Ciaté Velvet Manicure Review

Ciaté Velvet Manicure

I was extremely excited to try Ciaté's Velvet Manicure this week. Don't judge me--I'm easily excited! After applying and wearing it for a day however, I can honestly say it's okay. Just okay.

The Good: The nail varnish and velvet textured sprinkles are super easy to apply and they stick.After washing my hands and dishes several times today the majority of the velvet flakes are still intact so this isn't just a one day look.

The Bad: The base coat color looks a bit dull and cheap which saddens me; I was looking forward to wearing it by itself.

The Ugly Truth: The textured effect leaves my nails feeling hairy to the touch. It's downright sort of gross, especially when you're used to touching your face or, God forbid, other people.

I think it's okay... It looks cute but I don't know if I'm down with hairy nails.

I would have been happier if I had paid, say, $9 for this instead of $19 at Sephora.

Vintage Photoshoot Time!

Dress: I'm wearing a 1930's style dress I actually found in my mom's closet. 

Makeup: Besame Cosmetics: Violet Brightening Powder and Cherry Red Lipstick

Jewelry: Vintage Necklace, Forever21 Earrings

Val's wearing all kinds of thrifted vintage goodies. 

 

Yeah, we're fabulous. Love us. ;)

Vintage Photoshoot Outtakes

What Happened in Vegas

I wasn't planning on blogging about my adventures in Las Vegas. After all, there's a Vegas code... BUT, today I got an ego-boosting request for an update on my gloriously nonsensical life from a reader that made my day. So, without further ado I bring you: What Happend in Vegas.

Vegas was never on my bucket list of places to visit. I've never understood it's appeal. With it's bars, hotels, clubs and casinos, It's where people who haven't been to South Beach go to experience what my mum jokingly calls "dutty life". Not that I had any plans of living la vida "dutty". I was there on business to attend Cosmoprof and introduce a new product called INCEPTION, NOT gamble away my imaginary inheritance and indulge my hedonistic urges while a portrait of me rots in the attic.

Cosmoprof was a success. It was such a pleasure networking with the big wigs behind some of my favorite beauty brands and discovering some new and innovative products. My favorite meet-cute was meeting owner and creator behind Besame Cosmetics, the makeup behind movies and shows like The Artist and Mad Men, Gabrielle Hernandez, a woman who looks as if she just stepped out of a fabulous 1940's movie.

I have to take a moment thank the lovely models: Joyce Jones and Nataesha who, besides stopping traffic lanes of international business men in suits with their...ehem...charm, made working the convention so much fun.--And makeup artist/hair stylist Kaye Dash who transformed the girls into runway divas each morning (I definitely have to get her secret to getting those curls).

For a city named sin my trip was pretty tame. I spent the majority of it either working or having way too much fun riding the sideways-moving elevators in my pyramid hotel. But I did get to do some-sightseeing; the Venetian, Cosmopolitan and Caesar's Palace were okay but they had nothing on the blown glass ceilings, the whimsically themed gardens, and the dancing waterfall at Bellagio.

Being in Vegas was like being inside of an 80's arcade with no tokens left. I can't say it's on my the top of the list of places I've been; the novelty had definitely worn off by day 3, but it was a nice change and who can complain about staying in a pyramid (unless, of course, you're a mummy).  Model Joyce Jones put it all perspective with her insight: "If you don't sin a little, you'll explode!" to which I could only reply, "now that is what I call convention-al wisdom."

Models: Cool Blue Talent
Hotel: The Luxor
Hair by: Kaye Dash

Glorious Beauty Products: Premiere Orlando Freebie Overview

NYC on Business: 50 Shades of Cray

The Misadventures of a Blogger in NYC

Warning: This entry is NOT about how I met some strange, mercurial, billionare who took me down a kinky rabbit hole of whips and chains. And how we all listened to Rihanna's "S&M" song for the whole ideal. This trip to NYC was for business, not reenactments of 50 Shades of Grey. Ha! The closest I got to Christian Grey this week was meeting a young lawyer at a bar who has no idea J and I have created an entirely twisted backstory for him involving a sad childhood, deviant predilections, and yes, a red playroom. Poor Fiddy Esq

DIY Color Clip-ins Tutorial Outtakes

Sephora's New Nail Studio and Hot Pink Lipstain from Kat Von D!

A Hint of 40's Glam

Vintage 40's Hair-torial. 

Read More. 

Black on Black

Hi! Just wanted to take a brief moment to tell you all about my nail art obsession.

I'm sure you've all seen the matte/shiny black nail combo that made its rounds on Pinterest a while back, but I decided to give it a go. The original used OPI "Lincoln After Dark", matte black polish. I checked a gazillion stores for it and I couldnt find anythign remotely close to it. Fortunately Sephora carries a matte top coat by OPI. It makes every color completly matte which is perfect because I'd love to try this matte/shiny combo with a host of colors. Matte black with neon pink, perhaps?

Anyway. All this nail art is just a way to keep my mind off the waiting list for the Caviar Manicure nail-polish from Ciate!

Come sooner already!!!

I'm Thinking...Pink

 

Three Things:
1. Zat is a road-map of Paris behind me. I found it while digging around the house for my passport last week. I lost yet another aunt to the C-word--cancer, not Canada. She does...did live in Canada, however. *Sniff* Oddly enough, what cheered me up was finding my travel wallet which contained this map and a receipt from Laduree Paris. Sigh... les good times...

2. Warm welcome to the new beauty additions: Milani's Neon "Pink Rocks" nailpolish and Revlon's fuchsia lipstick.

3.Can I also throw in a plug for You Curl, my new favorite curling iron! Seriously, You Curl is BOSS! I never get these big curls from my traditional clasp curling irons.

Das hot, yeah?

La Vie En Noir! Film-roll please!

Choosing the Right Bangs for Your Face

Bangs have definitely made a comeback this year, and it’s looking as if this trend might be here to stay. Whether you have a round face or a long face, the right bangs can compliment anyone. It’s a relatively simple way to give your face a complete makeover.

Zelo’s got the guide to help you choose the right bangs for you.

I think one of the most striking celebrity bang transitions this year is Leighton Meester’s blunt bang. Blunt or Chinese bangs work for her because of her round face. The harsh line of bangs across her forehead creates a theme of angles on her otherwise round face. It brings out her amazing cheek bones and, overall, makes her face look longer and slimmer.

Read the rest of my post over at my other blog for Zelo HERE.

My Favorite Things

Nice little freebie from Sephora

Sephora Makeup Palette 

 Ooh yeah! Stay tuned for MANY makeup photoshoots!

Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang!

I told you guys I was going to IN on bangs this fall. And oh yeah baby. Behold!

These fringe bangs are out of control. They're stopping traffic and causing accidents--mostly because I have no peripheral vision with them. But I don't care. Who the hell needs to see what's around them? What's around me needs to check these killer bangs.

Behind The Scenes, Photoshoot: Zelo Brazilian Keratin Straightener

It’s not everyday a girl gets to go backstage of a photoshoot. Unless you’re me…then you sometimes find yourself on the better side of random. In any case, this weekend I was fortunate enough to sit in on Zelo’s Photo shoot, take some great backstage pics, and interview Miami hair stylists Gustavo Tundela for professional tips on applying the much talked about Brazilian Keratin Treatment.

Making it Rain on a Rainy Day: New Makeup Review

Today I spent an inordinate amount of money at Sephora due to that damn “Someone like You” song from Adele. If the radio hangs on to this song as long as they did for “Rolling in the Deep” it’ll be the death of my finances—but I’ll look hella fly.

You ever have one of those days when you suddenly feel like you’re going to die alone? You know, you’re driving down the road thinking about broken promises, cancelled engagements, and that personalized ring tone that never sounds, and then some Adele song comes on. You suddenly want to pull the emergency brakes, pretend your car has a sunroof, and look up the heavens and wail, “WHYYYYYYYY!!!” No? Just me them, I guess.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m praying girl, but this kind of funk was something only a makeover can cure.

An Ombré That Just Won’t Quit: DIY Ombré Tutorial

Who says Ombré’s 15 minutes are up! Pish posh, homie! Fall is approaching, the darker clothing is coming out, and it’s the perfect time for Ombré. look at those beautiful curls of gradient fire. Look at them! Oh yes, they’re fabulous. And your auntie Lish is going to show you how to Ombré your hair at home! 

New Makeup and the Holy Grail of Red Lipstick

Got some new loot from Sephora and I’m happy to announce that I’ve FINALLY found the perfect red lip and foundation. Double rainbow winning! Hi-ya!