Lush Haul

This weekend I went to Lush just to try their new hand creme and ended up with a lot more.  I really love Lush products, they just really make you feel clean and sometimes I look at the price and think it is expensive but I bought a jar of herbalism for $9.50 when I used to have no problem dropping $20.00 at Estee Lauder for a cleanser I had used on my face.  So,  It really isn't that expensive and the products last so long they really are a bargain.  I am going to go through the things I bought and let you know my thoughts on them.

1.  Lemony Flutter:  I already had some but have never really reviewed it.  This stuff is great for your cuticles.  I have been using it religiously for about four months now and I have not broke a nail.  It smells good and lasts a good 6-8 months the cost is $14.95 a little high but if you are a blogger you know how we do tend to abuse our hands.  This stuff comes right in as a rescue.   If you are just a polish maniac then you would benefit too, because I bet you do your nails at least five times a week if not every day.  Great product.

 



2.  The second product I bought was the Helping Hands Hand Creme.  This product was made for people who are constantly washing their hands, like nurses, but they realized that it was such a good creme they started selling it to the public and sold like wildfire.  I use it maybe twice during the day and my hands are softer than they were with the other creme I was using.  At night, I use Bath and Body Works Body Creme in Sleep.  The aroma just helps me sleep, which I have a lot of problems doing, I can't use it during the day so I needed something for day and the Helping Hands was just perfect. It has a light smell of rose.  Not overpowering and after just two four days of using it.  It is my favorite hand creme ever.  The cost was $17.95, a little pricey but I think it is going to last a long time since a little goes a long way.  The only downfall is that unless you carry a tote bag you can't really carry it in your purse but you can ask the girls at Lush to give you a sample jar and you can just through that in your purse.

3.  The third thing I bought was a new product they call Putty for your hands.  This is sold by weight so if you just want to buy $3.00 worth you can.  It is currently not on the website but it is in their catalog.  i bought only $5.00 worth and I like it.  I don't know how other people do their blogs but I set aside two days out of the week and just do manicures.  Sometimes, I do a glitter and not matter how hard I try sometimes their is some left over and I notice it when I am cropping pics.   I hate that left over glitter.  This putty stuff is like an exfoliate for your hands and leaves them soft with no need for lotion which is great!  Sometimes I notice my hands look a little dry in a picture so this is great after I take off a manicure, I use the putty and go on to the next one.  Even though it has lotion it doesn't leave my skin oily, it leaves it just moist because you did use water to clean them.  I like this product also. 

4.  The fourth thing I bought were two bath bombs.  Just because I sometimes like to take a bath and love the way these smell and leave my skin smooth.  These are not  a necessary item.  It was just a little splurge for me.   One is lavender one is rose.  Cost.  $4.95.

5.  Lush has the same kind of policy MAC has with their back to MAC.  When you collect 5 black pots you can take it in for a fresh face mask.  These are refrigerated and do have a shelf life.  I had 5 pots so I got mine for free.  Since my skin has not been acting up I bought the Catastrophe Cosmetic.  As you can see it is loaded with blueberries.  It provides deep cleaning without drying the skin.  I haven't gotten around to using this.  I am going to today but I have used most of their masks and never had a break out.  They have several different masks and you are sure to find one that suits your skin.  Cost:  Free.

6.  The last thing I bought was the Herbalism.  I have been using this product for around a year off and on.  What I mean by that is I don't use it everyday.  Lush calls it a decongestant for your pores.  This is for people with oily skin.  I don't like having oily skin but there is an advantage to it and that is I don't wrinkle as fast as people with dryer skin.  So, I use Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash Redness Soothing Facial cleanser.  The way I use the herbalism, is that I get the pea size amount and one squirt of my acne wash.  My pores have minimized and that is a good thing because I don't feel so bad when I don't wear makeup.  I also have the Angels on Bare Skin which I use when I need to.  You know what your skin needs.  The Angels on Bare Skin is for combo skin types.  There are days I use the herbalism and days I use Angels on Bare skin.  The best analogy I can make here is sometimes you know you need pink lipstick for what you are wearing or sometimes you need a neutral.  Just get to know your skin.  It is the only one you've got and you gotta listen to it because it does speak to you.  You can buy any amount of herbalism or Angels on Bare Skin you want.  They have two other cleansing rolls and one of those might be better for you.  They are called Dark Angels, I don't like it makes my tub black and I aways break out when I have used it.  The other one is Aquamarina.  I really like it but it is not what my skin needs it is more for really sensitive skin that needs some extra moisture.  It smells beautiful but it is just not for me.  One thing I do need to say about Herbalism is that it sticks.  It literally smells like pickles and olives but you get used to it especially if you mix it.  It is somewhat hard to use alone because it is like wet sand.  That is why I mix it.  If you don't like the facial product you bought you take it back and they will replace it with something else but don't buy it and then a month later take it back.  Use it a few days if it doesn't work then take it back.  They also always ask if there is something you want a sample of so take advantage of that.  The sales people are always nice.  I've never really had a bad experience and they aren't pushy.  You say no and that's it.  They go no further and I like that.

7.  I thought I was done but I did buy one last thing,  It is called a sugar scrub.  Cost $4.95.  it is an exfoliator for your skin and since I am peeling like a leper right now from my vacation.  I thought I would try it,  The sales guy said it was great for getting rid of acne on you back.  Which I don't have but he did tell me was also good for cellulite.  HINT. HINT.  I have some on my arms and in the booty area but come on.  I am 48 it is a rite of passage.  So, this stuff smells good and did take care of alot of the peeling skin I had.  I guess better start on that cellulite now.  It was just funny because he was telling me he had and then he a big breath and whispered to me "a cellulite problem."  I just looked at him and said I know.  He was really funny. 

Overall, Lush is a great middle of the line brand.  They have alot of other products.  They came out with a small makeup line and I am dying to try it out but buy the time I got to the store they were sold out of almost everything.  Most of their product are vegan.  They donate monies to charities and their sales people are well trained.  If you haven't tried any of their products and are in an area where there is a Lush store check it out.  Most Macy's have Lush in the store and there are free standing stores.  You can go to their website at Lush.com and request a catalog or simply browse through their products on-line and you can order from the site.

Hope this review helps and if you have used Lush products please share with us.  I would like to know what kind of experience you have had with them and what products you've used that are good or bad.

 Till later, Ciao,
Patty

 

       

My Favorite Things Challenge- Favorite Color

Good Morning,

Boy, it has been a long time since I have been able to say that.  I always do posts at night but I am trying to change things up a bit.  Today, I have for you my favorite color nail polish.  It is and OPI and it is a HTF but the color is a beutiful lilac that turns to green and I searched for it until I found it at a price I could afford.  It is called Movin' Out.   I am not even sure when it came out but it is a favorite of many an OPI lover.  It is gorgeous and in my favorite color which is purple.  So, here is Movin' Out.

 So, what do you think.  Do you have this one in your collection?  Would you pay more that the regular price of an OPI polish for it?

Ciao ,

Patty



Giveaway

Check out hello Blondie's giveaway.

My Top Picks For OPI’s German Collection

Hi,
I just finished swatching my choices for the German Collection.  So many times nail polishes put out a line and for some reason we feel we need the whole collection.or they put one out right after another like I find MAC does.  I would always feel obligated to get something.  Then, I said wait a minute I have 5 of these mineralize eye shadows from the mineralize line last year that I don’t use.  I am not even sure I like them and since I had my Lasix I have cut back on my eye shadow because I had to go a month without it.  I know some people get their Lasix and are at work the next day.  For some reason it was not like that for me.  I had some kind of a  bubble in my eye and it really hurt.  Summers in Houston are hot.  I don’t even bother wearing makeup during the day.  Just a light sunscreen. I will tell you in a future post why.  Back to the picks.  I am not buying a whole line of nail polish just because any more.  Here that OPI I love your polishes and I think they are the best for your money but fancy displays no longer are working on this girl.  I think in September they are releasing the James Bond Series that comes with 12 polishes and then of course there is going to be a holiday line.  So, I am not saying don’t buy the whole line if you love every one but buy what you want.  Sales people can be pushy and act like maybe you don’t want to buy something because you don’t have the money but who cares.  I buy on-line because, I get better prices and I don’t have to deal with crowds which is a big deal for me.  I don’t like them.  I asked my doctor if he thought I had social anxiety disorder because of this and he laughed and said I buy everything I can on-line and you want to know why because gas is expensive, it is too hot and I hate crowds too.  It made me feel better hearing that.  Like I order a lot from Nordstrom’s only because I know if I go there I have to be a little dressed up and even though everyone thought I was going through menopause a couple of weeks ago I wasn’t.  I got my results and I am FAR from menopause I must have just been being a “b”.
So, here are my picks

Deusch you want me, baby? is my favorite.  It is absolutely gorgeous.  I wore it all weekend.  My husband loved it.  We also went shopping for a bigger diamond for my engagement ring so a lot of people saw my hands all the women loved the color and even a couple of the men.  So, this one is a BIG winner even though it doesn’t look like that in the bottle.  I think this is a must have.

inside with flash

Outside natural light

This one is My Very First Knockwurst is a nude crème.  It has a pink tint as apposed to Pretzel which has a peach tint.  It also has a slight shimmer and is very pretty.  I am a person who likes these nude shades. 

Both of these are taken outside

Don’t talk Bach to me.  I love the color yellow and I said I wasn't going to buy this one but it is just so different from the other yellows I have I had to have it.  It is a smooth cream with a slightly greenish tint.  I am glad I got this one.

Every Month is Oktoberfest a beautiful dark purple.  It really reminds me of the polish that got me away from the sculptured French manicures.  Nothing wrong with a French, it is just the nails and the drilling that OY! how did I do that for so many years.

Schnapps Out of It
It might just be where I grew up but drinking Schnapps was like a right of passage.  Peppermint Schnapps was mine.  I was so sick the next day.  If this polish would have been red I really would not have bought it but it is a coral color.  No shimmer just a nice coral.  Nice and simple.

The next is Suzi and the Seven Düsseldorf's is a pretty purple frost. I just liked it and don’t have as many purples as I thought I did so I thought this would be a good purple to have.





And finally one I have worn at least three times already.  Don’t Pretzel My Buttons.  Again a nude crème with no shimmer.  If you don’t put a top coat on in dries in a soft matte which can be a plus. 

 
  

So, those are my selections.  What is your can’t do without selection from this collection or are all of them just a pass?
Don’t forget to sign up for the give away.

Zebra Nails

Zebra nails

When Lisa asked if anyone wanted to collaborate on a guest post. I said I am all in. We decided to do taping tuesday since it just seemed like a good day to do it, it is not hard to come up with broad ideas sometimes it is hard to come with the small ones for me I had a ton of ideas.

Today I have a manicure that might be a little wild but what can I say zebras are wild. Unless, they are hungry they are unlikely to hurt you but it is always best to keep your distance.  I was inspired to do this from a coach purse I saw on- line. I keep thinking I've got to get that purse but nothing special coming up to justify buying it. Then it popped in my head that my anniversary is the 15th. Ah, my evil little mind is spinning. So I start with China Glaze Really Red then I taped my nails in no random order and painted the open parts with OPI's Alpine Snow, waited for them to completely dry and then using everyone's favorite plate Konad 56, I stamped the white area using konad black polish.  I used a black striper to line the white areas.   So, here is the mani, I hope you like.  
If you want to see the inspiration for this mani you can go to my pinterest page at http://pinterest.com/pazya

this is my thumb

So, what do you think?  Too wild or just fun?

Ciao, bellas,

Patty

Don't forget to sign up for the giveaway

The Give Away

I talked to Pam today and she has agree to change out Seuss and Hatched for any 2 polishes you want.  I did get a lot of comments that some people already had Seuss.  So, the giveaway has change to any two whimsical polishes of YOUR choice.  I hope this is good for some of you.  I am also going to add a couple more days for the giveaway.  I know how it is sometimes I see stuff on a giveaway I already have but I want who ever wins to be really happy with what they are getting.
Ciao,
Patty

Versatile Blogger

This award was bestowed upon me by Jackie at the Jamegackie. I really want to thank her for all her help and support as I learn to become a better nail blogger! As far as the award go, here are the requirements...

• Nominate 12 fellow bloggers that are relatively new to blogging
• Let them know you have nominated them
• Share 7 random facts about yourself
• Thank the blogger(s) who nominated by linking to their blog
• Add the Versatile Blogger Award to your post

Seven Random Facts About Me!

1. I have three adult children, 31, 29, 22 and a 7 year old grand daughter
2. I have been married three times but I know this one is going to last.  I married my first boyfriend who I met when I was 12 and we will celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary present.
3. I have three degrees, one is psychology, one in biology and one in special education.
4.  I worked for Child Protective Service for 15 years and was the supervisor for the child death unit.  That year I was voted employee of the year.
5. My guilty pleasure is watching Spanish novelas.  (soap operas)
6. I sang "Stairway to Heaven' with a local band. 
7. My hall pass is Dr. Drew Pinsky or William Levy.

My Nominations for the Versatile Blogger Award
I just wanted to say that these (I believe) are all relatively new bloggers to Blogger (pun unintended). Nonetheless, their work is incredible and do take the time to look at their incredible nail art. The list is in no particular order.

1. Oohlala Polish.
2. One Nail To A polishRule Them All
3. I Heart Pretty Polish
4. Lola's Secret Beauty Blog
5. Makeup Maven
6. Glitter Puke
7. Love My Nails
8. Makeup Mom123
9. Beyond Beauty Lounge
10. Time On My Nails
11. Mama Fashionista
12. The girl with the unoriginal Tatoo

Thanks everyone and have an amazing weekend!

Just an update on Goldie

Goldie had a really good weekend last week because her baby daddy came to visit and she was so happy. Look at her. Baby Daddy is my son's Shih Tzu and did get fixed.

All smiles.  What a bitch.

Ciao,
Patty


Don't forget to sign up for the giveaway.

Butter London Lilibet's Jubilee

Ok, this is really hard for me but I hated this polish once it was on and having to take it off. The formula weird. It went on and just had lumps all over (and I dd not shake before I used it). Clean up after was a mess. I just really don't like this polish. So, I am going to go return it and get something else. 


.

it just doesn't look right and I did use my right hand to put it on (my right hand is dominant) but there is something about it that I absolutely HATE!  I will be much happier with something else.

So, let me ask you if you purchase a nail polish you totally hate do you return it or do you just keep it?

Ciao,
Patty

Illamasqua Faithful and Monogomous

These are my first two Illamasqua nail polishes and I am quite impressed with the formula. Monogamous is a very neutral color. It dries kind of matte but when you put a top coat on it shines beautifully. Faithful is more of a brown color. It is lighter than OPI's Wooden Shoe. The formula on this was great also and both dried fast.

Here is monogomous





This too is a different color (Faithful).  Would you buy it or pass?

Ciao,

Patty

butter London Shag

This was kind of a score because last week Nordstrom had buy two butter London’s or
Deborah Lippman’s.  Friday morning I was set to buy but I was running short on cash and decided to wait until Sunday morning to place my order.  Everything was sold out.  I went to my regular on-line sources and either they did not have it or the price was outrageous.  On Wednesday I went to Ulta and found it there I was really glad about that one.
Shag is a beautiful dark copper.  It is a frost but the formula went on perfect and It so different from everything else I have seen in a long time.  This is one I know I will be wearing a lot.    It would make a great gradient with Essie’s Penny Talk.  Look for that in the future.
Ciao for now,
Patty

This is not the normal color of polish do you like it or would you just pass.

Ciao,

Patty

China Glaze Bohemian Gradient

I am totally loving these new duochromes from China Glaze.  They are so durable.  There are so many ways to use them.  Today I came up with a gradient.  I used swanky silk, unpredictable, and defiantly daring and stamped with Konad Black Gold polish I used BM 312.  I just wish the purple one , no plain jane, was more pigmented.  So, here is what I came up with.

So, what do you think of duochrome gradient.  Yes or make it go away?
Ciao,
Patty

Tequila Sunrise

While doing this manicure, I could not help but think how much I miss the Palm Trees of the Rio Grande Valley.  Waking up in the morning with the palm trees swaying in the wind just makes you know you are going to have a good day.  I’ve always had sleeping problems so was usually the first one to wake in the morning to see the sunrise and have a hot cup of tea.  Then just as I’m finishing my tea.
So now with some tips about tequila.  NEVER drink cheap tequila.  Make sure it is a reposada and don’t have more than three shots speed out over the night.  I drink occasionally and when I do the only thing I drink is Tequila because it is not loaded with sugar.  I spread it out over the night.  Stop at three.  My tequila.Cuervo 1800.  I don’t drink it in Margaritas because the mix has too much sugar.  You know that headache you have in the morning after a night out.  It is because of all the sugar in frozen drinks and we girls love those frozen concoctions, but I can almost guarantee you take away the mixes in Margaritas and just drink Tequila straight.  You will not have a headache plus you don’t have to go to the bathroom every 15 minutes.  Another thing to beware of when you order Margarita’s is that bartenders will tend to throw a shot of vodka in your Margarita along with the cheap tequila.  So, when you see happy hour.  Margaritas $2.00.   Beware.  Same goes for tequila sunrises,  Made with tequila, orange juice and grenadine, all sugar.  Drink three and you won’t feel good in the morning.  So if tequila is your thing like it is mine take some of these tips for a really happy morning and you will be able to wake up and enjoy a sunrise.

So, if you are a tequila drinker, what is your favorite?
Ciao for now bellas,
Patty

Deborah Lippman Let’s Go Crazy

This is the new Deborah Lippman nail polish exclusive to Nordstrom for now.  They always say exclusive but then a couple of weeks later you can find it anywhere they sell Deborah Lippman polish. 
I have to say I was really impressed with this polish.  Usually Lippmann's are a little thick but this one wasn’t.  It is a jelly but does not dry that way.  It dries relatively fast but it does need a top coat for it to feel smooth.  I really like this one and if you like Lippman polishes.  This is one you have just got to get.  Purple with colored glitter and dries fast.  I am sold. 

Macro view

So, is this a polish you would want in your polish collection or is it a pass.
Ciao,
Patthy