Sephora by OPI, Havana Dreams, $9

As promised here is the second review (out of six) from the Havana Nights nailpolish from Sephora by OPI. At first I wasn’t sure if I would like this pale blue polish very much but ever since I put it on it has really grown on me. The light blue color is very different from other polishes I own, and even different from the rest of the polishes in this particular collection. If I wanted to really analyze the collection as a whole (hey, I was an English major!) then I would say this light blue is probably representing the clear blue Havana sky (lol, gosh that was corny).


So here is the drill with the polish, you need at least two coats to get the color. The first coat barely shows, the second captures the blue, but three coats is definitely where it becomes perfect. In these photos I have three coats of polish plus a topcoat. It seems like most of these light colored pastel polishes are formulated differently because they never go on as thick and always need a few coats.


I love how bright and happy this looks! This is a great pop of color and definitely gets noticed. I’ve gotten several compliments on my nail color since I put it on and will keep it in circulation all summer long.


Final verdict:
Cost: $9
Does it chip quickly?: I’ve had it on for 3 days and don’t have any chipping, that is more than other polishes can say! I predict that it probably won’t chip much for at least another 3-4 days since it hasn’t yet.
Other uses: By “other uses” I mean this would be a great base color to decorate. I think this would be a great base color with a hot pink leopard print design on it. It could also be used to make the leopard spots. I promise that I will do this and take pictures to show you guys one of these days!
Repeat offender: Yup!
-M

Hot Topic Glitter Eye Pencil, $2

So I was in Hot Topic lately, checking out their latest inventory of studded platforms and skull rings, and I noticed their updated makeup display. In high school I bought some bright pink eyeshadow from there (like 10 years ago!) and I remember being obsessed with it. Hot Topic's stepped up their game lately (totally fell for some crazy platform heels) so I figured, why not check out their makeup too? I grabbed 2 glittery eyeliners in purple and black at $2 a pop.

The designs on the pencil are geared toward their customers--a silver casing with a black fishnet overlay and a skull and crossbones logo--which, by the way, I'm totally into. When I used the eyeliner, I noticed that it goes on really smoothly and the pencil is really soft (well, the purple is softer than the black, which felt a little grittier).

The colors go on pretty well (shown above with just some primer and mascara) but the glitter is pretty subtle (read: doesn't really show up). The slight sparkle would probably just look like excess eyeshadow. The liner seems comparable to other nonwaterproof pencils in color and lasting time (just average) but at least the purple is really pretty.


Final verdict
Cost: $2--you could probably find that buried in your couch cushions.
Color: The color shows up pretty well (I especially enjoyed the purple) but the glitter isn't really noticeable, so that's kind of a drag.
Lasting power: Pretty average. I wouldn't expect it to last all day/night. It would probably be best to stick to the top eyelid for this one.
Repeat offender?: Sure, I'd try another one. For $2 it's really not a bad eyeliner pencil. I'd recommend it for experimental looks, like, how would my eyes look lined in teal? I'll probably try their other products as well--this $5 bright eyeshadow palette looks fun!

-T

Buxom Lips Lipgloss, Betty, $18

So I think I may have found a lipgloss that could quite possibly change your life. This lip gloss isn't sticky, the color saturates into your lips, and even promises a plump--and it definitely delivers all of the above. I got this Buxom Lips lipgloss by Bare Escentuals in the shade Betty from Sephora as a sample. This lipgloss is different than other lipglosses--sounds like I'm talking about a boy right hahah--but really it is!


Here is why this lipgloss is different: It doesn't feel sticky at all! It goes on in one or two coats and does not feel thick like other glosses. The fact that it isn't sticky doesn't make it less glossy though because the shine is definitely still there. Another reason why it rules--the colors actually goes on and stays on! Some lipglosses come in a color but actually just show up clear. This shade is called Betty and it adds a splash of red to my lips without being overly red. If you have always wanted to try wearing red lipstick but feel a little intimidated this might be your first baby step! This gloss also promises some plumping. Like other plumping glosses this also has a minty feel on your lips. It tingles a little but doesn't quite burn like other lip plumping glosses. I like the minty feeling that the gloss leaves on my lips and I think it adds a little bit of a plump. It doesn't make you look like you just got collagen implants in your lips, obviously if a product does make you look like that you should probably never use it ever again!


Final verdict:
Cost: $18 for a full tube from Sephora. The tube pictured is sample size, the full tube is about twice the size of this.
Does the color show up?: Yes ladies! The color shows up (in Betty at least)! It isn't as deep as it looks in the tube but you still get the sheer effect of it, almost like a lip stain. You should check out the site because it comes in many different shades.
Repeat offender?: I am definitely getting a full size tube of another shade! I think this is a really awesome lipgloss and one that I wouldn't mind wearing all day.
-M

Anise Nail Polish in Cocktails for Teal, $5.50

(Anise Nail Polish in Cocktails for Teal)
Here at Sweet Glow Beauty we are big fans of OPI (Mirna especially, who is much better at painting her nails than I am!). But you know we like to try new things, so I decided to try Anise Nail Polish after falling in love with this gorgeous teal color. I found it at the counter at DSW--I tried looking online and I can't find anywhere selling it, not even Amazon, so I wonder if this is the only way to buy it! Anyway, it's a pretty good price, and they even had a buy-1-get-1-half-off deal, which is always fun.

Ok, it's really difficult to get an accurate picture of its true color, but I did my best! The color is intense (only 2 coats with no topcoat in the picture). It's a bold and summery teal with a good deal of green in it--the photo above is a bit more blue than it actually is. I think it would be awesome on toenails (my friend Ashley agreed, saying it would match a lot of bathing suits). It has a little gold shimmer that's really pretty in the bottle but sadly not noticeable on nails. Besides the shimmer, the teal shows up as you would expect it to.

It went on thick but actually dried pretty quickly. I've had it on about a day and a half and it has started to chip a little on my right hand. But, it might do better with a top coat (and if you are actually careful with your nails, which I definitely am not).


What's cool about Anise is that they don't use harsh chemicals (formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate) that can damage your nails (and body). They also openly support and contribute to groups that promote women's health, oppose animal testing, support women's rights, and protect the environment. Pretty awesome!

Final verdict
Cost: $5.50 is a great price and totally worth it. Unfortunately I could only find it at DSW--let me know if you guys find it somewhere else!
Polish: Great and intense color and dries fast. It didn't have as much shimmer as I wanted (for this particular shade) and started chipping after a day, but not too bad. I'd probably use a good top coat next time.
Company philosophy: Anise prides themselves on being nontoxic, both to its users and to the environment, which I can totally stand behind.
Repeat offender: I would try their nail polish again, especially if one catches my eye the way this one did! I wish they were sold at more places, though!

-T

Urban Decay Deluxe Shadow Box, $38

I know we have done a few Urban Decay eyeshadow reviews for you all so you really don't need me to tell you how awesome their eyeshadows are, but I still can't help but gush! I got this palette a few weeks back when Urban Decay had a special 30% off promotion. The Deluxe Shadow Box comes with 9 different eyeshadows, two double sided sponge brushes, and a small tube of my beloved eye primer.


I decided on this palette because I really wanted something with some colors that were nothing like I had. I was initially going to go for some single shadows but I realized I'd be spending about the same on 2 shadows that I would be for 9! I picked the Deluxe Shadow Box due to the blue shadow called Peace. I thought that it was sooo pretty and would be wonderful to use as a liner. This palette also doesn't have any of the same colors that Ammo has. The only color I have a single shadow case of is Ransom and this is a beautiful neon purple that makes my eyes pop, so more is fun!


This sleek palette is perfect for me because it includes a variety of neutrals and some daring shadows that will suit whatever mood I am in. I also love the tiny bottle of primer--this will definitely have a place in my bag whenever I go out of town (I tend to always pack heavy so the smaller the better).

Final verdict:
Cost: $38, that is about 4.20 per eyeshadow. Personally I like to buy palettes if I think I will want to use all the colors in them. Obviously some I will like more than the others but it is worth it to me to buy a palette filled with options for around the same price as only 2 shadows. More bang for my buck right?
Are the shadows as pretty as they seem in the box?: Yes! Urban Decay eyeshadow is and always will be one of my go-to shadows for this reason--they look the same on your eyelids as they look in their packaging.
Repeat offender?: I'd like for Urban Decay to put out some new shades of shadows. I wouldn't want to buy another palette if it has repeated eyeshadow shades that other palettes do. But like I said before, I'll keep getting their shadows as long as they keep making them!
-M

"Prepping Pretty Spring Skin," a guest post by Sarah Logan

When the sun finally begins to warm our faces again, and the world slowly looks a little greener, we always feel the need to freshen up our looks a bit. In an enthusiastic hurry to apply this season’s bright makeup colors, we may forget to stop and realize that the most important step is good skincare for a clean, smooth base. After the cold wind, dry heating systems, and dark days are done with our faces, most of us go into springtime looking a little dull.

To bring your face back to life, there are some basics that always help whether you’re at a spa or your bathroom sink. Firstly, be sure to exfoliate: it can be as simple as adding salt (for oily skin) or sugar (for dry skin) to your face wash or buying one with exfoliating beads in it. It always helps to add a product that exfoliates on the chemical level--with something like fruit enzymes or hydroxy acids--into your regimen for added results. Having microdermabrasion done at a medical or day spa is an option that will provide deep exfoliation beyond what you can do at home. Particles of usually either diamond or crystal are applied by a sand blasting technique or with a rotating wand textured with these particles. This treatment freshens and resurfaces with a more dramatic result than home treatments.(photo courtesy of internationalorange.com)
Second, you need to continuously moisturize to have skin perfect for makeup application. If you’re getting a facial at a spa, that’s great because they will both exfoliate and moisture your skin while you’re there. At home, be sure you’re using a formula appropriate for your skin type, like a gel for oily skin, a thicker cream for dry, or something in between. Some of the face lotions with radiance/skin brightening ingredients are perfect for dewy spring skin, and are a nice boost for any look.
(photo courtesy of fourseasonsdentalspa.com)
If we just take a little extra care in reviving skin at this time of year, the reward will be a complexion that’s more awake and well-textured. Your face will look flawless all season long!

Content provided by Sarah Logan on behalf of Aesthetic Science Institute (ASI). ASI is a beauty school for new students interested in a career in aesthetics and licensed aestheticians interested in advanced aesthetics training and certification.

Do you have some great beauty advice or an awesome product you'd like to share? Email us at sweetglowbeauty (at) gmail(dot)com and we'd love to feature you!

Maybelline Color Pearls Marbleized Eyeshadow, Carbon Frost, $5

When I saw this little gem I couldn't help but get it. Maybelline's Color Pearls Marbleized eyeshadow in Carbon Frost is an awesome combination of two shadows that are layered with so many shimmery swirls which make your eyes twinkle. The Carbon half of Carbon Frost is a nice silvery-coal colored shimmer eyeshadow. It can go on more grayish or black depending on how much you layer it. However, it is not a true black shadow it is more of a gunmetal. Paired with the Carbon is the Frost, a pink shimmery shadow swirled with different grays and silvers with an added pearl effect. The pink is very cool because it never goes on the same. Obviously it doesn't look THAT much different, but the swirls make the color vary slightly each time you swipe it across your lids.


What I do when I wear this is start with the pink frost over my eyelids and up to the brow bone. I then use a brush to spread some of the dark shadow around, usually in a cat-eye shape. I then take some more of the pink and blend it in the center of the eyelid. This results in a dark shimmery look with a touch of pink. You can also use each shadow individually or use the dark color over the eyelid and the pink as a highlighter.


I'm very satisfied with this eyeshadow and love that I am pretty much getting two for the price of one. There are many other Color Pearls Marbleized eyeshadows you can see here.

Final verdict:
Cost: Around $5 found at various drugstores. Don't forget to look around for Maybelline coupons or sales at drugstores, you know they are always going on!
Does the shadow hold up all day?: Used with primer this shadow lasts just as long as any high end shadow.
Is it really shimmery?: This shadow is definitely as shimmery and it looks in the case. It has tiny sparkles laced throughout so if you don't like shimmery shadow this isn't for you. If you are like me and don't differentiate between evening and day eyeshadow, the shimmer will be perfect for you!
Repeat offender? I definitely want to try another duo of the Marbleized eyeshadows by Maybelline, I also want to try some of their other kinds of shadows. So my answer is yes, this is a repeat offender!
-M