NOTD: OPI's 'Bubble Bath'

I'm continuing with my neutral marathon today with a cult favorite of OPI, the color 'Bubble Bath.'

'Bubble Bath' is a very light, slightly blue-toned, pink color.  It is very sheer which I rather like because it makes the color so light and feminine.  This color is a more natural color than Orly's 'Prelude to a Kiss,' mostly because it isn't quite so opaque.

I definitely understand why this light pink is a favorite with OPI fans. It's very pretty and certainly a natural hue.
My only qualm with this nail color is it chips rather quickly. The corners of my manicure lifts up after about a day.  If you don't mind a few touch ups here and there though, then I really like this color!

Think pink!
xxSJ

Review: MAC lipstick in 'Peach Blossom'

I love love love my MAC lipsticks.  They have perfect pigmentation, beautiful application, and awesome packaging.  The issue I've been having recently with wearing lipstick is super dry lips. I am on acne medication that makes my skin really dry and so sometimes wearing lipstick just accentuates my cracked and flaky lips... eww, I know.

I've found that cremesheen lipsticks from MAC are glossy enough for me to wear with out showing off my dry lips! I recently came across the perfect color for my lips that is a 'my lips but better' color.

'Peach Blossom' is a light warm pink color.  It is warmer than 'Angel' by MAC and a couple shades lighter than my other favorite lipstick, 'Fanfare.' 

I prefer warmer colors to wear on a day to day basis because I think they look a bit more natural on my freckled skin.

As you can see, this lipstick doesn't add a whole lot of color to my lips, but it adds a pinkish hue with a moisturizing and shiny finish. I really like it and have been grabbing it the last couple weeks.

What's your favorite day to day lipstick color?
xxSJ

Review: NARS 'And God Created the Woman' palette

NARS released a 6 shadow palette recently that I was lucky to get my hands on! NARS products are amazingly high quality makeup products but they do run at a high price. I thought I'd review this if any of you out there are thinking of purchasing this palette!
First of all let's talk about the packaging:

 

This palette is like all other iconic NARS packaging: a sleek velvety black case with bold white letters. The packaging is beautiful, but be warned! This type of material for some reason attracts every bit of dust, dirt, and makeup. The packaging won't stay sleek and pretty for long! 

Now on to the beautiful colors:

Top Row: Alhambra, Bellisima, Kalahari
Bottom Row: Galapagos, Coconut Grove, Night Clubbing
As you can see, these shadows are all neutral shades. The top row consists of shades that are great for the lid and that middle matte color is amazing for blending out crease colors. The bottom row are shades that are great for the crease to darken up any look and the middle and right colors are great to smudge into your lash line for a smoldering effect.
Swatch time!

 The top row colors are the first three on the left, and the bottom row colors are the three on the right.  As you can see, the pigmentation is standard NARS quality.  In other words, its amazing.  The only color that could be a bit lacking is that gray-mauve color called Bellisima.  However, when blended into the crease on the eye, it looks beautiful.  The color to be careful with is Night Clubbing, the sparkly deep green color on the right.  You have to be careful with this stuff! It is the most pigmented eyeshadow I have ever touched, swatched, or tried to work with.  It would be great pressed into the lash line to add smokiness to any night time look!

Something to note about this palette is the size of the eyeshadows. They have 0.03 oz of product per shadow.  For comparison, a normal NARS eyeshadow has 0.07oz of product so you're getting a bit less than half of a normal sized eyeshadow. Though these shadows are small, a great thing about the size of this palette is that its portable! It's about the size of an iPhone so you can easily store it in a purse for on the go and change your look from day to night.
This palette also comes with a small travel size brush and a medium sized ProPrime smudgeproof eyeshadow base.  NARS claims this is a $105 value set if you care to do the math and check!

Overall I recommend this product.  The eyeshadow quality is NARS level quality and because of the great color selection and portability of the product, I think this is well worth the money. Speaking of which:

This product can be purchased for $59 at Sephora. Its limited edition so snatch it up while you can!

xxSJ

NOTD: Orly's 'Prelude to a Kiss'

I've been in the mood for neutrals on my nails lately! I find light nudes and pinks to be the most professional color you can sport on your nails so I've been trying out different ones to see which I like the best!
Today I'm wearing Orly's 'Prelude to a Kiss':

This color is a light creamy peach color.  I think of it as a much lighter version of 'A Crewed Interest' by Essie.  This color is very natural looking and is very pretty in most lighting.  A warning though is that it looks a little blah and muted under fluorescent lights. 
Overall I really like it as a professional neutral! Also this color was super opaque after two coats (soooo impressive for such a light shade) and it lasted for days with out chipping!

Orly nail polish can be purchased at some drug stores and at Ulta for $8 a bottle.  Orly nail polish has slightly more product in it than other higher end nail polishes (OPI, China Glaze, Essie) so you do get more for your dollar!

Let me know what your favorite neutral polishes are!
xxSJ

Review: NARS blush in 'Deep Throat'

Hi everyone! Today I thought I'd share my thoughts on this well-know blush by NARS. I personally appreciate reviews on pricier products to ensure I'm not wasting my hard earned moolah!
This blush is called 'DeepThroat' (har har) and if you can get past the sexual name you will find a truly beautiful color:

Deep Throat is a rosy pink color that has a slight light gold shimmer in it. It is far less sparkly than the cult favorite blush, 'Orgasm,' but I like that for a more muted natural look. This blush is very soft to the touch and feels velvety in the pan allowing it to be easily blended on your cheeks. 

This is the color on my light skinned wrist. The color can be very easily built up or sheered out to create more natural/muted or more dramatic looks. 

NARS products come in the iconic sleek black packaging that looks so chic. The one downsides that it attracts every bit of makeup and dust! Don't expect these products to stay clean for long!

NARS blushes cost $28 and can be purchased at Sephora or department stores at a NARS counter. It certainly isn't a cheap price for a blush however the quality is fantastic and the color payoff is beautiful. This has been my go to blush for the last couple months!

What do you think of NARS blushes?

xxSJ

Happy St Patricks Day!

Here are some pictures of how I celebrated yesterday!

I glued a little critter onto my cheek...

I gave my nails some green sparkle and shine....

And we found a leprechaun playing  in the sink!

Hope you all had a happy St Patricks Day!

xxSJ

OOTD: Jack the Giant Slayer premier and after party

Hello lovelies!
I had the opportunity to go to the premier and after party of the new film Jack the Giant Slayer a couple weeks ago so I thought I'd share what I wore and some pictures from that night!

What I wore: Forever21 sheer top with metallic polka dots, Forever21 black cotton skirt, Target patterned tights, Cathy Jean black heeled boots, and black Coach over the shoulder bag

The movie was so entertaining! I liked this film's take on the classic tale of Jack and the beanstalk. There were a couple added elements to the story that I really enjoyed along with some romance. The bean stalk was so amazing in the film! It was practically a character all on its own with the way it moved and what not.

The afterparty was inside the Roosevelt Hotel on Hollywood Boulevard.

Beanstalk number one at the party....

And beanstalk number two at the party. Because what party isn't complete with out two beanstalks???

I had a great time seeing this film and schmoozing it up at the afterparty. Check out this film if you're looking for a fun adventure film with a hint of romance!

xxSJ

Color of the Week! Sparkly Peach

Hey everyone! 

I noticed over the past week that I've been gravitating toward a certain color for all things beauty related. Maybe it's because the weather is warming up (hooray for Spring time!) or because I've been in such a happy mood, but I've been grabbing all peach products recently. To be more exact, Sparkly peach colors! OoooOOoOooooh sparkly!

I thought I'd share with you all my favorite products of this color:

1) Urban Decay eyeshadow in 'X'

            -this color has a 3D effect to it and it looks like you have layers of gold and pink eyeshadow on when you wear it when really it's this one beautiful color! $17 

2) MAC lipgloss in 'Nymphette'

            -this gloss is a pretty pink with a gold shimmer through out. It definitely has a Summer goddess feel to it! $15

3) MAC paint pot in 'rubanesque'

           -this product works as an eyeshadow base to prevent creasing and to add extra depth to your shadows or it can stand alone as a cream shadow. It's an all time favorite product of mine.  It's a peach color with gold reflect through out. $17.50

4) Orly nail polish in 'Gilded Coral'

           -this polish I already did a NOTD post on but it is a sandy peach color that looks golden in the sunlight. It looks exactly like the inside of a seashell on your nails and its stunning! I always get a ton of compliments on this color while sporting it! $8

5) NARS blush in 'Orgasm'

            -ooooh what a naughty name! This is a cult favorite and its easy to see why! This color is flattering on everyone and is perfect for achieving that flushed glow in the spring and summer. It has a subtle shimmer to it that will give you a lovely glow when you're in the sun! $28

6) MAC eyeshadow in 'Expensive Pink'

            -this shadow is much brighter than 'X' and comes off much more peachy. It is a bright peach with gold shimmer that you have to be daring to sport! Wear this on your lid with a matte brown in the crease to help pull this bright shade of shadow off! $11

For left to right: Rubanesque paint pot, X eyeshadow,Expensive Pink, Orgasm blush, Nymphette lip glass, and Gilded Coral lip gloss

I hope this post inspired you all to dig through your makeup collections to find those perfect peach colors! I think peach is a great way to rock some color while still looking natural. It's a bit more fun than plain old pink, don't ya think?

xxSJ