Summer Glow: My favorite products for April, May and June!

Its summer time and for most of us make up is at a bare minimum; let's face who wants to do a full face when you don't have to?  With summer here every girl wants that bronzed glow while still looking natural, you know the one that makes you look like you've just vacationed in Bora Bora? We often assume it can be hard to achieve this look without pounds and pounds of make up, not true. I'm going to share with you eight of my favorite products that help me achieve a bronzed natural look. The great thing about these products are I wear them everyday and they can be taken from day into the night, enjoy!

In order of application (PS, you don't HAVE to use these products they are merely just to give you an idea)

Lancome Dual Finishing powder, $35.50 Macy's department stores - I try not to use foundation when it's extremely hot out, I try to just powder it up. I used to use mineralized skin finished natural powder by MAC, but in all honestly this just last longer. It does have a fragrance, but to my surprise it hasn't upset my stank allergies. In case you're wondering my color is Matte Suede IV.

Benefit cream highlighter in 'Girl Meets Pearl,' $30 select Macy's department stores - Okay I'm not gonna lie I've been wearing this since the winter time but it just looks so amazing, especially on darker skin. If you are a lighter skin tone for example; NC45 in Mac foundation (click on the link below to see shades), you might want to try 'High Beam' $24 Benefit cosmetics. It's a completion enhancer and does wonders for a lighter skin and cooler undertones. Don't get me wrong anyone can wear 'Girl Meets Pearl,' but it does complement dark skin and warmer undertones very well. I apply this to my very tops of my cheek bones and down the length of my nose bone. Oh and remember a little goes a long way so YES, it may be $30 but it'll probably expire before you run out.

Nars Blush in 'Super Orgasm' $27 Saks department stores - This is a soft pinky peach blush with gold flecks embedded in the pigment; it goes on extremely sheer, and has a light weight feel. Although it's a blush I use it as a highlighter; I usually use it to contour my face by applying it to the outer rim of my face, right around my hair line and jaw bone. I also apply it on top of the 'Girl Meets Pearl' which is applied to my cheek bones.

Cargo Blush in 'Laguna Beach' $26 select Macy's department stores - Okay I'm gonna be honest I hate Cargo's lip glosses and I loathe their bronzers so I was EXTREMELY (yes, it was all caps type serious) reluctant to purchase this blush, especially for $26. I was rather surprised by how pigmented the blush is. I think I only purchased it  because its a matte blush and I don't really own any matte blushes. I must say I love this blush! It can be a little intimidating at first because of the color but don't let that bright orange scare you off - you will have a glow! A little goes a long way and it I apply it on the apples of my cheeks (while smiling) with a angled top kabuki brush, don't forget to tap the brush to get excess product off before you apply.

Mac lip glass, lip gloss in 'Reveling' $14.50 Mac Cosmetics - This is a caramel colored tinted lip gloss that appears nude on my lips. Its not muted and in fact once it settles in it appears almost sheer. I own 'Mad Cap' and 'C-Thru' and this is actually my favorite in the nude family.

I don't use any eye shadow I just apply Mac's fluid line eye liner in 'BlackTrack' using a 266 angled brush by Mac. $15 for the liner and $19.50 for the brush, Mac Cosmetics. 

One my eye lashes I've been experimenting with wearing dual mascara's rather than applying lashes. I also wanted to find a way around using an eye lash primer. I'm not a lash person - I've gotten frustrated and ripped them off, complained that I can't see while wearing them and even threatened to take them off to fight several men; no judging. So for me applying four coats of two different types of mascara have been a huge option. I use Cover girl's Lash Blast Fusion in 'black brown' allow it to dry then I apply Bad Gal Lash by benefit. I allow them to dry then repeat. I wanted to give all the ladies who find paying $39 for Lancome's Oscillation power boost primer another option; so far so good, stay tuned for details.

My angled kabuki brush is by Sigma and it's a synthetic, no animals were harmed, high definition brush, $16 www.sigmabeauty.com. My powder brush is just a random $5 powder/bronzer brush I picked up a few years ago while cruising through Target. I don't believe in spending hundreds on a brush; the most I'll pay is $20. As long as it doesn't shed, it holds its shape after I've cleaned it, not too soft, and it's not made out of animal fur I'm cool!

Glowing and natural

When I'm done I race out the door feeling like a bronzed sex kitten. I hope these products help you get an idea of how to get that goddess glow yourself! 

xoxoxox,

Kandi

http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/158/471/Select-SPF-15-Foundation/index.tmpl

I think I drunk the Water!

Oh my gosh, I’m so lazy! First of all I’d like to apologize for not updating the blog since April. School took over, then I somehow found a social life, later I decided to let laziness get the best of me. So sorry hope you’re not too mad? Any way I still have so much I would like to talk about, but first things first; has anyone tried the new Armani shadows? Do you love them? If so let me know they’re supposed to be highly pigmented; at $32 a pop I think they should be able to apply themselves. Anyway, enough with cosmetic personification on to the update...

So its June, and as the weather gets nicer the sun starts to shine a little more, and for you oily ladies that means more oil secretion, I’m sorry but that's just nasty, and for us dry to combination ladies it means that our skin finds some sort of dry oily, combo plate thingy. This is not necessarily a good thing because the only benefit has been that I don’t have to layer my moisturizer. Anyway, we still have to do things to combat our “skin problems” they don’t just go away, in some cases they either get “worse” or they just go to “not so bad” to “manageable”.

Now I’ve always been one to buy into a gimmick especially when it comes to skin care and make up, for me it just depends on how the gimmick is advertised. This is where skin refreshers or facial sprays come in. Back in April I decided to purchase two face moisturizers and compare them to one another. I had it all planned out: Gimmick vs gimmick, affordable vs over priced; then I realized they are NOT the same thing in my humble opinion.

Fix+ and Evian Brumisateur facial spray

                          

Upon first glance Fix+ by MAC Cosmetics and Evian Brumisateur facial spray appear to be one and the same, I mean they do they same thing; Both products are advertised as an apparatus to keep the face hydrated and moisturized throughout the hot Summer days. However, here is where it gets a bit tricky. It is my opinion that Fix+ is more for prepping  your face for foundation application, blending into your liquid foundation so that it doesn’t cake (this is mostly for us dry skin girls), and softening certain eyeshadows that tend to have a more courser consistency. It can also be used as a finishing spray; This product boasts itself to do all these things and it does it well. However, its not its a skin refresher in my opinion as it doesn’t actually feel refreshing once you spray it on. Here’s why; it has caffeine and hydrogenated castor oil in it! These have drying properties so it doesn’t really matter that there are other moisturizing ingredients such as chamomile, panthenol, and tocophryl acetate in the product. That’s like putting sun block on thirty minutes AFTER you’ve been sitting in the sun. In other words its counter productive. So if you’re looking for a refresher look again, but if you’re looking for a product that will help you set and prep your make up, well this is for you. Side note: it does have a subtle fragrance and can set your allergies off so buyer beware! $15, 3.4oz  MAC cosmetics.

Evian Brumisateur facial spray is the complete opposite, its made up of wait for it... Evian mineral water; yup that’s it so if you type Aqua Nitrogen composition into your Google search, what you find is exactly what’s in and the ONLY thing that’s in this product. I would recommend this product for those of you with sensitive and oily skin as it does Actually refresh the face and provides a calming mist for your thirsty skin on a hot Summer day! Although it does the same thing as the Fix+, I didn’t really like the results I got when I used it to prep and set my foundation. I do keep this in the bottom of my bag, and when it gets too hot I mist away. $6, 1.7oz Select Macy’s and other department stores.

In conclusion, If I had to suggest which one to get I’d say go on and get both! However, if your money has been funny like mine, go ahead and get the Evian and work it on out, especially since the Evian is the one you’re more likely to carry around in your purse this summer.
Until next time Cherry Pie!

You'll Smoke Your Eye Out!

Happy April!

This is my favorite month out of the year  because my birthday is always awaiting me, *cough, cough April 29th* This year it's going to be royal because Kate and Will are getting married on that day. You'd think I'd be mad that they stole my day from me, but actually it just shows how amazing they are. I wasn't planning on watching the wedding; and I'm still not, but at least now I'm not as annoyed by it any longer; Now that I'm finished plugging my birthday on to business....

Ever wanted a smokey eye for going out but always seemed just a little too intimidated by the heavy color and illusive technique? Well, I have news for you Cherry Pie! You don't have to have the MAC look, you know the one with all the black heavy eye shadow and tarantula lashes, to complete a smokey eye. Actually all you need are the proper brushes, tools if you will, a little practice of the technique and you'll be smoking your eye out in no time!

Jayna taught me that it wasn't the colors you used that created a smokey eye, it was actually the technique and amount of color used. One day at work I failed miserably on a smokey eye and the next day I was determined to learn how to do one, properly. I'm gonna show you what Jayna showed me and hopefully a picture's worth a thousand words because I know its gonna be hard to show you the technique with writing and picture stills. Just pretend you're reading your cell manual... No don't use that, f you're anything like me you don't read that, actually just read and after every photo close your eyes and visualize.

This is a soft subtle smoked out eye great for an evening with that special someone, or if you're going stag!

First things first, you'll need the following tools:

small tapered blending brush

short shader brush

wide and stiff (no dirty jokes) shader brush

Eye primer, the darkest mascara and eyeliner you have and your favorite eye shadows I'm using; Lancome Oscillation eye lash primer, Benefit's Bad Gal mascara in Black, Urban Decay 24/7 glide on eye pencil in Zero, Urban Decay primer potion and the following eyeshadows all Urban Decay: Rockstar, Snatch, Perversion, and Suspect. 

Tip: Don't apply your concealer just yet, just in case there's fall out from your eyeshadow.

All the colors are labeled so you know what they look like sorry Rockstar got blocked a bit
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III  NY edition (which would explain the names) $55,UrbanDecay.com

Now that you've got your colors and brushes together lets start by prepping our eyes. You don't need a lot of primer; remember you're only trying to neutralize your lids. Take less than a pea size and spread it evenly on your lids and crease. Once your done it should look like so:


Neutral lids

 Next, your going to take your base color, mine is Snatch, and using your wide shader brush your going to pick up as much product as you can and pack it into your eye using a soft, yet firm stabbing motion, almost as if your painting a bush or a cloud. At the same time remember to work your wrist slightly so that you'll get the color all over your lid.


Remember pack in that color!
Brush pictured Sigma E55 $9 Sigmabeauty.com

 Once you've got your base color settled all over your lids its time to create that "smokey" look. Take your tapered blending brush and pack as much color into it as possible. Next apply it starting from the outer 'V' of your eye working your way into the crease, keep blending that color in using an outward inward motion (soft swipe of the wrist almost like a windshield wiper) until you reach the inner corner of your eyes. If your wondering how much color you should use, well that's the point there's no "One Way" just keep going until you get the effect you desire.



Outward, Inward like a windshield wiper, Daniel Son!
Brush pictured Sigma E455, $9 Sigmabeauty.com


Now here comes the tricky part, well at least for me. Take your short shader and get a good matte black color; Carbon by MAC is good but I'm using Perversion by Urban decay. Get as close as you can to your top lash line, almost as if you're going to cross over into your lashes and apply the color going across your top lash from your outer most eye until you get to the center of your pupil then STOP! I will admit it's going to take a while to learn to get this close with out poking your eye, amd getting the line as straight as possible, but like everything else in this world; practice makes perfect. You're going to use a soft stabbing motion pointing the top of the brush down towards your lashes (I hope that makes sense, remember visualize!)


Half way there, Cherry Pie
Brush pictured Sigma E20, $9 Sigmabeauty.com

 Phew! We got that out of the way, now its time to line the rest of your eyes; this is a little tricky too, but thanks to the ladies at Pixiwoo, I'm an old pro. Take the blackest liner you have and apply it in a thin layer over the black eyeshadow you just applied to your top lash line. This time instead of stopping at the center of your pupil your going to keep going until you reach the inner portion of your eye the inner 'V' again no dirty jokes, this is a family blog! With that same liner pencil you're going to apply the black under your top eyelid so basically under the top portion of your eyelashes, trust me it makes a huge difference. I know it sounds weird but the Pixiwoo ladies swear by it, and it does work, make sure you keep those lines thin though. Apply the black liner to your bottom water lash as well keeping it thin. Also if you want a more dramatic effect you can reapply some more of your black eyeshadow on top of the black liner using the short shader brush. Using the same technique as before.



Me applying the liner UNDER my eyelashes, I almost lost an eye people!

 last but not least I applied the color Suspect as an highlight for my brow bone. I also used the same color to apply to my inner 'V' that just makes your eyes pop a little more and it's totally optional.

After you've applied all your eyeshadow I'm pretty sure you may have fall out under your eyes, I didn't but if you did take a brush, I usually use a blush brush and wipe away any fall out and apply your under eye concealer.


Using my fingers, no time to dig for the concealer brush, LOL.

 Eyes glamorous; you now need to get those lashes in order. I applied Lancome's Oscillation power booster to lengthen my lashes, and then using Bad Gal lash as a mascara (yup I chose not to go with the Dior show black out) I used three coats. For all you ladies who love the falsies you can now apply your lashes, I'll wait....



A little eye lash primer? Don't mind if I do.
Lancome Oscillation primer, $39 Macy's




Bad Gal Lash, $19 Benefit cosmetics.



To set the whole eye and keep it looking fresh and non greasy I sprayed some Evian Facial Spray on, great stuff in a little bottle don't worry I have a review coming up about it as well as MAC's Fix it +



spritz, spritz, spritz!
Evian facial spray $6, Macy's



All that's left to do now is apply your other essentials, (may I suggest you go for a soft lip) and head out the door! I'm not going to get into all the other products I applied because this is a tutorial for a subtle smokey eye, but just because I can't help myself I will show you all the products I used to complete the entire look. But for now scroll down and check out how my smokey eye came out.

Blush in Laguna by Cargo $26, Macy's

I'm wearing Jubilee lipstick and lipglass in the color Revealing Both MAC Cosmetics $14.50 ea.

Money Shot!
I threw this one in for GP, LOL!

Wow, could it be? I think you did, you just completed a smokey look! Congrats, now pat yourself on the back, and hey if it didn't come out faboosh this time, keep trying and remember its all in the technique. If you want a more dramatic look use more product and darker colors remember to blend, blend, blend. I never do all black for my smokey looks I always feel like a Trampasauraus-Rex, but if you can pull it off; get creative and go for it!

As promised here's a look at all the products I used to get the completed look.

I hope you enjoyed my little tutorial and I was happy to share with you the things I've learned from Mrs. Jayna Love, who by the way if you happen to be in the Texas area, can be found free lancing at the Georgio Armani counter in Neiman Marcus at the Domain, Austin TX. She's sweet as pie and knows her stuff. Also Thanks to the Pixiwoo girls for all their amazing techniques! 

Until next time stay fab Cherry Pies; I know this was a long drawn out affair, but its now come to an end. Just in time too 'cause I got a beer in the freezer and its starting to get that layer of frost in it, me thinks!

Ciao Bella!

Get the Look

What can I say Cherry Pie, March is gone and time Marches on...Okay, now that I got that corny joke out of my system I wanted to highlight some products I wore throughout the month of March just in case you wanted to 'Get the Look'

Here are my three get the looks for the month of March:

I have no Idea what lip color Toya is wearing, but its cute though LOL!

Top: Scarlett Empress lipstick, poor color pay off.
Bottom: Bougainville lip gloss, excellent color pay off.

The above lip look comes courtesy of NARS Cosmetics:
Lipstick 'Scarlett Empress'; $24.00 NARS Cosmetics.
Lip gloss in 'Bougainville'; $24.00 NARS Cosmetics.


 Nude at Night is quite alright


on my nails Rumples Wiggins by OPI from the Shrek Collection; Ulta stores $8

 This nude lip was done with:
MAC lipstick in 'Jubilee' $14.50 MAC Cosmetics.
Clinique Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in 'Brandy Twist'; $14.00 Clinique counters and Clinique.com

When I'm not reviewing lipsticks and lipglosses I basically wear this combo everyday to work, I can't go wrong with it.

Jubilee is my baby, please ignore the nasty Great lash in the back, I need a new one for real!

Top: Jubilee
Bottom: Brandy Twist

I will tell you how much I love this lipstick. I made my mother wait for me for 30 minutes while I looked for it around the house because I thought I lost it. True Story! She couldn't leave anyways because she doesn't drive on the highway and she needed me.

Lastly, We have Suzi says feng shui by OPI from the Hong Kong Collection released Spring 2010; $8 Ulta Stores. With I Vont to be a Lonestar by OPI from the Texas Collection released Spring of 2011; $8 Duty Free shop in the North Carolina Airport.

Looking gorgeous in the natural light

This is one of the best blue's that OPI has in my humble opinion and what can I say about I Vont to be alone star it's neither silver or grey its greyver. Okay that's not a word but that's how it looks

Yes, I was trying to be creative with the m&m's and YES I was watching a Paul Pierce interview.





I Vont to be a lonestar



Suzi says Feng Shui

Excuse the choppy cropping but I just used two seperate pics that I already had. My camera battery was dying sue me!

I really enjoyed using these products they're truly wonderful and brightened up an otherwise gloomy March. I hope you get a chance to check them out as well.

Love and Hugs,
Kandis


How things are done around these here parts.

I just wanted give some clarification to how I do things so that there's never any confusion.

First when I give the price and location of a product I give the price that I paid as well as the location that I brought it at. That's why some of the OPI colors that I mention are listed cheaper in some of my other postings because where I would have paid $8 at Ulta, I only paid $5 on Amazon.

I may just reuse pics for same pics to point out different things.

I always photograph the products with the tops off so that you can see the applicator. I also do this so that you can see the color just in case I forget to take a picture of the product swatches on my skin.

I will always try to talk about colors that work well for women of ALL colors. Make up isn't about race and neither are my postings.

I pay for all my own product and although I loathe drug store make up, when I say make up I'm referring to foundation, there are some things that I refuse to pay department store prices for like eyebrow gels and pencils. I will have a posting on why I hate drug store Make up (foundation) sometime in the near future. It has nothing to do with the product themselves it has more to do with sanitation. I have no problem with anyone else wearing them but there are just certain products that I WILL NOT buy at the drugstore, and that includes anything that doesn't come completely sealed.

It may seem like it takes me a long time to post things and then I dump a thousand post on the blog at one time. There are several reasons why I do this:
1. I'm in school and work full time so when I find the time to post I try to get it all out of the way.
2. I don't think it would be fair to the reader if I used something twice then blabbed on about it. You need to give yourself time to actually tell if the product works for you or not. Example I brought a pink lipstick from MAC and I tried for a week to make it work and it just didn't so I had to return it.
3. I don't buy make up every week contrary to popular belief and I do try and save for the products that I want. Saving takes time.

Now that we have all that cleared up, let’s get to having some fun!

Keeping it Glowy; Keeping it Simple

Before I start I want to say thanks to my three followers I greatly appreciate the support; this isn't easy, you put yourself out there for direct ridicule and criticism and I'm not good with either.
Hugs and Love,
Kandis


Holy Vacation, Cherry Pie!
This past January when I went to Jamaica I made the sad mistake of taking lots and lots of makeup with me. I was pouring foundations and squeezing primer into itsy bitsy containers trying to meet TSA standards. I ended up over packing because I didn't think about the look I wanted to have, and I forgot to bring colors that actually matched. Example: I ended up with bright lips AND bright eyes because I was rushing and just throwing things into my bag. This look may work well for some ladies, but boo, I'm just not one of them. In March when I went to Jamaica AGAIN, I decided to take a deep breath and pack like a sane person.

When going on vacation you really need to consider the climate you’re going to, the look your going for, and most important; the space you'll have. I knew I would be in the sunshine all day and none of my foundations or powders contain SPF, I know, I know I should be ashamed. I do however use 'Superdefense' by Clinique and it has an SPF of 25 so I'm in the clear. I didn't want to bring foundation but I couldn't walk around bare face could I? Well yea I could but I wasn't going to. I also knew that I didn't want to bring more than 8-10 items and I wanted to keep it low maintenance. I also wanted to have a warm glow, and look like sunshine itself. Here's the look I wore on the lovely Island and it worked day and night so I was totally covered.


Heading out to Negirl for a day at the beach and fun on the water!

On a clean moisturized face I applied my Select Moisturecover concealer in 'NW45'; $16.50 MAC Cosmetics, to cover up blemishes and skin imperfections, next I used Mineralized Skinfinish Natural powder in Deep Dark by MAC; $27, MAC cosmetics.
I applied my Superbalm lip treatment by Clinique; $12.50, Clinique counters and Clinique.com My lips get rather dry in the winter and I can't be walking around looking like a fabulous crack head. While my lips dried I began to work on getting my "glow on."

L-R: 'Ambering Rose' Blush working over time as a Highlight, bronzer, blush and contour, and MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powder in 'Deep Dark'. These are my two "Can't live without" products.

You know how you always get those gift with purchases and never use them? Well not me I put mine to good use. Last year I got a cute little eye shadow quad from Lancôme as a gift with purchase. It contains two Mattes a Sheen and a Shimmer.

Top Row: 'Honeymoon' (Sheen), 'Chic' (Matte)
Bottom Row: 'Bikini Golden' (Shimmer) Lezard (Matte)

 This is the perfect quad I used all four colors 'Chic' on my lids, 'Bikini Golden' in my crease mixed with a tiny bit of 'Lezard', 'HoneyMoon' on my brow bone. and 'Lezard' in my outer 'V'. When we went out for dinner the night before I simply switched the places of 'Chic and 'Bikini Golden'. I used no eyeliner I didn't want to be bothered with it and sometimes eyeliner can hurt my look more than it helps.
 On my lashes I used one of my favorite mascara’s that I happen to have in a sample size (Great perk of working for a counter) I got five sample sizes of High Lengths Mascara by Clinique; 14.50 Clinique counters and Clinique.com, and I've never used them, because I have a larger one that I always used. When I started traveling I cracked those bad boys open and in an instant I had Glamazon lashes. I love this mascara because the applicator is actually a little comb and it catches every single hair you have, plus it was free; can't beat that! To keep my eyebrows in place I use Great Lash clear mascara by Maybelline. I don't know why they call it clear mascara when they market it for eyebrows as well...Anyway, $3.80 at your local CVS or Target.

Night time look!

Lastly I used my one of my favorite nude combos on my lips 'Jubilee' lipstick and 'Love Nectar' lip glass both by MAC $14.50 MAC cosmetics, respectively. I was scared that my 'Brandy Twist' by Clinique wouldn't make it through and I was not about to throw it away when I just brought it. I just wouldn't have gotten on that plane! Okay I'm forcing it but you know what I mean...
And that my lovelies is the look I worked with the entire time I was in Jamaica!

So here's a list of the things I brought with me just in case you like myself skim instead of read:



Items not pictured: Superbalm, it fell and rolled away before the picture was taken. Great Lash in clear, its no longer clear and looks nasty.



Closer look at the night time "face".

MAC mineralize skinfinish powder in 'Deep Dark', MAC Blush in 'Ambering Rose,

Lancôme Color design gift with purchase eyeshadow quad, MAC Select Moisture Cover consealer Great Lash clear mascara by Maybelline New York, 'Jubilee' lipstick and 'Love Nectar' lip glass, both MAC, Clinique Great Lengths mascara in 'Black', Superbalm lip treatment, also by Clinique and a Blush Brush.

I threw those suckers in a Airport Security Ziplock and went on about my buisness.

Before I go I just want to give a shout out to the my two favorite lip conditioners that got me through this harsh winter.... It has nothing to do with the reveiw above but they really don't deserve their own post because they're not that exciting. But hey they make your lips kissably soft and who doesn't want that?!

Sugar lip treatment with SPF 15 by Fresh $22.50 at Sephora stores and Sephora.com and Superbalm lip treatment by Clinique; $16.50 Clinique counters and Clinique.com

L-R Sugar lip treatment by Fresh and Superbalm lip treatment by Clinique.

Like I said they're not that exciting but they got me through these past few months They are actually my favorite products for the Month of March Yay! Mental note these beauties do not cause that nasty white film on the lips that you get when using blistex and chapstick. Yuck!

Sugar lip treatment although expensive is made with real sugar, which acts as an exfoliate, wax, forms a barrier on your lips to protect from the harsh environment and  fatty acids and antioxidants. Try to find that in your big tub of Vaseline; go on I'll wait...... I didn't think you could. Its stated to repair dry and cracked lips and protect from wrinkle and cancer causing  UV rays. What could make this product better is if they cut the price down; $22.50 for .15oz come on now that's just insane, but he I brought it so whose actually insane them or me? It should also protected from UVB rays as well, but hey you can't always have your cake and eat it too, right? What I do love about this product is that it actually last on its own for a least five hours before you need to reapply. I put it on at 10am this morning and here it is 3pm and I just now have to reapply. They come in two other tints Sugar Plum, and Sugar rose and this one smells like lemon!

I soon as I got back to Boston and felt the wind ripping threw my soul I ran to the Clinique counter and brought some Superbalm. Now this is fragrance free much like all Clinique products and it really does hydrate your lips without making them look greasy. You get .24fl oz and a little goes a long way. It does repair dry lips but that's it. Unlike the Fresh product there's no exfoliate in it (like sugar) so if your lips are peeling they're going to just peel. On the plus side you won’t continue to have peeling lips once the dead skin comes off your lips. It will last for two hours max and although there is no SPF in it, it actually does the job that it claims to do re-add moisture to moisture-less lips.

Both these products should last you 3-6 months if used every day. They do pay for themselves within a week and a half of use. You'll see a major difference in the way your lipsticks go on and the overall appearance of your lips in general. If you don't mind splurging I say go for it honey. If the prices aren't to your liking you can always get soft lips available in the checkout line at Target it works good too! Just keep those lips hydrated I refuse to talk to anyone who chewing the dead skin from their lips.

Now that I've completely grossed you out I think maybe it’s time for us to part ways until next time Cherry Pie,

Happy Kissing,
Kandis

Shatter me this!

Hey Cherry Pie,
As I'm sitting here typing I'm glancing at the "classy” Audubon Society clock in my mother’s kitchen and the owl is beginning to hoot at the fact that it’s midnight. This is okay because all my homework is near completion for the week and I'm drinking my favorite Sam Adams beer; Irish Red. The only things that are currently bringing me to full throttle annoyance is the stanky temperament of my Wi-Fi, and the fact that I can't get the lighting right to take a proper photo of my nails; other than that life is great.

Living in California taught me a few things; one of them was when in doubt do it yourself, this includes manicures. When we’re younger we tend to teach ourselves how to be glamorous. It is my honest opinion that each person in his or her own right has a “Glamazon” hiding within them just yearning to come out. Mine started to appear at the age of thirteen. My cousin and I used to sit at the kitchen table in Georgia and glue those fake nails on, we had the acrylic and everything. Until recently, over the past year or so, I forgot that I even knew how to paint my own nails. I’m not a pro or anything like that, but if you stand five feet away from me you wouldn’t be able to tell whether or not it was “Kim” or Kandis that did my nails.
In my quest to be more hands on, and keep money in my pocket. I’ve been trying to hone my skills as a manicurist. In my quest I have come to two realizations 1. I love painting my own nails again 2. I should never be paid for my services L. I know I’m rambling but I will get to where I’m going… Eventually.

My favorite nail polishes are OPI and China glaze. I like Essie but the colors are just too soft for me I’m a hard core girl and I like my colors rough. So When doing some research about the new nail trends for 2011 I was happy to find out that it was all about the Shattered nail look.

In January of 2011 OPI released black shattered in its Serena Williams and Katy Perry Collections. I’m a fan of both of these ladies styles however, I wasn’t really big on the colors in either collection so I didn’t purchase anything. I did however buy the Shattered polish. I quickly went on Amazon.com and hunted it down like I dog. I will tell you that the cost is $10 US and you can’t find it cheaper than $7.50. I wasn’t about to pay $10 for .5oz  plus shipping and handling, so I went to the nail salon next to my job and just paid the $10. If this is too expensive China Glaze has a dupe called Crackle. It’s not that much cheaper it will run you between $5.29-$8.99 on Amazon.com. I have figured out that you can get nail salons to sell you their slightly used bottles of nail polish, but Shattered is a no go since its immensely popular right now. Side note. I’ve only paid full price for my OPI colors thrice. In the airport in North Carolina last month, but it was duty free so there *sticking out tongue*. The second was when I brought the Shattered, and the other time is when I lived in Austin and I would just go to Ulta and purchase them. Now I order them off of Amazon.com and I pay no more than $5 or I go the nail salon across the street from my job and purchase their slightly used bottles for $4; hey I have no shame and it’s not like it’s used lipstick, and if it really used $2! Now that I’m done ranting on to the review…..


$10 for .5FLO

 Shattered is a black polish that breaks up as you apply it over a base color and appears to resembled black shards of glass, cool I know! . Only one coat is needed and the instructions say that you should really only apply it to completely dry nails. This is very important because if you don't the color will bleed and your nails will look a hot mess. According to OPI, and they should know they made it, the thinner the coat the more shattered it will look. the cool thing about this is that it dries fast and no one nail will look alike, it also appears 3 dimensional. The thing that sucks is the price; $10 at your local Ulta stores or any place that carries OPI. You can probably find it for $7 on Amazon.com, it also causes you to get distracted while typing at work; okay that's just me, but its still not a good thing.
I was going to go to the salon and have my nails done for this how to/ review but why should I pay someone to do what I already know how to do? Plus I can't really claim "how to" if I "didn't do." Exactly.

This year’s trend is nails painted the color of your choice with the pointer finger either painted a separate color or littered with glitter. The other trend is shattered nails with a nail on each hand painted with glitter I'll be doing a how to on the latter.

First Things first, start out with clean shaped nails, please try to cut your cuticles if you can, if not hey this is a judgment free zone.



trimmed, cut and clean; to the best of my ability.



Next you want to put on a clear base coat I use Sally Hansen’s double duty. The name just sounds efficient doesn't it? It works as a base and a top coat $4.99 CVS or other "fine" stores.

After your base coat has dried you want to apply whatever base color that you're going to use. I really don't own any bright colors, I'm pretty Emo when it comes to nail color so I chose one of the only three light colors I own; 'I Think in Pink' by OPI, $5 Amazon.com

The color is from OPI's Pink collection released in 2010. Because the color is so soft I applied three coats.

Here's a closer look at the color.

After waiting for five minutes I got impatient, pulled out my blow dryer and proceeded to dry my nails. Next I applied the Black Shattered; I did one thick coat. I've been practicing for a while now and I still haven't gotten the thin coat thing down, so I've been doing what works.

After they dried I applied a clear polish that contains nothing but glitter to my pointer finger. For this I used "Mad as a Hatter" by OPI $8 Ulta stores. I ended up doing two coats of the stuff because I wanted it to look uber glittery.

'Mad as a Hatter' is from the Alice in Wonderland Collection Released in December 2009.

Lastly I waited for my nails to dry again, and applied the Double Duty as a top coat. Then, viola! I was finished.



Finished Product.

 The last thing I did, although not shown was take a q-tip, dip it in nail polish remover and clean up around the edges of my nails to make them look nice and neat.

I know the pictures don't really do the colors any justice but I couldn't get a better angle. I'm a one woman show; when my empire expands and I have a camera crew I'll be able to provide much better pictures with far superior lighting.

Here's a closer look a the colors I used.



L-R:Sally Hansen's Double Duty, I think in Pink, Mad as a Hatter and Shattered, all OPI unless otherwise noted

The directions on the Shattered bottle tell you to use a Katy Perry color, um yea that's just so they can get you to spend more money. They work pretty well with ANY nail polish you choose. I've even tried it on some China Glaze and Sally Hansen colors, works just as well.
This is a very fun and stylish trend that is sure to be in existence well past its prime, better get on it now before it becomes played! Remember the key is to have fun, you can do this trend however you'd like it does work just as nice over acrylic nails as well. Now if you'd excuse me; I have work in the morning, and a Sam Adams to finish.
Night Cherry Pie,
Kandis