Now that Fall is quickly transitioning into Winter (at least where I live) I wanted to do a 'top five' post involving the polishes I've been wearing non stop since pretty well September 1st.
Jade is the new black, I saw..u saw..we saw..warsaw, Bahama mama, Smokin hot, Public relations
All five of these polishes are also my favorites because of the formulas - smooth, creamy, and pretty much opaque in only one coat (great for if you're in a rush).
Also a little disclaimer, the grey metallic China Glaze polish 'Public Relations' was from an autumn collection last year so it may not always be readily available depending on where you purchase your polishes (I get mine from Sally's Beauty Supply).
Let me know some of your favorite fall polishes have been in the comments!
Mother nature is actually cooperating, and we've finally received consecutive days of sunshine and temperatures above 5 degrees!! It finally feels like Spring is making a true appearance and has actually come to stay this time (thank goodness because cabin fever has been at an all time high lately).
In honor of the weather we've been having I decided to compile a little post of my top nail polish picks for this Spring. These colors are ones I have been/and plan to be wearing a lot over these next few months, and I hope seeing these colors will give you a little inspiration.
(beginning with the lightest shade, and working counter clockwise)
Revlon 'pale cashmere'
very light pale pinky nude
Revlon 'peach petal'
peachy toned pink
Essie 'fiji'
creamy soft pink
Essie 'lilacism'
cool, blue toned lilac
Sally Hansen 'lacey lilac'
warmer/brighter toned lilac purple
Essie 'play date'
the perfect 'radiant orchid' inspo mani shade
Essie 'bikini so teeny'
cornflower blue, very slight shimmer
Essie 'mint candy apple'
creamy blue toned mint
Essie 'turquoise & caicos'
tropical aqua blue green
Essie 'jazzy jubilant'
confetti glitter with hints of blue, green, purple, pink, silver
Let me know some of your favorite nail shades for spring! I hope you enjoyed this glimpse at my top choices for this season!
Throughout the month of March I surprisingly didn't do that much shopping at all, it was more a month of shopping my stash of makeup and using old favorites or things I just hadn't given much of a chance in the past.
First off, and probably least exciting, lip balm. This is actually one of my few small purchases of the month - EOS lip balm in summer fruit. Hello delish smell/taste! It mainly smells like peach to me so that is right up my ally, I'm obsessed!
Next off, concealer, and as you can see this is going to be an April (re)purchase - MAC Pro Long Wear Concealer in NW20. I think I may have a couple more makeup days in this before it completely refuses to produce product but holy moly I've been so glad I pulled this out of my drawers after many months of it being pushed aside. I now remember why I loved it so much!
This past month I gravitated toward much more pastel shades on my nails as spring (not so willingly) begins to appear here in my area of Canada. The two I used most through March were Mint Candy Apple and Spaghetti Strap. MCA is still currently on my toes and looks so fresh and lovely. Spaghetti Strap has been my go to "nude" nail lately as its sheer and natural looking but with a little more pink in it.
I feel I hardly have to mention this as its always a resounding favorite, but my MAC Melba blush rarely steers me wrong - pink, matte, effortless, and works with all eye looks.
Josie Maran Argan Oil has quickly become a staple in the face moisturizing routine. I got this sample size forever ago and finally decided it was time I tried it out after hearing so many good things about it. I have officially been converted! I never thought oil of any kind on my combo/oily skin would ever work well but it has transformed my skin! I combine a few drops of it with my usual Neutrogena moisturizer and apply morning and night. I will certainly be buying the full size once this runs out!
My favorite way to apply/buff my foundation this month has been with my Real Techniques buffing brush, it gives an amazing and flawless finish, and I love my foundation so much more when I use it. I plan to do a full review post very soon on RT brushes as they have become my new favorite brushes.
Last, but certainly not least, my Maybelline Illegal Length mascara. I have rarely used this on its own as it gives a little too much of a natural/minimal look, which is not what I typically strive for when doing my lashes. My love for this comes from layering it with other mascaras that are more voluminous so you achieve the best of both worlds - length AND volume!
Let me know if you would like a more in depth review on any of the products mentioned!
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In honor of my 50th Youtube video on my Adoramakeupbeauty channel, I decided to host a little giveaway involving some of my favorite drug store products - I thought doing this tag video would be very appropriate given the theme of the giveaway!
Questions:
1. What is your favorite drugstore makeup brand?
2. What are your favorite face, cheek and lip products?
3. Least favorite product?
4. What is the best makeup bargain?
5. What is your favorite underdog product? (Something you love that often gets overlooked?)
6. A drugstore product that is overpriced?
7. Show your best drugstore dupe(s)!!
8. Drugstore product that isn't worth the hype?
RULES:
1. You must be 18 years of age, or have parental consent!
2. You must be subscribed to me!
3. You must be following me on Twitter - https://twitter.com/adoramakeupb
4. You must comment on this video stating 3 of your favorite drug store products - Limit of one comment per day! Please do not spam or you will be disqualified.
5. International give away - open to all!
7. Contest will close Sunday November 18th at 12 PM EST!
I have always tried to have my blog and Youtube channel closely linked and involved with each other, that be said I am giving all my lovely blog readers the opportunity to enter this giveaway as well, just click on the video above (and don't forget to read the rules!)
The contest is still open for another week so you have tons of time to enter for a chance to win all the products I mention at the end of the video!
How could you possibly go wrong when sporting a color like this through the fall months?
I am in love! I had seen enough people rave about this color on blogs/Youtube so I finally caved and purchased it a few weeks back. I finally got around to putting it on my nails for the first time a few days ago and I cannot stop starring at my hands (don't you love when a good nail polish does that?).
As with most Essie polishes it applies perfectly with the need for only two coats. Personally if a polish takes more than two, I really can't be bothered to use it all that often.
It is the perfect mix of berry, wine and plum colors all mixed into one. I plan on rocking this nail look again this weekend as it is Thank Giving weekend for us Canadians. I think it will go nicely with the festivities and the beautiful fall colors that are popping up on every tree and shrub lately.
So as I have already mentioned, I gave birth to my twin girls on July 3rd, and needless to say, things have been pretty crazy around my household! But as I am getting into a better routine I am trying to get back into blogging and also filming for my Youtube channel.
That being said, I have a new monthly favorites video today!
A lot of people love these types of videos so I figured this would be the perfect place to start off!
Hope you all enjoy this and I will be back with many more blog posts and updates soon!
Gorgeous flowers from my garden - I didn't even plant these myself, they just popped up, the previous home owners unintentionally left me a lovely gift!
A fedora kind of day
NOTD - check out my latest post for more details - the blue is 'Bikini So Teeny' for the Essie Summer collection
34 weeks pregnant with twins - my weekly photo shoot as usual! I'm getting so close, I can't believe this experience is almost over and I will soon be able to hold my baby girls!
Sunny day snack outside - I have an addiction to watermelon and strawberries
NOTD - Faded floral nails (tutorial will be posted here on my blog, as well as a video tutorial on my Youtube!)
35 week bump - can't believe that in 3 weeks or less I will have TWO daughters, I'm so lucky!
Who remembers this book? It's such a classic children's book - my mom picked it up for the girls the other day. I'm also a huge fan of Robert Munsch (who isn't though?)
Colors used - (left to right) Essie Blanc, Cute as a Button, Bikini So Teeny and Tart Deco
You will need!
- A base coat and top coat (I used Revlon Colorstay base and top coat from their newest line of colorstay polishes)
- A white or light colored base
- Several colors of your choice (I used 3 light summery colors, but you could use more or less, and customize the colors to the time of year you are doing the tutorial!)
- A plate, or something to place your nail polishes on for mixing
- Paint brushes (you will need one for each color, including the white)
- Nail polish remover
1. Begin by applying your base coat. After allowing time for this to dry begin applying two coats of your light/white polish - you want a nice opaque result so your design will stand out.
2. Once you have allowed your white base to dry grab you plate and place a dot of each colored polish you have chosen on the plate, leaving room in between each as you will be diluting and working with each color.
3. Pour your nail polish remover (I just poured mine into the cap of the bottle)
4. Grab a paint brush (be sure not to mix the brushes into the different colors - use only one brush per color), and begin diluting the colored polish with the remover - you are looking to create the consistency of a stain. Just stick to doing this to one color at a time (dilute, then apply.. dilute, then apply.. etc)
5. You can then begin applying each diluted polish to your nails. Use a stamping motion to create flower shapes, remembering to leave room for the other colors you will be applying. Don't worry about making them perfect, I found the ones that looked least perfect were my favorites in the end.
6. Continue on with this same process for the rest of the colors you've chosen.
7. You then want to grab your white polish and make a dot on your plate, and then proceed to dilute it as you did the other colors.
8. Grabbing a clean brush, you will apply the white polish to the center of each of the flowers you've created. If it is diluted enough the polish should run slightly, which adds to the 'faded' effect.
9. Finally, wait for all the designs to dry well and then add a top coat to finish off the look.
If you would like to see the tutorial in action, click the video to watch my Youtube tutorial!
The finished look!
This look was inspired by thebeautydepartment.com - check them out for tons of great ideas! I am personally addicted to this site right now!
Hope you all enjoyed this look! Let me know if you would consider trying this look, or if you do, show me how it turned out!
I made a little trip out to grab some essentials, and as usual I ended up browsing around by the polishes. I noticed they finally had put out the newest Essie polishes from the summer collection 'Bikini So Teeny' - I couldn't help but pick up the polish that shares it's name with the collection itself.
I also finally got around to picking up 'Set in Stones' which is from the Luxeffect collection - it came out around or just after christmas this past year but it is still readily available in most places that sell Essie near by me.
'Set in Stones' & 'Bikini So Teeny'
I am in love with this blue, it is completely unlike anything else I have in my collection - it's a light blue/periwinkle with a slight hint of purple.
As for 'Set in Stones' am I extremely pleased that I finally did decide to purchase it - I had seen many blog posts and raves about it and I now understand why. It is by far the most incredible silver glitter I have ever owned. I think the various sizes of glitter is what makes this so impressive looking.
Both polishes only took two coats to gain the opaque results I was looking for.
I have my eye on a couple of other colors from the Essie Summer collection, including one in a fabulous mojito green.
Do you like the collection? If so, what colors specifically might you be picking up?
As usual I've compiled my assortment of most loved and used products from the past month to share with you all. These are my most favorite products of the month of May!
As always, if you see something that you would like a more in depth review of, please leave a comment and I would be more than happy to go into more detail for you!
Products Mentioned!
Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream (light/medium)
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser
Smashbox Camera Ready Concealer (3.0)
Mac Bare Study Paint Pot
Mac Melba Blush
Rimmel Scandaleyes Mascara
Maybelline Baby Lips (peach)
St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse
Revlon Colorstay Base/Top Coat
Essie "cute as a button"
Essie "fiji"
Personally I cannot wait for June to begin! Lots of exciting things are expected to come! I hope you all had a fantastic May. Let me know some of your monthly favorites in the comments!
Given my recent splurge on new polishes, I figured there was no better time to do a nail polish haul to show you all what I've recently added to my collection!
Polishes Mentioned!
Revlon Base and Top Coat
Revlon "Marmalade"
Revlon "Minted"
Revlon "Blue Lagoon"
Revlon "Sparkling"
Revlon "Radiant"
China Glaze "Flip Flop Fantasy"
Essie "Blanc"
Essie "Licorice"
Essie "Cute as a Button"
Essie "Watermelon"
Go ahead and click on the video to see the full haul as well as close ups and swatches of each polish. If you would like a more in depth review of any of the products mentioned, please let me know in the comments and I would be happy to do that for you!
I really wanted to do a post today, but had absolutely no clue what to write about, and my next swatches/review post is not quite ready to be finalized yet. So in light of these reason, and the fact that I think I've maybe done one questionnaire ever on my blog, I decided this would be perfect.
(Compliments of Amarixe - check out Allison's blog here)
1.) Mood: I've been in a lovely mood today, despite being woken at an unusually early hour this morning - it was thanks to a passing thunderstorm though, I love storms so it made for a relaxing way to enjoy my tea this morning.
2.) Did you do anything fun this weekend? I had a rather mellow weekend, my boyfriend and I just spent some time at the family cottage relaxing and soaking in the lovely weather we've been having here lately.
3.) What is the closest object to you that is pink? A bright neon pink tank of mine from H&M is hanging from the back of my dressing table chair (obviously I have some tidying to do).
4.) Current nail polish: I have quite a combo on my fingers right now, Essie 'cute as a button' plus Essie 'blanc' on my middle finger, I then have polka dots on top of the white polish (I will insert a picture so this makes more sense). And on my toes I'm rocking Essie 'fiji' (can you tell I love Essie?)
5.) If you could snap your fingers and be anywhere in the world right now, where would you go? I'd have to say anywhere my best friends are right now - so many of them live far away with various jobs and families of their own on the go, I would truly love to see them like old times.
6.) Current outfit: Floral H&M maxi dress, very simple and relaxed day - trying to combat how humid it is here today.
7.) What is the last movie you saw in theaters? It's been quite a while since I've been to a movie actually, last one I saw would have been The Hunger Games.
8.) If you could only be one age for the rest of your life, which would you choose, and why? I would have to say the age I am now, 23, is pretty great. I feel like I'm at a really great place, I'm finally comfortable in my own skin and far more confident in myself than I was even a year ago. Obviously hindsight is 20/20 so 10 years from now I will probably feel I have it even more together than I do now though.
9.) When is the last time you played on a swing set? Funnily enough it was about two weeks ago when I went to the park with one of my friends and her daughter - I firmly believe you are never too old for a good swing once in a while!
10.) Weekly goals: I have still many small things to get done before my pregnancy is over with, so hopefully I can tackle some of the final things on my list this week. I also want to get up a couple blog posts that I've been meaning to do, and of course film a few videos for my Youtube as well!
I hope everyone has a lovely final week of May! Can you even believe it's almost June?
Copy and paste the list to answer in a comment below!
1.) Mood: 2.) Did you do anything fun this weekend? 3.) What is the closest object to you that is pink? 4.) Current nail polish: 5.) If you could snap your fingers and be anywhere in the world right now, where would you go? 6.) Current outfit: 7.) What is the last movie you saw in theaters? 8.) If you could only be one age for the rest of your life, which would you choose, and why? 9.) When is the last time you played on a swing set? 10.) Weekly goals:
In the spirit of a new month beginning, and one step closer to it officially being summer, I picked up this little guy the other day. Let's just say I am in love.
When I picked this up it appeared much more of a creamy pink with a hint of coral to it - vibrant none the less. After applying two coats to my nails however I feel it came up much more coral than I first expected. This is not in any way a complaint however, as I love the result! It is the perfect kind of bright for me - it stands out without going too over the top.
As I said before I applied two coats and that seemed to suffice perfectly as it has (as many Essie polishes do) a very opaque quality - this is one of many reasons why I am such an Essie lover.
