Glass Nail Files by Mont Bleu.

I've ditched using a standard nail file for the past year or so, and switched over to glass files. Although I'm no professional, I've gathered a few nailcare tips from nail bloggers and beauty communities along my blogging journey that seem to know a lot about nails.

When picking a nail file, I always pick a really fine grain in order to avoid damaging my nails. I use to have a really big problem with my nails splitting/peeling - realizing later that it was due to the pure acetone nail polish remover I was using a couple times a week. A blogger recommended looking into a glass file to avoid any further splitting of my nails, so I purchased a glass nail file from Sally's Beauty Supply and have been using it ever since. Metal files and emery boards can sometimes be too rough on the nails, especially if they are brittle already. Glass nail files are very gentle on the nails and yield a very smooth result. 

Glass nail files are also very easy to clean, and will last for years. You may pay a few dollars more for one, but it's worth the investment. 

To clean a glass file, simply run it under water. 

Unfortunately glass files aren't as widely available as emery boards and steel files are, and the ones that are available usually aren't very cute or trendy.

I recently discovered Mont Bleu, and was given the opportunity to try a couple of their files. Mont Bleu is a Czech based company that specializes in the making of Glass Nail Files, that are hand decorated with Swarovski crystals and/or unique patterns & designs, delivering quality products worldwide. Although their main product is glass nail files, they also have a selection of other accessories including: glass foot files, tweezers, compact mirrors, costume jewelry, manicure sets and more.

Their files come in a velvet sleeve (not pictured) which is perfect for traveling and to prevent any damage to your nail file. Because it's glass, if you drop it on a hard surface, it can break, so keeping it in the protective sleeve will protect it.

Mont Bleu has a ton of different designs, and they actually use Swarovski crystals, as opposed to cheap, plastic rhinestones. I'm really enjoying my mini file, and keep it stored in the pocket of my handbag.

They are also very affordable at around $7-14 each. To view all of the designs, check out their website at http://www.design-glassware.com/1-home.

Cheryl also posted a review for Mont Bleu recently, click the image below to be redirected to her page.

Disclaimer: This post contains a product sample provided by the manufacturer for consideration. All opinions expressed in this post are my own, and reflect my honest opinion based on my personal experience with using this product.

MAC Viva Glam Nicki Minaj Lipstick Review with Photos & Comparisons!

MAC Viva Glam Nicki Lipstick

When I got word that Nicki Minaj was coming out with another lipstick for MAC, I was really excited because I knew it was going to be something really bold and bright.

Ricky Martin teamed up with Nicki as well - which I thought was a pretty random collaboration from the get-go. Ricky, where have you been these past ten years?!

Anyways, when I saw the first swatches of Viva Glam Nicki early this month, I became incredibly excited and couldn't wait for it to launch. I added my name to the waiting list, and to my satisfaction, I was able to purchase Viva Glam Nicki online a day early.

(Image Credit)

Viva Glam Nicki is a bright yellow-toned pink. Finally a bright pink that isn't blue-toned, for us warm skinned ladies to wear without looking crazy!

Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad Review, Photos and Swatches!

Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad

If you didn't know by now, one of my guilty pleasures is blog sales and makeup swaps. Some may cringe at the thought of purchasing or trading used makeup, but over the past few years I've become a pro at sanitizing most makeup products (it's really not that hard). Most of the products I've obtained have barely been used, for a fraction of the price! 

One of the recent gems I picked up through a blog sale was Chanel Enigma Eye Shadow Quad. I don't own any Chanel quads, and have been really interested in trying them , but it's the $58 price tag that's setting me back - ouch!

Enigma is a limited edition palette, that launched in Chanel's 2010 Fall Collection. Enigma contains four shades: a pale pink, olive-taupe, deep blackened plum with silver shimmer and a silvered-charcoal.

All of the shades go very well together, and can create a gorgeous smokey eye. I like using the pale pink shade all over my lid, and any of the darker shades (typically the olive-taupe - third from the left, swatched below) smudged into my lashline and blended up to my crease. I like taking the deep plum and lining my top and bottom lid with it, as the purple tones in it makes the green in my hazel eyes stand out more.
I rarely ever use a primer with my eyeshadows, and I was pleasantly surprised to see the lasting power of these shadows is very good.

Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation Review!

Chanel Perfection Lumiere is Chanel's newest foundation, which I believe launched this past September of 2011. It claims to be a long wearing and comfortable, will make your skin look fresh and flawless, yet very natural. It is said to be suitable for all skin types.

Chanel Perfection Lumiere is available in 20 shades: 
12 Beige Rose, 22 Beige Rose, 32 Beige Rose, 42 Beige Rose, 52 Beige Rose, 10 Beige, 20 Beige, 20 Beige, 40 Beige, 60 Beige, 24 Beige Ambre, 34 Beige Ambre, 44 Beige Ambre, 54 Beige Ambre, 64 Beige Ambre, 94 Ambre, 104 Ambre, 114 Ambre, 134 Ambre, 154 Ambre.

I have samples of a few different shades - some were pretty random, but the sales associate just grabbed a bunch. Both B10 and Beige Rose 12 work fine on my (no tan) MAC NC15 skintone. B20 is great for NC25, and B30 is a good NC30-35 match. **Many reviewers mentioned that they noticed oxidation (once dry, it turns darker), so definitely try a sample before purchasing. I didn't notice any oxidation with BR12, and slight oxidation with B10.

With it's long-wearing claims, I was very interested in giving this foundation a try. I picked up several samples over the past few months and I feel that I can now properly evaluate it.