NOTD: Sephora by OPI Havana Dreams

Today's NOTD is brought to you in part by my roommate!  She loves OPI, and the other night when we were at Sephora she picked up Metro Chic and this little gem, Havana Dreams.  Remember when it was first released in the 'Havana Nights' collection last summer?  I loved it then, but didn't have a Sephora within range of me and I was pretty bummed thinking it was limited edition.  With all the hype surrounding light blue nail polish since then, my craving has been somewhat satisfied- I purchased Hard Candy Sky back in January when I had a Walmart nearby.  I left it at home on accident when I came back from break, though, and light blue is such a cute color for spring!  Sky is definitely different from Havana Dreams in that it is lighter and has the slightest bit of shimmer, but I wouldn't have known had my roommate not purchased the OPI.  So thanks girl, and for letting me borrow this color.  ;)  (She doesn't even read my blog, haha; I'm not sure why I'm addressing her.)

Havana Dreams is a pretty sky blue creme.  Like I said above, compared to Hard Candy Sky it is a little deeper in color and a creme rather than shimmer.  This manicure was done using three coats, although it would have been fine with two (For me anyway).  I've never tried Sephora by OPI polishes before, but the consistency of this one reminds me slightly of Revlon's- on the thinner side but not problematic.  I'm guessing it depends on the color for how opaque it will be, like most polishes, and I wasn't surprised that this sky blue took three coats.  

Do any of you own this polish, or any other popular sky blues like it?  What about Sephora by OPI?  

Beauty Care Package

Since my Sister has moved to Canada, she sometimes sends me what I call "Beauty Care Packages". Being one of those lucky ones to have Sephora in the country, she chooses products she knows I'll like and that we can't get here in Ireland. A few days ago, much to my surprise a new package arrived.

And I am in love.

Blinc Tube Mascara

This new "tube" mascara is a new craze in America and hasn't quite reached Europe yet. Tube mascara doesn't coat the lashes, instead it forms water resistent tubes around the lashes. It is a lovely mascara, giving full and thick lashes, however when taking it off I nearly had a heart attack. The "tubes" fall off the lashes when removing, making it look like the lashes have fallen off. Of course, they haven't. I would put this mascara in the same league as Eyeko Big Eyes, as it creates beautifully long lashes but it is not as difficult to remove. The packaging is lovely, coming in a tube with the mascara inside. Love.

"Formerly known as Kiss Me, blinc is the original mascara invented to form tiny water-resistant "tubes" around your lashes rather than painting them like conventional mascaras. Once applied, these beauty tubes bind to your lashes and cannot run, smudge, clump, or flake, even if you cry or rub your eyes...blinc mascara will add volume and length to give you a radiant natural look that lasts all day. Only when you are ready for removal, the tubes will effortlessly slide off your lashes into your hand without the use of a harsh makeup remover."


If you like the look of this mascara, here's a link to the Blinc website.

Josie Maran Agran All Over Face Palette in Lovely:

This palette is an absolute beauty containing four perfect neutral colours. While I have worn this on my eyes for the past few days, it can also be used on the cheeks and lips too. Being creme colours, they blend beautifully and create a never natural glow wherever you decide to put them. The packaging is beautiful, slightly reminiscent of Laura Mercier's in shape and sleekness.

"The innovative formula contains natural, organic ingredients - no fragrances or parabens. What's more, the beauty extends to the packaging: each shade comes housed in Josie's state-of-the-art biodegradable compact."

After a few days use of this product, I have only found one problem with it. When used on the eyes it does crease, even if a paintpot or primer potion is used. I quite like the creased look so it doesn't really bother me, but if you don't this would be better on the cheeks and lips.

If you want to know more, here's the link to the Josie Maran site and the Sephora one.

Bare Minerals All-Over Face Color- Glee

The Bare Minerals 8-piece customizable starter kit I got for Christmas comes with Warmth all-over face color.  I mentioned in my post about it that I just didn't like how Warmth looked on my skin tone- I tried to make it work by only using the smallest amount, but I think it just pulls out too many of my pink undertones for my liking.
When I was in Sephora a couple weeks ago wondering about my foundation shade, I brought it up to the SA that I was interested in the other bronzers from Bare Escentuals because I disliked Warmth.  She told me that I could bring in my Warmth and just swap it out for another all-over face color.  So, that's what I decided to do today.
Apparently my Sephora (which is one of those inside a JCPenney) doesn't do that normally- I don't know if  the problem was that Warmth was a part of the kit, or because I didn't have the receipt.  They still let me do it since a SA told me I could before.  It was nice of them but I feel a little bad, lol!
But anyway, the SA that helped me today was so nice.  We walked over to the Bare Escentuals display and she showed me Glee- described by the website as giving you a "rosy flush."  She dusted it on my cheekbones and temples, had me look in the mirror, and I love it!  I'll definitely be using this more than I did Warmth.

My swatches seriously do not do this color justice! 

It's a rose/mauve-colored blush with not really any sparkle to it, which is a nice change (it seems like every blush I see is either jam-packed with shimmer).  It doesn't look completely matte either, at least to me. 

I haven't used much in the way of powder/mineral blush, so it's going to take a little getting used to.  I sure LOVE how it warms up my face, though.  Here's a picture of it on my cheeks (thank you Sephora SA for doing this for me!):

She did a very light amount, but it's perfect for me, as someone who doesn't like a lot of blush.  

These go for $18 individually and contain 0.05oz of product, in case you're interested!

Have you guys tried this all-over face color, or any others from Bare Escentuals?  They seem to have quite a few!

Mini haul on a snowy day & first thoughts!

Today after work, I decided it was time to get myself over to Sephora (inside JCPenney) and use my $25 gift card.  That kind of 'ignited' the shopping bug inside of me, which led to a trip to both Walgreens.  I'm so pleased with the things I got and I hardly made a dent in my wallet!

I was pretty sure I wanted to buy UDPP with my Sephora gift card, but I didn't know what size/type.  I had severe hang-ups about the packaging of the original size (I've read negative review after negative review), so I was going to get the professional size.  What I didn't realize is how HUGE that thing really is!  So inconvenient for traveling, but I was ready to put up with it.  That is, until the SA asked if I was finding everything OK and told her my dilemma.  She showed me the original/sin duo (which I didn't think they'd have in store), and explained that the applicator is 'bent' to help with the awkward packaging (which I also had read in reviews but hearing it from the SA sold me apparently), so I grabbed it.  Two UDPPs, full size, for a little more than the price of one!  Well, $8 more to be exact; the duo is $26.  But with my gift card I only paid $2 and some change out of pocket.  I'm so pleased.

Next, I stopped by the fourth Walgreens I've been to in the last 2 days in search of the new Wet 'n' Wild products.  Success!  I knew what I wanted (Silent Treatment), and the only thing they didn't have in stock was all of the eyeliners (they had Olive and Purple, which I have already).  I got Silent Treatment eyeshadow trio, and Princess bronzer from the regular line.

These eyeshadows are soo buttery and pigmented!  To me, they feel even more so than the old trios.  Get this one, fellow neutral-lovers.  It's the most neutral of the new trios.

I had read good reviews about the Princess bronzer, and since I'm in need of a new bronzer (one that isn't too crazy shimmery), I figured I'd get it now while it's 50% off at Wags.  It's so pretty!

That is one 'heavy' swipe of my finger- this guy is pigmented!  But don't be alarmed, because he's gorgeous used with a light hand and blended in.

Stay tuned for some looks utilizing these products!  I'm especially excited to use the UDPPs- I tried out Sin using the Wet 'n' Wild trio, and I'm loving it so far (except blending was a little hard.  I don't know if it's the UD or WnW yet).

Thanks for reading!

Christmas EOTD+Gifts (Bare Minerals coming soon)

I was going to combine my post about my Bare Minerals set with the rest of my Christmas presents, but I forgot I also wanted to show you my EOTD for today.  I figured that instead I'd just break them up so it wasn't one giant post of pictures.  I hope this is ok!
Now, in regards to my EOTD, please keep in mind that my camera kind of washes out the color.  I tried my best to show how sparkly this was, but it didn't come through too well.  I'm still quite pleased with it, though- nothing too crazy but different from what I normally do.  I wanted something that was bright and eye-opening with a little hint of color.

(This one above shows the shimmer!)

What I used:

-Victoria's Secret Pro eyeshadow primer

-ELF studio eyeliner/shadow stick in Pearl/Glow (as base on my lid and lower waterline/tearduct)

-ELF mineral eyeshadow in Innocent (lid and blended into crease)

-medium matte violet shade from my Coastal Scents 88 Matte palette (outer crease)

-Lancome eyeshadow in Topaz Temptation (from quad- along lash lines and outer corner)

-light matte cream eyeshadow from my Coastal Scents 88 Matte palette (highlight)

-Rimmel Spark It Up! eyeliner in Tiger's Eye

-Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express mascara in Black

Lastly, here are some of the goodies I got for Christmas that I am just super excited about.  The shoes... I had been waiting/lusting over for forever.  THEY ARE NOW MINE AND THEY FIT!  Yay!  ;)

Left: Deena & Ozzy foldover ankle boot; Right: Chelsea Crew perforated oxfords (Both from Urban Outfitters)

I love them! 

I was really nervous about the sizing on these oxfords- it was European sizing, and the reviews for them said they ran a little small.  Being a US 7.5 (roughly) I ordered them in a 38, and thankfully they fit perfectly!  I've had a terrible time getting oxfords to fit me, so this was a great surprise (plus, I had tried the ankle boots on in the store so I knew they would fit.  I was just worried about these).

My mom surprised me with a $25 Sephora gift card in my stocking, along with two of the C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve's!   I was totally not expecting the gift card, so I am incredibly grateful and excited.  I've been wanting the Too Faced Naked eye palette for a long time, so I might jump for it now.  :)

These tights I picked out with the top/skirt below on Black Friday (Charlotte Russe).  I totally forgot about them!  I'm in dire need of new tights, though, so I can't wait to wear them.

lace long-sleeve top and ruffle skirt from Charlotte Russe

Lastly, this mannequin jewelry stand was a complete surprise!  Every time I see something like this I talk about how cute they are, and my mom apparently took notice.  It's going to be perfect for my long necklaces!  Unfortunately it's too big to take with me to school, but it fits right in with the decor in my room at home.  

That's about it!  Thanks so much for reading.  I'll be sure to do a post tomorrow or later tonight about my thoughts on Bare Minerals.  I have the pictures all taken- just need to type it up! :)  

Viva La Juicy.... it's finally in my possession!!

I am ecstatic to show you what I just came home with today- the one perfume I've been drooling over for years, Viva La Juicy by Juicy Couture!  It's really all thanks to my sister.  She was going to get this for me as my birthday present and have it shipped, but after the shipping costs/giftwrapping it was kind of ridiculous.  She ended up just mailing me a check so I could walk down the street to Sephora and buy it myself.  Well, I finally got her card in the mail last night so first thing this morning I went out and bought it!

I cannot stop thanking her for this- I know it's an incredibly generous present.  

But anyway, enough rambling- here are some pictures.  This is the 1.7oz size:

I wanted to buy this at ULTA (which is close to my dorm building), but they didn't have the 1.7oz in stock.  I was a little disappointed just because I know I'll be shopping there more than Sephora (where I ended up getting this), so I wanted to give them my money, lol.  But that's OK- I'm mainly just happy I was able to buy it today!

In case you haven't smelled this before, it has notes of wild berries, mandarin, honeysuckle, gardenia, jasmine, amber, caramel, vanilla, sandalwood and praline. This is one of those perfumes you can wear year-round, but I know I'm going to love it come colder weather- my favorite season for perfume!

So to end this, I'd love to know, what's your current favorite perfume?  Thanks for reading everyone!