September Ipsy Glam Bag 2013

This is my favorite Ipsy glam bag design yet!  A beautiful blue with a black scattered lacy overlay.  Ipsy is engraved in the oval zipper tab.  I'm a sucker for lace.  I am literally lace poor.  I purchase everything I come across that has it.  I have more lace dresses hanging in my closet than is healthy.  Someone sign me up for lace addicts anonymous stat.  

As Ipsy is branching out and diversifying their brands included each month, Ipsyers (do I call us Ipsyers?  Ipsters?  Ipsyions? Glam Baggers?) are getting all kinds of different combos.  I was super psyched when I heard that some bags would be getting Butter London minis.  I thought I would be a shoe in since my Ipsy quiz is totally tailored to nail polish and I always post my nails on the Ipsy social site.  To say I was sad when I found out I wasn't receiving one would be an understatement.  At the same time I understand that every month some people will be getting the coveted items while others won't be.  Last month I was very pleased to get the UD Revolution Lipstick sample when they first released them and not everyone received that lovely perk.  

This month I received the NYX Bronze Smokey Look Kit (redeemed as an extra with my Ipsy points), Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Volumizing Mascara,  NYX Single Eye Shadow in Sparkle White, John Frieda Full Repair Shampoo and Conditioner and Starlooks Obsidian Kohl Eye Pencil.  

John Frieda Full Repair Shampoo and Conditioner: $4.00 for the set, travel size (1.5 fl oz each)

I am a huge John Frieda fan.  When I have some extra dough I splurge on some nice John Frieda shampoo and conditioner, usually the frizz tamer type.  I don't color my hair and rarely use heat on it...and this is specifically for repairing damage to hair from heat and color.  While it's not my specific type anyway I tried it out.  Like every John Frieda I've tried the scent is heavenly.  After I was out of the shower it dried glossy and nice!  While I probably wouldn't purchase this specific type of John Frieda, if you are worried about damage done to your hair and want to do a little repair this is definitely a fantastic choice!

Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Volumizing Mascara: $4.00 mini size (4ml)

I haven't tried Elizabeth Mott before and hadn't actually heard of it.  I heard a lot of people enjoyed this mascara but I just wasn't feeling it.  When I tried to swatch it by brushing it over my hand I barely got any product.  I didn't include the swatch picture because it was almost too difficult to see.  On my lashes I saw some slight length and definition but definitely not any volumizing.  I think the problem may be that I didn't get much product in the bottle itself?  Flukes happen sometimes and with so many positive reviews on Ipsys site it doesn't make sense for me to be having such a difficult time.  Maybe next time Elizabeth!

Starlooks Khol Eye Pencil in Obsidian: $12.00 full size (2.4g)

Starlooks products have been included in Ipsy bags before so I was excited to try this eyeliner.  However, I've gotten soooo many black pencil eyeliners from Ipsy.  I'm still working through my Urban Decay 24/7 black eyeliner from last December!  I applied it in the afternoon and by nightfall I didn't have the thick black line I had at first.  It was more wispy and watered down.  I'll be sticking to some of my other Ipsy sent eyeliners and maybe I'll use this one in a pinch or when I run out of other products. 

Starlooks Kohl Eyeliner went on smoothly and was easily buildable.  I wish it lasted a little longer on the eye!

NYX Single Eye Shadow in Sparkle White: $4.50 full size (2.4g)

 NYX is one of my favorite affordable makeup brands.  I have used their eyeshadows before but this is my first eyeshadow single.

Sparkle White is pretty much all white shimmer as you'd guess from the name!  This shade seems like it would make for a really beautiful highlighter on high cheek bones and brow bones for pale freckly girls like me.  

Applied normally higher up on the hand you will get a super sheer shimmer.  It catches the light gently and is really beautiful!  When wet the pigment of the shimmer really comes through giving a pearlescent white as seen lower on the swatch.  For $4.50 this is a great item! I really feel like this is a versatile color and it really stuck around for awhile.  A+

NYX Bronze Smokey Look Kit: $12 full size

This is an Ipsy extra!  Ipsy started a fun new rewards program this month.  Every friend you get to join Ipsy gets you 250 points.  Each time you get a monthly bag you will gain 100 points.  Each month you can check to see what items you want to redeem for.  This months options were Nicole by OPI Pretty in Plum or the NYX Bronze Smokey Look Kit, each were 1000 points.  Since I already had Pretty in Plum I got the Smokey Kit.  I like the fun of picking your own product each month but the old system was two friends = extra item as if they counted for 500 points each.  This new system requires you to get more people to join for the same amount of points.  However, I believe as times goes on more rewards will be added and their point prices may be more affordable or more expensive depending on the item.  Even if you don't have friends to join and rack you up some points you get 100 each month just for taking a bag so you will be able to save up for an extra product regardless of how unpopular you are. ;)

The NYX Bronze Smokey Look Kit has been around for awhile.  I tried out a bronze gradient eye and the shadows were lovely to work with.  There are neutral colors in matte, shimmery and glittery.  This is also an adorable size, very easy to bring with or throw in a clutch for touch ups.  The top flips up revealing a mirror under the lid.  Under the shadows a little drawer pulls out with a pink shimmer gloss, bronze shimmer gloss, a double sided eyeshadow applicator and a double sided brush.  I prefer using my fingers for the gloss and an actual eyeshadow brush so I could do without the brush drawer.  The glosses themselves were pretty terrible.  They reminded me of lipgloss I would beg my mom to buy me in the checkout line at Party City $3 for 20 when I was 12.  The lipgloss was very sticky, very glittery and didn't last long at all.  Regardless I love the shadows and it was a freebie so I'm not going to complain too much!

Overall my September bag was ehh.  The full value was $24.50, $36.50 if you included my extra this month.  I loved the NYX Eye Shadow in Sparkle White and the John Frieda Full Repair even though it wasn't really for my hair type.  I loved the shadows in the NYX Bronze Smokey Look Kit but hated the lipglosses.  The Starlooks Kohl Eyeliner was alright and I didn't like the Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Volumizing Mascara at all.  Maybe I'm still bitter about missing out on that Butter London.  What can I say, sometimes I'm vapid!

To get your own Ipsy Glam Bag subscription click here and hit 'become a member' to take the Ipsy beauty quiz.  They'll match you up with your own bag of goodies each month for only $10. You will always get a bigger value that you paid for in each bag!  I've had bags that have been more than $60 before!

There are a ton of discounts this month that I'll let you in on.  You can use these even if you aren't an Ipsy member.  Just click the brand name to take you to the site where the savings are.  All of the items that are on this list were included in different Ipsy bags:

Butter London: 30% off any purchase using the code IPSYbl

Cailyn Cosmetics: 30% off any purchase using the code IPSY30

Chella: 20% off any order using the code CHELLA 

Freeman Beauty: 44% off Feeling Beautiful Sweet 16 Sachet Set and free gift using the code IPSYFB

John Frieda: buy one get one 50% off from the Full Repair line using the code IPSY

Elizabeth Mott: 50% off any purchase when you use the code IPSYBIG

J. Cat Beauty: 25% off any purchase when you use the code fabipsy

Jesse's Girl: 20% off any purchase when you use the code IPSYSEPT2013

NYX: 30% off eyeshadow bases and high definition eyeshadow bases using the code IPSYPRIME

Pop Beauty: 20% off any purchase when you use the code POPpout

Skyn Iceland: 20% off any purchase when you use the code IPSY

Starlooks: 20% off orders of $35 or more using the code IPSY

Victoria Jackson: 20% off any purchase or a free Foundation Duo using the code IPSY13 or VJFREE

Sailor Moon

Today's nail are Sailor Moon inspired!

I know I was missing for a large part of the summer but my sister was in the hospital for about a month and a half.  It was very scary and I spent a lot of time there.  I got her the full Sailor Moon dvd set and we stayed up watching every episode while she was there so I guess it's ingrained in my brain now.

For my Sailor Moon nails I painted the moon prism power transformation brooch on the pointer, Sailor Moon herself on the middle finger, her tiara on the ring finger and the crystal star brooch on the pinky all over a galaxy nail.  They were topped with a matte coat to give the cartoony effect to the line work. 

Speaking of galaxy nails, before I painted Sailor Moon over them when they were still glossy these were one of my best galaxy nails to date!

I loved how they came out so much that I had to take a billion pictures.  ;)

Any other Sailor Moon fans out there?
<3

Blog Sale!

Help me thin out my polish hoard....please, I'm drowning.

I have almost 100 different polishes, nail appliques and makeup items up for sale.  All are priced lower than what you would find in the store and I am more than open to offers.

Just click here to see whats up for grabs!

Email me at DullLikeGlitter@gmail.com with any orders, questions or concerns.

<3

My Top 10 Nail Art Designs

I've created a lot of fun looks since I started doing nail art.  These are my top 10 personal favorites.

#10) Stereogram

These stereogram looking nails were created purely by accident!  I was trying to create a background for a fun design and loved the double saran wrap look so much that I created a tutorial.  I never did end up painting a design over them.

#9) Rudolph

These Rudolph nails were the first time I switched from using nail polish for all my designs to using acrylic paint.  It made a huge difference.

#8) Summer Neon

Who doesn't love staying trendy and seasonal?  I used a whole mix of techniques for these nails which is why I think I like them so much.  Techniques used: saran wrap, gradient, hand painting, striping tape, hardware and layering.

#7) Studded Quilted

This studded quilted nail design was inspired by a Michael Kors bag I received for Valentines Day.  It is one of my most loved and popular nail designs of all time.

#6) Skyscape

This skyscape was created for an Instagram contest using hand painting and a blue gradient background.  I loved how they came out and they got me first prize.

#5) Starbucks

These Starbucks nails were created to celebrate earning my Starbucks gold card.  I loved how they came out so much I decided I want to be the Starbucks siren for Halloween....and maybe for the rest of my life.

#4) Pop Art

These nails were inspired by pop artists.  The pointer finger was a design I came up with myself.  The middle finger was modled after comic book pop art.  The ring finger was inspired by pop artist Peter Max and the pinky finger was inspired by Warhol.  

#3) Women of DC

For these nails I hand painted my favorite women of DC Comics.  Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, Catwoman and Super Girl made the cut!

#2) Rugrats

My runner up favorite nails go to my Rugrats design.  I hand painted Tommy, Chuckie, Angelica and Spike along with the Rugrats logo.

#1) Spongebob

My all time favorite nails go to Spongebob!  I think they're my favorite because the hand painting was so fun to do and the background also came out very nice.  I started with a blue gradient nail, painted flower clouds over them and then painted Gary, Patrick, Spongebob, Squidward and Plankton.  It all combined to give these nails an awesome finish.  

Milk and Cookie Nails

I'm getting back into nail art!  My summer job sucked all my hours away but now I'm back to my school year job and I have time to create.  Expect some fun designs coming your way, horray!

My mom inspired these nails when she was up baking cookies all day.

I used Orly Skinny Dip for the blue base and China Glaze Polarized for the silver accent nails.  The design was hand painted and inspired by a Threadless t-shirt design by Jess Fink. 

September Julep Maven 2013

This months Julep Maven box is inspired by big lights, bold dreams.  I stuck with my usual bombshell style box. Julep has done quite the overhaul this month!

Julep has updated their packaging and formula!  That, combined with their an on's included in the box let's me have no complaints!  This fall themed packaging was a burnt orange paper bedding all wrapped up in gold tissue paper.  It seems that Julep has done away with their larger insert that outlined the colors in the box.  

This months extra is a one-step polish remover pad.  I wish we got more than one, but it was useful to take off my current mani to swatch the polishes included.  I got two colors in the updated packaging that came in a cute little Julep sleeve.  I added on a Freedom Top Coat which I love and finally I got the Bare Face Cleansing Oil.  I have never tried a cleansing oil before so I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon and try it out.   

The Julep Bare Face Cleansing Oil was actually quite surprising!  I have an oily t zone and I wouldn't think that more oil could help to remedy that, but I was pleasantly surprised.  The Cleansing Oil smelled delectable with rosehip seed oil and some citrusy notes.  Just apply on your face and wash off with a warm cloth and your skin will feel refreshed and light, not to mention that it smelled wonderful.  rosehip seed oil will nourish the skin while lipid extract hydrate and green coffee bean oil is an anti-inflammatory. I will be using this all month to see if it helps my skin.

My colors this month are Daria and Karmen.  The colors slide out of the new Julep packaging and then can be taken out of the white box to reveal the typical black topped glass bottles.  

Daria is a slate grey creme that dries very glossy, seriously you can see my reflection in the nails and I didn't even use a top coat.  The new brushes are a little bigger than Juleps old ones and I found the new formula to be a bit thicker.  It applied easily but I didn't get the typical nice edges near the cuticle that were easy to control in previous months.  This made the polish by my cuticle look a little choppy and the pinky was difficult to apply because of the large brush.  The formula was nice for color as I only needed two coats for a nice opaque color.  

Karmen is a golden crimson microglitter.  This polish is seriously multifaceted.  With a cherry red base and gold glitters you get all shades of orange, red, yellow and gold as the light catches your nails.  This is absolutely perfect for fall!  

Can I just say I loved the polish names this month?  Daria reminds me of the cartoon character from her namesake show, dark and grey and Karmen reminds me of Lana del Rays song Carmen.  Very well done Julep!

Want a free Julep box of your own? Just click here and take the Julep style quiz.  They will send you a box of Julep polish for free when you use the code FREEBOX at checkout!  You will be getting a great deal.  After that Julep will continue to send you boxes each month for $19.99 or you can just cancel your subscription and keep your free box with no penalty.  Who doesn't love free stuff?

Nail Polish Canada and Konad Stamping

I've been practicing my stamping!  Stamping is something I've had to practice but I'm getting better everyday.  Nail Polish Canada was nice enough to sent me a Konad m93 stamping plate.  This plate has a small anchor stamp, a full nail checkerboard pattern, full leopard print, full 3D cubes and a full heart pattern.

I found this plate was easy to use and the polish sunk into the designs very well.  The stamps transferred beautifully to the nail.

For my first design I created a red, white and blue chevron design accented with the anchor stamp on the ring finger.  I used Essence Walk on Air, OPI Alpine Snow and Essie Forever Yummy.  

For another look I used a base of Butter London Dodgy Barnett.  Over the top I used Finger Paints Ch-art-coal Black for the stamping of the checkerboard pattern.  My nails are a little long for my stamper which is why the design curved a bit towards the bottom.  I need to invest in an XL stamper so I can find my long nails with these gorgeous stamps.  

Konad is known as the cream of the stamping crop so head over to Nail Polish Canada and check out their stamping section!  They have everything from plates to stamping sets to stamping polishes.  Lucky for you, if you're Canadian, they are having a giveaway right now!  Just head here and enter to win five Konad stamping plates.