My first attempt at ombre nails

I did this last weekend and only took two pictures before I had to leave with my family for something.  Super bummed I forgot to take more pictures.  I have always wanted to try the ombre effect and finally gave it a go with China Glaze's Refresh-Mint and Zoya's Jules.  I like the antiqued look it has.  I used a sponge eyeshadow applicator to get the effect.  I'll try some more of this.  I'm kind of curious to use three colors.  Daring, I know.

What colors have you used that look good with an ombre effect?  What technique do you use (sponge)?

-polish. impress. repeat.

January 2013 Birchbox

Well, I'm super disappointed with this month's box.  I guess this one out-weighs some of the awesome boxes I've gotten from Birchbox in the past.  You can't win them all I guess...

This month's theme was about having a great start to the new year and making this year 'awesome'.  Ironically, this box was not a good start to the year.

Here's what I got:

This was the only really awesome thing in the box.  This is nail polish by Alessandro in the shade Blue Lagoon  I'm not sure if I like this color, but I've really liked quite a few blue colors this year, so I'm hoping this is another good one.  I've never heard of this brand before, but that's the beauty of Birchbox, discovering new brands and products.

I've only found about three perfumes that I've actually liked from the 20 or so perfume samples I've gotten from Birchbox over the years.  This one, Skinny Chic by Harvey Prince is actually okay.  I'll use the sample, but I don't think I'm going to go out and get the full sized bottle.  It does have a spray top which is a plus.

This is Instant Restorative Hair Serum by Ojon.  "Instant" huh?  We'll have to see.  I've gotten two hair serums in previous Birchboxes that I've loved!  One by Orofluido and the other my Amika.  They both worked wonders and smelled delicious.  This one is in a little tiny vile and doesn't smell that great.  Not impressed by those, so hopefully the actual product works well.

I've gotten a product from The Balm in my last couple boxes.  This is an eyelid primer.  I just use my Nyx Jumbo Eye Pencils for a primer, so I don't know what I'll do with this.  It's a pretty good sized sample for an eyelid primer.

I got two of these cards with foil packaged samples in them for my 'extra' of the month.  I guess that's nice that these weren't put in as my regular items because that would have been even more disappointing.  This is face cream from Fresh.  I'll probably take these when I have to travel some time.

I'm a huge proponent of Birchbox and am usually happy with my box even if it isn't 'amazing' because I still feel like I'm getting $10 worth of products.  This month is the first month in 2 years of being a subscriber that I feel that this box was worthless.  I know there is a lot of competition out there with beauty sample box subscriptions and this one didn't score any points for Birchbox.  I hope they can step it back up.  :)  I have full confidence that they can.

What other subscription services are you subscribed to?
Did you like your Birchbox this month?

-polish. impress. repeat.

Exclusive Butter London Polish - Two Fingered Salute

Wowza.  I have been hoping I'd get this polish one day.  Nordstrom's was having a buy two get one free sale after Christmas on their Butter London polishes.  If you don't know, Two Fingered Salute is a Nordstrom's exclusive color.  It is GORGEOUS!  It is a dusty robin's egg blue/green with copper glittery flecks.  There are moments when my manicure hits the light at just the right point and I am mesmerized.  This is probably one of my favorite polishes just because it is so incredibly unique.  This is two coats and it is opaque at that point.  It was hard to photograph this polish to get the copper flecks to stand out.  I apologize for some bad pictures, but I was trying really hard to get you all a good idea of what this polish really looks like in person.

What is your favorite 'unique' polish?

-polish. impress. repeat.

Delayed Glitzy NYE Manicure

Here are my nails that I rung in the new year with; better late than never!  I used Color Club's Disco Nap (which I received in one of my Birchboxes).  For an accent nail, I used a few coats of OPI's The Living Daylights.  It was a fun combo.  I wanted something shiny and glitzy, but not too much.  I really liked this combo except for the face that Disco Nap started chipping after a few days.  I haven't had problems with chipping nail polish in the longest time, so that was frustrating.  It really is a gorgeous color though! I love that Disco has little gold flecks in it, and it is like liquid metal.  The Living Daylights is stunning in itself too, so yea....

Let me know what you wore on your nails for New Years Eve!

-polish. impress. repeat.