The Cheeky Monkey Experience

I recently attended the aesthetic show in Toronto and picked up a few goodies. Cheeky Monkey was a brand that stood out with their fun names and cute packaging. I got the base coat- Wet Dream, polish in Born Again Virgin, and the top coat- I like It On Top. Fun, no? It's a 4-free brand (no formaldehyde) and has a good range of shades. I only picked up one because I needed to see how well the polish performed. I wanted to try Dirty Secret, and Camel Toe (hahaha) t00 but decided to wait.

All the polishes come with witty or downright hilarious tags with different sayings in them. This one was a gem!

So how was the experience? Not great. Born Again Virgin is a fun, light pink shade and I love the color but it went on pretty unevenly and refused to self-level.

After I applied the top coat (and I allowed the polish to dry a bit before I did so) everything started to bubble. You can kind of see some bumps on the center nail.

The thumb got it the worst though and here it's really visible. Fast forward an hour later and I am not happy. Not only was it bubbly but it also wasn't dry. Unacceptable I say, so I took the whole mess off. Needless to say I was disappointed. I had high hopes for this line and was loving the 4-free part but it just didn't work.

The Lippman Experience is coming up!

NOTD: Easter Series- China Glaze Peachy Keen

(Painting by David Carter Brown)

Here we are at the end of the Easter series and it's peachy perfection all the way! Peachy Keen is part of the China Glaze Up & Away collection and is a true peach. Most polishes fall into the "coral" or "orange" category, but that's not the case here. The application was quite nice. Opaque, smooth and even. I may sound like a broken record, but this one again, is a toe color for me.

This was a really fun series for me and gave me a chance to try some colors I may not have otherwise (on my fingers). The standout winner is going have to be China Glaze Re-Fresh Mint.

Its fresh, clean creaminess evokes feelings of spring and all things pistachio and mint. Makes for a spectacular spring manicure!

NOTD: Easter Series- China Glaze Re-Fresh Mint

Mint chocolate chip ice-cream anyone?? That is what I think of when I see this luscious shade. The creamy formula is beautiful and much less troublesome than some of the others from the
China Glaze Up & Away collection. Unfortunately the color pictured below doesn't quite capture the mintyness of the polish. In the photos it ends up looking much more blue than green and reminds me of China Glaze's For Audrey. Boo to these un-true-to-life-pics!

This is definitely a drool worthy polish and the one I ended up wearing Easter Sunday. If you take out the chocolate bits from the decadent dessert below you'll get the color of Re-Fresh Mint.

NOTD: Easter Series- OPI Chapel of Love

Evoking images of Dutch tulip fields, OPI's Chapel of Love was a bit of a departure from the other more pastel shades I've been sporting for this Easter series. It's brighter, deeper, and not a cream formula. What I failed to capture with the picture is the beautiful gold micro-shimmer that shows up in sunlight. The shimmer makes this shade unique and fun and keeps it from being ho hum. Oops I think I rhymed there!

*Opacity achieved with three thin coats

NOTD: Easter Series- OPI Do You Lilac It?

Do I? Lilac it? Mm.. not so much. This is probably my least favorite color of the bunch, despite its flawless application. It was so hard to get an accurate representation of the color in the pics. If it actually looked like the shade pictured below, (almost periwinkle) I would love it! Alas, it is much more lavender and oh so NOT flattering against my skintone.

Although this photo is blurry, it was the only one that depicted the polish even remotely close to what it really is. It's actually quite a lovely shade in the pictures but doesn't really do it for me in person. As I mentioned, the application is wonderful! No streakiness and self-levels nicely. It seems that my search for the perfect Easter nail color continues....

Have you found yours?

NOTD: Easter Series- China Glaze Lemon Fizz

My second installment for the Easter series and it's pastel perfection! Lemon Fizz calls to mind fuzzy baby chicks in morning sunlight and sugary sweet Peeps.

I found the same application issues with this one as with Mod About You. Can be streaky and extremely difficult to apply neatly close to the cuticle. It must be something about the cream pastels in general that have that bit of a chalky quality. For me, this is a straight up toe color, but I can see using this on the fingers for a fun funky look. I highly recommend this to people with a bit of a tan or those who have a deeper skin tone.

Not the best shade next to my winter white skin. This pic was taken in cooler morning light.

NOTD: Easter Series- OPI Mod About You

OPI MOD ABOUT YOU
*Please excuse the dry cuticles

I thought I would do a pastel Easter series of nail color. Any color that will evoke images of bunnies and chocolate eggs and pretty pastel cupcakes will be up here! First off I'm starting with OPI's Mod About You. Let me start by saying that I absolutely love the end result of this pretty pink pastel. Now, for the drawbacks. It is one of the most unforgiving polishes I have ever worked with. I found it nearly impossible to get it close to the cuticle and still maintain smooth margins. I ended up having to employ the help of a toothpick to straighten things up.

The formula is slightly chalky, almost as if someone added a drop of red pigment into a bottle of whiteout. Despite the fact that it is a rather thick formula, I still had to watch out for streaking and opacity issues. (Ring finger needed 3 coats).

All in all I think this would be a color much better suited to toes where perfection isn't exactly a must (neatness wise). Can't wait to try it on my footsies especially when I have a bit of a tan!

I'm In the Nude!

But only on my nails...

Ahh the ever elusive perfectly nude nail.

Not too pink. Not too peach. So hard to find!

Here are the contenders:

OPI Coney Island Cotton Candy
Essie Mademoiselle
OPI Samoan Sand

The Test:

OPI Coney Island Cotton Candy was the first up. Someone described it as the perfect nude, like a Louboutin nude pump. That was enough to get me intrigued and out I went to get one of my very own. Unfortunately it fell a bit short of my expectations. It was way too peach on me and not very flattering with my skin tone. (Looks better in the pics).


Natural light



With flash





Essie Mademoiselle is a very sheer nude pink. Really pretty and flattering but not an opaque nude.
Two Coats Three coats

And the winner is... OPI Samoan Sand!

This lovely shade is the perfect Louboutinesque nude that I've been looking for! I may have to submit this to alllacqueredup for the mannequin hands segment.

What is your favorite nude??

TAG- 40 Beauty Questions!

I was reading Sandra's "15 Steps, then a beauty blog" where she tagged everyone so here's mine!

SKINCARE
-How many times do you wash your face daily?
Um, twice. Usually. If I'm not too sleepy. Bad girl!

-What time of skin do you have? (dry, oily, combo)
I used to be pretty normal, but now I have an oily t-zone and my cheeks can get somewhat dry in the winter.

-What is your current facial wash?
I finally caved and purchased Sheaterra's Rosehip & Red Bush African black soap face wash that I heard so much about. Unfortunately, I'm finding it a little drying. :(

-Do you exfoliate?
Yes, but no overly. I either use a microfiber cloth or a mud mask. (Loving the one fron Evan Healy)

-What brand do you use?
Whoops, just answered that question above.

-What moisturizer do you use?
Sometimes none at all. Lately though I've been using 302's Recover Plus. (Very light texture that sinks in right away)

-Do you have freckles
Nope

-Do you use eye cream?
Yes! I find it a must under concealer. Currently I'm on my second tube of Avene Soothing eye contour cream.

-Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
Sort of. Not full blown acne but hormonal breakout. Some foundations or nasty skincare products have been known to illicit some bumps as well. P.S. The red marks that ensue never leave!!

-Did you ever use Pro-Activ?
Noooo.


MAKE-UP

-What foundation do you use?
Currently it's Dior Nude Fluid but I really want Shu Uemura Face Architect. I got a sample and I like LOVE it!! I also want to try the forever mentioned NARS Sheer Glow and MUFE HD.

-How about concealer?
Can I just take a moment and stress that I CANNOT live without it!? Right now it's either Bobbi Brown creamy, MUFE Lift, or the Balm time Balm.

-Do you know your undertone color?
I believe I'm fairly neutral with a balance of both cool and warm.

-What do you think about fake eyelashes?
LOVE 'em.

-Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?
So I hear. I usually just use the tube until it gets a bit on the dry side. Not more than 4-5 months.

-What brand of mascara do you use?
I keep coming back to Cover Girl Volume Exact. I have short, thin lashes and I need all the help I can get. I really want Armani's Eyes to Kill but it is mucho money. :(

-Sephora or MAC
Both have their uses. I wish it was easier to order from Sephora.com in Canada. The package still ships from the U.S. so it takes tiiime. Did I mention that I get impatient waiting for makeup???

-Do you have a MAC Pro-card?
Yes I do.

-What make-up tools do you use in make-up application?
Fingers, Beauty Blender, brushes brushes and more brushes. Never fingers on other people.

-Do you use make-up base/primer for your eyes?
Yes! I love Laura Mercier Eye Basics. Still need to try Too Faced Shadow Insurance.

-For the face?
Nope. Not a huge fan.

-Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?
Usually either pencil or gel used with a brush and set/smoked out with shadow

-How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
Lately? Not much.

-What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?
They can be a lot of fun, but I don't use them very often.

-Do you use mineral makeup?
*Sob* This is such a touchy subject. I used to love the ease of mineral makeup until I developed an allergy to titanium dioxide. I can still handle it in small doses but not the amount in mineral foundations. So sad. I'm playing my tiny violin.

-What is your favorite lipstick?
Right now I'm loving MAC's Nude Rose. *Shakes fist at Kandee the Makeup Artist*

-How about lipgloss?
love love love the way Bare Minerals Buxom glosses feel on my lips. I usually wear them under any others. Minty, tingly, and don't dry out my lips. Other than that I've been reaching for Dior's A Lick of Taffy a lot lately.

-What is your favorite blush to use?
I have many but one of my favorites is a random one from Smashbox called Smashing Publish. A bright blend of pink and peach. Ack! I see pan!

-Do you like drugstore makeup?
Er.. honestly. Other than mascara, not so much. Even if I buy it I'll never reach for it.

-Did you ever consider taking makeup classes?
Yes, best idea I ever had!

-Are you clumsy at putting on makeup?
I hope not.

-Name a makeup crime you hate.
Ooh ooh can I pick two??? Eyeliner that is nowhere near the lashline. If you cannot put it where it is supposed to be please don't wear it. And stripes of dark blush circa 1982. It did not look good then let alone now.

-Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick, eyeshadow) or neutral ones?
Both! I love a neutral look with a pop of color.

-Which celebrity always has great makeup?
Um.. wow who doesn't these days. The Hollywood makeup artists get paid the big bucks for a reason!

-If you had to leave the house with only ONE makeup item, what would it be?
Concealer (nasty dark circles) :(

-Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
Willingly?? Ha ha, yes, but I wouldn't like it.

-Do you think you look good without any makeup on?
Honestly? No. Very self-conscious about the aforementioned dark circles.

-In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?
There is no such thing. It is a myth. Most of them have their standout products.

-What do you think of makeup?
Love it, crave it, a little obsessed with it. Ha ha.


I tag anyone who wants to play. Have fun!

Two gripes and a yay...

Sooo it seems that I`ve recently become painfully aware of some shortcomings that I mostly overlooked for the majority of my life thus far. There I was trying to re-create some eye looks from different MakeupbyTiffanyD videos and I could not figure out why oh why none of them turned out quite right. Enter light bulb or ``ah ha`` moment. I have stubby tiny lashes and a heavy lid! All these years when I looked in the mirror I just saw me.. my lashes, my lids. They looked pretty normal to me. Not so much when I started comparing them to TiffanyD`s or Pixiwoos`. Grr I say. At least with the lashes I can fake it with a pair of falsies for special occasions or even extensions, but the heavy lids.. well they suck. Short of plastic surgery though, I`m stuck with with them so I`ll just have to be careful with winged liner ( can go very wrong) and certain shadow looks that just disappear somewhere in the folds.

Ahh light at the end of the tunnel time. I like my lips! I really do. There is something very healthy about finding something about yourself that you enjoy. It`s easy to tear yourself down and constantly compare your looks or achievements with others` but we have to find the positives in ourselves and concentrate on that. Easier said than done I say... even in my late twenties I am not immune to ``but her lashes are so much nicer than mine`` *pout* lol.

My first post and a rave/review!

Greetings all! I'm very excited to start my blogging journey and have some fun!

I want to start with a product that I had no idea I would be purchasing so soon. I've been eyeing the Evan Healy line on her web-site for the past month and was considering placing an order. However, I am really not a huge fan of ordering products without the opportunity of a sniff or two first. I like to get to know my products before I'm willing to commit to a relationship with them. Unfortunately the health food stores in my city don't carry the line. Boo to me.


Imagine my excitement when I wandered into a quiant little health food store in a neighboring town and saw a shelf full of Evan Healy!! For those of you wondering, it is a completely natural line of skicare created by a holistic esthetician based in San Diego, CA.

Since this wasn't a planned shopping expedition I could only really justify buying one product and I sooo knew just what that one would be. Say hello to my little friend-- Green Tea Clay mask. Let me just start by saying that it smells like divine matcha tea! I know clay masks can be mixed with pretty much any kind of liquid.. ie; water, honey, hydrosols, and even milk and yogurt. I happend to have sheep milk yogurt in my fridge so I went with that. I figured the lactic acid in the yogurt would be a nice exfoliating boost. I left the mask on for about 10 min and absolute fabulousness was to follow! My skin was butter soft and since the yogurt was full fat I was feeling pretty moisturized as well. No burning or tingling sensations, just clean and soothed skin. Next time if I'm feelig particularly shiny I may try plain water or a hydrosol as a mixing medium to help soak up some of my t-zone oilies.

So far I'm impressed and ready to continue my relationship with the awesome mask!