I'm In Love

If you had any doubts about my new found love for China Glaze, well, you won't after this post. I had first applied China Glaze Its Poppin' Wednesday, January 27th. We are going into day 5 and aside from the normal tip wear, my nails look pretty decent!

Once again, this color is not coral but a fairly bright blue-based pink. I'll be taking it off tonight but wanted to show how good its been standing up (and I am super hard on my nails).

Review: Revlon PhotoReady Makeup #002

Even though I'd been holding out for the #001 Ivory shade which Relvon hasn't distributed a lot of bottles of (and excluded it from the cardboard display), CVS is having a sale this week. Photoready is on sale for $9.99 a bottle and you get $5 Extrabucks back. I also used a $1 off manufacturers coupon, bringing the final cost down to $3.99. Well for that price, I was going to take my chances with #002 Vanilla.

Before I get really into it, this is not what I would consider a thorough review. I haven't done a full application of the product on my face because I know it won't look all that great. Hopefully I'll be able to get my hands on #001 so I can really test this stuff out. For now you get some thoughts on the bottle and swatches.

 

I am super pumped (hahaha) that they put a pump on this bottle. Not only is it a lot more sanitary, but it keeps you from spilling the product. Let's just say at 5am I am not what you would call coordinated and without my glasses I might as well be blind. Pumps are a good thing!

I had suspected that this shade would pull a bit too yellow for me, but you really can't tell until you squeeze a little out and check. It kind of actually looks neutral in the bottle, but on the hand is a different story.

 

The foundation itself is a little runny, you can kind of see the larger swatch starting to slide down my hand. It's not runny enough that it causes an issue during application (it's not like shampoo in the shower) but it is something to note.

 

swatch pictures were taken in natural light

This picture shows the original larger swatch on the left (you can see it's starting to drip down my hand) and the rubbed in dot on the right. I wouldn't say this is an awful match, but it is too yellow for me. Slightly warmer girls might have better luck.

I hope this helps someone and if you have seen any #001 shades please let me know where you discovered it! I really want to try this stuff.

Review: Physicians Formula Organic Wear Eyeliner

I've always been a bit curious regarding the Physicians Formula (PF) Organic line but never wanted to fork over the cash for some of the products. But that all changed when they went on clearance (wow, I sound so cheap). The fact that the products are free of harsh chemicals, parabens and synthetic preservates sounded very appealing since I have extremely sensitive skin (and eyes for that matter).

The Organic Wear eyeliners are usually around $8 though with the 75% off and a $2 off coupon I didn't pay anything. They come in 3 colors: Black Night, Black Woods and Black Olive. I'm reviewing the Black Night version, a deep matte black.

I must say for being an eco-friendly line, they sure do use a whole lot of packaging for these little pencils. I understand it helps with possible tampering but did they really need the huge box? Anyway, back to the review.

 

  

I'm not sure I had any expectations for this product. The PF line seems to have a lot of hit or misses and I seldomly have good luck with drugstore line pencils (though I do like the 24/7 knockoffs from L'Oreal/HIP). I went ahead and swatched the pencils on my skin and then performed the smudge test.

Surprisingly enough the pencil is well pigmented. The first swatch is me drawing and filling in the lines with the product. The second is a rather swift stroke down my hand and the third is drawing a bit more slowly with slightly more force but nothing extreme. The pencil is creamy and does not feel very waxy.

 

After the swatch test any good thoughts I had about these pencils quickly dissolved (haha get it?). Smear city. This was 2 or 3 swipes back and forth. However, after wiping the pencil away completely, I noticed something.

 

There was still pencil left on my hand which led me to believe that these would be excellent water line pencils. Creamy so they don't irritate during application, check. Some remains after "removal", check. Non irritating ingredients perfect for sensitive eyes like mine, check. 

And I even took a picture of my eyes after having this on my waterline for an hour (I know that's not terribly long but I'll give another update before I go to bed). Now granted, I'm not wearing any makeup other than the liner so be nice, please (and I need to do my brows badly). But it is very dark and really a great product for the waterline. I doubt it would perform on the upper lid due to the creamy texture.

So am I glad I picked this up? Actually, yes. Even though it's limited in what you can use it for, it's going to prove to be a useful product for me and for even $2 without the coupon on sale, it's worthy of a pick up.

Here is the ingredient list from the PF website (I apologize for the caps - I didn't do that):

INGREDIENTS: SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL *, BEESWAX *, BIS-DIGLYCERYL POLYACYLADIPATE -2, CAPRYLIC / CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, COPERNICIA CERIFERA (CARNAUBA) WAX*, SQUALANE, MICA, OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) FRUIT OIL *, GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) OIL *, TOCOPHEROL, MAY CONTAIN: IRON OXIDES, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, FERRIC AMMONIUM FERROCYANIDE. *PRODUCED FROM ORGANIC FARMING.

Paul & Joe Eyeshadows

 Well, I think I grabbed the last bit of natural light today for these photos, not that we've really had any sunlight per-say since it's been snowing all day (and the weather report had predicted show showers, very funny, more like 4-6 inches!). So, I've had a little while to play around with the Paul & Joe eyeshadows I recently hauled. First of all, Paul & Joe eyeshadows generally retail for $20 though I was lucky enough to get them for $1.99 - 90% off! Of course, the packaging is to die for. Love the little compacts and even the boxes they come in!

I would say the line consists of mostly neutral shades, though there are a few colored pastels and darker jewel tones. Fun factoid: the fashion line started off as a menswear brand and the Beaute line launched in 2002. Currently there are 25 single eyeshadow shades though the line is launching a palette system this spring.

I found the texture of these very silky and smooth. They glide onto the fingers that I used to swatch effortlessly. Some have more pigment than others, but I would call those colors sheer but buildable. I didn't experience any chalkiness with any of the shades.

 

  

#1 Secret of Gold - This is a slightly dirty gold. Would work well for cool complexions especially those that think they can't wear gold.

 

 

#6 Velvet Ribbon: A bit of a chameleon. Looks like a silvery taupe in some lighting and a pale silvery lavender in others sometimes with a blue quality. Interesting shade and curious how it appears on the lids. I bet this would take on different qualities when combined with different base shades.

 

  

#7 Blue Bird: pale baby blue with a hint of silver sheen

#9 Sakura: pale pink

 

  

  

#16 Cocoa: This is one of my favorites! Not sure why it's named cocoa since it is slightly olive and has a bit of a metallic quality to it. Gorgeous color.

 

#17 Bitter Chocolate: Love this one too. A mostly neutral brown possibly pulling a little on the cooler side. This is one of the ones I would consider sheer but buildable. It also looks a bit different in different lighting.

So that's all of the Paul & Joe eyeshadows from my Soft Surroundings haul. I found the ones that I purchased to be more on the cooler side though I'm not sure if that's reflective of the entire line.

EDIT: Don't forget the 50 followers giveaway ends tomorrow 11:59PM EST! Enter here if you haven't already done so!

Soft Surroundings Haul +

When I got home from work today I walked in to find our kitchen table covered with packages (ok, that's a stretch). Needless to say, I skipped dinner in order to tear them open and photograph what I received (speaking of which I am hungry).

The first package I opened comes from the lovely Sparkle Is My Crack. We had a bit of an impromptu swap and I basically had no idea what I was going to receive. I was blown away by her generosity and the obvious time she spent putting together my package. She must have tediously filled 20 or so little baggies with powder and then labeled them all as well! Look! Thank you Lisa Kate!

 

Tons of different e-tailer pigments for me to try (and a couple of old standbys from MAC)! I am so excited!

And my Soft Surroundings haul. 

I know there are some ladies that had their orders packed in padded envelopes (guess they didn't order as much as me). Mine came in little boxes complete with tons of bubble wrap and cutely wrapped with tissue paper and a sticker.

I wound out ordering all Paul & Joe (I'm sure you're shocked). I picked up 6 of the eyeshadows, 5 of the lipsticks and a lipliner which Lina over at The Beauty Look Book recently raved about. These pictures aren't the best but the products are adorable packaged and look so pretty. I can't wait to try them out and review them for you.

 

#1 #6 #7

 

#9 #16 #17

the adorable textured glowy pink compact

 

 

  

#1 #6 #10 #20 #22

  

lipstick cap

 

 cocoa lip liner

Whew! Guess I better get to swatching and testing. But first I think I'll have some dinner.

Stila Beauty Now Carried At... Newport News

Ok, this one I don't really get. Thoughts?

NOTD: China Glaze Its Poppin'

Ok, why didn't any of you tell me the wonders of China Glaze? I am so in love with this formula and the brush! Oh my gosh, the brush - it's freaking perfect. It isn't floppy - it's more on the narrow side and it applied the polish so evenly and no polish drips down the bottom - oh! It is just marvelous! These are the nails pre-cleanup and honestly I don't think I need to do anything to them. There is no polish on my hands! Also, this is one coat. Yes, ONE!

I am so in love. Move over OPI, Milani, everyone! China Glaze in the house! Poppin'!

(A note that since I'm using artificial light the color is way off. It looks much more blue-toned in real life - it's nowhere near coral. It's what I'd call bright pink/fuschia)

 

Giveaway #100

Well, I never expected to get to 50 followers, let alone 100 - make that 111. I just want to let all of you know that I unfortunately am not rich so the giveaways are going to stop after this for awhile. But here are the rules for the reaching 100 followers giveaway!

Here are the rules:
1. 1 lucky winner will receive everything in the picture below. To enter, leave a comment with the following information:

- Your name (or alias)
- Are you a lipstick or a lip gloss gal and which is your favorite?
- What's your favorite season?
- What's one product that you think absolutely everyone should try?

2. You must be a follower of this blog to enter and win!

3. I will be shipping worldwide *clutches wallet* so my dear ladies across the pond can most certainly enter as well.
4. If you (re)post this on twitter or your own blog, you will receive an additional entry (please link me if this is the case in a separate comment).
5. This giveaway will take place between January 25th and February 25th at 11:59pm EST. Winners will be picked the following morning.
6. Winners will be picked randomly by random.org
7. You do not need to leave an e-mail address for me to contact you. However, I will be posting the name of the winner (so at least give something descriptive and not anonymous when you post!) on the blog on February 26th. You must contact me at jeweledthumb@gmail.com within 48 hours with your mailing address. If not your win will be forfeited and I will pick a new winner. Since my spam folder ate the last giveaway winner's e-mails, if I don't respond to you within 24 hours, please comment on a recent blog post in addition to your e-mail.
8. You are allowed to enter both giveaways, but are only allowed to win one of them. This rule probably won't be an issue since there is a small chance that someone will win both of them but I do want to put it out there just in case.

As with the last giveaway, I will not be responding to individual comments so it's a bit easier to track but I read every single one (as always).

• ELF Studio Powder Brush
• L'oreal Liquid Intense eyeliner in black
• ELF High Definition Powder
• Pixi Eye Beauty Kit in Miracle #5
• Pixi Lumi Luxe Lip Palette
• The Body Shop Cheek Bloom in Desert Rose
• TheBalm set Holiday in Balm Springs

Good luck!

Tarte Discount Code

Courtesy of Lucky Magazine! Save 40% at Tarte Cosmetics with code luckyweek3 from January 25th (today) through February 1st 2010. Free shipping over $40.

I'm eyeing the Flower Child Spring 2010 Eye Palette (pictured above), how about you?

You Know You're A Beauty Blogger If...

I was lying in bed thinking about Jeweled Thumb as I generally do when I can't fall asleep and I realized something. Beauty Bloggers are their own breed; a subset of the makeup addict. And while I was thinking and not going to bed like I should have been, I came up with a list.

You know you're a beauty blogger if:

• You stay up till all hours of the night thinking about your beauty blog; formatting, new posts, anything-
  
• When you're driving, taking a break at work or otherwise unoccupied you think about your blog
• You constantly update your DH or SO about your blog, what's going on in the blog world and how many followers you have - they don't quite get it and think you're loony but love you anyway, of course!
• When you go to a store for something boring like toilet paper, you invariably head off to the beauty aisle just to check for ""research"" and almost always buy something
• You buy something you don't need because you're totally going to review it on your blog and it's going to be awesome!
• You spend far too much time on the internet, reading other blogs, researching and coming up with witty things to say on your own
• Your digital camera memory stick is mostly filled with pictures of beauty products
• Sometimes your hand looked like a third grader attacked it with markers due to your swatching

Share your own!

Review: Kat Von D Rock N Roll Eyeshadow Duos

I've never paid much mind to the Kat Von D brand at Sephora. While the packaging is nice, I had heard rumors that it was merely repackaged Sephora brand makeup and I'm not really into the whole 'scene' that goes behind the Kat Von D brand. I've never seen her tv show and I'm not a huge fan of *tattoos

Well, that all changed when select items from the brand went on sale! I decided to pick up two of the eyeshadow duos - each is $10 and figured in the worst case scenario, I'd just return back to Sephora. Well, I never expected that these duos rocked and enough that I went back and ordered more!

Yeah yeah, I'm an addict. Sue me.

I ordered Livewire (silver taupe) and Riff Raff (espresso) initially and went back and ordered Confessional (ivory), King Cobra (green) & Air Guitar (peach).

I must say the rose motif on the boxes is very pretty. I especially like the grey on black color combination and even the boxes seem really sturdy and nicely made.

The packaging for each individual eyeshadow is really quite nice as well. The eyeshadow comes in a very sturdy compact, with a mirror inside and on the outside has the same lovely rose design as the box. The KVD logo is also etched in the top of the shadow duo.

As you can see in this photo, the eyeshadow duos are mostly the same color. One side is more of a satin and the other has bits of glitter throughout, but unlike some glitter eyeshadows I've tried, these are not over the top. I think I'll probably be using both sides equally which surprises me since I'm not the biggest glitter fan ever.

Up close of Riff Raff.

Livewire

Riff Raff

Both are pigmented and aren't chalky at all. I would definitely pick these up while they are 50% off (bing.com is also giving 20% back on Sephora purchases for an unknown amount of time). I believe they are getting repackaged but I'm not positive.

* Even though I personally would never get a tattoo myself, what you do with your body is your business and I would never think less of anyone that chose to have body art.