I Dunno

Hey Girlies,

So this is a totally random post.  I just felt like saying hi.  Since I have no specific ideas, I will tell you what I did last night.  I HAD A PAJAMA PARTY!  That's right!  All of my girlies (except Carson from Gizmo's Arsenal, who was sorely missed) came over my house in their PJ's (I wore my Gnome ones), drank wine, and ate junk food, all while watching chick flicks and gossiping.  It was a much needed night of fun and relaxation.  To anyone out there feeling down (even though it is the glorious holiday season), I highly recommend getting together with your besties and having a nostalgic and fun night doing something you haven't done since middle school (well, minus the wine).  Anyway, thank you to all of my friendsies for coming over and picking me up after a rough week (which included getting locked out of my house for two hours with no phone and no coat...have you ever borrowed the mailman's cell phone to call your mommy?  I have...btw thanks again Mailman Anthony).  I love you all!!

Skinny Girl

Hey guys!
So a few posts ago I told you all about my funny experience with buying an empty lip gloss tube (a derp de derp)...Anyway, the products I was purchasing were by Bethenny Frankel (aka Skinny Girl)  I purchased four things: Vitamin C Exfoliating Scrub, Energizing Lip Gloss, Calming Lip Gloss, and Lip Scrub.  Here are my thoughts:

Vitamin C Exfoliating Scrub: When I saw this, I was expecting a citrus scented face scrub.  This is not what i received...To me, Vitamin C makes me think of oranges.  That's what I wish this smelled like.  However, it smelled more like my 4 year old cousin's play makeup (kinda like wax).  Okay...I can get past that.  What I can't get past is the sheer ineffectiveness of this product.  In my hand, the product was a clear pink gel with large red beads and smaller grittier particles.  Great!  Unfortunately, as soon as I applied it to my face, the small gritty pieces completely disintegrated.  Kinda hard to exfoliate my face without any exfoliating ingredients.... Plus, the red things stuck to my face and did nothing!  Long story short, all I got out of this product was red blotches all over my face.

          What to use instead:  If you are looking for that invigorating citrus scent that I was expecting from this, a much better option is Clean and Clear Morning Burst Cleanser (which happens to be my favorite).  This smells amazing and has little orange beads (which I think the red things in the other stuff were supposed to be like) that burst as you wash your face.  It lathers beautifully, rinses clean, and smells incredible.  If you are looking for a good exfoliator, I have two suggestions, both of which I adore.  The first is the tried and true St. Ive's Apricot Scrub.  This has the nice smell AND is the best drug store exfoliator I have ever used.  I have sensitive skin that gets mad when I use anything too rough.  This is perfect.  The second thing I would recommend is by Biore, and it is an exfoliating polish.  This has a much finer texture than the St. Ive's, and when used twice a week makes your skin incredibly soft and bright.

Energizing Lip Gloss and Calming Lip Gloss: I am clumping these two products into the same category because frankly, they are exactly the same.  The formula is dry and not moisturizing in the least, and the caffeine in the energizing one as well as the lavender in the relaxing one is not even noticeable.

          What to use instead: These remind me a lot of the Lip Smackers we all knew and loved as children.  The only difference is that the Lip Smackers are SO MUCH BETTER! And cheaper!!!!! I'd recommend any of those over these for some fruity smelling lips and a little nostalgia!!

Lip Scrub:  Of all the products, I guess this one came the closest to doing what it claimed to do.  Like many lip scrubs, this is a grainy lip product intended to slough off dry dead skin from the lips.  Still, I've used better scrubs.

          What to use instead: Any of the Lush Lip Scrubs are AHH-MAZING! My favorite is Mint Julips.  It tastes like mint chocolate chip, and it makes my lips so soft and smooth!  These are available in lots of different flavors, and you get a ton of product in one pot, so it lasts a really long time.  Plus, Lush products are all natural and made from ingredients that are actually recognizable.  The scrub is literally sugar and olive oil....which means that you can eat it off of your lips after you exfoliate (can you say added bonus?!)

Overall, I think that the Skinny Girl brand is trying to be too many things.  The cocktails are great, but lets be honest, Ms. Frankel is no cosmetic guru.  I would not recommend these products, but go out and get a bottle of Skinny Girl Margarita and have a drink for me!!

Love ya,
Sam

XOXO

So we did this....

In short, I thoroughly enjoyed this project.  However, I would not advice others to try this at home...it was very dangerous.  Anyway, I warned ya! Enjoy!! =D

Funny Story

Hello All!!

I know, I know...it's been like a year since I've posted.  I have no excuses.  Anyway, I was inspired to make this post because something funny happened to me yesterday that I thought I would share.

As some of you may know, Bethenny Frankel, former NYC housewife and founder of the brand Skinny Girl, has expanded her brand to include bath and body products.  I saw some of them while I was out and about yesterday and thought I would try some.  I picked up a foot spray, some face wipes, a lip scrub, a face scrub, and two lip glosses.  I was excited when I got in the car so I opened one of the lip glosses right away.  Good thing I did, because I saved myself a trip back to the store.  MY LIP GLOSS WAS EMPTY!  I had literally just paid for an empty tube!  Guess it was just one of those fluke things, but leave it to me to pick up that one out of all the packages on the display!  I exchanged it with no problem, except for the cashier laughing at me and sharing my misfortune with her coworkers.

Anywhoo, that's my story.  I am accepting all forms of condolences.  Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.  =D

Urban Decay Vice Palette

Hello Glitteristas!! Long time no blog.  Please allow me to explain.  For the last two weeks I have been ill...well I was ill, then I had an allergic reaction to the medicine from being ill, then I was better, and then I was ill again.  But all of that aside, here I am with an AMAZING review of an AMAZING product from one of my all time favorite brands.

Are you all ready for this??

The Urban Decay Vice Palette!

Ta-Dah!!!!!

Now you may be thinking "What is so special about this palette that makes it worth $59 (yes, it is $59)?"

Well, let me tell you...

Let's start on the outside.  The packaging of this palette is beautiful.  The outside is a matte finish purple with the letters "ud" in gems on the front.  The matte finish gives the palette a sophisticated, grown up look, while the gems keep with the urban decay feel of edginess.  The most fun (and perhaps a little cheesy) part is the self-opening lid.  Press the button, and the top slowly lifts, revealing a HUGE mirror and twenty beautiful shades.

All of the shades in this palette are new to urban decay (meaning that no matter how many urban decay shadows you have, you don't have these).  I will admit that upon first glance I thought alot of the shades were similar to other urban decay shades with different names.  However, when I swatched the colors and began playing around with the palette, I found that they are in fact unique.

My favorite part about this palette is how diverse it is.  You can create literally any look with this palette because it contains both neutral and bright colors in a variety of finishes (i.e. matte, shimmer, glitter, etc.)

The palette also comes with a dual ended synthetic brush.  Admittedly, I am not a huge fan of this brush.  I find the smaller end too small, and the fluffy end too fluffy to effectively create a look.  However, this would not deter me from buying the palette.

Pros: This is an excellent palette for traveling.  The mirror is gorgeous and big enough to actually use to apply your makeup.  The brush (although not the best) is included (or you can put another brush that you love, or even an eyeliner in the space provided for a brush).  Plus, the outside is sturdy enough to protect the shadows inside.  In the past, I have travelled with my Urban Decay Naked Palette and found myself anxious to check that my shadows had not shattered as soon as I got off the plane.  With this palette, the packaging is much sturdier and very elegant.

Cons: While I feel that this palette is worth the money, I am cheap.  For $59, I would have liked to have a few of those little extras that Urban Decay likes to throw in (like a mini eyeliner or eyeshadow primer).  This palette came with none of that.  Why? I do not know, but the cheap girl in me was not pleased.

Overall, I would recommend this palette.  I have had endless fun playing with it, but I am also able to create wearable everyday looks with it.  I would not tell any of you to spend money on something that I do not believe in, but I would purchase this palette again!

OMG BEST FALL NAIL POLISH EVER!!!!!!!!

Ok so I know nail polish is supposed to be Johanna's thing, but I simply cannot help myself! I went to get my nails done today, and I knew I wanted a color that said fall. When I looked at the many options, I experienced what some might call love at first sight! That's right ladies I fell in love with this fall color ( get it cause I fell in love and it's fall..fall and fell...don you know what I mean ;) ). Anyway, not only did I find a color that was fall-ish (??), I found THE PERFECT FALL NAIL COLOR!!!!  Wanna know what it is?? Drum roll please..... Every Month is Oktoberfest by OPI Now at first glance this color is nothing special. It was not until the lady put it on my nails that we both oohed and ahhed over the amazingness that is this color.  When I picked up the bottle I thought I was picking s deep red, but when it was applied to my nails, IT WAS PURPLE!!!! How did this magic occur you ask? It's the amazing duo chrome that OPI has perfected. The color appears a deep red, but when it catches the light the purple shimmer takes over and literally blows my mind!!!  Suffice to say I will be purchasing my own bottle of this liquid love and be wearing it all fall!!!

What's That Smell??

Hey there girlies!!!

I thought I would start out this blog with a post about perfume.  This is not going to be the kind of post where I tell you to go out and buy my favorite perfume (which is Carolina Herrera 212 for the record).  It is going to be a few of my tips and tricks.  

Personally, I love perfume, and I think it makes a great gift (both to give and to receive).  I must admit though that choosing a fragrance is a highly personal matter, and therefore, it is unavoidable that we will receive (ok and give) a few duds.  It's easy to feel pressured to use a perfume that someone spent a lot of money on, but it's not so easy to keep your gag reflex under control if you smell like your Great Grandma Velma.  Well fear not my floral scented friends!! My tips are here to save the day!!

1. What to do with fragrances that are too heavy: 

          Many perfumes (especially cheap ones) tend to be headache-inducingly strong.  If you are blessed with a gem like this, simply repurpose.  Heavy fragrances tend to smell better when they are dispersed in a larger area, so use these as air fresheners instead of perfume.  One spritz might overpower your wrist, but it will probably be just the right amount to give your bedroom that extra girly aroma.  



2. What about when a fragrance is too weak:

          It is so annoying when a really nice scent goes undetected after one hour of wearing it.  To me, it's pointless to waste good top notes if they are not going to be smelled.  So here's my solution!  Spray these puppies in your purse.  The fabric lining will hold the scent better than your skin does, and you can spray plenty in there (unlike on your body because then you risk smelling like you bathed in a vat of flowers).  As you rummage around your bag for stuff, the scent will waft up to your nose and be a great pick-me-up!  

3. Okay, but what about the ones that smell like toilette water?:

          Thought ya stumped me there didn't ya?! Ever heard of interior design? Perfume bottles are one of the best accessories for a vanity or bookshelf.  Even if you can't stand the smell of the perfume, you can use the bottle as decoration.  Bottle too boring you say?  Put a few drops of food coloring into the perfume (as long as you never plan on using it again)...instantly interesting!  


4. Still not satisfied?:

          I would like to go on record now as saying that I am not, have never been, and will never be a re-gifter.  However, giving something away and re-gifting are very different.  So my suggestion is a perfume swap party.  Everyone loves a girls night, so why not throw in a little shopping....without the money?!  As I said earlier, perfume is very personal.  That scent you can't stand on you might be the perfect fragrance for your friend.  Also, different perfumes smell different on other people based on body chemistry or some fancy scientific stuff that I don't really know about.  The point is, what smells like sweat socks on you might smell incredible on your best friend.  So have each girl bring one or two bottles of perfume she has lying around, and swap.  Not only did you find a use for that perfume, but you had an excuse to hang out with the girls too.  

If you guys have any other suggestions, leave them as a comment below!  I would love to hear what you do with your neglected perfumes!!