My Little Black Bag Monthly Subscription

I heard about My Little Black Bag monthly subscription from someone on YouTube.  It caught my attention because it is purses, jewelry, accessories, makeup and some home goods.  What I liked is that you hand pick your first item and then they pick 2 more for you.  If you don't like what they picked for you, you have a week to trade with others for something you do like.  Once you are happy with your bag (or your time runs out for trading) they will send your bag to you! 

It is $49.99 per month, which after receiving my package I think I paid too much.  The jewerly is nice, but the chain on my rope necklace is super yellow and cheap looking.  I really love the rope chain, so I think I will switch out the gold chain to make it work.  I really wanted the 3 tiered hammered necklace.  I had been looking for one of those for a long time and this one is actually really nice.  Here are photos of what I received.  If you are interested in signing up and giving it a try, click here.  This is my referral link.  You can also just go to http://www.littleblackbag.com/.   Enjoy the photos! 

(Left) Kenneth Jay Lane Rope Wrap Necklace
(Right) ZAD Gold Hammered Crescent Necklace

NOTD: Sephora by OPI Indi-go with the flow (swatch)

I know this polish is meant for layering, but I wanted to try it alone and see how it looked.  Honestly, I almost didn't post this because I don't think the photo looks very good and the manicure comes across rather sloppy.  In real life and in sunlight, this looks freakin' amazing!  I really do love it!  It's really eyecatching when the light hits it!  Enjoy the swatch!

Sephora by OPI Indi-go with the flow (4 coats)

Essence In the Nude Lipstick #52 (swatch/comparison)

Essence had a few new lipsticks in their display and when I saw a nude, I had to give it a try.  I believe it was around $2!  I love Essence brand!!  Such great quality for super cheap.  Their lipsticks are super creamy and have a nice sheen to them.  I compared In the Nude to a couple of my favorite nude lipsticks from MAC.  Enjoy the swatch!

(L to R) MAC Myself, Essence In the Nude, MAC Innocence Beware

(L to R) MAC Myself, Essence In the Nude, MAC Innocence Beware

NOTD: Orly Passionfruit (Swatch)

This is a really bright and fun color!  It isn't looking quite as neon in the photo as it is in real life.  It is bright!!  It has an almost matte finish, which I'm not crazy about with this color.  I used a top coat to give it some shine!  I was a little sloppy when applying this because my son was yanking on my arm the whole time!  Ahh motherhood!  Enjoy the swatch!

Orly Passionfruit (2 coats)

Sephora VIB Chic Week 15% off sale!

I just got the flyer in the mail yesterday telling me about the VIB Chic Week 15% off sale for all VIB members.  It runs from March 29th-April 6th.  Enter code ChicVIB at checkout.  This sale is online, in stores and also in Sephora's at JCP.  The flyer says it excludes online Canadian orders.  There isn't really anything I want or need right now.  I might try the new Dior BB Creme though just because I'm curious and I'm still on a BB Cream kick.  I'm also intrigued by the new Eyeko Skinny Brush Mascara.   Let me know what you're thinking about getting!

NOTD: OPI Fly (swatch)

Fly is from the OPI Nicki Minaj collection and it is one of my favorite nail polishes!  It really is such a unique color and it always cheers me up when I wear it.  I'm having a rough week already and I needed something to lift my spirits!  The formula on this is great and I love how it has almost a jelly finish!  Enjoy the swatch!

OPI Fly

NOTD: China Glaze Sex on the Beach! (swatch)

I love this polish because it will go with any outfit!  It has a really cool sparkling sand type of shimmer!  It is a bit sheer though (I used 4 coats).   Enjoy the swatch!

China Glaze Sex on the Beach

Essence Magnetic Nail Polish (Swatch/Review)

I avoided giving into the magnetic nail hype that has been going around.  I didn't think I would have the time or patience to deal with magnets etc etc.  At my local Fred Myers, I noticed that Essence had a bunch of new magnetic polish for less than $3.   I figured for $3, I had to try it.  I was really surprised that it worked!  There were two different magnets to purchase (stripes and a star).  The key to getting this to work is to apply a thin layer of the polish (let it dry), then apply a thicker layer of the polish on top and use the magnet immediately.  I have included pictures of the magnet below.   I'm not a huge fan of the lilac colored polish, I think magnetic nails look better with darker colors!  Enjoy the swatches and photos!

(L to R) Hex Hex, Magic Wand!

You stick the magnet on your pointer finger

NOTD: Zoya Faye (swatch)

I have so many Zoya polishes and for some reason I always overlook them. I really need to give them some love because Zoya makes some great colors!  I also love how the Zoya website tells you have opaque or sheer each polish is!  Faye was opaque in two coats with perfect application!  Faye reminds me of  a coppery rose gold!  Enjoy the swatch!



(L to R) OPI Rally Pretty Pink, Zoya Faye




Zoya Faye



Sephora Pantone Color of the Year Set (Swatches!)

I purchased this set from Sephora for $68.  I was interested in the lipstick, blush duo and prisma chrome blush, but for a few dollars more you can get the whole set.  There are some definite hits and misses in this set.  This entire set is inspired by the color Tangerine.  The set includes:

- 0.02 oz Color of the Year Eyeliner in Tangerine Tango Twist
- 0.31 oz Color of the Year Eyeshadow Quad
- 0.35 oz Color of the Year Prisma Chrome Blush
- 0.38 oz Color of the Year Blush Duo
- 0.1 oz Color of the Year Créme Lipstick
- 0.17 oz Color of the Year Lip Gloss

Hits: The lipstick is gorgeous!  The packaging is heavy with a magnetic closure and the formula is very creamy and pigmented.  The matte blush in the blush duo is probably one of the most gorgeous matte blushes I've seen in a long time!  It is very creamy and pigmented as well.  The lip gloss is more like a liquid lipstick!  It is the exact same color as the lipstick, but with tiny gold shimmer.  The lightest color in the eyeshadow quad is so buttery and smooth! 

Misses:  The eyeliner is dry and tugs on your eye when applying.  As much as I love the look of the Prisma Chrome blush, it is very chalky and powdery.  The same goes for the designed side of the blush duo.  I find it powdery and chalky as well.  The eyeshadow quad is a let down.  The two darkest shades aren't very pigmented at all.  I had to pack it on for the swatches.  The tangerine eyeshadow again, is chalky and powdery. 

Enjoy the swatches!

Sephora + Pantone Universe Color of the Year 2012 Set (Tangerine Tango)

Prisma Chrome Blush

Prisma Chrome Blush

Blush Duo

Top: Prisma Chrome Blush
Bottom: Blush Duo

Eyeshadow Quad

Eyeshadow Quad

Tangerine Tango Lipstick

Tangerine Tango Lipstick

Tangerine Tango Lip Gloss

Top: Tangerine Tango Twist Eyeliner
Bottom(L to R) Lipstick, Lip Gloss

NOTD: Essie Chubby Cheeks (Swatch)

This is a great polish to wear when you need a pop of color that isn't too bright or in your face.  It's a very wearable color and goes with so many outfits!  The formula on this is A+!  Enjoy the swatch!

Essie Chubby Cheeks

NOTD: China Glaze Harvest Moon (swatch)

This polish has been sitting on my desk since I swatched it weeks ago.  It just looks so Fall to me and I'm ready for Summer.   It's 25 degrees here today, but some sunlight was actually shining in my window and WOW was Harvest Moon sparkling!  I decided to give it some love!  Besides, Hunger Games is in theatres today, so it's fitting! Enjoy the swatches! 

To see a few close dupes for Harvest Moon and other swatches from the China Glaze Hunger Games Collection click here

China Glaze Harvest Moon

NOTD: Essence Time For Romance (swatch)

I am so in love with this nail polish!  It was $0.99 regular price, opaque in 2 coats and it's so unique and gorgeous!!  My local Fred Myers grocery store has a huge new section of Essence polishes and makeup.  It is such a high quality brand and dirt cheap.  You will be seeing more of what I picked up soon!  Enjoy the swatch!

Essence Time for Romance

Color Club Neon/Bright Nail Polish Swatches!

I have always been a fan of neons and I'm glad to see them back this year.  I think neon polishes will look great to make a plain outfit pop and they will look great on toes!  Here are some of the neon/bright polishes I own from Color Club.  The formula on Modern Pink and The Lime Starts Here was very sheer and needed 4 coats.  The rest were opaque in one or two coats!  Enjoy the swatches!

**all color club**
(L to R) Almost Famous, Wham! Pow!, Modern Pink, The Lime Starts Here, Ultra-Astral

(Thumb to Pinky) Almost Famous, Wham! Pow!, Modern Pink, The Lime Starts Here, Ultra-Astral

NOTD: OPI Save Me over Orly Mirror Mirror! (Swatch)

Enjoy the swatch!

(L to R) OPI Save Me, Orly Mirror Mirror

OPI Save Me over Orly Mirror Mirror

Chanel Fantasme vs. Lorac 3D Lustre Drops

I've used both of these several times and thought it was time to do a comparison.  Hands down I prefer Chanel Fantasme.  Fantasme is much easier to apply because you can apply it with your finger straight from the jar.  The lustre drops require you to put a drop on your hand and then apply it with your finger.  The lustre drops also apply wet and seem to mess up the eyeshadow slightly that you apply it over.  I also feel like the lustre drops take time to dry, while Fantasme requires no dry time.  I also prefer Fantasme because you can wear a sheer wash or build it up.  I love the pink sheen that Fantasme gives as well!  I did experience some fall out during the day when wearing both of these.  Enjoy the swatches!

Lorac 3D Lustre drops

Chanel Fantasme

(L to R) Chanel Fantasme, Lorac 3D lustre drops

*over a neutral eyeshadow*
(L to R) Chanel Fantasme, Lorac 3D lustre drops

MAC Haute & Naughty Mascara Review (My HG!)

The girly packaging is what drew me to try this mascara initially.  Seriously, how cute is it??  Haute & Naughty mascara is designed to give you either a natural look or a very dramatic look.  When I first tried it, I figured let's go all out and try the dramatic look.  If you want the dramatic look, you untwist the purple cap and untwist the pink cap for the natural look.   I hated this mascara when I went for the dramatic look.  It was wet, clumpy, and all my lashes were sticking together.  It looked so awful and unnatural.   I had to take it off and even remove all of my eyeshadow along with it.  It was bad.  The next day I tried the natural look.  Ahhhhh <3  I was instantly in love.  I don't want people to look at my eyes and think holy crap she really piled on the mascara.  I want my lashes to look long, separated, full and natural all at the same time.  That is exactly what the natural look does with this mascara.  It makes my lashes look so great, but still natural at the same time.  It just looks like I have naturally amazing lashes when I don't.  I can't be without this mascara now!

NOTD: Chanel Peridot (Swatch)

I realize I'm a little late on this one!  It was raved about a long time ago.  I just kept talking myself out of buying it.  I had Butter London Wallis and decided that was close enough (they are not alike at all by the way).  Peridot is much more flattering on me than Wallis.  Wallis looked harsh on my skin tone.  Peridot is much lighter and more metallic/frosty.  I ended up swapping to get this Chanel Peridot and I'm really glad I have it!  When it came in the mail, my husband grabbed it out of my hand to look at it and thought it was a cool color. Coming from a guy, that's a big statement!  :) Enjoy the swatch! 

Chanel Peridot

Bare Minerals READY eyeshadow in The Scenic Route (swatch)

I might be the only person who still prefers Bare Minerals loose eyeshadows over the new READY eyeshadows.  I swatched the READY eyeshadows over and over again, trying to understand what was so great about them.  I guess I didn't find them to be as pigmented and creamy as everyone was describing.  The duo in The Scenic Route is pretty amazing though.  It is the only one I own and probably the only one I will own.  The combo looks so stunning on the eye and it is butter smooth!  If I had to recommend only one duo from the new READY line, this would be it.  Enjoy the swatch!

The Scenic Route

(L to R) Breathtaking, Spectacular
*The Scenic Route duo*

NOTD: Revlon Royal #730 (swatch)

Is there such a thing as a neon blue??  I swear this is the brightest and most electric blue nail polish I've ever seen.  If you are a blue polish lover, this is a must have I'm also certain this is in Revlon's permanent line.  Enjoy the swatch!

Revlon Royal

NOTD: China Glaze Fast Track (swatch)

This is such a pretty color in the bottle.  Right now I'm pretty pale and this shade gives me lobster hands.  I'm not feeling this color on me at all.  Maybe in the summer I will like it more.  The formula is great and was pretty much opaque in one coat....I used two.  Enjoy the swatch!

China Glaze Fast Track (2 coats)

Wet n Wild Fauna Collection! (Swatches)

It could just be where I live, but I've never seen kits from Wet n Wild before!  These are awesome and only $4.99.  The Fauna set is amazing!  The blush and eyeshadow trio are both so creamy and pigmented!  The lipgloss is a gorgeous sparkling pink and it smells like Sweet tarts candy!  The nail polish is a beautiful metallic teal!  I am so glad I was able to get my hands on this!  I hope I can find more in the future!!  Enjoy the swatches!!

Wet n Wild Fauna Collection $4.99

Fauna Trio

Fauna trio swatches

(L to R) Pearlescent Pink blush, Glass Confusion Glassy Gloss

Wet n Wild Teal or No Teal

Teal or No Teal (2 coats)