smelly cat.

If you know what my title is a reference to..you rock!
Well, you rock anyway. :)

I had been wanting to try Zoya Nail Polish for a while, so I finally ordered one of her polishes with my bloom.com purchase. SO HAPPY I DID!

I ordered Phoebe, a "Bright azure with fine electric blue and violet shimmer with a velvety matte finish. The matte finish amplifies the bright color; this is a matte that positively glows" (zoya.com).

Pictures don't do this beauty justice!

A very versatile blue, the perfect pop of color for summer. My wardrobe palate consist of a lot of darker colors, or white, so this shade spices up my look perfectly.

It's very easy to apply, feels velvety smooth to the touch, and does wear longer than some other Matte formulas out there.

Zoya's Phoebe can be purchased here: Zoya Phoebe Nail Polish
at $8 a bottle, very affordable! A great formula, excellent wear, no foul odors, and a GORGEOUS shade of blue.

"Color Family Blues

Color Finish Matte

Color Intensity 5 ( 1=Sheer - 5=Opaque )

Color Tone

Original Collection Mod Mattes

About Matte Nail Polish

Matte Nail Polish color by Zoya is intended to be worn with a base coat, but not a top coat or speed dryer of any kind. Due to the unique matte Zoya Matte Nail Polish color is not as long-wearing as traditional nail color. A completely clean, dry nail surface yields the best results for matte nail color wear. For best results make sure to always prepare nail with Zoya Remove (3-in-1 nail polish remover, nail plate cleaner and new color prep) prior to applying color" (zoya.com)


VERY HAPPY CUSTOMER! :D
I will be back...


bri's beauty blog verdict: A KEEPER. 

xoxo,

bri

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heaven in your hands.

[and on them too! :)]

So, as we all know by now I have an affinity for Deborah Lippmann's line of products. Can you blame me? Well, I have always wanted to try her Helping Hand manicure scrub, but alas, it is no longer available on her site.

On top of being a beauty junkie, I'm quite the deal hunter. After scouring the internet for some time, I found it on one of my favorite places on earth, eBay.

[note:upon researching for this article I discovered this is still available here: nordstrom's deborah lippmann helping hand manicure scrub. $34 you're welcome.]

After winning it, paying for it, and checking the shipping status/tracking information religiously for a few days, it arrived.

Product Description:
A Lippmannn favorite, revamped. Mani-pedis aren't just about gorgeous nails—they're about beautifying hands and feet, too. With this star scrub from the Deborah Lippmann, you can get hands and feet soft and smooth faster than ever. In the past, the treatment required an activator step to freshen up skin. Now it's a single process, so you're one step away from deep exfoliation and hydration. Make your mani-pedi complete with this pampering essential.

This mandarin crystal hand scrub gently buffs the delicate skin of the hands to reveal brighter, radiant skin that's instantly younger and firmer looking. The scrub now allows for deeper exfoliation and deeper penetration of essential oils into the skin.

I used it, and can I just say, this stuff beats any manicure I have ever had in my entire life.
I followed the directions, and my hands felt INSTANTLY softer, my cuticles more tame, and the overall look, touch, feeling, etc. of my hands DRAMATICALLY improved in just one use.

AMAZING!

Truly delivers what is promised!!

Totally in love.

Thank you, yet again, Deborah Lippmann, for making such incredible products that pay for themselves in so many ways.


bri's beauty blog verdict: A KEEPER. 

xoxo,
bri

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L'OCCITANE Lavender Hand Cream..AKA Pure Heaven.

A few years ago, due to a sympathetic nerve condition, my hands, particularly my left one, became very dry. I tried every hand cream and lotion known to man. Nothing would soothe my scaly paws. I tried and tried to no avail. I tried brands from the mall, brands from health food stores, doctor-recommended brands, nothing.

One day I decided to do some research. I discovered that L'OCCITANE's hand creams have some excellent moisturizing capabilities. So after looking through, I believe it was beauty.com, I decided to order their Lavender Hand Cream.

Boy, am I happy I did!!

"A signature L'Occitane essential. A worldwide best-seller. Blends the nourishing benefits of Shea Butter with soothing A.O.C. lavender essential oil and rosemary extract. Contains vitamin E, shown to help encourage cell renewal, and--for sheer pleasure--bestows the subtle fragrances of the Mediterranean upon your senses. Feel transported to Provence with every application."
 [c.o. http://usa.loccitane.com/FO/Lavender-Hand-Cream,p15MA075L9.htm+photo also c.o. of same site.]


Three years later, I am an absolute devotee. This cream smells like heaven. It is calming, relaxing, delicious, and divine. It smells good enough to eat, literally. I don't recommend it though.

After each use, it soothes and calms my irritated skin. My hands appear softer and in far better condition than prior to using this magical elixir.

I just wanted to thank L'OCCITANE for formulating this wonderful creation. It is the only thing that has helped my skin, it's pure in its ingredients, and literally smells like no other lavender lotion or cream out there. THANK YOU! :)


bri's beauty blog verdict: A KEEPER. 

xoxo

bri   

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Cool Hand Blue.

If you know what movie reference I'm using in my title, you're awesome!!

Okay, you're awesome anyway.

So, I'm a mascara junkie, but I am also a nail polish junkie, in the worst possible way. Wherever I go, I always manage to find nail polish. I prefer my nail polish to be heavy chemical-free. Formaldehyde is for dead people, not my nails.

One of my favorite "clean" nail polish brands is Essie. They have some of the most gorgeous and vibrant hues as well. The price point is very fair as well. You get a high quality formulation for relatively little bank.

My current Essie obsession? smooth sailing. essie.com describes this shade as "a breezy lavender blue with a reflection of pearl", and I must admit, that is right on point!!

It definitely looks more blue when on the nail, but as with most polishes, it looks different in different lighting.

[see photo below for what I am talking about.]

I think the second photo is a more true depiction of what the color really looks like.
Regardless, it's a gorgeous color! I typically do two coats of polish, and this particular shade lasted me about five days without needing a touch up or reapplication. This color is perfect for breezy summer days at the beach, and is equally as elegant for a fun night out on the town with friends, or even a date night! I am very happy with this shade, and other Essie shades, and at about $8 a pop where can you go wrong?

bri's beauty blog verdict: A KEEPER. 


Have you used Essie? What's your favorite Essie shade? Let me know!!

xoxo
bri



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