Day 1: Red

If you're familiar with the nail polish world the title of this blog post might seem familiar. Yes, I am indeed trying my hand (pun intended) at the 31 Day Nail Challenge. I have tried the same challenge last year and failed to commit and after twelve days I gave up and called it quits. 

The 31 Day Nail Challenge is basically a month long challenge with a different theme every day. The first ten days it's all color based, the second group of ten days is all based around patterns and the third and final group is all nail designs inspired by certain things, songs, movies, books, etc..

I am confident that this time around I can really keep up with the challenge. I already know what I am going to do for the second day.

The first theme was red. Last time around I just painted my nails a solid red color and called it a day. This time around I wanted to do more interesting things with my nails. How could I make it entertaining for you to see? First thing that popped into my head when I saw the challenge for today was strawberries. The delicious sweet red summer fruit. I love strawberries and I try to eat them as often as I can in their season. 

The red polish is from an Essence Nail Art3 set. It's called 'top of the hill'. The green leaves are also from essence. It's called 'In Fashion We Trust'. The yellow seeds were dotted on with the ever bright NYC nail polish 'Lexington Yellow'. 

Delicious and cute, don't you think?

Pupa New Chic 10th anniversary lipstick review

I was overjoyed when I found this baby in my very first Beautybox. Beautybox is a Dutch sample subscription service much like Birchbox, Glossybox and Joliebox. The box was filled with amazing things that I have been using and enjoying for the past week or so. But I didn't get to using this lipstick. Up until now.

The Pupa New Chic lipstick has been the brand's bestselling lipstick for 10 whole years. And to celebrate this Pupa created 10 limited edition shades and I received one of them in my Beautybox. This is the shade nr. 57.

The packaging is lovely. It's a sleek red sleeve which you slide the lipstick out of, inside the sleeve is a nifty little mirror for on the go application.

The color of the lipstick itself is a gorgeous deep berry red color with a gorgeous sheen. It has a hint of plum. The sheen is pretty but not overpowering, and that's a lot considering I normally don't like shiny finishes on lipstick.

Application of this is like a dream. It's so soft and smooth it just melts onto your lips. It feels really moisturizing and it's opaque in just two swipes.

Lasting power is quite good. Because it's so soft it tends to fade a little quicker than matte lipstick, but it still lasts a good few hours unless you drink or eat.

Isn't it pretty? The Pupa New Chic 10th Anniversary limited edition lipsticks retail for €18,50 a piece. I really want to check out some of the other colors.

INGLOT Freedom System Round Lipsticks [Review + Swatches]

My love for INGLOT is growing a little more everyday. Apart from their products being absolute dreams in application and duration, the girl at the nearest counter is just the most vibrant piece of humanity. She is so much fun, I can laugh with her and she informs me about the jokes going around among the department store floor staff. Sadly, Joyce was out sick when I visited yesterday. But there was another woman there who helped me perfectly. They are all just so nice.

Yesterday I added three freedom system round lipsticks to my ever growing INGLOT collection (the count is at 13 shadows, 3 lipsticks, a pigment, duraline and an amazing powder brush). And I didn't swatch them, not even in the store, until about three hours ago. And I am head over heels in love with all three of them.

INGLOT freedom system round lipsticks come in pan form, they do have some sticks, but I wanted a small palette with a number of shades I could just pop in my bag to always have an assortment of colors on hand. The lipstick palettes are available in the sizes 3,5,10 and 20. But the 3 pan palette is the only one that doesn't come in their signature magnetized packaging but in this little black matte box. It's perfect and light, yet it feels sturdy in your palm. It comes with a mirror and a little slot for a lipbrush to be put in. Perfect for on the road and when you're travelling and want a bunch of different colors.

I got the shades 34, a gorgeous light bright pink with a creamy finish on the lips. 90, an amazing vibrant purple color with a pearl finish. The shimmer in this one is to die for, even if I don't really care for shimmer all that much. And 09, an orange based bright red that works on nearly every skintone, again a creamy finish.

The pigmentation, as per usual, is amazeballs. This was done after just one light swipe of my lipbrush. You can really see the pretty shimmer of the purple lipstick in these photos.

And now for the swatches on the lips. All the pictures were taken in natural ligt, outside in the sun. Because the sun is really being kind to the Dutch people. Let's hope we can keep its company in the upcoming weeks.

34

90

09

They wear beautifully, you apply them with a lip brush which makes for perfect precise application. They cover fully after two thin layers (I don't like digging my brush into the product, it's so scary). The formulas are creamy and absolutely not drying on the lips. I've worn 09 for four hours now, had a snack and a glass of water and it has not faded. Which means the staying power is pretty good. I'm testing if they are smooch proof tonight, haha.

I really enjoy this lipstick and I think I will get another palette soon. And maybe some disposable lip applicators, because toting around a lipbrush and some rubbing alcohol to clean it seems a little silly.

A palette of three INGLOT freedom system round lipsticks retails for €15, the pants contain 1.2 grams or 0.05 US OZ.

Meet Marilyn and Me At Coral Island

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I am becoming a great fan of the 'accent nail', especially since I hardly wear any jewelry on my hands. And this combination seemed rather nice to me. The gorgeous coral polish is from Catrice and it is called 'Meet Me At Coral Island', I love the creamy-ness of it. Gorgeous on most skintones. The red polish infused with tiny red particles of glitter is called 'Marilyn & Me', also from Catrice.

I bought 'Marilyn & Me' originally for Valentine's Day, but at the time I was still sporting the single glitter nail, and I didn't want to go through the hassle of removing all that glitter. And wearing the two different types of glitter nails would just be too much. I ended up pairing the silver glitter nail with an ANNY nail polish in 'True Love', seems fitting for the occasion. right?

But now seems like the perfect time to wear it in combination with this coral. I think I am really pleased with this look.

I do fear that the viking is right. I really do spend too much time on my nails.

Lady in Red

Sunday, the day that I do absolutely nohing except browse online, watch a movie, deep condition my hair. Except when I leave my laptop at my man's house. Then suddenly sunday turns into the day where I take way too many pictures of myself, color coordinate my closet, clean every surface of my bedroom. I should get rid of my laptop more often.

Two days ago I blogged about my pink lipstick collection and today we are focusing on my red lipsticks. Red is a statement color, there are many ladies that are too afraid to wear it. I say don't! Don't be afraid. Red lipstick gives you a certain flair, a spring in your step. Wear it with confidence and you'll be able to take on the world.

fltr: Catrice After Dinner Wine, Catrice My Red Card, Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate 01, Maybelline color sensational Lady Red and Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet 38 La Fascinante

Catrice After Dinner Wine

Catrice My Red Card

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate 01

Maybelline Color Sensational Lady Red

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet 38 La Fascinante

time for a change

The picture pretty much says it all. I'm ready for a change, I want something completely different.