Share the love: Flowers

I'm continuing my "tradition" of non-beauty related posts for the weekends.

This time I present you flowers. Sounds banal, isn't it? I disagree! :) Roses, tulips, lilies and orchids are very popular, and I do find them beautiful, but "strange" unique flowers attract me more, especially when they are "in the wild". :)

 

Simply beautiful

 Orchid-lily hybrid?

 These flowers are everywhere in hot countries, but I do find them unique and beautiful. :)

 Hybiscus/Hawaiian flower. Pretty! :)

What are your favourite flowers?

Hope you enjoyed! :)

To be continued! Stay tuned! :)

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND! :)

My favourite lip combos...or... how losers become winners! :)

Yay! I'm back! I missed you! And a special hello to my new followers! Thank you! :) On to the topic. I got this idea several weeks ago. However, a couple of days ago I decided to do a major change in my lip products collection. I'll tell you at the end of this post. :)

My favourite lip combos...or... how losers become winners! :)

Have you ever regretted you bought a lip product that appeared to be a total fail? I experienced it 4 times! And what did I do? I decided to pair those losers! lol Guess what? These two pairs are one (well, it makes 2) of my favourite "everyday shades" (I counted, I have 5 faves at the moment)!

So, here they are!

Combo Nr. 1: "Peachy Juicy Fruit"

Loser 1: L'Oreal lip pencil in Nr. 655 Rose Beige - too freaking drying and the colour is kind of dirty (if it makes any sense). Is absolutely pointless with other shades.

Loser 2: Gosh On stage Cool lip jam in Nr. 102 (cool name, isn't it? lol)- quite sticky (one of the stickiest lip glosses I've tried), quite sheer (it's much more sheer than on this generous swatch), tingles at the beginning (because it's "cooling"). I quite like the pale shimmery peachy shade though. If only it would be MORE opaque (it's not buildable, unless you want to end up with greasy lips)! And the scent is very yummy - Wrigley's Juicy Fruit, anyone? :)

Winner: Opaque shimmery peachy shade. Less sticky and no tingling, plus it's long lasting!
Note: I apply L'Oreal pencil all over my lips.

Natural "light", flash

Natural "light", flash

From L to R: L'Oreal l/p, Combo, Gosh l/g

Natural "light"

Combo Nr. 2: "Indian Peachy Pink"

Loser 1: NYX round lipstick in shade Indian Pink - too freaking drying, frosty and orange (it's more orange IRL than picture shows)!

Loser 2: NYX lip gloss with Mega shine in Sweet Heart - very pale "ghosty like" shade, nauseously sweet cherry scent, quite sticky.

Winner: Gorgeous peachy pink shade. Somehow the smell doesn't bother me that much when I wear these two together. Strange. :)

 

Natural "light", flash

Natural "light", flash

From L to R: Indian Pink l/s, Combo, Sweet Heart l/g

Natural "light"

Hopefully, I inspired one of you to rediscover some pearls in your stashes! :)

Tell me your story of unwanted lip products that when paired became your heroes! :)

PS The big change - I decided to get rid of all my lip products that contain mineral oil. Unfortunately, all 4 of the mentioned above favourites have to be disqualified. But fear not, the replacements are coming! Stay tuned! :)

Taking a short break

Hello, dear ladies!

I've planned so many posts (have a bunch of drafts and tons of unedited pictures), but unfortunately I have to take a short break (being very busy lately and will be even busier during these 3 weeks). I'll be back to the normal "blogcasting" at the end of February. :)

I will try to read your blogs once in a while.

Have a nice February! :)

*hugs*

Konad Haul

I did it! I finally ordered some Konad stuff from OC Nail Art! Yay! It's February already, and I'm still struggling to stick to my New Year's Resolution, but let's see how it'll work :)

Stamper and scraper (4,99 USD, it seems they now carry a new 2 sided version of stamper only), and 10 ml Special Stamping Polish in Metallic Gold (6,99 USD)

Two "Full nails" plates M73 and M64, and one "French tips" M56 (6,99 USD each)

Shipping is free on orders above 20 USD for USA and Canada, and on orders above 40 USD for International (before shipping and taxes!). If your order is below 40 USD, shipping is 10 USD.

Note: I ordered before 15.1.2010, when the shipping was free on orders above 20 USD.

I also used 30% discount code GETCHA (of lovely Brooke from Getcha Nails Did). Now "OC Nail Art will donate 30% of your order (before taxes and shipping) to the American Red Cross for Haitian relief efforts!  Use coupon code HAITI when you order online."

Ordered on 12.1 (Tuesday), received my order on week 3 (sometime between 18-20.1). Super fast shipping!

My initial thoughts:

I love my plates. All the patterns seem so interesting! I understand they might be quite difficult to use for a beginner, but anyway! I love challenges! lol And I have tons of ideas! Gotta find time for them. Stay tuned! :)

I tried "konading" one nail with Konad Special Stamping Polish in Metallic Gold. Hmmm, is it just me, or is it indeed a little bit watery and "not so pigmented"? :/ Have yet to investigate this issue...

I guess there is no need asking "Have you  tried Konad". Am I right? :)

PS My 2 absolutely favourite posts about Konad: 

Tips&Tricks: How to stamp Konad images from Emerald Sparkled

Konad Q&A from Do Not Refreeze

Check them out! :)

QOTD: To curl, or not to curl?

To curl, or not to curl eyelashes - that is the question of the day (QOTD). :)

Recently I noticed that mascaras just don't work for me (Maybelline Colossal and Barry M 3 in 1 mascara, I'm talking to you! :/ ) , i.e. they don't volumize or lengthen enough and, most importantly, they tend to uncurl my lashes! Yep, you've heard that right! :)

To make a long story short - I've never used an eyelash curler and have never experienced "flat lashes effect" until 2009, when I began to test different mascaras in order to replace my HG Maybelline Lash stylist which is being discontinued for quite a while. Btw, I managed to get my last Lash stylist from Fragrancedirect several weeks ago, but it's almost empty. Hence, I have to do something ASAP!

What could be the problem? Am I getting older, or is eyelash curler a useful tool after all? Or maybe those mascaras indeed don't work? What do you think? Should I invest into an eyelash curler? Which one do you recommend? I've heard of Shu Uemura, but have no idea where can I purchase their stuff. What about drugstore brands? And finally, the most important question - are those "torture devices" that scary as they look? lol


Enlighten me, please! And tell me your story! :)

Wet'n'Wild Rock Solid Nail lacquer in Pretty In Pink Diamonds

Natural "light", flash

Natural "light"

Note: Sorry for a "slightly used" look. I blame intensive hand washing and cold weather for this! :)

10 ml (0,33 oz), exp. date: 18 month after opening, "made in PRC" (i.e. The People's Republic of China)

I guess it's Toluen and Phthalate Free (contains Formaldehyde Resin!) like it's "sister" Pink Sapphire from the same collection. For some reason the list of ingredients is missing on this one, so I can't be sure. :/

Claims: "Infused with micro fine diamond flecks for rock solid strength and platinum performance."

Colour: pale orange with very fine golden shimmer-flecks. Have no idea how Wet'n'Wild guys came up with Pink Diamonds name! :)  It's not pink at all!

Finish: shimmer.

Application: pretty smooth application , but quite sheer. I usually apply 3 coats for a full coverage.

Retail price: 3,95 EUR (quite often Wet'n'Wild products are on "Buy 3 pay for 2" offer).

Pros: wearable shade, nice brush, pretty bottle (with a "diamond" on top!), good application.
Cons: sheer, list of ingredients is missing, smelly (!).

PS Can't wait for spring/summer? Put this shade on and pretend spring/summer is here! :)
PPS This polish is one of hubby's faves! :) Does that ring a bell? lol

What's your favourite orange nail polish?

Best Blog Award

Thank you, Sanna from Sannan Salonki, for tagging me! I really appreciate it! :) *hugs*

The rules for the award are as follows:

1. To accept the award, you must post it on your blog with the name of the person who has granted you the award, and a link to their blog.

2. Pass the award on to approximately 10-15 other blogs that you recently discovered and think are great!

3. Contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

I've recently discovered these great blogs:

Bebo from Bebo... wearing eyeshadow, baking, making... and whatnot
Gildedangel from  Naive Nails
Glittermillie from  Glittermillie's Nails and Sparkle
Heather from Eyeconic 
Helen from  Make It Colorful (note: rediscovered! I'm so glad you are back! :) )
Kelsealaurel from  kelsealaurel
Kim from Dottie K
Leanne from Do Not Refreeze 
MeganChair from Little Music Boxes 
Nea from  Fashioned in Finland


You are all fabulous!

Note: if I haven't mentioned your blog, it probably means that:

A. I'm your old follower/fan.
B. You've already got this tag a while ago.
C. You're not following me, and I'm too shy to tag you. lol
D. I accidentally missed your blog. :)

Orly Country Club Khaki (plus comparison with OPI)

Sunlight (!), flash

Sunlight

Natural "light", flash (might look a little bit cooler under the certain lighting)

Natural "light"

Note: I managed to get a dent on my Index finger somehow... And my hands are super dry again... :/ Just a little confession! lol

18 ml (0,6 oz), exp. date: 36 months after opening, made in USA.

From Prepster collection, spring 2009.

3 Big free.

Claims: "A fast drying, long lasting, high gloss nail lacquer." (Can't comment on these, because I used a fast drying top coat.)

Colour: pale dusty "mushroomy" taupe-brown with a tiny-tiny hint of lilac (it's still on the warm side though). At first, when I saw the bottle, I was very skeptical (read: that is why it was sitting in my nail polish box for almost 6 months!), because I thought it looked like hmmm... plain light dirt? lol Now I think this colour is very interesting and unique. I bet it looks stunning on darker skin tones! I'm a little bit tanned now and I really like how it enhances my tan.

Finish: creme. I would call it milky! Definitely! VERY light "milky-chocolate-y". :)

Application: very smooth application , 2 coats is enough for a full coverage.

Retail price: ranges between 3 USD - 12 EUR.

Pros: versatile flattering shade, perfect coverage, easy application, nice brush, pretty bottle, very comfortable rubber handle, big 3 free.
Cons: the fact that it's so expensive here!

PS Suitable for school, office, beach, party, etc.:)

Comparison with OPI Tickle My Francey

Natural "light", flash

 Orly CCK (left) vs OPI TMF (right)

Natural "light", flash

OPI TMF (left) vs Orly CCK (right)

It looks that they're almost dupes, but IRL they're absolutely different (well, not drastically, but still the difference is obvious). OPI TMF is more gray than brown, and is with a rose-mauve-lilac hint.

PS OPI's can make your hands look dead, whereas Orly's will make them look alive. lol