Check out Beautopia's Post w/pics on ZOYA's Ki Nail Polish

OMG, I am in love with this polish. The pics she took shows the awesomeness(Is this a word? LOL!) of this polish.

Visit Beautopia's page HERE.

My Polish Picks from Zoya's Nail Polish Exchange

Recently, I learned from beauty blogger, Mz. More from The Glamorous Gleam, that ZOYA was having a nail polish exchange. 

Details:
Kicking Off Earth Day, April 22 - June 30, 2010, Zoya Nail Polish will exchange your old, out-of-style, unwanted nail color and replenish your nail polish supply with fresh Zoya fashion colors. Simply send in six or more bottles of old polish - any brand other than Zoya, Qtica or Nocti, new or used - and we'll send you the new Zoya colors of your choice in a bottle-for-bottle exchange. All you pay is $3.50 per bottle for shipping and processing. There is a minimum of 6 bottles and no maximum (exchange as many bottles as you want as often as you would like) To get started, click HERE.

I particiapted in this exchange a few weeks ago. I mailed off my 7 old polishes on May 8, 2010 and received my new ZOYA polishes the following Wednesday, May 12, 2010. Very fast turnaround. Way to go Zoya! 

These are the colors I received...

 

 

Left to Right: Ali, Pippa, Robyn, and Perrie 

Left to Right: Ki, Ibiza, Matte Velvet Dovima

I love them all. They are so quick drying and full of color. I'm really feeling the Matte Velvet. I am definitely ordering more of those. Ki is also another pretty color. it looks golden, purple, greenish, and blue all mixed up as one. If you haven't tried ZOYA, this is a good way for you to start.

Below are the pics of me wearing Ali from the ZOYA La-Di-Da Nail Polish Collection.

FOTD featuring Milani's Color Perfect Lipstick in Grape-Tini

Recently, I was in my local CVS and stumbled across Milani's Color Perfect Lipstick. I purchased 2 colors: Grape-Tini and Rose Hip. Below you will find swatches of both lipsticks.  

 (L)Grape-Tini, (R) Rose Hip

Product Description: Creamy, full-coverage, lustrous lip color that makes lip look and feel magnificent. The unique contour tip perfects lip shape with a more precise application. Available in 45 shades. There are a variety of finishes. Click on link below to get a more in depth look.

 Milani's Color Perfect Lipstick Shades and Finishes 

The Grape-Tini is described as having a pearl reflective shine with a duotoned luster color and Rose Hip is described as having a cream flat color with no shimmer. I have only worn the Grape-Tini and used the Rose Hip on a model I worked with for a photo shoot.

 

My initial thoughts of both lipsticks is the price of $4.99, Yippee!!! Make sure you stock up when CVS or Walgreens has the weekly BOGO specials. The color payoff for Rose Hip was pretty decent. The color payoff of Grape-Tini was somewhat sheer. Both colors required frequent touch ups. My number one pet peeve with lip products is the smell. They both had too much of a fragrance smell, that I could taste once it was on my lips. Grape-Tini was also non-drying.

 

  I give it 3 lips out of 5. 

 

Overall, I would purchase more of these lipstisticks(especially if BOGO). I'm currently eyeing Orange Gina, Mandarina, and Chocolate Rasberry.

 

In my quest to wear more lipsticks, my look today included me wearing Milani's Color Perfect Lipstick in Grape-Tini.  

 

 

 

Below are the pics of the model wearing Rose Hip with NYX Barbie Gloss.  

 

 

Lipstick 101

I decided to do a post on the different finishes of lipsticks. Have you purchase a tube of lipstick and liked the way it looked in the tube? Only to find out later after applying it to your lips that it looks nothing like the color in the tube. :o This may very well be attributed to the finish of the lipstick you purchased. The following is a quick description of lipstick finishes.

Lipstick Finishes:

• Matte – opaque, full of color, long-lasting, does not work well with dry, chapped lips.
• Sheer or Satin – conditions during wear, shiny-glossy  look allows natural color to show through.
• Crème – contains wax that protects lips, may need gloss to achieved desired look, color not long lasting.
• Frost/Metallic – shimmery and reflects light, may cause lip dryness.
• Transfer resistant – last from 4-6 hours, will not stain clothes or glasses, may need moisturizing base.

For all the MAC wearers, the following is a list of there lipstick finishes.

AMPLIFIED CREAM: Creamy. Slightly shiny. Color packed. Some of the bestselling shades: Up the Amp, Dark side.
CREMESHEEN: Moisturizing, cream-finish. Some of the bestselling shades: Hot Gossip, Shy Girl.
FROST: Frosted shimmer-and-shine finish. Some of the bestselling shades: Bronze Shimmer, Fresh Moroccan.
GLAZE: Very sheer color with shine. Some of the bestselling shades: Bubblegum, Riveting.
LUSTRE: Wet look sheer color. Some of the bestselling shades: Fresh brew, Plumful.
MATTE: Intense, no shimmer, non-shiny color. Some of the bestselling shades: Ruby Woo, Russian Red.
SATIN: Conditioning, high impact color with a semi-matte finish. Some of the bestselling shades: Siss, Rebel.

I hope this helps with your lipstick choices.

Source: http://www.femalebeauty.info, http://www.lipstick-guide.com, http://www.carefair.com, http://www.maccosmetics.com

 

Summer Lip Care Tips

One of the most delicate parts on our body is our lips. We must pay close attention and take very good care of them. Cracked, dry lips are not pretty and most definitely a nightmare to any lipstick or lip gloss wearer. Our environment has a big effect on the health of our lips. During the summer, our lips are exposed to extreme temperatures and direct sunlight that give off UV rays. Remember our lips lack melanin and are easily burned. The following are some tips to help you maintain healthy summer lips.

Summer Lip Care Tips:

Hydrate your lips by drinking enough water.

Eat plenty fresh fruits and vegetables. Not only is it good for the rest of our bodies but is also good for our lips. Eating healthy provides us with nutrients and antioxidants, which is crucial for protection.

Wear protective lip products with sunscreen protection.

Remove dead skin cells from your lips by wiping with a clean wet cloth on a daily basis. You may also purchase products that can do this also. Mary Kay has a product called Satin Lips that you can use to exfoliate.

Apply a lip conditioner/moisturizer to your lips before bed each night. This will strengthen the skin of your lips.

My current favorite lip care product is Neosporin's Overnight Renewal Therapy and Neosporin Lip Health - Daily Hydration Therapy with SPF 20.

I hope this help you with achieving your best lip ever.

 

Source: Tips for Maintaining Healthy Lips, Tips for Summer Lip Care

Black Opal's Dual Ended Lip Gloss in Screen Gems

I know I am suppose to be exploring lipsticks, but when I looked at my stash, I forgot I had purchase this lip gloss a few months ago. I never got a chance to do a review on this gloss and so I am doing it now.

The Fuchsia Side Of the Dual Ended Lip Gloss

The Dark Purple/Burgundy Side Of the Dual Ended Lip Gloss

1st Pic-Fuchsia Color, 2nd Pic-Dark Purple/Burgundy, 3rd Pic-Both Colors (I did not line my lips)

Black Opal's Claims:

Wet, glossy finish; Conditions, soothes, and heals lips; Hypoallergenic.

My Initial Observations:

I could not get over the smell. This lip gloss smell like oil. This was the first strike for me. After smelling it, I was no longer interested. I am shocked, because Black Opal normally has very good products, but they definitely missed the bus with this one. The second strike is that it did not seem to condition my lips. I had to apply a lip conditioner between applications. The third strike is that the application of the dark purple color was a little streaky. I think if the dark purple color is worn, make sure you line your lips and put on a base.

What I liked about this lip gloss:

• The price: $6.99 ( I purchased this product at CVS).
• The colors are somewhat intense.
• The high shine.

 

Overall, I probably will never wear this lip gloss. I just cannot get over the smell. This is one that goes back into my stash. :(

 

 

I give it a 2 lips out of 5.

 

Kelly Rowland Rocking A Fierce Red Lip at E! Television's 20th Anniversary Celebration (05/24/2010)

I love when Kelly's hair is styled like this. One of my favorite looks on her. The red lip took her from day to night. Nice!

Give Me Lip Spotlight

This is the portion of my blog where I showcase a "HOTT" Lip. It may be ordinary people like me or possibly a celebrity.

Taraji P. Henson Inspired Red Lippie

*ORIGINALLY POSTED FEB. 2, 2010*

I saw pics of Taraji from the Essence Black Women in Music Event. She inspired me to try a red lippie. Those that know me, know that I am not a lipstick wearer and most definitely not red lipstick. I prefer my tinted lip glosses any day over a lipstick. Although lately, I have been eyeing Lime Crime's opaque lipstick in Airborne Unicorn and My Beautiful Rocket.

My red lippie interpretation.

Face:

MUFE Mat Velvet + Foundation-#65

MAC Studio Finish Concealer- NC45

Cover Girl Queen Collection Bronzer- Brown Bronze

MAC MSF in Porcelin Pink as highlight on cheeks

Eyes:

UDPP

MAC Eyeshadow Paradisco on lid

MAC Cork blended in crease

MAC Penultimate Eyeliner-Rapid Black

L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black

Eye Brows:

Maybelline Define A Brow in Dark Brown

 

 

Lips:

MAC Lip Pencil- Cork

Black Radiance Red Lipstick- 5008A

This was my first time using Maybelline Define A Brow Eyebrow Pen in Dark Brown. I love it! It also has a little eyebrow comb at one end. Great eyebrow pen for the price.

 

I just may wear this red lippie out of the house. ;)

Why Gloss and Sticks?

My first memories of make-up is with lipstick and lip gloss. I was always fascinated with my Aunt Ann's pretty red lipstick. I couldn't wait for the chance to sneak and play with her red lipstick. Of course, I got caught and was told I was too young to wear lipstick. In my family if you were under the age of 13, makeup was off limits to you. I will never forget when I was in the 4th grade and one of my friends brought a tube of red lipstick to school. I could not wait to go to the restroom and try it own. Just for a quick moment, I thought I was just as glamorous as Diana Ross. As soon as I returned to class, my teacher called me to her desk and made me wipe it off.  I was so upset, but for about 5 minutes I knew I was cute! LOL!

By the time I was in junior high, I was allowed to wear lipstick. I was famous for lining my lips with black eyeliner and wearing Wet and Wild's Fuschia lipstick(I know...I fell victim to the black eye/lip liner trend, smh). I know I wore lipstick all the way through college. My favorite lipsticks in college was a Flori Roberts Sheer Gold and Forever Red. About a month ago, I looked at my makeup stash and realize that I had over 30 lip glosses and only 3 tubes of lipstick(I know so sad). This started me thinking about when I stopped wearing lipstick and wore mainly lip gloss and lip liner.  After careful reflection, I realized I am missing out on what first attracted me to makeup.

This led me to rename my blog glossandsticks. This blog will share my attempts of wearing more lipsticks instead of just gloss and liner. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with wearing just lip gloss and liner, but sometimes you need to add a little extra umph(is this a word? lol...) to your makeup routine. A lipstick can take you from day to night. Glossandsticks will also share information on anything beauty related as well as other ramblings in my head. In the meantime, let's give them lip!

Welcome to Gloss and Sticks!