NOTW and Sephora/Target Haul

*all items were purchased by me/giftcards*
Yup- that's right, NOTW:) I've worn Sinful Colors Sail La Vie for a full week. It did chip, so I applied a fresh coat during the week, but so worth it as I love this cornflower blue polish! I've gotten several compliments- a co-worker even bought it after seeing it on me:)

I still had a Sephora gift card from Christmas and am glad I saved it as I was able to get the Sun kit they release every year. This Kit looked great- 14 deluxe samples: Too Faced chocolate Bronzer, and several different facial moisturizers, including Lancôme, Clarins, Tarte and more! I've yet to open (much restraint!) because I am trying to use the several (almost empty!) ones I have open. The bag would make such a pretty makeup bag- its hot pink and gold, but is clear- which I love, makes it easier to find everything! Will review it and all it's contents soon! Also bought some DERMAdoctor Wrinkle Revenge Face wash, that was recommend to me by the rep that was working at Sephora that day. His skin was flawless and glowing! I've only used it for a week or so, but love it so far. Spotted Soap & Glory Hand food lotion and was excited as it's a blogger favorite. Feels great, as I have super dry hands lately.
 Also picked up the MAC blush Ripe for Love, which was part of their Temperature Rising Collection. I usually don't pick up anything because, I cannot get myself to spend the money on MAC, especially since drugstore makeup is what it is now- great! But I really liked , it's described as a, Mid-tone peach. Haven't used it yet, but am looking forward to using it for summer. I also love the bronze rubber packaging:) grabbed my fave Brow Set in Show off as my current one is completely dried up. My eyebrows aren't as full as I'd like them, this actually helps them appear semi full and is always in my makeup bag.
Lastly I saw this cute Eco Tools kabuki brush (which I think is new). It's travel friendly and sleek and fits perfectly for on the go. I've use it to set my powder and love it! It's so soft!

Sinful Colors Sail la Vie

Sephora Sun Kit 2013, DERMAdoctor Wrinkle Revenge Face Cleanser, Soap & Glory hand food lotion

Rip for Love

UK swap goodies: Collection, 17, Models Co, Barry M and more!!

*Items were received in international makeup swap*

I finally have time and wifi to talk about all the goodies I received from Claire at beautyandlechic. I've only used a few of the items but have happily been swatching all of these beauties all of them.

As I'd mentioned before I had asked for some items in particular, Bourjois healthy mix foundation-I was afraid that there wouldn't be a shade dark enough for my skintone, this is a tad too dark but I can still make it work and I'll likely get some color (even with SPF slathered on my face) so it should be perfect for a dewy summer look. And also the blogger favorite, Sleek Rose Gold. This is gorgeous and I know it has been compared to NARS Orgasm (which I own but no longer use much). Rose Gold is much more vibrant and pigmented!! So glad it arrived in one piece. Had to ask for a back up of my Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer-love this stuff!

Eyes 

Seventeen Doll'd Up mascara-Have already used and love this! holds my curl all day.

Collection 2000 XXL Volume Sensation mascara- Can never too many mascaras! I'm excited to try this one as I love the few bits of Collection that I do have.

17 Liquid Liner (I think The brand has changed their name to Seventeen, but this was still labeled as 17=)- I love a black liner and only have gel and pencil ones-I've used this one several times and beside my sometimes failed attempt of a winged liner I love the longevity and how black this liner truly is!

Model Co eyeshadow duo Bronze Goddess Maldives & Jamaica- I'm glad she included this as I've heard good things about this brand

Barry M dazzle Dust "34"- I love Barry M and this beautiful sparely purple pigment is gorgeous and applies easy. 

17 Glitter eyeshadow "Night Sky"- Another gorgeous pigmented shadow that looks Olive close up and has some silver sparkle running thru it. 

Balance Me Wonder eye cream- I'm always on the look out for an eye cream. I have a thick one I wear at bedtime, this one is perfect for daytime, not to greasy, settles in nice. This is brand I've read loads about in other UK blogs-am happy to see that she included it!

From L to R: Sleek Rose Gold, Collection (Top) Blush & Highlight Cream Duo, 17 Instant Glow Gold Bronze (almost too pretty to use!), Model Co Duo, Kyrolan "Rosewood" blusher

Face/Cheek 

17 Instant Glow Gold Bronze Shimmer Stick- I cannot wait to use this beauty!! This will be the perfect summer bronzer/highlight. 

Kryolan "Glossy Rosewood" Blusher- This is a natural mauve that I have been wearing practically everyday. I love that it applies easily and looks natural and not OTT off work.

Collection Blush/Highlight Cream Duo Peaches & Cream- When I saw Claire blog about this one, I secretly wished I had asked for it-and when I saw it....YESSS!! I'm loving the peach cream (which is very pigmented and easy to blend) and the highlight is equally beautiful and easy to apply. 

Barry M "53" Lipstick, Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker "Punch Bowl"

Lips/Other goodies;) 
Barry M "53" lipstick- I wore this straight away as I love a good coral lippie. It's a gorgeous frost (i cannot get enough of frost lippies-Love hem for warmer weather especially). This reminds me of MAC Costa Chic-which is another fave!!
Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker "Punch Bowl" lipgloss- I just discovered that my local Sephora carries (small, hidden area)this brand-I love this gloss, reminds me of the MAC Lipglass. I felt a bit of tingling and think it did plump up my lips a bit! It smells so yummy-like chocolate! 
Lipcote- This is as stated on the box, "The Original lipstick Sealer". Am certainly excited to try this out-I hate applying beautiful lipstick them promptly removing it to eat, drink. Will review this as soon as I use it
No7 Beautiful SKin Wipes- I love this thick wipes! If i do use wipes, I usually have to use 2 to completely clean my face-with these once does the job. I'm hoping target carries these (as i've seen the No7 brand there) because I will def be repurchasing. (they are not included in these pictures as I've left them at my boyfriend's casa).
SHe also included lots of yummy treats that were eaten promptly- I'd received the package on a manic Monday:p

A BIG thank you again to Claire for all the goodies and being a great blogger friend=) Thanks for reading! 

sidenote: Hope to be blogging a bit more. My mom had a health scare but luckily Dr's were able to move fast and after a stressful time, surgery was performed and she is now at home recovering. Was able to take time off work but have been busy helping her out any way I can and and am sleeping very little, but happy she is on her way to getting well. Blogging has always been a fun thing for me but also an escape/de-stress for me. xx

Neon Nails

*product was purchased by me

I love wearing neons on my toes but decided to try a neon mani- after seeing Kleancolor Funky Yellow while browsing for some summer clothes at a clothing store in Long Beach, I spotted this beaute and am so happy I did! I had gel nails applied last weekend (huge mistake! I hate that it's last so little on my nails), and I peeled them off! (Bad:( I know!) This color would probably look better on my nails when they're in better shape but as SoCal is already heading in the 90's I was very eager to try it out! I used a white base coat to get the brightness to show up- without it I think I'd have to use 4 coats. Here's a quick picture collage- as I mentioned it doesn't look perfect but my nails are in a bad state - true this neon will add attention, but I don't care- it's that pretty!

Any other great neon polishes I'm missing out on? I'm hooked now;)

UK Swap goodies:)

This swap has been in the works forever... Many thanks to Claire at beautyandlechic for being so patient:) Claire's blog was one of the first blogs I started following and loved her style, makeup and well, her blog! She's beautiful and has a love for mascara and blush- I knew this swap was doing to be good! One of the items I did specifically ask for was the Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation- as I'd seen it everywhere! So excited to own it and also another UK blogger favorite - Sleek Rose Gold blush. Just a quick post/pictures of the swap- since I'm still playing with it all!

Sleek Gold Rose Blush, Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation "58"

Group photo of all the goodies. All sweets were eaten upon opening the package;)

Orly Gumdrop NOTW

I love me some pastels, perfect for spring! I bought this mini Orly Gumdrop last summer and finally brought it out again! This could possibly be a dupe for Wet'n'Wild I Need A Refresh-mint, which is another favorite. I didn't get to do a clean up and it's noticeable in the picture but, find that after I've showered it cleans it self up! I took a picture without flash (right side) and with flash (left side).

Cold Weather hand care

Granted California isn't considered very cold, but since this is the only winter I know- it's cold for me! I saw someone post a picture of Hoof Hands Hard as Hoof nail strengthening cream on instagram and was on the hunt for it. I looked at Target and Walmart but left empty handed. I stopped by Walgreens to see what kind of sales they had and lo and behold there it was and even better it was over half off at only $3! I also picked up a beautiful lilac polish by Rimmel- it was a UK Rimmel polish! I've always liked the bottles when looking at UK blogs- not sure if these are limited edition or not but hope they are here to stay! It applied easy with two coats and dried pretty quick- not sure about the 60 seconds claim. After a few minutes I applied the cream (it states you can apply while polish is on). It feels divine! It has a cherry almond scent- I love this scent, reminds me of my childhood for some reason! It's only day one but I'm hopeful as my nails are always splitting and peeling- uggh! Will keep you updated!
Any other cream, nail strengthening treatments? Please leave me some ideas!

RIP Cinnamon

Happy New Years! 

2012 flew by sooo fast, it wasn't a very good year for me financially and job wise, but I had my health, my family, friends and my boyfriend to be thankful for. New Years Eve, my boyfriend and I went out and had dinner at my uncle's house, but by 10 pm I was itching to get back home- to My fur babies (!) Cinnamon and Zoey! We had a quiet night in and had the girls huddled around us while we watched the countdown. I remember telling cinnamon to scoot over;) she cheekily kept sitting between my bf's and my lap- she was breathing hard but her tail was still wagging back and forth- she was happy. She kept us awake most of the night- she was restless, breathing hard and it was hard for her to be comfortable in one place. I won't go into every detail because honestly I don't feel like reliving it:( Cinnamon's little heart finally gave out and she died at 12 noon, Tuesday January 1st, 2013. My little girl is gone. I don't have any children- she and Zoey are my kids. My heart is broken and I'm not dealing with it very well. I want to keep blogging and talking makeup- and I will soon. But right now all my thoughts and concerns are taken up by the fact that I won't ever see her beautiful eyes, or her wagging tail as I come through the door. When I was looking for a name for my blog- I chose to include their names because my love for them was always on my mind. The blog will live on for my little Cinni. So again I leave you with some pictures of her that I loved and hope that everyone had/has a safe New Year with many blessing. It's been an amazing blogging experience for me-meeting new friends, participating in my first international swap, here's hoping 2013 will be just as amazing.
Much love always, yessie xx