Nail Rock 3D Manicure with Caviar Spheres

Today I did something absolutely unheard of in my world.

 I gave myself a manicure. 

I cannot express how absolutely painful manicures are for me. And boring. I don't even like writing about nails and polishes. Out of the over 160 post on this blog, this is the 2nd one about nails. 

I used to get my nails manicured every Friday, without question. Now, if I get two manicures a year, that is a lot. I still get my pedicures, religiously every other week, however I have become soooo impatient with manicures. I can't stand waiting for it to be done and waiting for it to dry is pure torture. You may as well lock me up and throw away the key because that's what it feels like, like it's never going to end. Ok maybe I'm being a bit dramatic but you get the picture. If I am going to treat myself to a mani, I always go to a professional because quite honestly, I suck at them. I am sloppy when it comes to nails. I keep them short and squarish. I do manage to file them and keep them neat but that's the extent of it.

So imagine my excitement when I received, in this month's Birchbox, a nail art kit called Nail Rock, the hottest new 3D manicure. So what is Nail Rock? Nail Rock is a silver nail polish that comes with these teeny, tiny pearlescent sheres (the caviar) that you dip your nail into while it is wet to create this 3D effect. I decided to try it because why not. I have to say, I was surprised that I did it without painting my whole apartment silver and it looks pretty ok. It does look much better in person, pictures pick up every damn thing you don't want them to. I also used Sally Hanson Double Duty Top/Bottom coat.

 Still in the packaging.

Out of the packaging with some fancy effects.

One coat of Sally Hansen Double Duty.

Two coats of nail polish.

The caviar spheres. These things are miniscule and I am already envisioning them all over my bed when I go to sleep.

 

Dip your finger in the spheres:

Voila'! I only did one finger on each hand because I couldn't imagine having these on every finger. I did the boring old played out doing your ring finger different than the rest on my left hand.

Then I got all rebellious and did my pinky on my right hand!

                                                     Giving you the finger(s)!

I wanted to get a shot in the sunlight so you can see how shiny it looks.

So bottom line, it was easier than I expected. I can't see these spheres lasting through many hand washings. 

I would probably do it again for a special occasion and when I was feeling calm and patient. This reminded me of a friends wedding party that I was a part of. We went and got mani/pedis the day before the wedding and I got my toes done in this delicious corally, pink color and the woman put shiny, see through spheres on my toes and they were shining like pink diamonds and disco balls. They were gorgeous. 

 You could probably use this with different nail polishes. I think this would look cool with a black, matte mani and these pretty silver caviar balls. The silver nail polish has a gritty appearance although it doesn't feel gritty. I feel like this will wear off quickly. I'll let you know. 

 The irony of all this is I was planning on getting a manicure this coming week because I have a business function coming up, so now I will have two mani's in a week! I hope I survive!

 If you are interested in purchasing Nail Rock:

Birchbox

You can also purchase Nail Rock at Charlotte Russe or Urban Outfitters. You can purchase Sally Hansen at all major drugstores and super markets. 

UPDATE:

Just as I suspected, this 3D Nail Rock is going to be a single use experience. It took around 3 hours and 1 hair washing before there was only one lonely sphere left on my pinky. My ring finger is holding on pretty nicely but I do believe the best bet for these is to plan on wearing them for one night only. And make sure to apply after you wash your hair!

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Makeup Forever HD High Definition Foundation Review

Photo Source

I don't know why it has taken me so long to write about Makeup Forever HD Foundation.

 MUFE HD Foundation is the foundation I compare every other foundation I use to. MUFE HD is for me, that boyfriend that you always go back to in between the other boyfriends that you think are going to be better for you, but almost always end up disappointing you. That is my relationship with MUFE HD. 

This foundation was formulated for use in filming with high definition television and film, so it is as invisible as a foundation can possibly be. It is for the everyday woman, as well as the professional makeup artist. You can keep 5-6 of these shades in your kit and make pretty much any color you would need. This is oil and paraban free. It is medium coverage but can be built up to a full coverage. It has a really nice, natural finish- not too dewy, not too matte. So what is my problem? Why haven't I put a ring on it?
Maybe it's boredom or the grass is greener somewhere else but there is just too much variety to settle down with one. 

This is the foundation I entrust when I absolutely need my skin to look it's best. Where other foundations fail me, this one does not. I do not know what prevents me from awarding it Holy Grail status. I can be a fickle one with my foundations. I do recall feeling this was too sheer and simultaneously too heavy. Obviously, I have issues but I return to it time and time again. Between this foundation and my growing romance with my Beauty Blender, I am for the moment content. 

I will probably never be a loyal, one foundation kinda gal. I used to be, I would loyally use 1 foundation for years. However, there are way too may formulations, colors and brands to not want to try them all. I already have my eye on two new one's that I would like to take a crack at. Also, if I stuck with one where would you guys get your foundation information from? 

Straight out of the pump

Semi blended in

Blended in

This foundation comes in 26 shades. I am shade 120. I don't think the colors on this chart are very true to the real shades but you can read the descriptions to get an idea of what would be for you.

Photo Source

If you would like to learn more about MUFE HD Foundation, 

click here:

Makeup Forever 

Something weird and annoying has happened to my blog. It seems that most of my pictures on my older post have disappeared. I am trying to figure this out and replace them so please be patient. 

Thanks! 

In the meantime, 

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DIY Alpha Hydroxy Face Masque for Younger Skin

I had a few of my ladies ask me this past week what could be done about their aging skin. Sigh~I know you ladies read my blog. You should know the answer to this. 

Skin texture seemed to be their main concern. Some bumps and small lines forming. I cannot yell this loud enough!

ACIDS PEOPLE!

The famous Alpha Hydroxy and Beta Hydroxy acids. 

It's simple:

Alpha Hydroxy for texture, bumps and fine lines.

Beta Hydroxy for acne, pores and oily skin. 

I was watching the Rachel Ray show and she had a dermatologist on demonstrating DIY skin solutions that you can concoct right in your own kitchen. You know how much I love me a skin DIY from my kitchen! 

So here is a quick, little potion that you can whip up for a DIY Alpha Hydroxy Face Masque.

Combine:

• 2 Tablespoons Apple Juice
• 2 Tablespoons Milk
• 1 Egg White

Whip together until frothy then apply to your face with a flat foundation brush. Leave on for 15-20 minutes and rinse off with a soft wash cloth. This goes on very liquid-y and then you will feel it tighten up on your face. Your face will look very smooth and plastic-y while the masque is on and then very glow-y after you rinse it off. Apply 2 times a week for smooth, glowing, radiant skin.

Cracked bowl and all! There is nothing fancy going on here.

What makes this an Alpha Hydroxy Acid is the malic acid in the apple juice and the lactic acid in the milk. 

This recipe will make enough for like 3 or 4 people to use so invite your besties over for a girly spa day or maybe refrigerate until your next use. I'm not even sure if you can refrigerate and reuse but go for it, that's what I'm doing next time.

Speaking of DIY beauty routines, I am about half way through my olive oil/eyelash experiment. This is a very unscientific experiment. I have not measured my eyelashes, I wouldn't even know how to do that. This will be judged strictly by photo comparison and my honest opinion if my lashes grew or not. So far, they still look exactly the same. A heads up for anyone looking to try this, oil in your eye sucks!

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Urban Decay Naked Palette 1 and 3 Review

                        

 I have never been on the Urban Decay Naked Palette bandwagon. I know every makeup addict on the planet has lost their minds over all of the UD palettes but they were never my thing. I don't like when products get too hyped up. I become suspicious if it's hype or if they really are the most amazing products ever. To me they always looked like a bunch of neutral tones that I already had. 

Then this past November, Urban Decay released their Naked Palette 3 and it was like cupid shot an arrow through my heart when I saw these soft, romantic colors. I think Pink and Gold is a marriage made in makeup heaven and everyone should have a pink and gold something in their collection, whether it is blush or a lipstick. Whatever it is, it will be incredibly flattering on pretty much any skin tone. All I could see is these precious pinks and glorious golds and I was sold. I had to have it. 

I know I am kinda late to the game with this review but there are no cosmetic companies sending me samples to blog about so it can coincide with their release, although if anyone out there wants to send me products, feel free-I'm down! So I have to purchase my own and I like to use the products for a bit so I can give an honest review. 

I asked Santa for Naked 3 for Christmas. It is the only thing I asked for. I even sent Santa 2 links so he would know where to purchase it in case the elves were too busy, plus I sent him a reminder email (also with a link for purchase included) just so Santa was aware of how badly I wanted this palette. Then a funny thing happened on the way from the North Pole. Santa managed to f*%k it up and delivered Naked Palette numero uno. WTF Santa! Anyhoodles, Santa being as generous and magical as he is had the NP3 delivered ASAP and now I have 2 palettes to review! Thanks Santa!

I really like the colors in the NP3 palette. They are very soft and exactly as I had expected. First, the palette is packaged in a wavy, metal gold toned palette that is pretty sturdy. It comes with a double ended brush that I will probably use for something other than applying eyeshadow. You get 12 shadows for $52. The shadows range from light to dark, with pink being the prominent color. There are some golds and bronze colors as well and a mix of matte and shimmer textures. I find myself reaching more for the matte colors, maybe because I've been mostly going to business appointments and matte just seems more practical for business. My favorites from this palette are: Strange, Limit, Trick, Nooner and Blackheart (a black shadow with hints of red in it-I cannot wait to do a dramatic smokey eye, it has an almost dark purpley, plumy effect). The only color I am on the fence about is Dust. The texture of Dust is exactly that, quite dusty and it seems to be more glitter than shimmer. It seems as if when you apply it, that nice baby pink color disappears and you are left with little glittery specks. It's pretty, just not what I expected and it was one of the shadows that caught my eye so it is a little disappointing. Along with the eyeshadows, Urban Decay has sent samples of all of their eye primer potions and a setting spray. So far nothing has blown me away but I will let you know if they do. 

Wavy metal packaging.

Urban Decay Naked 3

Swatches and photo courtesy of frmheadtotoe.com

 

On to Naked Palette 1. I like this palette as well and am happy for the mix up. Again, you receive 12 shadows with a mix of textures. This palette is more neutral with bronzy browns and golds. It comes packaged in a velvet brown palette, with a brush I have yet to use for applying eyeshadow.  My favorite colors in this palette are: Virgin, Sin (in love with this color) and Half Baked (another winner-love it).

All of these shadows are very soft feeling and blend-able and they last all day. 

 

Urban Decay Naked Palette 1-the original naked palette.

Naked Palette 1 on top and 3 on the bottom for a side by side comparison.

I like these palettes a lot and I was not disappointed. I do feel N3 has different colors and tones than what you usually find in neutral palettes and for that reason I would recommend Naked 3 over the original palette. They are both really pretty and it just depends on what you are looking for. Although I am happy I accidentally received the original Naked palette, I still feel it's not something I haven't seen before. 

Palette 3 in different lighting-it looks more goldy here~

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Urban Decay

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