Review: OPI for Sephora - 212 Sephora Nail Colour

This is my second OPI for Sephora polish I've tried. I had a pale pink one that I can't recall the name of, but its since vanished (after ONE use, I might add.) I threw this 212 Sephora Nail Colour ($9) in my shopping cart when it popped up as a suggestion. I have not jumped on the matte nail polish trend yet. I personally like my nails shiny. But I have and always will really like glittery polishes. When I was younger, I had these 2 Wet'n'Wild polishes, one was a multi-colored glitter in clear polish and the other was a silver glitter in clear polish. I used them ALL THE TIME. I actually kind of wish they still made them... This one was inspired by New York City's after-dark dazzle, created specially for the new Sephora in Times Square. It's only available online and at the 5 Times Square location. It boasts being long-wearing, chip-resistant, GREEN and free of DBP, Toluene and Formaldehyde. I'm sold.

I suggest using a base coat AND one coat of a dark polish (like MAC's Nocturnelle) and then layer 212 on top of that and top with a top-coat. I suggest this because the first time I used it, I didn't and instead used 2 coats of 212. I had a HELL of a time getting it off. The glitter stuck like glue. Besides that, I love the color and shimmery glitz it brings to your fingertips.

face candy grade: A

Review: New York & Company Mandarin Coconut Lip Balm

I was purchasing a purse from New York & Company online a while ago. For some reason I was obsessed with finding a faux snake skin purse. I bought this one and removed the ribbon. It's cute. It does it's job. I'm actually getting ready to retire it. I get tired of bags fast. It's actually on sale there now for $20. ANYWAY, I needed more things to make my order total $60 to get a $10 credit, so I bought the Mandarin Coconut Lip Balm ($3.50) on a whim to give it a shot.
Have you ever gotten orange juice concentrate? It smells (and tastes) kind of like that. The coconut is muted, but it's there. I REALLY like this flavor. Orange and coconut. What's better? It has SPF 18 and the formula is waxy so it stays on. Available in Mandarin Coconut, Pomegranate Berry and Pure (unscented). And for $3.50 you can't really go wrong. :)

face candy grade: b+

Review: Laura Mercier - Secret Camouflage

I have heard people say that Laura Mercier's Secret Camouflage ($28) is the best concealer, ever. So I bought some. I like that it has two different concealers, one to match skin and one to match the skin's undertone, that's ideal. I used SC3, though maybe I should have picked SC4. Whatever. The left side is harder and best for covering redness or pimples. The right side is very creamy and great for covering under-eye circles. Both are heavily pigmented, so you don't need to pile it on for results. $28 seems like a lot, but you get 2 and I think it'll last you a good long while. You be the judge.

Available in:
-SC-1- Very Fair Skin Tones
-SC-2- Fair to Light Skin Tones
-SC-3- Medium with Yellow or Pink Skin Tones
-SC-4- Medium to Golden Skin Tones
-SC-5- Suntanned and Dark Skin Tones
-SC-6- Rich, Dark with Yellow Skin Tones

face candy grade: A

Manicure of the Moment: NARS - China Town

NARS - China Town Nail Polish ($16) looks deep blood red in the light and this crappy picture and dark burgundy in person. I used 2 coats. And a super thick, old Sally Hansen clear topcoat because I think I lost my other one that I really liked and can't remember the name of. It's stayed on for a few days without any chips so far. Any suggestions for a good topcoat?

face candy grade: A+

A press sample was provided by NARS and did not affect my review in any way.

MAC - Holiday 2009 - Baroque Boudoir

Decadent, luxurious… Liaisons get even more Dangereuse! The vintage look of the Baroque Boudoir has inspired our special, limited edition cache of high-style collectibles for lips and face, in silverized and silk-screened packaging containing favourite bring-back luxe formulas. First, Lipstick and Lip Gloss, each in three new shades of lustrous seduction, followed with Sheer Mystery Powder in Light Medium and Medium Plus, the last word in silky finish, divinely dressed in a ravishing round compact, etched like the fine filigree of a French baroque settee. Of course, our new Boudoir Clutch will be instantly treasured. Sate your taste for something modern, yet ornate.

U.S. Release: November 25th, 2009

Baroque Boudoir Lipstick ($22 U.S./ $26 CDN)
-Prive- Creamy light blue pink
-Treasured- Creamy warm nude beige
-Baroque Boudoir- Creamy dark plum

Baroque Boudoir Lipgloss ($22 U.S./ $26 CDN)
-Preciousness- Sheer metallic pink with white pearl
-The Lap of Luxury- Sheer baby pink with white and pink pearl
-D'Nouveau- Sheer dusty rose with light pink pearl

Baroque Boudoir Compact/Sheer Mystery Powder ($60 U.S./$72 CDN)
-Light Medium- Pale ivory
-Medium Plus- Tan beige

Boudoir Clutch ($65 U.S./$78 CDN)- A chic clutch with black crinkle nylon fabric.

I think I'm going to pass on this collection. Nothing really stands out to me.

MAC - Holiday 2009 - Mischief Makers

M∙A∙C assortment of perfect holiday delights are back – full of miniature mirth, they’re
up to something! Most-wanted looks in Lipglass, Lustreglass, pigments and glitter, in 6
glam-ly giftable versions: Choose 5 Sexy Shenanigans Soft Mini Lipglass/Lustreglass,
5 Frisky Business Bright Mini Lipglass/Lustreglass, 5 Models Misbehaving Deep Mini
Lipglass/Lustreglass, 5 Haute High Jinks Warm Mini Pigments/Glitter, 5 Cool Capers
Mini Pigments/Glitter, and finally 5 Sexpot Smoky Mini Pigments/Glitter.

U.S. Launch Date: November 5th, 2009

MAC always has awesome holiday sets. Of these I think I'd want the 5 Frisky Business Lipglass and 5 Sexpot Pigment sets.They're a great way to test out products if you've never tried them before and of course they are mini, which I like, because I could never use an entire pot of pigment. Which ones do you want?

5 Sexy Shenanigans Soft Mini Lipglass/Lustreglass ($29.50 U.S. / $35.50 CDN)
LIPGLASS:
-Elle- White pink with pearl
-Poetic License- Clean coral rose
-Cruise Control- Pastel pink with white pearl
LUSTREGLASS:
-Ensign- Peachy pink with white and gold pearl
-Morning Glory- Pale lavender with high level pearl

5 Frisky Business Bright Mini Lipglass/Lustreglass ($29.50 U.S. / $35.50 CDN)
LIPGLASS:
-Silly Girl- Pastel peach with multi-colored pearl
-Totally It- Sheer bright pink with intense pink pearl
-Beaute- Bright clean coral with pearl
LUSTREGLASS:
-Pinkarat- Soft-toned pink with gold pearl
-Wonderstruck- Lustred up clean pink coral

5 Models Misbehaving Deep Mini Lipglass/Lustreglass ($29.50 U.S. / $35.50 CDN)
LIPGLASS:
-Pinkular- Bronzed copper
-Magnetique- Frosted violet fuchsia
-Gitane- Burnt red orange with pearl
LUSTREGLASS:
-Angel Wing- Deep plum with golden pearl
-Instant Gold- Lustre-shined light neutral gold

5 Haute High Jinks Warm Mini Pigments/Glitter ($32.50 U.S. / $38.50 CDN)
PIGMENT:
-Jardin Aires- Tan with gold pearl
-Rushmetal- Rich copper sparkle
-Copperized- Olive green with gold pearl
-Museum Bronze- Rich taupe with gold pearl glitter
REFLECTS:
-Gold- Very fine particle white glitter that flashes gold

5 Cool Capers Mini Pigments/Glitter ($32.50 U.S./ $38.50 CDN)
PIGMENT:
-Kitschmas- Shimmering pink/mauve pearl
-Fuchsia- Bright fuchsia-pink
-Grape- Deep purple with pink pearl
-Deep Blue Green- Rich, deep bluish green glitter
REFLECTS:
-Transparent Teal- Sparkling white w/ turquoise

5 Sexpot Smoky Mini Pigments/Glitter ($32.50 U.S./ $38.50 CDN)
-Naked- Fleshy beige with pearl
-Sunnydaze- Taupe with silver pearl
-Chocolate Brown- Chocolate copper/bronze
-Dark Soul- Charcoal black smoked with gold pearl glitter
-Antique Gold- Sparkling taupe

MAC - Win It!

What lucky person is going to get these goodies?

-(D Squared) Grease Paint Stick in B- Bright Blue Violet
-(Style Black) Glimmerglass in Blackware- Creamy True Black
-(Style Black) Mineralize Eye Shadow in Blue Flame- Black with Blue Pearl

Leave a comment telling me what you'd like to see more of/ less of on Face Candy. Open to US residents only. I'll pick a winner on November 25th. These are brand new press samples provided by MAC.

WINNER!

The winner of this contest is lionsrrroar@gmail.com. Please email facecandyblog@gmail.com with your name and address. Thanks to everyone who subscribes!

These are brand new press samples I received from MAC.

MAC - Holiday 2009 - Magic, Mirth & Mischief!

No one wonders where you are, darling…only at the best parties, of course. You’re the one who knows how to let loose and have some fun! This Holiday season is all about Magic, Mirth, and Mischief! And why not? Unstuffy parties, impromptu rendezvous, the informal chic of a Festive Fantasia, or an intimate evening à deux. … You’re the lovely with the light touch and the naughty sparkle, the partner-in-crime with the perfect punchline. You always dazzle and delight – now more than ever with this holiday colour magic: Lipstick – think Total Wow!, and even Pervette. Phiff! Dazzleglass, Boy Bait Cremesheen Glass, Mayhem Mineralize Eye Shadow, and Mineralize Blush, Softsparkle Eye Pencil, Zoom Lash and Nail Lacquer bring out the mischievous minx in the most sophisticated among us. It’s party time!

Lipstick ($14.00 U.S./ $16.50 CDN)
-Pervette- Soft bright pink with violet opalescent shimmer
-Utter Fun- Fuchsia cherry pink
-Surprise Me- Mid-tone peach
-Total Wow!- Blue pink berry

I tested Utter Fun, it's a great bright cherry pink shade. Love it. Great color and creamy texture.

face candy grade: A+

Dazzleglass ($18.00 U.S./ $21.50 CDN)
-She-Zam- Sheer silver with silver and red pearl
-Jingle Jangle- Sheer yellow peach
-Phiff!- Yellow pink with red and sapphire pearl

Cremesheen Glass ($18.00 U.S./ $21.50 CDN)
-Ever So Rich- Sheer lilac
-Partial to Pink- Light creamy yellow pink with light gold pearl
-Boy Bait- Light neutral beige with pearl

Softsparkle Eye Pencil ($14.50 U.S./ $17.50 CDN)
-Iris Accents- Pale violet with silver pearl
-Nightsky- True black with silver pearl

Mineralize Eye Shadow Duo ($19.50 U.S./ $23.50 CDN)
-Devil-May-Care- Base: Rich light violet, Crescent: Silver
-Under Your Spell- Base: Light yellow peach pink, Crescent: Rich copper
-Mayhem- Base: Dirty brown gold, Crescent: Silver
-Midnight Madness- Base: Dirty grey brown, Crescent: Gold
-It’s A Miracle- Base: Deep blue burgundy, Crescent: Gold
-Blue Sorcery- Base: Bright Turquoise, Crescent: Silver

Mineralize Blush ($21.00 U.S./ $25 CDN)
-Su Perdu Pernatural- Mid-tone coral
-Conjure Up- Dirty, mid-tone plum

Nail Lacquer ($12.00 U.S./ $14.50 CDN)
-$$$- Yes Metallic silver foil
-Lucky Number- Metallic blue pink

LUST: NARS - 15th Anniversary Palettes

The NARS Wild at Heart 15th Anniversary Palette ($75, limited edition, $90 value) includes wearable red and pink lip colors and sparkly neutral eyeshadow. Cheeks glow with Orgasm Blush and South Beach Multiple. I want it! Someone give it to me. NOW. I'll be your best friend. :) Colors include:
EYES:
-Abyssinia
-Alhambra
-Ashes to Ashes
-Pandora
LIPS:
-Baby Doll
-Red Lizard
-Manhunt
-Fire Down Below
CHEEKS:
-Orgasm Blush
-South Beach Multiple
The NARS Everlasting Love 15th Anniversary Bold Makeup Palette ($75, limited edition, $90 value) includes smoky eye colors and neutral, nude lips. Cheeks are once again Orgasm Blush and South Beach Multiple.
EYES:
-Edie
-Underworld
-Underworld
-Night Breed
LIPS:
-Belle du Jour
-Chelsea Girls
-Promiscuous
-Dolce Vita
CHEEKS:
-Orgasm Blush
-South Beach Multiple