NOTD: It's A Coral Glitter-Fest!

I have a secret to tell you all. I'm having an affair....with glitter!

I don't quite know when this affair began but all of a sudden I've began buying glitter nail polish like they're going out of style. Pinks, turquoise, yellow, multi-color...it doesn't matter the color because I love them all. 

The only issue I have with glitter is the amount of time it takes to remove from your nails. Aside from that, a coat of glitter turns even the worst polish job into something fabulous.

On my nails I applied one coat of Sally Hansen Hard as Nails XtremeWear Nail Color in Coral Reef (#405) and then one coat of Essie Multi Dimension Top Coat in A Cut Above. I love the chunkiness of the glitter pieces and of the light coral poking out through it.

Sigh, I adore glitter.


   

NOTD: Sally Hansen's Anenome of Mine AND Wet N Wild's Night Prowl

Left to right: Wet N Wild Night Prowl and Sally Hansen Anenome of Mine

According to Wikipedia, my new favorite color is byzantium.  Who knew, right?  Forget that December is usually filled with red, green and silver tones...nope, not for me.  I've decided that this month purple is my go-to color.

While on my lunch break yesterday, I (as usual) barreled down the three flights of stairs from my office to the Shopper Drug Mart below and wandered around the nail polish section looking for the perfect color purple.  And, BEHOLD, I found it.  (See, a coworker of mine was wearing a color very similar this past week and I've been on a mission to find it ever since.)  Isn't it pretty?

I chose to pair Anenome of Mine with Night Prowl because I don't usually wear glitter polishes AND they look gorgeous together.  These two colors, combined, are definitely going to be a heavily-used combination going forward.

What do you think ladies?  Have you worn either of these colors before?  Or even together?

Delicious Smore's Caramel Apples and Drugstore Goodies

I was extremely busy this weekend.  Honestly, I was.  I baked and cooked and made hair treatments and even found time to give myself a facial.  (Long overdue if you ask me.)  I was so busy that I couldn't even blog yesterday.  Here's exactly why...

I made Smore's Caramel Apples!!  On a whim, I decided to make some goodies that both Allan and I could take to our offices for our co-workers to munch on.  For those that have never made caramel apples I should begin by saying that it's a lot more tedious than I originally thought.  But after the caramel finally melted and the marshmallows began to stick to the apples, I think the finished product looks absolutely fabulous.  (And they taste really really great too.  I had mine yesterday!!)  For the recipe, should the baking feeling/desire hit you, click here.

I also got a few things from Rite-Aid this week and forgot to tell you about them.  (Silly me, I know.)  I bought: Pssssst Dry Shampoo, Queen Helene Jojoba Hot Oil Treatment, Gel Eye Mask, Sally Hansen VitaSurge Growth Gel, Jessie's Girl High Intensity Nail Color in Baby Cakes and Revlon's Just Bitten Lipstain in Passion.  

Pssssst Dry Shampoo 

This is probably the most exciting purchase I've made in a long time.  I say this because I have been looking EVERYWHERE for this dry shampoo.  I've heard it compares to Batiste and I can't wait to review it for you.

Queen Helene Jojoba Hot Oil Treatment 

My hair is so over-processed right now that a hot oil treatment is an absolute must.  I can not wait to test this one out.

Gel Eye Mask 

Because every girl needs one and for some reason I've never owned one.  This mask can be used cold or warm with the purpose being to relax and soothe tired senses.  

Sally Hansen VitaSurge Growth Gel

Have never tried it before but need something to help me grow my nails.  It seems as though my nails get to a certain length and then decide to stop growing.....not fun.

Jessie's Girl High Intensity Nail Color in Baby Cakes

This picture really doesn't do this color any justice at all.  Honestly, the pink is almost florescent.  Can not WAIT to use this for a NOTD.

Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain in Passion

Love any pink lip color and I've heard great things about the lip stains so I thought I'd try it out.  I love that the balm is on one end while the stain is on the other; it's just so convenient.  Another fabulous thing about this is that the balm is actually extremely moisturizing.  Unlike some that wear off quickly, this one actually stays on the lips for quite some time.

Aside from the purchases, I've also been reading a fantastic book.  It's called Room by Emma Donoghue.  I really don't want to give too much away but it's a story about imprisonment and, once they've escaped, the effects thereafter.  If you're on the hunt for a good read, I highly suggest it.

Whew, that's what I've been up.  So, how about you?  How was your weekend?

XO Christina 

It's My Blogiversary...Which Means It's Giveaway Time!!!

***********************Closing July 25th at 8:00 PM (PST Time)**************************

I was in my blog dashboard the other week and was dumbfounded to learn that on July 7th Red Lip Gloss will be one year old!!!!  YAY.

As shocked as I was to learn this since the time has gone by so fast, it made me realize how thankful I am to all of you, the ever-so important readers.  Without you, I wouldn't have been around this long!!!

So, on this note, as a special thank-you to all of you, it's time for my Summer Essentials Giveaway.

This awesome summer-inspired giveaway includes:

A gorgeous beach bag made, and donated, by the fabulous Bronwen

A soft, and very large, matching beach towel

A matching cosmetic bag

A pocket mirror

Sally Hansen Forever Stay Moisture Gloss in Creamsicle

Rimmel London Sun Shimmer Shimmering Maxi Bronzer in Sun Kiss (My Fave)

Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch SPF 30 Sunscreen (Smells like the beach)

Hawaiian Tropic After Sun Moisturizer in Lime Coolada

Victoria's Secret Ultra-Softening Body Butter in Endless Love 

A matching pair of oh-so glamorous sunglasses 

Last, but not least, a chic-lit summer read: Lunch In Paris

So the rules: This contest is open internationally (so, everyone).  To make it a bit simpler, there are only 4 ways of entering which will give you a total of 4 entries.  In your ONE comment, please provide which ways you're entering AND tell me what you'd like to see more of on my blog!!!!!

1.  Follow publicly through GFC (tell me the name you follow me under) +1

2.  Follow me through twitter and post about my giveaway (provide twitter name) +1

3.  Follow me on Bloglovin +1

4.  'Like' my page on facebook (tell me the name you follow me under) +1

This contest closes on July 25th at 8:00 PM (PST).  After this date, a winner will be drawn via random.org.  Good luck everyone and, again, thanks for your comments and support!!!

XO

Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy

I adore TLC's What Not To Wear.

I love everything about this TV show from the sarcastic banter between Stacy and Clinton, the many horrific wardrobes to the fantastic transformations. But, most of all, I love Carmindy, the makeup artist. She's bubbly, fun, knows sooo much about makeup application that I want to shove her in my pocket, take her home and force her to teach me everything she knows. Ha

Needless to say, while out and about on one of my many shopping adventures, I discovered Sally Hansen Natural Beauty. I should probably clarify because the reason I was interested in this product line after such a long time of never even glancing at it were the words "inspired by Carmindy". I instantly pulled out my trusty iPhone, googled Sally Hansen Natural Beauty and was met with Carmindy's face. Yes, MY Carmindy from What Not To Wear.

So, like any celebrity obsessed woman, I began grabbing everything I could see that matched my skin tone. (Okay, this is definitely an exaggeration but I did grab a couple items.) The items I grabbed were Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Airbrush Spray Makeup in Light and Luminous Matte Pressed Powder also in Light.

From left to right: Luminous Powder and the Airbrush Spray Makeup which is, yes, an aerosol can.

Though I grabbed the lightest shade of the Spray Makeup, it still seems to have a very yellow base color. The foundation itself though is very lightweight and has almost a cinnamon-y scent. (I can't explain the scent exactly but I really like it.) Another great thing about this foundation is that it's buildable. By this I mean you can either spray it in your palm and apply with you fingertips for sheer coverage or spray it on a sponge and apply for when you need just a bit more help.

Here, the product is rubbed in my hand. As you can see, that yellow tone has disappeared. Instead, it actually matches me perfectly.

The powder, though, is very fair, even for me. I am always the girl that buys the fairest shade in anything but for some reason, this powder is just a bit too light.

I have used the foundation a couple times and really like it. However, I'm eager to see what it looks like with a bit more depth so I'll be using a sponge applicator very soon. The powder, though, is not my favorite. It's great for reducing oil (on top of foundation) but I would never use this product alone. (I'd end up looking like a ghost.) I have been spending quite some time looking at the Sally Hansen website and though this pressed powder didn't hit home for me, I'm really looking forward to trying the loose powder.

Have any of you ladies tried this line before? If so, what have you tried? Did you like it?

Ciao