Color Street Nail Polish Strips Review and Giveaway

Confession time, though I know that it would make my Instagram pictures better and I like having painted nails, I rarely have my nails done.  I don't want to pay for salon manicures and the manicures I do at home never turn out well.  I'm bad at painting nails.  It takes too much time and never turns out right so I walk around with naked nails.

(This post in a collaboration with Color Street consultant Jenn Marshburn Lynch for product and a giveaway.  All opinions, as always, are my own honest thought.)  

I started hearing about Color Street last year but I was skeptical.  But I read that it was made with real nail polish and only took a couple minutes to apply so I decided to give it a go.  Color Street are nail polish strips that are dry on one side and moist on the other side to adhere to your nail.  They are not stickers.  They are flexible so you can stretch them a bit to fit your nail.  There is absolutely NO drying time!

 Color Street Day 3 - forgot to take picture before because we left on vacation

I picked the Tokyo Lights glitter for my manicure.  I think it took me 10-15 minutes to apply my nails because it was my first time and I was nervous.  The nail strip has the base coat, polish, and top coat all in one step.  You just put the strip on your nail, press and rub it in, and pull off any excess.  I tried to be more careful so I could use each strip on two nails which means you get two manicures per package with some left over.  Truthfully, I wasn't GREAT at the application the first time.  I had some areas where I was way too rough and ripped off more of the strip than I should have.  Next time I'll be more gentle.  Even so, I think the mani looked pretty good when I was done.

Color Street Day 7

I applied the manicure right before bed as I was watching TV.  This is usually the time I do my nails but I always wake up in the morning with smudges and dents even though I thought the nail polish was dry when I went to bed.  With Color Street, I had none of those concerns.  There's NO drying time.  No waiting time for it to seal.  No nothing.  You put them on and then rub an alcohol pad over the top to seal them in.  That's it!  I went to bed and everything was dry and fine.  I woke up with them looking exact like they did when I went to bed.  I got SO many compliments with people not believing that I didn't get my nails done at a salon.  They looked so pretty!

I wore this manicure for 14 days!!!  It didn't even look that bad when I took them off.  I definitely had more growth from the bottom than chipping from the top.  I have really oily skin so gel nail polish and nail sticker products usually only last about 8 days on me.  I was floored that this lasted 14 days!

Removal was pretty easy.  I was afraid since there was a TON of glitter on my nails.  I took some tips from Jenn and put coconut oil all over my nails for a few minutes before I removed the Color Street.  Then I used regular nail polish remover and cotton pads.  They came off in chunks and took a couple minutes.  My natural nails look great underneath, no drying or weakness at all.

Color Street Day 14

I think this product is great for any person on the go!  It's affordable.  I used the excess from my manicures to give my 5 year old daughter a mani but didn't get a picture.  For the $12, I got 2 manicures for me and can do 2 for her.  I loved how easy it was for someone like me who is BAD at nails!  And the fact that I didn't have to dry was basically the best thing of life.  I have already bought more strips from Jenn!  I'm also hosting an online party with Jenn if you'd like to purchase HERE IS THE PARTY LINK.  I will receive a hostess credit of product if anyone decides to purchase.

GIVEAWAY!
Jenn has kindly given me a set of Color Street to giveaway to one lucky reader so they can try the fabulousness!

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March 2017 Favorites

Wow!  The month of March just flew by!  And April does not look like it's going to slow down at all. I'm really enjoying the weather and the fact that we are getting a lot more sunshine and daylight!  But I am not really digging the horrible seasonal allergies I'm experiencing.  If you have any tips for allergies, please let them in the comments.

Here are my favorites for the month of March!

1. Happy Planner.  I've tried very unsuccessfully to use a planner in the past.  I've actually tried 3 different planners this year.  I finally found the right planner for me and it's the Me and My Big Ideas Happy Planner.  I use the medium size (?), it's not the jumbo and it's not the mini.  If you follow me on Instagram, you'll see in my stories that on Monday morning I sit down to plan my week.  The vertical layout of the Happy Planner really works for me and I feel like I have plenty of room right write which is important to me.  I'd rather have empty boxes than not enough room.  Also, I LOVE watching YouTube videos where people are using their Happy Planner so if you know someone please link them below.  I really love Jennie McGarvey's videos on YouTube!

2. Amazing Lash Studio Extensions.  You might know I love my lash extensions from my past review.  This month, I decided to go up one size in my lashes inspired by the amazing Kira Tuiaki and her lashes.  OMG, I'm in LOVE!  I believe I'm at a 14 or maybe a 15.  I don't even know what those numbers mean, millimeters I think.  I feel like it's made a HUGE difference on my face and I LOOOOOVE them!  (I also love this tiny leprechaun hat that I got for St. Patrick's Day from the Target Dollar Spot but I have to put it away until next year.)  If you're in Elk Grove and want to get lashes please sign up using my referral link and put my name in the referral spot.  

3. Honey Honey Hand Creme by Perfectly Posh.  I have had so much dryness lately.  I think it's part of my allergies.  I love this hand creme because it smells like Skittles!  In my ongoing efforts to become an actual unicorn, I believe that smelling like candy is one of the steps.  The creme leaves my hands soft and smoothes out the dryness but it's not greasy.  I can use my phone almost immediately after putting it on and you know that's very important to me since I'm on IG all the time.  (Photo from Perfectly Posh website.)

4. Fresh citrus fruits.  Namely Cara Cara oranges (which I just read are going out of season in April, boo) and mandarin oranges.  My favorite place to get them is at the Farmers Market.  I usually go to the Old Elk Grove Farmer's Market or Midtown Market.  But in case we don't make it there, I really also like the little mandarins from Trader Joe's (I look for the smallest ones) and the Cara Cara oranges from Sprouts.  They are so sweet right now!  They taste like candy and are perfect for when I get a sweet craving.  

5.  BBC Kid.  I believe her name is Marion Kelly but everyone knows her as BBC Kid.  She's the little girl that busted in on her dad's BBC interview with her darling little glasses and her yellow shirt.  I even watched the follow up video with them and she was just as cute.  I keep this GIF on my phone to cheer me up when I'm in a grumpy mood and to remind me to be more fun like little Marion.

Hope you are having a great month so far!  What were some of your favorites from last month that I should check out??

***I've used a couple (2) affiliate/referral links in the post, if you use them I will be given very small commission.  MOST of the links were not and if you follow anyone, watch them, etc... I get nothing, it's just for your enjoyment. ***

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Amazing Lash Eyelash Extensions Review

If you know me, you know I LOVE a big lash!  I was super excited to hear that Amazing Lash Studios were coming to my town of Elk Grove and when they asked me to partner up with them, I was ecstatic to try out some lash extensions!  It took me a few months after they opened to get to a point in my life where I could get the lashes and you KNOW how I love to do a thorough review for you all.   (While I did receive some services for free, I give 100% honest opinions of products whether I pay for them or not.)

Lash extensions are little light weight extensions that are glued directly onto your lashes with a semi-permanent glue.  They last 2-4 weeks depending on how fast your lashes grow and how often they fall out which varies from person to person.  Amazing Lash uses glue that is formaldehyde-free and they use a sterile application process where they soak their tweezers in disinfectant solution then sanitize them in a UV sterilizer.  After you get your lashes, you can't wash them or touch them for about 48 hours.  You can shower but you need to make sure no water or steam gets on your lashes.  This helps the glue to set.  

My first set of lashes went on at the end of October.  I loved loved loved the results but I have sensitive eyes and had to find a way that worked for me with the lashes.  Thankfully, the team at Amazing Lash Studio Elk Grove worked with me to figure out the best way for me to get lashes.  I use what they call "Sensitive Procedure" which is where the lashes are glued further away from the lash line.  However, since the lashes are further out they can grow out quicker.  If your eyes are not sensitive, I would try the regular way so you can get the most out of your lashes.

The first time you go, you'll get your full set.  This will take about 2 hours.  I suggest wearing comfy clothes and you can even take a nap during your application.  You will lay on a padded massage table (face up, obviously) and there's a pillow, a cushion that goes under your knees, and they cover you with a soft and cozy blanket.  They put on soothing music and you can choose to talk to your lash stylish or you can nap or I'm SURE you could bring in ear buds and listen to an audio book but I've never tried that.  Once I tried just laying in silence but that makes it seem like you've been there FOREVER, once I tried napping but I'm pretty self conscious of my snoring, and what works for me is chatting with my gal.  I'm a social person and hearing about someone's school and family is really enjoyable to me and it makes the time go by faster.  My lashes usually last about 3 weeks but there has been one time when I needed to come in closer to 2 weeks to get a fill.  The fills are much faster, usually under 1 hour.

Before and After - sorry about the lighting

I've done something that the average person hasn't done.  After I figured out the regular procedure wasn't going to work for my eyes, I had all my lashes removed and waited a few days before getting a new set.  I've seen my lashes underneath and they are perfectly fine and actually nice and full.  The extensions did not hurt my lashes at all.  I've also already tried two different styles of lashes; The Gorgeous Style and The Cute Style.  I think The Cute Style suits my face better though it's hard to tell in the photos.  I think you can tell when I'm looking forward and not smiling but I don't take pictures like that.

Cute Style Lashes

Cute Style Lashes

Cute Style Lashes 

Gorgeous Style Lashes

Gorgeous Style Lashes

I can't explain to you how much I love having lashes!  I've never been a person who looks in the mirror with no makeup and thinks "oh, I look so cute" but I do with the lashes on.  I don't even put on very much makeup anymore.  It takes me about 5 minutes to apply some face makeup, lipstick, and I'm good to go.  I didn't realize how much time I was spending on eye makeup.  I'm someone who struggles with self confidence and I think the time, money, and bit of care that goes into having lashes is worth every single bit if I can look at myself and be happier with me.  I feel like I look more like myself, is that weird?  It's not about changing who I am or what I look like, it's about putting forth the best version of who I already am.

If you are in Elk Grove and want to get lashes, please use my referral link to make your appointment and put in Ashley Newell as the blogger. My lash stylist is Kaozer and I LOVE LOVE LOVE her!  She's efficient, friendly, and I feel like she cares about me.  Plus she does an awesome job on my lashes!  I hope this review helps you!  Leave me a comment if you have any questions.

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Lipsense Review (Color, Gloss, and Balm)

For the past few months, I've heard a lot of about Lipsense from SeneGence.  First, my friend Heather  (my Lularoe consultant) mentioned it when she was making a favorite things video.  I would see it here and there.  Then my other friend Heather mentioned it in her Style Tips and Sassy Lips group where she shares fashion tips, sales, and other fun shopping related things.  At this point, I decided to go ahead and purchase some to review.  (I am not affiliated with this company in any way.  The opinions are my own and I get no benefit whatsoever if you buy Lipsense.)

Lipsense is a long lasting lip color said to last 18 hours without reapplying.  They say that the color molecularly bonds to your lips then you wear a gloss over the top that is permeable through the color and moisturizes your lips while keeping the color in place.  Lipsense is sold through consultants like Lularoe or Tupperware or Pampered Chef.  The consultants will order the product and ship it to you.  Lipsense is gluten free, non GMO, not tested on animals, pharmaceutical grade rated, and FDA approved.  

I ordered Lipsense on Aug 8 and started using it shortly after.  I really like to do thorough reviews.  First off, I have to say that Lipsense is a commitment.  They say that any wax based product will cause the product to not adhere to your lips.  I have not used ANY other lip products since I started Lipsense because I wanted to use it in ideal circumstances.  I was told that your lips go through an exfoliation process as the years of wax build up needs to come off your lips and you can't give up.  I did WANT to give up but I didn't.  They say that the Lipsense will last much longer after the exfoliation process and that is true.

The colors are made with cosmetic grade alcohol to kill any bacterial on your lips or in the tube so it does tingle when you put it on.  You're supposed to do 3 layers of color, letting each layer dry for 3-5 seconds before you put on the next coat.  After it's dry, you're supposed to apply gloss.  Honestly, I think I create my own problems with this product.  I always forget to shake it and I don't apply enough gloss throughout the day.  They say to apply gloss right after color, then BEFORE you eat so that the oils from food doesn't break down the color (umm, I NEVER remember to do this, I need to write it on my hand), before bed, and throughout the day to keep your lips moist.  I need to get in the habit of applying more gloss.  I tend to wait until my lips feel dry before putting gloss on and I know that's not ideal.  

LIP COLOR: I have 4 different colors but they are all similar tones of neutral pink starting from light to dark.  I didn't realize how similar they all were until I put them all together but whatever.  I know what I like.  I still have a lot of fun layering them up and creating different colors.  They do last ALL day and if I forget to remove it, I can still see color on my lips in the morning.  I am a person with naturally dry lips and I feel like I don't drink enough water or apply enough gloss or balm.  My lips DO still get dry with this product but I do think that's a big part my own fault.  I'm going to work on that.  The colors do not transfer on anything unless I forget to gloss before I eat then wipe my mouth on a napkin.  It's hard to tell from swatches what a color will look like on you.  Here's my advice, take to Instagram!  Search #lipsense and find someone with similar coloring to you and see what you like on them then get that color.  They seem a bit expensive at $25 a color but they are said to last as long as 4 tubes of regular lipstick.  After two months of use, my colors look completely full.

LIP GLOSS: I decided to get the Glossy Gloss because it's the most moisturizing and I have not picked up any other glosses yet.  I really like the gloss!  It's definitely moisturizing and helps seal in your color.  It's comfortable on the lips but doesn't feel too thin.  It's not the type of gloss that's too slippery.  It has a good thickness but is not sticky.  In the past 2 months, I've used half of the tube.  The gloss is $20 and I am already in the process of getting a new one.  

LIP BALM: I bought the lip balm after using the color and gloss for a little while.  I wanted a bit more moisture since I have dry lips.  The balm works fine but I guess I was expecting some sort of miracle.  The balm was a lot smaller than I expected at .25 fl oz.  It's in a squeeze tube and is clear.  It is softening and moisturizing but I don't find it to work any better than the lip gloss.  It's $20 and while I will finish using it, I don't think I will repurchase it.  

 Apple Cider

Raisin

1 layer of Apple Cider, 2 layers of Raisin

Bella 

Praline Rose

If you'd like to order some Lipsense, you can join my sister in law's group (she started selling Lipsense a few days ago) : Lasting Lips with Mindy Facebook Group or on her Lasting Lips with Mindy Instagram page.  My friend Heather used to sell Lipsense too and she might have some left in her shopping tips group but either way join Heather's Style and Fashion group for fun and meeting amazing people!  

Friday Fives: YouTube Beauty Gurus

Hi friends!  I hope you're doing well!  We are ok.  My boys are going to start on year round school next week.  :(  Year round is where they go to school for three months and then are off for one month instead of having three months off for summer.  It's our first year in this kind of school and I'm a bit nervous.

Today, for my Friday Fives, I'm sharing my top 5 favorite YouTube Beauty Gurus.  I love makeup but I'm not the most creative at applying it nor do I often venture out to try new products.  That is why I count on YouTube to help me out.  I LOVE watching beauty videos!  These are 5 of my favorites though I do have many many more ladies that I watch.

1. Beauty Broadcast with Emilynoel83.  Emily is adorable!  I love her personality and her style!  She was the very first beauty guru I subscribed to on YouTube and she remains my favorite!  She loves drug store makeup which is a plus for me because I don't like to spend a lot of money on products.  She also has great looks with a lot of different colors but are very wearable.  She is clear and concise. She's genuine.  You can tell that she gives her HONEST opinion on products and that's important.

2. Making up the Midwest with Bailey B.  Bailey is a lot like Emily.  She is honest and to the point.  I like that.  She doesn't spend a lot of time rambling which makes me feel like she respects my time.  I don't often have 45 minutes to watch a YouTube video and I think Bailey knows that so she keeps her videos short and on point.  She speaks with a lot of authority but she's still young and fun.

3. Glam Life Guru with Tati.  I like this girl!  She's a little sassy and a little sarcastic like me.  She doesn't seem to take herself too seriously which I like.  She gives great information and tips.  She constantly creating a lot of new content.

4. Allison Anderson.  I really like Allison's subdued style both in personality and in makeup.  She seems like a calm, sweet friend that would be nice to spend the afternoon with.  She just has this girl next door sweetness that draws you in.  I like that her looks are very wearable and elegant.

5. Xteener.  Christine is a combination of fun, edgy, and very authoritative.  I think it's important to speak with authority when you are trying to teach people things.  I think Christine's looks are a bit trendier but she gives great information and she tells ways to tone it down if you don't want to look so bold.

Who are your favorite YouTube beauty gurus?  Let me know in the comments!  Have a great day, friends!  

Makeup Tips For Family Photo Sessions (From a Pro!!)

Hi friends!  I hope you are doing well!

Today, I have a SUPER exciting post to share with you!  My friend Jenn of Jenn Marie Makeup Artistry spent the time to give me tips on what I should do to look my best for my upcoming family photos.  I don't know about you, but we take photos every fall for our Christmas cards.  Jenn is kind enough to let me share these tips with you so that we can all look and feel our best for our photos.  Jenn demonstrated the tips on her (already gorgeous) face to show off the kind of look her tips will achieve.

Here's what Jenn says:

Doing makeup for photographs is a little different than every day makeup.  Some things look great in person but don't translate well in pictures.  Here are a few makeup tips to help you look your best when you are photographed for your upcoming family portrait sessions:

1.  Use matte colors - Although shimmer can look great when applied properly, if you are a little unsure about what to do, it's always safe to go with matte colors.  Matte makeup won't reflect light, making it easy to apply and easy to photograph.

2.  Fill in your brows - Even if you don't fill in your brows on a daily basis, fill them in for your pictures.  Your eyes and face will look so much more complete if your brows are looking polished.  This especially goes for blondes.  Blonde eyebrows will disappear in photographs.

3.  Makeup will photograph 2 shades lighter.  Makeup doesn't translate as vibrant in photographs.  I recommend doing your blush, eyes and lip color a little more vibrant than you normally would.

4.  Use powder - Even if your makeup is applied perfectly, if you look shiny in your pictures it can ruin your whole look.  Once your makeup is complete, use a finishing or setting powder to make everything more matte.  I recommend even taking some powder with you (or oil blotting sheets), especially if it's a warm day.

5.  Wear false lashes - I have never had a client who didn't like wearing false lashes, even if they were hesitant about them at first.  95% of the people in my portfolio are wearing false lashes, and they make all the difference!  If you want something more natural, buy the individual lashes and just put a few on the outer corners.

6.  Apply your makeup in natural light - When you put on your makeup, sit by a window or in a room with a lot of natural light.  This will give you the best idea of what your makeup really looks like, and how it will look in the pictures.

7.  Wax - makeup does not adhere well to peach fuzz.  Whatever you normally wax on your face, wax it before your pictures.  I suggest waxing at least 48 hours before your pictures to give enough time for any redness and swelling to go down.

8. Wear lip gloss- I, myself, never wear lip gloss.  I am a chapstick girl through and through.  But when it comes to photos, lip gloss is a must.  I consider my lips on the smaller side, so wearing lip gloss really helps them look full and plump in pictures.

9.  Wear black mascara - Some people think black is too harsh for their skin tone, but I promise that when it comes to pictures, black looks good on everyone.  Wearing black mascara will bring out your eyes a lot more than brown will.

I hope these tips will help your photos turn out even more beautiful!   

Huge thank you to Jenn for taking the time to give us these tips!  I cannot wait to try them out and see the difference they make in my photos!  You need to check out her Jenn Marie Makeup Artistry Page for tons of amazing tips and breathtaking before and afters!  If you are local (Sacramento Area), it's not too late to book Jenn for your holiday sessions!

Have a wonderful day, friends!  

Mani Monday: On the Fringe

Hi friends!  I hope you're all doing well.  I'm still a bit under the weather.  I don't know what I have but it's kicking my bum!  I did five days of antibiotics and I'm still not feeling good.  Hopefully, it will clear up soon.  Everyone else here seems to be better though.  It never really hit the kids that hard.  

I'm posting another Mani Monday this week even though I don't have anywhere to link it up to.  :(  I went completely out of my comfort zone for this mani.  I'm not usually into the whole tribal vibe but when I saw these Jamberry wraps that are exclusive for October, I just had to have them.  They are called On the Fringe.  I really love the dreamcatchers on this sheet!  This is the first time I've gotten a sheet with mixed designs on it and I love it!  It's nice not to have to think about mixing and matching my own patterns.

Let me know if you know of a Mani Monday linky party.  Have a great week, friends!  

Mani Monday and a Jamberry Giveaway!

Hi friends!  I hope that you are all well.  We are ok.  We have a heat wave and that's really annoying because we still don't have air conditioning in the van.  It's AWFUL when it's 100 degrees.  Seriously.  I hope this is the last of the heat for this year.

Today, I'm featuring a Jamberry manicure that I am loving!  How cute is this combo?  I really love mixing and matching for a fun and funky look!  I'm wearing the Leopard, Midnight Sky, and the gold and white glittery letters was a special for August.  It's so cute and it lasts just under 2 weeks.

Soooo, if you are looking for a Jamberry consultant, check out my friend Ali's Site.  She is AMAZING!  She had a fundraiser for Unravel last month to help out my Flutter Campaign and she donated $125!  Can you believe that?!?  She also has GREAT tips and tricks on how to apply Jamberry for the best wear and she even has a GIVEAWAY going on her Jamberry Facebook Page where when she hits 100 likes, she's giving away a Jamberry Nail Lacquer.

I have a giveaway for you too!  I got this nail wrap (not my picture) for hosting a party in Sept and I want to share a half sheet with you guys!  A half sheet is enough for 1 manicure and 1 pedicure.  To enter, check out the Rafflecopter below!  (US residents only.)

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Younique Makeup Review

Hi friends!  I hope you are well!  We are doing pretty good.  It's RAINING in California!  HOORAY!  We are in a drought so every drop of rain we can get is needed.  I hope it rains a lot more.  Mostly because I like fruit and vegetables and not paying an arm and a leg.

Ready for another makeup review?  I'm excited for this one!  It's the Younique makeup line that's super new.  First some disclaimers: my friend De sells Younique and she sent me some samples to try out since I'd never heard of the brand before.  I'm a makeup enthusiast so it's thrilling to try new makeup for me!  I also joined De's Younique Facebook Group where I WON the 3D Fiber Lashes in a giveaway.  (Seriously, join the group for these amazing giveaways!)  While I didn't pay for any of those products, all the opinions are mine and completely honest.  That's how I roll.

Here's a photo from her website to show you the kinds of things they sell.

First, De sent me a sample of 5 of the Moodstuck Mineral Pigment Powders.  All the shadows are talc free, chemical free, paraben free, 100% natural, and CRUELTY FREE!  I asked her to send me some matte ones because I've never even heard of matte pigments.  Usually pigments are super sparkly.  The ones she sent me from left to right are: Innocent, Beautiful, Infatuated, Risqué, and Corrupted.

Pros: I love that they are natural and cruelty free.  I think that's awesome!  They are also highly pigmented and wear beautifully.  They do not irritate my eyes at all.  They are easy to blend.
Cons: You need to pick the right colors for you.  The lightest shade I got is white/cream and it does not show up at all on my skin.  You can barely see it in the swatch but it really doesn't show up on my eyes.  I'm also medium skin toned so I would just need something that doesn't blend into my skin so much.
Would I Repurchase: Yes.  At a $10 price point, these are very inexpensive for what you'd get.  You would probably NEVER finish using one pot.

Next, De also sent me the Lucrative Lip Gloss in Loveable.
Pros: This is extremely smooth and very comfortable on the lips.  It has good pigmentation.  There's no strong smell.  They have a nice amount of gloss without being over the top.
Cons: They cost $15.  That's out of my price range for lipgloss.
Would I Repurchase: No.  Lipgloss isn't important enough to me to spend $15 on.  While it's super nice, I just don't put the focus on my lips.

Lastly, the Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes.   This is a combo of Transplanting Gel and Natural Fibers.
Pros: Oh my gosh, the volume and length is amazing.  After one use, I was sold.  I love love love big lashes!  I also dislike putting on false lashes.  I'm not good at it, it takes forever, and they weigh my eyes down.  3D Fiber Lashes do none of those things.  There's no dry time.  There's no glue.  You brush on the gel, then add the fibers, and seal with the gel.  If you apply mascara, this will be an easy task for you.  I also feel like I can wear this every single day whereas wearing a full set of false lashes to the grocery store might be overkill.  Maybe.
Cons: My skin is super oily and though this product is water resistant, the oils on my skin cause it to smudge a bit under my eyes after a few hours of wear.  I usually just top this with a waterproof mascara from the drugstore so keep the black from getting under my eyes.  Also, please take your time with this product.  Don't be applying it while driving the car.  If you get fibers in your eyes because you are distracted and rushing, it will hurt.  I got some when I was rushing and it was not fun.  This isn't really a "con" as much as a warning.
Would I Repurchase: Yes.  The $29 price tag kills me but I love it so so much.  Plus, if I bought enough falsies to wear for a few months (that's how long you should keep mascara), it would cost more than this product.

This is me with the eyeshadows, 3D Fiber Lashes, and lipgloss on.

I also wanted to say that De did donate to my Flutter Page as well though not for the purchase of being featured on my blog.  Just because she's nice.  I love nice people!  If you don't have a Younique consultant, check out De's Page.  She's the best and super efficient.  Seriously, one of the best people you'll ever work with or talk to.  

Jamberry Nail Lacquer Review

Hi friends!  I hope you're doing well.  We are ok.  School is going to start tomorrow.  This summer actually flew by!

Today, I'm reviewing the Jamberry Nail Lacquers.  My amazing consultant Carol gifted me a gorgeous lacquer and a base coat for the purpose of an HONEST review but the opinions are solely mine.

I did two rounds of testing on the lacquers before I decided to write my review because you want thorough, right?  The first time, I used the Hint of Mint color with the Strengthening Base Coat.  I did not use a top coat because I wanted to test just the Jamberry products and I don't have a Jamberry top coat.  The second time, I used my drugstore base and top coats.  I also used two of the nail wrap samples I received.  You can read my review of the Jamberry Nail Wraps HERE.

Results for Test 1:  I got beautiful opaque coverage in two coats.  It dried relatively quickly.  However, the lacquer chipped in one day.  This is VERY normal with no top coat.  You need that top coat to seal it in.

Results for Test 2: It took me 3 coats of color to get nice opacity which made it thick since I had a drugstore base and top coat on there.  I can't really judge them on thickness though because I know that I added a lot of layers with the base and top coat.  However, this method made the lacquer stay chip free and looking fabulous for 5 days and even then the chips were so minor that I kept it on another 2 days.

Conclusion:
If you buy the lacquers, you should definitely get the base coat.  I'm not sure how strengthening it is because I only used it once BUT it makes the application SO MUCH SMOOTHER.  This is probably the best base coat I've ever tried.  The price tag ($15) is higher than I'm used to spending but it's worth it.  I would buy this again and again.

The lacquer was very nice.  The color is absolutely gorgeous.  I did get good opacity and long wear when I used a top coat.  They are a little on the pricy side so I wouldn't buy one unless the color really spoke to me.  This would be a splurge item for me at $15.

The real star, even though they aren't in this review, is the nail wraps.  I LOVE the designs and truthfully, they are what gets your nails noticed.  They are so fun and there are tons of styles and colors!  I think I'm going to start using them as accent nails ALL the time!

If you are in the market for Jamberry, please contact Carol!  She's a wonderful lady and an awesome consultant!  You can also go to Carol's Jamberry Facebook Page to request a sample of one of the cool nail wraps.

I'm linking this up to Mani Monday on the Glitter and Gloss Blog!

Mary Kay Review

Hi friends!  I hope you are well!  Today, I'm reviewing some Mary Kay makeup I got from Influenster for free for the purpose of writing an honest review.  Influenster is a really cool program you can join and they give you products to test out and review.  I love it!

I used to be a Mary Kay consultant over ten years ago.  I enjoyed the makeup then but have not tried it recently.  I was really excited to try it!  I loooooooove makeup and really enjoy experimenting with it!  I'm going to write mini reviews of each product I received.

1. Mary Kay Nourishine Plus Lip Gloss in Mango Tango
This is a very smooth formula lip gloss.  It gives good pigmentation and can be sheered out for a more natural look.  It does not dry my lips out and is not too sticky.  It's quite comfortable on the lips.  It has a very faint vanilla type smell.  This shade has a bit of micro shimmer in it.  I don't mind it at all.  It does not leave flecks of glitter on my lips like some lip glosses.  This shade is really pretty.  It's a bit intimidating in the tube but really pretty on the lips.  Would I repurchase?  Yes.

2. Mary Kay Lash Love Mascara in I heart Black
This is a thin formula mascara.  It builds a lot of length but I could not build a lot of volume without making it clumpy.  I have very thin eyelashes.  I also have oily lids and skin.  I wore this mascara on my top and lower lashes and it did not smudge at all.  I was very impressed with the staying power!  I usually have to use waterproof to get mascara to stay on me.  This is a good mascara for people who just need length or for lower lashes.  I had to layer it with another mascara to get the volume that I prefer.  Would I repurchase?  Maybe.

3. Mary Kay Bronzing Powder in Light-Medium
This shade was very natural on me.  I would say I have medium skin.  The product has a pleasant slightly perfume-y smell but it's very light.  There is a little bit of shimmer in this so it's not great for contouring.  I usually only use bronzers for contouring so this product didn't really work for me.  However, if you are the type that likes a dusting of bronzer, I'm sure this is nice.  Would I repurchase?  No.

4. Mary Kay Mineral Cheek Color in Shy Blush
This is my favorite of the products I received!  It's a very pigmented blush that can be sheered out.  It has a golden shimmer in it and gives your cheeks a healthy glow.  It has no smell that I can detect.  What really impressed me about this blush is how long it stayed on my cheeks!  I feel like blush is the first thing to fade off my face.  I checked this blush after 7 hours and it was still there.  Would I repurchase?  Yes!

5. Mary Kay Powder Brush
I'm a firm believer that you need good brushes to apply beautiful makeup.  This brush worked just fine and it seems sturdy.  However, it's not the softness I prefer.  I would not call this brush soft at all and it sheds a little bit.  If you don't mind a medium texture brush, this would work for you.  Would I repurchase?  No.

6. Mary Kay Cream Eyeshadow/Concealer Brush
This is a nice dense brush and it has a good shape.  It's not soft but for cream shadows, it's doesn't really need to be.  It's effective at applying the cream shadow.  It does shed a little bit.  Would I repurchase?  Maybe.

7. Mary Kay Gel Eyeliner with Expandable Brush Applicator
The formula on this is extremely creamy.  It's SUPER black!  It's very easy to apply.  The brush works really well with it.  It stays very well on my oily skin, even when I did winged liner.  It did not irritate my eyes at all.  Would I repurchase?  Yes.

8. Mary Kay Translucent Loose Powder
This is a finely milled powder.  It has a very faint perfume-y smell.  It leaves my skin with a matte finish and does not irritate my skin.  It does not leave a white cast in photos so that's nice.  This powder works fine but it's nothing to write home about.  Would I repurchase? Probably not.

9. Mary Kay Cream Eye Color in Apricot Twist
This is a nice cream shadow with no scent I can detect.  It has a shimmery finish.  It lasts all day on my lids without a primer.  I didn't crease either.  The only issue I ran into was when I was trying to build up more color while the product was not quite dry, it got a little clumpy looking.  However, if you just let it dry in between, it works fine and you can build up to a very pretty golden color.  You can also use it sheer around your tear ducts and under the brow to highlight.  Would I repurchase?  Yes.

Here's a look I created using ALL the Mary Kay products I received.  I added my own BB cream, concealer, navy eyeshadow, and an extra coat of mascara.

The product links I provided are to my friend Brooke's Mary Kay site.  She's a very nice woman who I've known for about 6 years now.  And I've NEVER felt any sales pressure from her.  I have not purchased from her site but if I was going to buy Mary Kay, that's how I would go about it.  :)

Please leave me a comment if you are interested in more makeup reviews.  I have LOTS of makeup!  :)  Have a great day, friends!