The Nail Files - Shiny Simplicity

Due to the amount of packing I'm supposed to be doing, I've kept my nails simple since last week (hence, no post last week).

But I got my Julep box on Saturday and had to share the goods!!

I opted for my usual, Classic with a Twist and got Greta, a pink shimmer, and Octavia, a royal/navy blue creme.  As a special plus to everyone (I think), I also got a glitter polish called Love.  Gold glitter with pink flecks in a clear base. But, like my Essie's On A Silver Platter, it could easily be worn without a base color and have good coverage.

Here's what they look like (sorry for bad lighting):

One coat of Greta with one coat of Love on ring finger.

One coat of Octavia with one coat of Essie's On a Silver Platter on the ring finger.

I considered leaving my nails this way though the week...pink on one finger and blue on the other. Until I remembered I'd be with my in-laws for the Super Bowl and the last thing I needed were questions on if I was preggers or not and when (I get enough of that as it is...I don't want to rattle the cage of the beast). So I opted for Greta with Love until it peeled enough throughout the week for me to just remove it all together.

My nails have been plain since. I think they needed a break...but it won't last long, knowing me.

Happy Friday, everyone!

And, as always, come show off your manicures (and pedicures) with the rest of us polish junkies!!

Subscription Share - June Boxes

Here's a look at the goodies I got in June!!

Julep

Once again I went with my regular box - Classic With A Twist. I have to say, I wasn't overly impressed with the month's selections.) My nail colors are Martha (pink) and Kennedy (taupe?). I'm really not sure what color category Kennedy falls into. It is one I wouldn't pick for myself, normally. There were three pieces of salt-water taffy. And DD Creme in Medium.

*Update - I haven't used the polishes yet. But I tried the DD cream - the medium is too dark! And the Saltwater Taffy candy was good.

Birchbox

* 29 Cosmetics - 29 Preserves Skin Care Collection:  An antioxidant-rich and eco-chic quartet that protects and firms skin.
* Antica Farmacista - Body Moisturizer in Grapefruit:  Freshly scented, antioxidant-packed moisturizer from Italy.
* Beauty Protector - Protect & Detangler:  Nourishing elixir that locks in color and instantly detangles.
* Birchbox + Color Club - Wanderlust collection:  Exclusive neon pastel shades inspired by four of our favorite Cities.  *ironically, this is Reign in Spain - Reign isn't a city and Spain is a country*
* Glee Gum - Sugar-free Glee Gum:  chew on this - this all-natural gum has no artificial ingredients (and retails for $11.95 for a 12-pack!)

I may use the lotion and detangler. And possible the nail polish. And, if I'm feeling adventurous, I'll give the gum a shot too. But, overall, I'm disappointed once again. Therefore, I have cancelled my Birchbox Subscription. Due to finances, I probably won't do another subscription box for now. From here out, you'll have to satisfy yourselves with my Julep boxes.

Thanks for stopping by!

Subscription Box Share - May 2013

I'm a little late on this as life has been a little crazy lately. But I didn't want to miss out. So here are my boxes from May!



Julep:

I did my regular box - Classic with a Twist. The barrettes are adorable, but I've not used them yet. My nail colors were Zora (A pale, shimmer pink) and Myrtle (a deep red). I've not tried them yet, so I don't know how they look on my nails.

The Lipsticks were Charleston (a cranberry looking color), Sweet Lorraine (Pink), and Lady in Red (red) (Please forgive the shoddy appearance of my nails) I've worn Lady in Red and it looks okay on me. It's a little more red than I'm used to, but overall I like the look. Sweet Lorraine is too pink for my skin tone, and Charleston is a little dark but could still get some use once toned down some.


Birchbox
Unfortunately, because my box came the weekend before I headed out of town for three weeks straight, I've not had a chance to use my goodies. But I did like what I saw, for a change!

* Coola - Classic Face SPF 30 Cucumber Moisturize for face:  This mineral sunblock is infused with organic, anti-aging ingredients like evening primrose extract and borage seed oil.
* DevaCurl - 3 Step System:  This foam-free formula trio includes a nourishing grapeseed oil shampoo, curl taming conditioner, and an award-winning, soft hold gel.
* Sumita - Color Contrast Eyeliner:  Inspired by traditional Indian formulas, this velvety liner glides on easily and lasts for hours.
* Whish - Shave Crave Shaving Cream:  The organic shea butter in this shaving cream leaves your skin incredibly soft and your shave insanely close. Plus, we love the exclusive blueberry scent.
Bonus item - Pilot Acroball pen and coupon.

I'm actually looking forward to trying the DevaCurl products as I have naturally curly hair. I'm always looking for good stuff to calm the beast. And I'm a pen snob, so finding one I like is a good thing. And I like the Acroball...so much so I used the coupon yesterday to get some more!


Are you getting any goodie boxes each month? If so, come share what you're getting with the rest of us. Brag about your finds!

Hope you've had a great weekend so far!

The Nail Files

Once again, I find myself on the road this week. Thankfully, today I'm headed home. And I'll get there...eventually (already delayed at my connection and I've not even left my origin yet). Anyway, that's a post for another day.

Today is about my manicure:

I give you "Molly" from my May Julep Maven box!

I am in love with this red. I have been looking for the perfect red for quite some time.

I.Have.Found.IT!!!

This red isn't too dark, it isn't too light. It is the perfect shade...for me. And I am stoked that I didn't skip my box, like I was planning (I actually got the Boho Glam box instead of my normal one...but more on that at a later date).

And since I'm on my POS work laptop, I can't put the link up. But I'll let you know that I've linked with Tara and Vicki for the weekly Nail Files (see, I can make that a hyperlink, but I can't copy/past the cool button that Tara & Vicki created - POS Work laptop!).

Come share your lovely manicures with the rest of us! 

Happy Friday, y'all!

Subscription Box Share - April's Goodies

As some/most of you know, I do two boxes a month:  Julep and Birchbox.

Apparently I had a little lapse in the month assigned to my Julep box and posted April's box for the March share (see this post). So I'm going to skip my Julep info. I will, however, tell you that for $19.99 a month you get two Julep polishes and some other goodie. Everything is along a theme. May, for example, had a "Roaring Twenties" theme in honor of the movie "The Great Gatsby" coming out this summer. You fill out a short survey and are assigned a "type" (I'm classic with a twist). Each month you have the option to keep your "type" box or select another. For an additional cost, you can also add on colors from the other boxes if you'd like. So, check out this link for more info and see if you might like Julep. This ends the pitch portion of this post.

On to the good stuff!

My April Birchbox:

* Mirenesse: Glossy Kiss Lipstick - Launching exclusively in the Bircbox shop, this user-friendly lip pencil is a goof-proof way to score a high-impact pout.
* Oribe:  Shampoo and Conditioner for Beautiful Color - Give your color-treated locks some well deserved attention with the protective hone-infused formula
*SKIN&Co Roma:  Clensing Body Gel with Olive & Sicilian Orange Extracts - You won't be albe to go back to regular soap after trying this freshly scented, antioxidant-packed shower gel from Rome.
* Supergoop!:  Advanced SPF 40 Anti-Aging Eye Cream - At last:  an eye cream with serious sun protection. Plus the innovative formula has oat peptide complex to firm skin.
*(Extra) Kusmi Tea Paris:  Wellness Essentials - Get in touch with your inner Zen master with these mood-enhancing whole-leaf brews.

I have to say, not overly impressed this month! It may be time to redo my survey with them. I tried the lipstick...on my hand. Because it is orange:

This is not a color I would wear!

I haven't tried the rest yet, mainly because I'd forgotten. However, I'll be taking the body wash with me on my next trip. Not a fan of the Supergoop! product, just by name alone. I prefer a simple routine in my daily make up applications. The eye cream would just add an extra step I'm not interested in adding. And I am not a tea drinker. Mr S will be consuming the Kusmi, if he wants it.

I'm hoping my May box will be better.

However, if you're interested in trying out Birchbox for yourself, feel free to use this link!

I've linked up for this post with Neely, Katie, and Meg:



Come check out what some of the others have gotten. You may decide to give a subscription box a chance!

Nail Files - Why I don't pay for manicures anymore

As you may, or may not, know...I got my Julep Maven box earlier this week. I was very excited about my colors and decided that would be the look I was sporting all week.

I decided to go with Lena. (This picture is a little more blue than what the color actually is). Lena is a teal colored creme with a very light gold shimmer.

Again, this picture is a little too blue tinted, but just below the cap you can see a hint of that gold shimmer (it looks like a sun glare, but I promise it's the shimmer).

Unfortunately, that shimmer doesn't translate to the nail...at all! Which is okay, honestly. I wasn't looking for a shimmer when I chose to use this color for the week.

Right hand (yes, there are chips...especially the index finger)

Left hand.

Honestly, I love the color. The formula (aka, polish) was a little thicker than usual, but it went on smooth and covered fine.

My biggest issues is this:

See that index finger? That happened somewhere between the end of day one and the middle of day two of wear. I painted my nails Monday evening. That gapping chip was in place before Tuesday evening. And it's been that way since. I just didn't feel like trying to fix it. And I didn't have to be anywhere that required a perfect manicure, so I wasn't worried about it.

I'm just annoyed that it happened. This is why I don't pay for manicures anymore (unless it's a gel mani or acrylic). Regular polish, with or without a top coat, just doesn't seem to last longer than a day. I tend to be rough on my hands - washing dishes, cooking, opening boxes on trips, carting luggage around when I travel, etc. So it's just not worth it, to me. I just wish the polish would last a little longer than 24 hours...that's all I ask.

Anyway. I'm linking up with Tara and Vicki for:



Happy Friday, y'all!!

Nail Files & Birch Box all rolled into one

I kept my nails in the natural once my V'day polish started coming off (read "I started peeling it off). I've had the Oxygen Nail Treatment I got in my last Julep Maven box on since Wednesday evening.

It has a very sheer pink tint to it that you can't see at all in this picture! But it seems to be holding in place since I put it on. According to the box, the Oxygen Nail Treatment is "A perfect tint and a revolutionary treatment for thin, weak nails prove to breakage and peeling." Those are the two biggest issues I have with my nails, so here's hoping this stuff does the trick.

On to my Birch Box!

Here's what I got:

Juicy Couture: Couture La La, Dr. Jart+:  Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm, Curly Hair Solutions:  RevUp Volumist, and theBalm cosmetics:  Mary-Lou Manizer. Oh, and a caramel filled Ghirardelli square (yum!).

Here is something you may, or may not, know about me. I am make up challenged! That is the main reason I wanted to do Birch Box - to be introduced to other products that may help my routine. I use the word "routine" very loosely! My routine consists of Olay moisturizer (with an SPF of 15 or higher), Cover Girl Powder foundation, blush (currently Victoria Secret brand or theBalm I got last month), and Mascara (water-proof). I carry blistex with me...in fact, I may be a little obsessed as I have one in my purse, one in my make up bag, one by my bed, one in my backpack for travel, and one in my desk drawer. *pauses to coat lips*

So I really wasn't overly impressed with the contents of this box (and I'm mucho jealouso of those that got the nail polish...but that's not why I did Birchbox...I have Julep for that).

Here's my thoughts on the items:
* Ghiradelli Square - YUM! (duh!)
* theBalm cosmetics:  Mary-Lou Manizer - love this! It's a little lighter than I normally go for, but I like it as an eye shadow/highlight. The shimmer effect is just enough for me.
* Juicy Couture:  Couture La La - Not my thing.
* Curly Hair Solutions: RevUp Volumist - not impressed. I really didn't notice it doing more than letting my hair air-dry does. I take that back...it did define the curls a little bit (I have naturally wavy hair - enough to drive me crazy if I don't straighten it or shellac it into place with curl spray). But as far as volume, no.
* Dr. Jart+:  Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm - probably the only thing in the box that impressed me. I had no idea (NO IDEA) what BB cream is or does going into this. So imagine my surprise when I go to put it on like a moisturizer and it not only comes out tinted, but goes on tinted too! HELLO! And it was the perfect coverage color.

I may have a new item to add to the routine replace two of my current items. And it has SPF 15!! 

Today I've linked up with the lovely Tara over at Fabulous but Evil to bring you these two reveiws/links ups. 

 

 and

Happy Friday, y'all!!

The Nail Files - Upside Down French

First off, I got my Julep Box a couple weeks ago! I completely forgot about accepting my box in the allotted time in January and was automatically shipped my standard "Classic with A Twist" colors. But I don't mind - they are quite lovely:

Meet Helen and Claudette!

I've been wanting to try, again, the reverse French Mani (or half moon mani), so I figured these two lovelies would make a great pairing. I wasn't wrong!

I'm not sure why I did two "accent" nails and not all of them in the half moon. Maybe because I truly didn't feel like it once I did the two. It did, however, turn out A LOT better than my last attempt at a half moon mani, so I was happy with that!

Oh, and if you're wondering, here's the rest of what was in my box:

 Again - Love the little quote card in each box!

 An eyelash curler...that I've tried a couple times. Eh! I'm not a big fan of curling my eyelashes, but I did notice a difference in the length appearance after curling them.

 This is SUPPOSED to make your polish last longer...kind of a gel effect without actually being gel. I call shenanigans!! It didn't do the job for me, at least. Hopefully someone else had better luck than me!

 If I remember correctly, it's a "healer" for nails that are brittle and crack/peel easily. Not to be used with polish, this is a loner product. I will be testing it this coming week while I'm on the road for work.

And some chocolates in honor of Valentine's Day.

There was a mystery box posted the first of the week. I went ahead and snagged one and it should be here today or tomorrow. I hope it's good stuff!

As always, I'm linking with the lovely Tara and Vicki for:


Happy Friday!!

The Nail Files

Well, as promised, here is what I got in my Julep Maven box:

 I love the little quote cards the put each month. I have them on a picture board by my bed.  

These are the latest hair-tie craze. They, supposedly, don't kink your hair when in a ponytail. I've not really noticed, either way. But I have noticed a definite lack of hair wrapped around it when I pull it out of my hair. That is an accomplishment for me!

 The theme this month is Neon colors.

 I opted to stay with my "Classic with a Twist" box as I am not a huge fan of neon. These were much more subdued for me. The coral, aka Madison, will be great in the summer, especially on the toes!

 And this shot includes my add-ons...the white in the middle, aka Eileen, and some extra swatch stickers (to help with polish organization/selection). Oh, and the pink box is a Hand & Cuticle Stick. Honestly, I'm not sure what it really does other than make my fingers greasy.

 So here's what I did - Eileen as a base. Then a Madison flower with a little Grace and Eileen center

.

Here are all three colors. The far left is Grace and she's a sheer pink. I have way to many colors like this and probably won't get much use from her. 

I didn't go all crazy this week with my nails. However, I've had success with how long they've last this round. I did my nails on Monday and I've only had a little chipping on three finger tips. That makes me very happy, cause I can't keep a manicure very long unless it's gel polish or professionally done fakes.

Anyway, come show off your nails with the rest of us:

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!