Illamasqua Gradient Stamped Houndstooth Mani

In this mani I used Illamasqua Muse as the base, stamped with a gradient houndstooth.  I love how this looks on the nail, and will definitely be experimenting with it more in the future!  The black and white used are Wet N Wild Black Creme and Sinful Colors Snow Me White. Plate used was Cheeky CH13 with the variation of a houndstooth.

To get a gradient to use as the stamped image instead of the base image, you add 2 colors to the stamping plate on opposite ends letting the two colors touch in the middle.  From there you take you old gift card and scrape directly across where the two colors meet, in order to mix the two colors in the middle without moving one color to the opposite side and to spread the color evenly across the image plate. where the two colors meet is where the color has mixed, and in this case, Black and white create grey in the middle. I hope that makes sense!

What do you think? I love it!

XOX Caitlin  
* All products in this post purchased by me*

For Audrey Chevron

One of the first polishes I ever remember purchasing is China Glaze For Audrey. I remember looking up swatches and knowing instantly that I had to have it.  For Audrey was my very first polish purchase as a polishaholic that I remember. It was my gateway polish! lol

For Audrey is such a fantastic color, and is a staple in my collection.  No matter how many polishes I have that are a similar color, For Audrey is still the one that comes to mind.

Today's nail art is very simple using striping tape over For Audrey to create a chevron design on the accent nail.  I used Wet N Wild Black Creme as the black polish in the design.

Every time I wear For Audrey I get compliments! This is a classic design for a classic color. I love it!

XOX Caitlin

Almay Liquid Lip Balm in Cantaloupe

So, I know that my blog is primarily nail polish, but I received this Almay Liquid Lip Balm from Klout, and I really wanted to share! I have been searching for swatches everywhere, and couldn't find any, so I wanted to put a swatch out there for the people who are searching for them!

So here are some photos, swatches, and my opinion of Almay Color + Care Liquid Lip Balm in Cantaloupe!

It comes with a doefoot applicator, and is quite easy to apply.  It is somewhat like a lip gloss in application but is a little thicker than a gloss, and on the lips has more of a lip balm feel.  Its a great hybrid between the two with a subtle hint of color! They are a tiny bit sticky, but in a lip balm sort of way, and if my hair were down it would stick to my lips, so I will have to remember to wear my hair up with this one. I am not sure about the moisturizing effects, as I have only had this since this morning, but I am quite happy with this, and I would probably purchase the pink shade(Pink Pout) next.  

The doefoot applictor:

The swatch on the back of my hand. it has translucent hint of color, but it doesn't translate to bright orange on my lips.  It gives my lips a subtle coral tint, and if I were to build up for the bottle color my lips would have a very thick layer of product.  It can be buildable, but I probably wouldn't, if I wanted a more opaque shade similar to this I would go with a Lip Tar.  This color is beautiful sheer.

Here is the video that Almay has posted about them, which seems to be the only information on the internet available beyond this blog post with a swatch of Pink Pout!




What do you think about this lip balm in lipgloss form? I am getting into this hype!

XOX Caitlin

*this product was sent to me for review through Klout*

Deborah Lippmann - Lets Hear it for the Boy

Today's swatch is Deborah Lippmann's Lets Hear it for the Boy, which is a gorgeous baby blue cream. This was two coats of perfection, no topcoat. This came as part of a Footloose Duo I purchased a while back from HSN.  I really like the application, although in the bottle it feels a bit runny. It is a highly pigmented cream and two thin coats covers well.

XOX Caitlin