Review: Annabelle Cosmetics Skinny Brow Liner

I have been using this wonderful little product on myself and on my clients for the last few years and I must say that I have been more than pleased with it.

Most of us are used to using pencil brows, and we all know the routine..  sharpen, apply, correct, sharpen... and it almost always still looks smudged.. ugh

Say goodbye to your frustrations!  Annabelle has the solution!

This gem of a product takes the frustration out of brow applications..  It is very fine, which allows for a precise application and make brow filling practically foolproof!  It is retractable and it includes a brow shaping comb as well. Some would prefer a spoolie instead, but in all honesty, it doesn't bother me at all.

The formula is matte, waterproof and hypo-allergenic... three words you want to hear when describing a brow pencil!

And the best part... it costs less than 10$ per pencil!

It is available in a number of colors:  Universal Light, Universal Medium, Universal Dark, Universal Ebony, Universal Taupe, Universal Auburn

I cannot tell you how many clients I have turned on to this product. 


Seriously.. two thumbs up!

SALLY HANSEN MIRACLE GEL NAILPOLISH

 For many years, I have been doing my own nails and, (not to toot my own horn) I think I have gotten quite good at it. 

 

Clean nails, basecoat, 2 coats of polis and topcoat. 

 

Problem is, I tend to knock my fingers around, wash dishes, type, clean, grab stuff... you know, LIVE...  and unfortunately, my nails bare the wrath of my day to day activities.  Generally, I am lucky if I can extend my mani to a week.

 

Now... I know what you're gonna tell me...  but the beauty industry has given us gel, and shellac and acrylic nails so you won't have to worry about mani longevity.  Buut, if you are anything like me, you don't necessarily have the time or the budget to get your mani done regularly at a nail salon.

 

I have tried many different brands of basecoat, polish, topcoats... There are some really good brands out there.. Orly, Opi, Essie... but I have to say, for longevity, Sally Hansen takes the cake with their topcoats (especially the Insta-Dry topcoat)

 

BUT!  they have now OUTDONE themselves!

 

BEHOLD the Miracle Gel™ nail color and Miracle Gel™ 2X Volume Top Coat (cue angels harmony here)

 

While shopping, this is what I saw:

• 2 Steps   
• Up to 14 Days of Color & Shine   
•  Easy Removal   
•  No Light Needed   
• The Next Best Thing to a Salon Gel Manicure!

So I gave it a try. And let me tell you, I am VERY pleased.

 

I bought color 430 called "Crème de la Crème" along with the 2X Volume topcoat.  Firstly, gorgeous color.  It's the perfect combination of white and barely-there pink.  (they offer 61 shades btw)

It goes on a little uneven when applying the first coat, but once the second coat is on... perfection.  It does dry quickly, so make sure to have something handy to quickly scrape off the color that gets on the skin (it happens to the best of us!).

 

After about 5  minutes, I applied the top coat and (to quote the instructions) I let natural light do the rest, and put it to the test.

 

right after I finished my nails

 

If I wasn't a little OCD and if I didn't need my nails to be perfect, the color would have easily lasted 14 days.  I managed to tolerate 10 days.   But even after the 10 days, the shine was still there and the color had lasted with minimal cracking and chipping (referring back to how much abuse I put my hands through, its really impressive).

 

Wow.  okay!  this could be interesting!  My first thought was to go and buy all the colors, I was sold!  But then, reality set in and I remembered that I have about 40 colors in my nail kit that I spent money on.... Hmmm, what to do, what to do...

 

So I tried using one of my preferred OPI nail colors with just the 2X Volume topcoat.  It has been 10 days and my nails are still looking presentable! Minimal cracking, no chipping and slight wear and tear on the tips.  Very very impressive!

 

not bad! 10 days later

 

I am definitely going to try to resist my impulses and try the Sally Hansen Duo again and see if I can make it last the 14 days ;)-  Though I have zero doubt that it will.   It seems that there is a science to combining the 2 items.  According to the website, the Miracle Gel™ Color and Top Coat formulas were developed to be used together as a system.  Who am I to doubt science? :)

 

Final thoughts:

Two very enthusiastic thumbs up to anyone thinking of purchasing this nail product.  GO FOR IT. Get the duo, you will not be disappointed!

 

 

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Review: Maybelline The Nudes and The blushed Nudes palettes

I was walking down the cosmetics aisles of the pharmacy, as I usually do on my trips there, when something caught my eye in the Maybelline display.  Nude palettes! AFFORDABLE nude palettes! (They retail for almost 13$/palette + tax)

So I bought both ;)

With all the hype surrounding the Urban Decay Naked palettes that retail for a whopping 64$ + tax, it is no wonder that there are dupes popping up everywhere.  Other examples are the Coastal Scents Revealed palettes, and L'Oreal's Color Riche La Palette Nude or even Annabelle's Smokey Nudes Eyeshadow Pallette.


At first glance, the color options that these palettes offer are impressive.  You get 12 colors per palette, and each contain a combination of matte and satin shades.

The original palette has a combination of bronzy tones, ranging from champagnes to taupes to golds and browns/blacks

The blushed palette has an array of pinky tones ranging from a vanilla to rose golds to silver/greys and a sparkly plum

Application: 

As soon as you swatch the colors with your fingers, you understand that the color payoffs are quite sheer, especially the matte shades.  The more satiny shiny shades are more pigmented. 

Right away, I would recommend that these palettes be used with an eye primer and a dense eyeshadow brush (or even your fingers) to apply.

bronze palette swatches

blushed palette swatches

 

Final thoughts:

 

 

The colors are gorgeous, it is obvious that they gave the color choices a lot of thought. Most of the shades have a wonderful satiny finish that are easy to apply and easy to blend out. 

 

The variety available in the palettes makes it easy to go from day to night without the bulk of having to carry around a bunch of different pans and the user-friendly-ness of not having to break your head deciding which colors go well together. 

 

However, I do wish that the colors would be more pigmented.  Colors that are adequately pigmented not only facilitate application but also give the wearer the choice of degree of intensity they wish to have.

 

All in all, a good buy for the everyday woman looking for a variety of choices for an affordable price :)

 

 

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Guest Review: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

When my friend Teny saw me pull out a big white tube from my purse at the end of our breakfast date, she asked me what it was, as I was putting on my lips.

I was so excited to share it with her. Its not your conventional lip balm, but its a miracle cream I swear by and have so, since 1999. (pre Y2K! ha!)

When I was just a young fashion photography assistant, I would watch big make up artist put this product on the model's lips as a natural look and replacement for a gloss.

I asked them what it was...and I have since then used it and sworn by it. It is the very reason I have non-chapped lips and never worry about lipgloss.

The cream is called Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream. Its a 50 ml tube that goes for about 35$ and will last you YEARS.

A classic, and a woman's must have. It can shape brows, revitalize shine, soothe dry hands (although I find it too greasy for it), smooth cuticles. Helps prevent chapping, peeling, and windburn. I use it as a lip balm in the winter months and in the spring when wind is a big factor.

In cold winter days, when we're all looking grey, I add a touch of my Mac Beet lipliner and mix in a dab of my eight hour cream and i got myself luscious lips that are also protected with a hint of color.

The only downfall is that it has a faint medicated smell. It doesn't bother me but your significant other may be slightly bothered by your kisses. In which case, I suggest you wear it to bed at night and wake up with fresh lips. I've even also burned myself in the kitchen and used it! I'm telling you...you won't want to live without it!! Grab one at any The Bay store.

-Magnolia 💜

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