OPI Italian Love Affair

I have so many nail polishes and many are pink but this one from OPI has to be one of my favorites, if not my favorite.  Italian Love Affair was originally released in Spring 2001 as a part of the Italian collection.  I didn't purchase it then but rather a couple of years ago.  From the moment I put it on, I fell in love.  This is great for manicures and pedicures..it's so easy on the eye.  The best way I can describe this color is as a light cotton candy pink with a white pearl / iridescent finish. OPI's website (www.opi.com) describes this color as a romantic and pearly pale pink.  Here are some swatches (excuse the lack of clean up):

                                                               Indoor lighting with flash

Indoor lighting without flash

Outdoor / Natural lighting without flash

Can you see why I love this color so much? It has the most beautiful finish when you see it in person!

The formula of this nail polish (at least the one I own) is a little thicker than most and is very opaque with one coat although there was a tad bit of streakiness so I applied two coats as I normally do with all my nail polish applications. 

It's safe to say that I am very glad this color is a part of my nail polish collection.  What do you think about this color? Do you have a favorite nail polish you would recommend?

Availability:  This is a permanent color and is available anywhere OPI is sold such as, but not limited to: Ulta and Trade Secret. 

Price:  The average price for an OPI nail polish is $8.50 in my area (price may vary according to salons, stores or location).

Thanks for spending time with me today!

XX, 

P

13 Products I Will Finish In 2013

I don't know about you but there are several beauty / makeup items I own that are well started but never finished. I've seen a few videos going around You Tube with the same concept so I decided to share which products I am determined to finish this year.

How I chose these items were based on two concepts: 1) Which items have I had the longest (as in years)? and 2) What have I started that is almost done?  I'll show you the products and let you know whether I will repurchase them or not. I've used them enough to know that answer.

Here are my 13:

Face:

1) Mary Kay Foundation Primer: I will not repurchase this simply because I have found another primer that I am completely happy with right now. (More on that in a future blog post)
2) MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC30 (summer shade): I will not repurchase this foundation because of the smell and there are others from MAC I'd like to sample.
3) L'oreal True Match Foundation in W5 (summer shade): I would repurchase this foundation. I like the coverage and that there are so many shades and tones to choose from.
4) Origins Silk Refining Powder Makeup in Camel 05: I will not repurchase this powder, it just doesn't do anything special.
5) MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Perfect Topping: I will not repurchase this shade due to being limited edition but I do in general enjoy MAC MSF's so of course I will be buying more. I also plan on using this as an all over face powder because it's not super metallic or shiny in finish. It gives a nice, subtle glow.

Eyes:

6) Covergirl Aqua Smoothers Concealer in Light: I really like this concealer. It is very creamy, gives nice coverage and reminds me a lot of Benefit Boi-ing Concealer. I would consider repurchasing this in the future.
7) Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Flax: I love many Laura Mercier products but this is not one of them. I have product left on the very bottom and the applicator will not reach it. I much prefer eye primers in a squeeze tube or pot form. The actual product works great but packaging..not so much.  Needless to say, I will not repurchase this.
8) Origins eye shadow in Copper Penny:  I love the color not so much the texture. I will not repurchase.

Lips:

9) Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm: One of my favorites and will definitely repurchase.
10) Rimmel Lip Liner in Addiction: Nice dark nude color and I would consider repurchasing this item.
11) ELF Lucious Liquid Lipstick in Maple Sugar: I love this color! It's a mauve brown, not sticky, peppermint smell / feeling and only one dollar. Yes of course, I would repurchase this. :)
12) MAC lipstick in Angel: I love this color but I also own Creme Cup which is very similar so I won't repurchase this until I finish both. This is a beautiful soft pink color.
13) MAC Dazzleglass in Passing Fancy (limited edition): This color is a beautiful shimmery peach but Dazzleglasses are not my favorite MAC glosses so I will not repurchase this item.

There you have it, my list of 13 products I will finish up this year. I will keep you posted on my progress.  Do you have any beauty items that you plan on finishing this year? Let me know - I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for spending time with me today!

XX,
P

Today We're Talking About..Cotton!

Last year was a bad blogging year for me so I've decided what better time than the new year to start over. I've deleted all my old blog posts and am hoping to post something new every Tuesday and Thursday (possibly something random over the weekend--possibly).

I contemplated on what topic to write about today so I thought about new products I've been enjoying. Cotton! I'll write about cotton!  I know it's a little weird but I've come to learn that not all cotton is created equal.  I've heard a few people on You Tube rave about this but thought it was silly and that it couldn't be that different from any other cotton I've tried, afterall, it's just....yep, you guessed it..cotton.

Enter into my life Shiseido's The Makeup Facial Cotton.  (photo courtesy of Sephora.com)



This package comes with 165 sheets and is 100% cotton. There are several things I love about this product.  One is the generous size. The sheet is two and a half inches wide by two inches long.  Here is what it looks like on my hand:

I like that it's actually quite thick. Yes, this is just one sheet. Nice, right?

I don't intend on using these for removing nail polish but I have used them for removing face and eye makeup as well as applying my toner on it.  I LOVE that this isn't messy cotton and that there aren't fuzzies everywhere. The texture is very nice and smooth. It just feels so nice on my skin.  I use no more than two every night so I know this package is going to last me quite a bit of time.

I can confidently say that I will no longer go back to plain ol' cotton rounds or cotton balls.  There is truly that much of a difference and I am officially in love with this product.

Availability:  Sephora.com (online only), Shiseido.com or any Shiseido beauty counter at your local department store

Price: $9.50


XX,
P.