Thursday, January 30, 2014

Darling Diva Polish D.M.S.R

*Press Sample*

D.M.S.R stands for Dance, Music, Sex, Romance. What a gorgeous polish and befitting name right? D.M.S.R. is a very soft light lavender creme base with a lot of different type of glitters; large, medium, and small purple hexagonal, medium blue, holo and purple butterfly glitters. It was very hard to capture but in real life, you are able to see very tiny micro holo glitters throughout, which just puts the cherry on top with this polish.



D.M.S.R. is really my cup of tea. Light jelly base with gorgeous glitters, I could never get enough of these type of polishes! Above shown are 3 coats. With 2 coats, it reached opacity but I love the jelly sandwiched look so I added another coat. None the less, it is gorgeous and perfect for the upcoming Spring season!

If you are wanting to own any Darling Diva Polishes, click here. Carrie's polishes are incredibly affordable with extraordinary customer service and fast shipping!

Anna

*This product was provided for my unbiased review.
Please see the PR disclosure for any questions.*

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Twinsie Tuesday: Nail Care Routine

I'm excited about this post since it's a little different from what we usually do. I don't have a really intricate routine like others may, but this is what I do and it's what works for me!

Beware, there are no pictures. Sorry.


  • Removing an old man is always first right? I use the 100% Acetone Equatte Nail Polish Remover mixed with glycerin and water. And I absolutely love this because I dread and passionately dislike the little cotton threads leftover from cotton rounds and balls. And yes, this works wonders just like the Zoya+.
  • Then I wash my hands for about a 1-2 minutes with warm water and hand soap. While washing my hands, I push back my cuticles.
  • After drying I use a cuticle remover and use a tool like this to push away those little cuticles. 
  • While washing away the cuticles that were removed, I use a nail brush to brush away any excess cuticles hanging around.
  • After, I wash my hands and lotion them with the Suave Advanced Therapy Lotion. I like this one because it's a thinner consistency and I never want my nails to look oily when I photograph them.
  • Upon applying lotion, I use the Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream and apply then around my cuticles to prep for polishing!
  • After rubbing in the the cream, I use this cheap eyeshadow brush and dip it into the Beauty Secrets 100% acetone and quickly run it on my nails to remove the oils from the lotion or cuticle cream.
  • Then I get to the polishing! After polishing, I use the HK Girl Topcoat. Works just like Seche Vite but less harmful! 
  • After a good topcoat, I use the OPI Drip Dry to top it off.

And viola! My mani is ready to go! 

This is my ritual of prepping nails for a post and a mani. Not all of these items are apart of my Holy Grail must always have because I'm still trying out new hand products. In the mean time, this is how I do it and what I use.

What are some of your nail care products/steps that are different than mine?
Anna 

Check out my Twinsies' nail care routines!
Alaina at The Little Canvas
Amanda at Amandalandish
Amber at Nails Like Lace
Chelsea at Nailed Blog
Elizabeth at Did My Nails
Kelly at Tuxarina
Lakeisha at Refined and Polished
Marisa at Polish Obsession
Rachel at Top Coat It
Róisín at Cuti-CLUE-les
Stephanie at A Little Polish
Traci at DrinkCitra

Monday, January 27, 2014

Makeup Monday (MM): Drugstore Haul

This is a new installment to my blog. I have always loved makeup and wanted to share my love for makeup on my blog here with you every Monday! So for my very first post and makeup haul of the year, I present to you a drugstore haul!

 Revlon Age Defying Foundation, NYX Stay Matte But Not Flat Foundation, 
Rimmel Stay Matte Mousse Foundation

Essence Silky Touch Blushes, Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush,
Revlon Cream Blush 

 Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer, Revlon Age Defying Concealer,
Loreal CC Eye Concealer

Maybelline Define-A-Brow, NYX Slide On Glide On Pencil, 
Jordana 12hr Eyeshadow Pencil 

 Loreal Sexy in Sequins, Revlon Autumn Spice

 Milani Statement Lipsticks

Essence Stay Matt Lip Cream, NYX Hypershine Lipgloss,
Flower Beauty Lipglosses 

 Loreal Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick

NYX Eyeshadow Base, Maybelline Masterdup Liner,
Essence mascaras 

 NYX lipsticks

WnW Balm Stains, Revlon Matte Balms

If you haven't already noticed, I am a total lip junkie and am in search of a good drugstore foundation. If any of you are interested in reviews, impressions, swatches or questions about any of the products, please leave a comment!

Have you hauled lately?
Anna

*All products have been purchased with my own money.*

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Clarisonic Deal

Attention Clarisonic users! Currently on Groupon there is an awesome Clarisonic deal, a 2 pack Clarisonic replacement brush heads for $24.99 plus free shipping!


Usually a 2 pack costs $40.00 so I suggest you pick these babies up! You get 3 options to choose from: acne, sensitive or deep pore. I think this is great deal so get it while you can! There are only 3 days left! So if you are interested click here to purchase. If you would like to use my friend referral please feel free to do so but clicking here!

Happy shopping!
Anna

PS - I love my Clarisonic! 

KKCenterHK 3D Bow Shaped Nail Decor

*Press Sample*

I've been really feeling like getting back into the blogging nail game and I'm so excited and feeling refreshed after being in and out for so long. With that said, today, I bring to you the KKCenterHK 3D Bow Shaped Nail Decor with leopard print.





If you don't already know, KKCenterHK is an online based shop that provide many wonderful different cosmetic products that vary from false eyelashes, wigs, makeup products as well as nail polishes and nail decorations.

The bow is 9.9mm x 6mm x 2mm in size and comes in a pack of 2. These bows are a perfect size. Not too small or too big. Too apply the bow, took a little nail glue and pasted it on the desired location of my nail and applied the bow. It was very easy and functional.

You can find the nail art bows here for $3.60 USD. By using the code "totheShowing10" you will receive 10% off your entire order. The code is valid until the end of the month.

Anna

*This product was provided for my honest, unbiased review.
Please see the PR disclosure for any questions.*

Friday, January 24, 2014

Swapportunity

I was contacted by a sweet reader about wanting to do a swap. And once I received this package, I was so excited I went forth with it

Left to right clockwise:
Catrice Shopping Day at Bluemindales, Mermaid My Day, Lilactric, Mint Me up,
Squeeze Me, Kiko 371


Top row:  The Boy Next Door, Waka Waka, Hello Marshmallow!
Bottom row: L.OL., Oh My Glitter!, If I Were a Boy



An extra goodie

She also sent me some candies which I didn't photograph but I had a lot of fun eating them! She added the extra Essence palette because there was a mix up with the swap. None the less, I am so happy about this package. I don't own man Catrice polishes so I am so stoked to try these! Let me know which polishes you would like to see first so I can get the swatching and the trying!

Anna

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Darling Diva Persephone

*Press Sample*

Darling Diva Polish Persophone. This polish is gorgeous! Check out this gorgeous duochrome shift. From a burgundy purple to gorgeous blue in a purple-blue'ish base. 






Excuse the change of scenery (and my reflection) as I used natural light to capture the beauty of Persephone.

Hopefully you are able to see the shift in the pictures because this one is gorgeous! Above here are only 2 smooth coats topped with a topcoat and it's pretty opaque. I feel like you could definitely add more coats or use a base but I love the way this looks with just 2.

To purchase your own Darling Diva Polishes, click here. Carrie's polishes are incredibly affordable with extraordinary customer service and fast shipping!

Do you own any DDP's?
Anna
*This product was provided for my unbiased review.
Please see the PR disclosure for any questions.*

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Twinsie Tuesday: Seasonal Gradient

Instead of doing a "season"al gradient, I interpreted this a little different. As we know Valentine's Day is coming up soon! So here is what I have come up with.



I used Nubar Pink Creme with 3 coats. It applied a little uneven  and a little thin but knowing me, I was a little impatient, hence the reason you could see the pulling. None the less, I love me my Nubars! For the glitter, I used Esesie Beyond Cozy which is a gorgeous polish alone.

Inspired by Valentine's, I choose something a little elegant and sweet. Who doesn't love pinks, reds and all the wonderful hearts and love during this time?

Anna

Check out these seasonal gradients!
Alaina at The Little Canvas
Amanda at Amandalandish
Amber at Nails Like Lace
Chelsea at Nailed Blog
Elizabeth at Did My Nails
Kelly at Tuxarina
Lakeisha at Refined and Polished
Marisa at Polish Obsession
Rachel at Top Coat It
Róisín at Cuti-CLUE-les
Stephanie at A Little Polish
Traci at DrinkCitra

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Twinsie Tuesday: Inspiration From Your Family

This week's challenge comes from inspiration from a family member, and for me, that was my husband. 


OPI Dating A Royal. Something blue. I was thinking he'd give me some crazy nail art challenge but he actually didn't, as you can see. And for some reason, I think this really represents my husband. Blue is his favorite color, even though he always denies it. DAR is a nice creme blue. My husband is a really chill and easy going man and I think if he was a nail polish, this would be it. Dating A Royal, best name ever as well. 

What are some of your favorite blues?
Anna 

For more Twinsie posts, click the links below!
Alaina at The Little Canvas
Amanda at Amandalandish
Chelsea at Nailed Blog
Elizabeth at Did My Nails
Kelly at Tuxarina
Lakeisha at Refined and Polished
Marisa at Polish Obsession
Rachel at Top Coat It
Róisín at Cuti-CLUE-les
Stephanie at A Little Polish
Traci at DrinkCitra