kiss nail dress

I've always been a nail polish fan, but I was always too lazy or didn't care enough to actually change my nail color that often. The fun spring/summer colors and fun trends like color blocking have made me nail polish obsessed...like changing my nail polish every few days obsessed. I've been dying to try the new nail polish strips that all of the nail companies are releasing, but I wasn't really sure if it was 1. worth the money 2. easy enough for me 3. would live up to the hype. I'm happy to say that I think of all of these three things are true for the Kiss Nail Dress stickers. 

I was so happy to receive this fun leopard print design in my Influenster VoxBox (BTW, if you haven't joined Influenster yet, do it now! So much fun!). These nail polish strips require no drying time and are supposed to last up to 10 days. I've only had them on for one day, but I'll let you know!

Each kit comes with 28 polish strips in various sizes and a small nail file. Priced around $6.99, I think these kits are not a bad deal (plus, there's always a stack of Kiss coupons in my local Rite Aid near the display!). If you keep your nail relatively short like I do, I think that you'd be able to do at least 2-4 manicures/pedicures with this kit. I used less than half of one sticker sheet on my manicure this morning!

The process was very simple, but it did take a few nails to really get the hang of it. I should have watched the Kiss How-To Video here before starting, but of course I didn't! Even so, all you have do is apply the sticker to your nail, smooth it onto your nail, and use the included nail file to remove the excess sticker at the end of your nail. I used the excess of each sticker on my other nails, and it worked out great! 

Overall, I think the Kiss Nail Dress kits are a fun alternative to nail polish, and I hope that they actually last up to 10 days! I'll keep you posted on how it goes :) Have you tried nail polish strips before? What was your experience like?

FTC Disclaimer: I received this product for review purposes from Influenster. I was not obligated to do a review, and all opinions stated are my honest and genuine thoughts.

Julep Maven

It's no secret that I'm a nail polish addict, and I'm a huge sucker for deals. When I found out about the Julep Maven program, I knew it was a perfect fit. Julep is an upscale nail brand with amazing colors, but at $14.00 a bottle, it's a bit expensive. With the Julep Maven program, you get 2 full-size polishes, another full-size foot/nail product, and samples with free shipping. I've seen other Julep Maven boxes with over $60 worth of products. 

Here's a video with more information about the program

Normally, the boxes are $19.99, which is a great deal, but right now you can get a box for $10.00 with the discount code smh9oxu . You can also refer your friends and get a $15 credit for each friend that signs up for the program.

You can find out more information and sign up here! Don't forget to use the discount code smh9oxu for 50% off :)

I'm so excited to get my first box, and I'll be sure to do a post with pictures to show you what I got!

May Favorites + Giveaway Reminder

1: Garnier Fructis Anti-Humidity Hairspray

No matter how many brands I try, I keep going back to this hairspray. It's super cheap, and it does an amazing job at controlling fly-aways and frizz without weighing your hair down or making it hard/sticky. I don't think this hairspray completely blocks the effects of humidity, but it definitely helps a lot! Love it.

2. Orly Nail Polish in Fancy Fuchsia

I'm pretty sure this polish is going to be my go-to summer shade. Fancy Fuchsia is the most amazing, creamy blue-toned hot pink. The picture above absolutely does not do the color any justice, so I'll have to do a swatch for you guys soon! It's kind of the perfect balance between a normal pastel pink and in-your-face neon hot pink. Barbie would definitely wear this polish 24/7, and so do I. 

3. Laura Mercier Foundation Primer

Oh my goodness. I know that I've put this primer in a previous favorites posts, but I've been loving this product lately. It is a water-based primer, which is perfect for hot summer days. It keeps your makeup from melting off your face in the hot summer sun without being oily at all. This primer is lightweight and feels more like a gel moisturizer than a regular primer. I'm in love.

4. ELF Contouring Blush and Bronzer Duo

I can't believe this product is only three dollars. Both products are gorgeous colors with great pigmentation. The packaging is surprisingly nice for such a cheap product, and it comes with a huge mirror! I just love how convenient this duo is, and they're the perfect summer colors. I've been wearing the pinky-peach blush almost every day. The bronzer is good too, but I still prefer my Tarte Park A5. ve Princess waterproof bronzer.

5. Zoya Nail Polish in Jules

I received this nail polish in my May Birchbox, and I'm been wearing it almost every day since! It's a really beautiful metallic dark champagne color, and it looks amazing with a summer tan. The application was so easy- two coats for opaque color, and the polish doesn't chip for at least four days. This polish is my first Zoya experience, and I will definitely be buying a lot more of their colors!

6. Pangea Organics Lip Balm in Egyptian Fennel with Grapefruit and Sweet Orange

I received this lip balm in my March Birchbox, and it's saved my lips for the last few months. My lips are always extremely chapped, and this balm has really helped to keep my lips moisturized. The scent is really unique- citrus-based with a slight licorice note. It sounds strange, but it smells really amazing.

7. Covergirl NatureLuxe Liquid Silk Foundation

I received this product from BzzAgent a few months ago, and I'm so glad I did. This medium-coverage foundation goes on so smoothly, and you literally feel like you're almost not wearing makeup. It's such a lightweight feel for providing a medium level of coverage. The only thing I'm not really crazy about is the packaging. I really prefer liquid foundations to have a pump, but I think that this foundation is great for hot summer months. It helps to cover blemishes and even out your skin tone without the heavy feeling of normal foundation. 

8. Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer

I've been a Hard Candy fan for years, so I was thrilled when they moved their product line to Walmart. This concealer is AMAZING. This full-coverage is an exact dupe of Kat Von D's Tattoo Concealer for a less than one third of the price. I'm addicted to this stuff. The concealer goes on perfectly, and it's ridiculously pigmented. I'm not sure how I lived without this product for so long!

Also, please don't forget to enter the 

Green Apple Paperie $20 gift certificate giveaway here! 

It ends Monday night!

Disclaimer: I received the Covergirl NatureLuxe foundation from BzzAgent for review; however, my review was not influenced by this association. As always, my opinions are 100% genuine and honest.

February 2011 Favorites!

Hey everyone!

This month I've become obsessed with quite a few products. I'm going to post a more detailed video on my YouTube Channel, so I won't bore you with too many details here! I'll include links to make it easier for you to find these items online :)

Skincare

Mario Badescu Botanical Facial Gel

This month I rediscovered my love for Mario Badescu's Botanical Facial Gel. I used this cleanser in high school and then COMPLETELY forgot about. Thank goodness I happened to see it online one night! This cleanser is not soap-based, so it doesn't lather at all, but it's really effective at controlling oil without completely drying out your skin. LOVE. You can buy it here!

Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating Foaming Scrub

Another skincare fav for February is Neutrogena's Deep Clean Invigorating Foaming Scrub. I don't know about you, but I really like it when skincare products just feel like they're working :) This scrub's menthol content gives it a really addicting tingly cooling sensation. You can buy it here!

Exuviance Moisture Balance Toner

One of the girls working at my Ulta store recommended this toner to me. I'm usually a sucker for toners with high salicylic acid content, but she insisted that I try a gentler toner this month. The Exuviance Moisture Balance Toner smells ridiculously incredible- kind of an apple-raspberry-floralish scent- and it's has miraculously helped control my oily skin this month. It's kind of expensive, but I've only gone through about 1/4 of the bottle in one month. You can buy it here!

Make-Up

Tarte Mineral Powder Bronzer in Park Ave Princess

Oh my goodness, I cannot say enough good things about this bronzer. This is definitely my holy grail bronzer, and I will have to do a more detailed review on it asap. Tarte's Mineral Powder Bronzer in Park Ave Princess is literally everything I could ever want in a bronzer. In real life, it's darker than this photograph, but the color is just the most perfect slightly shimmery bronze color. The powder gives good color without being so pigmented that your skin looks streaky, and the coverage lasts even in high heat and heavy humidity. Amazing, amazing, amazing. Do yourself a favor and buy this now! 

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero

I used to be a huge StyliStyle eyeliner fan, but Urban Decay has converted me once again. Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero is the perfect black eyeliner Highly pigmented, smooth application, super longlasting, and just the right amount of waterproof-ness! It will stay on your waterline all day, but it comes off easily with makeup remover. I have these pencils in several colors, but Zero is definitely my favorite! You can buy it here.

Smashbox Lip Enhancing Sheer Color Lipgloss in Illume

Since spring is just around the corner, I've been reaching for lighter lip shades. Smashbox's Illume lip gloss is the perfect pinkish-nude color with just the right amount of shimmer. I'm not super crazy about the brush, but I love the texture and color of the gloss! I've been wearing this gloss almost every day! Buy it here.

Maybelline Great Lash BIG Mascara in Blackest Black

No matter how many high-end mascaras I try, I keep coming back to Maybelline. They just have the best mascaras for the best price. I'm currently in love with the Great Lash BIG collection, especially the color Blackest Black. I brush is ridiculously big, and the mascara builds volume and length without clumping or smudging. I highly recommend you go buy some!

Urban Decay Book of Shadows III NYC Palette

I have a problem. I cannot stop buying Urban Decay palettes, BUT I definitely do not regret buying the Book of Shadows III. First of all, the palette lights up! How cool. Urban Decay eyeshadows are so luxuriously siky and super pigmented, and I loved the mix of bright and neutral colors in the palette. I got another one of my FAVORITE 24/7 Eyeliners in Zero and Ransom along with their awesome Primer Potion. This palette was limited edition unfortunately, but you can still buy one here! Unfortunately, it's quite a bit more expensive than it originally was!

Nail Products

Essie Nail Polish in Turquoise and Caicos

It's been cold in LA lately, so I've been lusting for summer almost every day. I can only be excited about sweaters and boots for so long! I need sunshine! Essie's Turquoise and Caicos is such a pretty light turuoise. The coverage is slightly sheer, so I used about 3 or 4 coats to get it really opaque and beautiful. You can try it for yourself here!

Hair Products

Davines Nourishing Vegetarian Miracle Deep Conditioner

I'm constantly on the lookout for deep conditioners for my color-treated, dry, and damaged blonde hair. My hair stylist recommended Davine's Nourishing Vegetarian Miracle to me recently, and I really feel like my hair is much stronger and more resilient since I started using it. I love this formula because while it's super moisturizing, it is not greasy or heavy at all. It's so light that my stylist recommended using it EVERY time I washed my hair before my normal conditioner. Awesome product. Buy some here!

That's all of my favorites for now, but I will be adding some additional favorites to my video....so be sure to check it out and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!