Product Interest:

So, I've been pretty interested in this product since the commercial caught my eye a few weeks ago.  I have to say, I'd seen this product in drugstores, mainly Wal-mart, b/c they had a big display of it about a week ago in the store near my house.  However, I didn't really pay attention to it, I take it I though it was just another product from the "Lash Extension" L'Oreal line.  I already have Double Extends, which I really like, but could do without the two-step process.  Its a great mascara, but due to the fact that I am always on the go and that I have to be up, dressed, and out of the house in mornings in no time, doesn't leave much time for a two-step mascara application process.  Anyhow, I saw the commercial with supermodel Linda Evangelista and actually thought to myself, "I wonder if that does work?".  I've seen commercials and reviews for the Lilash and Latisse eyelash growth/thickening products, but didn't feel that I really had a need for them.  They are geared more towards those who actually have trouble growing and maintaining eyelashes for what ever reason.  For me, I actually like my eyelashes, but who doesn't want thicker, fuller, more glamorous ones? For some reason a commercial/drugstore version of a product like this appeals to me, and seems more trustworthy.  Latisse requires an actual prescription from an Md, I'm not big on Dr's, nor do I think the mere cosmetic want to have eyelashes is enough to get a prescription for such a product.  The other eyelash growth products I've heard of are extremely pricey, which is yet another thing I'm not willing to do.  If I had severe issues in which my eyelashes did not grow or started falling out, I would definitely consider these products, mainly b/c your eyelashes are there for more than just making your eyes look pretty.  They are actually attached to your eyes, b/c they keep debris out of your eyes and help them stay clean, so basically they are there to protect your eyes and in that case they serve an extremely important purpose. L'Oreal Lash Boosting Serum claims to result in the multiplication of lashes with daily use.  It is supposed to be applied under mascara and on bare lashes at night.  According to L'orealParis.com, 71% of users claimed to have had more lashes, 75% said their lashes appeared thicker, 78% said they loss less lashes during makeup removal, and 81% said their lashes seemed in better condition.  Those are some pretty staggering numbers, all well over 50%.  Now I'm not sure how large of a focus group they used for their study, but it seems that overall, the participants have favorable results of the product. It is available at drugstores and large retailers, with a price range of $12-$15 (of course you can probably find it cheaper, plus I've seen a few coupons floating around for it.)  I actually do plan on picking this product up very soon, helps that I have a $2 off coupon for it as will.  If you go to L'OrealParisUSA.com there is a link you can click on you get the $2 off, which let's my know that they are really pushing this product, so they must really stand behind it.  The thing I'm interested to know the potential negatives of the product.  I know with other lash serums they said eyelid redness and permanent brown irish pigmentation can occur.  Well, I definitely don't need for my eyelids to be red and look all sickley and my eyes are already brown, yet i don't think I'm comfortable with the eye that a product could make them darker, or any other color than what I was born with for that matter.  So far, from what my research says, it does not contain any ingredients that result in negative side affects, which is that much for comforting to me.This will definitely be an experiment for me...so stay tuned!

Nail Shades We Love

So I came across this really great article on InStyle.com, where they broke down the different color categories of the most liked polishes.  I realized as I read through the article, that it was 100% right in what I, myself consider to be my fave nail shades.  I mean who doesn't love a simple neutral, so wearable all the time or a fun loud pink to match that cute party dress or blouse?  And who can resist a classic red, whether it be fire engine or cranberry.  The same goes for your pruples, greys, and metallics, both soft and bold, all can be wearable and appropriate for just about any occassion, of this depends on the actual shade you choose to use from each color.  The one thing about nail polish that I love is that it really is so versatile.  Its like an accessorie, it can either make or break the look.  The difference between nail polish and say, a pair of earrings is that the nail polish is actually an extension of the outfit, whereas the earrings would merely serve as an addition to the outfit.  You don't just wash polish off at the end of the night with all your other makeup, it remains on your nails (well until you actually pick the nail polish remover and take it off) chameleon-like enough to go with looks for days at a time.  Nail polish is by far one of the fave cosmetic items, and even more so, the fact that there is so much to choose from makes it that much more fun to play with.

Neutrals:

Loud Pinks:

Reds:

Blues & Greys:

Purples:

Soft Metallics:

Bold Metallics:

Click here for the full article on InStyle.com

China Glaze Up & Away

This collection says one thing: FUN!

I love the bright, cream-based colors that this collection offers, and it just in time for the Spring/Summer.  Although I’ve yet to actually get my hands on any of the polishes, I already know which ones I want.  I’ll definitely be picking up Heli-Yum (a bright Raspberry shade), Four Leaf Clover (a bright Kelly green), and High Hopes (a bright Guava shade).  There’s a fun yellow in the collection, Happy Go Lucky, that I’ll definitely consider picking up as well.  The collection is available at: TransDesign, 8ty8beauty, and Head2toebeauty.  In total, there are 12 shades in the collection and is one of the first Spring collections that China Glaze has released for 2010.  I’ll be posting swatches as soon as I get my hands on those lovely colors.  In the meantime, if you have picked up any, let me know you think about them.  Feel free to send my an @reply on Twitter of a Twitpic or Tweetphoto of them, I’d love to see any swatches you all may have.

 

xoxo,

 

~Tenns

*Photo courtesy of: ChinaGlaze.com

Sometimes...

Well usually I blog about makeup, fashion, beauty, and nails, but today (at least right now) I'm not going.  I have a lot of my mind and can't seem to get everything in perspective.  I have some things going on in my life that involve me embarking on new endeavors, however there are factors that are both in my control and out of my control that are hindering me from them.  I work hard; at work, in my relationship, and pretty much anything else I do.  It really sucks when things don't pan out, even when you put some much time and energy into it and you still don't know what you're doing wrong.  Its something I want sooooo bad and I just can't seem to succeed with this one part of it that pretty much makes or breaks the whole deal.  I'm so busy with everything that I'm doing right now, I wish I just balance everything perfectly...even though I know there's no such thing as perfect.

 

When I think about this new endeavor, I'm excited and full with anticipation and energy.  On the other, I also have that little voice in the back of my mind that says "what if it doesn't go well?" "what if you fail?" "what if you don't even get to do it?" ...sucks, I know right!  I'd rather at least get there and try, versus not making it there at all.  I haven't wanted something this much in a really really really long time, and this is honestly the one of the first times I've had trouble obtaining something I wanted.  Not that I'm being a brat, but like I said, I work hard for the things I have and I work equally as hard to keep them.

 

For almost three months I've been trying to get everything together to reach this goal, and its only one thing holding me back!  I've tried twice already to accomplish this one thing and both times I fell short by just a few points.  I have one more chance (for this year), coming up in March and I have to do my absolute best.  However, it's so hard staying motivated with so much pressure, in addition to the regular life stresses that I experience everyday.  I'm strong in my belief in God and that he will bless me, that's what gets me through the day.  No amount of dedication and hard work can compare to His power.  It's important for me to pray and talk to Him everyday and continue to ask for strength.  There is no other place to get it from.  I know that I can't get over this obstacle and achieve my goal without His help and blessings.  It's a matter of staying strong in my convictions and steadfast through and barriers that get in my way.  I know I have great potential and that I CAN beat this one thing.  I don't just want to beat it, I want to pulverize it...lol (a little bit of edge there...sorry).

 

Its time to stop feeling sorry for myself, stop beating up on myself, and to get REAL!  I need to get real about what I really want and set my sights on it.  I know that with pray and trust in God, that I will make it. I just need to continue to believe in myself, and not doubt myself or the power of God.

xoxo,

~Tenns

Rimmel London 292 Magenta & Sinful Color I Miss You Combo

 

I totally embraced my inner 12 yr/old w/ this concept, but its cute nonetheless.  The Sinful Colors I Miss You just didn’t do it on its own, so I decided to put the 292 Magenta under it.  I rarely use the 292 Magenta, b/c to be frank on its own, it just doesn’t do it for me on its own.  So basically, neither color can stand alone, they definitely need something to jazz each other up. 

 

w/out flash

w/ flash

You can find both @ your local drugstore(s).  Rimmel $3-$5/Sinful Colors $1.99

xoxo,

~Tenns

Nail Swatches: China Glaze Ruby Pumps

Love, love, love this color!  It literally looks like Dorothy’s Ruby Red Pumps from Wizard of Oz.  Ruby Pumps and Emerald City were by far my fave holiday polishes.  I’ll be posting swatches of emerald City very soon, plus you can prob find it on clearance now since the holidays have passed.

Inside w/ flash

Outside in sunlight

 

xoxo,

 

~Tenns

Mascaras: Separate….not so much, but together a dynamic duo

These two mascaras apart don’t do much for my lashes.  Colossal dries out pretty quickly and makes my lashes look really thin and separates them by each strand.  Ironically, its supposed to make them look voluminous.  Telescopic Carbon Black is a great super dark mascara and can make my lashes look great, but once applied it can get clumpy and dry fast, which makes it hard to apply additional layers.  I typically keep these mascaras in my purse or on-the-go makeup bag as backups to the ones that sit on my vanity.  I really only use them if I don’t have time to do my makeup at home and have to do it on the run or at work.  I realized that this duo was dynamic when one day at work I was applying Colossal, and it just wasn’t doing it for me… like seriously.  It was flaking and just made my lashes look brittle and dry.  I thought to myself, what would happen if i put some Telescopic Carbon Black over it and BAM!  There is was, a great voluminous, lengthened, and super dark look to my lashes.  Some things just need a partner in crime, and that is exactly what Colossal and Carbon Black are.

Also, the difference in the brushes that each mascara makes a difference.  Colossal has large, but classic bristle round brush, whereas Carbon Black has one of them comb-like applicator w/ the little teeth that are kinda flimsy and bindy.  By using both types of brushes, you get the benefits of both.  The large brush helps to separate and coat lashes and and the comb-like brush helps to catch and define every lash.  The formulas are different too, in that Colossal has a relatively thin and light feel to it formula and Carbon Black has a thick rich formula.

Overall, these two mascaras will remain as my backups, but I’m glad I stumbled upon this little discovery.  Any other time I would have never put the two together, but you really do get a good solid full lash finished look w/ these two.  Both are under $9 at your local drugstore, and look out for those BOGO deals.  I’m sure of it you can grab them for a steal if you buy them that way.  I’m interested to see what other formulas and types of mascaras combined together look as good as these two.  I guess we shall see…to be cont., maybe?

Nail Polish Swatch: China Glaze Sexy Silhouette

The Perfect Valentine’s Day Varnish

I’m seriously in LOVE with this color!!!  I actually picked it up @ Sally’s one a whim, because it came free with a coupon when I bought a bottle of Seche Vite ( the coupon is valid though the 31st, and you can find it right in front on where they selve the Seche Vite in Sally’s).  I thought I had every China Glaze shade of nail polish that my local Sally’s has that caught my eye, except for this one!  Its one of those reddish/fuschia-pinks that you almost pass up, b/c it looks like another pink shade.  For some reason I fancied this one and decided, since it was free, to grab it.  I feel oftentimes that when I wear pinks (b/c its my signature color) that its boring as a polish color.  I’ve worn pink on my nails since I was 12, so I really try to reach beyond my scope of pink and wear all colors of the spectrum on my nails.  Is just something about this pink that just make me gush, lol, I wish I really would have wanted until Valentine's Day to wear, but hey at least I did a trial early and can see figure if it will be my shade of choice for the day of love. 

Price: Free w/ a BOGO Seche Vite coupon— Reg. price $5.99 @ Sally’s

Size:  14 mL/0.5 fl oz.

Shelf life:  36 mos

Also available @ ChinaGlaze.com

View Full Album

Pics taken w/ my phone…its a shame my phone picks up color better than my 10.1 Megapixel Sony Cybershot! :-/

Nail Polish Swatch: Sinful Colors What’s Your Name

 

I have been pleasantly surprised to find some fun colors in the Sinful Colors collection at my local Walgreens.  I’ve purchased a few polishes from the collection a while back, but I never really just went to Walgreen’s just to see what new polishes/ploish collection Sinful Colors had out.  I’m not sure how often they release new colors or collections, but it looks like they’ve released a good bit lately.  I typically make my way to Sally’s to hit up some China Glaze(I will literally drive the 20 mins to Sally’s to see what CG collections they have), but I might just be hitting up Walgreens a little more and paying a little more attention to Sinful Colors.  What’s Your Name is one of a few colors that I purchased recently, I’m not sure its been around a while or came out with a particular collection, but its a really interesting color.  It has a dark green, purpley-black iridescent base to it.  On the nail it looks black or like a super super dark green, but in certain lighting and angles you can see the purple.  It remind me of super dark version of the MAC eye shadow Club.  I goes on pretty think, but coats well (I only used two coats), and it dries relatively fast as well.  I layered Seche Vite top coat on it and got (of course) a smooth glossy finish.  I’m pretty rough w/ my nails, so unfortunately you can already see a little bit of chipping and receding just a few hours shy of a whole day.  Overall, I could get another day or out of this polish before I’d seriously need to change it.

Price:  $1.99 ---sometimes you can get it on sale for 2/$1.99

Size:  15 mL/0.5 fl oz.

Shelf life:  18 mos

 

For $2, its a really good quality to a good buy!  *Channeling my inner-recessionista*

 

xoxo

 

~Tenns

Extra Extra Read All About It! Exciting News!

Beauty to the T is now a part of The Polish Bloggers Network.  I couldn’t be happier to join and be part of an awesome community of bloggers, more specifically nail and beauty bloggers!  Now I don’t have to do a Google search to find great beauty and nail blogs (yay!).  The best thing about this is that I’ll not only be part of a network, but can network with others to stay in the know with all things nail, my newest obsession!  Just wanted to take the time out and thank the wonderful bloggers of The Nail Polish Bloggers Network for accepting me in.Just wanted to share the news! :-)  More to come…… and stay on the lookout for lots and lots of nail swatches to be posted throughout the week!~Tenns

Cherry Culture Clearance Sale

Golden Globes Fashion > Hits & Misses

Its not surprise that there are more ‘misses’ than ‘hits’…..here are my picks:

Hits

Misses