8/26/2022

Written in the Stars...Rebel Rouge Labs Cheeky Hybrid

Some time ago on Instagram, I mentioned doing an exposé on the unscrupulous operations, and abhorrent customer service of beauty brands (mainly, indie brands). However, that day is not today. Instead, I want to give recognition, and praise the indie beauty brand, Rebel Rouge Labs.

I don't recall how I discovered the brand. However, I checked, and saw my first purchase was back in 2018 when they had their Etsy store.

Maryann, the owner of Rebel Rouge Labs, is just as wonderful as her brand. I adore her creativity in illustrating and showcasing her love of art, music, and film, and how she infuses them into the themes of the collaged imagaery of the exterior packaging; the colorstory of the products, and their shade names. All of it is sublimely executed, even down to the companion stickers for every palette, I love everything about RRL.

Maryann's attention to detail is always a fun treat for me. The labels on the back of the compacts have graphics of the animals that derives from ancient greek (I.e., Cygnus [swan] and Serpens [Serpent]).

From left to right: Cygnus and Serpens.

The baked marbelized mineral powders have a soft, smooth texture. They are pigmented, yet blend seamlessly to deliver a beautiful, luminous, glowing wash of color.

The Cheeky Hybrids come in 2 shades: Cygnus and Serpens, which are named after constellations of the same namesake.

From left to right: Cygnus, Serpens, and both shades mixed together.

Cygnus: a warm, yellow-based carnation pink.

Serpens: a warm, bronzed-peach.

Both shades can be used as a blush, but Serpens can also be used as a bronzer. Also, I like to mix Cygnus and Serpens together; I think the shade they create is very pretty (included in the swatch photo).

I really enjoy everything about the Cheeky Hybrids, and I wish Rebel Rouge Labs would come out with more shades because I would defintely like to add more to my collection!

I own all of their eyeshadow palettes, blushes, and the setting powder. I have yet to try the lipsticks, but I'm waiting for September 2nd to roll around to order some (if not all), along with preordering their newest Labyrinth inspired palette <3

If this is your first introduction to Rebel Rouge Labs, I highly recommend you check the brand out!

8/14/2022

What Goes Up...Doesn't Always Come Down...Starrily Space Debris

It's past midnight over in my neck of the woods, and I'm finally home to be able to post today's mani, Starrily Nail lacquer in Space Debris.

According to NASA, "most debris burns up upon reentry into Earth's atmosphere. But, don't panic, your chances of getting hit by a falling piece of space waste is 10 million times smaller than the annual odds of being struck by lighting."

Starrily's Space Debris is a clear-based top coat, loaded with micro silver glitter mixed with various sizes of silver and holographic flakes.

The polish has a great formula, and the flakies disperse evenly and layer nicely. Also, removal is a cinch!

Space Debris is pretty worn over any shade as well as on its own. However, one way I like to wear Space Debris is over my favorite base coat (what I like to call, "the perfect airbrushed, nude pantyhose for the nails") Lauren B Beauty's Nail Perfecter.

7/11/2022

Pop & Fizz...Bath & Body Works' Firecracker Fizz Gentle Foaming Hand Soap

In keeping with the July 4th festivities, the handwash in my bathroom this month is 'Firecracker Fizz' from bath & Body Works.

I love the bottle's holiday packaging; it brings a patriotic smile to my face and helps usher in the summer season.

The foaming hand soap's fragrance notes are: red cherry, fresh citrus, and juicy berry. During lather, and after rinse, the scent I get from Firecracker Fizz is a mixture of sweet cherry and Hawaiian Punch. The fragrance lingers on the hands for several hours; not in a noxious way, but in a pleasant, refreshing way. Also, the handwash lathers and cleans the hands nicely without leaving them feeling dry.

Firecracker Fizz is a great summertime scent, and I really enjoy it! Also, I just checked the BBW website, and it's still available.

7/10/2022

A Juicy Piece of Polish...Kure Bazaar Nail Lacquer

Hello, all! I know it's been some time since my last post, but I can't believe it's been over 5 months long. Apologies for my absence from the blog.

Leading up to the 4th of July, from Friday to Monday (and still going) I decided to showcase different nail polishes that are a perfect something extra to celebrate patriotic holidays. The lacquer I wore on July 1st was Kure Bazaar's, 'Juicy.'

Juicy is a vibrant orange, with a kiss of red. Not only is this an optimal shade for summer, but it's also a fun vivid twist to the traditional reds worn on the 4th. The formula is impeccable; opaque, smooth, and creamy. Yet, it has this squishy glossiness that has me going back and forth on whether Juicy is a cream or crelly.

Kure Bazaar is one of my favorite brands, and I'm well on my way to owning all of their polishes.

1/29/2022

Polish Before Blood...Zoya Tris

This has been my longest absence from blogging, and I've missed it. Yes, not blogging has been anxiety-inducing, but I need to get my arse back on the proverbial saddle.

Having made its debut in Zoya's fall 2015 Flair Collection, Tris is a greenish-gold tinged blackened, brushed nickel, with a shimmery-metallic finish.

I'm not sure if Zoya based the polish off of Tris, the main character from the Divergent novel/film series (watched the films, haven't read the books), but I like to think so. Nevertheless, I feel the shade accurately depicts the fierce, industrial aesthetic of Dauntless. Anyhow, rant over, back to the polish.

The consistency of the formula is thin and semi-watery. The polish applies sheer, yet even; it doesn't run along the sides of the nails, and may require several layers to reach full opacity. Depending on the length of my nails (and nail line), I can get solid color in 3-5 coats. I'm wearing 5 layers in the photo above.

Despite the multiple coats, Tris goes on nicely, and I enjoy applying it because I just love looking at this seductive, edgy, steel shade that is befitting for winter.

7/24/2021

In remembrance

Sorry for the lack of posts everyone, but it's been a very difficult month. I posted this on my Instagram, but some of you may not be connected with me on that platform. So, I'll post on here as well. A dear friend of mine, Edgar Gonzalez passed away in the Surfside Champlain Towers collapse.

Today is Edgar's funeral, and I'm very upset that I won't be there. However, the service will be live-streamed (3:00am my time) for friends and family overseas.

This is a photo of Edgar, Adriana, my sister, and myself. We're waiting for everyone to arrive to go to Tropical Park for one of our many nighttime games of manhunt. Edgar and Adriana were the first friends my sister and I made when we moved from Chicago to Miami; a friendship that spanned over 32 years. It's still hard to believe You're gone (I don't want to believe it) I'm going to miss you. I love you, Edgar.

Requiescat In Pace.

6/08/2021

Avec des langueurs d'héliotropes...Les Merveilleuses Laduree Body Wash

Straight from my bathing products drawer, May's body wash was Les Merveilleuses Laduree's Heliotrope. A limited-edition scent, I believe heliotrope was released in Spring 2019. I purchased two bottles, and this is my last one.

Wouldn't you love to have a room in your home wallpapered with the box's floral print? I would!

Let's take a moment to admire the beautiful shape and detailing of the bottle, along with Laduree's signature cameo.

Also, I love how the exterior box and the product packaging match the coloring of the heliotrope.

Heliotrope is a flowering plant whose powdery and sweet cherry almond fragrance was especially popular in 18th century France. Laduree superbly encapsulated the bouquet in the body wash.

The liquid soap has a pretty iridescent pearl color, and lathers into a lovely, velvety foam. After showering, my skin feels nice with the scent lingering for a decent amount of time.

It's a shame to be done with this body wash, I really enjoyed the fragrance. C'est la vie, on to the next sudsy rendezvous.