Autism Awareness with Sally Hansen Pacific Blue

Since April is Autism Awareness Month, my fellow Central Florida Beauty Bloggers have decided to dedicate this month's beauty link up to something blue (hmmm, could be a great theme if we ever do a wedding beauty link up, no?)

I've defaulted to nails again because, I've got a lot of blue nail polish and not a lot of blue makeup. It was a toss up, my go-to blue eyeliner bit or some fun polish. I thought this design was a bit more fun.

To show some support for autism awareness, I chose one of my favorite drugstore blue hues: Sally Hansen Pacific Blue. Just look at it, does it need much justification? I love a pretty cobalt blue. I've actually read somewhere that cobalt blue actually helps lift your mood. I don't know if it's true. I mean, I probably read it on the Internet somewhere. And who knows if it was scientific or how reliable the source was? But I liked it. So I'm repeating it (try not to come after me with pitchforks for that one). Plus, cobalt blue makes me happy, so there's that.

Seche Clear base coat, Sally Hansen Pacific Blue (2 coats), Seche Vite top coat

Aside from it's questionable ability to enhance your mood (OK, now it sounds like a drug -- do not ingest your nail polish, please), this polish is absolutely fantastic. First of all, it's less than $3. In fact, I'm pretty sure I paid less than $3 with tax included back in the day when I got it (about 3 years ago). 

Second, the formula is amazing. Completely opaque after one coat. Not too watery or too thick (Goldilocks' favorite porridge). And super easy to work with. No streaks. No globs or goop (and this is a 3 year old bottle might I remind you). If you didn't know it was a drugstore cheapie, you'd never guess it on your own. 

Accent nail: Zoya Blu (base color), Sally Hansen Pacific Blue + OPI Don't Know Beets Me as the marble colors

If you'd like to learn how to recreate your own marble nail art, check out this video from Young, Wild & Polished. It's the one I used to create this look.

An InLinkz Link-up

Drugstore Beauty | It List vol. 3

We're well into February now and it seems to me it's high time for a new edition of the Drugstore Beauty It List. If you're new to this series, I basically choose six drugstore beauty items that I've been loving and tell you about the. I try to post a new It List every month.

I try out a lot of new items all the time, and I don't always have time to review all of them. The It List is a great way for me to share some of my favorites with you, while giving you an abbreviated review. Whenever a full review is available for a product listed, I'll link to it.

Now let's take a gander at this month's favorites.

1. Garnier Clean+ Purifying Foam Cleanser ($5.99) / 2. Sally Hansen Nail Treatment Instant Cuticle Remover ($.499) / 3. Nivea Lip Care A Kiss of Care Color  ($4.99) / 4. L'Oreal Paris Elnett Extra Strong Hold Hairspray ($12.99) / 5. NYX Wonder Pencil ($4.50) / 6. Maybelline Dream Wonder Powder ($7.99)

Garnier Clean+ Purifying Foam Cleanser

If you have combination skin, it's time to rejoice. Garnier released a new line of skin cleansers and two of them are geared specifically for those of us with combination skin. The Purifying Foam Cleanser is meant to strike the delicate balance between deep cleaning oil annihilation and gentle moisturizing cleansing. Finally, we can have it all. Oil control without dehydrating your non-oily areas. I immediately noticed that my skin felt more balanced and produced less oil throughout the day. After a week, my skin was also noticeably softer. Read my full review for more details.  

Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover

This product is a god send. I think everyone needs a bottle of this in their home. Not only does it help you treat stubborn cuticles and improve your manicure game, it also helps dissolve stubborn calluses too. This little $5 bottle also lasts a long time. I've been using it for several years now, and I think I've only on my fourth bottle. I use it at least once a week too. So here's the deal, you apply the serum/gel along your cuticle. Wait about 30 seconds. Then push your cuticles back. The product dissolves the cuticle, which means a lot less trimming (I still go in and trim here and there, but it's quite minimal. And yes, I know, you're not supposed to. But I do). Read my review here. 

Nivea A Kiss of Care and Color (new item)

I'm a big fan of Nivea lip balms. They're always so buttery smooth and superbly moisturizing. They recently released a new line called A Kiss of Care and Color and it's been popular. I went to three stores before I got my hands on these. The were sold out everywhere. I purchased two of the four available and I love it. They give you the moisture you're used to from Nivea with a pretty sheer hint of color. The color is just enough to be noticeable and you can build it up (though it'll still be sheer).

Even better: The shade Sheer Berry is practically an exact color dupe for Clinique's Black Honey (which has a huge cult following). If I had to find a difference, Nivea's is just the slightest bit more red. But wearing them side by side, the difference is imperceptible. So go ahead and save about $10 and pat yourself on the back. 

L'Oreal Elnett Hairspray

This has been the only hairspray I've purchased since discovering it about 4 years ago (maybe longer?). I'm not a huge fan of crunchy, stiff hairspray hold and this was the first hairspray I came across that gave me hold while still being flexible. Best of all, it brushes right out, which is absolutely perfect for me since I don't like to wash my hair every day. I know some people don't like the strong perfume-like fragrance on this one. Fear not, they make an unscented version too.

NYX Wonder Pencil

This aptly-named little gem is a versatile little miracle. You can use it for so many different things. You can spot conceal (note: these run light so if you plan to conceal a blemish, try a shade darker than what you use, otherwise you'll highlight it), use it to highlight under your brow, inner corner, and even hide fine lines. Give your eyes a little lift. Line your lower water line when you didn't get enough sleep. You'll pay less than $4.50 and find yourself reaching for this little pencil more often than you'd expect. Check out my full review and video demonstration for how I like to use it.

Maybelline Dream Wonder Powder

This new powder contains 60% less talc, which means you can apply it over your makeup without over mattifying your skin. It feels light and silky smooth without the telltale chalky effect that tends to cling to imperfections. Available in 16 shades, you're likely to find one that works for you. A word to the wise: These run a little dark and they do deposit color. Choose one shade lighter than the color you normally get.

There you have it. Did any of your favorite products make it to the It List this month? Any favorites you'd recommend I check out? You might just see it mentioned in future postings. Comment below, let's discuss. 

Video: Products I've Used Up

I've been meaning to record this video for ages, as evidenced by the sheer number of items that I just let build up in my closet. Yes, I was basically hoarding trash in my closet. Not the stinky gross kind of trash, but empty bottles and containers of some of my favorite (and not so favorite) mostly beauty products.

At long last I've filmed and thankfully tossed the pile of products I was shamefully hiding. Some of the products in this video I've already reviewed, which means you can easily access more detailed information about them (other than whether or not I was a fan). I'll link those all for you below.

Items shown in the video (linked items will take you to my review of that product):

• Generic versions of Cetaphil cleanser - original formula and sensitive skin formula
• Yes to Grapefruit daily face scrub
• DDF brightening cleanser
• Thayer's alcohol-free rose petal witch hazel toner with aloe vera
• Sephora Triple Action Cleansing Water
• Nivea Sun-Kissed Radiant Skin gradual tanning daily moisturizer
• Sensodyne Pronamel gentle whitening toothpaste
• Sensodyne Repair & Protect toothpaste
• Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-chip top coat
• Pacifica Ruby Guava (that I accidentally called grapefruit in the review)
• Vaseline Spray & Go moisturizer
• St. Ives Naturally Indulgent Coconut Milk & Orchid Extract lotion
• Sephora Microsmooth Foundation
• Neutrogena Rainbath shower gel
• Pureology Essential Repair shampoo
• L'Oreal Ever Creme shampoo & conditioner
• It's a 10 Miracle Leave-in product
• Miracle 7 leave in with keratin (available at Sally's)
• Origins Clean Energy cleansing oil
• Origins A Perfect World BB cream
• Origins Starting Over (oil free)
• Neutrogena Clear Face Break-out free Liquid Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30
• Dermalogica Oil Free SPF 30 Matte

Are any of these products that you use regularly?

Manicure Monday: Sally Hansen Berry Juicy

I promised to show you this shade a few weeks back and today I'm delivering. You all know I'm a sucker for pink polish. And Sally Hansen's Xtreme Wear in Berry Juicy is a super pretty, delicate, creme baby pink.

OPI Nail Envy base coat, Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Berry Juicy (2 coats), Sally Hansen Insta-Dri top coat

This polish applies like most others from the Xtreme Wear line. Don't let the $2 price tag fool you, it's a great quality polish. Even with Berry Juicy's milky quality, this color goes on streak free even with the first coat. And it applies so opaquely that you may just be tempted to skip that second coat of polish (you know, if you're into that sort of thing).

I absolutely love the soft and gentle quality of this polish. To me, it's what OPI's It's a Girl might be if it were opaque instead of sheer. I love it so much I was rocking it on my tips and toes for a little while. And for those of you who know me, you know that matchy-matchy mani-pedis aren't really my style. That speaks volumes for my love of this polish color.

Berry Juicy is part of the most recent collection Sally Hansen released. I found it on an end-cap display at Target, not with the permanent collection in the nail polish isle.  Snatch them up while they last!

What do you think of Berry Juicy? Doesn't it look like a color you might find on a cupcake?

Manicure Monday: Breezy Blue

Sinful Colors base coat, Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Breezy Blue (2 coats), Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip top coat. Photo taken in natural sunlight.

It's a beautiful day down here in Floriday and since so many of you will be celebrating Memorial Day enjoying the lazy breeze of the beach, I thought Sally Hansen's Breezy Blue an appropriate manicure for today's post. I love the Xtreme Wear line -- great quality at an affordable price.

That's exactly what you'll get from Breezy Blue, a pale baby blue (bordering on white blue) in a shimmer finish that could fool you into thinking it's a creme. In fact, I thought it was a creme when I got it. The clear shimmer is iridescent, which gives the polish a pearl-like finish. You don't really see the shimmer, just the finish it casts on your manicure. It reminds me a bit of the inside of a shell, but without any of the pink or purple tones. It's really pretty and a great color for spring and summer. A little pastel for spring and breezy and laid back for summer. I love that it's delicate, while still feeling young and fresh.

The first coat was slightly see through, but the second coats rounds the color out. The polish's milkiness does cause some minor streaks, but a good glossy top coat will help mask that easily. I love the consistency of this polish. It's not too thick so it doesn't glop on and dries evenly.

 What do you think of Breezy Blue? Does it have the possibility to make it into your polish rotation?

Shopping Guide: Mother's Day Beauty Gift Ideas

1. Assorted nail polishes | 2. Origins Great Start Gift Set ($58) | 3. Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Cherry Blossom perfume ($29.95) | 4. Spa Treatments | 5. Clarisonic Mia ($119)

Mother's Day is around the corner. And sometimes finding the perfect gift for mom can be overwhelming. How can we show her how special she is to us with just one gift? The truth is, it's probably  not possible for one gift to show that much love and affection. But it is possible to make mom feel like the special lady she is.

With that in mind, I put together a few beauty-related ideas that might help you tackle the Mother's Day gift task and can fit various budgets.

1. A little polish, a lot of fun.. Help mom keep her tips and toes looking fresh with a little mani-pedi date. Mom will get the pampering she deserves, and you can give her a nice relaxing hour on a budget. Mani-pedis vary in price, depending on where you go, but you can find services at various price points. Just make sure the place you pick is hygienic and safe. Make her gift even more special with a little mother-daughter bonding. Go with her and get your tips and toes done too! Help her mani-pedi last by giving her a few of her favorite nail polish colors as part of her gift. You can find some great quality options at the drugstore.

2. The gift of beautiful skin.  If you're stumped for something new, consider replenishing some of her stand-by favorite skin care products. Lots of brands have great gift sets for Mother's Day, like the Great Starts value set by Origins shown above (includes Planstscripton anti-aging serum, eye cream, and Starting Over age-erasing moisturizer with mimosa for $58, a $98 value). You'll give her something she already loves and save her the trouble of having to get it herself. Or, you can always pick out something new to add to her skin care regimen. Think moisturizing masks, rosewater toners, or body oils. Just make sure they suit her skin type.

3. Fragrance: a tried and true stand by. Like skin care, fragrance can be a very personal experience. But if you know your mom well, then you'll probably be familiar with the scents she loves. Consider restocking her favorite perfume or finding a new option with similar notes to expand her horizons. My mom loves  Elizabeth Arden's Green Tea fragrance. With the new variations the brand recently released, she may just find a new (but somewhat familiar) fragrance in her future. Plus, since scents have a funny way of attaching themselves to memories, you're mom will always remember you when she smells her new perfume. And best of all, you can find great options without breaking the bank. For example, the new Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Cherry Blossom fragrance is only $30.

4. Well-deserved R&R. Mom does a lot for us, she deserves a little pampering. And a day of relaxation makes for a memorable gift. A gift certificate for a massage at a local spa, may be just what mom needs. If springing for a hot-stone massage is more than your wallet can muster, check out the rest of the spa menu. Neck and shoulder massages and facials might just carry a smaller price tag, while delivering similar relaxing results.

5. High-tech skincare. If you have a bigger budget and a beauty-loving mom, give her the gift of softer, younger-looking skin with a Clarisonic. This beauty gadget has a cult following for a reason and mom is sure to appreciate receiving it. She's gotta wash her face, right? You have a variety of options to give, starting with the Clarisonic Mia, which retails for $119. Plus, when you get it directly from Clarisonic, you can even have it engraved. If your mom already has a Clarisonic, set her up with a year's supply of replacement brushes. You can buy a 4-pack for $75 (it's like buy 3, get one free), and possibly even still have some money left over to take her out to get her nails done.

If none of these suggestions tickle your fancy, don't forget that Mother's Day is about showing mom some love and affection. You don't have to break the bank to make memories. Just make sure you spend some quality time with her and show her that you care.

Review: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat

I recently purchased the Sally Hansen Insta-Dry Anti-Chip top coat polish on a trip to Walgreens at the behest of my sister who swore that it worked just as good as the infamous Seche Vite top coat. She does nails, so I believed her. As soon as I saw this on the shelf, I grabbed it. I paid a whopping $5.99 for it. My guess is that if you find it at Target or Walmart, you may find yourself saving a little bit more. On my last trip to Target, I didn't see it. So maybe it hasn't made it there just yet, at least as of 4/2/13.

Regardless, I had to try this out and see if it could easily replace my Seche Vite polish. Here's what Sally Hansen tells you to expect from this product:

• 3 free - no DBP, toluene, or formaldehyde
• Dry any (emphasis theirs) nail color - 30 seconds to set
• No-chip shine up to 10 days
• What it is: A quick-dry, anti-chip top coat
• How it works: Exclusive acrylic polymer formula hardens and dries any nail color. Dry to the touch in just 30 seconds. Double UV filter formula helps protect nail color.
• The results: A chip-resistant manicure with superior shine that lasts.

How my experience translated:

• This top coat delivers amazing shine. Dare I say, I actually think my nails looked glossier than with Seche Vite. Yes, I know, gasp-worthy. And the shine could have easily outlasted my manicure.
• I was able to go about four days before I got a chip during the work week (Do my nails Sunday night, first chip on Thursday). I'd get about five days if I did my manicure on a Friday because I'm much more gentle on my nails over the weekend. I wasn't buying into the 10-day claim. That's just miraculous, especially since I'm not gentle with my nails. I type feverishly, attack them in boxing gloves, and don't wear gloves when I'm working with water. All of these things contribute to damaging your manicure because they cause your nail to bend, which then causes it to separate from your nail polish, resulting in chips. Still, four to five days is a good amount of time in my book. 
• I was surprised that the polish did dry super fast. But beware. We are again dealing with careful use of marketing semantics. The packaging doesn't say it will be completely dry in 30 seconds - that's just outrageous. It says it will be dry to the touch. How is that different? I'll tell you. After I finished placing the top coat on both hands, I gently touched the first hand I painted. It definitely felt dry to the touch. But, it did not feel like it was set. Too much pressure and I'd get a smudge. The polish beneath the top coat wasn't completely dry yet. So yes, its dry to the touch if you need to do something quick and gentle. Just don't go jamming your hand in your pocket if you don't want your polish to shift. It took about 3-5 minutes for everything to completely set.
• Not only did my nails look amazingly glossy,  they felt incredibly strong with this top coat on. Almost as hard as acrylics. My nail still had a little bend and give to them because, obviously they are natural, but they felt significantly and noticeably harder. 

The verdict: All in all, the finish and performance of this product is noteworthy, even if it doesn't totally measure up to the claims on the box. But let's be real. Did you really think a normal manicure would last as long as a gel mani? I didn't think so either. They'd put their entire gel line out of business with one top coat. 

Regardless, the shine is amazing, didn't fade away, and my manicure lasted as long as I can expect with my beloved Seche Vite (and China Glaze Fast Forward). It also dried almost as quickly. I have to give the edge to Seche Vite on dry time, since it tends to dry all layers together. It's not in the lead by much, since I also feel that Seche Vite and Fast Forward take longer than 60 seconds (their time claim) to completely set.  I normally wait about 5 minutes to be safe, but my Seche Vite is usually dry within 3-4 minutes.

If you want to save a few dollars, pick this gem up. It won't disappoint. And don't forget, there are often coupons in the newspaper that can give you some added savings. 

What do you think? Will you be trying this top coat out?

Shoe & Beauty Haul

I just wanted to share some of the little gems I found while shopping last week. I didn't make all these purchases in one sitting, except for the shoes. If you're curious to see what I picked up check out the video below. Also, leave me a comment if you want a review on any of the products mentioned.



Items mentioned:

Shoes:
Classiques Entier black ballet flats - $49.97
Sam Eldeman rose gold sandals - $39.95
Zigi Soho pewter smoking shoes - $36.97
Xhiliration ballet flats - $19.99

Beauty products:
Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer - $5.99 (plus $2 off coupon)
Rimmel Kate Moss lipsticks (#10, #11, #111) - reg. $5.79, purchased at 50% off (plus had $1 off coupons for each)
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip top coat - $5.99
L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black mascara - $5.84 (plus $1 off coupon)
L'Oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions mascara blackest black - $8.99 (plus $3 off coupon)


FTC disclaimer: None of the products in this video were given to me for the purpose of review or promotion. I purchased the products myself. 

Nail Files: Sally Hansen Crushed

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Crushed

My love affair with nail polishes this season continues. The color selection for polishes this season is simply irresistible. They are bright, bold, and beautiful and I'm powerless to resist. Lucky for me, the drugstore bargain brands are offering quite the impressive selection, so I'm not breaking the bank with this latest craze.

My newest acquisition is Sally Hansen's Xtreme Wear polish in Crushed. It's a great addition to my spring and summer collection. A gorgeous tangerine orange with a hint of a shimmery finish. The polish quality lives up to the Xtreme Wear standard. It glides on smoothly and evenly and boasts a lovely finish.

I wish it picked up in the photo better. For some reason any of my polishes with an orangey finish seem to come out more red than they are on camera. I tried different lighting too (flash, sunlight). The picture above is the closest to the true color, though I still think a bit on the red side. Regardless, I think it's a perfect color that will get a lot of mileage since it will transition easily from spring to summer. It's bright and refreshing. I love how it seems to instantly lighten my mood.

Best of all Xtreme Wear polish is only $2.04 at Target. A fun pick-me-up without a downer of a price tag.

Nail Files: Spring and summer nail polish

For those of you who follow my blog regularly, you've likely noticed a sudden increase in nail polish- related posts. I've been on a nail polish kick lately. Spring is in the air, and now that open-toed shoes are back in regular rotation, the need for polished nails has suddenly doubled. Seeing as I change my nail polish regularly, a gal needs options. Plus, it seems that everywhere I turn there are fabulous bright colors out there for me to discover. I can't seem to help myself lately, especially since I'm finding so many great colors at reasonable prices. 

One color that's been grabbing at my attention for weeks, every time I enter a drugstore has been Sally Hansen's Xtreme Wear in Mint Sorbet. I'd been resisting picking this one up because I kept thinking it might be too similar to China Glaze's For Audrey. But then I wore For Audrey and compared the two and realized it's not really the same at all. So I went for it. Mint Sorbet is a much lighter pale mint green. It kind of makes me think of mint chocolate chip ice cream, except if I indulge in this little treat it won't present itself on my hips. I love this color, though I think it looks better on my nails if they are shorter, and it may even be more of a toe nail polish for me than a finger nail polish. I think it will really pop against strappy sandals, espadrilles, and wedges in both dark and light colors. I'm a huge fan of the Xtreme Wear polish as you've likely gathered since I purchase colors from this line often. The pigmentation is great, the color applies smoothly, and the price is right. I pick these up at Target and Walmart for a mere $2.04, and have seen them at Walgreens for $2.99. Plus, I just clipped a coupon in last Sunday's paper for $0.50 off. 

Sally Hansen Mint Sorbet

Another fixation I seem to have lately is bright colors. I am certainly gravitating to colors that scream spring and summer, which is a huge departure from my normal affinity to dark, sultry colors. Specifically, I've been drawn to bright pinks, corals, and oranges. I haven't quite taken pictures of all my recent nail polish finds, but one of my favorites of late is Sinful Color's Thimbleberry. It's a gorgeous, bright coral-orange-pink-red (depending on the lighting you see it in). The photos I took don't do it justice, it's appearing redder than it really is on camera. It's a lot more of a bright orangey-red (leaning more to the orange side). When I go outside in the bright sun, it looks a lot less red and more like an orange-fushia. But when I took photos, even by the window, that didn't quite pick up. What I like so much about this color is how bright it is. It certainly does not go unnoticed, but it gets noticed because its so vibrant, not necessarily because it is obnoxiously loud. It's bright without being neon loud, and when I look at it I just automatically think of spending an afternoon poolside. It conjures up visions of beach balls, bright bikinis, beach towels, and summertime fun.  Perhaps best of all is that I've now discovered yet another brand of nail polish that I absolutely love. It is certainly not new to the market, but it recently dropped significantly in price. They used to sell Sinful Colors at the drugstore at a similar price point to China Glaze, OPI, and Essie, and now it retails for $1.99. The quality is fantastic; definitely professional grade. It has fabulous color pay off, the formula applies smoothly, isn't streaky, comes in an impressive array of colors, and boasts similar staying power to the brands with which it once shared a price point. I finally picked this brand up because I found a coupon for $1 off, which made it even more affordable. How great is that?

Sinful Colors Thimbleberry

Thimbleberry in sunlight

What nail polishes are you gravitating to this spring? Are you already stocking up on summer color too?

Nail Files: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish Grey Area

I guess you can tell from all my recent posts that I'm kind of on a nail polish kick. I was recently at Walmart with Mr. Girly Things because he needed to pick something up, and I wandered off to the beauty isles (as usual). I was looking to see if Walmart carried Wet 'n Wild (it didn't) because I've been wanting to get my hands on the new palettes that everyone has been raving about. Instead, I came face to face with Sally Hansen's Xtreme Wear nail polish in Grey Area. I stopped in my tracks. I've got a thing for greys, as I'm sure you've figured out since I've been rocking greys for a while (Sally Hansen's Cement, Zoya Kelly, just bought OPI for Sephora Urban Ballerina for Break a Leg Warmer, which I still haven't worn bc I keep buying new polishes) but most importantly, when I spotted it, I thought, "That looks a lot like Kelly." You see, what you can't see in my photo of Kelly, is that it's a gorgeous grey, but that it also has this pretty purple/blue undertone. It's definitely more on the grey side, but the undertone is unmistakable.

So, for those of you out there who haven't been able to snag yourself a bottle of Kelly (it seems to be continuously back ordered, plus, it's hard to find Zoya at retail locations), here is a pretty darn good dupe. Are you ready for the best part? It's less than $3, depending on where you buy it. I picked mine up for $2.04. I've seen Xtreme Wear shades at various drugstores for around $2.50.

It's pretty amazing how similar these two polishes are. Grey area has more of a purple undertone, while Kelly is a little more grey. But check them out, they are definitely in the same family.

 In the bottle they look a but different, but on your nails

they are incredibly close. 

Swatch on paper to give you a better idea . As you can see

Kelly is a bit more blue, while Grey Area is a bit more 

purple. If you like Kelly but can't find it, or just want to save

some cash, try out Grey Area -- both are beautiful grays.

As you can see from the first photo in this post, Grey Area comes out more grey on the nail than purple, just like Zoya comes out more grey than purpleish-blue. So, the undertones are similar, making the finish on the nail quite close. Here is a photo of me wearing Kelly, though the lighting isn't that great (I gotta remember to take another picture when I wear it).

Alright, so what do you all think? Will you be venturing to your nearest drugstore to pick up this dupe?

Nail Files: Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover Review

Does a DIY manicure sound like too much work to you? Do all the steps seem too daunting, like the soaking, filing, cuticle trimming, buffing -- all before you even get to do any polishing? Have you ever gotten a bit too enthusiastic with the cuticle grooming that you nicked yourself? (Ouch!) Or worse, had a manicurist nick your finger while trimming your cuticles? (Double ouch!) Are you completely against cuticle trimming altogether? To trim, or not to trim? I'd always heard that you shouldn't. But darn it, my cuticles grow fast and need to be controlled! So, I never really listened (shame on me, I know). I suffered my share of accidental cuts (mostly self inflicted) with the cuticle trimmer. It's generally my least favorite part of a manicure (that, and sitting around waiting for my nails to dry, I just can't sit still!). I mean, it's kind of gross. I'd sit at home with this little pile of icky skin on a napkin as I did my manicure. Ewwww! (Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about).

Enter a great product discovery. I have no idea how long its been on the market, but it's new to me: Sally Hansen's Instant Cuticle Remover ($4.79 at Target). This stuff is awesome! I heard about it while stalking watching some of my favorite YouTubers. I really want to give credit where credit is due, but I can't remember who pointed me to the product. All I know is that she said she'd heard of it from MissChievous, which peaked my interest since I'm subscribed to MissChievous and hadn't heard it (hmmm... must be more mindful of watching her vids). If she thought it was a good product, it must be. She has gorgeous nails! So, I picked one up, and I'm glad I did. By the way, here is a link to MissChievous using the Instant Cuticle Remover.

The instant cuticle remover gel almost sort of dissolves your cuticle. You apply it to your cuticles, let it sit for 30 seconds (the instructions say 15-60 seconds, I find 15 seconds is too little time), then use a cuticle pusher to, well, push your cuticle back. The gel dissolves the dry cuticle skin. It creates a bit of a mush (dissolved skin + cuticle gel), but it severely reduces the need for trim. I say severely reduces because it does not eliminate it altogether. You may have a corner here or there that you need to address with the cuticle trimmer/scissors/clipper, but it's very minor. I have used this product a few times now, and it seems that about half the time I need to go in with my cuticle clipper and get a little stray cuticle bit  (lest it become a hang nail). I really like it because I feel it's a great time saver. I can push my cuticle back and get rid of it all in one step, and can avoid any accidental cuts from not paying as close attention to what I'm doing as I should.

I would recommend this to anyone out there who is looking to cut costs by doing their own manicures. It's a definite must have for your at-home nail kit. The bottle contains 1 fl. oz. of product, which should last you a long time, since there is not need to douce your cuticles in it for it to work. So, for $5 you will be winning the battle against your cuticles and saving a bundle by doing your own manicures. Even if you don't forgo the nail salon altogether, you can go a little longer between visits by taking care of your own nails in between visits.

If you've used this product before, tell me about your experience with it.

Review: Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Sheerest Cream Blush

While shopping the CVS beauty clearance sale, I stumbled upon Sally Hansen's cream blush in Rosy. I'd been looking for a cream blush, and I figured the price on this shade ($3.75) was just right for me to test the brand out. Pardon the picture, as it's quite obvious I tested my blush out before I held the product photo shoot. I just couldn't wait.

Of the clearance colors this was the lightest one, however, they do make a shade that is lighter than this one, it's called Bloom. It's a paler pink, which I think may have worked a little better on my skin, since I'm impossibly pale right now. I'm still glad I got this shade, because the color is pretty easy to work with, as long as I'm not heavy handed. Below is a swatch of what the shade looks like if I just swab it on without blending. As you can see, the color is certainly pigmented and would be a bit too dark if I just swiped it on with my finger and didn't blend. I'm not sure I'd call this sheer at all. There is quite a lot of color pay off.

Now lets get to the review.

When I first tried this product out, I wasn't floored. The pigmentation was great, but the cream liner felt a little dry to me. Applied with the fingers, I found it a little tricky to blend out because it wasn't super creamy. The only other cream blushes I've used regularly have been Maybelline's Dream Mousse blushes, which are definitely a different consistency. I've also sampled MAC cream blushes (in the store). I found the Sally Hansen cream blush much drier than MAC. It's nothing like the Maybelline mousse, but I didn't really expect it to be.

That being said, I did figure out how to best use this blush so that it would apply and blend evenly, and it's quickly becoming my go-to blush. Rather than applying it with my finger, which picks up too much color for me, I use a stippling brush to apply it. This way, I can build up the color as I want, and it gives me a lovely rosy glow, appropriate, considering the hue's name. The stippling brush picks up less product and blends the it out beautifully. When I use this application method, the blush looks dewey and is definitely sheerer, making it look much more natural.

I really like the packaging for this blush. It's much better than the packaging for Maybelline's Dream Mousse blush, which is more of a deep pot. Sally Hansen's Natural Beauty cream blush, which by the way is from Carmindy's product line (you know, Carmindy from What Not to Wear) comes in a compact, which makes it much easier to use with both a brush or your fingers, as you prefer to use it. The plastic is also quite sturdy.

I like to wear the cream blush underneath powder blush to give my blush more lasting power throughout the day. I can't speak to the blush's lasting power all on its own. However, I find that blush tends to fade throughout the day and the best combination for me has been to combine a cream blush with a powder blush on top to set it in place. I don't like to have super bright cheeks, so this helps keep the flush going all day without having to over apply to counteract the effects of fading. That's just my two cents.

The Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Sheerest cream blushes retail for approximately $10.99 at CVS, which is just a tad pricey (though still cheaper than MAC). However, you can always use coupons to offset the price, or like me, wait until they are on sale, or better yet, clearance.

Have you tried this product before? What were your thoughts? Are there other drugstore cream blushes that you love? Please share, I'm always interested to try out new makeup!

Review: Sally Hansen Diamond 12-hour Lip Treatment

I recently picked up a Sally Hansen Diamond 12-hour lip treatment during one of my various CVS visits, where I found all the shades to be on sale. I decided I wanted to add the shade Princess to my lip product arsenal. I'm definitely glad I did. It's quickly become one of my go-to lip glosses. The color is absolutely lovely, a beautiful nude. Perfect for daytime or to pair with a fiercely dramatic eye at night.  Check out the swatch below.

Alright, so let's tell you a little about how this product performs. It goes on nicely, as the gloss is creamy and not overly thick, while still being substantial. And, as you can see in the photo above, it's also nicely pigmented. This is not a thin watery lipgloss that barely shows up on your lips. It delivers color and shine. 

The applicator is a brush tip applicator, just like MAC's Dazzle Glass glosses. I happen to like brush applicators because I like how they distribute product onto the lips. I'd also say the consistency is kind of similar to the Dazzle Glass. It is not, however, shimmery like the Dazzle Glasses (at least not this color, but I don't think it's supposed to be), or nearly as sticky. These go on smoothly, and are moisturizing, but they don't stay on long (a bit of a consequence to the less sticky consistency). I can't say I agree with the 12-hour moisturizing power that these claim. I haven't really tested that out thoroughly. Since I had to reapply the product, I can't really say how long the moisturizing effects lasted. It's easy to keep your lips moisturized if you keep applying said moisturizing product. Regardless, I like the product so much, I didn't really care whether or not the 12-hour claim was true. I purchased the gloss for the color and was sufficiently pleased with the pigmentation and consistency. A word to the wise, I have read that some of the lighter pink shades are not as pigmented. However, the darker shades are supposed to be true to the color you see in the tube, which I found to be the case with Princess. 

Not only do you get a nice smooth gloss, at an affordable price, but I also adore how this gloss smells. To me, it smells like cupcake batter. Every time I swipe it on my lips I have visions of sprinkle-y, yummy yellow cupcakes or Cold Stone cake batter ice cream. I think that's a nice vision to conjure up, and certainly not an offensive smell. However, you happen to prefer odorless lip products (and I know there are plenty of ladies out there that do), this is not the product for you.

Below is a picture of the Diamond lip treatment applicator. 

All in all, I'm really happy with this purchase, especially at the killer price I got it for (75% off!). I totally plan to go try to purchase another one (possibly another color, though I am positively giddy with Princess), especially now that I have a $1 off coupon. I would certainly recommend it to someone looking for a pretty lip gloss that is affordable, delivers color and shine, and moisturizes your lips (even if I can't say if it lasts 12 hours or not). Just one caveat, if you wear it, make sure to bring it with you, since you'll definitely need to reapply (but I think that's a given for any lip gloss). 

Have you tried Sally Hansen's Diamond 12-hour lip treatments? What did you think of them? 

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CVS Clearance Super Haul

A lot of you may already know all about this, but if you don't, visit your local CVS if you want to pick up some great beauty products at ridiculously low prices. I've also read over at Nouveau Cheap that Rite Aid has a lot of the same products on clearance as CVS. So if you don't have a CVS nearby or your CVS is out of anything, it might be worth a shot to visit your local Rite Aid. For a more thorough list of products on clearance at CVS (they will be on clearance while supplies last) visit this post on Nouveau Cheap, she updates the list as she sees more products or people write her to tell her what they've found. As you can imagine, she has a pretty thorough list going. 

You can save even more on these bargain basement prices if you bring in coupons. Every CVS I've visited has accepted mine, and I've gone to 4 different stores (two in Florida and two in South Carolina). But, I've also read that some stores won't take them. I guess it really depends on the stores in your area, but it's certainly worth trying. You could end up getting products for free if you do. Plus, if you have any Extra Bucks saved up you can cash them in and reap even more savings. 

Here are pictures of the products I picked up on my numerous CVS visits. I've listed the sale prices and will mention if I used a coupon below the pictures. I have swatches for some products, but not all just yet. This post is just going to be a haul post, but I plan to write reviews on as many of these products as I can. Click on the photos for a larger view. 

Also, I did not list include the Physician's Formula products I picked up on this post, since I wrote a separate post about those. So if you haven't seen that post and want to see what products I got, you can check it out here.

Blushes and Bronzers

Maybelline New York Blush (50% off)

Cost: $2.75

Revlon Mineral Bronzer (75% off)

Cost $3.49 

Revlon Beyond Natural Blush & Bronzer (75% off) - Pink Rose

Cost: $2.99

Sally Hansen Cream Blush (75% off) - Rose Rosy

Cost $2.25

Eyeshadow

L'Oreal HIP Eyeshadow Duos (75% off)

Colors: Cheeky, Charisma, Adventurous

Cost: $2.07

$2 off coupon available (I used a coupon on each one)

Final cost: $0.07 each

$1off coupons also available

I got my coupons from my Sunday newspapers

L'Oreal HIP swatches (with primer) left to right:

Cheeky, Charisma, Adventurous

Lip products

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick (50% off) - Plaza Pink

Cost: $4.25

Coupon: $2 off any lip product

Final cost: $2.25

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipgloss (50% off) - Hooked on Pink

Cost: $3.75

Coupon: $2 off any lipcolor

Final cost: $1.75

I got my coupons in the Sunday paper

Revlon Super Lustrous lipgloss (75% off)

Colors: Nude lustre & Pink afterglow

Cost: $2.12 

Note: The Sunday (1/17/11) paper had a $1 off coupon for any Revlon 

lip product.

I didn't use a coupon when I purchased these two lip glosses because I did not have one, but I plan to go see if there are any lip glosses left at either CVS or Rite Aid since I'd get them for so cheap. These glide on smoothly, give a pretty hint of color, and smell delicious (kind of vanilla-y and sweet).

Sally Hansen Diamond 12-hour Lip Treatment (75% off)

Color: Princess

Cost: $1.75

Note: Coupons.com has a $1 off Sally Hansen lip product coupon

Love this lip gloss/treatment. Glides on, has great color, and smells like cupcake batter. Mmmmm... With this only costly $1.75 on clearance, I plan to try to snatch up another color with my $1 off coupon. Plus, I have $0.89 in CVS extra bucks, which means one more of these babies will be free for me!

Lip product swatches (left to right):

Princess, pink plaza, hooked on pink, nude lustre, pink afterglow

Concealer

Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer (50% off)

Colors: Light & Light Medium

Cost: $3.69

Coupon: $1 off

Final cost: $2.69

Revlon Age Defying 

Concealer (75% off)

Color: Light medium

Cost: $2.45

Have any of you taken advantage of the massive clearance sale going on? What have you picked up? Do you plan to take advantage of the sale? If so, what are you hoping to find?