Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish Collection Swatches, Photos, Nail Wheels

I posted a video review of Deborah Lippman nail polishes yesterday, which you can view here if you would like to hear the individual breakdown of my thoughts on each shade. Today, I have decided to post just the photos of the nail wheels [from Sally's Beauty Supply] that I used in the video review and allow the swatches to speak for themselves. Let's start with the bases, top coats, and neutral shades.

We're supposed to save the best for last, right? Allow me to present the brights and glitters!

And as I stated in the video, please excuse this mutilated wheel. I blame my clumsy fingers!

Even though some DL polishes may be too sheer for your liking, they always wear so well on my nails! I rarely ever see chipping, just normal tip wear, and the formula spreads out so easily - like soft butter. I still believe Chanel is the queen of setting nail color trends but DL's quality is, thus far, unbeatable. Chanel nail polish are just over $25 with tax now but DL polishes barely top the $20 mark and instead of the coveted double Cs, you get a stunning sculpture of a glass bottle with an adorable yet practical top. The top of the brush is small but conforms well to the curve of the fingers, no slipping or sliding here. DL apparently tested hundreds of those little black caps on professional nail artists and I can see the care that went into the style and practicality of the packaging.

I know a lot of you are hesitant to spend so much on a single polish so I hope these nail wheels and my video review help you select one that you will find worthy of your hard-earned money! I hope to eventually review each of these polishes individually. I do have some photos of Stairway to Heaven that I would have included but I'll save that for a Nail of the Day post.

If you have a hard time removing glitter nail polishes, don't use a base! It will only make the removal process harder. Instead, apply the glitter polish to the bare nail and remove with pure acetone on a cotton ball. Soak the ball and press it against the nail for ten seconds, then wipe and remove as you normally would. 

I purchase all my DL polishes from Nordstrom but you can find them at any premiere retailer as well as on Zappos.com! If you live in Canada, check out www.flatironexperts.com.

Happy shopping!!

Dolce & Gabbana Charm 140 Classic Cream Lipstick Review, Photos, Swatches

I wasn't quite sold on the swatches I had seen of Dolce & Gabbana's Classic Cream lipsticks. But when Nikki of Saks in Houston told me there was an awesome gift with purchase, including a neutral pink cream lipstick, I jumped on the opportunity to order some D&G Holiday make-up pieces as well as score a lipstick to try! I was one of the lucky few who also received the Ruby lip palette of 4 Classic Cream lipstick shades from last holiday but I'm saving that for a separate review :)

The Classic Cream lipstick formula is heavenly. It plumps up my lip lines, is opaque in one swipe, and lasts at least four hours, through talking and drinking. It glides across my lips when I apply it straight from the tube, no tugging or pulling. Needless to say, I am very impressed and will be ordering more. The only formula that tops the creaminess of this lipstick is Edward Bess's lipstick formula. Both are divine but D&G has a wider shade selection, with select bright and vampy shades. EB's line caters more toward a neutral and wearable palette.

The most obvious advantage that EB's formula has over D&G's formula is the EB signature fig scent, which I absolutely adore. The D&G Classic Cream lipsticks have a slightly off-putting rose taste. I can tolerate the rose scent because it is common in high-end and designer lipsticks but the taste is overpowering. EB lipsticks have no taste, thank goodness. I will continue to purchase both EB and D&G lipsticks because both are phenomenal but if you are sensitive to the flavor of lipstick, you may want to try the D&G lipsticks on in person before you purchase them.

Charm is neutral but it leans slightly more mauve and less pink in most lighting. I took the photos above in natural sunlight so they look a touch brighter - more pink. I think think would be a very flattering shade on most women and it reminds me a lot of NARS Catfight, except Catfight has a golden sheen. The photo below is not the best representation of the color, unfortunately, but it is more true to how it looks on my lips when not in sunlight or direct light. It could actually be categorized as a My Lips But Better shade if you have mauve-tinged lips like mine!

Bottom line: This color won't change your life but it might make your morning routine a lot easier!

Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish Review Video Details

I figured it was due time for this review since I wear Deborah Lippmann nail polishes so often. I was hooked earlier this year and I look forward to every release. I still think Chanel is the queen of setting nail color trends but DL's quality is, thus far, unbeatable. The top of the brush is small but easy to hold and conforms well to the curve of the fingers. DL apparently tested hundreds of those little black caps on professional nail artists and I can see the care that went into the style and practicality of the packaging. I know a lot of you are hesitant to spend so much on a single polish so I hope the nail wheels and my input help you select one that you will find worthy of your hard-earned money!



My favorite DL nail polishes:
I Dreamed You, Daytripper, Happy Birthday
My lease favorite DL polishes:
P.Y.T, Lady Sings the Blues

*I will be posting photos of the nail wheels tomorrow :)


Make-up Worn:
Chanel MatLumiere in 40
Cargo Blu_ray Powder in 30
Shu Uemura Eyebrow Pencil in Stone  Grey
Lancome Artliner in Noir
Edward Bess Eyeshadow in Dusk
MAC Technakohl in Graphblack
Faux False Eyelashes in Roxy
D&G The Blush in Provocative
Edward Bess Deep Shine Gloss in First Kiss

Lenses:
Clear prescriptive lenses!

Dolce & Gabbana Blossom Eyeshadow Duo Review, Comparison, Photos, Swatch

I've been enamored with Blossom since I saw make-up artist Lisa Eldridge use it in a tutorial a few months ago. Even though I was initially hesitant about my purchase, I don't regret it one bit because I don't have anything like it in my collection. Most of you know I love my neutral eyeshadows and will pay a premium for them but I am not willing to shell out big bucks for brights like Blossom. These eyeshadows, however, are so smooth and easy to manipulate that I think the price was justified. 

But just look at how unique this duo is! I like to play up the subtle golden shimmer in the fuchsia burgundy [first swatch below] with warm toned orange-copper shades like NARS California. I find, however, that it looks best with paired with a matte shadow. And don't worry, it doesn't read as red-pink on the lid as it appears as a swatch. It isn't easy to pull off alone on the lid but it can be mixed and paired with so many deeper shades to create depth and dimension, definitely worth experimenting with. The blue-based purple is supposedly very similar to MAC Stars & Rockets but I can't comment since I don't own that particular MAC shade. Both are iridescent shadows but from what I have seen, Stars & Rockets has more of a pink sheen while the shade in Blossom has more of a blue sheen. 

The only colors that I own that come even close to the shades in Blossom are the Chanel Illusion D'Ombre eyeshadow in Ebloui [reads more brown as a swatch] and the Urban Decay pencil in Asphyxia. Both of these shades, however, have noticeable shimmer particles that sit on top of the bases as opposed to the D&G Blossom shadows, which have a very refined shimmer quality that is infused into the base colors. I'll try to put together an eye look soon so you can see this duo in action.

Bottom Line: I love it!