Matte colours are my favourite at the moment. Right now, I only have two (Veruschka and Dovima), but I definitely plan to add more. Right now though, Zoya only has super bright, neon colours, which personally aren't for me, I feel.
I've been trying to rotate through colours so I wear all of my new ones at least once, but I keep coming back to Dovima (and Veruschka).
What Zoya has to say:
Zoya Nail Polish in Dovima can be best described as: Smoky charcoal-black with strong silver shimmer and a velvety matte finish. This shine-free black is the must have shade for fall.
Colour Family Blacks
Finish Metallic
Intensity 5 ( 1=Sheer - 5=Opaque )
Tone Cool
Original Collection MatteVelvet
I like Dovima. A lot. I do somewhat disagree with their statement that it's shine-free. It does have a bit of a shine, in the light, but it's not glossy. That would be the silver shimmer at work. I love the matte colours because I've found they dry a lot faster. By the time I've finished my first coat on all nails, the first nails I've done are already dry enough for a second coat. Two coats is all it takes for me to get even coverage and a solid charcoal colour.
The only thing I dislike about the matte colours is they chip and show wear easily. Fortunately, I haven't experienced that with their other lacquers. Being a matte/velvet formula, it kind of defeats the purpose to use a topcoat. Though I have heard that there are matte topcoats somewhere out there? Anyway, no topcoat makes for easy wear and chip. I'm OK with that though. I'll sacrifice having to reapply, especially because it dries so quickly, for a cool, matte look.
You can buy Dovima here: Zoya
The second half of my Haute Look haul has arrived! This time I bought nail colours. I originally had four colours, but because of inadequate packing, one of the bottles broke in shipment. It really broke my heart! Customer service for Haute Look was excellent, though. When I opened my package and saw the broken bottle, I immediately called them and it took no time at all to process a refund. No hassle whatsoever! I hope in the future they will ship things like nail lacquers in a small box with separators like Zoya does.
I've worn each of these colours already, and will write up a review and swatch for each of them! I'm so happy with my purchases.
Left to Right: Lava Rock, Enduring, Pink Quartz
Barielle's Philosophy
Since our inception over 30 years ago, Barielle has stood apart as the absolute first to practice a progressive “3-free” philosophy on formulation: absolutely none of Barielle’s products contain Formaldehyde, Toluene or Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)—chemicals that are suspected to be harmful. Instead, we have enlightened the world on safe, effective and natural alternatives such as Keratin, Proteins, Vitamins, and Oil and Plant Extracts.
Not a very long post, I'm sorry. As I'm going to review each colour separately, there's not too much to write about it!
Also, if anyone has any advice on taking better photos and improving blog posts, I'd be glad to hear it! Currently I don't have a camera aside from my phone, which I'm sure is noticeable that I've been using, and even though I've had a blog for a while, it's only more recently that I've been consistently blogging! I'm open to any advice that you have to give. Don't be shy!
With my birthday coming next week, I got some birthday promotions in the mail from Sephora! Of course there's always the free gift that you get every year as a Beauty Insider, but this year I also got a 15% off coupon! I don't remember that from last year! I was also told I can use it over and over again until the 5th. Score more online shopping!
I went with the intention of...well, I actually didn't have anything in mind that I wanted, because I've just bought all that make from Nyx. Wandered around the store for a bit before deciding on a YSL Creme liner. Why not? I mean I had a discount coupon! It's my first YSL liner, and I've been coveting YSL cosmetics since I first became interested in makeup.
I'm so excited to have it. I also picked up a lotion, and the shop girl gave me a free sample of Bulgari's Omnia.
The birthday gift was a sample of the Rose Sugar Lip Treatment. There's a Rosé and a Fresh. I can't wait to use them.
Tuscan Blood Orange Body Butter. It smells so nice and citrusy, I think I might keep it in my school bag as a mid-day wake me up!
I've been dying to add more skirts and dresses to my wardrobe. I suppose with Spring here, I should start adding more colour and print, but black just suits. Velvet fabric was on sale at the fabric store, so I picked some up! Made a simple circle skirt. Super easy, almost no-sew. Of course, the only sewing was to hem it and sew the waistband on, but none of this "panel this, panel that", business! I think it came out quite nice. I've worn it a couple of times, and I have to say I think it's my new favourite skirt.
Unfortunately the only place to take photos in my bedroom is that corner! I hate having photos like this that blatantly show no face, they look silly sometimes in my opinion, but I couldn't get a good photo of all of me. I should probably start using my camera again, instead of my webcam!
I got this set from the Hautelook sale, as well. All of these colours together will make a sultry, smoky look. Of course, that's why it's called the Smoky set! The set comes with a silver, gold, black, and brown shadow. The only one that seems a bit sheer to me is the black. The others seem quite pigmented and thick to me!
Left to Right:
Silver Pearl, Mink Pearl, Black Pearl, Walnut Pearl
Pump It Up Lip Plumper in Elizabeth
Swatched Left to Right:
Silver Pearl, Mink Pearl, Black Pearl, Walnut Pearl
Product Detail:
For those who like their eye shadow to have a pearlescent, iridescent finish, this is the eye color for you. Each of these zinging 18 shades evokes Studio 54 glamour. Wear them on their own, or use as a highlighter with matte shades. It’s easy to glimmer in this shimmer.
Once again, I like the eye colours a lot better than the lip colour. The eye colours have just the right thickness to create a sexy, sultry look.
Lip Plumper in Elizabeth
Product Detail:
Boost your lips to its fullest shape and size with our Pump it Up Lip Plumper. Our Pump it Up Lip Plumpers come in 5 assorted colors and each shade acknowledges well known sensual celebrity lips such as Angelina Jolie and Scarlett Johansson, along with plenty other desirable famous vixens. With one swipe of the Pump it Up Lip Pumper, your lips will begin to feel an extreme tingling sensation and the transformation from thin to full will occur instantly!
They weren't kidding when they said "extreme tingling sensation". As soon as I put the gloss on, it started to tingle. When I say tingle, I mean burn. To me, it felt more like a burning sensation than a tingling sensation. The colour is very sheer, but I don't see myself using this gloss either. It burned too much for me to be comfortable. Besides, my lips are plenty full already! I don't think I need to give them any boost!
