nyx – Adventures in Polishland

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NYX Eye Shadow Base Review | ‘Skin Tone’

Posted on April 18, 2016March 21, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have a review of the NYX Eye Shadow Base in the shade Skin Tone to share with you. During my most recent makeup declutter, I tossed the two bases I owned because they were expired. I was going to splurge on a MAC Paint Pot, but while at Target I saw that NYX had an affordable option. I purchased the shade Skin Tone to try. Before I jump into the review, I did want to note that I am quite unhappy with the shade name as Skin Tone. Not everyone has the same skin tone, of course, and it’s quite disappointing that a brand would use a name that is so excluding. I hope that in the future NYX will use other descriptors for skin toned products. Nonetheless, let me share my thoughts on the actual product with you.

NYX Eye Shadow Base Review | 'Skin Tone'

The NYX Eye Shadow Base comes in a pot, and I really liked that it was wrapped in clear plastic on the outside and had a safety seal on the inside so I know the product wasn’t opened or tested by another customer. This base is formulated to keep your eyeshadow in place, and maximize the color as well. I like to wear a base like this to cover the veins in my eyelids even if I’m not wearing eyeshadow. It just creates a cleaner and brighter look for me.

Here is a swatch of Skin Tone. It is a bit darker than I would have liked, but on the eyes it does a great job of evening out the discoloration while still looking very natural. The formula is good, and very creamy. I like to use a concealer brush to apply it so I’m not constantly dipping my fingers into the pot. I did notice some creasing on the lids at the end of the day, and this product does wear off throughout the day, too. My eyelids do tend to be on the oily side, so I think this product would work much better for someone who doesn’t have oily lids. I think this is a good product for the price, but I will be trying out another base next time around.

All in all, I have mixed feelings about the NYX Eye Shadow Base. I love the formula and that it is cruelty free, but I am still aggravated with the name choice and the fact that it creases with my eyelids. I will continue to use this base until I find a better option for me, and will be sure to check in with you when than happens! If you have a favorite eye base, please share with me in the comments!

NYX Butter Gloss Reviews | Merengue, Créme Brulee, and Peach Cobbler

Posted on September 4, 2015August 30, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I have swatches and reviews of three Butter Glosses from the brand NYX. I am pretty new to NYX, and am trying out the brand’s many products slowly. I am so glad NYX is now easily available at CVS Stores, and at Ulta both in store and online so I can try out these fabulous and affordable products! NYX has a vast product line, but I decided to start with the Butter Gloss lip gloss when I got a coupon for it at CVS last spring. I fell in love, and had to pick up a couple more! Let me show you the Butter Glosses I have in my makeup collection!

MERENGUE

Merengue is a pink lip gloss with cool undertones of blue and purple. Like all of the NYX Butter Glosses, Merengue has a slight vanilla scent that I really love. In addition, it packs a sheer amount of color to the lips, and can be worn alone or over another lip product. I’m not really a fan of Merengue with my skin tone, but I think it would look gorgeous with dark skin. I’m going to try layering this one to make it more wearable for me.

CRÉME BRULEE

My favorite of the bunch is Créme Brulee, a peachy-pink nude gloss that for me is a ‘my lips but better’ shade. Créme Brulee is the first Butter Gloss I purchased, and definitely my most worn. It is perfect for daily wear, and can be layered over many nude or pink lipsticks. The formula of each NYX Butter Gloss is awesome as well, because while they are a bit tacky, that slight tackiness allows the product to be long-wearing. They are comfortable to wear, and I would not label them “sticky.”

PEACH COBBLER

Last but not least is Peach Cobbler, a bright red-orange gloss. Peach Cobbler is quite pigmented, and brighter than I normally wear. It does look great with my fair skin tone, and I just need to go ahead and wear it. Peach Cobbler is a great gloss to wear any time of year as well!

All in all, I’m really enjoying the NYX Butter Gloss lip glosses. While I’m still trying to find out the perfect shades for me, I don’t mind experimenting because these glosses cost just $4.99! Plus, both CVS and Ulta offer coupons and sales on NYX on a regular basis, so you can score these for just a couple dollars (if not less!). These glosses are really great quality for the price, and I highly recommend them!

What are your favorite NYX products? Let me know in the comments!

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!

Summer 2014 Favorites | Beauty, Lifestyle, & More!

Posted on September 6, 2014August 31, 2014 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! You may have noticed that this summer I didn’t post my usual monthly favorites. By the end of June and then July, I realized that I was reusing the same products over and over, and thought a combined summer favorites would be the best way to share my new favorite products with you. Plus, it’s a great way to reflect over the past few months! This was probably the last summer vacation I’ll ever have, since I’ve just embarked on my final year of school. Let me show you everything I loved the past few months!

NAIL POLISH

L’Oreal Jean & Tonic [REVIEW]

I wore this textured shade from L’Oreal a ton this summer! In fact, I made a dent in the bottle because I loved it so much! Make sure to check out my review for more details. If you like this polish, make sure to check the limited edition displays at your local drugstore ASAP.

MASCARA

CoverGirl Clump Crusher Mascara in Black [BUY]

I finally tried the famous Clump Crusher and I’m so glad I did! It really separates my lashes for a full look. I do wish it had a bit more “va va voom,” but I can always layer a thicker mascara on top for a more dramatic look. If you’re looking for a great mascara to use on the daily, I recommend this one.

EYEBROWS

Milani Brow Fix Brow Kit in Light [BUY]

I rediscovered this brow product over the summer, and pulled it out from the depths of my makeup collection! I’ve used it a ton, and I’ve found that the powder looks really natural and is easy to apply. I still use my eyebrow pencils sometimes, but in the hot summer sun, powder was the best option. Plus, this stuff lasts forever!

BLUSH

NYX Cream Blush in Natural [BUY]

I finally reached for cream blush this summer, and I’m happy I got over my cream blush fear! It’s lightweight and extremely blendable, so I don’t look cakey. I definitely need to pick up more cream blushes for my collection, so let me know your favorites in the comments!

PRIMER

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner [BUY]

I brought this sample size primer with me when I was traveling and fell in love! It’s just like my beloved Too Faced Primed & Poreless, but even better. Unfortunately, the full size is $45 (yikes), so I’ve been making this sample last as long as possible. If your budget allows for Pores No More, I say get it!

FRAGRANCE

Coconut Lime Breeze Body Spray [BUY]

I love lighter scents in the summer, and reach for body sprays more than perfumes. I got this one during the Bath & Bodyworks semi-annual sale for just $1.50, and I love it! It’s sweet, but not sickening. I pretty much love anything with a coconut scent, though!

TV SHOW

Big Love

I watched a lot of shows on Amazon Prime this summer, one of them being the complete series of Big Love. I don’t get HBO, so it was great to be able to watch some HBO shows for free this summer with my Prime subscription. Big Love was so addicting! It’s about a polygamist family in Utah. There is serious family drama, and it always kept me at the edge of my seat. I highly recommend it, but ask your parents if you’re under 18 since it has a lot of violence and some adult content.

BOOK

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa [BUY]

I also read a lot this summer, and one of my favorites was the Blood of Eden trilogy by Julie Kagawa. I’m always hesitant when it comes to vampires because of the whole Twilight thing, but gave this series a try, and I’m so glad I did! Kagawa does an amazing job of combining vampires into the dystopian genre. The trilogy follows teenager Allison as she decides to become a vampire, and the new life she must lead. The first book in the series is called The Immortal Rules (liked above). I highly recommend it!

EXPERIENCES

West Coast Adventures – Los Angeles & Las Vegas

I had the amazing opportunity this summer to visit both Los Angeles and Las Vegas. My brother and sister-in-law live in LA, so I made sure to visit them and meet my new nephew for the first time! It was wonderful to see them! I also met up with my grandma and cousin out there, and we took a road trip to Vegas. I’ve never been to Vegas before and it was an unbelievable experience. I thought NYC was big! If you ever get the change to visit Las Vegas, go! There is something for everyone!

All in all, I had a great summer even though it went by super quickly! Please let me know in the comments some of the products you loved these past few months. Also let me know what your favorite moment of the summer was. Feel free to tag me on social media using the hashtag #PolishlandFaves so I can see your photos!

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

Feminine Fall Manicure Set from ShopLately!

Posted on December 26, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Today I am very excited to share with you a shopping website that is brand new to me. It’s called ShopLately, and it’s part social network and part online boutique. I first heard about the site through some of my favorite YouTubers, and had to check it out for myself. Let me tell you a bit more about ShopLately, and show you what I ordered!

The ShopLately shopping experience is lots of fun! The website allows you to browse through products, or search for something specific. If you like something, simply click the heart button, and the product will be saved to your ShopLately profile. That way you never lose track of the items you love! ShopLately also features a number of great boutiques. Of course, my first order from the site had to be nail polish, so I grabbed a manicure set from the boutique Glint & Gleam.

I was so excited when my order arrived! Not only did I get it just four days after I placed the order, but it came packaged really well and I got a free gift! Imagine my surprise when I opened the box and found this cool necklace inside as well. I would have never picked it out for myself, but I’m excited to see what I can pair with it.

The item I ordered is called the Feminine Fall Manicure Set. For $17, I got a 4-step nail buffer, Miss Adoro French Manicure stickers, and two NYX polishes. I’ve never tried anything from these brands before, so I couldn’t wait to test these products out!

First up is NYX Nude Taupe, a beige polish with a creme finish. I am rather impressed with this polish! It has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. The brush is also large and flat, which makes application smooth and easy. I surprisingly like the color as well!

Unfortunately, the Miss Adoro French Tip stickers were a bit of a flop for me. I attempted to create a gorgeous and glittery French manicure, but the darn strips just wouldn’t file as they should! The glitter was just way too think for the file to cut through. As you can see in the second photo, I was really trying to make these work. Alas, I tried to make the best of a bad situation and went for a half moon manicure instead. It looks somewhat decent, but the edges are not clean because of the filing incident. I was definitely disappointed!

Luckily, the other NYX polish in the set was super amazing! Femme is a light purple metallic polish. The formula is absolute perfection, and is opaque in two coats. I just love the unique mix of purple and silver in the polish, and the way Femme shines in the light. I have nothing else like this in my polish collection!

All in all, while I was disappointed with the Miss Adoro stickers, I am loving the two NYX polishes and the nail buffer. Glint & Gleam has definitely won me over with its great packaging and free necklace as well! I’m definitely going to do some more ShopLately shopping in the near future. I think my next purchase will be from the indie nail polish brand GlitterDaze, or Manna Kadar Cosmetics (you know I love her line!).

You can join me on ShopLately by signing up HERE today! For a limited time if you sign up with your Facebook credentials, you’ll get a $10 credit! To check out my ShopLately profile and see the products I’m loving, click HERE. Be sure to let me know what you think of ShopLately in the comments!

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.

Zoya PixieDust Special Textured Collection for Spring 2013

Posted on March 8, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I have a review of one of the most talked about nail polish collections of the season. The Zoya PixieDust collection is right on trend with textured nail polishes, and offers an added sparkle with each polish. I love the look and feel of textured polishes, and these are no exception! Let me show you the full PixieDust collection!

First up is my favorite from the collection, Nyx! Nyx is a light, dusty blue that leans towards grey. The formula is great, but very sheer. It took three coats to achieve opacity. As with all of the polishes in the PixieDust collection, make sure you allow each coat of polish to dry completely before following up with another layer. This ensures you get the textured, matte finish! Nyx is so beautiful with its silver sparkle!

Next is Vespa, a mint green polish. Similar to Nyx, Vespa’s formula was quite sheer and required three coats to be opaque. I love the gorgeous color of this polish, but it was very pale in terms of pigmentation. It also smudges easily if it’s not completely dry. I found removal to be difficult with Vespa, especially because I wore it for a few days. Luckily the color is stunning!

Godiva is the next polish from the PixieDust collection, and is a light beige nude. Godiva was also opaque in three coats, and took a very long time to dry. I do love this polish, but unfortunately for me it blended right into my skin tone. This is the perfect nude color if you have darker skin, but I felt weird wearing it! I love that this is a nude with sparkle, though.

Next up is Dahlia, a dark grey that is almost black. Dahlia is opaque in two coats and has a great formula. I love the silver sparkle, as it is very prominent in this polish. Dahlia is very “rock star”. I love this polish! I was very happy that the formula was a standard two-coater as well.

Chyna is my second favorite polish from the PixieDust collection! A deep red with black and red sparkles, Chyna has an amazing formula and is opaque in two coats. Chyna dries very quickly, and looks so fun and edgy! I felt like I was wearing rubies on my nails with this polish. Just gorgeous!

Last but not least is London, a light grey polish with silver sparkles. London is also opaque in two coats and has a great, fast-drying formula. I love the nice sparkle in this polish. It is just like what I picture London fog to be like! London will go great with any outfit.

All in all, I really like the Zoya PixieDust collection. I had a few issus with application and removal, but the polishes are definitely beautiful. This collection is very unique, and you will be sure to impress your friends with your fancy nails! You can purchase the PixieDust collection on Zoya’s website HERE. Polishes are $9 each or $54 for the entire collection.

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