Butter London First Impressions

I have been eyeing Butter London's nail polishes for a long time and finally got my hands on my two most coveted colors! Since these are the first Butter London polishes that I have ever tried, I decided to do a first impressions.

The Colors

Butter London British Racing Green, All Hail the Queen

The first one that I tried was the color All Hail the Queen. It is a beautiful holographic, glittery taupe and is actually completely unique in my collection, it is a great year round color. It is a slightly dressier option to the classic taupe or nude polish while still being elegant.

Butter London All Hail the Queen

The second color is British Racing Green. I am a sucker for a beautiful dark green polish because they are so hard to find. This color is also unique to my collection. I only have two other basic dark green polishes and neither resemble this one in any way. It is a dark hunter green with subtle shimmer.

Butter London British Racing Green

The Packaging

I really like Butter London's packaging. It is heavy and luxurious, exactly what you would expect from a $15 polish. There are two separate parts to the top. The cap actually comes off to reveal the screw top of the brush. As someone who has cracked plastic nail polish lids before (mostly Avon) I am happy that the large plastic top is only for show. There is actually a sticker on the side that says 'lift to open'. This sticker seals the polish so you either have to remove it or do what I did and slice it apart with nail scissors.

The Application

Application was fantastic. It is a bit sheer on the first coat but two coats will create a nice coverage. The formula is somewhat thin but by no means watery or streaky. It is very easy to work with and creates a beautiful finish.

Staying Power

I work as a salon assistant so my nails go through a lot of abuse. My nail polish will often start to chip and peel off by day 2 (same day for some polishes) even if it has good staying power under normal wear and tear. This polish held up pretty well compared to other brands, lasting a grand total of 5 days before beginning to chip. I think that for someone who is not so hard on their nails, this could last all week!








I also got this cute clutch for free with my order (from Ulta) which is also available separately from Butter London's website. It is a perfect size for a small makeup bag. The zipper is very heavy duty and doesn't feel like it will break in a few weeks. It is black faux leather with gold writing on the front that says "We Believe In Rock & Roll, Great Britain, And Fashion." Clutch retails for $15.

Butter London Clutch

Butter London is available from Ulta , Sephora, some department stores and through their website, www.butterlondon.com. They retail for $15 each with 11ml/0.4 fl oz. TIP: Ulta sometimes has 2 for $15 sales.

All Butter London products are free of formaldehyde, toulene, DBP, phthalates and parabens.

Disclaimer: These polishes were bought with my own money. There are no affiliate links in this post and all opinions are my own.

My Holy Grail Beauty Products - Fall 2014

These are my holy grail, tried and true, cannot live without, stranded on a tropical island in the middle of nowhere, must have products.

Benefit Porefessional Primer

This is one of my pricier must haves, but a must have nonetheless. This primer really gives you a nice smooth, pore free canvas to work with. It has some color in the tube but it is translucent on the skin. This is the first thing that goes on my skin after moisturizer and eye cream. It is also oil free.

NYX Shine Killer Primer

This is another of my must haves for oil control. Like my face powder, I always notice a huge difference if I don't use it. A bad difference. This is a light, clear gel that spreads well and has an instant mattifying effect without drying out my skin. I put this on right before my foundation.

Revlon Nearly Naked Liquid Foundation in 110 Ivory. SPF 20

This is my favorite drugstore foundation. It gives a fantastic coverage without looking cakey and still slightly allows your real skin to peak through a bit. I cannot tell you how many times I have received comments on how great my skin looks, when it is really all thanks to this foundation.

Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin in 110 Ivory. SPF 6

This is my second favorite drugstore foundation for when I want perfect coverage. It is thicker than the nearly naked and gives you about...98% coverage depending on the condition of your skin. If you have a massive, raised, red blemish you will probably still see a small bit of it. This formula is specifically for combination/oily skin so I don't have to worry about it making my skin look oily and cakey.

They also make a formula for Normal/Dry skin types. One thing that I noticed that I found a little weird was that the formula for normal/dry skin has spf 15 and the combination/oily skin only has spf  6. ???

Bobbi Brown SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer, Oil Free in Extra Light Tint

This is a great tinted moisturizer! It has a nice color range so you can find one that really matches your skin tone and it blends amazingly. There is one shade lighter but because I tend to get about a half to one shade darker in the summer whether I like it or not, I use the second lightest one. The lightest is Alabaster Tint and there is really only a tiny difference between the two. There are no streaky spots of color or ompa lompa orange tints with this stuff.

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in 011 Creamy Natural

A great pressed powder for oily skin! It says up to 5 hours of natural shine control with natural minerals. I have not timed this but it definitely pulls it's weight throughout the day and I always notice a bad difference when I don't use it. It also helps minimize the appearance of pores, giving your face a nice soft finish, which makes me happy. It is not translucent (they do have one, Transparent 001) but there is little to no actual coverage. It is very sheer.

E.L.F. Eyelid Primer

I am prepared to swear under oath that this stuff is better than the Urban Decay Primer Potion. I have tried both and I think this has a better result. It is also cheaper ($1). They make a few different types but I just get the original sheer one. I can pile as much eyeshadow as I want, in any formula, from any brand and it will not budge until I am ready to take it off.

Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara

This is probably the only mascara that I have ever done a repurchase on. Originally I intended to splurge and buy a mascara from sephora but after looking at so many reviews I chickened out. I hate shopping for new mascara because I don't like to have a bunch open at once and I want the one that I buy to work. Then I realized that I was comparing all of the mascaras that I looked at to the Cover Girl Clump Crusher. It lengthens and volumizes my lashes while still looking natural without clumps or making them look like straw.

Nars Scandal Lipgloss

My all time favorite lipgloss! I love the color that this gives to my lips. It is described as a cherry red by Nars but on me it looks more of a brick red. The formula is amazing though I have not tried the new formula yet. I still have the old tube.

Origins Ginsing Refreshing Eye Cream

This eye cream is amazing. It has caffeine so it really helps you feel more awake instantly. It also helps reduce under-eye circles and puffiness. It also has a bit of a shimmer (not really noticeable on the skin) that helps to brighten the eye area.

Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics Palette

I have only had this palette for a short amount of time but I am already in love with it. It has become a staple in my makeup routine. To see my review on this palette, click HERE!

MAC Blanc Type eye shadow

This eye shadow is my perfect lid shade. I use this as a base for all of my eyeshadows, from my lid to my brow bone, corners of the eyes and underneath the eye. It is very creamy and blends amazingly. Using this under other shadows also helps them blend better than if I were to put them straight onto primer.

I would love to know what your holy grail products are! Please leave a comment below!

How to Achieve a 'No Makeup' Makeup Look

Practically Perfect in Every Way

This is actually one of the hardest looks to achieve. You want your face look like your bare skin, but better. I am going to share my tips and favorite products to help you achieve this look.

The main goal of this look is for everything to be so seamlessly blended that everything you put on looks like your natural skin or a shadow. You want to look like you just woke up looking perfect!

Primer
In my opinion, you should always use a primer under any other makeup. It helps prevent your makeup from taking international flights to somewhere else on your face. For face primer I use NYX's Shine Killer face primer. It works great for controlling oily skin. My holy grail lid primer is ElF's eyelid primer. It works better than some of the higher end brands and it is only $1.

Foundation
You don't have to use a foundation if you don't want to. A tinted moisturizer or even just a face powder will work perfectly. Use what you feel the most comfortable in.

I use both foundation and tinted moisturizer interchangeably. For foundation I use Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation in 110 Ivory. This foundation is extremely light on the face and has about a medium coverage. If I want something lighter or faster to apply then I use Bobbi Brown Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer in Extra Light Tint (summer), or Alabaster Tint (rest of the year). This tinted moisturizer has great coverage with a nice, slightly dewy finish. Unfortunatly I found out that this product is to be discontinued. Stay tuned for a new tinted moisturizer review!

Concealer
Apply any needed concealer after your foundation. That way you know exactly what needs to be covered. Blend well.

Blush/Bronzer/Highlight
Use a subtle highlighter on the cheekbones, bridge of the nose and above the lip. Again, nothing very shimmery or obvious. Cream highlighters work great for this look. Cream blushes look very natural as well but not everyone likes them. Use whichever formula you are more comfortable with. You don't want anything strikingly bold or obvious. Go light on the contouring. Make sure everything is blended very well. Remember, it is supposed to look like how you look naturally, but better! I usually use NYX's blush in Taupe as my bronzer and MAC's Blushbaby on my cheeks.

Setting Powder
I always set everything with a translucent powder because I have oily skin. I found that using translucent powder helps blur pores where tinted powders can sometimes make them worse. I also like to use a puff to press the powder into my skin. I sometimes use a brush but when I have red spots or blemishes, the brush can sometimes wipe away the foundation and concealer covering them.

Eyeshadow
Find an eyeshadow that does not have shimmer or glitter; though it does not have to be perfectly matte; and that either matches your skin tone or is just a hair lighter. Mine is MAC's Blanc Type. This will go all over the lid, up to the brow bone, the inner corners of the eyes and underneath the eye.

Then find an eyeshadow, again without glitter or too much shimmer, that is a few shades darker than your skin tone. I have been using Frisk from the Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics Palette. Use this color only where you want subtle definition. Usually in your crease and along your top and bottom lash line. Use lightly and blend well. There should be no defined lines, just a seamless shadow.

I love using the Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush for blending. It is so soft and fluffy and oversized and it works amazingly! The only problem is that it is only sold in the 'Your Eyes Enhanced' Starter Set. It is not available individually.

Eyeliner
Black eyeliner looks more harsh on some people than others. If this is the case for you, try a brown, black brown or grey eyeliner. If you have an extremely light complexion with light hair you could even try a taupe eyeliner. The idea is that you want to define your lash line but don't want to look like you have liner on. I like to just dot along the lash line and smudge it out. I also sometimes apply it under the eyeshadows to make it less harsh. My favorite black liner is Rimmel London's Special Eyes in Black Magic. If I want brown then I use NYX's Jumbo Eye Pencil in Dark Brown.

Mascara
There are several options for mascara as well. This isn't the time for the big runway false lashes look, you just want your natural lashes to be more defined. Stick with either a brown, black brown, or black mascara; which ever is closer to your natural lash color and overall coloring. Find a mascara that gives a little bit of volume and length without making it obvious that you are wearing mascara. Curl the lashes before applying mascara to avoid pulling out lashes. Curling the lashes will instantly give you a more awake appearance. I love Covergirl's Clump Crusher mascara in Very Black.

Lips
You can use a lipstick, gloss, pencil or whatever you are comfortable with. I like to use a tinted lip balm or a gloss for the most natural look. Look for that, my lips but better shade. A nude lip or a slightly darker lip also works well as long as it is not too far from your natural color. Nothing too shimmery or sparkly. Dab the color with your fingers for a more blended and sheer look. I have been using Loreal's Color Caress Lipstick in Sheer Linen or Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey.

And there you have it. These are my tips and tricks for a flawless no makeup, makeup look. Let me know what you think! Leave a comment below, I would love to know if you tried any of these tips and how they worked for you!

Snakey!

My brother found this adorable little guy outside! Then I got to hold him, then my brother dropped him in my room where he tried to hide in my purse. Don't worry he is back outside safe and sound! Don't know what kind of snake he is but he's so cute!

Cute black snake!

If anyone knows what kind of snake this is, let me know in the comments! We are up in the Poconos if that helps.

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What's In My Bag?

I love watching What's in My Bag videos so I thought I would share what is in my bag. There are actually less salt packets than there were originally because I discovered that half of them broke open and filled my bag with salt. Word to the wise, keep all condiments in a Ziploc bag; you would think I would have learned this after a container of barbecue sauce spilled in my bag! Don't remember why that was in there, I don't even like barbecue sauce!

Lulu by Lulu Guinness Bag

As much as I like colored bags, I prefer to look for ones in neutral colors for every day use. They go with a lot more and I don't have to worry about something clashing badly with it. My bag is by Lulu by Lulu Guinness. This particular line of her bags is available at JC Penny. This one I got on sale last fall for about $30. There is a Bath and Body Works Pocket Bac holder attached to it. It has 3 pockets; one big main one that zippers up and two side ones that have a magnetic closure. There is also a removable cross body strap. I think this was in the color Stone with the gold hardware. 

• Bath and Body Works Forever Sunshine Triple Moisture Body Cream
• Halls Breezers (No Menthol!)
• My Ancient iPod in it's little armband case
• McDonald's salt packs for when they forget to give you salt at the drive-through
• My gold wallet from Target
• My polka-dotted wallet for all of my rewards cards and coupons
• Purse Hanger (for restaurants and salons; you hang your purse from the table with it)
• Advil and Excedrin
• Headphones
• iphone/iPod car charger
• Keys with my Mad Hatter Keychain
• Sephora oil blotting paper
• Travel Pepto-Bismo (these taste horrible but it's better than nothing)
• Laura Geller Marble Shadow in Rome/Milan
• Revlon Kissable Balm Stain in 001 Honey Douce
• Victoria's Secret Color Shine Lip Gloss
• Nars Lipgloss in Scandal
• Avon Smooth Minerals Lip Gloss in Natural Glow
• Tweezerman Stainless Tweezerette
• Pens
• Hair Clips
• Cheap Sunglasses
• Sunglasses case from Charming Charlies
• Victoria's Secret Dream Angels Heavenly Mini Body Spray
• Jessica Simpson Vintage Bloom Rollerball
• Bath and Body Works Paris Amour Pocket Bac
• EOS Lip Balm
• Victoria's Secret Travel Mirror
• Maybelline Lash Stiletto Mascara (I always have an extra mascara in my bag in-case I forget to put it on or I really need to run out the door)
• And usually my iPhone but I was using it to take this picture cause I don't have a good camera

So that is everything in my bag! I would love to see what is in your bag so leave a comment below!