Celeste, an Infamous Intrepid Blue by LVX.

Luminous and powerful, this tranquil shade pays tribute to Callais, the infamous intrepid blue from our debut Summer Collection. With complex white undertones, Celeste is expressive and dynamic. Pair this cool blue with vibrant coral, like our very own Deco.

This shade deserves to be decorated. Even as a standout on it's own, Celeste wants a wing man. As always, I started with a base coat, this time I chose Nailtiques Formula2, followed by 2 smooth coats of Celeste and topped it off with Butter London Hardware top coat. This shade lasted 2 days before small chips started to make their appearance on the edge of my nails. Celeste is a beautiful shade and I cant wait to pump it up with something else.... I own Deco, too!

Retailing for $16, I rate this 5-free vegan nail polish 4.5 stars. The LVX collections are always bottle true, easy to apply & remove and the fashion forward shades add a new level of modern-classic accessory to my nail collection.

xoxo

•Nancy-Lee

Funky Cold Modena. LVX Swatches and Review.

This alluring poppy red will stimulate and enliven your attitude for the summer season. This season's classic red, Modena is an essential shade that everyone should incorporate into their wardrobe. Pair this seductive red with white and neutrals.

This is a dreamy red. Kissed with blue, it is not the pink poppy you might have been thinking of, it is more like the flower that represents Veterans day. Bright, delicious and daring. This is an amazing shade of red that offered an opaque, creamy finish with only 2 coats. I left this shade on for 6 days and was pretty impressed to discover there was zero staining on my nails which is unheard of when it comes to red. It lasted 3 days before it chipped and stayed bright and beautiful. Retailing for $16, I rate Modena a coveted 5 out of 5 stars.
xoxo
•Nancy-Lee

Spending the Summer with LVX

 
I can't resist.
It's as if they speak to me.
I grabbed 4 of the LVX Summer 2013 collection from BeautyARMY.com. How amazing are these shades? Celeste, Deco, Mynt and Modena. 5-Free, this vegan line just gets better and better with each limited edition collection. While the shades are seasonal, the hues are timeless. Which is your favourite?
xoxo
•Nancy-Lee

Lovely Little L'Occiatne Haul.

I was pretty excited when I first visited the Livermore Outlet mall and saw the L'Occitane shop next door to Kate Spade!

Shopping during Memorial Day weekend, I wasn't looking for anything in particular but I love to explore - plus they were offering an additional 10% off of your purchase, encouraging me to shop! Rose, peony and raspberry caught my attention in the Fleurs Marveilleuses Marvelous Flowers shower gel. On sale for 50% off, why not?! The gold flip top lid opens to reveal a delicate pink gel. Feuilles Magiques, Magical Leaves, is an exfoliating shower gel. Enriched with crushed hazelnut shells, Feuilles Magiques offers a sweet and tangy fragrance, thanks to verbena and hazelnut leaf extracts. Delicious.


Do you have a favourite L'Occitane fragrance or product?
xoxo
•Nancy-Lee

A Kate Spade Memorial Day haul

I am one of those soles who can brave a designer outlet mall during a holiday sale extravaganza. It's as if I engage my super power; patience. Once I checked out and reveled in my final score, I was reminded why I waited 20 minutes in queue to enter the Kate Spade outlet in Livermore. I know, it sounds crazy to wait in line to spend money.

I was going to the Kate Spade shop for a new piece of jewelry, a necklace specifically when The Fashion Palate alerted me to the discounted flip-flops. Funny thing is, I was actually in the market for new flip-flops but Kate Spade was the last store I would think to look. I am so glad I sought them out. They were reasonably priced - $45 down to $27 - and are so freaking comfortable.

In her Prime. Do you use eyeshadow primer?

What a difference a base coat makes. In the image above, I am wearing Urban Decay alone, without eyeshadow primer. In the image below I started with Prime Time by Bare Minerals and topped it with Decoy by Whip Hand Cosmetics.

The top image is 4 hours after application. The bottom image is 12 hours after application. While it should be noted that not all primers are the same, this illustrates how important prep work really is to the finished eye and longevity of wear.
xoxo
•Nancy-Lee

Jet Setting with Mini Kittour

One of my favourite things about traveling is the opportunity to try new beauty products. I fully take advantage of my samples and travel sizes for 3 reasons: Samples do not take up a lot of room, they are sealed so I have little chance of leaking and it heightens the emotions of discovery while traveling. But I don't always have samples or travel sizes for all of the products that I need to take with me and I do not want to spend extra money to purchase a smaller something of something I already have. This is where mini kittour comes in to my life. With a large variety of TSA-friendly travel containers and cases, you can have your favourites and your samples too!

I like the idea of having backups so my traveling beauty routine is not a crapshoot. Nothing like being stuck with a beauty arsenal of products that don't work or you simply dislike.

You can tell the second you see the Jet Setter that someone put a lot of thought into the types of accoutrements one really needs when they are traveling. In addition to the crush-proof case, the Jet Setter is prepacked with all the essential empties for wherever your travels take you.

You're Flirty for a First Timer, said Essie.

Fresh. Fun. Fabulous. Try something totally unexpected like this adorable newbie green nail lacquer and you'll want to do it again and again.

How awesome is this minty green? It's just screaming to be paired with a pair of navy sailor pants and a white shirt with a pop of yellow from your choice in shoe.

The second I saw this in CVS, I had to have it. I haven't purchased Essie in a few months so this was a nice treat and  fun switch up. And I didn't purchase it alone: Come Here! came with us.

I started with Nail Foundation and added 2 coats of First Timer, with 2 minutes between coat 1 and 2. The finish is creamy and even without streaking and completely opaque. it dried quickly and evenly and I topped it with Hardware ensuring a shiny, protective top seal.

First Timer wore well for a 3-Free polish. It lasted 2.5 days before it showed a small chip. This is a gorgeous shade and I am glad that I was able to add it to my collection. Have you purchased First Timer? I rate this nail colour, from the 2013 Resort collection 4.5 out of 5 stars.

xoxo

•Nancy-Lee

 

OMega Body Buff by Mama Mio is OMazing!

OMega Body Buff uses micro-ground pumice grains in a creamy Sweet Almond Oil moisturizing base. The micro-ground pumice grains are perfectly round and very plentiful, so you can quickly exfoliate on a weekly basis without it feeling like a drama or a drag.

One of the creamiest exfoliators that I have ever used, Mama Mio's OMega is the only body exfoliator that is gentle enough to use on moist facial skin, too! The OMega difference: You apply this product to dry skin and then rinse off. I have added it to my Freeman anti-stress dead sea mineral treatments: as I wait for the masque to dry I apply OMega, after about 10 minutes I step into the shower and rinse it all off, revealing the soft, smooth and bright skin.

See my Freeman Anti-Stress Mask review, here!

OMega goes beyond simple exfoliation, it is serious about taking care of your skin. Packed full of Sweet Almond Oil, Aloe Vera, Chamomile and Vitamin E these ingredients increases cell regeneration, improves strength and elasticity and make my skin super soft.

Retailing for $35 for a 5.1 oz tube, this 2oz travel size was part of my CEW Swag Bag from 2012. I rate OMega a coveted 5 out of 5 stars and it has opened the door to my fascination with Mama Mio and I have already purchased 2 more items!
xoxo
•Nancy-Lee

Turn on Stila's Chandelier and Come Here! exclaimed Essie.

I am having so much fun with nautical this year and all the shades that are generally associated with Spring time, like coral and poppy. Come here! is outrageously outspoken, this nearly neon coral nail polish makes it perfectly clear: nobody does it better. I start with Nailtiques Formula2 as my base coat and apply 2 coats of Come here! waiting 2 minutes between coats. I spice this look up with the addition of Chandelier by Stila Cosmetics on my ring finger. It's such a glam accent. Identified as having a clear base with a strong silver presence and polychromatic assortment of glitter, 3 coats complete the opaque look I am going for. I apply this over Nailtiques alone, not on top of Come Here! I want a pure look not a top coat effect. I adore this look, the creamy and the shiny work so well together. xoxo •Nancy-Lee