Josie Maran Bear Naked Nail Polish Remover Wipes Review

Good god, that's one helluva title, isn't it?  I've yet to try a Josie Maran product I *don't* like, but I have noticed that most of the titles for their products are crazy long!

First off...check out this packaging.  Isn't it adorable?  I mean, come on, only evil people hate polar bears.

Inside are the remover wipes.  They look pretty normal and unassuming.  They're amazing.  While I didn't notice too much of a grape-fruity smell, they didn't have a bad smell, either.  They do quickly and effectively remove nail polish, though, and even the heavily-glittered and confetti ones, so that was super impressive!  No soaking, no scrubbing, just a relatively quick and painless removal.

The cuticle oil in them is lovely.  I would remove my nail polish, then wipe my nails down with a paper towel to get the oil residue off of my nails, but still have it on my cuticles, then paint like normal.  Even though I'm sure there was still a bit of residue on my nails, my nail polish still lasted just as long as usual, but my cuticles were *much* more happy since cuticle oil is one of those things I almost never own or remember to buy!

The only thing I found to be a bit irritating about these is the lids can be quite hard to get back on without cross-threading them, so you have to be pay attention to how you put them back on so that they don't do that and end up drying out the wipes, but that's such a tiny, minor complaint in the big spectrum of awesome, here!

Overall?  HIGHLY recommend these!  They were tons better for my nails AND easier to work with than traditional nail polish remover.

Listening to:  "Celtic Frosted Flakes" - Stormtroopers of Death

Aww, HELL no!

I am sorry about the uber-long hiatus, guys.  Everything has just been...odd.  While the cooking blog will still be on hiatus for quite some time, I've been considering getting the other two back up and running, but just couldn't seem to make myself actually sit down and do it.  Today, I checked the mail, and I got *just* the kick in the ass I needed!  Time to kick off...*drum roll please*....MY FIRST FASHION RANT!

This is Alloy.  I've gotten their catalogs since I was a teenager.  That's right.  I've been shopping with them for about a decade and a half.  I love that they always have adorable clothes and that they actually have LONG inseams for those of us with ridiculously long legs.  They also have a very good size range for a 'straight' catalog.  Their 'straight' sizing goes up to, I think, 19, so I've never had any trouble fitting into their clothes.  They're pricey, but their clearances are INCREDIBLE.

The catalogs have always looked like this...as did this one.  All the way through the entire thing, same rail-thin models as usual.  I'm not knocking them, I think they're beautiful!  Only thing is, that for a catalog that carries sizes so large, I'd always wanted for them to get some curvier models so I could see what their clothes might look like on ME since, especially when you're not teeny, buying clothing online or via a catalog can be a MAJOR PITA.

O.O

Looks like I got my wish, right?

Well...Kind of.

Can you guess where this was?  It was tucked into the back.  

Mhmm.  Lemme just let that sink in for a second for you.  It was the last two pages, just plunked back there like a fucking afterthought.

Still don't get it?  They're introducing an entire new line.  This is something most companies would be STOKED about and would be shouting from the rooftops and pulling all kinds of advertisement on.  In fact, I've seen in the past, Alloy show said 'rooftop shouting' on their catalogs AND website for new lines, new brands, new color options, etc.

But since its plus sized girls, we have to get shoved to the back of the catalog like their dirty little fucking secret.

I figured "hey, I'm over-reacting".  I read this little snippet and went to their website expecting some big "grand opening"-type extravaganza.  What did I find?

One.  Little.  Link.

One little fucking link almost all the way to the end.

I love you, Alloy.  I love your extended inseams and your adorable clothes and the wicked clearances you have that make it to where I can actually afford your clothing.  I'm not going to boycott you over this because it seems you're trying.  It is like you *want* to stick up for us big girls, but, not having the balls to go big or go home, you shoved us in the back.  Great thing to do to women who already struggle with a healthy body image with all society throws at them.  I mean...did you think that through?  So 'E' for effort, but 'F' for complete failure to consider your placement and such.  We deserve to get just as big of a grand entrance with our new line as any other one has, not being shamed to the back of the catalog and a tiny link on the website.

Tsk, tsk.

<3
WW

Listening to: 'Kasumi' - Dir en Grey

Yule Haul!! (Part 1)

Hi everyone!  I promise I hadn't planned to be gone so long.  Our internet went out sometime between Dec. 14th and 16th, and due to holiday rushes, we just got it back working steadily (sort of) yesterday.

At any rate, I did my usual hit-the-store-on-the-26th thing to see what all goodies I could get at half off.  I got very lucky this year and EVERYTHING I had been eyeballing over the holidays was actually still there.  Usually most of it is gone and I only get one or two of the kits I'd wanted, so I was super stoked!

 However, I'm breaking this down into two posts since some of the stuff, I wasn't so thrilled with.  There were 4 more kits, but all by the same brand, so I plan to do a long post on that brand itself, as well as those products and the ones by them I've bought in the past in the near future.

I also got a bunch of decorations on clearance I'd wanted for NEXT Yule, so since it is past the holidays now, I'll leave that up to you guys, so if you want to see the new decorations, then just leave a comment below, and I'll take pictures and make a post!  :)

First thing I made a straight shot for was Britney Spears' Curious perfume.  This stuff smells amazing, and the bottle is gorgeous, though this is sadly the plain one without the atomizer.  However, since I only paid 10 bucks for it, I can't complain.  Due to the smell of this, I wouldn't care if Satan's name was emblazoned across the front.

Judge me if you must.  I'll still smell fabulous.

These are the Vile Villains Body Shimmer Sprays and it wasn't something I'd even seen on my previous trips. so I'd had no plans to buy it, but when I saw it, I just had to have it.  Most Disney stuff I see is emblazoned with Mickey or Minnie, neither of which I can stand, so I was pretty stoked to find all villains, sans mice.

Scents are as follows:

Cruella DeVil is Cruel Candy - a sweet, almost cotton-candy smelling spray.

Ursula's signature scent is apparently Vile Vanilla - I adore vanilla, so we have that in common.  :)  This one smells like, well, vanilla.

Maleficent is Ghastly Grape - This one is grapey and very sweet - almost like grape kool-aid.

The Evil Queen from Snow White is Sinister Citrus - this is bright and energizing and very orange-y.

 Last, but certainly not least, is the Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland, and I was SO HAPPY she was in this collection as I've collected Alice in Wonderland stuff since I was about 8.  My grandmother used to read me to sleep with it every night I stayed at her house and I've been obsessed ever since.  Anyway, her scent is Punishing Pomegranate, which is lovely.

All the sprays have a light micro-shimmer as opposed to the chunky ones that always clog the little sprayers, which is nice.  The scent lasts about as long as I expect of any body spray - a few hours on skin, a bit longer on clothing.  Seeing as how I picked up the whole set for $2.50, I'm VERY pleased.  Last I was at our Wally-world, they still had a TON of these left, so I'd say its definitely worth looking for next time you're out and about.

Did you get any good after-Christmas sales?

<3
WW

Maybelline Baby Lips Review

I ran out of lip balm a few weeks back and went to the store to pick up some more.  The only flavor they had in my normal brand was one I really don't care for, so I decided to try something new.  Turns out, that was a good choice!

I very nearly didn't get this as I've *never* found a tinted balm that I like, but I am so glad I had one of those "eh, what the hell?" moments.

This is Maybelline Baby Lips in Pink Punch.

As you can see, it has a very light pink tint to it that looks very pretty on and has a great, creamy consistency that moisturizes your lips without feeling waxy or gross...and the icing on the cake is that it tastes like jelly beans!  I am in LOVE with this.  In fact, I loved this so much that the next time I was out, I bought the medicated version, Baby Lips Dr. Rescue in Just Peachy, a nice nude-tinted color, and it is just as impressive and has almost a minty flavor.  To make things even BETTER, this stuff is about $3-4 a tube, depending on where you pick it up.

Verdict:  My new go-to balm.  

<3 WW

Listening to:  nothing...having a media player issue!

Random Manicures

Since I have quite a few things I need to swatch and take pictures of, I figured I'd just do a post of past manicures I've done, but didn't blog (or don't remember if I did) to hold you guys over.

This was the first truly intricate nail design I ever tried.  Since I'm me, I was halfway into it before I noticed I had no nail polish remover left, so you'll have to excuse the messy edges.  The theme is L from Death Note.  If you haven't seen the anime, he is munching on some sort of sweet or candy in almost every scene.

The index finger is supposed to be lollipops, but they didn't go so well.  My traffic finger is cupcake frosting with sprinkles and a cherry, ring finger is L's little L symbol he always used, and the pinkie is jelly beans!  The teacup on the thumb is the one I'm most proud of, but we'll come back to that.

Other hand was rhinestones on the thumb as gumdrops, a sort of jawbreaker pattern on the index, little glitter hearts for conversation heart candies on the traffic finger, ice cream with a rhinestone cherry on the ring finger, and on the pinkie...Well, I ran out of ideas and just glued a huge gem to it.

Here's a closeup of my tea cup.  I'd never attempted anything like this before, so I was pretty stoked with how cute it came out, even though it is a little off-center.

A close-up of the L with the little gem and the others...

This I just kept taking pictures of because I thought it was so gorgeous.

It is like a galaxy in a bottle.

I'm a bit obsessed with this color....I believe it is called 'Catch Me' by Kleancolor.

And a super cute glitter, Starry Night, as well!

This is what you have to look forward to!  A friend recently gave me all of these, so swatches and reviews coming soon!!  ^_^

<3
WW

Mary Kay Loose Eyeshadow Review

I don't normally buy Mary Kay products.  For one, I can't afford them and for another thing, most things I've tried from their line I'm not a fan of.  This is an exception.

This is Mary Kay loose eye shadow in Pink Organza.

Don't get excited, I'm not running some shady Cuban cigar import business, it is just a box I found.  =P

Here's what it looks like out of the package.

I LOVE this little gem in the end.  Such a nice, girly touch.  I know I've said this before, but I believe ALL makeup should have pretty packaging with little details like this.  I adore the merging of 'useful' and 'beautiful' in all things.

 This stuff did NOT want to show up in photos, but you can see it better if you open the picture up.  Top is without primer and bottom is with primer.  No wet swatch with this one, I forgot.  >.<  It is a very lovely, shimmery, baby-pink color.  It goes on smoothly, I've had no trouble with it creasing with or without primer, and it blends nicely as well.

I also forgot to take a picture of the applicator, which is different than any other one I've seen.  Instead of being tapered, it is a little round ball.  Sort of annoying as it makes it tough to get in the corners of your eye if you're wearing it on the bottom lid.

What I DO love about this is the tubey-thing it comes in.  Unlike every other loose shadow I've had that comes in a tubey-thing, this one seems to have mastered the art of tubey-thing-ing.  When you pull the wand out, you don't get this fine spray of color all over your hands, clothes, and the tubey-thing itself.  Most I've had end up being such a mess, but this one is nice and tidy and I adore that.

From what I can tell, you can pick these suckers up for around $10 with shipping on Amazon.  While I'd normally get my panties in a bunch over paying that for only one color, I do think this one is a worthy splurge.  The package is a generous size and a little bit goes a long way.

RECOMMEND!

Listening to: "Leshachimi Tropami" - Leshak

<3 WW

Incoco Nail Polish Strips Review

These super awesome, cute little guys were a gift from a friend, but that in no way has swayed my opinion.  I will, as usual, be 100% honest.  :)

I'd never heard of this brand, but these little puppies are pretty awesome.

They have instructions on the back as well as inside.

Here's what was in the package:  Instructions, a small file, the tips, and clear strips.

With these, the first step is to put the actual tip part on.

Same as you would the regular strips, only you start at the nail bed instead of the cuticle area.

Tips done!

Close-up so you can see the cute rainbow pastel dot pattern.

Next, apply the clear strips over the whole nail.

And done!

Now, while I like these and think they are cute as hell, I'm not crazy about the application time.  I guess it would get quicker the more you do it, but it took me MUCH longer to apply these than it does to do a french mani by hand AND let it dry.  I think it took me something like 2 hours because you have to do so much fiddling.  The small strips seem to be way harder to put on than the full-nail ones.

Either way, they were really cute, a lot of fun to try, and they held up quite well.  I wore them for about 4 days before they started to chip really badly and I had to remove them, but that was due to a big cleaning binge with lots of scrubbers, not the product itself.  >.<


Now for an announcement:


<3 <3 <3 New Feature!  From now on, every blog post, I'll be adding "listening to" space and list whatever song I'm listening to at that moment.  I figure that way, anyone who loves finding new shit can look it up if you're curious and maybe find some new bands to fall in love with! <3 <3 <3

Listening to:  Lordi - "Would You Love a Monsterman"

So, what do you think?  You like the new feature or do you think I should scrap that idea?

<3 WW