NOTD: Striping Polishes

I recently posted that I had purchased some striping polishes from Sally Beauty Supply.

Here's a better look at them!

I think they were about $4 each.  I really wish I would have gotten a black too - oh don't worry, one day I will!  :-P


I was messing around with them the other night, so here's what I did!

If you have any pictures of your nails (or someone else's nails) with striping polish, feel free to link (or picture) in the comments!  I'd love to get some good ideas!

NOTD: Sally Hansen - Shell We Dance?

Sally Hansen - Shell We Dance?

I love this color!  However, it's kind of a pain to apply.  This is three coats and I probably could have used a fourth.  Actually, I definitely could have.

The shine around my nails is some much needed cuticle oil, btw.

Please excuse the horrible nails/cuticles/paint job.  lol

FOTD: May 14, 2011

In typical Barbie-fashion, this look was done over a month ago.  I know it doesn't really matter to yall, but the reason the post is titled for over a month ago is because that's how I file them on my computer.  The date needs to match the date of the note card with the products!  lol  Anyyyywayy!


Main Products Used:

• Balmbini Palette - (taupe shade - lid, first shade - highlight)
• NYX e/s in Wild Flower (brow bone)
  
• Bobbi Brown e/s in Mahogany (brows)
  
• Estee Lauder e/s duo in Ginger
• MUFE e/l in 0L
• MAC e/l in Smolder

On the cheeks, I have Smashbox Fusion/Soft Lights blush in Revolution.  I also have Stila bronzer in Shade 01.

On the lips I have MAC l/s in Sweetie and Lorac l/g in 3D.

Summer Favorites Part 4: Nail Polish

Here's a list of a million polishes I love for summer!  :-P

Both with flash:

Left to Right: (all China Glaze) Pool Party, Wild Mink, Thataway, Naked, In Awe of Amber, Your Touch, Shower Together, Grape Pop, OPI - Meet Me On The Star Ferry, OPI - Royal Flush Blush

These polishes all scream SUMMER to me!  How about you?

DIY: Organizing Makeup Blog Post Material

 Here's a post written TODAY!  June 24, 2011!

I know this seems like a silly post, but I'd be intersted in seeing how yall organize online blog content!  In my real life, I'm obsessed with organization.  Everything at my house is neatly put away and categorized, etc....

All of my blog content was a disaster when I first started blogging, so I totally revamped a few months ago and I've kept up with it!  There are a few things I'd still like to work on but this is working out so far!

***This will also clear up all the questions about my FOTD post dates!  Lol!***

Anyway, I'll just explain as I go!

I have a folder on my computer called "Makeup."  This is where I store all pictures.  I have them separated by the various titles.

Here's a quick list of my "Collection and Haul" folder.  This is where I keep all my swatch posts and such.  Yall can view these posts by looking on the left hand side of the screen and clicking "Collection," "Haul," "Review," or "Swatches."

This is my "In Progress Blog Post" folder.  These are pictures that have been resized and tagged with my URL that still need to have the actual POST written out.  I keep them filed away here so when I have a minute to blog, I already know what needs to be done!  :)

As yall can see, I have a few FOTD's that need to have posts written!  When I do my makeup, I write down the date and the makeup I used on a notecard - then I take pictures.  I carry on with my day (or week! lol) and then I'll do another look with a notecard/pictures.  After a while, and I get a minute, I go and resize/tag all my pictures.  So the makeup is done on the day on the folder, and I put that name on my blog title because it just makes it easier to refer to this filing system I have.  Besides, I could just tell yall I did the makeup that day anyway, and yall would be none the wiser! :-P

Another reason they get posted SOOOO far away from the date the makeup was done is because I write several blog posts at a time (saved as drafts) and I try to vary the NOTD and FOTD posts.  More on that later!

This is where I file away all my makeup looks.

Here's my folder full of "Inspiration" posts - yall can see all the looks under my "Inspiration" label on the left hand side.  :)

This is just so yall can see in my "Nails" folder too! 

This is how I go about my blogging.  I write several posts and save them up!  For instance, my oldest written post is May 6, 2011.  A month ago!  Lol!  I save them up so if I get busy, I still have some stuff to post up for yall --- or if I just don't accumulate any new content (no FOTDs, NOTDs, hauls, etc), I'll have some back up stuff for yall!  Additionally, I don't want to flood yall with new content whenever I get in a blogging mood!  Did you want me to post 14 posts in one day?  I didn't think so! :-P

So there's just a sneak peak behind the scenes of Drop Dead, Gorgeous!  :-P

Haul: OPI and striping polishes!

I'm not huge about posting hauls on my blog (even though I like see other hauls! lol).  Since I've joined twitter, I've mainly just been taking pictures of what I buy as I buy it!  So if you follow me there, you've already seen these!

I wanted to share with the rest of you what I've purchased though!  For some reason lately, I've gotten a little passive on the makeup obsession (temporary, I'm sure! lol!) and moved over to nails!  I guess this is probably because wearing a lot of makeup for my job during the day is kind of a waste.  But the nails don't really matter as much in that aspect.

Anywho!

I'm not sure why blogger turned these pics sideways.  I took them on my phone and they're the right way on my computer too!  Oh well... maybe turn your head?  lmao!

Left to Right (or top to bottom...lol): OPI -- I Juggle...Men, Silver Shatter, Flurry Up, Only Gold For Me, The One That Got Away, Last Friday Night

These striping polishes don't have names.  They're by So Easy Stripe Rite.  I got a gold, silver and white at Sally Beauty Supply.  I think they were about $4 each.


I've spent WAYYYY too much money lately.  I've also got some rhinestones and acrylic molds on the way for some super fun nail designs!  :)


**** Remember to enter my giveaway if you haven't already! :) ****

FOTD: April 23, 2011

Main Products Used:

• Balmbini Palette - All three eye shadows
• Bobbi Brown e/s in Mahogany (brows)

On the cheeks, I have Balmbini blush in Down Boy.

On the lips, I have the Balmbini palette l/g in the peachy color.

Summer Favorites Part 3: Lip Products

Here's a quick post to show some gorgeous lip products for the summer!  I'm not a huge fan of going heavy on the lips in the summer.  I guess maybe because I'm always drinking water or something?  lol

Quick List:
Stila Lip Pluming Glaze in Citrus Mint
NYX Tinted Lip Spa in Nirvana
MAC l/s in Beachbound
Estee Lauder l/g in Rose Gold

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 These are pretty self-explanatory:

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With Flash:

Review: Trind - Moist and Shiny

This is a little old.  I did this review a few weeks ago for Makeuptalk.com.  Better late than never!

Pros: Shiny, kept nails moisturized, stronger nails, good buffer
Cons: dried cuticles

I received this item for free as part of a review.

The 14 Day Challenge:
When sent the product, I was asked to use this system everyday for 14 days.  On day 1, I buffed my nails (the only time I was asked to do it).  Then I applied the Nail Balsam, let it soak in for 2 minutes and massaged the rest into my cuticles.  Over that, I applied the Nail Repair.  Each day, I used non-acetone nail polish to remove the product and do it again everyday thereafter.  I was asked to remove it everyday and start fresh.

**I used an additional cuticle oil in conjunction with this system. 

The Buffer:
The buffer works very well.  :)  It helped to smooth my nails out nicely and get them ready for the application.  However, I feel like the exact same thing could be purchased at WalMart or Sally's and you'd be able to accomplish the same thing, but with a cheaper product. 

Nail Balsam:

I actually REALLY like this product.  It smells pretty much like hand lotion in a nail polish bottle.  I can't really speak to how well it nourished my cuticles because I do believe the constant use of nail polish remover dried them out immensely.  However, I will be continuing to use the Nail Balsam when I do my nails and see if I notice a difference.  My cuticles are ALWAYS dry, but during these last two weeks, they've been so dry they were bleeding.  Again, I can't say it was the actual products fault for sure.  But for now, I will lay the blame on the nail polish remover. 

The balsam did help to nourish my actual nails though.  When they have no polish, they seem to be more shiny and healthy than they used to be.  :)

Nail Repair:
The Nail Repair is basically a very quick drying (maybe 30 seconds?) top coat.  I do believe the purpose of this product is to seal in the Nail Balsam and protect the nail from tears and breaks.  I feel it did help to strengthen my nails, even though I did have 2 breaks.  My nails feel a lot sturdier.

Overall:
I will continue using this system, but I'll just do it once a week when I regularly paint my nails.  I really do feel like the constant use of nail polish remover ruined my cuticles.  Since I feel like my nails are stronger, I hope I'll be able to grow them out nicely! 

For the sake of less pictures, I'll just show this hand!  My typical swatching hand.  :)

 

 

NOTD: China Glaze - Jitterbug w/ Shatter

China Glaze - Jitterbug

I'm pretty sure this must have been part of an old collection, but I got this shade at Ulta for like, $2!  :)  NICE!  I'm also completely in love with this color.  It's even better with Shatter!

 This is Jitterbug with OPI Black Shatter polish on the top... also with top coat.  This shatter polish is matte on it's own.  Weird... lol

 Here's an example of the polish in it's matte state without top coat. 

NOTD: China Glaze - Lemon Fizz

China Glaze - Lemon Fizz

Please excuse the horrible job I did painting my nails.

This color is amazing!  I'm not a fan of yellow nails in general, but this is the perfect shade!  It's yellow enough to be happy and pretty, but not yellow to make it look like you have a fungus.  Lol!  Oh, the things to consider!

NOTD: China Glaze - Spontaneous

Good morning, Readers!

In my usual manner of blogging, this post was CREATED quite a while ago, but only posted now!  I feel like the condition of my hands/cuticles have improved a lot since these photos were taken.  Yay!

I'm currently on a "nail" kick, so I have lots of fun NOTDs coming up soon!  I bought about 20,000 rhinestones for nail art, 7 new containers of various colored acrylic powder and 12 acrylic molds for making crazy nail designs!  I'm excited to show you all!


Until then, here's this!

China Glaze - Spontaneous

A gorgeous purple color!  A little similar to China Glaze - Grape Pop, but a little lighter!  I love purple for spring/summer!  :)

The first picture, in the sun, is more color accurate than the bottom two with the flash.


Please remember to enter my Smashbox Makeup Giveaway!  :)

NOTD: Cocktail Inspired

This is the current theme on the MuT Dare To Be - Nails Challenge. 

This was done using:

China Glaze - Lemon Fizz
Essie - Strawberry Daiquiri
Rhinestones
A cosmetics sponge
Konad Plate M29
And a no-name purple polish that I've had forever.


The ring finger has two hawaiian flowers and the thumb says "Aloha."

My inspiration for this was a Tequila Sunrise.  :)

Don't forget to enter my Smashbox giveaway!

Summer Favorites Part 2: Face Products

Here's my second installment of this new Summer Favorites series.  This one is much shorter than the last!

Quick List:
CoverGirl Tru Blend Minerals (405 - Translucent Fair)
Smashbox Fusion/Soft Lights Duo in Revolution
Stila Sun Bronzer in Shade 01
Stila Illuminating Finishing Powder in Rose Gold


CoverGirl Tru Blend Minerals:
This products is just your basic face setting powder, but it does have a little bit of a shimmer to it, which is great for using on your chest and such.  I bought this without knowing it was shimmery, but I think it'll work well for a glowy summer look!

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 Smashbox Revolution:

Without Flash:

 

 With Flash:

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Stila Sun Bronzer:

Without Flash:

With Flash:

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Stila Illuminiation Finishing Powder:

I use this just as a highlight, not all over the face.  However, it's not SOOO shimmery that you couldn't use it all over.  :)

Without Flash:

 With Flash:

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I'd be very interested to know what kind of bronzers you all are liking for the summer!  :)