NOTW (Nails of the Week): Half 'N Half

The inspiration for this nail design came from watching one of mayparis' videos entitled "Day to Night Nails." I loved it so much because the design looks like you may have put some time into it, but it's actually really quick and easy to do. For me, though - since I'm so sloppy - I can't help to get polish all over my skin, but a Q-tip with a little bit of nail polish remover fixes that! I tried to avoid the cuticle area to get that nice edge but it's impossible for me. LoL! Mayparis' nails came out way better.

HOW TO DO IT

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

• Two opaque nail polishes (make sure they're not sheer) - one dark color and one light color (this makes for a nice contrast)
• A toothpick, needle, pushpin or any sharp object to do the slash marks (I like using a needle)
• And, of course, a base coat, top coat, and cotton swabs and nail polish remover to clean up the edges

THE TECHNIQUE:

1. Paint one side of your nail with one color. Make sure you apply it thickly or else the colors will not swirl together easily, and you may scrape down to your nail leaving a bare spot. (It took me four hands to finally get it down right. Don't sweat the technique...you'll get it.)
2. Paint the other half of your nail with the other color (Don't worry, you won't contaminate your polish bottle with the other color you used.)
3. Then quickly, before it dries, use the needle or toothpick to make horizontal slash marks back and forth where the two colors meet.
4. Voila! Let dry and apply your top coat.

My right hand was an epic failure and that's why I didn't include a picture of it. But my thumbnail came out awesome! It's the first photo. I used Hard Candy Envy - a dark, shimmery, blackened emerald green - and Carolyn New York Hangin' on the Stoop - a medium gray creme.

I used Pure Ice Taupe Drawer (#966) and Sally Hansen White On for these nails.

EXTRA DESIGN

I was playing around with my nail art polishes but I completely forgot to paint the tip white or gray before laying down the purple. Aghh! I went back in with the copper color on the thumbnail but decided I didn't like it. Then I was going to paint the bare tip white but decided not to mess it up even further. Oh, well...

Sketch effect is cool


I'm going to try a deep navy and peach, or orange, the next time I do the half 'n half nail design.

Copyright © 2009, Lady Lostris

NOTD: Jamaica Me Crazy & Mini Top Coat Review

These pictures are definitely NOT doing this color justice, even if I took a shot in the sunlight, which looks the same as the flash pic. It's Jamaic-ing me crazy!

IRL, this Pure Ice polish (yes, yet another one because I love them) is a darker purple that shines bluish-purple, but it has a fuchsia base. It's crazy beautiful in person but the pink shows more in the pictures. Trust me, it's more purple.

This is one of my favorite names for a nail polish and now a favorite color, and I don't even really like purple. The formula for this particular color is smooth and easy to apply. There's nothing wrong with a $2 polish, as long as it's good quality, and this is one of them. Just don't get any Pure Ice metallic/chrome finishes because they apply weirdly. Stay away from colors like First Time and Outrageous, even if they look nice.

Mini Top Coat Review
Seche Vite & Sally Hansen Insta-Dri

I applied two coats of Jamaica Me Crazy with one coat of Seche Vite dry fast top coat, which I'm liking now. When I first tried it with my Leopard print nails, it didn't do so well, but with solid colors, it's been doing a better job. I've noticed it helps with peeling but my nail polish will eventually chip a little after 2 or 3 days. And it's not because I'm wearing "cheap" nail polish, either. I've tried more expensive brands but they still chip and peel. So for me, Seche Vite is not a miracle worker, but it's the best I've tried so far.

The downside about it is that it's a bit expensive ($8), but if you have a Sally's card then it's around $5. I've actually seen it at Target but there wasn't a price tag so I don't know how much it was over there. Another con is it's strong, chemical smell - maybe the Toluene.

SECHE VITE

• PROS: Dries your polish in a flash (about 30 seconds), helps prevent peeling (I know it helps prevent chipping on a lot of other people but for me, my manicure will still chip)
• CONS: Contains Toluene; has a strong chemical odor; somewhat expensive and not readily available everywhere
• INGREDIENTS: Butyl Acetate, Toluene, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Trimethyl Pentanyl Diisobutyrate, Benzophenone-1
• MY RATING: 4 out of 5

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SALLY HANSEN INSTA-DRI

• PROS: Also dries your polish in a flash (about 30 seconds); no strong, offensive odor like Seche Vite (mind you, it still smells like nail polish, though); easy to find anywhere; has a flat-type brush that makes application easier; does not contain Toluene; a bit glossier than Seche Vite; ~$5
• CONS: Bottle is semi-circular in shape and may tip over easily; comes with 0.45 oz of product rather than your usual 0.5 oz (but that's ok, I guess); did not help with peeling or chipping (on me, my manicure will chip or peel after 1 day)
• INGREDIENTS: Ethyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate, SD Alcohol 40-B, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Trimethyl Pentanyl Diisobutyrate, Nitrocellulose, Acrylates Copolymer, Sucrose Benzoate, Triphenyl Phosphate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Etocrylene, Benzophenone-1, Dimethicone, PPG-2 Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Saccharide Isomerate, Algae Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Water, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Violet 2
• MY RATING: 3 out of 5

That's my review but remember, Your Mileage May Vary...
Have a good day!

My 10 Fave "Drugstore" Beauty Items

Here's a list of my 10 favorite "drugstore" beauty-related items. I say "drugstore" because a couple of items can only be purchased at Walmart or Target. So let's get to it...

#1: Softlips

Mmm, Softlips. They're priced under $3 for a two-pack and come in Vanilla, Cherry, Strawberry and Raspberry, as well as a few limited edition scents and flavors such as Coconut Cream, Peach Mango, Sugar Cookie and Winter Mint. All go on clear and are flavored and scented depending on it's name. The untinted Softlips will moisturize and protect your lips with SPF 20, while the tinted shades - Bronze, Rose, and Pearl - have a citrus scent and flavor, and have SPF 15. I like them better than Carmex.

MY PICKS: Vanilla, Coconut Cream, and Cherry

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#2: Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Color Comfort Lip Color

These lipsticks go for about $9.99 but they are worth it! They're so creamy, moist, and pigmented, and contain sweet almond oil, grapefruit extract and cocoa butter. I usually skip lipgloss when wearing these because I feel that it's not needed. These lippies are paraben-free and come in 21 colors. My only gripe is that there isn't a nude, beige color.

MY PICK: Rosy Brown - a creamy brownish-pink.

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#3: Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Blush

It's so hard finding a pressed blush that's talc-free and oil-free, especially in a drugstore - I think this is the only one. These are wonderful for those with sensitive, acne-prone skin, but any skin type can use these blushes. Price: ~$11.99 in drugstores.

MY PICK: Pink Glow, a matte peachy-pink that would look nice on most people.

Click here for more swatches and a review

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#4: Revlon ColorStay Eyeliners

When they say ColorStay, it's no joke. I have hooded eyelids and used to have a problem with eyeliner smudging onto the middle of my eyelid, but since I've discovered these, it's not a problem. They come in 8 colors (I'm missing Navy) and they have a pull-out sharpener at the other end. I only wish it also came with a sponge tip smudger at the end. Price: ~$7.49 at drugstores.

MY PICK: Black Brown, not as harsh as black but still friendly for brown-lovers.

Click here to see my video with a dry rub and water rub test

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#5: Milani Single Eyeshadows

There are some good brands of drugstore eyshadow but Milani is probably the best because of it's awesome pigmentation and texture. You can find them at Walgreen's, some Targets, and at a few perfume shops in malls for around $4. Twelve colors are usually easy to find but there are some rare colors - like Almondine, Antique Gold and Taffy - that you won't be able to find in a store. Fortunately, Nonpareil Boutique has them all (24) while Cherry Culture doesn't.

The only color I have that I didn't like was Sheer Sand because if it's gritty, sandy texture. Maybe I just got a bad one.

MY PICK: Java Bean, a gorgeous warm brown that I use almost everyday.

Click here to see the 3 Milani shadows in my GoTo Palette

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#6: Studio Tools Medium Shadow Brush

This is the one brush you'll need if you're feeling a little lazy. You can pack on color onto your lid, line your lashlines, do your highlight and outer-v with this baby. If you hold the brush head vertically, you can blend and do your crease area or the area right above the crease. Hold the brush head horizontally for more precision and get shadow right into your crease. You'll find this brush at Target for only $2.49 and it's super soft. Get five of them!

Click here for my Studio Tools Brushes review

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#7: Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets

Are you getting shiny in the summer heat or are you like me and suffer from oily skin? These blue, flexible, plastic-like sheets sop up the oils on your face without smudging your makeup or adding excess powder, like some blotting sheets do. These are not papery and they don't make crunching noises when you use them. I usually fold them in half and put a piece of tissue or toilet paper behind them before blotting my face so I don't get sebum on my fingers. Price: $4.49 - $5.29

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#8: Dove go fresh Beauty Body Wash

I hate when body washes lose their lather after just washing the front part of my torso. Every shower gel that I've tried from a designer perfume line or from a drugstore brand just don't stay foamy. I still have to put a decent-sized glob on my loofah when using this, but the lather lasts for my whole body and leaves my skin feeling soft. This body wash comes in four different scents: Burst, Energize (has little beads), Refresh, and Cool Moisture. Price: $5 - $7

Another good thing about this is that it does not contain the evil Sodium LauRYL Sulfate, which is an ingredient that dries out your skin and hair. It does contain Sodium LauRETH Sulfate, but that is not as harsh as the other. Just remember that Lauryl ends in "l" like evil - that's how I always distinguished between the two.

I love Dove! Their shampoos, conditioners, and body bar are also great.

MY PICK: Burst, a fruity scent of nectarine and white ginger.

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#9: Garnier Fructis Anti-Frizz Serum

I have thick, wavy hair and I always use this after straightening or curling my hair to get rid of fly aways and frizzies. If you don't like strong, citrus scents then you'll hate this but I think it smells great. This is a lighter oil than Baby Oil, which some people use in their hair. Now, there is a trick when using this. Do not pump a full pump into your hand and glob it onto your hair because then you'll look greasy. Pump half a pump's worth and rub it between your hands. Then, apply this little by little starting from the ends of your hair and fingercomb it upwards until you get your desired results. It's also best to section off your hair when applying this oil. I don't apply this near the roots of my hair because it will weigh it down. Since my hair is so static-prone, I still need a bit of hairspray afterwards. Price: $4.79 - $6

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#10: Pure Ice Nail Polish

I've only seen Pure Ice at Walmart so I don't know if you can find them anywhere else. These polishes are only $2 each and they come in a wide range of colors and finishes that will please everyone's tastes.

I once bought two bad bottles where the formula was horrible, only because someone at the store played around with them and didn't screw on the tops tightly. I hate when people do that. So if you get a bad bottle, don't let that discourage you into trying another one.

MY PICK: I love all the colors! Their creme and shimmers are great but, beware of their chrome/metallic formula.

Twinkle, a beautiful orange-coral with gold shimmer, kind of like a deeper Nars Orgasm. (That sounds nasty)

Coral Reef, a lovely pink-coral with small flecks of silver glitter.

Click here for some of my Pure Ice swatches

UPDATE: I bought another one of Pure Ice's chrome/metallic colors because the first one I tried - First Time, a mint green - applied horribly and the color would slide off my nail; I thought I just got a bad bottle since all the other colors applied so well. But after trying out another one called Outrageous, a pretty pinkish-lilac chrome, the formula was the same. It slides off your nail the more you stroke it with the brush. But I found if I applied it thickly, and brushed it on very lightly with no more than 3 or 4 strokes, then I could work with it. You also have to let it dry well before applying another coat. They have some really pretty chrome/metallic colors but stay away from them because of the formula. What a shame since their cremes and shimmers are great!

Thank you for reading and commenting!

<3

NOTD: Hot Tamale

I promise I will never again cut my nails this short. LoL. I guess I got tired of trimming them every week since they grow fast but, never again.

This is Pure Ice Hot Tamale, a shimmery hot orange color that is now one of my favorites. It's perfect for summer. =)

Recent Random Buys

Heya! I've been offline for a little bit. It's good to take a break every now and then from the world of technology because I find myself catching up on a lot of other things. Sometimes, I get on my computer and end up staying on it for a couple hours more than I expected. I know it happens to you too! =)

Anyway, here's a little post about my recent haul - not a lot of makeup but that's good.

I love Pure Ice! You can't beat these $2 polishes at Walmart and check out their other colors here. Hot Tamale is an awesome hot orange color but it's not Halloween-ish. I'll do swatches in another post.

All That Glitters is a veluxe pearl shadow that is now one of my fave lid colors. The dupe for this is NYX Champagne. This is part of my "Go-To Palette", which I'll make a post on later.

The Semi-Annual Sale at Victoria's Secret is going on now and these were 75% off! Slice of Heaven ($3, Reg Price $12) is being discontinued, so if you like vanilla-scented sprays, go get this. The Beauty Rush lipglosses were $1.75 each, regular price is $7. They are both sheer but Tropicool has more pigmentation than the other; they're also scented and flavored. (I tried their new limited edition Pool Party Body Chiller Mist in Frostea and I need to go back and get it!)

Target & Walmart Haul


I've only been using the Biore cleanser for four days so I can't review it yet, but I love how it smells and the cooling effect is refreshing. And I absolutely LOVE SOFTLIPS! I'm collecting all the different ones now but Vanilla is my fave.

I didn't know they had these cellulose sponges at Tar-Jeh! I've been buying the ones from Everyday Minerals for $2 each and putting them in the microwave to sterilize them between uses, but the Studio Tools comes in a pack of 3 for $3.49. They're good to use with your face wash to scrub your pores or when removing facial masks, like Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask - love that stuff.


Orange flip-flops = house slippers. (It's a Filipino thing) =)

Don't know if I like Maybelline's Full 'n Soft mascara yet but I think it's growing on me. I also got a limited edition Vanilla and Peach Mango SoftLips duo pack.
Then, I picked up some brushes. I already own the Studio Tools Smudge Brush and I don't know why I never really looked at their other brushes.


My next post is going to be a review about the Studio Tools Brushes...

*~*Drugstore Nail Polish*~*

My recent drugstore nail polish haul includes brands I've never tried before: Sinful Colors, Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear, Milani, Pure Ice, Rimmel Lycra Wear 10 + Minerals, Rimmel 60 Seconds & NYC In a New York Color Minute.
Click the helpful links for more color selections. (Review for Rimmel Lycra Wear 10 in progress)


Shausha (SHAW-shuh?) by Sinful Colors is a duochrome color with an orchid base and bronze shimmer. It's around $1.99 at Walgreens. The formula is runny and I needed about 3 coats. The shimmer looks a little "grainy" but this color is unique and gorgeous! I had fun looking at this polish at all angles and in different lighting because it changes. I probably won't repurchase Sinful Colors though unless I really love the color. (2nd picture is in natural light & the 3rd is natural low light)

~Lime Lights (around $2 @ Target) is a very sheer minty, shimmery green. This is 4 coats but when the light hits it, you get a bright flash of color. Very good for layering over a dark color, like a purple. You'll get some interesting colors. (See swatch below)
~Golden Goddess is a shimmery butterscotch and I had problems with brushstrokes. I picked this up on sale at Walgreen's for $2.49 and I loved a lot of the other colors.
~Twinkle ($2 @ Walmart) is a super pretty coral with little flecks of golden glitter. Has a rough texture when dry and I only needed 2 coats. Small cubed-shaped bottles are my favorite type of packaging, like Carolyn New York.

Very Easter, huh? =) Click to enlarge.

Time for the neutrals...

~Milk Chocolate is a creme fawn brown with dusty pink undertones. It looks kind of blah indoors but with three coats, it gets darker and it's very office appropriate. Goes on easily and smoothly; it levels itself out. My favorite formula of all these swatches! Around $3.49 at drugstores.
~Princess Pink is a sheer creme light pink, perfect for that French mani. I had problems getting this color to come out evenly when I built it up to 4 coats. Around $3.49 at drugstores.
~SoHo is a very sheer pearly pink. These dry fast for a convenient manicure but they chip easily and don't last long. Four coats in the swatch and goes for $1.99 everywhere.
~Bryant Park is a shimmery antique gold. Two or three coats in the swatch.

*UPDATE*

Got some more for ya....

~White On is your basic white creme color. It goes on smoothly and it's very pigmented. Around $2 and 2 coats in the swatch.
~Pink Velvet is a gorgeous pink with a little bit of shimmer. Only $1.50 at Walmart and I was surprised at how well this went on; it's not sheer either. Two coats. I LOVE the little brush to paint my little toe nails with! Indeed, petite.
~Black Rage from Pure Ice is $2 at Walmart and this color is also very pigmented and smooth. I only used 1 thick coat in the swatch.

Here's my ATTEMPT at zebra nails but it came out more like a white tiger, huh? Bwahaha! I used a black Stripe Rite Paint from Sally Beauty Supply, which I hate because I can't get a nice point with the brush. But for animal print nails, I guess it works. Oh, and then my top coat messed up some of the black. *groan*


So that was the nail "eye candy" for the day! =)

I'd definitely repurchase:
Rimmel Lycra Wear 10 + Minerals
Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear
Pure Ice
Petites