Making Beauty Products with Bella Terra Pigments

Ever get annoyed when you see the people at the kiosks in the mall attempting to sell you all kinds of hair and skin products?
Well, I fell for their sales attempt recently while walking towards the Bella Terra mineral cosmetics kiosk.
This company sells 60 shades of mineral pigments that can be used as eye shadow, eye liner, lip color, body shimmer, mascara, hair streaks and nail polish.
They had me at nail polish.
The sales lady told me that all I had to do was add clear nail polish to their mineral pigments and I have my very own lacquer.
I ended up buying the glittery "Crystal Ball" and the shimmery "Red Hot" for $20.
Although I bought the pigments to make nail polish, I wanted to try them in other ways too.
But first, here are swatches of "Crystal Ball" and "Red Hot":


Here are the pigments as eye shadow:

Not a fan of the eye shadow look.

I used Wet n wild's clear gloss...


...to make lip gloss out of the pigments:

Not a fan of "Crystal Ball" as a lip gloss...
...But "Red Hot" gets brownie points for being cute on the kisser:


And finally, here are the pigments as nail polish:

I thought "Crystal Gloss" would have more of a "holo" effect on the nail, but it didn't.

I loved "Red Hot" so much that I decided to paint it over all my nails:

Now this is a color I love on my tips and toes!

"Crystal Ball" let me down in more ways than one, but I can totally live with "Red Hot."
Have you used Bella Terra products before?? If so, what was your experience?

FTC Disclosure: I was not compensated by Bella Terra for this review. I paid for the product with my own funds.

More CoverGirl Naturelux Glossbalms!!

As if I need another tube of Covergirl's Natureluxe glossbalm??!!
I recently scooped up two more of these lippies through a really good sale from CVS, "Marble" and "Tulip."
After a coupon and store discount, I paid $6 for the two. Can't resist a good deal!!

Here are swatches of "Marble" and "Tulip":


Here's "Marble" on my kisser:


And here's "Tulip" on my kisser:


They're both very soft hues that would work well for the office. My fave of these is "Tulip," a very light pink.

Have you tried Natureluxe balms? If so, what was your experience?

FTC Disclosure: I was not compensated by CoverGirl for this review. I paid for the product with my own funds.

I won a Blog Award from Touching Faces with Beauty and Glamour!

The lovely Ms. Viva Glam of Touching Faces with Beauty and Glamour awarded me the One Lovely Blog Award!
Yay and thanks girlie!!
This is my first blog award and I'm so excited!!!
I appreciate the support especially from someone like Ms. Viva Glam.
She does the most awesomest FOTDs and has a really good sense of humor.
Please follow her blog when you get a moment, you will learn a lot!!

Now, it's my turn to tag some blogs and here are zee rules:

1. Link back to the person who passed you the award
2. Share 7 random things about yourself
3. Award 10 blogs
4. Drop them a note and tell them about it

Seven random things about me:

1. I'm adopted and found both my birth parents.
2. Slugs have always scared me because they're yucky and slimy and gross. Don't judge.
3. I've interviewed several celebs as a journalist but my fave stories are the ones about normal people.
4. If I got a job opportunity in India, I'd take it in a New York minute.
5. I could eat quinoa and cupcakes everyday for the rest of my life and be happy.
6. I have the attention span of a 5th grader.
7. Eleven has always been my favorite number.


I Tag:

1. My Guide to a Girl's World
2. Project Danielle
3. WitchHazel's BlogSpot
4. I Feel Pretty
5. Shana Janelle
6. Silver Lips Beauty
7. Laquer Lover
8. Retrodiva's Beauty Bar
9. The It Color
10. Diary of a Style Addict

If you could be a bottle of nail polish, what color would you be?

This is Revlon's "Ocean," I believe, but a beautiful teal, nonetheless.

If I could be any nail polish color, I’d definitely be a teal.
It’s only natural since the shimmery “Teal We Meet Again” from Sephora by OPI is my favorite nail lacquer of all time.
But there are other reasons why I’d be a teal, which is a blue-green hue.
First, I can’t figure the color out.
Is it blue? Is it green? Who knows, but I like the mystery of no knowing exactly what it is.
Plus, I confuse teal with turquoise all the time.
Next, I like what blues and greens represent.
When I think about those colors, blue represents peace and green represents nature.
Sounds corny but these two things that represent me.
Finally, I’d be a boring pink or purple nail polish color.
Sure, they’re pretty hues, but they’re also so predictable, which can be boring.
So, I’d totally be a teal nail polish color, at least in my mind I would be.
Now, I have to figure out what I'd name my bottle of polish!!
What about you? What color polish would you be?

President Obama loves the kids (cute video alert)

Saw this video on the e-streets and had to share:



I love Obama's facial expression at the the 22 second mark. Classic!!

Pacifica Indian Coconut Body Butter Review

I love coconut-scented moisturizers so purchasing this butter from Pacifica was a no-brainer.
Pacifica and I have a pretty good relationship. I love their products because they’re natural and made without harsh chemicals but still deliver.
This butter is a win too. It’s a creamy formula that has hints of vanilla in it. My skin drank up this $5 bottle of coconut creamy goodness.
Have you tried Pacifica products? If so, which one and what was your experience?

FTC Disclosure: I was not compensated by Pacifica for this review. I paid for the product with my own funds.

Recent NOTDs: glitters and pinks and brights, oh my!

I've been changing my polish like Katy Perry changes outfits during performances. Here's a sampling of what I've recently worn on my tips and toes:

Sally Hansen's "Mellow Yellow" and Borghese's "Paradiso Pink"


I wore this look, Loreal's "Drama Queen" and floral decals, to a friend's wedding:


Revlon's "Siren" and Sally Hansen's "The Real Teal"


Sally Hansen's "Spring Green" and Borghese's "Paradiso Pink"


What's currently on your nails?

FTC Disclosure: I was not compensated by any cosmetic company for this review. I paid for the products with my own funds.

Josie Maran Argan Oil Moisturizing Stick Review

Summer's around the corner, which means I need to change my facial cleansing routine.
Although the oil cleansing method has done wonders for my skin, the weather is getting way too hot for me to be applying oil to my face.
I need a moisturizer that is less greasy.
Enter Josie Maran's Argan Oil Moisturizing Stick.
This baby had been on my radar for months but my local Sephora never had it in stock so I recently bought it from a Sephora in NY for about $22.
That's a lot of money for the .055 ounce tube, but my face has been thanking me for the hefty purchase.
The stick has a sweet, lemony smell to it and it goes on smoothly and not greasy.
My skin doesn't need a lot of the product. I just swipe it along my cheeks, T-zone and jawline and rub it in my skin.
It's left my skin feeling super, super moisturized and gives it a nice sheen.
I've also swiped the stick on my lips and on any small bruises I have on my body.
Josie Maran's products are natural and the stick is made without sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrances and dyes, phthalates and petro-chemicals.
The product is also infused with vitamin E and anti-aging ingredients that are rich in fatty acids.
My skin is in lurve.
And it's so funny because Josie's liquid version of Argan Oil didn't work for me, but her solid stick sure is the bee's knees.

FTC Disclosure: I was not compensated by Josie Maran for this review. I paid for the product with my own funds.

Sally Hansen Crackle Effects Polish Review

It seems like everybody and their grandmomma has a crackle nail polish out now.
After OPI's successful Black Shatter was released earlier this year, Sally Hansen recently put out a line of Crackle Overcoat polishes.
I scooped up three of them and here's what they look like over various polishes:

"Fuchsia Shock" over Revlon's "Hazy"


"Vintage Violet" over Sinful Colors' "Mint Apple"


"Vintage Violet" over Sally Hansen's "Mellow Yellow"


"Antique Gold" over Wet n Wild's "Black Creme"


Sally Hansen's version of crackle reminds me of OPI's version.
I like the purple and pink crackles and feel like I can have more fun with my nails using those two.
But at about $8-$9 a bottle, I don't like the price.
Luckily, I scooped up these two babies from CVS during a BOGO half off Sally Hansen sale.
What say you?? Have you tried any of Sally Hansen's new crackle polishes?

FTC Disclosure: I was not compensated by Sally Hansen for this review. I paid for the products with my own funds.

Let's Work Out Tag

Here's another tag that's been floating around the web. This one is workout-related and here are my answers:

1. What is your favorite way to stay in shape?

I love going on walks throughout my neighborhood. Gives me a chance to connect with nature, my neighbors and listen to my iPod. I also love stretching, breathing and doing yoga poses.

2. What is your least favorite way to stay in shape?
The older I get, the less likely I am to do hard-impact workouts.

3. Whats your favorite fruit?
Tangerines, strawberries and blueberries.

4. Whats you favorite veggie?
What isn't? I loves me some okra, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, kale, spinach, beets.

5. Whats your guilty pleasure?
O geez. I have a weakness for cupcakes and chocolate.

6. Do you prefer working out with someone or alone?
I prefer working out alone but think I work out better and more efficiently with a buddy.

7. What is your favorite song to listen to when working out?
Um, normally music I wouldn't listen to on a daily basis. Any Beyonce club song, The Black Eyed Peas, any kind of club music to get me going.

Tag. Now it's your turn to answer the "Let's Work Out Tag."

CoverGirl Natureluxe “Hibiscus” Gloss Balm Review

Bought another CoverGirl Natureluxe gloss balm, this time in “Hibiscus” and this one’s a real cutie.

Here is a swatch:


On my kisser:


“Hibiscus” is a soft pink that’s perfect for springtime and the office.
I feel so girly with it on my lips.
This is my fourth Natureluxe gloss balm (I bought another “Anemone,”) which says a lot about the lippie.

Have you tried CoverGirl Natureluxe balms? If so, what was your experience?

FTC Disclosure: I was not compensated by CoverGirl for this review. I paid for the product with my own funds.

NOTD: Purple Franken and Happy Sunday!

Happy Sunday!

I've had an extremely busy weekend and am ca-pooped today.
Lately, I've been obsessed with making nail polish out of old eye shadows and clear lacquer.
I currently have on one of my creations, which I'm calling "Jiggy Purple."
Made it from a free Lancome eye shadow palette I got a couple of years back.
It's a shimmery mid-range purple that screams, "wedding mani!"
Look for more frankens like this soon!
As for now, I'm tired and going to take a nap.
Might go to the beach or walk around the mall. Whatever I end up doing, it will be a great Sunday.
Hope you have a positive and productive week!

My A-Z Tag

I've seen this A-Z tag floating around on the Interwebs lately and thought I would tag myself and answer the questions.

A. Age: 25
B. Bed Size: Queen
C. Chore you hate: Vacuuming, mopping, sweeping.
D. Day: Monday.
E. Essential start to your day: Stretching and listening to music.
F. Favourite colour: Purple and pink. I love teal/turquoise on my nails though.
H. Height: 5'3''
I. Instruments: Learning to play the bass guitar and I used to play the flute.
J. Job title: General Assignment Reporter.
K. Kids: Yes, maybe in my mid-30s. I'd like to have a boy, a girl, then I want to adopt a child.
L. Live: Virginia Beach, Virginia.
M. Mommy’s name: Geneva.
N. Nicknames: Jigg, Jiggs, Jigga, Jiggy, Jiggetts.
O. Overnight hospital stays: No.
P. Pet peeve: Ungrateful, judgmental, inconsiderate, selfish people.
Q. Quote from a movie: "I'm not a p**nta, I keep my panties clean" -Troy in "Crooklyn."
R. Right or left handed: Right.
S. Siblings: Yes, seven.
T. Time you wake up: 9-9:30 a.m.
U. Underwear: Yeap.
V. Vegetables you dislike: None that I know of.
W. What makes you run late: Procrastination.
X. X-Rays you’ve had: Teeth.
Y. Yummy food you make: Bean burritos, quinoa, pasta dishes.
Z. Zoo: Yes, but I go every few years or so.

An open letter to Tarte: lip gloss review

Dear Tarte,

You have always done right be me, girl.
You’re femme natural eye shadow palette rocked my socks a couple of years ago.
And your eye shadow primer keeps my shadow from budging.
Most recently, your double-ended lip gloss has been good to me too, boo.
I love how it’s natural and formulated without harsh chemicals, like your other products.
And it’s sheer and smells good.
My lips are happy and at $6, so is my pocketbook.
Thank you for this stick of glossy goodness.

Love,

Jennifer

FTC Disclosure: I was not compensated by Tarte for this review. I paid for the products with my own funds.

I have lots of love for this e.l.f. lippie

I like e.l.f. (eyes lip face) products for their affordability, but some of them can me hit or miss.
But this lipstick named “Gypsy” that I recently scooped up from Target for 70 cents (w00t w00t!!!!) is most certainly a hit.
My little sisters will be mad at me for not knowing exactly what color this lippie is, so I’ll guess and say that it’s a medium pink/berry hue.
Whatever color it truly is, I like “Gypsy.”
Even got a compliment from a coworker about it.
“Your lipstick is nice,” my co-worker said. “Goes with you complexion.”

Here’s a swatch:

And "Gypsy" on my kisser:


“Gypsy” has a sweet, fruity smell to it and applied creamy.
It was surprisingly moisturizing and had staying power.
Not bad for a lipstick under one buck, eh?
Have you tried e.l.f. products before? If so, which ones and what was your experience?


FTC Disclosure: I was not compensated by e.l.f. for this review. I paid for the product with my own money.

Sally Hansen natural lip gloss review

Sally Hansen is a heavyweight in the polish world, but I don’t know about his Carmindy lip gloss in "Pink Blush" I recently scooped up from CVS for 75 cents.

Here's a swatch:


Here it is on my kisser:


I see why the gloss was marked down.
Although the color is pretty, the gloss is as sticky as tape. Too bad, because I’ve used lippies from this line before and it was love at first application.
Oh well, at least Sally still has polish.

FTC Disclosure: I was not compensated by Sally Hansen for this review. I paid for the product with my own funds.

My May No-Buy Polish Challenge Accomplished!!

ZOMG!! I did it!
I actually went a month without buying any new nail polishes!
You can't possibly imagine how hard it was for me to walk past nail polish displays and not want to scoop up all the beautiful, lovely colors I saw.
But I did it.
Not buying polish for a month allowed me to actually see, use and appreciate the 89 bottles of nail polish that I have in my collection.
It also allowed me to try new color combinations and old ones, too.
I also saved anywhere from $25-$50, which doesn't sound like a lot of money but every penny counts!
Overall, I'm proud of myself for sticking to my No-Buy Polish challenge.
To celebrate, I think I'll treat myself to a nice bottle of nail polish:)