What Is That, Velvet?

Someone needs to tell Father time to stop! I can't believe it's been over a month (almost two) since my last blog post?! Time flies when you're overworked!

I meant to post this back in December, when I got them. However, they arrived a few days before I left to the states. I was able to photograph, and play with them before I left (I took two of the shades with me). I had all intentions to write this post while I was in the states, but this was my first time meeting my nephew and youngest niece, and she had me busy, round-the-clock playing unicorns with her.

I learned of Lisa Eldridge's True Velvet Collection launch via my Instagram feed. As I hurriedly typed the website's address, I expected to find everything sold out. Surprisingly, it wasn't and I swiftly placed my order.

Individually, the lipsticks are priced at £26.00. If I purchased all three (which I planned to), the total cost would be £78.00. Therefore, it made more since to buy the set, which included all three lipsticks, along with a velvet makeup bag for £75.00; thus, saving myself 3 quid.

As I opened the box, my first impression of my purchase was the black velvet bag, with Lisa Eldridge's embroidered emblem on it, that housed the lipsticks.

Lovely, simplistic matte white, and dulled metallic gold colored box.

Admittedly, after my initial squee towards the attention to detail of wrapping the lipstick tubes in delicate black tissue paper, I instantly thought of an uncut makizushi (even when I'm full, my mind is always hungry).

The exterior packing is simple, sleek and modern, Yet, the shade Mrs. Eldridge chose for the tubes (that I like to describe as an "old hollywood" gold) also gives the design a classic appeal. The tubes are magnetized, and just as Lisa Eldridge stated, in close range they will repel one another making them fun to arrange when trying to photograph.

Now, the product itself: I have never seen a lipstick as magnificent as the Plush True Velvet Lipsticks. The lipsticks' surface texture mimics the appearance of velvet fabric.

From left to right: Velvet Morning, Velvet Ribbon, Velvet Jazz. 

Velvet Morning: a bold (yet deep) reddened orange.

Velvet Ribbon: a classic, neutral bluish-red.

Velvet Jazz: a muted, deep, brick red.

An intensely pigmented and creamy formula, the True Velvet lipsticks glide on smoothly, providing full opacity in one-swipe; however, you will need to use a lip brush or lip liner if you want to perfect the lip shape. Long-lasting and extremely comfortable, the lipsticks have an almost weightless feel. The True Velvets are marketed as a "hydrating matte with a slight sheen," and I agree. If you want to tone down the light-reflecting sheen, and get a more velvet matte finish, simply blot with a tissue.

Velvet Morning.

Velvet Ribbon.

Velvet Jazz.

I truly hope Lisa Eldridge will release more shades of these True Velvets because the formula, and performance, of these lipsticks are quickly becoming my favorite. If the line was extended, I think it would be fun to continue to offer 3 variants of various shade ranges.

Merry Christmas to all!

Holiday mani using Lauren B Beauty's Calabasas Cash. 

Wishing you a blessed Christmas! I hope your holiday was filled with peace, joy, happiness, and beauty. 

How Bazaar, How Bazaar...Kure Bazaar Repairing Silicium Bamboo & Ginger Nail Polish Remover

Since December 15th, I've been back in the states visiting my family for Christmas. I swatched a bunch of products, and foolishly thought I would be able to blog them on a daily basis while I'm here.

I get many questions about my nail care routine. I thought I'd start with a product that most may not give much importance to: nail polish remover.

In this post, I'm going to share with you one of my two favorite nail polish removers; Kure Bazaar Repairing Silicium Bamboo & Ginger Nail Polish Remover (250ml). Of my two favorites, the Kure Bazaar is the most accessible (as it's sold in Japan), and unfortunately, the more costly at 6400 yen ($44.00 in the states). You guys are so lucky when it comes to the cost of beauty products.

Containing ginger and bamboo extract, and other essential oils, Kure Bazaar Repairing Silicium Bamboo & Ginger Nail Polish Remover's 100% natural "oil in water" formula strengthens and repairs fragile, damaged nails, nourishes the cuticles while gently removing nail lacquer with ease.

Whenever I've tired to skim on cost, and strayed from one of my two fav polish removers, the condition of my nails and cuticles paid the price. I found my cuticle were extremely dry, and my nails would peel, and were weaker.

I'm All About That Base...Lauren B Beauty Nail Perfecter

Of all the base coats, Lauren B Beauty's Nail Perfecter Base Coat is the fairest of the land.

The Nail Perfecter Base Coat is to the nails what BB creams are for the face. This mildly tinted basecoat evens out discoloration, and smooths out problematic texture on the nails.

It can be used to prime the nail surface and prevent staining. However, I like to live dangerously, and never use this product under colored polishes. There are two specific ways I like to use the Nail Perfecter Base Coat: the first of my ways is under glitter polishes. Whenever I want the glitter to be the main focal point, and not bogged down or distracted by a base shade, I whip this darling out. Second, (and the primary way I love to use this base coat) is by itself. A fast-drying formula, the Nail Perfecter Base Coat has a beautiful satin-matte finish that gives my nails a MNBB effect (my nails, but better), creating a polished (pun intended), understated-chic, flesh-toned mannequin hand.

Hot & Resilient...Village Candle Indian Summer

This Fall has been one big ol' Indian Summer; it was consistently hot and humid, with peppered respites of cooler temperatures that were shorter lived than the blossoming of the Sakura.

The notes of Village Candle's Limited Edition Indian Summer are Festive Pumpkin, Persimmon, and Clove. I burned the candle during the beginning of the season, and I guess I don't like the scent of Persimmon; it overpowered the other two notes, and made the fragrance just "okay" for me.

It's a shame Indian Summer didn't work out as well as I had wanted because I love Village Candles. One positive I can give the candle is its throw. I always buy Village Candles large jars or tumblers, but at the time of purchase the largest size available was the medium. The scent throw was great, as I could smell Indian Summer in two rooms.

Henna & Her Lacquers...Picture Polish Henna

An aptly named polish, Picture Perfect's Henna is a warm henna-brown with a  high-shine, jelly finish. The finish reminds me of wood varnish or burnt caramel syrup.

As I applied Henna, I fell for its color. But, this polish had me doubting my application skills. Four coats in, I was still experiencing windows of unevenness. I was so perlexed, I went on the Picture polish website to read Henna's description. I discovered it's "meant to have an uneven, and fluid finish" on the nails. I was relieved to find that it wasn't user error, but the result of an intentional effect. 

Although the photo above showcases an almost opaque Henna in five coats, I feel its unevenness gives the polish some uniqueness, and adds to its beauty.

Giving Thanks!

I'll be celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend, but I wanted to express my gratitude for your support, and for being a part of the blog.

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving. I hope your day is filled with the blessings of family, friends, and delicious eats.