back to school – Adventures in Polishland

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Back to School Week | How to Use the Erin Condren Life Planner for College

Posted on August 29, 2015August 26, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today is the last day of Back to School Week, and to finish things off I’m sharing how I would use my Erin Condren Life Planner for college. I’ve seen so many people on Facebook asking how to use the planner for school, so I thought I would go ahead and share a mock Plan With Me video with all of you. To go along with the video, I wanted to talk a bit more about the items I recommend here on the blog. Let’s get started!

WHAT YOU NEED

I want to begin by saying that you don’t necessarily need any of these things in particular to use a planner in college. Many colleges give out free planners, or you can buy one very inexpensively at your local office supply store. That being said, I highly recommend the following:

Erin Condren Life Planner in the Horizontal Layout – $50; save $10 on your first purchase using my referral link HERE
Erin Condren Snap-In To Do List – $4
Sharpie Ultra Fine Point Markers – $6.49 for the 12-pack shown on Amazon HERE
Colored Pens, my favorite being THESE from InkJoy (not pictured)
Darice Sticker Books – $1, find at your local Michaels Crafts

PLANNING ROUTINE

As you can see, it is really easy to use the Erin Condren Life Planner for college. The horizontal layout has tons of space to write down all of your assignments and other life events. The Snap-In To Do List really makes all the difference, and is a great $4 investment. I hope you found this post and video helpful as the school year begins! Of course, let me know your planning tips and tricks in the comments!

This post includes some affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Back to School Week | Drugstore Beauty Giveaway!

Posted on August 28, 2015August 26, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! I had to include a giveaway as a part of Back to School Week! I put together a little care package so one of my followers can head Back to School with some new goodies. While you don’t have to be a student to enter, I would love if you entered only if you are a student, or you plan on giving this to a student. This is a great gift to share with a loved one – every bit helps when you are on a tight student budget! Let me show you what the winner will receive!

I wanted to include some items that the winner can use at home to relax and get ready, but also some things to keep on hand throughout the day. Everything comes in this makeup bag from Sephora, which is in a fun red color in faux patent leather. Here’s what the winner will receive:

2 Freeman Paper Face Masks
5 Softy Wipes (reviewed HERE)
1 Mini Lint Roller
1 Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara in Blackest Black
1 Frizz-Ease Hair Serum
1 NYX Butter Gloss in Créme Brulee (featured HERE)
1 Wet ‘n Wild Megalast in Bite the Bullet (featured HERE)
1 Air Repar Rescue Balm Sample
1 Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

You can enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget here. There is only one winner, and the giveaway will remain open for one week. This giveaway is open to those with a United States address only. Please read the full Terms & Conditions in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I hope you have been enjoying Back to School Week! Stay tuned for the final post tomorrow!

Back to School Week | What’s in My School Bag?

Posted on August 27, 2015August 27, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Today I am taking you inside of my school bag to see what I carried around with me as a student. I have both photos and a video for you, so you can really get a good idea of how I pack and organize everything. I tend to carry around just a little more than I actually need so that I’m prepared for any situation. At the same time, I make sure that my bag isn’t too heavy. It’s definitely a balance, and I’m going to share my tips and tricks with you. Let’s get started!

I like to carry a tote bag instead of a backpack, just because I find that it’s more my style, but also let’s me have more control over my belongings. If items are right under my arm, it’s easier for me to keep an eye on them than if they are behind my back. Plus, a tote bag can double easily for a carry on or regular purse. This one is from H&M and called the Shopper. It retails for just $24.99, but is super sturdy and can fit a LOT of stuff in it. I used it when I moved to carry two laptops, my iPad, my purse essentials, my planner, and a lot more. I highly recommend it! You can buy it HERE.

TECHNOLOGY

The type of technology you carry in your bag will be dependent on your schooling situation. In college, I used regular notebooks until I got my iPad. Then I used the app UPad to handwrite my notes using a stylus. That allowed me to cut down on what I was carrying, and easily transition from handwritten notes to electronic notes. You can download UPad HERE for $5.99 – it’s worth the price if you use it often! The stylus I use is from Boxwave, and comes in a variety of colors. It’s only $7.50 on Amazon HERE.

In law school, I used a 13-inch MacBook Air. It is very lightweight, but still makes typing up lots of notes really easy. You can use the education discount at Apple to get $100 off your purchase when you show proof that you are a student, or shop on Amazon HERE for a discount as well. As for your chargers, use a pouch to keep them organized. Otherwise, your wires will get tangled up in a mess!

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Despite using a laptop or tablet to take notes, I like to have a sturdy notebook on hand for meetings, or for those classes where the professor doesn’t allow computers. Five Star notebooks are my favorite because of the sturdy cover and high quality paper. They are a bit more expensive, but will last all year. Of course, I need to have my Erin Condren Life Planner (more info on it HERE). Lastly, I use a Sephora case for all of my school supplies, such as pens, pencils, highlighters, and more.

PURSE ESSENTIALS

My school bag doubles as a purse, so I keep all of my essentials in it as well. This includes my Firmoo Prescription Sunglasses (review HERE), an umbrella, an emergency beauty pouch, and my wallet. You can see everything I keep in my beauty bag by watching the video embedded in this post.

VERTICAL ORGANIZATION

When packing my school bag, I like to stand everything up vertically instead of just tossing in the pouches and such. That allows me to find whatever I need, plus it saves room in my bag. Pouches really help to keep everything in place as well. This system is especially useful for a bag like this one, where there are no pockets or zippered compartments inside.

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I hope you enjoyed seeing what I keep in my school bag, and how I pack it all. Of course, you will probably need to toss in a textbook or two depending on your program. That’s another reason why I love the MacBook Air and iPad – it lightens up your load! Definitely let me know in the comments what your school necessities are! I would love to know!

This post contains some affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclose Policy for more information.

Back to School Week | Daily Makeup for School

Posted on August 26, 2015August 21, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today for Back to School Week I’m going to be sharing my go to makeup products for school. There are a lot of factors to consider when getting ready for school every morning. You want your makeup to last all day, feel light and comfortable, and be quick to apply in the morning. I am also a huge fan of wearing minimal and natural makeup to school. I’ll be showing you the makeup products that I use on a daily basis, whether I’m heading to school or not. They are all drugstore products, and won’t break your student budget. Let’s jump right into my favorite daily makeup!

FACE PRODUCTS

I like to stick with a three product system for my face makeup. First, I use a primer. This will ensure my makeup stays put all day. A great option from the drugstore is Maybelline Baby Skin. It measures up to other high end face primers for a fraction of the price. I then follow up with a liquid foundation. My all-time favorite is the Covergirl trueBLEND, which is under $10 at the drugstore and comes in a wide range of shades. It is a light to medium coverage, but is quite buildable. It also blends out really well. Finally, I set my foundation with the Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder. This is a cult favorite, and I’ve repurchased it what feels like a dozen times. It is beyond awesome at keeping your face matte and in place all day – take my word for it.

EYE PRODUCTS

I keep my eye makeup very simple on a daily basis, especially when I was in school. I think there are really only two must have products. First is a good eyebrow product. I love using the Milani Brow Fix Kit because it contains everything I need to fill in my brows – brow powder in two shades, a highlighter, tweezers, angled brush, and sponge applicator. I’ve tried a lot of drugstore eyebrow products, and this is by far my favorite. Next, I love a good mascara. It adds a lot to your face without being much trouble. My favorite of the moment is the Covergirl The Super Sizer. It lengthens and adds volume in one!

BLUSH & HIGHLIGHTER

While I like to keep my makeup pretty simple, blush and highlighter are quick ways to add some dimension and color. I’ve been completely obsessed with the new L’Oreal Lumi Powder Glow Illuminator in the shade Rose for highlighter. It’s so beautiful and wearable! In addition, I love the elf Studio Blush Palette in Light, which I reviewed HERE. This $6 palette includes four different blushes, so you can pick a shade based on your mood and outfit. It’s awesome!

LIP PRODUCTS

Last but not least are lip products! One of my most used lip products is the Revlon ColorBurst Balm Stain in the shade Honey. It stays on all day through eating and drinking, so it’s perfect for going to school. Another product that I love is the NYX Butter Gloss in the shade Créme Brulee. It is a great ‘my lips but better’ color, and can be worn over the Revlon stain or on its own. These are both a great way to finish your daily makeup look!

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That brings us to the end of the post! I hope you enjoyed seeing what my daily makeup is for school. Of course, you an make this your own by adding more products, or simply wearing just powder and mascara. The key is to be comfortable so you can focus on your studies and not worry about your face. Make sure to stay tuned as Back to School Week continues!

What are your go-to makeup products for school? Let me know in the comments!

Back to School Week | 5 Tips for College Success & Survival

Posted on August 25, 2015August 20, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Today’s Back to School Week post is going to be something a little bit different here at Adventures in Polishland. I wanted to share with all of you some of my tips for having a successful and positive college experience. College was a very difficult time in my own personal life. While I loved my classes and professors, I just didn’t fit in with the social atmosphere. I went to a small liberal arts school, and felt isolated and really unhappy my freshman year. It was my first time away from home, and I really missed my family. In addition, my roommate and I completely clashed, so I was uncomfortable in my own room. To top it all off, I don’t drink, so it was extra difficult for me to make friends outside of class and find things to do on the weekends. All of that being said, I tried to make the best of my situation, and by the time I graduated I had a great group of friends, and a lot of positive experiences I can look back on with fond memories. I hope that this post will help those of you just beginning college this year, or those who are struggling to fit in just like I was. Without further ado, let me share five tips for college success and survival!

1. Join an On-Campus Club or Organization

My first tip is what I consider the most important, and that is to join at least one on-campus club or organization. I joined a lot of clubs my freshman year, and even became the president of two of them later on. Not only are clubs a great way to meet classmates with similar interests, but it gives you the opportunity to get out of your dorm room each week. I met some amazing friends through the clubs I was a part of, and got to experience some really amazing events as well. I suggest picking one or two clubs to start, and perhaps even adding a couple more from there. I can guarantee your college will have at least one organization for you, whether it be an intramural sport, political club, or something else.

2. Change Up Your Study Location

Now let’s talk about your studies. That is why you go to college, after all! Many students like to find that one study area where they can go on a regular basis. It’s definitely a good idea to find a study location where you are comfortable, but I recommend having about three or four locations that you rotate on a regular basis. That way, whenever one location isn’t working, you can change it up and go somewhere else. I liked to study in my dorm room, in the library, and in my school’s atrium. The change of scene helped me stay on track, but I was still comfortable studying in each location. I also picked spots that had food available nearby (gotta have that caffeine boost!).

3. Write Letters to Friends and Family

While social media and phone calls are a convenient way to stay in touch with your family and friends back home, I really enjoyed writing letters as well. There is something special about getting something in the mail, especially in today’s world. Make sure to swap addresses with your friends before you leave for college, and try to write to them at least once per month. It might sound silly, but it’s a lot of fun, and you’ll get to know your friends in a new way. You can even save the letters and cards in a scrapbook to look back on them later in life.

4. Take Advantage of School Freebies and Student Discounts

It’s no secret that the price of a college education is ridiculously high, so be sure to take advantage of all the freebies your school offers, as well as student discounts. My college had free laundry, free printing, and free gym facilities. We also had the opportunity to buy discount movie tickets. Moreover, my college had a free shuttle bus to take us to the local Target, grocery store, movie theatre, and train station. I could also go on and on about all the goodies they gave out at events, too. I always took advantage of these freebies and discounts, not only to save money, but to get off campus once in a while. Plus, your tuition is paying for these extra goodies, so make them count! Believe me, I miss having that free laundry big time!

5. Stay True to You

Last but not least, you have to remember to stay true to you. College is a great time to reinvent yourself and to grow as a person. However, never feel pressured to anything you don’t want to do. It was difficult to be one of the few people in college who didn’t drink, but I knew that I would rather be myself than just do what everyone else was doing. During my senior year I decided not to attend many of the senior events that celebrated the countdown to graduation. Looking back four years later, I don’t regret that decision one bit! I much preferred the quiet night in my dorm than feeling uncomfortable at the event. Sometimes it won’t be easy to stay true to you, but always remember to stay safe and never do anything you don’t want to, no matter what your own personal limits may be.

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That brings us to the end of this post! I hope you found it helpful as you either begin or continue on your college experience. If you have any questions, or would like more advice on a particular topic, please let me know in the comments! You can also email me at adventuresinpolishland@gmail.com if you’d like to ask a question there. Best of luck to those of you heading back to school!

Back to School Week | Drugstore Nail Polish Kit

Posted on August 24, 2015August 21, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! It is officially the first day of Back to School Week here at Adventures in Polishland! I thought it would be fun to share with you a drugstore nail polish kit for back to school. This kit contains six different nail polishes that I think are the absolute basics to have in your collection. If you have these six polishes, you will be able to create the perfect manicure for any situation! Instead of telling you specific nail polishes that I think you need, I’m going to tell you general categories and share a nail polish for each category. This will make more sense as the post goes along, so let me share this kit with you!

THE WHITE POLISH

SinfulColors – Snow Me White

First and foremost, every nail polish kit needs a basic white nail polish. White can be worn alone, it can be used in nail art, and it can be used under any nail polish to make the color more vivid. I highly recommend Snow Me White from SinfulColors because it retails for just $1.99 but has an amazing formula as well. I did a full review of this polish, so click HERE if you want to learn more!

THE NEUTRAL POLISH

Wet 'n Wild Megalast – Bite the Bullet Wet ‘n Wild Megalast – Bite the Bullet

The next necessity is a neutral polish, whether it be a beige, brown, grey, or taupe. Neutrals are perfect for interviews, your internship, or any other professional event. I like Bite the Bullet from Wet ‘n Wild Megalast because it is a mauve polish that is still neutral, but has a hint of color, too. The Megalast line is also $1.99 at drugstores, and comes in a wide range of shades.

THE GLITTER TOP COAT

Milani Cosmetics – Rainbow Prisms

It’s always great to have a glitter top coat at the ready as it dresses up any manicure. I layered one coat of Rainbow Prisms from Milani over Bite the Bullet, and you can see how my professional manicure turned into a fun one instantly. Whether you’re going from day to night, or simply want to change up your nails without redoing them completely, a glitter top coat is a must. I love any holographic glitter like the one shown here, but a multi-colored glitter is a good choice, too.

THE FAST-DRYING FORMULA

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri – Blue-Away Sally Hansen Insta-Dri – Blue Away

Make sure you have at least one polish with a fast-drying formula in your kit! We all have those moments where we are running out the door while simultaneously hoping our nail polish doesn’t smudge. This is especially true when going back to school, whether you’re the student or parent! My favorite fast-drying formula is the Insta-Dri line from Sally Hansen. The line offers a plethora of different shades, but I picked one of my favorites to show you here. I also recommend the NYC New York Color In a New York Minute range.

THE DARK AND VAMPY POLISH

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri – Night Flight

With fall around the corner, dark nails are sure to be on trend once again. You’ll want to have a dark and vampy polish in your kit, but it doesn’t have to be black. Feel free to choose dark purples, maroons, greens, or anything else that suits your tastes. I chose to go with Night Flight, a dark blue polish. Of course, it has the same Insta-Dri formula that I love as well.

THE PINK POLISH

Covergirl – Tickled Pink

Last but not least, I had to include a pink polish in this drugstore nail polish kit! Pink is my all-time favorite shade of polish. It’s classic, it’s fun, and it comes in a variety of shades. My favorite is a bright pink like Tickled Pink from Covergirl. I know red may be the ‘true’ classic nail color, but pink is where it’s at for me! Plus, pink is more youthful, so it’s great for the classroom. I even wore a bright pink on my first day of law school!

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That brings us to the end of this post! I hope you found it helpful as you do your back to school shopping. Make sure to hit the beauty aisle and the school supplies aisle! Use these categories to build your own personalized kit, and you’ll be set on nail polish for the upcoming school season.

What shade of nail polish will you wear to school? Let me know in the comments!

SinfulColors A Class Act Collection | Back to School 2015

Posted on August 7, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! I’m back today with my first nail polish review for the upcoming fall season. Fall is my favorite time of year for new nail polish collections, and I was beyond excited when SinfulColors reached out to me and asked if I would review ten shades from the brand’s new line. The A Class Act Collection features on trend shades and a mix of finishes. I have five demi-matte polishes to share, and five glossy/jelly polishes, so this post will be broken into two sections. First, up is the mattes, so let’s jump right in to the review!

The A Class Act Collection contains a variety of polishes in a “demi-matte” finish. Each of these polishes have the same formula, so I wanted to address it before showing you the swatches. The application of the mattes is a bit problematic – the formula is goopy, patchy, and difficult to apply. I never got a clean line during application, and it was hard to work with the formula. I had to apply between 2-3 coats to get the finish I desired. That being said, each polished dried beautifully. Besides the messy edges, the matte finish is stunning, and I love the end result. Thus, so long as you are patient during application, I think the mattes are worth the $1.99 price tag if you are loving a particular polish. Otherwise, the mattes are a bit of a miss for me.

First up is Whiteboard, a white polish that looks just like chalk! This polish is great as a base, or would work well for some chalkboard nail art (such as the style I featured HERE). I love rocking a white manicure in the summertime, especially when I’ve got a tan. It’s simple yet fashion forward at the same time.

V.I.Peach is a pastel yellow polish that reminds me of sunshine. It’s not a polish I would think to buy, but it’s actually quite wearable and goes well with my fair skin tone. I like this yellow shade as a matte, and think it is perfect to transition from summer to fall.

Next up is Pink Break, a pastel baby pink polish. This color totally reminds me of the typical pink shown at baby showers! It’s lightly pigmented, and it’s great for an everyday manicure. The demi-matte finish is still shiny despite being completely matte. It’s a great combination!

Chalk it Up is a green polish somewhere between mint and pistachio. This is one of my favorite colors of nail polish to wear, and the matte finish is a fun spin on it. I’d love to pair this up with a pastel blue for a nail art look!

The last matte is Blackboard, a true chalkboard polish! Blackboard is my favorite of the mattes that I tested. The formula was good during application, and it dried very quickly. Blackboard is definitely not a true black polish, but instead a deep grey. It is reminiscent of a school chalkboard for sure, and not as harsh as a full-on black. I highly recommend Blackboard if you are looking to pick up one of the demi-mattes.

Now let’s dive into the four glossy and one jelly polish I got to review. I’m happy to report that these all had wonderful formulas, and I did not have any application issues whatsoever. I’ll begin this section with the one jelly polish, and then review the four glossy finishes.

RADient is the one jelly polish in the bunch. Although it is listed as a demi-matte on the SinfulColors website, the formula is a true jelly. It is sheer, but layers on beautifully, and is a gorgeous raspberry color. I used two coats for my photographed manicure, with a bit of my nail line still visible. I will need to try this out in a jelly sandwich ASAP!

Summer S-cool is the first glossy polish I have to share, and it is a vibrant robin’s egg blue. I applied two coats to achieve opacity, and am amazed with the natural gloss and shine without a top coat. Summer S-cool is the perfect polish to wear to a pool party before heading back to the classroom!

Next up is Feel the Vibe, a true orange polish that will be absolutely necessary come Halloween. I applied two coats to achieve opacity, and cannot get over how awesome this orange is. If you are looking for the perfect orange, this one is for you! I think it is a must have in every nail polish stash.

Daredevil is next, and it is a hot pink polish with a bit of luminescent shimmer. I am obsessed with this polish! Not only does it have an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats, but it is an incredible shade of pink. I own more pink nail polishes than any other color, and I must say this is a fabulous one. I think I’ll put this on again very soon!

Last but not least is Fig, a stunning deep plum polish with purple shimmer. Fig is not a unique shade, but it’s one that SinfulColors has done very well. The formula is spot on, and the glossy finish is perfection. I actually might unhaul some of my similar polishes now that I have Fig!

All in all, the A Class Act Collection from SinfulColors has a great mix of polishes at the fabulous and affordable price point of $1.99 each. The full collection contains 27 polishes, so be sure to check your local Walgreens and other mass retailers beginning now in August and into September. I highly recommend picking up any of the glossy shades, and Blackboard from the demi-matte finishes. As always, please let me know in the comments if you’ll be picking up any polishes from the A Class Act Collection!

Follow SinfulColors on Social Media

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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

Back to School Week Roundup & Giveaway!

Posted on August 17, 2013August 16, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! I hope you all enjoyed Back to School Week here at Adventures in Polishland as much as I did! After creating those posts for you, I’m actually quite motivated for my second year of law school! Today I just wanted to do a roundup of this week’s posts in case you missed any of my Back to School tips. Plus, stay tuned because at the end I’ll have a giveaway!

Monday

Get Back to Hogwarts with Kawaii Nail Lacquer

Tuesday

Makeup Bag Essentials for School

Wednesday

Cute & Casual School Outfits

Thursday

“No Makeup” Makeup

Friday

My Drugstore Nail Polish Picks for School

Back to School Giveaway!

A few months ago, I participated in the Spring Fling Giveaway, a collaboration amongst several bloggers and indie companies. Unfortunately, the organizer was unable to retrieve a winner for some of the participants, including me, due to some personal issues, and I did not receive a response to my emails until recently. With her permission I am hosting a new giveaway for the prize pack I donated. I sincerely apologize for the delay, but I am so glad that one of my readers will finally be able to win this prize! One winner will get everything in the photo below, plus a few bonus goodies that I will add in to apologize for the Spring Fling mess-up. Thank you for understanding! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules

Who is eligible? USA residents who are 18 years of age or older. If under 18, you must have parental permission to enter.
Giveaway will run until August 31, 2013 at 12:00am EST.
All entries will be verified. Any false entries will result in disqualification.
The winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter and notified via email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or she forfeits the prize and a new winner is chosen.
The prize will be mailed within two weeks of receiving the winner’s shipping information. I am not responsible for lost or damaged packages.
I reserve the right to add or edit these rules at any time. Please check back or email me with any questions.

Back to School Week | My Drugstore Nail Polish Picks for School

Posted on August 16, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today is the last day of Back to School Week here on Adventures in Polishland, and I thought it would be fun to share some fabulous and affordable nail polishes! Each of the polishes showcased today can be purchased at the drugstore for under $6. I know students often have to pinch pennies, but with these great polishes you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank. Let me share my favorite drugstore polishes for back to school!

First up is Wet ‘n Wild Megalast in On a Trip. This is a gorgeous light purple polish. On a Trip as a great formula that is opaque in two coats. I was super impressed with this polish, and wore it for four days without any signs of wear at all. Not only is this polish pretty, but it retails for just $1.99 at drugstores! I highly recommend On a Trip, and it’s a great transition color from summer to fall.

Next up is one of my all-time favorites, Spoiled in Did I Dye It Too Blonde? Neons are still in this season, and this yellow is perfect if you really love fun nails. I layered one coat over white in the photos above to get a strong neon color, since Did I Dye It Too Blonde? is a bit sheer on its own. You can buy Spoiled nail polish at CVS stores for $1.99 each!

This post would be incomplete without a polish from Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear! It is probably my favorite brand of all time! I think the color Blue Me Away! is just perfect for back to school. Blue Me Away! has an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats. It really is the perfect light blue, and it retails for around $3!

Next up is a funky metallic polish from Maybelline Color Show in Amethyst Ablaze. This polish is purple and has a foil look when dry. The formula was good, though not perfect — let each coat dry completely or the polish will drag. I applied two coats to achieve opacity, and I’m loving the result! If you like an edgier look, Amethyst Ablaze is for you! It retails for around $4.

Milani is another fabulous drugstore brand, and I love the shade Quick Teal from the High Speed Fast Dry line. While marketed as a one coat formula, I do need two coats for opacity. The formula is great, though! Quick Teal is the perfect fall color, and can go with many outfits. It retails for just $4.99!

Last but not least is Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant in My Papaya. I love the Covergirl nail polishes, and this one is gorgeous. My Papaya is a coral pink shade, and has a hint of golden shimmer. The formula is flawless, and is opaque in two coats. My Papaya is a classic color, and will look great on almost everyone. It retails for $5.99 at drugstores.

All in all, I love drugstore nail polish, and these are some of my favorite polishes for heading back to school. Keep an eye out for sales and coupons, so you can snag these polishes at even better price. I hope you enjoyed this post and Back to School Week! If you’re heading back to school soon I hope you have a great year!

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

Back to School Week | “No Makeup” Makeup

Posted on August 15, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Today’s Back to School post is the perfect, easy makeup look for the classroom. To be honest with you, I didn’t wear much makeup at all when I was in high school, and even in college. Now I’ve mastered what DJ Tanner aimed for when she headed to Junior High. As Aunt Becky advised: “The trick to wearing makeup is to make it look like you aren’t wearing any.” I totally agree! Let me show you what I use to do my every day makeup!

BB Cream or Foundation: Having even and clear skin is the main reason I even put makeup on! I really like a light coverage foundation or BB cream, just to ensure I cover up any imperfections without looking like I have a ton of product on. [Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup & Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream]
Pressed Powder: If you’re prone to oily skin like I am, add a light dusting of pressed powder to your finished look. I am obsessed with the Rimmel Stay Matte that can be purchased at the drugstore, and have repurchased it several times. I get the shade transparent so I’m not adding more color to my face. [Rimmel Stay Matte]
Concealer: For days you have to cover up blemishes or dark circles, grab a concealer! I love the new Covergirl + Olay one that looks like a nude lipstick. It is so hydrating and covers my imperfections quite well. [Covergirl + Olay Concealer Balm]
Brow Pencil/Powder: Eyebrows frame your face, so make sure yours are looking great. I have one eyebrow that is much thinner than the other, so I use powder to even everything out. It looks natural, but makes me look more put together. I love this kit from Milani because it includes powder, a highlighter, and even tweezers! [Milani Brow Fix]
Blush: I rarely wear blush, but a little bit can add some color to your face and make you look more alive and ready for the day. Blush is perfect when you want a little something extra, or on days when you’re feeling “blah.” [Be a Bombshell Blush in Sweet Cheeks]
Tinted Lip Balm: Wearing a tinted lip balm is the perfect way to add some color to your lips for school. Lipsticks are just a bit much in the classroom on a daily basis. With all of the amazing options out there, grab your favorite lip balm and you’re ready for the day! [Pacifica Color Quench Lip Tint in Sugared Fig]
Mascara: My most-loved beauty product is definitely mascara. It brings focus to your eyes, and makes you look more awake. A great option for a more natural look, is to get mascara in the shade blackened brown. I’m loving this new one from Revlon! [Revlon Grow Luscious Lash Potion]

These are all of the products I need for my “no makeup” makeup look! As you can see, I stay away from eyeshadow, eyeliner, bronzer, and all of that fun stuff. While you can certainly play around with your own makeup look, I prefer to just look like me when I’m at school! Be sure to let me know what your makeup necessities are in the comments, and stay tuned for the last day of Back to School Week tomorrow!

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