I Want To Smell Like a Mermaid

I would like to smell like a mermaid.

Mainly because that would mean I was living underwater, and it would appropriate to use my favorite pick up line "Is that your dorsal fin, or are you just happy to see me?" (yes, I have used that gem before, right HERE).

So when I saw the new Harajuku Lovers perfume in "G of The Sea", I had to check it out! Because I'm a sucker for packaging. I normally never tend to gravitate towards the Harajuku perfumes but as of now, I'm totally checking them out!

The adorable mermaid perfume is a perfect spring/summer scent!

According to Sephora, it can be described as this "Top notes delight in juicy splashes of crisp apple, magical water lily, and the tangy sweet surge of crushed berries. Soak in its heart, filled with flirty bouquets of dewy freesia, whispers of pink peony, and delicate kisses of jasmine petals. Finally, leave an enchanting trail of smoothly sundrenched woods, sensually transparent musks, and luscious amberwood."

Okay, so here is my Cliff-Notes (haha, I made a funny, get it? NOTES?! Perfume?! Sorry....) version of the perfume: its a light, floral, sensual musky smell with a pinch of berry.

It is divine!

Its such a light, clean, fresh smell but it also packs a little punch with the warmer notes. It is not at all overbearing, its perfect for when you just want a little something-something. I mean, I wasn't expecting it to smell this amazing but it seriously is! I was just happy with the cute little bottle on my vanity. But the smell? I love it!

I would highly recommend this for anyone looking for a nice, light, simple scent for summer! It is so pretty! And not to mention, the packaging is cute! Even my mom loves the scent! She also loved the packaging and was pleasantly surprised by the scent!

I have the 0.34 oz bottle which was $30 and the full 1 oz bottle is $45. And they know make cute little matching makeup bags! AH! Its currently available at Sephora and Sephora.com !

Love the attention to detail!

The figurine-cap is made of plastic!

The actual bottle!

And now I know what a mermaid smells like! Yeah, Ariel, watch out. This redhead now smells like you! What is your favorite summer scent?

♥ Chelsea

Big Beautiful Buxom Lips!

Big is beautiful.

Lips that are juicy, glossy and perfectly plump are a summer must have for me.

Because lipsticks and limp lips can't handle the hot weather.

Enter Buxom Lip Glosses from Bare Minerals.

(Left to Right) Princess, Kanani, Margarita and Ginger

The perfect plumping lip gloss. They're not the old painful-plumper but rather the new school painless plumper. They feel so refreshing, like a little lip pick-me-up. No more of the "OH EM GEE! It feels like a swarm of bees attacked my lips! GET IT OFF!" feeling with these! And I can totally vouch for the swarm-of-bees-attacking-my-lips thing because it happened to me. Never mow over anything that remotely looks like a bee hive. In my defense, it looked like a pine cone. I had three stingers in my lips. And my lips were on steroids. Too plumped. Joan Rivers plumped.

I digress!

I love these things! They are so cool, minty and refreshing. Its an awesome cooling sensation when applied and freshens your breath! Making it feel like you just took a swish of Listerine! And my lips are naturally large, but these make them plump by helping to fill in the lines of my lips!

(Left to Right) Princess, Kanani, Margarita and Ginger

They're nonsticky and their lasting power is about average, a few hours. But my lips will still look pleasantly plump once the color fades!

I have 4 colors in my collection, as of right now!

1) Princess: a shimmering pink pearl with some golden tones. Almost looks like a pinky-lilac pearl, super pretty!

2) Kanani: a bright pink, with almost a coral tone, and a little shimmer!

3) Margarita: a gorgeous sheer raspberry! This one is called a "tint" by Buxom, I find the opacity about the same as a gloss, but the Buxom tints are cheaper!

4) Ginger: a coppery-golden red, who doesn't love a buxom redhead?!

These glosses are available at Sephora, sephora.com and any where that Bare Minerals are sold! The Bare Minerals boutique by me has a deal where all lip products are 3 for $39 + free makeup bag! The regular glosses retail for $18 and the "tints" (seriously, I can't notice a different) are $14!

The Buxom Girls!

Have you ever tried these glosses? Love them? Like them? Hate them? Let us know!

♥ Chelsea

Bounce, Bounce Baby! Beauty Blender Review!

$20 for a makeup sponge? You must be out of your damn mind!

Well, my friends, I'm out of my damn mind.

I caved and bought the Beauty Blender cosmetic applicator (that totally makes is sounds fancier). And I'm loving the little bouncy-egg shaped-thing!

I was like you when I heard how much it cost, I mean for that price I would expect it to bounce itself all over my face. But this was another "Youtube/blogs made me do it" moment. Nothing but praises. And this was last year. So I naturally bought the cheaper alternative, the Sonia Kashuk one and was not a fan. It was stiff and I couldn't use it wet. If I dampened it, water would just leak out, ruining all my makeup. That left a bad taste in my mouth and deterred me from checking out the real deal.

But a year later, I bought in. I mean I'm willing to pay that much for a makeup brush (on some occasions, mind you!) so this is sort of like it.

The first thing I noticed about it? How soft it was! It wasn't as stiff, and almost hard, like the SK one. It was so soft and squishy.

And then I wet it. You are supposed to use these types of sponges wet because less product will be absorbed into the sponge (because it is retaining the water) and the damp effect will help make the look more flawless and smooth. It makes foundation look softer and more natural.

To my surprise, it didn't leak all over my face. It did double in size which was fun to see (its super malleable when drenched!), bigger sponge means more coverage!

And though it was big and wet, it didn't leave a little wet trail (that's what she said!).

The coverage is amazing, it makes my full-coverage foundation appear natural and flawless. Prevents foundation from caking up. It gives an amazing, seamless appearance. Its gentle enough to use to cover up under-eye circles, but can handle concealing a zit.

I would completely recommend this!

Also, I only bought the sponge. I haven't heard the best things about their cleaner. I just squirt a little of my cleanser on it (Purity Made Simple, that stuff is the bomb.com) and it cleans it beautifully. Any gentle cleanser, or even baby shampoo, will do the trick!

Its a bit on the pricey side for what it is, but if it can make my foundation and concealer look seamless, and not worry about a cake face, then I think its worth it!

It can be found at Sephora.com and on beautyblender.net and prices vary depending on what you get (like how many blenders and if you desire the cleaner!). My single blender was $19.95! But now I see that you can get 2 for $25! WHAT?! Missed that! Haha :)

I store it in its little cup, and kept the little stand to place it on for when it dries!

Anyone try the Beauty Blender? Thoughts?

♥ Chelsea

TWENTY-ONE! 2-1!

Hello Lovelies!

I thought I'd do a little update and birthday haul. Thursday, May 19 was my twenty-first birthday! Whaaaat?! But I wasn't feeling too well, a migraine and pure exhaustion from these past few weeks...months...haha!

Anyways last weekend I had gone to NYC with my mom after moving out of my dorm to do a little shopping! One of my all time favorite movies is Breakfast at Tiffany's and I adore Audrey Hepburn so we made a trip to the famous 5th avenue store! That place is HUGE. Its 6 floors! One floor of diamonds, another of their classic sterling silver (which is where we shopped), one of dishes, and all that goodness! Amazing!

Since it was a big, milestone birthday, my mom let me get a bracelet that I had been wanting. Fell in love with it, but I had to get it lengthened, meaning I would have to have it sent out to get it altered, but it is PERFECT!

We also stopped at Macy's Herald Square, which was amazing. And right across the street was Sephora! I picked up some new MUFE goodness. Their new Aqua Liner is AMAZING, a shadow thats a staple for me (a shimmery nude, ha ha), and their Lab Shine gloss which is like a smoother, non-stickier version on MAC Dazzleglasses.

As for my birthday, had my first legal drink, a beer, haha. Though I will admit, I'm not a big fan of beer, I'm more of a wine/mixed drinks girl! But I did some minor shopping. My mall doesn't have a Sephora but they just opened up a Bare Minerals and they had a 3 for $39 lip product + free cosmetic bag deal which is basically a buy 2 get 1 free! And I love the Buxom glosses! So I picked 2 Buxom glosses up and their new Pretty Amazing, which is like a liquid lipstick.

Anyways time for the photos!

I'm home so obviously this post needed a photo of my Max!

The "Return to Tiffany Bead Bracelet", I loved this one because it has the gorgeous Tiffany blue enamel on one side and the classic "return to" slogan on the other side. Simple and feminine. And classic!

Because I can "legally" drink now :) Flip-flop wine glass! I love the little rhinestones!

Buxom gloss in "Princess", "Kanani" and Pretty Amazing in "Moxie"

Buxom gloss in "Princess", "Kanani" and Pretty Amazing in "Moxie"

Makeup Forever's single eyeshadow in "126", Lab Shine gloss in "D22" and the liner is in "13"

MUFE E/S "126", Aqua Liner in "13" and L/G in "D22"

My mom saw all my makeup (for when I travel) was in a huge makeup bag, so she got me this cute Vera Bradley bag that has 3 compartments!

How was your week? Any recent goodies?

♥ Chelsea

Girl vs. Makeup: Sally Hansen Salon Effects

Hello Lovelies!

Phew, long time no blog! But this horrid semester is over and its in my past. I'm back home now and ready to get back on blogging!

I thought I'd start a new little segment called "Girl vs. Makeup" where I'll test out new, gimicky products and see if they live up to their claim!

So lets get this party started with Sally Hansen's Salon Effects, the sticker nail polish!

Want a nice salon-worthy manicure, but in a hurry and don't want to dish it out? Well these Salon Effects are supposed to be a fool-proof mani. Just peel and stick nail polish on.

Seriously, that is it.

This little kit comes with 16 nail stickers, a wooden cuticle pusher, mini nail file and instructions.

First thing I did was push all my cuticles back and clean down my nails with some polish remover. Then applied these bad boys! Sally Hansen says that you should be able to stretch them to fit your nail, but I was concerned that these would tear!

So I decided that for nails that didn't have a perfect match that I'd just use the next size up. So I'd place the larger sticker on the nail and smooth it down with the smooth part of the cuticle pusher. And I'd make sure to crisply push it to the edges of my nail so I could easily take off any excess. This was easy, and even somewhat therapeutic. But then again, I just had a week's worth of finals and moving.

Once they were all down I put on one coat of no-chip polish and I have been impressed! They seriously look natural!

Well as natural as leopard print nails look. I guess by natural I mean, not a sticker, but more like it was actually painted on. And of course, these have no drying time (as long as you don't use a top coat, but I would, just to help make the manicure last a little longer).

I am seriously impressed. I was expecting these to look ridiculous and like I put freaking stickers on my nails.

These had a slight nail polish scent, but it didn't linger!

I will say, these are a bit pricey. I've seen them range from $7 - $11 and Sally Hansen does offer coupons for a dollar off. But that is also how much an average manicure costs. So that is one thing to factor!

I'll probably buy more! I love this leopard print, and might pick up the flower design and pink glitter! I feel like solid colors aren't worth it, but the designs? For sure!

Anyone else see/try these? Love them, hate them? Let me know!

♥ Chelsea

Birthday Beauty Wishlist!

Hello Lovelies!

In the midst of trying to study, and failing (I mean how many times can I reread a sentence on the nitty-gritty of muscles?!) and not feeling too swell, I decided to make a little beauty wishlist, my birthday is on the 19th (21st birthday!) and I've been eying a few things! Note the "wish" in wishlist ;)

1. Sigma "Make Me Blush" Brush Set

I really do not own many brushes, and this is an awesome deal. And they're pink ;)

2. Makeup Forever Mat Velvet +

My skin gets extra oily/shiny come spring and summer and I swatched this the other day in store and it completely matches me! SCORE! :)

3. Beauty Blender (+ Cleaner)

I have bought the Sonia Kashuk one, and it shredded on me, and I've heard raves about this little applicator! I also enjoy a good bounce.

4. Benefit's "Coralista" Blush

I love my Bella Bamba and have found that I do enjoy coral blushes :) And I'm a sucker for gaudy packaging.

I did already get some birthday money and decided to buy a new purse. Its a Coach Poppy Tote :)

I don't know why its coming off more gold! Its silver detailing and HOT FREAKING PINK inside.

Any other May babies?! If so, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Whens your birthday? Whats on your wishlist? ;)

♥ Chelsea

Urban Decay Haul!

Hello Lovelies!

I picked up just 3 things at Sephora lately (its book-selling-time!) and thought I'd share my Urban Decay goodies, since they are one of my favorite brands!

♥ ♥ ♥

Urban Decay Lip Junkie Lip Gloss in "Crush". Its a wearable bright pink that seriously tastes JUST like Thin-Mints. So much so I had to buy a box. I love UD glosses, and I love that this one, unlike their Pocket Rocket glosses, actually tastes good! Slightly plumps the lips to leave them looking full and juicy! Retails for $19

Urban Decay Urbanglow Cream Highlight in "Moonshine". Such a gorgeous, pearly-opaly-color! It casts such a gorgeous glow and it is unlike any other highlighter that I have seen! It just makes your face look radiant! Its a little on the wetter side of being a cream but that's ok! Its just so damn pretty! No photo can do justice! Retails for $24

Urban Decay Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tint in "Crush". Yup, just like the gloss in the same color! A bright pink that is perfect for Spring and Summer! I love tints/stains this time of the year so I don't look so powdery, rather more fresh! I'm debating picking up more! So pretty and pigmented! Also retails for $24

Do you see that highlight!? Such a great glow! Top is "Moonshine" then "Crush" blush and "Crush" gloss!

All of these can be found at Sephora.com!

Any recent hauls? Ever try Urban Decay? Love? Let me know!

♥ Chelsea

The Lowdown on Liquid

Hello Lovelies!

If you have been a regular reader of the blog, you probably know that my beauty product weakness is liquid eyeliner. In fact, it is the only type of eyeliner that I even have in my collection! So I thought I'd go over every single liner I have tried and give you the dirt on them!

And of course, share my favorite!

**Everything mentioned, that I have tried, is in black!**

♥ L'Oreal Carbon Black Lineur Intense Felt Tip Liquid Liner: Honestly? I used to be addicted to this stuff. It was my HG. Until I picked up a new tube in December and it was different. It wasn't the opaque-carbon-black that I remember it as. It was runny, watery and a charcoal color! Then the other month, I picked up another, SAME problem!

♥ Physician's Formula Eye Booster: Made my eyes swell shut for two days, and they remained red, itchy and peeling for the next week. MAJOR allergic reaction! But it actually was somewhat good! I'd give it a B if it didn't cause me to swell up! Fail!

♥ MAC Penultimate: Applicator is too big, color isn't that opaque and it dried within 2 months! It was pretty good when it came to wear, but can't justify it the price!

♥ MAC SuperSlick: Watery! Oh em gee, this is like pure dihydrogen monoxide! Well, tinted black, of course! It doesn't last, comes off in flakes and bleeds into the little lines of the inner corner! Such a disappointment!

♥ MAC Liquidlast: THIS. DOESN'T. COME. OFF. Awesome, right? Nope! Not when I have to rub my eyes for 10 minutes to get it off! The formula is super thick and gloopy, it honestly reminds me of tar!

♥ Urban Decay Liquid Liner: I loved it! Until I wore it on a humid day and it transfered and migrated up my eyelid! Not a fan!

♥ Revlon Colorstay: The applicator is irritating! Too pointy! And I've had fading problems with it, also had some color bleed!

♥ Maybelline Line Stilleto: BEST BUDGET BUY! Amazing. Its black, easy to use, and lasts all day! I love it! I did an experiment with it yesterday, with my other favorite liner, and it didn't own up to the water test! I took a hot, humid shower and splashed water on my eyes (soooo scientific!) and this stuff began to disappear, and irritate my eyes! I need waterproof for the hot, sweaty summer coming! But if waterproof isn't a need of your's, I'd recommend it!

PHEW! Told you I had a problem! But now my current favorite is...

♥ Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eye Liner Pen! WOO! This stuff doesn't move, its waterproof, it doesn't smudge, it is perfect. Its easy to use. Its a pen! This stayed just as intense and black as when I applied it 10 hours earlier, after my shower test. AMAZED. Love it. But I hate the price tag, $20! But if I stop buying other liners, it kind of helps swallow the price! Also, does super easy wings! LOVE! I've had my current bottle since mid-Feb and its still going strong!

Photo from Stilacosmetics.com because my battery died on my camera :)

So lovelies, what are your picks?

♥ Chelsea