Essie Polish F.T.W.

Earlier this year, my beloved Seattle Seahawks took down the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl.  Sure, our team is incredible.  However, the truth of the matter is, my nail polish is what led us to victory.  The glossy, inky blue hue I carefully brushed across my nails weekly was worn symbolically to support my boys in college navy, action green, and grey.  It was the only color I'd wear during the latter half of the N.F.L. season.

I'm kidding!  That said, I'd be lying if I didn't get a tad bit superstitious during the football season.  (Hey, according to Coors: "It's only weird if it doesn't work."  Ha!)

Essie's "After School Boy Blazer" is a beautiful deep shade that appears almost black once applied.  Enjoy the eye candy:

[Hand Models]

[Love!]

This polish applies very easily; two coats was more than enough to achieve the color you see above.  When combined with O.P.I.'s base coat and the infamous Seche Vite top coat, it had excellent staying power.

Do you have a favorite football team?  Are you superstitious?

xoxo

P. S.  Don't forget to read my previous post, the T.M.I. Tag!  Feel free to link yours in the comment section!

P. P. S.  Go, Hawks!

Review: Essie Good to Go! Top Coat

No matter the occasion, a girl can't go wrong with a fresh, glossy manicure and pedicure.  For years, I got my nails done on a weekly basis at a salon that  refused to accept plurals.

More Than One Nail = NailS

[Source]

Ha ha ha!

Although my nail technician was amazing, my obsession with maintaining immaculate french tipped digits wreaked havoc on our budget.  When I decided to ditch my corporate desk jockey job to pursue my medical field dreams, my weekly habit came to a screeching halt.  My new career came with a pay cut, as well as rules against talon painting.

I now buff, file, and polish my own nails at the Kate Gene Salon a.k.a. our home.  When I am in the clinic, I usually opt for natural nails, but occasionally go wild with a neutral pink polish.  On my own time, I tend to stick with vampy hues.

Essie's Good to Go! Top Coat delivers a shine that I consider to be comparable to the highly sought after Seche Vite.

[Even the dreary December weather can't diminish this glass-like shine!]

PROS:  Dries pretty quickly.  Extremely glossy.  When paired with O.P.I. polish, my manicure lasted nearly a week before chipping.

CONS:  Retails for $9.90.  However, if you do a little research, you can find coupon codes for Apothica.com, which is where I got my bottle from.

I am very pleased with my new top coat thus far.

What are you using to protect your handiwork?

My Jewelry Store: EightSeventeen Jewelry

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Disclaimer:  This post is sponsored by Apothica.com.   My views are not influenced by anything other than my personal experience.  Please use these products at your own discretion.

Boi-ing Concealer & Buxom Healthy Lip Polish Review

Tired of resembling an NFL linebacker, I decided it was time to invest in a high end, quality concealer.  Last week, my raccoon eyes and I stopped by Sephora, determined to find the answer to my dark circle prayers.  After countless moments of indecisiveness, I reluctantly departed, Benefit's Boi-ing Concealer in hand.  (My wishy washy behind suffers from buyer's remorse like nobody's business.  LOL!)  Fortunately, the trip turned out to be a success!

[My under eye circles before Boi-ing came into my life.]

 [How cute is the message on the inside of the box?]

[Benefit's Boi-ing 02 Medium.  Is it just me, or does "Boi-ing" sound like a phrase straight out of Wayne's World?  Ha!]

My thoughts on this concealer?

PROS:  The consistency is creamy, rich, and a breeze to work with.  Simply pick up a little bit of the product with your index or ring finger, and gently pat your imperfections away.  Because the concealer is extremely thick and opaque, one or two swipes is all you'll need per eye.  It works beautifully on my under eye circles; it works even better on blemishes and areas of discoloration.  The $18.00 investment was worth it.

CONS:  The price.  Yes, I said the concealer was worth it, but $18.00 is still $18.00.  Also, the product occasionally settles into my fine lines, exaggerating them a bit.

I am pleased to announce that I have finally found the peach gloss of my dreams.

[Buxom Lip Polish in Amber]

Buxom Lip Polishes are hands down my favorite glosses.  They're shiny, moisturizing, and have awesome staying power.  (Check out my previous post for a more thorough review of this line.)  Amber is a sheer - but buildable - shimmery peach shade.  It looks especially pretty when paired with Myth or Nude Attitude.  I love it!

[Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a decent photograph of the gloss on my pout.  This other blogger's picture is a great representation of what Amber looks like IRL.  Photo Credit: http://www.orange2la.com.]

[Nude Attitude photo from an early Kate Gene post.  Yep, this is my kisser!]

Can you picture the two products together?  It's the hotness.

In my Gift Card Haulin' post, I raved about Essie's Van D'Go Polish.  Here is what it looks like once applied: 

Gaw-juss!

I have some other posts in the works, which I am excited to share with everyone.  (Get ready for some DSK Jewelry eye candy!)

Don't forget to enter my SkinCareRx.com Giveaway!  It's easy to enter and open internationally! 

I hope you all have a lovely day!

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Gift Card Haulin'

Sephora and Ulta employees have seen more of my mug lately than my adorable husband.  I refuse to rest until every last cent of my gift cards are spent!

Here are some of the items I purchased during my last trip to the mall:

[Essie Van D'Go Nail Polish]

My mission to find the perfect Summer polish has officially come to an end.  Essie Van D'Go is peachy, creamy, and neutral enough to wear with most of my wardrobe.  I love it!  It takes three coats to achieve the opacity and streak free finish I desire, but who cares?  This pretty polish is worth the extra elbow grease.

[Healthy Hoof Lacquer]

My former top coat, who shall remain nameless, used to make my brown eyes see red.  Every time I polished my nails, it always managed to make a streaky mess of my handiwork.  We Asians are born natural nail technicians, so I knew the repeated issue was of no fault of my own.  LOL!

My best friend purchased me a bottle of Healthy Hoof Lacquer because I am a centaur with dull hooves after I vented my top coat frustrations.  Once dried, this horse-friendly varnish produces a smooth and glossy looking finish.  I was hooked after one use.  The best part?  It's a mere $2.50.

[NARS Deep Throat]

It's a NARS blush.  Need I say more?

Nope.

[NARS Striptease Gloss & Revlon Peach Gloss]

Both of these glosses feel lightweight, are incredibly pigmented, and appear pretty and peachy in their tubes.  Sadly, each are going to be returned as they made my kisser look alabaster.  (Momma didn't raise no Ganguro Girl!)  There is absolutely nothing wrong with the products themselves; the shades just weren't suitable for my skin tone.

The hunt for the perfect peachy lip gloss continues...

[Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencil in Zero]

I have never been one to line my waterline.  As a contact lenses wearer, I find products that close to my eyes irritating.  Hopefully this pencil will be the answer to my beauty-related prayers!

[Zebra Loofah]

How cute is this little guy?!  I have yet to use him because I thought it'd be gross to showcase a loofah post-use.  XD

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  The hubby and I plan to BBQ, relax, and maybe squeeze in a little shopping.  I can't wait!

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