OPI "Suzy Says Feng Shui" Swatch + Review

natural light, three coats 

I'm not quite sure about the name--I understand that being a part of the Hong Kong collection it needed a Chinese-ish name but I still don't think that it fits. Lately I've been really into blue polishes. If you couldn't tell by all the NOTD. But this one is probably my favorite. Eh...on second thought it is probably tied with Fly. But this is a true blue. I can't even think of something to compare it to. I had no problems with formulation or chipping or the brush. OPI did not disappoint. Some would argue that this color would be better suited for winter/fall but I think that it is bright enough to been worn in early spring/late summer. It really is a beautiful color--as you can no doubt see from the picture above.

OPI "Jade is the New Black" Swatch + Review

three coats, natural light

This is a true, true green. Like St. Patrick's Day green. Or, since the Avengers was just released, a much darker Hulk green. Or for nature-lovers out there, a really beautiful forest green. I've been wearing this on my nails for the past week or so and it's odd. I first blogged about this color just after the Hong Kong collection was released. And I was OBSESSED with it. You read that post here. It's weird looking back and seeing how much my writing and taste has changed in two years.

Even after all this time I still like this color...but I'm not sure why I was so obsessed with it. Yes, it is pretty. And I do think it is an incredibly unique shade--I can't think of any other colors that are quite like it. Green isn't a very popular color in the nail polish world. Go figure. But I do think this color would be more appropriate for fall/winter. It isn't that dark in comparison to a lot of other polishes I own--Lincoln Park After Dark, My Private Jet, just to name a couple--but it is a little dark for spring, almost summer. Lately the weather has been in the seventies or higher sixties which is fantastic for Seattle this time of year. Right now I want to wear polishes that reflect that.

The formulation was great. No problem there. But the polish didn't have the best staying power. It was chipped pretty badly only after a couple of days. I didn't wear a top coat but normally OPI polishes last a little longer even without a top coat. Another odd thing: this color is not blue at all but when I would catch glimpses of it out of the corner of my eye I could've sworn it looked like I was wearing OPI Fly on my nails. I don't know what that was about but it kept happening. In conclusion, it is a great polish to have in anyone's collection. I just think it would compliment the darker, warmer colors I wear in the fall/winter as opposed to the neons and pastels I have been drawn to lately.

Sidenote: the next three weeks of school are going to be pretty hectic. Like, panic attack hectic. Since I still want to keep up with my blog AND pass all of my classes, I won't be posting any outfit of the days until after my last final. Those are personally my favorite posts to publish but they do take a bit more effort than NOTD or celebrity style posts or updates. So for the foreseeable future, that will be the main content on this blog. I hope you understand.



Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Review

This is easily one of the best products I've ever recieved in any of my Birchboxes. Strike that. It was one of the best products I have tried--period. This product leaves my face so incredibly smooth that after I've used it, I can't stop touching my face. That's probably horrible for preventing acne but I can't resist. It is that smooth. I am not exaggerating when I say that this is a holy grail product. I. Love. This. Stuff.

  

It isn't abrasive. Actually when I first used it, I was worried that it wasn't rough enough. I could barely feel it on my skin. It comes as a fine white powder. I put about a nickel size amount of powder in my palm and I use water as needed. I had a rough patch of skin on my right cheek and the last time I used it, I paid special attention to that area. I could literally feel the skin softening under my fingers. It was amazing. It is supposed to be a daily exfoliant but the results can last up to three days. The biggest downside to this product--and it is extremely big--is the price. It is fifty dollars for twenty ounces. I'm going to be so sad when I run out of the sample size Birchbox provided. It will be difficult trying to justify paying that much money for a skincare product but I will probably eventually cave. This stuff is that good!

Although the powder formulation is a little annoying because it can get messy. But I must point out that Dermalogica was smart enough to make the top just a solid surface with a few holes to allow the product to slide through. Now, to the best of my knowledge there is no way to take this part off. But I don't really think there would be any reason to. This makes it easier to work with than other powder products I've worked with like the 100% Pineapple Enzyme Mask I recently reviewed. I don't need a spoon and I'm not as worried about pouring out too much. Downside? If you pour it is nearly impossible to get product back in the bottle. So, you still have to be careful.

  

If there is an odor, I haven't noticed one. It hasn't irritated my skin but I don't consider myself to have sensative skin. Out of all the reviews I've read online, I have heard nothing but great things from fellow bloggers and consumers. The only complaint I've seen is the price. I ADORE this product. It is so amazing. Have you tried any Dermalogica products? Please leave your suggestions in the comments below!

Elle Fanning's Street Style

Elle Fanning leaving the Artisan Cheese Gallery wearing a sailor inspired dress with red ribbon detailing, black loafers, and a grey hat [left].

     

Elle Fanning at LAX wearing a button up denim top, light brown pants, brown ankle booties, and brown oversized glasses [right].

   

Elle Fanning walking around New York City wearing a structured bright red romper, shiny blacker dress shoes, a metal chain handbag, and a tiny black hat [left].

    

Elle Fanning in Studio City wearing brown ankle booties, 3/4 sleeve yellow dress, and delicate chain necklace [right].

   

What do you think of Elle's style? Which look is your favorite? Tell me about it in the comments.

100% Pure Pineapple Enzyme Facial Peel Mask Review

About the brand: Recently I have become obsessed with skin care products. I have a few 100% Pure products but in the blogging world I haven't heard that much about the brand. 100% Pure claims to be a brand that has "no synthetic chemicals, chemical preservatives, artificial fragrances, artificial colors, harsh detergents or any other unhealthy toxins." and they don't test any of their products or ingredients on animals. Vegans should also feel comfortable using these products. I was imediately intriqued by this line. Could a natural beauty line compare to synthetic products? I was determined to put these products to the test.

  

The pineapple enzyme mask is said "to smooth away dullness and make complexion more healthy, glowing and vibrant" and is filled with anti-aging ingredients. The claims of anti-aging are hard to prove or disprove but this product made my skin feel soft to the touch. Not as soft as the Dermilogica Daily Micorfoliant but I was still impressed. Now, the product comes in a powder format and before you apply it, you must mix it with either water or yoghurt. I perfer yoghurt because it is easier to apply and mix with the powder. When mixed with water it can become watery and the application is a bit uneven. Plus side, it dries much faster than the yoghurt mixture.

  

The downside of this product? The powder formula makes it inconvienent to use. It takes time to mix it with the water/yoghurt but that also means more product in a smaller container. Next downside? It doesn't peel unlike what the name of the product implies. The mixture dries into a semi-clear/unattractive yellow color, depending on thickness of application. Not the most estheically pleasing appearance but a bit more subtle than the stereotypical green mud mask. Since the product doesn't peel very well, you have to rinse the product from your face with warm water. But it does constrict as it dries giving you a tight, mask feeling. I love that.

     

I have used the mask four times and, as you can see from the picture above, I've hardly put a dent in the product. You don't need a lot of powder--less than a teaspoon. I recommend adding the powder in a small bowl, then add the water/yoghurt. Each time I forget to do that and I end up making too much mask and then feeling wasteful.

  

In conclusion? I really like this mask. The smell wasn't fantastic but neither was it horrid. It's nice to pamper myself  every now and then. The price is very reasonable. The pineapple enzyme mask is available for $17.00 on the 100% Pure website. 

LUSH Satsumo Santa Bath Bomb Review

I'm back at school. Spring break is over, sadly. But over my break I was able to use a few of the LUSH goodies my sister got me for Christmas. First product on my must use list? Satsumo Santa! He is a bigger sized bath bomb. Much larger than the only other LUSH bath bomb I've used, So White. The scent was pleasant. Nothing incredibly memorable. But nothing offensive either. The smell didn't last long on my skin after getting out which was something that So White did incredibly well and it didn't make the water uber moisturizing. I was a little disappointed. 
   

This best thing about this bath bomb? It was so large that it was fizzing for what felt like forever. I'm sure that a frugal person could have easily split this bomb in half to use it for two baths. I didn't because I was unsure about whether that would work. I'm pretty certain it would. Satsumo Santa turns the bath water a bright, red color. It sort of looks like you're bathing in fruit punch. I liked it. Until my sister came in after I'd bathed but before I'd drained the water and said that it looked like blood. It doesn't. Not really. More like fruit punch. I might repurchase this because, I mean, look at it! It is so cute! But I perfer the fresh scent and long lasting power of So White. Even if it doesn't make my bath a cool color.

   

I am officially addicted to LUSH goodies now. Their Easter Collection is currently on sale and I picked up a few things for myself and my sister. She's a little addicted as well. Keep your eyes peeled for more reivews in the future. Have you tried Satsumo Santa before? If so, please leave your thoughts in the comments below. Also, if you have any LUSH recommendations I'd love to hear about them.