NOTD: Pink and White Reverse French.

I know we're all familiar with the traditional french manicure, but the reverse french - also known as the half moon manicure, is something much less traditional. It was one of the most popular nail trends in 2011, and is still being seen on catwalks for Spring 2012. It's a very funky and trendy nail design that can be done easily with the help of a some stickers (or a steady hand!).

What's fun about the reverse french is that there's really no right or wrong way to do it! You can use any two colors you'd like, using contrasting colors or colors similar in tone for a more subtle effect. The "half moons" can be any size you want, there is really no standard.

For my manicure, I used two coats of Sally Hansen Salon Nail Lacquer in #320 All the White Stuff and one coat of ULTA Salon Formula Nail Lacquer in Heirhead. For a top coat, I used Seche Vite Top Coat.

• First, pick your two nail polish colors.
• (Optional) Apply a thin layer of a base coat.
• Apply 1-2 coats of the color you want your reverse french/half moon to be. (I chose white)
• Wait for your nails to dry completely. You want to make sure they are completely dry, otherwise, you can risk messing up your nails in the next step. You may want to add a coat of a fast drying top coat to seal the two coats of polish. I used Seche Vite Top Coat for this.
• Stick paper reinforcement stickers to the base of your nail. Depending on your preference, you can stick them on higher up, or lower down. So they aren't too sticky, stick them on the back of your hand prior to applying them on your nails.
• Paint 1-2 coats of your preferred top color, remove stickers. I removed them right away, so they wouldn't get stuck to my nails.
• Apply a top coat.

(Image Credit: Teen.com)

Current Products in my Rotation!

I've always been one to carry tons of makeup with me in my handbag, but in the past year or so, I've been carrying a lot less makeup with me in my bag, and leaving more at home. I use to literally bring with me every item of makeup I'd be wearing on a certain day, just "in-case" something happens and I'll need to fix it. Nowadays, I only bring a few items with me - a powder compact for touch ups, a lipstick and gloss, eyeliner and a couple brushes. (I haven't been ruining the lining of my handbags either - yay!)

My "every day" products change quite often, as I'm constantly trying new things. But to keep my most used products handy, I keep them all in one place for easy access. If a certain product isn't getting much use, I'll put it back in my storage system so I don't have a bin of overflowing products. 

Here's a peek at what I've been using lately!

NARS Pro Prime Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (travel size) - I recently got this in a swap, and so far I like it. I don't find it much different than Urban Decay Primer Potion, but it's a good primer that keeps my eye shadow in place all day.
YSL Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils Longwear Cream Eyeliner in Deep Black - (reviewed here). This is my current favorite cream liner, and I use it just about every day!
Bobbi Brown Longwear Cream Eyeshadow in Stone - Stone is a light, taupe shade that is very soft and natural. I like using it smudged into my lash line for a very soft look. It's quite similar in color to MAC Groundwork Paintpot.
MAC Paintpot in Constructivist - Constructivist is a gorgeous bronzed-brown with a reddish undertone. Many times I use it alone smudged into my lash line, or as a base for my brown eyeshadow.
Chanel Illusion d'Ombre Long-Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Epatant - (reviewed here) I haven't had this very long, but I've been wearing it just about every chance I get. It seems to blend really well with my every day brown shadows.
MAC Brule Eyeshadow - Brule is a matte, soft ivory. I use it every day all over my lid before applying any other eyeshadow. It evens out the color on my lids and makes my lids a perfect blank canvas for my eyeshadow and liner.
L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows in Endless Pearl, Iced Latte, Bronzed Taupe and Amber Rush - These are pretty new to my collection, but they are everything that everyone has been raving about. They are wonderful, dreamy-smooth and intensely pigmented shadows. I love using Endless Peal all over my lid (as it's just like MAC Brule, but more pigmented). Iced Latte as a highlight, and Bronzed Taupe and Amber Rush in my crease. (I'll do a separate post on these later!)
Christian Dior Five Golds 5-Colour Eyeshadow Palette - (reviewed here) This is an older limited edition palette, but it's one of my favorite palettes. All 5 colors go together so wonderfully and when using this palette, I never need to reach for any additional colors. This palette has it all. If you can get your hands on one in a blog sale, swap, etc, I highly recommend it!

Swatches

From Left to Right: YSL Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils Longwear Cream Eyeliner in Deep Black, MAC Paintpot in Constructivist, Chanel Illusion d'Ombre Long-Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Epatant, Bobbi Brown Longwear Cream Eyeshadow in Stone, L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows in Endless Pearl, Iced Latte, Amber Rush and Bronzed Taupe, MAC Brule Eyeshadow, Christian Dior Five Golds Quint.

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Revlon Pink Light Age Defying Spa Face Illuminator Review, Photos and Swatches!

Revlon Pink Light Age Defying Spa Face Illuminator

I love a good deal just like the rest of us, and when I see a clearance rack, I'm all over it. I love checking out my local drugstores - especially Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy for good deals. Granted, their cosmetics are higher in price than Walmart or Target per say, but their markdowns are awesome! Last week I spotted this Revlon Illuminator (being discontinued) for 75% off. I ended up paying around $3, which was a pretty sweet deal for a product with such high ratings. (Makeupalley has all shades rated 4.6/5!)

Revlon Age Defying Spa Face Illuminator is a creamy, sheer liquid that works to brighten dry, tired dull skin. It has a pearl finish to cast light to the areas where it has been applied, to create a soft glow and to add definition to your face. It can be used under foundation as an illuminating base, over foundation in areas that need brightening (high points of the cheeks, corners of the eyes, etc), alone or on your neck & body.

PRODUCT DETAILS:
-Boosts natural radiance for a fresh, luminous glow
-Light reflecting micronized crystals illuminate on contact
-Sheer color in a lightweight, oil-free formula
-SPF 18

Revlon Age Defying Spa Face Illuminator is available in (4) shades: 010 Bare Light, 020 Pink Light, 030 Gold Light and 040 Bronze Light.

I grabbed Pink Light, a pale, frosty pink. Similar to Benefit High Beam, but a little more sheer.

Current fragrances I'm really liking!

I'm really picky when it comes to fragrances. Not so much body lotions and mists, but every time I'm at a department store and I test out fragrances, I always leave empty handed, with a headache, smelling like I rolled around in old potpourri. I rarely receive a fragrance sample I like, or find a good scent in a magazine.

I'm not really a pro at reading the descriptions for fragrances, and I'm not familiar with all of the different notes- "soft, sensual silk with a twist of shimmering goldenrod, embracing and captivating blah, blah, blah". Plain English please?

Haha, with time though, I'm sure I'll get the hang of it.

Anyway, I haven't owned many perfumes throughout the years. I alternate between Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche and Versace Bright Crystal. My kind of fragrance is something that's a little fruity, slightly floral and fresh/clean. I also kinda like amber, and a little musk never killed anyone, right? I said a little, by the way.

I don't like vanilla - and by don't like, I mean I can't stand it. I don't like anything sweet (unless I'm eating it). Examples: Cupcakes, Chocolate, Cookie, Sprinkles, Brown Sugar, Vanilla Bean, Cotton Candy. I despise it all in a fragrance, air freshener, candle, etc. Too synthetic to me. I also don't like anything too powdery - I don't like the smell of baby powder, and high woody/tobacco notes actually make me feel nauseous.

So, you can imagine how flabbergasted I was, when I liked all of my recent samples!

Narciso Rodriguez For Her Eau de Toilette


The first time I smelled this perfume was a few years ago from a friend that worked at Sephora. Apparently, it was one of their top rated/best sellers at the time. It wasn't much my taste, but seeing the good reviews, I decided to give it a second chance. It's quite strong and very musky at first, but once the musk softens up, it's a beautiful fragrance that I absolutely love smelling on myself all day long. It's very warm, with a spicy and sweet musk that is slightly powdery. It has a touch of floral and fruit that emerges a couple hours later. Even though it contains notes I'm not that keen on (ehem, vanilla), it's perfectly balanced. It's a very classy and luxurious/expensive scent, and reminds me a little bit of classic Chanel.

Notes: Honey Flower, Solar Musk, Orange Blossom, Osmanthus, Amberlyn, Vanilla, Tactile Musk, Tactile Woods, Vetiver.

Givenchy Play For Her Eau de Parfum


This type of fragrance reminds me a bit of my Mom when I was young. She wore Nicole Miller and Privelege and whenever she walked past me after her morning bath, I always smelled the honey floral. Play for Her is a very soft, sensual and feminine fragrance that smells a bit like sweet honey, carnations and a slight powdery wood - possibly a hint of Amber? Although it's not listed in the notes. Maybe bitter orange? A very playful scent that I think anyone can enjoy.

Notes: Bergamot, Sweet Pea, Amyris Wood, Tiare Flower, Sandalwood, Musk.

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