Nail Polish Review: OPI's Diva of Geneva

some fall sparkle

This polish by OPI is a gorgeous red with deep purple hints, and micro sparkle. I feel like it is the sparkle-version of Essie's Bahama Mama, which is another fall favorite! 

OPI's Diva of Geneva, 2 coats, left in lamp light, right with flash, natural light is closer to right. 

Ciao for Now, M

Nail Polish Review: Essie's Stylenomics

Perfect Fall/Winter Dark Polish?

you be the judge!

So I picked up Essie's Stylenomics, part of their Fall 2012 collection, about two or three weeks ago and I didn't think the weather called for such a strong, dark color just yet. Then this weekend New York decided that winter had come early and now it is freezing... :( 

But! that means I'm busting out my fall-to-winter nail polishes, and Stylenomics is perfect for that. 

Color Profile: I'd say it is a green-blue with the lights off, it's pretty dark and in low lighting it looks black. If you like the black nail look, but aren't daring enough for OPI's Black Onyx, or you just want a little something special, this is the perfect dark nail polish that doesn't scream goth! It is extremely chic and I love it for this chilly fall. 

Essie's Stylenomics (Fall 2012), 2 coats, natural lighting 

Ciao for Now, M

Nails Polish Review: Revlon Colorstay in Velvet Rope

super cute for fall

very very trendy :)

I had been looking for a nice wine color for my nails that wasn't too plumy or too red because frankly, I am not a purple or red kind of girl :/ I like bright colors, pinks galore and neutrals, some metallics, but I can't imagine myself wearing a bright vampy red if it's not Halloween, I think it has to do with my skin's red undertones, I just feel like I'm playing dress up. 

Anyway- I was on the hunt for the perfect fall nail color and I happened upon the Revlon display. Now, I don't know if you've tried the Colorstay line of nail polishes from Revlon, but if you haven't you totally should! There isn't the best color selection, as in it is not as extensive as say Essie or OPI (what can you expect? it's still drugstore nail polish from a major cosmetics brand, they don't specialize in nails like other brands do!), but they have gorgeous colors nonetheless. The formula is great, one coat with their short, wide brushes and you have a fabulous, shiny nail. The formula is opaque and smooth, and I love how the brush is short so it feels like you have better control, although that is just my theory. 

To the pictures! 

And these are also on Pinterest so you should follow me/repin them/like them :)

I will be including more pictures in my next post...

Let's just say that this wasn't the only bottle of polish I bought for the fall :)

Ciao for Now, M

SEPTEMBER BIRCHBOX OPENING!

Finally...

in a turn of events the mail center at my school decided to work and I finally got all of my pending packages...

Did I not mention I'm in college? Whoops, guess I'll have to do some sort of "secret reveal" of like my life. But I am in New York and the fact that Birchbox is in New York and shipped out of New York and that it took almost 3 weeks for me to get this month's Birchbox is entirely my school's mail center's fault. ENTIRELY!!! 

Okay done with that... on to pictures, ramblings and excitement!!!

       

If you've never seen a Birchbox, it comes in a pink cardboard shipping box that says Birchbox in huge letters and when you open the box your actual Birchbox is the smaller cardboard box with the logo in pink. You lift the lid and the first thing you'll find is a little postcard describing the products inside and a little note on this month's theme and greetings from the Birchbox team.

This month's theme is based on Fall Fashion Week and so the Birchbox team put together a look book featuring this month's products :)

On to what I got this month!!

This is what my box looked like when I opened it, everything all packed away nice and neat (not for long!)

First thing is this Mighty Leaf Tea in Green Tea Tropical and Chamomile Citrus. Birchbox often includes a lifestyle item along with the beauty products for the month.

The second thing is this little vile of 21 Drops, in scent 09 Focus (I could use some!)

The packaging says that these drops can be used on your body or in bags and whenever you need a little aromatic pick me up

The third thing is this Vasanti Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator

I'll try and figure out what this does...

I love the little stuff that is secretly packaged with the signature Birchbox ribbons!

Oooh! Lookie what I found! A twistband hair tie (this is my third) in a lacey print! These are so great for tying up your hair while you sleep because they don't leave ponytail bumps. 

The Color Club nail polish is a mini size and I am obsessed with mini nail polish! I love that Birchbox is so good about giving amazing sized samples, I have two other mini polishes and a full sized essie polish that I got in my past Birchboxes! This color is called Status Update and it's a charcoal gray with blue tint. 

Samples of a full Nexxus line of Pro-Mend shampoo, conditioner and serum. I'll give you an update once I've used these.

AND THE BEST PART OF THE BIRCHBOX?! A $25 GIFT CARD TO MADEWELL?! 

I already know exactly what I will be purchasing :) SO EXCITED!!! 

and this is the calm after the storm!

Every month, (if the mail center gets it together) I will try to blog the opening of my Birchbox and then blog a review on the products included by the end of the month, so stay tuned for that, I've only got about a week to use all of these products in some respect...maybe I'll just make sure to review them before I get the next box...we'll see about all this scheduling stuff...

Sneak Peek: Monday's post is also a haul and it is pretty AND cute... :) someone out there will get the hint haha!

Ciao for Now, M

Beauty Review: OPI Nail Polish "Not Like The Movies"

OPI's "Not Like The Movies" Nail Polish

Galaxy Nails in a Bottle?

This summer's nail trends were amazing, from chevron nails and ombre nails to the ever elusive galaxy nails. Well, I am quite daring when it comes to nail trends and trying nail tutorials, but the galaxy nails just looked too hard and didn't interest me as much as other nails trends.
Well, I went to a Duane Reade (local New York drugstore, owned by Walgreens) the other day looking for light bulbs and I was actually in a newer renovated one where the beauty section is massive and looks like a department store! Of course, I found myself in front of the OPI display. It really made me feel like I was in a candy store! But this one bottle of nail polish drew me in with its holographic color and glitter, it looked stellar, pun intended.

OPI Nail Lacquer in "Not Like the Movies"

The classic OPI bottle, brush and formula included, this nail polish has a green, lavender and gray metallic color blend that makes it look out of this world. Different from the galaxy nail trend that uses navy or black bases, this polish also reminds me of Northern Lights (visible in the arctic). It changes colors depending on the angle you view it from, it has dainty silver glitter, and it's OPI so you know it is a great quality, what's not to love?

OPI's "Not Like the Movies" and accent nail in Essie's "No Place like Chrome"

Nothing. If you want galaxy nails without the struggle and work, go grab this nail polish from your local drugstore!


Ciao for Now, M