Update

Good morning. Well, morning at least. I haven't been up this early in ages, if ever. But it's for a good cause. My sister and I are headed to Montreal for a few days. So there won't be any updates until the weekend. I'll be tweeting though. And I'm using the trip to try out all my freebie samples so I'll have some reviews for that next week. I've got Mario Badescu, Pantene, and Olay to try out, plus a couple others. Now I have to rush off to catch the bus. Have a good week everyone.

Wish List Updated

I posted my wish list ages ago so I figured it's about time I updated it, seeing as I've managed to cross off quite a few items (and added some new ones).

One of the top items was lilac creme nail polish. After trying colours that were too dark (China Glaze Spontaneous) and too light (Revlon Lilac Pastelle) and nearly settling for a frost (Divine Purple), I finally found not one but two gorgeous lilac cremes. Revlon Gum Drop and Elf Lilac mean I can happily cross this off. *I just realized that I'm missing swatches for a couple of these so they'll be up once I can get photos*

I also found Claire's matte top coat. It gives more of a satin finish than true matte but I absolutely love the effect. Swatches here with more coming.

So now for my current wish list:

• Make Up For Ever eye shadow #92
• Dark pink nail polish (I have tons of pinks but none of them are quite right)
• OPI Wing It 
• OPI Catch Me in Your Net 
• Jokerz chocolate bar (not makeup related but I haven't had one in months because the closest store that sells them is an hour and $14 bus ride away but they are sooo good.)

What are you lemming right now?

Elf Nail Polish Swatches (Matte)

Photo is with flash. With one coat of Claire's Cosmetics Matte Top Coat

Left to right: Mint Cream, Lilac, Desert Haze, Smoky Brown, Innocent, Nude, Chocolate.

Innocent is beautiful matte. I think this might be my perfect mannequin hands colour. I'd suggest not using matte top coat with smoky brown. It just looks like dry mud. I'm a little disappointed because it's so gorgeous glossy.The non-matte swatches are here.

Review: Elf Therapeutic Conditioning Lip Balm

I've had pretty bad chapped lips lately because I ran out of my favourite lip balm then had to use another (which actually makes my lips more chapped). So, I decided to try out Elf's Therapeutic Conditioning Lip Balm. I have to be honest, I wasn't expecting much after reading the reviews on the Elf website. 

PROS:

*softens lips

*price

*subtle strawberry scent

*no weird taste

CONS:

*heavy on lips

*wears off quickly if you are eating or drinking (or if you have a habit of licking your lips)

*if you go a day without it, your lips are back to the same awful condition (that might just be mine because they were so bad to start with)

Overall, I do like this lip balm. I've been using it a little under a week (other than a day or two I skipped it) and I've found that the days I do use it, my lips are noticeably softer. But since it does feel so heavy and kinda oily, I wear it at night mostly. Then in the morning, before I do my makeup, I put it on for just a while, then take it off and apply my lip color for the day. I tried the strawberry one. It's not strongly scented and it doesn't taste like strawberry, so that will be a pro for some but not others. It's also available in vanilla, orange, and blackberry.

Would I buy it again? Probably. I don't think this will be my go-to lip balm, but the price is perfect to keep a few handy (purse, car, beside the bed).

Elf Nail Polish Swatches

Left to right: Mint Cream, Lilac, Desert Haze, Smoky Brown, Innocent.

Smoky Brown is lighter and more grayish brown than it looks here. Innocent looks like it will be a good mannequin hands shade so I'll be trying that this week. Desert Haze is a touch grayer as well.

Left to right: Nude, Chocolate.

Photos are with flash. Matte swatches are here.

Yet Another Elf Haul

My ELF order came today. I ordered it on Monday and it actually arrived yesterday morning but I couldn't be bothered to answer the order at 9:30am so I picked it up at the post office today. I've always had good ship times with ELF but I was amazed by four days for an international delivery. I'll have swatches and reviews up for everything over the next while but here's a quick list of what I bought:

Shimmering Facial Whip in Camilla

Nail Polish in Nude, Mint Cream, Lilac, Desert Haze, Smoky Brown, and Innocent

Nail Polish Removal Pads

Broghtening Eye Color in Matte Mauve and Blue Moon

All Over Cover Stick in Ivory

Tone Correcting Concealer in Ivory

Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 in Ivory

Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Cherry Tart

Studio Powder Brush (I love the studio brushes and I think this one just about completes the set for me)

Individual Lash Kit in Brown (I have a slight false lash obsession)

Studio Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara in Dark Brown

Therapeutic Conditioning Balm in Strawberry Creme (I have this on my very chapped lips now. It feels good but we'll see how it works.)

Vanilla Coconut Bath Gel 

I did a quick swatch of the nail polishes so I'll have photos for those up tonight most likely. Lilac and Mint Cream are great spring/summer colours. But I've been in love with grayed out neutrals and mannequin hands lately so just based on the swatches, Desert Haze and Innocent are real stand-outs for me.

NOTD: Mannequin Hands

Kleancolor in Mocha. This polish went on smoothly and was opaque with two coats. I'll update this when I know how it wears. Photo is with flash. This shade is just a little too dark to be nude on my skin tone but I love it anyway. It's one of those colours that seem meh in the bottle but looks great on. And it's such a change from my usual nail polishes.

 What do you think of mannequin hands, nude or nearly nude polish? Chic or boring?

Revlon Gum Drop

Revlon Gum Drop. Four coats, with flash. Matte swatch is here.

EOTD: All About the Lashes

I kept my eyes neutral for this look so all the emphasis is on the lashes. I used Ardell Fashion Lashes in 101. These are my go-to falsies for everyday. People always compliment my lashes but aren't sure if they're real or not.

 

After priming lids, apply a champagne shadow to lid and brow bone. Blend a soft, shimmery taupe in crease. Line upper lash line with brown liquid liner. (I always use an angled brush for liquid liner-it's so much easier to control.) Apply false lashes, curl together with your natural lashes, and finish with a coat of brown mascara. I prefer using brown when I wear falsies because it looks less harsh on long lashes, so they aren't so obviously fake.

NOTD: Red Carpet

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Red Carpet

This is three coats, but you can get away with two. First photo is with flash, second is in natural light. This tends to photograph lighter than it actually is. The flash photo is closest. It also has more sparkle, and just shine in general, than shows up in these photos.

I also swatched this with matte top coat:

Does anyone have China Glaze Ruby Pumps? How does it compare to Red Carpet? I wonder if it's worth having both.

NOTD: The (nearly) Perfect Lilac Creme (FINALLY!!!)

Revlon Gum Drop with matte top coat. With flash. I love this colour. And it smells like candy! But the formula is too thin. This is 4 coats and there's still a bit of streaking. That seems standard for Revlon polishes though.

New Hair Colour

I was getting bored of the faded out red in my hair but couldn't decide if I wanted to go dark or light, so I decided for a Cruella De Vil inspired 'do. After bleaching my hair, I used Manic Panic in Raven and Virgin Snow. I love Virgin Snow. It's the only dye or toner I've found that makes my hair so pale. The background on this photo is too dark, so you can't really see the black.

And here's a pic of my angry model face.

NOTD: Dalmatian Spots

So, this was supposed to be dalmatian spots. But, it kinda looks like cow spots. Anyway, its Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Black Out over N.Y.C. Long-Wearing Nail Enamel in Snow White. Also, sorry for the mess around the edges.