Apple Cider splash... Philosophy Apple Cider Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble bath

I'm back! I was away visiting the clan in the states. Foolishly, I thought I'd be able to blog while in the great ol' U.S. of A., but with my nieces and nephew, I should have known better. Before I post my New Year beauty resolution, I need to get this post out.

Philosophy's jumbo sized Apple Cider Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble bath was November and December's body wash. Usually, Philosophy products don't call to me (wasn't a fan of the skincare back in the day), but I picked up a few of their holiday shower gels during my visit last year.

Apple Cider does give me a crisp, spicy apple cider scent, but I also get a hint of caramel apple. I really enjoyed the fragrance for the fall and winter season, and how it filled up my shower room, and lingered. I used this product solely to bathe with (I'm perfectly content with my shampoo & conditioner, and I don't take baths), and I was happy with how well it lathered, and cleansed. My skin felt clean, without any dryness.

Eat The Rude...Cadillacquer Stagman

Part of  Polish Pickup's October Urban Legends themed release, Cadillacquer's Stagman was inspired by the Stag Man (a.k.a the Wendigo), an imaginary manifestation of Will Graham from the Hannibal tv series. I'm not quite sure, but how an urban legend created specifically by T.V. show writes, and only relevant to said show, constitutes as an authentic urban legend? Unless you watch that series, no one will get the reference...but, I digress.

In my opinion, there were several creators who missed the mark on the whole "urban legends" theme that month, given their polishes had no real connection to any widely known myths, tales, or folklore. With that said, I love Cadillacquer, and the polish. I'm just not sure what is has to do with urban legends.

Stagman is a black crelly, with various sizes of red and white hex-shaped glitter. The application is somewhat even, with a good amount of glitter throughout the nails. While fully opaque in three thin coats, I preferred the scattering of glitter achieved after a fourth coat.

The union between the black base and the different glitter shapes and color combinations is beautiful; it provides the polish a holiday/winter season feel, but with a darker, edgier twist.

Space Age Love Song...Kaleidos Space Age Highlighters

I'm going to preface this post by letting you know that the Space Age Highlighters were sent to me by the brand. This is the first PR I've accepted, and featured on the blog.

I've been a customer/fan of Kaleidos since the brand's launch. I own, and love all five of their Futurism Palettes, and the Deepsea Luster Palette. So, when the brand told me they would be sending me the highlighters, I was "to infinity and beyond" happy to accept. Although these products were sent to me, my opinions will remain unbiased, and my own.

A sucker for detail, I appreciate the amount of attention to artistry Kaleidos puts into their products. The boxes share the same "space age" geometric designs of the exterior packaging, as well as color coordinating with the shade of each highlighter.

Housed in a soft-matte rubber-like coated tin, some may find the packaging bulky, and I agree. However, personally speaking, they made me feel nostalgic because they reminded me of the Sweet Secrets toys (yes, I'm aware I dated myself, and I don't care).

The highlighters have the same design embossed on them that's on the packaging box. Again, the brand's attention to detail wasn't lost on me. Also, I want to mention their names: Solar Sailor, Ray Rider, Sky Walker, Star Surfer, Comet Catcher, and Laser Glazer. And, how appropriate to go with the theme?

Included in the box were their new brushes. I used the H1 Precision Highlighter Brush in my application of the product.

From left to right: Solar Sailor, Ray Rider, Sky Walker, Star Surfer, Comet Catcher, Laser Glazer.

Solar Sailor: a iridescent grayish-ivory base with a yellow-gold duochrome.

Ray Rider: a peachy-base with a champagne sheen.

Sky Walker: an translucent icy white base with a vibrant, ultraviolet-blue duochrome shimmer.

Star Surfer: a pale, icy-baby pink base with a subtle pink sheen.

Comet Catcher: an iridescent icy white base with a peachy undertone and a vibrant fuschia-pink duochrome.

Laser Glazer: a translucent golden, reddened-ochre base with a vibrant greenish-chartreuse shimmer.

I wore the highlighters for five days each, and I found a variation in formula and texture, including a difference in their color-shift. I would pair the six highlighters into 3 groups: Ray Rider and Star Surfer have a creamy, smooth pigmented base with a subtle color-shift. Comet Catcher and Solar Sailor have an iridescent base, with an vivid duo-chrome. And finally, Sky Walker and Laser Glazer have a translucent base, with the same beaming duo-chrome as the previous two, except with shimmer.

I really like how all six shades perform as highlighters...yes, even Sky Walker and Laser Glazer (Laser Glazer looks exceptionally gorgeous layered over bronzer). In addition to being used on the cheekbones, inner corner of the eyes and brow bone, I've also liked using the highlighters as an eyeshadow or layered over other shadows to transform the shade and create a shifty, multidimensional hue.

I believe this collection offers various finishes, and shades that will cater to a wide range of makeup enthuthiast. The Space Age Highlighters retail for $14 each, or you can purchase the Complete Set for $76.

Up in the Galaxy...Cadillacquer Galaxies Nail Polish

These past two weeks have been nothing but rain. So, as I little pick me up, today's manicure is Cadillacquer's Galaxies.

Galaxies is a blackened-teal with green, pink and red iridescent chameleon flakies, aquamarine matte hexagon glitter, and a gleaming redden-orange shimmer.

In the photo above, I applied three coats. Each layer went on without a hitch. The pigmentation of the base was even, with great distribution of the flakies and glitter.

For you, Straw Man, Will do...Village Candle Pumpkin Scarecrow

Look at this spooky label. The dark, ominus cloudy sky, the crow perched of the scarecrow's arm, and the menacing, illuminated grin on his face. It seems as if he's about to climb off his pole, and chase someone through the corn field. I wish there were more creepy scarecrow themed wares (and horror films) for Halloween/fall; they're eerie, sinister, perfect for the season, and I love them!

Pumpkin Scarecrow's notes are: Spiced Pumpkin, Amber and Worn Wool.

Village Candle describes the scent as, "An aged scarecrow stands overlooking his field of pumpkins with glowing jack-o-lantern eyes. The rolling hills of amber and smoky woods haunt the foggy evening. A ragged wool shirt hangs from his shoulders while crows touch down for a brief visit. A classic pumpkin fragrance with a ghostly touch creates the perfect hallowed night." 

I had a case of deja vu when I smelled the candle, and looked up Pumpkin Scarecrow's notes. They're exactly the same as another Village Candle, Pumpkin Tweed. I confirmed this when I called customer service, and spoke to Dotti. Btw, she is amazing!

Want I get from the fragrance is a smooth, pureed pumpkin, mild spice, a warm, buttery sweetness, a hint of amber, all rolled into cashmere wool.


I'm not bothered that Pumpkin Scarecrow is a re-release of  Pumpkin Tweed because it's one of my favorite pumpkin fragrances from the brand; if not my favorite.

They See Your Every Move...China Glaze Private Side-Eye

Private Side-Eye; love the shade, but not the name. My eyes rolls every time I have to read, write, or say the name of this polish.

Private Side-Eye is a dark plum jelly base, with holographic glitters, and an iridescent bluish-teal shimmer.  In three coats, the polish looks black. I prefer the squishy, semi-translucent plummy color achieved in two. Private Side-Eye's formula is a little problematic; it's thin, and if your application is not on it's "A game," it will go on uneven and patchy. With that said, I can forgive the bumpy start because the end result is very pretty.

Tripping Over Tombstones...Village Candle Ghost Cemetery

I know Halloween is over. But, I was sick that week, and didn't have a chance to publish all my spooky posts before leaving for Nagoya on the 2nd (photos and videos of the trip are on Instagram). I just got back, and I really don't want to scrap these posts.  So, I asks for your patience during the next few installments. Anyway, if you're like me, Halloween is 365 days a year. so, I hope you enjoy:)

The first candle I'm going to review from the Village Candles' Halloween Collection is Ghost Cemetery.

What a phantasmagorical label and name for a halloween candle. As someone who used to lurk around cemeteries in her high school days, I was curious to explore Village Candle's interpretation of a grave site. Grievously, they missed the mark with this one.

Ghost Cemetery's notes are: Frankincense, Clove, Sandalwood, Forest Green.

The scent is described as, "Spend a chilly and haunting evening in the midst of a foggy grey cemetery where ghouls, ghosts and spirits of the night linger and watch from above. This mysterious scent both frightens and brings comfort to the air." 

On cold sniff, and burn, one positive note I got was a hint of a menthol coolness. However, this is detracted by a smokey, bakery vanilla sweetness. The oddest note to come to the foreground is maple. I've not sure if my sense of smell is broken, but the main scent I got was maple. 

I like the scent, but it should've been called something else...maybe Trick-or-Treat, but definitely not Ghost Cemetery. I wanted the candle to smell of freshly dug earth, mossy greenery, decomposing flowers, damp stone, with an otherworldly cold.