Influenster Holiday VoxBox � NYC Liquid Lipshine

I can't resist posting another product from the Influenster Holiday VoxBox. This post is for NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine. I think this is probably my favorite thing from the VoxBox. Don't get me wrong, this Box was perfect for me. Seriously, it couldn't be more perfect; I loved every product inside. But, this lipgloss is the thing that is going to get used the most.

I received Nude York City in my Holiday VoxBox. It's a gorgeous shimmery nude that adds a hint of shine to your lips. I think this is the perfect color for anyone since it doesn't have much color of its own; it simply enhances your own lips.

This is my Instagram filtered shot. I just had to share because I love it. I am not photogenic at all!! I can take 100 pictures of myself and only get one that I consider the best of the worst. So I'm pretty proud of this one, lol. :)

Here is a close up of the original, unfiltered photo so you can see the actual lipgloss. You can see the gorgeous shimmery shine of Nude York City over my naturally bright colored lips.

One of my favorite things about this lipgloss, besides everything, is the application wand/brush. It's nice, long, and flexible. It gathers more lipgloss than the regular non-flexible, angled flat tip brush and applies it better too. I didn't have to dip back into the bottle and the long brush means it didn't clump into smears on my lips. Just one smooth stroke.

I loved Nude York City enough to go out and buy another shade of Liquid Lipshine: Prospect Pink. The price is amazing! There aren't many quality lipglosses you can buy under $5. Well, this retails for $2.49. I picked it up in my area for under $2!! Talk about a steal! Under $2 for a Vitamin E infused, non-sticky lipgloss that comes in 10 shades? Yes, please!!

I've never had any lip color, whether it be lipgloss or lipstick, actually look pink on me. My lips are just too red that pinks turn weird shades on me. Prospect Pink is amazing. It can make my lips actually look pink. I was devastated last year when the most gorgeous pink ever that I picked up for the beach turned a weird shade of purple on my lips. So Prospect Pink is so going on vacation with me this year!

Have you tried NYC Liquid Lipshine? Will you be looking for it on your next shopping trip? What's your go to shade? You can visit their website here to find your perfect shade of Liquid Lipshine.

*All products (unless otherwise stated) were sent to me for testing purposes, completely complimentary, from Influenster. All photos and opinions are my own.

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My Nail Care Routine

I've been asked many times how I keep my hands/nails/cuticles looking so nice. Well, after taking off my latest polish I realized it's that time of the month � the time when my nails are starting to look a little long and ragged and I have to do a complete work over on them. I do this once, maybe twice a month, and do multiple smaller touch-ups between. So, I decided to snap a few pictures and attempt a short video in an attempt to explain how I keep my nails in shape. You guys asked for it!! :)

Here are the main things you'll need. I use non-acetone nail polish remover and a cotton ball to remove all my nail polish. I use so much of this stuff that I go for the cheaper Equate option. It works just as well as name brand and costs less! I bought the nail trimmer from the Born Pretty Store over a year ago, and I still love this thing! I recommend getting a six (or seven) sided file; I prefer my Revlon Shape 'N' Buff six sided file. And, the only lotion I will ever use is Aveeno, usually Daily Moisturizing. If you use something else make sure it is not water based. Check the list of ingredients and make sure water is near the end of the list. Water dries out your skin and nails, so I have never understood why you would want to use a water based lotion in an attempt to cure said dry skin. Aveeno Daily Mouisturizing has a dimenthicone skin protectant (a breathable barrier that locks in moisture) and is natural colloidal oatmeal based (which will help soothe and soften dry skin). You'll also need to have a sink and some soap nearby.

This is my elusive right hand immediately after removing polish and washing my hands. It needs a lot of TLC, right? Sadly, by the time I made the decision to do this tutorial I had already done my (prettier) left hand. What this means is that this hand will be a lot more ragged. Since I am right handed this hand takes all the damage. This also means the results of my overhaul will be a little less perfect since I'm cutting and filing with my non-dominant hand. Here is what I start with: dry skin, long nails that are growing out of their squared shape, peeling tips, and hideous cuticles. The end results will be a drastic change!

There will be no editing in these pictures (except light quality if needed) so you can see the true, unaltered nail makeover. The first thing to do, after washing and drying your hands, is to trim your nails.

Be careful after cutting your nails as they will be extra sharp. :)

Here is where the file comes in.

I use the previous pictures white side to file some extra length off my nails, creating the squared shape I like, and then round out the edges a bit. After that, I use the blue side to even out my nails. The pink end is used to smooth both the tips of my nails and the ridges on my nails.

You're nails will start to look worse before they look better. Be very careful if you have ridges that need filing. You never want to file too much off the tops of your nails!!

Next I use the purple and dark blue sides to lightly buff and shine my nails.

They look pretty bad, right? They'll look a little better after you wash off some of the dust and dandruff left behind by filing. Use some soap and water and be extra gentle.

Next up: lotion, lotion, and more lotion. It's far better to have too much than have not enough. Put a large dollop in your palm and cover your hands in lotion; then focus on massaging the lotion into your nails and around your cuticles. See the video below.

Forgive me, I really hope this works. This is my first video, and I really don't have the setup for this. I had to balance my camera on my knee and hope I didn't knock it over while filming. It's a bit out of focus in some parts, but it gets the point across. Don't forget to get some lotion under your nails too.

Let the lotion sink in for a few minutes before even thinking of touching your cuticles. The lotion will soften them and make pushing them back easier. After a few minutes go ahead and push your cuticles back. GENTLY!! If they don't move easily use more lotion and wait a bit longer. Better to wait a few extra minutes than to tear your cuticles attempting to push them back. Not only would that be painful, but there's always the risk of infection with damaged cuticles.

Finally, after the lotion has all sunk in and your hands are silky smooth but dry, apply a base coat. I just got this OPI Matte Nail Envy in the mail (bought with an Amazon gift card I received from Swagbucks.com) so I decided to give it a try. This is two coats. I really love how it's not truly matte but more the matte of your natural nails. It leaves a bit of shine behind that looks really nice. It also left my nails so strong and with a nearly perfectly arched shape after about an hour on my nails! This will certainly contribute to their overall strength. It does leave me wondering if I'm supposed to use my usual base coat over this or if this subs as a base coat. The big question is: will it protect against staining on its own?

My daily routine between these overhauls usually consists of lots of lotion and some less frequent filing between old and new polish. I use nothing but non-acetone remover, and I never trim or in any way remove my cuticles. Really, nothing too intensive.

What do you guys think? Definitely easy enough that anyone can do, right? There's no reason not to have beautiful hands and nails. Give it a try and let me know if this works for you. :)

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Influenster Holiday VoxBox � Kiss Nail Dress

This post is very image heavy so I have applied a cut to make loading easier for everyone.

I've been chomping at the bit to start reviewing the products I received in my Influenster Holiday VoxBox. And, now that the Brand Challenges have opened up I can finally start my review posts. Since I'm a nail blogger I decided to start with the one nail related product in this VoxBox. Kiss Nail Dress in Princess!! Love me some leopard print. ?

I did a review of these previously and after the disaster I made of them, I vowed never to try them again. Well, I'm happy to break that vow. These went on surprisingly easy, passed all my 'tests', and came off with little damage to my natural nails.

To apply, I used the Nail Dress of course and the provided file. I also used a pair of scissors, tweezers, and a cotton ball with a bit of rubbing alcohol. The cotton ball and alcohol was used first thing to clean my nails of any dirt, lotion, or natural oils. This will provide a clean surface for the Nail Dress to stick to. You'll get a lot of lifting, if you can even get these to stick at all, if you don't clean your nails first. You can also use nail polish remover.

Here is a close look at the Nail Dress, front and back. These are clear sheets that hold the Nail Dress and it's a wonderful idea. It makes these so easy to size!! Simply hold the sheet up to your nail and choose the closest size.

Once you have chosen the closest size peel it off the clear sheet and center it on your nail. I work from the cuticle, but I've heard of other people working from the side or the middle. Pick what works best for you and smooth the Nail Dress onto your nail. Like I said, I work from the cuticle and pushed pretty hard working my thumb in circles to prevent bubbles and bunching.

Trim off the excess, leaving a small amount hanging over your nail. You'll need to be extra careful around the tip of your nail. Pushing too hard may cause a break but not pushing hard enough won't get the Nail Dress to stick and will lead to lifting later.

This is were the file comes in. I used the pink side since it was a softer grain and was likely to cause less damage to my natural nail underneath if I filed too much.

It really doesn't need much filing before the edge starts to come right off. Remember to do the sides of your nails! Get you file into the crease of your nail and file as much as you can. The corners and edges of your nails are where the Nail Dress is most likely to lift, so you want to get as much of that off as you can.

Continue with the rest of your nails using the tweezers to press out any bubbles or bumps. The tweezers are perfect for getting between the 'bling'. I did both hands at the same time (both thumbs, both index nails, etc) so I didn't forget which size I needed.

Shortly after taking the last picture I realized I needed to file a bit more off the tips. Simple things like typing, scratching an itch, or even going to the bathroom were causing some serious lifting so I went back and filed off a small amount of the tips. You can see it very well here, but it was completely unnoticeable in person and it got rid of any and all lifting. I'm sure this amount of filing might be more noticeable with some of the other Nail Dress, but it worked very well with Princess.

The only thing left to do was pair it with an outfit. Luckily, I had an adorable gray top with a gold leopard print heart on the front. Paired with a red lacy cami, black jeans, and a pair of cute heeled boots, I was completely ready for my Girl's Night Out!!

I put these on Friday morning and took them off Monday night. Here is a picture before I removed them. The tips are a smidgen more ragged but otherwise there was no difference between when I put them on and when I took them off.

Removal was easy. I simply picked a corner near my cuticle and the Nail Dress peeled right off. Some of the sticky glue got left behind and there was a bit of scuffing along some of my nails but there was no damage that a good wash, a layer of hand lotion, and a light buffing didn't clear up.

The cons? Filing the tips as much as I did prevented lifting but left them slightly sticky for the first day. They attracted fuzzies that I had to pick off. Not a big problem. The biggest problem was the 'bling'. It was raised up just enough that it caught on everything: clothes, hair, random objects. Personally, I hated it most when it caught on my hair. It hurt!! However, by the time I took these off I had learned to be extra careful around my hair.

This was the only thing I was careful around. I didn't go easy on these nails. I put them to the ultimate tests. Hours after putting these on I took a bath and washed my hair. I then proceeded to do blow dry and style my hair and do my makeup. These held up to not only all that but Girl's Night Out and a weekend of shopping. Impressive!

Overall, would I recommend these? YES! However, I would recommend them with a warning. Your first try with these is likely to piss you off something fierce. Probably even make you vow never to try them again. But really do give them another try!! I am so happy I did. And this time I knew just what not to do. :) Hopefully, this little tutorial post will help you get it right the first time.

*All products were sent to me for testing purposes, completely complimentary, from Influenster. All photos and opinions are my own.

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Tinsel Town � Read My Palm

Hey everyone! I hope you had a great first 2013 weekend. As for me, I've been doing some swatching. I eyed, hemming and hawing, over the Sephora by OPI Tinsel Town Collection for weeks and weeks before I finally broke down and bought it. This collection was actually part of a Christmas gift for myself, and I'm happy to finally be able to start swatching.

I started with the one that caught my eye first, a gorgeous mint named Read My Palm. I love mint polish!!

As far as mint polishes go this is one of the better ones I've found. It went on fairly smoothly, though I did find the formula a smidgen too watery. You can see one coat of Read My Palm here. It's slightly streaky and patchy, but covers well for only one coat.

Two coats fills everything in and leaves behind a nice finish.

Look how smooth and shiny this polish is with two coats and no top coat!

Want to know how Read My Palm holds up to my two favorite mints? Read My Palm is on my index and pinky nail while my middle nail has Sally Hansen Mint Sorbet and my ring nail is painted with Wet n Wild I Need A Refresh-Mint.

Sally Hansen Mint Sorbet is what I think of when I think mint. It reminds me of mint chocolate chip ice cream and is the perfect mint green in my opinion. Wet n Wild I Need A Refresh-Mint is the complete opposite. It's the perfect cool and refreshing minty blue of wintergreen gum. It's also the color I turn to when I need a sky blue color. As you can see, Read My Palm is leaning heavily on green and is a much darker shade than Mint Sorbet. It's been labeled a light jade green, and I can definitely see that. I think I might just have the perfect ombre shades here.


Color: Mint green with a definite lean towards green. A light jade green.
Finish: Creme
Application: I found the formula slightly watery. One coat went on streaky and patchy but built up nicely with no streaking. The dry time was amazing!
Coats to Opaque: 2
My Rating: 4.5 � if it lost the slightly watery quality it might just have tipped into a 5. I love mint shades and this is the perfect addition to my collection.

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my new years resolutions

New year, new start. I welcomed 2013 with a swim in the sea. You can't tell from the photo above it was chilly but i can assure you it was so COLD! In 2012 i don't remember setting any resolutions but i really want to this year. Here they are....

- Do yoga 3 times a week 
I already do yoga a little bit but i'd love for it to become a regular thing. I've just discovered a yoga app on my tv so i've got no excuse now!
- Learn a water sport
I've lived near the sea nearly all my life and apart from canoeing a few times i don't have a lot of water sport experience. I would like to learn a new skill, i'm thinking maybe paddle boarding?!
- Eat healthier
Classic resolution but it has to be done. If you follow me on twitter you'll know just how much junk i eat.
- Travel more
I love travelling and definitely want to go abroad more this year, i keep checking for late deals!
- Take Moonie to the next level(whatever it is!)
If your not sure what Moonie is - it's my own business, click on the link above & prepare to be flabbergasted...

I didn't want to go crazy and write loads of goals, i've only chosen a few in the hope i'm more likely to achieve them!

I'd love to hear what you resolutions are this year :)

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Asos and TK maxx haul

(picture heavy)I think this is my first ever haul, i've done a few beauty hauls before which go down well but never a clothes haul. Hope you've grabbed some bargains in the sales this year, i don't think they've been very good this year; this post might give you some shopping inspiration!

chunky knit pink jumper �14.99 Tk maxx

Jumper with dipped back �12.99 Tk maxx

High waisted Jeans �21.00 ASOS

Grey knit snood �12.00 ASOS

River Island denim jacket with leather sleeves �34.00 ASOS

Hearts & Bows bow tie blouse �17.00 ASOS

Leopard print pumps �9.00

This was my first order from ASOS and the delivery was quite quick. I bought a few ASOS own brand items like the snood and the jeans, the prices were reasonable but i found the quality wasn't that great. I'm in love with the denim jacket! I've been after one for ageeesss. TK maxx has to be my favourite highstreet shop. I like that when you buy something from their it's unlikely that your friends will have the same thing too. That's what puts me off shopping in Primark cause everyone ends up wearing the same coat/top/bag...Saying that, my sister and I bought each other the exact same jumper from TK maxx for each other this Christmas!

Have you bought anything good in the sales? Would you like to see more hauls?

p.s sorry about the poor photo quality, my blog-resoultion this year is to take better photographs!

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Q is for ...

I am a sick, sick woman and, in a totally different way, so is the little guy on my nails today. What could I do for Q in the ABC Challenge? Queen, quilt, or maybe even quiz? Of course not! You know me, I have to think outside the box with this challenge. Brace yourself!

Q is for ... queasy. And I'm getting a little queasy just looking at them.

Yes, that is what it looks like ... 'sick up' splatter using Revlon Garden over Sally Hansen Mellow Yellow.

Are you feeling a little queasy now too?

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P is for ...

Hello everyone. Welcome to 2013!! :) Today's post was supposed to be for the letter Q in the ABC Challenge but, after the Christmas rush, I felt like doing nothing, so I'm a little behind in my posts. I don't feel right moving onto Q before posting P so ...

P is for ... Phoenix.

I cringe a little looking at this design. I was cleaning my usual nail art brush and the bristles came out. I was stunned because I was cleaning it like I always clean my brushes. I wasn't any more or less rough/gentle or pulling on the bristles excessively. I'm really not pleased because I pay an outrageous price for these brushes�4 brushes for about $15! I think I'll be ordering my brushes online from now on; for my usual price I can probably get a full set.

So, all brush rants aside, this design is a little messier than my usual since I had to use a thicker brush for the line work. Still, I felt very Harry Potter creating this phoenix ... though it's not as stunning as Fawkes. :)

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