My Very First Orlys and NOTD!

Hello gals!
Hope you're having a great Thursday ;)


These are my very first Orly polishes that arrived yesterday!
I have used one Orly product in the past, the Orly Bonder, but I ended up passing that one along since it stained my nails yellow, and I don't particularly care for that look.. ;)
I bought these from an eBay seller. They are all minis, containing 0.18oz/5,4ml each.

L-R: Hottie, Lola, Berry Sweet, Limelite & Grape Glitz

....which leads us to todays nail, which is Lola!

This shade is from the Hot Stuff Collection. Orly describes this as a neon pink, I strongly disagree. To me, this resembles a hot, bright coral-y pink cream shade; I fell in love with this instantly! Mostly because of the lovely color, but also due to the formula. This was like painting on melted butter, application was that smooth! Also, it's very glossy and the coverage is great; it was opaque after two coats, but true to my habits I had to do a third just because... :)

Full on sun...

Slightly different angle...

Shade...

What do you think of Orly polishes? Do you have any favorite shades? Do you like this one?

Tonight is Walpurgis Night here in Sweden!

Walpurgis on April 30 is a widely celebrated special event in Scandinavia, most of all in Sweden.
Walpurgis Night precedes Labour Day on May 1 and many Walpurgis events continue over night from April 30 into that holiday.
The forms of celebration in Sweden vary in different parts of the country and between different cities. One of the main traditions is to light large bonfires, a custom which began during the 18th century. Lighting the popular bonfires began with the purpose of keeping away evil spirits, especially demons and witches. Nowadays, Walpurgis Night is usually seen as a celebration of springtime.
Many Swedes now celebrate the end of long, dreary winters by singing Spring songs. These songs were spread by the students' spring festivities and Walpurgis Night celebrations are especially common in university towns. Walpurgis celebrations are not a family occasion, but rather a public event. Once the fire dies, many people move on to pubs and restaurants or to friends’ parties.
Walpurgis being celebrated on April 30 creates a double national holiday in Sweden. On this day, King Carl XVI Gustaf celebrates his birthday. So you'll see Swedish flags all around the country to salute the King ;)





May Day/Labor Day (May 1st) follows Walpurgis Night celebrations with a wide choice of events, parades and festivities. Some mark this traditional workers’ day of leave by joining one or other of the May Day demonstrations that parade through the streets of their town or village, beneath banners carrying slogans of a political, classical or more topical nature.
The weather is going to be warm and sunny, yay! ;)
I'm not one of those going out in the streets demonstrating, though. I'll be going out in the garden instead... ;)

Until next time;

xoxo

Off Topic: Jeff Dunham Rocks!!

OK, so I'm sure a lot of you has seen this guy already, but for those of you who aren't familiar with belly talker Jeff Dunham, I thought I'd present him to you!
This guy is really something extra; the boyfriend and I were watching his show On Comedy Central (TV-channel) the other night, and I laughed so much I almost wet my pants ;) Seriously! Just my type of humor... ;)

Enjoy!!





Hey, Nixxy, if you're reading this; how's this guy qualifying for MWCILTRMND? (And I don't mean Achmed, I better state that clearly, or else knowing you I can sense what's coming...) #:D

EDIT::: For those of you who don't quite follow this MWCILTRMND "talk" and are curious to find out more; check out the eminent Nixxy's MWCILTRMND's posts here and here!

Til next time; take care ;)

xoxo

Mini MAC Haul

Hi you!

It seems like forever that I've wanted to get my hands on a sample of the long ago discontinued MAC pigment Lily White, so I was ecstatic (well, almost anyway ;)) when finally finding it online! I also bought this mini lipglass which is called Moonstone, I thought it looked really pretty as well. When the package showed up, I sure wasn't disappointed ;) I really enjoy them both.
Lily White is everything I hoped it would be; it's a shimmery neutral color; pinky peachy golden. Not very unusual, but I love it still ;) It's a great highlighter and lid color; perfect for use on the inner half lid to brighten up any look! Kind of frosty, though, so I wouldn't want to over apply it. Moonstone resembles a warm pink with pearl shade.
Since I am a true lipstick gal, I'm still in the process of getting used to wearing lip glosses. I still like the color payoff and staying power of lipsticks more, but I'm slowly adjusting to glosses as well ;)

Lily White to the left, Moonstone to the right (as if that isn't obvious ;))

That's all I have for you right now; see ya!

xoxo

NOTD: Sinful Forget Now

Hey all; how's Wednesday going? ;)

Today's NOTD is Sinful Colors Forget Now.
This little gem is very similar to the China Glaze glass-flecked polishes, for instance the "Summer Days" collection, which I personally ♥ l-o-v-e ♥ ! Forget Now is a hot fuchsia with pink and blue shimmer, very pretty! My camera didn't cooperate well enough to fully capture the sparkles and "glass flecks", but I hope you can still get a good idea of this one ;)
The swatches below are 3 coats, and it applied without giving me any trouble at all ;)

Direct sunlight...

Shade...

I truly love this; this is a great alternative, or compliment, to the China Glaze Summer Days polishes, since the effect is very similar. If you're looking for a polish with the same finish, I think you'd love this! ;)

How do you like this one?

See you very soon ;)

xoxo

The Lipstick Effect

Good morning/afternoon/evening depending on where you are, dear reader!

So, lipstick sales rise when economies sink!
This subject was even on the Swedish television news the other day...
It's great that we, the beauty product junkies galores, are contributing to uphold at least a little portion of the world economy, right? ;)

Have fun reading...

Lipstick Sales Rise When Economies Sink

Optimistic pinks, calming lavenders hot for spring

By Jennifer Fong, Edmonton Journal

Stock portfolios aren't the only things going into the red--so are our lips.

Analysts and economists glibly call it the "leading lipstick indicator," or the "lipstick effect": When everyone else is begging for bailouts, they've noticed, cosmetic companies see sales soar.

"It's something that people certainly talk about," says Kyle Murray, director of the University of Alberta's School of Retailing.

"I think it reflects that people reward themselves with smaller purchases in response to tough economic times."

According to the New York Times, the term was coined by Estee Lauder chairman Leonard Lauder when he saw his lipstick sales skyrocket in the downturn after Sept. 11.

"People have a hard time changing their spending habits,"Murray explains. "An easy way to spend less but not stop buying is to buy smaller items, less expensive items, smaller indulgences--so buying a latte at Starbucks or new lipstick, rather than spending money on a new watch."

For women looking for a cheap pick-me-up going into spring, cosmetic companies appear to be turning toward bright, optimistic pinks and calming lavenders, says Amy Fralick, Sephora specialist at West Edmonton Mall.

"It's more of a younger (woman) that's going for the brighter colours," Fralick says, while more mature women tend to stick to neutrals and soft pinks. "But hey," she adds, "some mature women can pull it off for sure."

Estee Lauder's new Fuchsia Now collection was inspired by berry shades seen recently on fashion runways, says Estee Lauder global makeup stylist Rick DiCecca, but vibrant palettes have always been popular for ushering in spring.

"People are in an upbeat mood, there's a feeling of optimism and people want to play," DiCecca says. "It's easier for people to wear brighter shades when the mood is optimistic and you get to be outside and not bundled up in that Arctic cold."

Of course, bold fuchsias and purples are not for everyone. Nudes and neutrals are still popular daytime shades, says Fralick, while bright reds continue to fire things up at night.

"Red has always been in," notes Fralick, "I just see a younger clientele try for red, which wasn't happening before."

These days, says the industry veteran, red is "just making a big comeback."

Fralick thinks the trend has a lot to do with celebrities successfully rocking red on red carpets.

"Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera --they're young and they pull it off quite well," she says. "It's a very classy, movie-star kind of look."

"You want to feel good and you want to look good when the economy is going down the tube. You still want to feel good about yourself," Fralick says.

"A lipstick is something that's more affordable and it can brighten up your look and you don't have to spend that much money."

How To Pull Off Wearing Pink

Fuchsia lipstick, says Estee Lauder global makeup stylist Rick DiCecca, is not for wallflowers.

"Wearing a brighter tone is a statement," he says. "You get noticed more."

With all eyes on you, it might be a good idea to do it right. Here are DiCecca's top tips for thinking pink: - Your lipstick is the kicker. Keep the rest of your look soft and feminine, says DiCecca, to draw attention to your pucker. A light dusting of rose on the apples of your cheeks is all it takes to make your skin glow. "It brightens up anybody's face," he says. - Balance your eyes with your lips. You can still do a smoky eye, but don't go too dark. "You don't want to do a heavy, dramatic eye. You want to do a softly defined eye to make the drama about your lips and not about your face." - Take care of your skin. "Any time you're wearing a brighter colour, make sure your skin is well-balanced," says DiCecca. "Nothing's going to look good . . . if you haven't taken the proper steps."Clean, tone and moisturize before applying makeup.

--Edmonton Journal

I hope you found this article as interesting to read as I did ;)

Til next time, love and beauty to you!

xoxo

Information source: Canwest News Service; www.canada.com

Bronze-y Tuesday EOTD

Good day everyone! I hope your week has started out well ;)
Mine has; it's warm and sunny, and therefore I'm doing my best not to spend too much time on the Internet right now, hence not very many post these last days ;)
It's wonderful to be able to spend most of the days in the garden with the little one and the dogs, now when the weather finally allows for it ;)

So today I did a bronzey look using Dreamworld Minerals and Cory Cosmetics for the eyes...

Shade descriptions:

* Goll - Deep dark brown with copper
* Antarctica - sweet cream at first glance, but has a very light green iridescence. Or is that blue...?
* Jasper - darkened mid brown shade with muted bronze and red undertones
* Rift - sparkly mid bronze and copper color with lime undertones

Eyes:
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Dreamworld Minerals Goll - all over eyelid up to brow bone
Dreamworld Minerals Antarctica - inner part of lid, on brow bone and close to tear duct
Cory Cosmetics Rift - outer v and crease
Cory Cosmetics Jasper - lower lash line
MAC Fluidline in Nightfish - upper lash line
Maybelline Colossal Mascara in black


Face:
Earthen Glow Minerals Cover Me Foundation in Paris
Dreamworld Minerals Ghostly Glo Illuminating Glow Powder

Cheeks:
Earthen Glow Minerals Peaches Copper blush
Earthen Glow Minerals Bronzing Powder in Early Summer

Lips:
NYX Slim Lipliner in Nectar
NYX Black Label Lipstick in Summer Love
NYX Lipgloss with Megashine in Frosteed Beige (it's not a typo; it actually says "frosteed" on the label....

For some reason which I can't think of, I totally forgot to include Jasper in the pics; sorry...

I'm actually quite happy with how this look turned out; I adore Dreamworld and Cory; their pigments are so pigmented and easy to work with, big thumbs up ;) (sound like an advertiser, I swear I'm not :))

So; what's your take on this look?

That's all for now; take care & I hope to see you soon ;)

xoxo

OPI 2009 To Be Discontinued Shades

Good afternoon everyone!

Just a quick FYI, as I think many of you would like to know ;)

Below is a list of the unlucky shades that OPI has chosen to discontinue in 2009:

A DOZEN ROSAS

A TRUE AB-ORIGINAL

CARA MIA CRIMSON

CATHERINE THE GRAPE

CHARMED BY A SNAKE

DANCING IN THE ISLES

DON'T MELBOURNE THE TOAST

DON'T SOCRA-TEASE ME

DRESS TO EMPRESS

GET ME TO THE TAJ ON TIME

GRAND CENTRAL CARNATION

HOODOO VOODOO?!

IT'S A DOOZI, SAYS SUZI

KREME DE LA KREMLIN

MAUVE-LOUS MEMORIES

MOST HONORABLE RED

NANTUCKET MIST

OH...TO BE 25 AGAIN!

OPI POR FAVOR

RUBLE FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

SKINNY DIP'N IN LAKE MICHG'N

SONORA SUNSET

YOUR VILLA OR MINE?

I DO! I DO!

JUST TEA-SING!

MOD HATTER

MY DADDY'S THE KING!

NO BEES PLEASE

ROOM SERVICE

ROSE PETALS

SHE'S GOLDEN

SWEETIE PIE

YOUR ROYAL SHYNESS

CALL MY CELL-ERY

GOIN' APE-RICOT!

GOLDEN RULES!

HEY! GET IN LIME!

I ONLY DRINK CHAMPAGNE

NICOLE ALERT!

SNAP 'EM UP WHILE YOU CAN!! :)

The She Space April Limited Edition

Happy Friday!
Just though I'd share the latest TSS news... I love being an enabler :)
Many gorgeous looking shades there, ahh; bummer I am on a no-buy...!

From The She Space website:





















April 2009 Limited Edition
A tribute to Rodarte and the ART of One Little Dress

Do you think that it's possible for one or two little dresses from the Fall 2009 Rodarte Collection to actually inspire an entire color palette? Absolutely! I fell in love with the dresses and boots first, and then I knew that I had to build a collection around both of these looks! Spring needs to be lightweight and breezy...but I get tired of seeing the same Sorbet inspired colors everywhere I look....so for the woman who likes to mix it up a little....and step up the color game...this 30 piece collection is for you! Many of the colors are sheer and wispy, but certainly not to much that you cant SEE the pigment! So, this Spring as we finally put away the parkas and get ready to some out of hibernation I encourage you to LIVE IT UP IN COLOR!!! Special thanks to Rodarte for putting together one HECK of a fabulous collection!!!

One Little Dress will be available for roughly six weeks or while supplies last!


http://www.theshespace.com/aprillimitededition.html


Happy shopping :)

xoxo

More KONAD - Continued Practice Needed...

How are we doing today? ;)

I wanted to show you my mini Konad haul that arrived the other day. Let me tell you I am going to practice like a maniac to get the hang of this, I have such a loooong way to go ;) But, I think when finally mastering the technique it'll be all worth it because it is so pretty!
This Konading is far trickier than I initially thought it would be; either I get parts missing from the motif, or the stamp won't pick the motif up at all, or I scrape to hard, or....you get the idea ;)
I'm going to read Brooke's fab Konad tutorial for newbies (check it out if you haven't already) over and over and not give up until I get the hang of it!


This was in the mini-haul parcel...

I just adore the little seahorse! Cutie :)
And the dolphin; I am very fascinated by dolphins, I think they are wonderful, beautiful, intelligent creatures :)

I also got a nail polish clean up pen, for those unsightly little mistakes...

Off to practice; see ya... :)

xoxo

TOTD - OPI It's All Greek To Me

Hope all is well with everyone :)

I really cannot (CANNOT) believe that I'm about to show my feet for the world to see! But, nonetheless; I am. I've kept the pictures small, though, no close ups here ;)
I am wearing OPI It's All Greek To Me, which I personally think is a great toe color, especially for summer; bright and vivid fuchsia :)

What do you think?







Have a nice day/evening ;)

xoxo

Natural/Neutral EOTD

Today I opted for a natural look, using mostly The She Space pigments for the eyes...


Shade descriptions:

• Dark Mystery - Very dark purple color matte eye shadow
• Fist Class Con - Nude bisque pearl
  
• Marshmallow Mist - Twinkling golden pearl
• Stars Say Yes - Simmering tree bark plum glimmer
  
  
  Eyes:
  Urban Decay Primer Potion
  The She Space First Class Con - all over eyelid up to brow bone
  The She Space Marshmallow Mist - on browbone and close to tear duct
  The She Space Stars Say Yes - outer 1/3 of lid
  Jenulence Dark Mystery - outer v and crease
  MAC Fluidline in Nightfish - upper lash line
  Maybelline Colossal Mascara in black
  
  
  Face:
  Earthen Glow Minerals Cover Me Foundation in Cara
  Earthen Glow Minerals Translucent Soft Focus finishing powder
  
  Cheeks:
  Earthen Glow Minerals Peaches Copper blush
  Earthen Glow Minerals Bronzing Powder in Early Summer
  
  Lips:
  NYX Slim Lipliner in Nectar
  NYX Black Label Lipstick in Satin
  

I think the outcome is just so-so; sort of bland...sort of meh... ;)
Perhaps those colors are a little to warm for my coloring; and therefore make me look a little washed out...?

What do you all think?

See you very soon ;)

xoxo

NOTD: NYX Wild

Hey all; how's Tuesday treating you? ;)

Today's NOTD is NYX Wild. I'm not even sure how to describe this color, but to me it resembles a muted, dusty dark blue/green with a strong golden interference.
Consistency is kind of runny, which usually means you're dealing with a sheer polish, and boy, this was sheer indeed. The swatches below are f-i-v-e (5) coats! That's how many it took to achieve bottle color and cover that dreaded VNL. Although I kind of like the shade (very unique), I doubt I will reach for this one very often; I don't have that much patience ;)

Direct sunlight...

Partial sunlight...

Shade...

Jeez; I really hope the rest of the NYX polishes from my recent haul aren't as sheer as this one...!

How do you find this one?

Hope to see you soon ;)

xoxo

MAC Double dazzle - April / May

MAC Double dazzle
Release date: 30 April 2009 (US/Canada), May 2009 (International)

Dazzleglasses: $18.00USD/$21.50CDN

Goldyrocks - Sheer soft yellow with pink and gold pearl (LE)
Smile - Light coral with pink and gold pearl
Extra Amps - Sheer bright blue pink with blue and pink pearl
Moth to a Flame - Sheer neutral beige with violet pearl
Girl's Delight - Sheer mid-tone tan with gold pearl
Sugarrimmed - Milky pale pink with red, teal and white pearl
Steppin’ Out - Clean yellow pink with red pearl
Utterly Posh - Mid-tone orange with pink and gold pearl (LE)
Love Alert - Raspberry red with red pearl
Date Night - Deep plum with blue and gold pearl
Funtabulous - Purple with violet pearl
Like Venus - Clean light bubble gum pink with red pearl
Stop! Look! - Sheer violet mauve with blue and pink pearl (LE)
Money Honey - Mid-tone rosy mauve with red pearl
Rags to Riches - Plummy pink with teal and red pearl
Baby Sparks - Pale pink with violet pearl
Bare Necessity - Caramel apricot with red and gold pearl
Get Rich Quick Warm yellow brown

Dazzle Lash Mascara: $12.00USD / $14.00CDN

Star - Brunette Brown
Black Dazzle - Black

The dazzleglasses are most likely to become permanent; yay :) They are more glittery than the original lipglasses.

Any lemmings?

xoxo

Information and photo courtesy: www.specktra.net

The Body Shop Hot Brights Summer Collection

These are The Body Shop "Hot Brights" Summer collection promo shots! Seeing these pics really makes me want to run around in flip flops or sip an "umbrella drink"!

There's not much info around for the collection yet but it seems like the theme is "duos" in purple, blue or bronze. Two blush/highlighters, two eye shadows (in blue or purple tones) and two eyeliners (also blue or purple).
Additionally; there are two "Hot Brights Lips and Cheeks Duo", which seems to be a gloss and a stain (01 -Rose Sunrise and 02 - Coral Sand).











I'm not a regular TBS customer; in fact I don't own one single TBS item... I've just never found something that wows me, or stands out that I haven't already found in other companies. This collection looks somewhat intriguing; I doubt I'll pick anything up from it, though ;)

Do you like the Body Shop? What do you think of this collection?

NOTD: Zoya Annie

Hope everyone is having a great Saturday :)

This is Zoya Annie, which to me resembles a medium tangerine/orange metallic shade with a very subtle silver shimmer. In the bottle it has a slight green opalescence to it, which isn't visible on the nails though. I'm not sure this is a very work appropriate shade, but it's definitely a great choice for a summer mani :)

The swatches are three coats, very smooth application.

Direct sunlight...

Shade...

I like this one, although it's the most orange that I will go, any "orangier" than this and my fingers look corpsish...
What do you think of this one?

xoxo