Deborah Lippmann: Across the Universe

It's been a very long time! Real life has taken over and I've been horrible at balancing my hobbies. My one year contract with my teaching position has turned into a fully contracted position and my temporary one year counted as one of the two probationary years. So I've been working at adjusting to this career transition. Let's just say that I've never valued my down time as much as I do now.

However, today I'm going to share some photos of a polish I had been meaning to post about for months. Deborah Lippman - Across the Universe was one of the three polishes given to me as a gift during last year's holiday season.

I have on three coats in the photo. The glitter is suspended in a blackened jelly base, so I needed that many coats to really have good coverage from the base. The glitter itself, behaved rather well and spread evenly enough.

In hindsight, I probably would've used a black or some equivalent base before using this polish. The density of glitter is great without three coats but to have the jelly base hide my visible nail line, I used more coats of glitter than I usually would.

Overall, this polish has a wonderful depth to it and it has the perk of being named after one of my favorite songs by Hayley Westenra (at least I assume it is...)

On a separate note, I have noticed that my beauty collection consists of more  make up than I can possibly wear. So I've been really attempting not to buy more. Let's just say that my progress has basically been a case of I haven't given in as often for additional beauty products. 

NYX Love in Paris: Let Them Eat Cake

Well, it's been a few weeks. I have had a hard time keeping up with this blog while going to school and working a full time job. Whenever there is free time available, lets just say I have been really appreciating that free time as personal time.

Deborah Lippmann: Boom Boom Pow

So this is a bit late for the Christmas holiday, but this polish and this combination actually works out very well for Lunar New Year too, which was on January 31st! With Valentine's Day headed our way, I figured this would work too.

Nail Pattern Boldness: Glitter-A-Peel

I love glitter nail polish, but I absolutely hate removing it, especially the chunkier kinds. So, I finally caved and bought Nail Pattern's Boldness' Glitter-A-Peel and have been testing it out for the last two months.

Deborah Lippmann: Glitter and Be Gay

It seems this holiday was one for nail polish as gifts, glitter nail polish to be exact. Admittedly, I did request for specific Deborah Lippmann shades but it wasn't my idea to begin with and the other polish was an unexpected surprise. So in the end, I ended up with 3 Deborah Lippmann glitters and one ButterLONDON glitter and a reputation for having decked out nails apparently.

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear: Confetti Punch

It's been a few weeks since I picked up this little bottle of glitter fun. I really liked the contrasting colors in it and couldn't resist especially since the Xtreme Wear line is rather affordable.

Sephora Pantone Universe Full Spectra Eye Shadow Palette: Daybreak

I have been eyeing this particular palette ever since it was released, but I couldn't justify spending money on another eye shadow palette I didn't need that was full priced. So as I was browsing for a new concealer to use for an upcoming wedding, I found this palette in the sale bins. I hesitated for just a bit before I grabbed it. I was still able to find it on sale at the Sephora website today for $19.

NYX Glam Shadow Stick: Rose Gold

Recently, I discovered that the Target I go to for household essentials also sold NYX. When did that happen? Granted, the selection was in a rather sorry state, I still couldn't help but pick up this shadow stick when it's name was Rose Gold. I was just in some kind of spending mood that night...Oops.

Let's start with what was good about this shadow stick. The packaging is super convenient and user friendly since it twists up and the clear cap lets you see the shade. I also thought the size of the crayon was perfect for my lids and made for an easy quick application process. In addition, I experienced no tugging whatsoever because it went on smoothly and blended easily.

The color is also quite similar to rose gold, at least for a make up product. It's sort of a pinkish peachy shade with lots of shimmer. Very pretty and a great shade to wear by itself.

Now, the biggest downfall of this shadow stick, was the fact that it creased. I hadn't worn it for an hour before I found those dreaded crease lines on my lids. I did use my NYX eyelid primer underneath, but did not use any powder eyeshadow on top. Considering the fact that I don't actually own any rose gold sort of shade in powder form, anything I set this shadow stick with will dull or alter the gorgeous color, the whole point of purchasing this in the first place.

I suppose I could use Rose Gold as a base, but I didn't buy this shadow stick for that purpose. I wanted the color in all its glory. Plus, all the shimmer in this stick makes me think it's not really meant to be a base anyways.

I guess it's a good thing I'm only out around $5. I should've resisted the urge to buy! Excuse me, while I pity myself.