NOTD: China Glaze Custom Kicks!

Two (2) coats of China Glaze Custom Kicks & One (1) coat of Seche Vite Top Coat.

China Glaze Custom Kicks

China Glaze Custom Kicks is a sea foam green/teal with tiny flecks of golden shimmer. This shade was released in the 2009 China Glaze Kick's Collection. Lucky enough for those who want to snag this shade, it's not a Limited Edition shade. (I spotted it at my local ULTA)

The shade appears a little more blue-teal in the bottle, but on my nails it's much more of a green-teal. Strangely, it appeared more green after I applied my top coat.

The formula is exceptional with this shade. It's somewhat thick - but not too thick, applies with no streaks and is opaque with one coat. I always like to at least apply two coats though - but for those who are painting their nails on the go, this shade is pretty low maintenance and you can get away with one.

China Glaze Custom Kicks (Flash)

You may notice my nails are much shorter. I think I prefer them a bit shorter as it's easier to apply moisturizers, concealer, text, etc. The only thing is, it makes my fingers look stubbier. Do you like your nails shorter or longer better?

My Top 9 Favorite Warm-toned Blushes!

My Top 9 Favorite Warm-toned Blushes

Blush is one of my favorite things in the makeup world, and when it comes to purchasing a blush, I always seem to be drawn to warm colors. Your coloring plays the main role in what colors will flatter your cheeks the most - and because of my warm, medium-tan coloring, hazel eyes and golden brown hair, nothing quite flatters me like a warm, spicy bronze blush.

I've accumulated quite a few, swapped away several of them and held only onto my favorites. It's a bit of a coincidence the majority of the blushes in my collection are MAC, but I really love MAC blushes and wish I could own them all!

Without further ado, here are some of my favorite warm blushes!

Blushes are in the same order as above photo. Clockwise from bottom right: Pleasureful Blushcreme, Coppertone, Eversun, Margin, Sunbasque and Gingerly.

Nars Lovejoy, MAC So Ceylon Mineralize Skinfinish and Make Up Forever HD Blush #10.

MAC MARGIN is a peachy red-pink with very fine multi-colored shimmer and frost. It's pratically identical to Sunbasque, but has a bit of a pink tone, which Sunbasque is absent of. Although it has a frost finish, I don't find it to be too frosty - somewhat similar to an MSF, maybe even a little more subtle.

MAC SUNBASQUE is a peachy-red with loads of multi-colored fine shimmer. This was one of my first MAC blush purchases a few years back after finding out it was one of Jessica Burciaga's favorites! It's one of my all time favorites. 

MAC GINGERLY is a velvety matte (it's actually a Sheertone, and it does have a couple of extra fine sparkles - but they are basically non-existent) brick red with a slight orange/rosy tone. It's really similar to Coppertone, but Coppertone has a stronger red tone and no pink tones. 

MAC COPPERTONE is a matte, brick red with a bit of an orange/peach tone. It was one of my first MAC blushes, if not my first MAC blush and I love it! 

MAC EVERSUN (limited edition) is a golden bronze with red undertones and slight shimmer. Originally I thought Eversun would be a great bronzer by the looks of it in the pan, but it's a bit tricky - because once it hits my cheeks, the red tones really come out. The shimmer is very subtle and hardly noticeable once applied. 

MAC PLEASUREFUL BLUSHCREME (discontinued) is a slightly reddened pink-peach that gives a very natural, dewy flush of color to the cheeks. 

MAC SO CEYLON MINERALIZE SKINFINISH is a pinked copper-bronze with deep golden veining. It contains very fine pink/multi-colored shimmer and looks a bit frosty on the cheeks. 

NARS LOVEJOY is a rosy-bronze with lots of fine, golden shimmer. Although it looks ultra shimmery in the pan, it's not as intense on the cheeks. 

MAKE UP FOREVER HD #10 is an intense, warm red. When blended out, it creates a beautiful copper color that looks amazing on the cheeks.

Heavy swatches on NC30 skin [click to view larger]

What are some of your favorites?

Chanel Mica Glossimer Review, Photos and Swatches!

Chanel Mica Glossimer Lipgloss

Chanel Mica Glossimer is a very sheer pink with fine bright pink, purple and green sparkles. It reminds me a little bit of MAC Like Venus Dazzleglass, but it's more subtle and warm. 

Even though the formula is very glittery, it's not at all over-the-top. The glitters are so fine, that it doesn't scream glitter and it catches the sunlight beautifully. I'm a fan of anything that glistens (with the exception of MAC Dazzleglasses - hate the formula), so this was a winner for me. The color is sheer, but can be built easily. When worn alone, it's not at all drying to my lips - in fact, it's fairly moisturizing. It's a great shade to layer over any peach, beige or pink lipstick.

"Gorgeous shimmer and a high-shine glow is delivered effortlessly to lips with just one stroke of this best-selling lip gloss. A wide range of shades, from sheer and natural to sparkling and rich, look beautiful on their own, or over your favorite lipstick. Equally beautiful: the conditioning formula's comfort and long wear."

Chanel Glossimers may be used over your favorite lipstick formula to enhance shimmer and high-shine glow, or on its own for an ultra-glossy and comfortably hydrated result.

Sally Hansen Cuticle Remover Review!

Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover

•  Dissolves Dry Cuticles in 15 Seconds
•  Melts away and breaks down excess cuticles in seconds
•  Smooths and softens cuticles
• Can also be used to remove stubborn calluses

DIRECTIONS

For cuticles, squeeze a thin strip around cuticles and under nail tips. After 15 seconds begin to gently push back cuticles with a cuticle pusher or manicure stick. Wash away excess immediately and thoroughly with warm, soapy water.
For calluses, apply to callused skin for 1 minute. Wash away excess immediately and thoroughly with warm, soapy water.
Do not leave on longer than 1 minute.
Keep fingers away from eyes during use. Do not use more than twice weekly or on broken or sensitive skin.

Lately, I would keep hearing about this product and how it's a "favorite" among many bloggers. It was one of those products that I was meaning to purchase for some time, and never really got around (or made an attempt) to purchase it. Finally, I decided go purchase it, after a failed attempt of cutting my cuticles using a cuticle nipper. What's really great about this product is the ease of use. It's pretty much a no brainer. It takes less than a minute (more like 5 seconds) to apply the thin gel around your cuticle and then you wait for 15 seconds, push your cuticles back with a cuticle pusher and rinse your fingers. It almost instantly softens the cuticles so they are easy to push back and it peels off, or dissolves the excess cuticles on the nail - which is typically hard to remove otherwise. I've been using it 1-2 times a week and my cuticles are looking so much better. I'll admit it, my cuticles were looking pretty bad. I was debating whether or not to get a professional manicure, just so they can clip my cuticles for me. I'm so happy this has saved me the hassle. It has also helped my nail polish last longer because my polish would always end up chipping or lifting off near my cuticle - because basically, I would be polishing over the excess cuticles on my nail bed on some nails. This is a product I'm going to definitely re-purchase and always have on hand to maintain clean cuticles.  Highly Recommend! Plus, it's only about $4.

INGREDIENTS

Water, Potassium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10 30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Leaf Juice, Chamomilla Recutita (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Tetrasodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate (Licorice Root)

What are some of your Nail Care Must-haves?