Julep and Orly Dupes

Wednesday, February 27, 2013





Julep Julia and Orly Oui.

Julia is on the pointer and ring finger, and Oui is on the middle and pinkie. Pretty identical when all is said and done. Oui was more opaque, and generally easier to apply, but the end result is basically the same.

Click pictures to enlarge





Orly Androgynie and Julep Patti

Patti is on the pointer and ring finger, and Androgynie is on the middle and pinkie Androgynie has more of a dark brown base, and its glitter is colorful. Patti is black with silver bits. Patti also has more glitter pay off than Androgynie. But, Androgynie is more opaque and only required two coats, where Patti needed three. Close, but not exact, but Patti is a good compromise if you really want something similar to Androgynie.

Click pictures to enlarge

Orly Oui and Androgynie were released in 2011, and are easily some of my favorite polishes. Recently Julep released some colors that look really close to those two, and I decided to compare them together. I'm very happy with Oui and Julia. Julia is a great dupe for Oui, but Patti falls a little short in the dupe department, but on its own it's beautiful.


February Wish List

Thursday, February 21, 2013



Quick post today, it's a wish list! Things have been busy this past few weeks, and to be honest I've been burned out on posting. I have a review in mind coming up, and I'm brainstorming a few ideas at the moment. I'll be off and on for a little bit, but not too bad. You probably wont even notice =)


Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins - I loved Anna and the French Kiss. I want more, and what's better than the companion novel?

Loreal Colour Riche Caresse in Coral Tattoo - I read somewhere that orange is supposed to look really good on pale skin. Not sure if that's true or not, I've never actually tried an orange lip color (let me know your thoughts on this). I really like the swatches I've seen of this shade. I just realized that I don't own a single Loreal product, and I'm pretty sure I never have. This needs to change.

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tough as Toupe - I really like my Avon cream eyeshadow, but it doesn't stay all day. This shade is really close to the one I currently use. I hope it lives up to the hype!

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand - Sequel to Unearthly, which I really liked. Another book that I plan to get in March. I'm trying to go to the bookstore once a month, but so far I've been back two times this month. Oops!

OPI Polka.com - from the European Central collection. I'm not sure if this is even out yet, but I love this glitter.

OPI My Paprika Is Hotter Than Yours! - I was looking at this collection online (same as above), and I really liked the color that was on the model. I think this one is it, since it's the only orange.

Essie Leading Lady - Just don't even get me started. It's such a gorgeous color. It looks like a pink China Glaze Ruby Pumps.

Ipad Mini - My Ipod (2nd Gen) is starting to die. It's to the point where I have to fight with it to sync. Not to charge, it charges fine, but it wont sync right, which is really strange. I figured for $30-ish more, I can get the Ipad. Less memory, yes, but I don't need that much. I can do more, and still have my music and games on it. I still have my little 3rd Gen. Nano, which works perfectly, so that's a good backup for music, but I want it to write, and play my Donut Games on it. Google it, they're so much fun! I will probably get this after my husband and I make out BIG purchase of the year. I'll let you all in on what that is if it all goes according to plan. Give me a few months!

Maybelline Color Whisper in Pin Up Peach- I think this is supposed to be a contender against the Revlon Lip Butters, and I want to see for myself if they are. I really like this color, but I haven't looked at it in person yet, so the shade may change when I go to buy it.



Let me know if you have, or have tried any of the above. I want opinions! Also, do you have and suggestions for lip products? I'm starting to get more into them, but I'm beginning to feel overwhelmed.


Beauty Blogazons Weekly Roundup 2/15

Sunday, February 17, 2013



It's a Whirl | Mark

Friday, February 15, 2013




Quick swatch of the Mark Marbelized Lip Gloss. Color shown is Pink Souffle. This lip gloss retails for $8.00.

The colors mix together, obviously, so you get this peachy shimmery color. It's a subtle shine, and a subtle color. Not too dramatic, but it definitely enhances the lips. I think this color would be great for most, if not all, skin tones.

Sorry I'm not very talkative today, I don't have a lot to say! I just like swatching my Avon/Mark products since it's hard for potential to see the product in person before they buy. Hope this helps =)

Nail Repair | nail care routine

Tuesday, February 12, 2013




My poor nails have been suffering for these past few months. Yellowing, and breaking, they've just become so brittle. It's not good. For the past two weeks I have been working towards getting my nails back in the shape they were at the start of this blog, and that in includes keeping my nails reasonably short, and using the products shown above/listed below.

I have been careful to have OPI Nail Envy (original) on all the time, with or without color on top. I make sure to use two coats each time I apply it. It has actually been doing an amazing at protecting my nails, and the new nail that is growing is is not stained. It's amazing as a base coat, and as a strengthener.  I am noticing slightly less pealing. They're getting there.

The trick to having great nails is by starting from the beginning, and that means cuticle oil. I am using the Julep Essential Cuticle Oil at least once daily. I'm hoping this is working, it's hard to tell since it'll be at least another month before that part of the nail become the tips.

I make sure to moisturize my hands, focusing on the nails. I have a lot of hand creams, but currently I am using the Julep Body Frosting. It takes just a little to cover my hands, and it smells amazing.

Occasionally I use the Burt's Bees Cuticle Cream. I'll usually do this once every few days instead of my cuticle oil.

I'm hoping this all works. I used to have strong nails, and I miss them. I want them back.

What are some of the products in your nail care routine? Do you have a holy grail product I should know about and try?


Labeling Julep | quick tip

Monday, February 11, 2013







I was thinking today about my nail polish collection, and how people like to put a little bit of polish on top of the caps to make it easier to find the color. The only issue I have with seeing to color are with my Julep bottles. Julep came out with a batch of Swatch Me stickers. I know they came with a Maven box, I didn't not get that one, and I haven't seen them online yet.

I decided to take the cheaper route, and grab my hole reinforcements. I cut them into four parts, and placed them on the caps. I them popped the cap off (super easy to do), and put the polish on the sticker.

Quick, cheap, and super simple. I don't know how this will work for other brands, I know the Butter London caps pop off (there's no other way to use them without popping them off), but I don't know of any others.



Updated Daily Essentials

Thursday, February 7, 2013







I was looking at my last essentials post and I realized how much of what's inside has changed. I mix up the eyeshadows and lip products, of course, but other than that the rest is pretty much what my daily look includes.

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder- I've actually hit pan on this. I've been using it for months, and I am not loving it. I'm actually silently hoping I'll finish it quickly. Neutrogena Skin Clearing foundation- You all have seen this plenty of times already. Do I really need to get into how much I like this product? Maybelline Instand Age Rewind concealer- I bought this after my mom raved about it. I like it, but I don't think it's my holy grail. I'm still looking!

Revlon ColorStay 16 Hour eyeshadow (Decadent)- The pink shade in this quad is my favorite. I also love the orange tinted one. I haven't been using this quad as much lately, but I can't bring myself to put it in my drawer. Revlon Lip Butter (Candy Apple)- I am not a red lip type of person, but for some reason I am loving the look it gives when I just pat it on.

Pixi Large Lash Mascara- Again, you have heard me rave about this product as well as the Pixi Lash Line Ink. What more can I say? I'm obsessed with the eyeliner, and the mascara is really nice and smudge proof. Perfect for my allergies that have plagued my life this year so far. The Neutrogena MoistureShine Gloss (Nurti Berry)- What a color. If I'm not wearing Candy Apple, I'm wearing this. Avon Ultra Luxury eyeliner (Eggplant)- I have been wearing this eyeliner on my lower lash line since I first discovered it 1 year ago. It's my safety blanket, in a way.

Geurlain Meteorites Brush- I've had this brush for years, and it's never steered my wrong. I use it with my powder, not just my Meteorites. Real Techniques domed eyeshadow brush-  I use this with my Revlon quad, but I wish I had something a little bit different.  Avon Loose Eyeshadow (Enchanted Lilac)- I must be obsessed with purple or something, because I just recently stuck this in my bag with the intentions of using it again. Avon Cream Eyeshadow (Pebble Stone)- I had this in my favorites, and I am still loving it. I apply it with my finger still. I haven't invested in a brush yet. I really need to.

What are some of your go to makeup items? Any I should try out?


Jubilee Grapefruit Body Scrub | Review

Tuesday, February 5, 2013






About the Product
Sizes: 4oz and 8oz
Prices: 6oz- $6 | 8oz- $10
Natural and homemade
Scents: Grapefruit, Peppermint, Jasmine, Orange
Ingredients: Sugar, Coconut Oil, Honey, and Essential Oils


-Thoughts-
I held onto this scrub for a little bit before trying it out. I do know the Etsy seller, she was a childhood friend of mine, and her mother works with mine (I also technically work with her mom too, but my job is kind of funky). That's how I got ahold of this product; my mom talked to her mom and mentioned this little blog of mine. Ok, so that's the back story of this little tale.

As I said, I held onto it for a bit. I did notice that the oils began to separate from the sugar, as oils normally do. It didn't effect the product. For some reason today when I went to use it the pool of oil was gone. Does sugar absorb oil? I really don't know. I just added a little bit of water on my hands, and it worked like normal. It just looks different, the product wasn't really effected. No idea what went wrong there, it could be that that's what it normally looks like and I was so used to the separation. I wouldn't put it past me, so I really don't think it's a huge deal as far as the product quality goes.

Being a sugar scrub, it dissolves as you use it. The smell isn't as obviously grapefruit as it was with the QTICA scrub I reviewed last year, but it also doesn't have all the artificial ingredients that one has. The scent is nice, regardless, and doesn't linger on the hands (a feature I personally like).

After using it, I immediately notice how much softer my skin is. My skin doesn't feel dry, or greasy after using the product.

Overall, I really do like it. If we're comparing prices, it's cheaper than the Qtica one, and better than any sea salt scrub I've tried (I don't like sea salt scrubs, though).

Do I recommend? Yes. Would I purchase this product? Possibly, I'm currently looking at my sugar scrub options, so I don't know if I will be repurchasing any for a while. It's definitely a contender.


How often do you shop at Etsy? Do you prefer natural products over a big name brand?