The Week in Nails, November 17

Julep Meryl

Grey Nails are my favorite.  I love this color, and it was the first Julep I ever received!  Unfortunately, that means it is old and on the goopier side since I've used up more than half of it.  Oh well.  It's still pretty!  2 coats, no base and Julep Polymer Top Coat.

I may or may not have taken that picture whilst TAing, hence the dry-erase marker.  I wore this for 3 days.

Geometric Taping

My boyfriend and his friends were watching a hockey game and this is what I did.  It took most of the game to finish, but it was worth it.  I used OPI Russian Navy on most of my nails, with Julep Alexandria over the ring fingers, then taped off triangles and painted them.  The triangle colors are Nailtini Mai Tai, OPI Russian Navy, Julep Sienna, and NYC Tudor City Teal.  No base, no top (it needed one, but oh well), and I wore it for 3 days.

Zoya Mason

2 coats of Zoya Mason.  No base, no top, and I'm on day 2 of this (it is Monday).  It's a little chipped but I don't feel like taking it all off.  I might just do some designs over the chipped tips?  You will have to find out next week.

The opinions in this post are mine; all items mentioned within were paid for by me.  No special compensation or consideration was received for this post.

The Week in Nails, September 2

Julep Meryl with Julep Ellie and Sally Hansen Strobe Light as an accent

2 coats each Julep polish, 1 coat glitter over Ellie.  No base coat, top coat Seche Vite.  I wore this for 3 days.

NYC In a Minute in Peach Sparkle

3 thin coats, Seche Vite on top.  No base.  3 days.

Julep Florence and Julep Padma as an accent

No base coat, no top coat.  2 coats each color.  1 day of wear before adding to it.

Julep Florence with accent and stamping in Julep Padma

Stamped Julep Padma onto previous day's mani.  Used Winstonia plate W112 (houndstooth pattern).

I just did this today, it should hopefully last until Tuesday.


No special consideration or compensation was received for this post and all thoughts and opinions are my own. All items mentioned within were paid for by me.

My All-Subscription Box Vacation, Part 2

I'm getting excited for my vacation this weekend! Here is what is in my makeup bag- almost everything is from subscription boxes! 

The non-subscription box products

NYC Browser Brush-On Brow Kit because nothing finishes your look like filled-in brows! This may be all I end up using. Who knows. 

Bare Minerals Original Foundation in case I need some extra coverage 

Various brushes and an eyelash curler. Some of these are from sub boxes (like the SoHo brush in my Ipsy top 5), and some are not. Either way, they are not anything special. 

These will make me feel pretty

Blinc Mascara (Birchbox July 2012) I love this tubing mascara. It doesn't wash off unless you want it to- perfect for going for a swim! 

Chella Ivory Lace Eyebrow Pencil (Ipsy June 2013) I've already written about this in my top 5 Ipsy list. 

Pop Beauty Pouty Pop Crayon in Coral Crush (Ipsy July 2013) Same with this! It's the perfect summer day lip color. 

Vincent Longo Lipstain SPF 15 Lipstick in Cherry (Glossybox January 2013) For a nice dinner out, no other lipstick can beat this one, especially in a classic red. The stain lasts all night, through dinner and drinks, and doesn't come off on anyone else's cheeks or lips. 

Mai Couture Highlighter Papier (Ipsy December 2012). For when I feel fancy. I tried using this over the winter to a formal event, but I was just too darn pale for it to look good. Maybe now that I'm 0.005 shades darker, it will look better. 

Mirabella Perfecting Powder (Ipsy May 2013). See my other list linked above for a proclamation of my love for this product. It will not leave my sight until it is used up. I will then hold a funeral for it. 

Ada Cosmetics Bronzer in Peach (Birchbox July 2012). For some contouring if I feel like it, and in place of a blush if I want to get crazy with the beachy look. This isn't too dark for my skin tone, which is amazing. 

theBalm Hot Mama Shadow/Blush (Birchbox December 2012). One of my favorite blushes of all time! I was told it made me all glowy, and who doesn't want that? This barely missed out on being on my top 5 Birchbox list. It is awesome and super-flattering. 

Coastal Scents Eyeshadow Quads (Ipsy October 2012, February 2013) Boy am I bringing <em>all</em> of my entire top 5 Ipsy products? I think so... 

theBalm Meet Matt(e) Matt Batali (Ipsy November 2012). It seems like theBalm is only selling the nude matte palette now, not the original one. Oh well, I still like this shadow, especially in a smokey eye. 

Jouer Matte Moisture Tint (Birchbox September 2012). I don't plan on wearing foundation, just this. I'm bringing the Bare Minerals for night if we go out, but this will be just fine for the day. I really like this product but not as much as I like my Dr. Jart BB. Maybe if I feel the need to buy an every-day matte product I will get this one. For vacation, it will be great. 

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil (Ipsy December 2012) Yup. I've got my whole top 5. I also have almost every color ever made of this pencil and there is not a better eyeliner that I have been able to find. It's not up for discussion. These are the best, and they come in the best colors. 

Vincent Longo Duo Lip Pencil (Allure Sample Society July 2012). For under my lipsticks, or by itself with some chapstick or gloss over it. This is a really nice pencil, and it is great to have two slightly different shades in one. Travel is all about multi-use products, right? Streamline your packing!

Look at those packing skills!

Not all of this fit in the July Ipsy bag... Everything in the first picture was left out. So, I put it all into the January bag instead. That is the biggest one they have sent out, and all of my brushes fit (diagonally). I can't wait!

This post contains items that were received in Sample Society, Birchbox and Ipsy, both of which are purchased with my own funds.  All opinions are my own.

My Quest for the Perfect Coral Nail Polish

Spring, summer, fall... even winter... there is not inappropriate time to wear coral nail polish. I've become obsessed with finding the perfect shade. It needs to be bright, not dull, and shiny, but without shimmer. It has to apply easily without streaks and not take forever to dry. Not too pink and not too orange, and not too expensive. This polish has become my white whale. I couldn't rest until I found it. Every time CVS or Rite Aid got a new seasonal polish display I pounced... and usually ended up disappointed. However, I have amassed a collection of every variation on the coral theme, and will now review them in all of their sunset-y glory. I did the hard work, so you don't have to. Sorry for the random polish splotches. 

 My 10 candidates: 

My first 5 Candidates- the darker ones

American Apparel Nail Lacquer in Sunset Blvd. $6 

This is orange.  2 Coats.

Sally Hansen HD Hi-Definition Nail Color in Three D (discontinued color) $8.95 on Amazon

Orange with a flash of pink.  3 coats.

American Apparel Nail Lacquer in Pink Ladies $6

Non-neon bright pink

Wet n Wild Megalast Nail Color in Tropicalia $1.99 (I have an older bottle, not the new re-styled one)

This is pink and streaky and has a terrible brush. 3 coats isn't quite enough here.

Sinful Colors Professional in Boogie Nights $1.99

Orangey jelly.  3 coats.

The second half- the lighter shades

Color Club Professional Nail Lacquer in Reign in Spain $2 (as part of the $8 Wanderlust collection) The winner! Right in the middle of pink and orange, nice and bright; perfect for summer! 2 coats and my love forever.

Yes! This is the best! 2 coats.

eChina Glaze Nail Lacquer in Flip Flop Fantasy $5.99 (new version) I wish my camera could catch how bright this is.

Neon, semi-matte, very bright and a little too pink.  3 coats.

Revlon Scented Nail Enamel in Strawberry Cream $4.99.  The print doesn't stay on this bottle! Smells great for the first day. Super pretty, a hair darker than Alicia, but STREAKY and with a very thin brush.

This is my bargain pick, but it comes with poorer quality than the others. 3 coats.

Julep Nail Vernis in Alicia $14 or $11.20 for mavens They call this a salmon creme. If it wasn't so expensive I would have backups!

Not quite bright enough for summer; Winter pick.  3 coats.

NYC in a Minute Quick Dry Polish in Peach Sparkle (discontinued color) $1.99

Definitely a peach, and sparkly, but a little too light. 3 coats.

All 10 polishes

The lighter 5

The darker 5 compared to Reign in Spain

Almost ombre nails?