today's review is a new mascara by Revlon called the Lash Potion by Grow Luscious mascara.

I purchased this in the color 001, Blackest Black as I always do with mascaras to blacken my blonde lashes.  I also purchased the waterproof formula.

I'm going to be honest with you. I mostly purchased this because I LOVE the packaging. It's so pretty with the green, blue, and pink bubbly bottle.  And as a Harry Potter fanatic, any makeup product that claims to be a 'potion' I must have. You know, cuz I'm a wizard.  Anywho, I picked up this product with out doing much research because I love the packaging.

The wand is quite large and is a typical wire brush wand.  Typically I am very wary of these type of wands. I have little bitty eyes so big wands scare me as far as getting mascara all over my lids and under-eye area. Big wand=low control of the product.  I also usually have clumping issues with wire wands like this one since they do not have a combing effect on your lashes.

Skeptical of that wand! No mascara or eyeliner on me

I applied this mascara to my eyes after I had only put on some shadow. No eyeliner so you can truly see the effect the mascara has on my eyes!

Above: No mascara or liner, Below: Revlon Lash Potion applied to upper and bottom lashes

Here is the before and after shot! There is obviously quite the notable difference in volume and color of my lashes with this mascara applied, but of course, with my blonde lashes, many mascaras would have at least SOME effect.
I think that this mascara is great if you need to put mascara on fast. I noticed this formula is very quick drying which means you really can't layer it on as it will clump! One coat definitely does your eyelashes justice though.  Through out the day, the mascara didn't clump or fall off my lashes (hooray for waterproof!) and it was pretty easy to take off at the end of the day given the waterproof formula.
I like this mascara a lot and will continue to wear it, but I think I prefer my Maybelline The Rocket mascara for now.
This mascara was only $4.99 at Target so I think for the price, this mascara is definitely worth it and I will be wearing it again!

me likey!

If you want a pretty potion to add to your makeup battle station then pick this guy up! It's a good find.

xxSJ

NOTD: Butter London 'Fruit Machine'

Today's nail of the day is a favorite from Butter London's Sweetie Shop collection, 'Fruit Machine:'

2 coats, natural light

This polish is described on the BL website as a 'carnation creme.' I think that is the perfect description! This color is a blue-toned pink that I always refer to as a Barbie or Princess pink.  This color is super creamy (no sheen!) and applies very evenly for an easy application. It was completely opaque in two coats.

The only issue I have with this color is that it seems to chip rather quickly.  My top coat is getting old so perhaps I should blame it on that, but this color did not wear for as long as I would have liked.
I can see why this color was in the Sweetie Shop collection and why it was a favorite! It certainly looks pretty and 'sweet' enough to eat!

Butter London polishes are notorious for their high quality and for their carcinogen free formula.  They cost $15 a bottle which is pricey (particularly given that they have about an ounce less of product than other high end nail polishes, such as OPI).  The price is worth it if you are a nail polish enthusiast or if the color is not dupable. Otherwise I suggest finding a cheaper alternative to this pricey polish!

What do you think? Does Fruit Machine look like a color you would splurge for?
xxSJ

NOTD: China Glaze 'It's a Trap-Eze!'

Today I have a super fun glittery polish from China Glaze's Cirque du Soleil Worlds Away collection. It is the color 'It's a Trap-Eze!'

1 coat over Butter London 'Teddy Girl,' natural sunlight

This is a multi-colored glitter nail polish suspended in a white base coat. The glitters are multi-sized and are green, gold, orange, pink, blue and (most fun of all!), white! The white glitters are what makes this polish truly unique.  The absence of silver glitters in this polish make it very pastel and pretty looking rather than too showy.  I prefer to layer simply one coat of this polish over a light pink or white, or use one coat of polish on an accent nail if I'm doing a colored polish.  Since the glitters are in a milky white base, layering this polish can make it quite thick and a bit messy looking since some glitters end up very dull looking under a layer of white.

1 coat over Essie 'Lilacism', natural light

Pictured here I painted one coat over Essie Lilacism for a fun accent nail effect. What's fun about this glittery color is that the white tones down the color you're painting over ever so slightly.  I find that this can spice up a manicure if I'm bored of the color or regret the color I picked right after I'm done painting my nails! Has anyone else had that 'I immediately regret this decision' moment? This polish can remedy that!

China Glaze polishes can be found at Ulta beauty supply stores and sell for $8 a bottle.  They are awesome nail lacquers because they have hardeners in the formula making them quite chip-resistant!

What do you think? Would you rock this glittery color on your nails?
xxSJ