NOTD: I'm With Brad by Sephora by OPI and Adele by Julep

Disclaimer:  I purchased these.

I'm With Brad.  I've got to admit that the name of this polish cracks me up.  Which Brad is this referring to - Brad Pitt?  Does that mean this blackened crimson is a nod to Angelina Jolie?  Possibly, as this vampy beauty is both classic and slightly edgy.  It is also perfect for the approaching fall weather and, dare I say it, Alabama football :-)  They call Alabama the Crimson Tide....

I wore I'm With Brad for 3 days and then topped with the gold reflective top coat Adele by Julep.  In the sun you can still see some of the crimson peeking through, but in less direct light I'm reminded of a black beetles shell.  Halloween, anyone?

Source:  Saratoga Woods and Waterways

Speaking of creepy crawlers, here is how I know it's approaching fall in Mobile, despite the 90 degree weather.  The banana spiders (technically, these are orb weavers) have arrived.  Now, when I'm out in the yard taking pictures or doing yard work, I'm extra careful to make sure I don't blunder into one of their spectacular webs.  I'm pretty sure I'd die of a heart attack if one got on me :-)  They are relatively harmless but I've got arachnophobia. 

Linking up with The Nail Files hosted by Well Shut the Front Door!

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Fiend

 Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

fiend: 

1. a. An evil spirit; a demon.

b. The Devil; Satan.

c. A diabolically evil or wicked person.

2. Informal One who is addicted to something:

I guess the informal definition above does apply, as Fiend is serving as my gateway lipstick into the 22 different shades offered in Urban Decay's new Revolution lipsticks.  I find myself wearing it a lot and wanting to collect more!

 Here is what Urban Decay has to say:

Our Pigment Infusion System™ gives Revolution Lipstick its super creamy texture, insane pigmentation, superior color dispersion and extended wear. Maxi-Lip™ defines and hydrates lips while making them look plumper and fuller. And a nourishing blend of jojoba oil, avocado oil, cocoa butter and shea butter keeps lips super moisturized and cushiony soft.

A warm leaning pink, Fiend is a great everyday kind of color for me.  It applies smoothly with good pigmentation, making it easy to get opaque coverage.  The formula is hydrating and my lips feel comfortable for the 3 hours or so wear that I get (that's about the norm for me, as I'm always sipping on something).

The tube has a nice heft to it, although it's a finger print magnet.  At $22 each, I'll be accumulating new colors judiciously, but I really do like these! 

Haulin' v. 6: More Sephora by OPI Discontinued Polishes

Disclaimer:  I purchased these.

Here are the last of the Sephora by OPI polishes that I recently ordered, in anticipation of them being gone forever at some point in the near future (discontinued, don't cha know).  Currently on sale 3 for $10 at Sephora:

• Looks Like Rain, Dear:  Gold with silver holo glitter
• In the Shadows:  Dark reddish brown cream
• Why Yellow There...:  Pale yellow cream
• The Golden Age:  Champagne gold glitter

•  S-Age is Just a Number:  Gold with green/blue multichrome finish and a Chanel Peridot dupe, from what I understand.
• Is She for Reel?:  Shimmering chrome gray foil
• Casanova is So into Me:  My bottle just says Casanova, but apparently the full name is Casanova is So into Me.  Petunia pink cream.
• Just a Pinch of Glitter:  Silver glitter in a graphite gray base.

• I'm with Brad:  Blackened crimson shimmer
• Mauvie Star in the Making:  Pink/lavender/gold glitter
• On Stage:  Medium plum cream (not as pink as it looks in the picture)
• Lights, Glammer-a, Action!:  Silver/teal glitter

That's it, I promise!  Unless I find some other colors on sale somewhere:-)

Le Métier de Beauté's Hydra-Crème Lipstick in Signature

Disclaimer:  I received this in my VIP subscription box.

One of the benefits of Le Métier de Beauté's VIP subscription is the possibility of receiving items prior to their general release - a sneak peek, if you will.  The first month's box included LMdB's new lipstick formula called Hydra-Crème in the color Signature, a cherry red matte. 

According to the official press:

"buttery, ultra-moisturizing formulation glides smoothly and evenly over lips for maximum comfort; long wear; and rich, brilliant color. Shades are a gorgeous mix of mattes and sheers, past favorites, and new, on-trend hues.

• Emollient, hydrating formula that won't slide
• Delivers voluptuous, full-coverage color to lips
• No mineral or animal derivatives"

I've seen conflicting dates on when these are being released, but it's either this month (nothing at online retailers yet) or October with a further six being released in November.  The packaging is not the black you see above, but is silver with the same ridged tube.  If these are replacing the current Color Core lipsticks, the good news is that they are priced at $25 compared to Color Core's $32, making them a reasonably priced luxury lipstick. 

Pigmentation is very good, and what you see above is a light layer of the lipstick.  It applies smoothly and easily, and wore well for a good 4-5 hours.  My lips did start feeling a bit dry by about hour 3, but that's normal for me. So I wouldn't say the lipstick dried out my lips, but I wouldn't call it hydrating either.  Given that this was a matte shade, not bad at all, and I'd be curious to see if the other finishes feel more moisturizing on.

September Birchbox: Heritage

This month is Birchbox's 3 year anniversary, and I think I've been subscribing now for almost 2 years.  Time flies and all that!  Fortunately, I continue to enjoy my subscription and September did not disappoint.

This month saw the inclusion of some exclusive to Birchbox nail polishes created by Ruffian, a New York based fashion label.  This is their first nail lacquer collection, and the three colors that were sent out were a purple, red, or a green.  I was hoping for the metallic olive green Hedge Fund and that's what I received :-)  This is a full size bottle worth $10.

Birchbox has been sending out Amika products forever, but I think this

is the first one I've received!  Bombshell Blowout Spray will come in handy now that I've cut off all my hair again, as I have to blow it dry.  The formula features Sea Buckthorn Berry and is supposed to provide extra texture and volume while protecting from heat.  Interestingly, the link on Birchbox to this spray is called the Blow Up spray, so I'm not sure if the name has been changed or what.  Sample value is $6.

Next up is the Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm.  This is supposed to be a four-in-one primer, moisturizer, sunscreen, and treatment serum with
brightening properties and anti-aging benefits.  It blends out nicely and while it does not provide enough coverage for me on it's own, I'll use it under my foundation for it's sunscreen and anti-aging benefits.  I like that it has an SPF of 45 but did not feel or look greasy.  Sample value is $4.87.

The Dr. Lipp original nipple balm for lips features purified or medical grade lanolin and is an all purpose balm that replenishes and seals in moisture.  This is the kind of lip balm I like to use before going to bed at

night, and it reminds me of Rosebud salve or Elizabeth Arden's 8 Hour Cream in it's texture.  Those are petrolatum based, and beyond lanolin, I have no idea what the Dr. Lipp balm contains, although it is supposed to be 100% natural.  It does feel nice on!  Sample value is $3.10.

Last up is Eyeko's Black Magic mascara, with a paraben-free formula featuring keratin and shea butter and a water resistant finish.  I've worn this once so far and liked it!  It reminded me a bit of a tubing mascara in how it looked when I washed it off, so I'm wondering if there are similarities in formula.  It did not clump or smudge and the color was a nice glossy black.  Sample value is about $11.

These are all items I'll use and the total box value is $34.97, well worth the $10 I spent.  Happy Anniversary Birchbox!

NOTD: Mahogany by China Glaze with Come to Paparazzi

Disclaimer:  I purchased these.

I know I just wore Come to Papa-razzi a few weeks back, but I like it so much that I'm wearing it again.  This time I layered it over the milk chocolate goodness that is Mahogany. 

Mahogany was part of the much anticipated Capital Colours collection from China Glaze.  Wouldn't it be exciting if they released another collection for the second movie based on the Hunger Games trilogy, Catching Fire?  Doesn't look like that's going to be happening, though.

Linking up with The Nail Files hosted by Well Shut the Front Door!

The Happy Place Ready 4.0 Eyeshadows by Bare Minerals

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

The Happy Place is putting me in my cool weather state of mind, even though it's still in the 90's (please, make it stop).  I thought for sure I'd already posted a review when I got it back in March, but when I went to look for it, I discovered I had not. 

I love the zen like names of The Happy Place:  Peace + Imagine + Exhale + Euphoria (muted apricot/rose gold/smoky taupe/eggplant).  I also love that there is a mixture of finishes, as it makes it really easy for me to do a complete eye look without going outside the confines of the palette =  a great travel companion.  This may be going to Albuquerque with me in October :-)

Peace

Peace is a soft apricot satin.  I've been using it on my brow and inner eye, and it adds a touch of warmth to my skin.

Imagine

Imagine provides the shimmer and sparkle and while it's official description is rose  gold, I can see copper in there as well.

Exhale

Exhale is a soft taupe matte with a slight mauve undertone.  It was not powdery but did take two swipes to get the color above, as opposed to one swipe for the other shades.

Euphora

Euphoria is versatile plum shimmer with brown undertones that I've been using in my crease, along my lash lines, or as an all over lid color.  All of the shades work together really well and pigmentation is quite good and smooth.

Shade

Sun

The Ready pressed eyeshadow formula by Bare Minerals has become my favorite and I'll continue to collect the 4 and 8 pan versions when new ones are released.  I was fortunate enough to get The Happy Place at half of it's $30 price when Ulta had a BOGO sale last spring.  I can only hope they do it again at some point!