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!