Collective Haul

Hey everyone!

Well, after a day and a half of frantic searching, I found my computer charger (long story, but I thought I had left it in Florida...yeah...) and I can now *finally* post my collective haul from that trip. And let me tell you, I am really pleased with what I got!

Clockwise from nail polish:

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear nail polish in Green with Envy- I just posted my review on it on Saturday, so go check it out!

Maybelline Color Sensational lipgloss in Plumtastic- I have a Color Sensational lipstick that I'm really pleased with, so when I saw this on sale for $4.98 at Target I picked it up. I chose the plum color because it's something I've been wanting to try but didn't really want to try as a lipstick.

Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser- I needed a new cleanser and was recommended this one by Jamie at Maquilagem Masstige. It's really gentle and is also a makeup remover, bonus! I also really noticed that my face hasn't been too oily, which might just be me but then again it could be because of this cleanser.

Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse foundation- I picked up this foundation because, well, I just wanted to try something new and the texture of this fascinated me. It goes on really smooth, almost like a mousse-to-powder finish, and really makes my skin stay matte.

Bath and Body Works Travel Mirror and Makeup Bag- Aren't they darling? Actually, one of my teammates who is going to college this year (and playing for them, I might add) has been with the team for a really long time and gave each of us one of these. It was so sweet, so thank you so much Katie! Both items are really handy, and I can definitely see putting this in my backpack for touch-ups come schooltime.

I'll review the makeup products once I've finished testing them, so check back for those later!

Lastly, on the way to Florida, we made a side trip to Slidell, Louisiana (I have some cousins there, and let me tell you, they are some of the most fun people in the world to be with), a suburb of New Orleans. Saturday, we actually made a trip into the Big Easy  because my sister and I had never been there. We hit up all the touristy places- the French Quarter, Jackson Square, Bourbon Street (which was fun, but it STINKS), the Moonwalk, D-Day Museum, Cafe DuMonde, etc; basically staying in the nicer parts. What was cool (to me at least) was that in all the little shops they had really pretty Mardi Gras masks. These really appealed to my dramatic side (I love the glamour of masquerade, plus they're just plain pretty) so I got one! It ties around my head, and I love the glitter detailing around the eyes; it really makes them stand out!

Have you tried any of these products? What do you think? Comment!

~Gabrielle~

NOTD + Review: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear

Hey everyone!

Tonight's my last night in Florida, and while I'm a little sad I can't wait to go home again. But I have had a blast being here so it's all good :)

Anyways, I know I said I was going to do a haul but due to packing I had to settle for an NOTD so I figured I review it at the same time. I'm talking about Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear nail polish in Green with Envy.

Firstly, the color: I love bright colors and this is probably one of the best SH lines for it. I picked Green with Envy because it's a really unusual apple green creme that I don't have in my collection. So far so good!

Now, how does it apply? It has a nice formula that's on the thick side. It's not bad at all to apply, except when you wipe the excess on the side of the bottle, there is still some product left hidden on the brush! It's quite annoying, but I just make sure to be extra careful in wiping it off.

Now for the last part- how well it wears!!! In my humble opinion, this is a great long-lasting nail polish. It really wears well (the second pic below is after day 5 of my mani). There was only minor tip wear and maybe two chips. And this was without a top coat, so probably it would do even better!

So here's my overall view: If you're looking for a long-lasting nail polish option, for a good price ($2.50 at Walmart), with a nice color selection,  check out this line! I don't think you will be disappointed. Probably around a 4/5 if I had to do a rating.

Sorry for the briefness, but I'm quite tired and I want to go to sleep. I will post the haul tomorrow when I'm at home, promise! Until then- have you tried this polish yet? Are there any drugstore polishes you think I should try/review? Let me know and comment!

~Gabrielle~

Update!

Hey everyone!

Well, my team lost yesterday, one game away from the Final Four in our tournament. Still, 5th place in a national tournament is no joke, so I'm not too upset. Anyways, I just wanted to let you know that posting will resume, starting later tonight with a collective haul from my trip here! So tune in later for that, and until then, here's a link to a funny  video to keep you entertained:

Fuzz!!!

~Gabrielle~

TAG: Getting to know me!

Hey everyone!

Since I'm kinda "starting over" with this blog, I figured I'd do the Getting to Know Me tag Steph over at In Her Makeup Bag did a few weeks ago. Consider yourself tagged if you're reading this and post a link in the comments because I would love to see them!


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1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:30am- I had a softball game!
2. How do you like your steak? Medium rare
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Toy Story 3- don't judge!
4. What is your favorite TV show? Criminal Minds. Spencer Reid is just too cute!
5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? the town where my beach house is- it's small and not commercialized
6. What did you have for breakfast? Toast, bacon, a few Dunkin Donuts Chocolate Munchkins, and some water
7. What is your favorite cuisine? Mexican, fo shizzle. Or maybe Italian. Though I do love Oriental. And you can't forget my good ol' Southern comfort food! Oh heck I like pretty much all types, except seafood.
8. What foods do you dislike? Well, seafood, and whole tomtatoes, and umm... yeah a few other things I can't think of right now.
9. Favorite place to eat? Pretty much anywhere that has good food. But if I had to choose I'd say my Cajun cousins' house. Something good is always cooking!
10. Favorite dressing? Ranch
11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? 1964 Mercury Cougar- my dad's hobby is restoring old cars, and my siblings and I drive the results.
12. What are your favorite clothes? plain ol' cotton t-shirts and athletic shorts
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Hawaii!
14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? Half full, because I'm always pretty bubbly and smiling.
15. Where would you want to retire? the town where my beach house is :)
16. Favorite time of day? Morning, because I love the feeling of getting work done when no one else is up yet.
17. How many siblings do you have? 3- a brother and two sisters, all older than me. I'm the baby :)
18. What is your favorite sport to watch? College softball and college football (and yes, there is a difference between college and pro!).
19. Who do you think will not tag you back? No idea
20. Person you expect to tag you back first? Not sure
21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this? Anyone and everyone's!
22. Bird watcher? Nope
23. Are you a morning person or a night person? Morning, for the reasons stated above
24. Do you have any pets? I have a very fat cat, Willy, and also a family dog, Rufus who is such a sweetie.
25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? It's not really news, but my brother is getting married sometime this spring and then he's leaving soon after as a commissioned officer in the Navy.
27. What is your best childhood memory? Ignorance- it truly is bliss.
28. Are you a cat or dog person? Cat
29. Are you married? Nope!
30. Always wear your seat belt? Duh!
31. Been in a car accident? No
32. Any pet peeves? People who tell me what to do when I'm already doing it! GRRR Get off my back people!
33. Favorite Pizza Toppings? Regular, NOT CANADIAN, bacon
34. Favorite Flower? Yellow roses.
35. Favorite ice cream? Chocolate chip cookie dough.
36. Favorite fast food restaurant? Sonic
37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? Never! I actually got 91% the first time.
38. From whom did you get your last email? My BFF, Katherine
39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? The CCO
40. Do anything spontaneous lately? It wasn't completely spontaneous, but it was out of the ordinary- go-karting with my teammates!
41. Like your job? Since my job is to be a student- not so much.
42. Broccoli? I don't hate it, but it's not my favorite.
43. What was your favorite vacation? New Year's Eve at my beach house with all (and I mean ALL) my family.
44. Last person you went out to dinner with? My teammates.
45. What are you listening to right now? The Glades, blaring on the TV because it's my mom's new fave show.
46. What is your favorite color? turquoise
47. How many tattoos do you have? None.
48. How many are you tagging for this quiz? Anyone who reads it!
49. What time did you finish this quiz? 9:30 p.m.
50. Coffee drinker? Not unless it's some of Cafe DuMonde's cafe au lait! Preferably with beignets. Mmmm....

Toodles for now!


~Gabrielle~

Wet n' Wild Color Icon Palette Review + EOTD

Hey everyone!

It feels good to be here in Florida, though it is very hot. I have a spare moment to blog, so I thought I'd review my WnW Color Icon palette in Pride.

First of all, I had heard everyone rave about this product- it's lasting power, pigmentation, blendability, softness, on and on and on. So I put it on my wishlist and picked it up at Walgreens last week. First, the pigmentation- well, the blogging community was right about that. One swipe of the eyeshadow produces a highly pigmented color, and I often pick up too much on my brush! Which is a good thing, btdubs. So A+ for that! (I stand by my statement that the mattes are more pigmented than the shimmers, but both are excellently colored.)

Next, the blendability and softness. Not much to say on these areas, except, well, this palette has them. They aren't chalky or dry at all, and they blend easily which makes them ideal for creasework. Check!

Now for the last category- lasting power. This is the palette's one flaw. Every blog I have read that had reviewed these said the eyeshadows in these palette lasted all day, even without a primer. Unfortunately, that was not the case for me, and I don't even have particularly oily lids! These lasted about 3 hours without primer and about 4 with. I'm not sure why it's only me, but I will keep working with these and see if I can't figure out a way to make these last longer.

All things considered, these palettes are an excellent bargain and I want to buy the other 3 in the collection, because for the price, this can't be beat. I recommend these to people who want pigmented eyeshadows in a mix of colors that are easy to apply.

Now here's the look I made using the right side (shimmers) of this palette for a friend's party the other day.

I used Too Faced George and Weezie for all over the lid, then the green in the crease. I applied the blue above the green and along the lashline then connected it. I finished with a hint of brown eyeliner on the top lashline and Rimmel Sexy Curves mascara.

What's your take on this line of eyeshadows? Comment!

~Gabrielle~

NARS Cactus Flower Cream Blush Dupe???

Hey everyone!

A few days ago I was watching arose186's June favorites video and she described her NARS Cactus Flower cream blush as "red with a golden glow." That sounded familiar to me, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Then later that night as I was looking through my lipstick bin to find some chapstick, it hit me like...well ok it wasn't that dramatic but I realized what I had been thinking about- my Rimmel Moisture Renew lippie in Rosette- a red with golden shimmer.

Now I've heard of people using lipstick as blush before (Sandra Bullock at the Oscars, anyone?) so  wasn't that reluctant to try this if it meant finding a good dupe. So I dabbed this on the apples of my cheeks, blended it out, and... well it looked pretty good. It was definitely sheer but you can build it up. There is one major problem though- the shimmer in the lipstick is very fickle. On one cheek, you could see what looked like little glitter chunks but on the other it was just a perfect glow, no disco ball-ishness. So that is quite hit and miss, but for finding a dupe of an expensive blush I'm willing to deal with this.

Of course I had to check some other blogs to see if anyone had swatched Cactus Flower for me to compare, and one of my favorite bloggers, Karen at Makeup and Beauty Blog actually has a review of the NARS blush. Her pictures look pretty comparable to my results; however, she says the texture of the NARS is more like a gel than an actual cream, but I don't think that affects the quality of my dupe any less.

Has anyone ever tried using a lipstick as a blush before? Will you be trying this? Comment!

~Gabrielle~

PS Tomorrow I am leaving for Florida! I am spending a week there which is nice because I have only been able to take a few days vacation at my beach house (not in Florida) all summer. Unfortunately, it won't all be fun and games as I am actually there for a national softball tournament but I will still be able to soak up some sun and collect some tar balls on the beach whilst I'm there. Also, posting will probably not be actual beauty posts as much as tags, some awards I've been neglecting, etc. But I will still be here. :)

I AM SO STUPID

Hey everyone!

So you're probably wondering why my old blog is deleted, etc. but the fact of the matter is, I AM STUPID. I was going to delete an old google account, but silly me, I was signed in with my gmcbee13 account and deleted that one. It deleted everything, including my blog. And it's unrecoverable. So I'm starting over, it's still the same blog and everything, but I lost all my old posts and stuff, so please bear with me the next couple of weeks while I get everything sorted out.
Thanks!

~Gabrielle~