Adventures in Polishland

Book Review | Pretties (Uglies #2) by Scott Westerfeld

Posted on November 19, 2015November 15, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

This review is of the second book in a series and contains spoilers for the first book. Please only read this review if you have read Uglies by Scott Westerfeld.

Pretties (Uglies #2) by Scott Westerfeld

Published by Simon Pulse on May 5, 2005

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Science Fiction, Dystopian

Format: Paperback

Pages: 370

Source: BookMooch

Goodreads: ★★★★

Tally has finally become pretty. Now her looks are beyond perfect, her clothes are awesome, her boyfriend is totally hot, and she’s completely popular. It’s everything she’s ever wanted.

But beneath all the fun — the nonstop parties, the high-tech luxury, the total freedom — is a nagging sense that something’s wrong. Something important. Then a message from Tally’s ugly past arrives. Reading it, Tally remembers what’s wrong with pretty life, and the fun stops cold.

Now she has to choose between fighting to forget what she knows and fighting for her life — because the authorities don’t intend to let anyone with this information survive.

REVIEW

I picked up Pretties immediately after finishing the first book in this series, Uglies. One of the benefits of reading an older book series is that there is no waiting between books, and I certainly prefer to read them all in a row so as to not forget any details. Pretties picks up about a month after Uglies finishes. Tally is, of course, now Pretty, and she is living in New Pretty Town and enjoying all the benefits that come with being Pretty. I was immediately impressed with how Westerfeld is able to change his entire writing style to fit the tone of this book. He adapts a new vocabulary, and emits a new aura to represent the laid-back and bubble-headed Pretty mentality. Just as Tally becomes Pretty, the reader does, too.

I really enjoyed reading the portions of the book that take place in New Pretty Town. In Uglies, I only had a glimpse into what it meant to be Pretty. I was glad that Westerfeld really dove into the Pretty culture in this book. I found the idea of cliques to be really interesting, and I loved seeing how the Pretties interact with one another. Westerfeld does a great job at flushing out the world he created in book one.

Moreover, I also liked the introduction of the new characters in this novel. I instantly loved the character of Zane, the mysterious leader of Tally’s new friend group. I was rooting for him and Tally to be a couple, and loved whenever they were in scenes together. Be forewarned, though, if you don’t like love triangles in books this may be a drawback for you. I thought this triangle was well-written and also very logical considering Tally’s Pretty status, so I don’t think it takes away from the story at all.

In addition, I also liked other new characters introduced, and the people Tally encounters as the story continues. While I won’t explain more due to spoilers, suffice it to say Westerfeld is no stranger to surprising the reader and adding in some fun twists and turns. One of the reasons I really enjoy this series is because of its fast-paced and addictive qualities. Pretties definitely keeps up with Uglies in terms of pace.

The one main critique I have is a small plot hole that for some reason really took away from the credibility of the novel. In Uglies, we get to meet Tally’s parents, who encouraged her to listen to Special Circumstances and help them find the Smoke. In Pretties, we never hear about her parents. What happened to them? Did they meet Tally after her operation? Do Pretties not have contact with their parents? These questions were left unanswered, and while this is not a main part of the story, it still didn’t sit well with me.

Nonetheless, I really enjoyed Pretties, and thought it was a great continuation to the series. I highly recommend reading it if you’ve read Uglies but haven’t yet continued on in the series. The book is such a quick read, and I was still extremely invested in Tally and her story by the end of this second book. Westerfeld definitely knows how to keep a series alive!

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When you buy a book through the Amazon of Book Depository links above, I earn a small commission through each website’s affiliate program. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

DIY Travel Nail Kit

Posted on November 18, 2015November 18, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Now that we are headed into the holiday season, I thought it was the perfect time to put together a DIY Travel Nail Kit! Whether you need a touch up on a weekend getaway, or some manicure options during a longer trip, I’ve got you (and your nails!) covered. I never used to travel with nail polish until college. During my winter break I was away from my nail polish collection for a few weeks, so I wanted to make sure I had a few options on hand. Let me show you everything I pack with me to keep my manicure in shape!

First things first, I highly recommend dedicating a small makeup bag to your nail kit. That way if things go wrong and your nail polish bottles break or spill, nothing else will get ruined. That being said, I always keep a spare piece of bubble wrap in my nail kit so I can keep everything secure. Don’t forget that if you are flying, you’ll need to put your nail polish in your checked luggage, or abide by the 3-1-1 rule (more on that HERE).

As for the items inside my kit, I make sure to have at least five things with me, four of which are pictured above for you:

Sally Hansen Double Duty – This is a base coat and a top coat in one! I’ve used it for years, and while it’s not my favorite top coat option, it’s a great one both for the price and the convenience. I often use it at home as a base coat, and it’s the logical choice for travel. Find it at your local drugstore, or online HERE.
Neutral or Pink Nail Polish – When traveling, it is best to find a nail polish that will work for any occasion and any outfit. I recommend a neutral shade, such as a beige or tan, or my go to polish color – pink! I love Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Peachy Breeze because it can work for a professional event, but is also fun for your beach vacation. Plus, a fast-dry formula is perfect for on the go.
Glitter Top Coat – Your manicure options will double with a glitter top coat! Keep one on hand for a night out, holiday party, or simply a change of pace. This can layer right over your other nail polish so you don’t need to worry about remover or touch ups. I grabbed Milani Color Statement in Club Lights, but choose any glitter you love for your kit!
Mini Emery Boards – I always keep an emery board in my purse, and I, of course, keep at least two in my travel nail kit. You never know when your nails will break, especially with the drying atmosphere of an airplane! I’ve used some of the tiny emery boards before, and those just don’t cut it. I received these black ones for review, and am in love! They are the perfect size at 3.5 inches long – they fit easily in my makeup bag, but are still big enough to hold easily. Plus, you can get a 50 pack for just $10 on Amazon HERE. I highly recommend grabbing a pack to keep you stocked up. They even make a great stocking stuffer!
Nail Polish Remover Pads – I don’t have any on hand to show you, but nail polish remover pads are perfect for travel! Who wants to carry a bottle of nail polish remover?! I’ve had great luck with the butterLONDON Scrubbers, which I think is worth splurging on for special occasions. I usually wait to take off my nail polish once I’m back at home, but these are a great option for those of you who want to switch it up on the road!

All in all, taking care of your nails while traveling can be super easy and non-stressful with a DIY Travel Nail Kit! This kit makes the perfect holiday gift for your friends and family, but don’t forget to create one for yourself! You can also feel free to add in hand cream for some added moisture during the winter months. It all depends on your personal needs! I hope this post brought you some inspiration, and I’m wishing you safe travels!

What’s in your Travel Nail Kit? Let me know in the comments!

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Book Review | Uglies (Uglies #1) by Scott Westerfeld

Posted on November 17, 2015November 15, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Uglies (Uglies #1) by Scott Westerfeld

Published by Simon Pulse in 2005

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Science Fiction, Dystopian

Format: Paperback

Pages: 406

Source: Purchased

Goodreads: ★★★★

Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can’t wait. In just a few weeks she’ll have the operation that will turn her from a repellent ugly into a stunning pretty. And as a pretty, she’ll be catapulted into a high-tech paradise where her only job is to have fun.

But Tally’s new friend Shay isn’t sure she wants to become a pretty. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world– and it isn’t very pretty. The authorities offer Tally a choice: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. Tally’s choice will change her world forever…

REVIEW

I’ve wanted to read the Uglies series for a few years now after hearing YouTuber Joey Graceffa mention it in one of his videos. I’m a huge fan of the dystopian genre, and this one sounded really intriguing. Uglies follows Tally Youngblood. She lives in a city where at the age of sixteen everyone gets a surgery to become Pretty. Tally is excited for her operation, and looking forward to the future. Yet everything changes when her new friend Shay decides to run away and not get the operation. Tally is forced to help the government track Shay down, or never be Pretty.

I was instantly sucked into this world, and found the writing extremely addicting and really fast-paced. While the world is not completely unique, it was still really cool. I liked the different technology involved, especially the hoverboards that take Tally and her friends around the city. In the same way, I liked that Westerfeld kept Uglies in the third-person narrative. This is different from many other young adult dystopians in which the main character is narrating, and I found the change refreshing.

As for the characters, I instantly connected with Tally and was rooting for her from page one. She is an extremely likable character, because while she wants to fit into society, she also wants to do what she thinks is right. I did find that Tally was a bit too gullible, but other than that I think she is the perfect protagonist. Both Shay and David, on the other hand, I didn’t trust. This is proof of Westerfeld’s excellent writing skills, though, as Tally is unsure whether she should trust them, too.

My main critique of the story is that everything seems to work out a bit too easily for Tally. Yes, she faces some unsurmountable challenges, but despite how quickly the adventure unfurls, everything settles nicely. That being said, I was able to let that slide because I was so invested in the story. I couldn’t wait to pick up the next book in the series when Uglies came to a close!

All in all, I really enjoyed Uglies and am so glad I finally picked it up! I highly recommend it for fans of the dystopian genre. The book has a great discussion on what makes a person good or evil, and it is also the first dystopian world that I was willing to live in myself. I know this is an older series, so if you’ve read Uglies please share your thoughts with me!

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When you buy a book through the Amazon or Book Depository links above, I earn a small commission through each website’s affiliate program. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Manicure Monday | China Glaze in Surreal Appeal

Posted on November 16, 2015November 10, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Manicure Monday! Today I have another polish to share with you that I swatched during my great destash project. It’s no secret that I love pink nail polish. In fact, it’s the color of polish that I have the biggest variety of in my collection. I decided it was time to pare down my pink polishes, so I carefully picked out a few that I knew I had dupes of, or whose formulas just weren’t that great. I put China Glaze in Surreal Appeal aside, and decided to swatch it. I’m so glad I did! Let me show you this beautiful polish!

Surreal Appeal is a neon pink polish that leans towards coral. The formula is excellent, applies smoothly, and is opaque in two coats. Surreal Appeal looks amazing with my skin tone, and I can’t believe I haven’t worn this more! I think it’s been about two years since I reached for this polish, but that’s due to the sheer volume of pinks I own. It got lost amongst all the other pretty bottles!

All in all, I am loving China Glaze in Surreal Appeal. Decluttering my nail polish collection is a slow process, and difficult for someone who is a collector and blogger. That being said, it’s refreshing to get rid of polishes that I’m not in love with, because now I can focus on the truly stunning ones like Surreal Appeal. You can purchase Surreal Appeal on Amazon HERE for around $6.00. I highly recommend you pick this one up for your stash!

This post contains an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

The Perfect Fall Nail Color | Milani Cosmetics in Canyon Country

Posted on November 13, 2015November 9, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! One of the polishes that I’ve rediscovered in my nail polish destash project is Canyon Country from Milani Cosmetics. I typically reach for dark polishes in the fall, but I’m so glad I took the opportunity to swatch Canyon Country! I think I’ve found the perfect fall nail color, and I’m excited to share it with you. It’s been a couple years since it first appeared on the blog (see that post HERE), so it’s definitely time for another post!

Canyon Country is a burnt orange nail polish with a creme finish. It has a perfect formula that is opaque in two coats. I am obsessing over the smooth finish! I’m not wearing a top coat in these photos, and my manicure looks awesome. Plus, Canyon Country is a color that I think will look great on anyone no matter the skin color. It’s warm and cozy, and will go perfectly with your fall sweaters and boots. Plus, Canyon Country will work really well in nail art. It’s an all-around great polish!

All in all, I’m so glad I took the time to swatch Canyon Country before I destashed it. Some polishes just don’t look as exciting in the bottle as they do on the nails, and this is definitely one of them. While this particular Milani polish is retired, it can still be found on Amazon HERE for a reasonable price. I highly recommend picking it up for your collection!

What is your perfect fall nail color? Let me know in the comments!

The product in this post was provided for my unbiased review. This post contains an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Book Review | The Revolution of Ivy (The Book of Ivy #2) by Amy Engel

Posted on November 12, 2015November 9, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

This review is of the second book in a series, and contains spoilers for the first book. Please only read this review if you have read The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel.

The Revolution of Ivy (The Book of Ivy #2) by Amy Engel

Published by Entangled Teen on November 3, 2015

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Dystopian, Romance

Format: eARC

Pages: 290

Source: NetGalley

Goodreads: ★★★★

Ivy Westfall is beyond the fence and she is alone. Abandoned by her family and separated from Bishop Lattimer, Ivy must find a way to survive on her own in a land filled with countless dangers, both human and natural. She has traded a more civilized type of cruelty — forced

marriages and murder plots — for the bare-knuckled brutality required to survive outside

Westfall’s borders.

But there is hope beyond the fence, as well. And when Bishop reappears in Ivy’s life, she must

decide if returning to Westfall to take a final stand for what she believes is right is worth losing everything she’s fought for.

REVIEW

The Revolution of Ivy was one of my most anticipated releases of the year, and I am so excited to be a part of a Blog Tour to celebrate the book’s release. I absolutely loved the first book in this young adult duology, and was anxious to see how Ivy’s story would end. This book begins just where The Book of Ivy ends, with Ivy waking up beyond the fence after being put out of Westfall. I did have some issues remembering the details of the first book, but thankfully was able to jump right back into the story rather quickly. That being said, I definitely see a reread of this series in the future!

As with the first book, The Revolution of Ivy is exceptionally well-written. Ivy is an excellent first-person narrator. She speaks in a dreamlike manner, but she is always easy to follow. I also really liked the addition of new characters Caleb and Ash. They were added to the story seamlessly, and were developed well throughout the book. The pacing of the novel was well done, too – Engel knows when to share details, and when to jump forward.

That being said, I did find the story to be a bit predictable, especially to a reader who is no stranger to the dystopian genre. There were definitely some big plot twists and unexpected scenes, so I deducted a half star from my rating for the touch of predictability. There were also a few moments in the book that I didn’t find fully convincing, so I decided to settle on a solid four star rating for that reason.

Nonetheless, I really enjoyed The Revolution of Ivy. I cannot give much away in this review, as the story is so action-packed even the slightest hint of the plot will give a lot away in advance. The story is very emotional in more ways than one, and I can really connect with Ivy and feel for her in terms of what she experiences. I don’t necessarily agree with all of Ivy’s choices, but I still absolutely loved how this duology concluded.

Overall, I highly recommend picking up The Revolution of Ivy if you read The Book of Ivy. This duology is really incredible, and I am looking forward to the next book Engel writes. I know I will be reading this series again in the future. I’ve fallen in love with these characters, and will need to return to them throughout my reading life!

BUY THE BOOK

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GIVEAWAY

Enter to win a signed copy of The Revolution of Ivy and a necklace! This giveaway is open to US residents only, and is hosted by the publisher. Good luck!

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This blog post is a stop on a Blog Tour hosted by YA Bound Book Tours. All opinions are my own. Giveaway is hosted by the publisher, Entangled Teen, and I am not responsible for choosing or contacting the winner.

Sephora Favorites Give Me More Lip | Swatches + Review

Posted on November 11, 2015November 10, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! I recently shared with all of you a huge Sephora haul (see that post HERE). One of the items I splurged on is the Sephora Favorites Give Me More Lip set. Sephora puts together value kits called Sephora Favorites that include a variety of high end items in a particular category. I love trying lip products, but I usually stick with affordable drugstore options. I thought this was the perfect time to splurge on some high end lip products and give them a try! I won’t be keeping all of these lip products for myself (it is the holidays!), but I have swatches on all of the products I’m keeping. Let me go ahead and share more about the kit with you.

The Give Me More Lip set comes with fifteen different lip products, four of which are full size, and 11 deluxe sample sizes. They range from lipsticks to lip glosses to lip crayons and more, and range in shade as well from dark and vampy to barely there pink. The set comes in a gorgeous metallic gold gift box, which can definitely be reused. I couldn’t wait to dig in and decide which I would keep for me, and which I would give as gifts!

Fresh Sugar Tulip Tinted Lip Treatment (Deluxe Sample)

I really love the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment line, and I’ve already worn Tulip a few times. The formula is so smooth and soothing, and I like that there is just a hint of color. While the full size is definitely very expensive, I might splurge on one in the future. I know it is a trusted product, and I highly recommend them!

Laura Mercier Creme Smooth in Milkyway (Deluxe Sample)

I’ve never tried a Laura Mercier product before, so I was excited to put this lipstick to the test! It is definitely creamy and smooth, and feels very moisturizing on the kips. Milkyway is a nude shade that leans towards a brown-beige. It reminds me of the coveted Kylie Jenner lip shade that people try to replicate. I’m not sure it’s for me, but it’s very fun to try it!

Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Peony (Deluxe Sample)

I’ve been wanting to try this line from Too Faced for over a year now! So many beauty gurus love these, and I can see why. The formula is amazing, and applies so cleanly. I don’t think Peony is the perfect shade for me, but now I know that I love the formula and feel of these lipsticks. If you have a favorite shade, please share it with me in the comments!

Clinique Chubby Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Strawberry (Deluxe Sample)

Clinque Chubby Moisturizing Lip Color Balm in Strawberry

I always seem to love lip crayons like this one from Clinque. In my daily life, I prefer a tinted lip color that looks really natural. That’s just what you get with Strawberry. It has a nice wash of pink tint, and wears nicely throughout the day. I’m definitely interested in seeing what other shades are available!

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Streak (Full Size)

I’ve also been excited to try the Revolution Lipstick collection from Urban Decay! I’m really enjoying this lipstick and the creamy formula. The application is a bit tough due to the large lipstick size, but I think I might use a lip brush for a better line in the future. I’m also swooning over the amazing packaging on this lipstick!

Bite Matte Creme in Cognac (Deluxe Sample)

One of the more adventurous lipsticks in the bunch is from Becca. This super dark shade reminds me of the 1990s. The lipstick itself is a skinny crayon, and a bit difficult to apply. I’ve heard great things about this product range, so I think I’ll be experimenting with this some more!

Buxom Lip Polish in Sophia (Deluxe Sample)

Another one of my most worn in the kit so far is this Buxom gloss. It is so wearable, and the formula is great. I hesitate to describe it as sticky, because I know people don’t like sticky glosses, but it is long-wearing and stays on the lips. Plus, it makes the lips look really full. This product can be worn alone or over a lipstick.

Tarte Energy Gloss in Clear (Deluxe Sample)

This Tarte lip gloss is really unique. It applies almost clear, but has a slight pink tint that adjusts based on your skin tone. On me, it is a true pink, and I really love it. It feels so silky on the lips, too.

Ciate Liquid Velvet in Risque (Full Size)

Last but not least is one of my favorite products in the kit, Ciate Liquid Velvet in this amazing red color. I fell in love with this matte finish the first time I tried it. While I’m not one to rock a red lip normally, I am obsessed with this lip color. I had no idea Ciate was into lip products, and that they are incredible!

All in all, I highly recommend picking up the Give Me More Lip kit from the Sephora Favorites collection! It is definitely expensive at $59, but it’s a $197 value, and I think 100% worth the price. The products in this kit make perfect gifts this holiday season, and, of course, you can keep your favorites for yourself! I hope this post was helpful in terms of seeing some swatches of the products. Make sure to pick up Give Me More Lip on Sephora’s website HERE before it sells out!

What lip product is your favorite in this kit? Let me know in the comments!

The products in this post were purchased by my. This post contains an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

The Pumpkin Batch Unboxing | Wicked Good Pumpkin for October 2015

Posted on November 10, 2015November 4, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! It’s no secret that I am a huge pumpkin lover, so when I heard about The Pumpkin Batch I couldn’t believe such amazingness existed. The Pumpkin Batch is a monthly subscription box that features all pumpkin goodies. That’s right, this box is filled with 4-6 items that feature pumpkin in some way. I was lucky enough to receive the October box for review, and am excited to share it with you today. Make sure you stay tuned to the end of this blog post, as I have a coupon code for all of you!

I filmed an unboxing video so you can see how The Pumpkin Batch arrives, and all of the goodies in person. I will also have photos and more information of each individual product below for you.

As I mentioned in the unboxing video, The Pumpkin Batch includes items that are made in America. I love learning about new-to-me small businesses, and I think it’s amazing that The Pumpkin Batch does all the work in finding them for me. Let’s take a closer look at each product in the Wicked Good Pumpkin box!

Puurbody Flickering Wick Pumpkin Spice Soy Candle – $6 [BUY]

I’m not a candle person, but this one smells absolutely divine. I have it sitting in my bedroom, and even though it’s not lit I can smell it faintly in the background. This candle makes an excellent gift, and I love that it is made of 100% pure soy wax with no additives. I can tell this is a handmade item because the wax is a bit messy on the top of the jar, but because I’m keeping this for myself I don’t mind it one bit.

Wicked Whoopie Pumpkin Whoopie Pie – $3 [BUY]

I shared this whoopie pie with my mom because she is a whoopie pie aficionado. She said it was really delicious, and almost as good as the fresh bakeries in our community. I love that The Pumpkin Batch includes a fresh baked good in each box, but this one did contain a very long ingredients list with preservatives. It was also a huge splurge calorie-wise. Nonetheless, it is definitely a yummy treat!

Ravens Creek Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub – $12 [BUY]

I am so excited about this sugar scrub! Not only does it smell amazing, but I use sugar scrubs in my regular skincare routine so I know I will get use out of this. This is the one product I haven’t tried yet, simply because I just opened another scrub in the shower. I will be sure to report back and let you know my thoughts on it!

The Poisoned Applies Handmade Pumpkin Caramel – $7 [BUY]

Okay, it’s time to let you know about my favorite treat in the box! I cannot stress to you how delicious these caramels were! I may have accidentally eaten both in one sitting (oops). I don’t recommend you do that, though – they are so rich! While these are a bit expensive to buy normally, I highly recommend them as a special treat or gift. I’m still dreaming about them!

Kraken & Claw Kraken Corn in Harvest Brew – $5 [BUY]

The last item in the October box is this delicious popcorn. I also really, really enjoyed this! I’m a popcorn fan, so this made a great nighttime treat. This would also make an awesome gift during the holidays! I am going to have to browse through the Kraken & Claw shop to see what else they offer!

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOX + SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS

Overall, I really enjoyed the October box from The Pumpkin Batch! While this is not a box I would get all year round, I think it makes an amazing fall time treat. There are three different subscription options for The Pumpkin Batch. A monthly subscription is $29.99 per month, but you can save money with a longer commitment. A three-month subscription is $26.99 per month, and a full year is $24.99 per month. You can also give The Pumpkin Batch as a gift, which I highly recommend for the pumpkin lover in your life this holiday season! One gift box is $34.99, and a yearly gift is $299.99.

The Pumpkin Batch has provided all of you with a coupon code for 15% off your first box in any monthly or quarterly subscription. Enter polishpumpkin15 at checkout HERE. This coupon expires on November 30, 2015, so make sure you act fast if you want to save!

What do you think of The Pumpkin Batch? Let me know in the comments!

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The product in this post was provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Manicure Monday | Milani Color Statement in Mint Crush

Posted on November 9, 2015November 3, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Manicure Monday! Today I’m sharing another nail polish that I recently swatched as a part of my great destash project (learn more about that HERE). For some reason when I picked up Mint Crush from the Milani Color Statement line, I wasn’t thrilled with the color in the bottle. It looked like a polish I had a dupe of, and I set it aside in the ‘maybe’ pile. I’m so glad I decided to swatch it before giving it away! Let me show you this beautiful polish!

Mint Crush is a pastel blue polish with a creme finish. It has a perfect formula that is opaque in one to two coats! You can definitely get away with one coat, but I did two in the photos above just out of habit. I am beyond impressed with the formula and the stunning color. This is definitely a case where the polish is more exciting on the nails than in the bottle. I’m crushing on Mint Crush! While I usually wear pastel polishes more in the spring, this blue shade is also perfect for winter. I’ll have to remember that in January!

All in all, I highly recommend Mint Crush from Milani. You can pick up this polish at your local drugstore, or online HERE for just $3.99. I’ve had such great luck with Milani nail polishes, and now I’m inspired to wear them more often. I’m glad I rediscovered this in my destash process!

What is your favorite Milani nail polish? Let me know in the comments!

The product in this post was provided for my unbiased review. This post contains an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

BECCA x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop

Posted on November 6, 2015November 4, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I am excited to share my thoughts on the stunning highlighter created by BECCA Cosemtics and YouTube beauty guru Jaclyn Hill. I don’t typically spend a lot on makeup products, but I just had to gave this limited edition product, especially because I love Jaclyn and knew anything she created would be amazing. I decided to purchase the Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop in my latest Sephora Haul (see everything I got HERE). I’ve been using it nearly every single day since! Let me show you this stunning product, and share my thoughts with you.

First things first, I wanted to mention the stunning packaging in which Champagne Pop comes. The box is a beautiful rose gold that is so metallic and shiny I had issues taking a decent photograph of it! I normally don’t keep boxes, but I think I will be hanging onto this one because it is a special product, and a huge splurge item for me. I just had to point out the beautiful box to all of you!

The product itself is also well packaged. Champagne Pop comes in a sturdy compact with a large mirror. Moreover, the highlighter is beyond beautiful. It is a golden shimmer that truly packs a punch. I used to be really afraid of shimmering skin because I tend to be oily, but Champagne Pop is so gorgeous that I feel confident whenever I wear it! The formula is so soft and satiny, and blends out beautifully. I use a very light hand during application because I have very fair skin, but it shows up well and looks stunning. I really can’t praise this product enough!

BECCA x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop

Here are swatches of Champagne Pop both in artificial light (left) and natural sunlight (right). I do blend out the product much more when wearing it on my face, but I wanted to show you how strong the shimmer effect is on the skin. You can 100% control how much the product shows up on your face. I recommend using the Real Techniques Setting Brush, which is perfect for powder products.

All in all, I am obsessed with Champagne Pop. I don’t wear makeup every day, but when I do I’ve been reaching for this product nine times out of ten. I’m so glad I decided to purchase it! Champagne Pop is a splurge product at $38, but I highly recommend it. If you have a makeup lover in your life, this also makes the perfect holiday gift! You can buy it exclusively at Sephora HERE.

Have you tried Champagne Pop? Let me know in the comments!

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