Mani Monday: China Glaze Ombre Set in Grape Expectations

Apologies for being MIA for a bit, health issues were acting up so I did not have the energy to attempt to blog :(  However, to make up for it, I have a nice big post of swatches!  I was intrigued by the China Glaze Ombre sets as I've always wanted to do an ombre mani but have never been arsed to find five similar colors or bother with mixing one color with white and deal with it drying up between coats/hands, etc., so this sounded like a miracle... until I bought it and realized it came with four polishes.  WTF?!  It seems ChG meant GRADIENT, not OMBRE.  I suppose considering the ombre fad it's easy to confuse the two but in my understanding at least, an ombre manicure is where each nail is a different shade of the same color whereas a gradient is when each nail has different shades of the same color blended onto it via the use of a makeup sponge.  I could be wrong.  Whatevs, it still has four awesome purple shades in the same family and I can use white for the fifth color.  The set also comes with instructions on how to do the gradient and lots of sponges for application.  I will be posting both a gradient and ombre mani done with these polishes later, as I broke a nail (of course) and now I'm down to nubbins.  So for now, have swatches of all the colors included in this set.

The lightest color is called Sweet Hook.  It's a pale, slightly blue-leaning lavender.  Pretty and springy.  I found the formula to be more watery than I'm used to from ChG.  I'm wearing three carefully, slowly applied coats in this picture.  I still had issues with streaking and it did not want to self-level, though this may be because I didn't wear any basecoat.  However, it dried seriously glossy.  I'm not wearing any topcoat, *le gasp*!  I'm actually kind of ok with the streakiness as it'll be mostly covered with a gradient mani and will hopefully be eliminated with the use of base/topcoat.  If not, I can always do a fourth coat.

The next lightest color is Spontaneous, a very pretty medium purple.  I'd call it neutral as it doesn't pull particularly red or blue.  Again, the formula is a bit watery but much better behaved than Sweet Hook with little streaking.  A bit patchy (which you can see on my pinky) so it did require three coats.  No base or topcoat again, and gloss galore.  I can see myself reaching for this one as a mani on its own.

Grape Pop is the second darkest color.  A deep, slightly dusty royal purple with a much better formula than the two lighter colors.  I adore purples in all shades and this is no exception.  I reached opacity in two coats but for the sake of uniformity, I applied three.  I find this shade pulled a bit more blue than the two lighter colors.  Another I would easily wear on its own.  Again no topcoat and shiny shiny shiny!

The darkest color is Crimson.  It's a deep, dark, blackened purple with red leanings.  I LOVE this color.  I love vampy colors in general, and combine purple with reddish vampy tones and I am in nail polish heaven!  It applied like a dream, opaque in two coats but I applied three the same as all the other polishes I swatched.  I can find nothing to criticize about this one.  Glossy and gorgeous without a topcoat, like all the polishes in this post.  I will definitely be wearing this one frequently!

At $14.99 for a set of four polishes plus makeup sponges and instructions, while this isn't as cheap as say, Wet n' Wild, I do feel it's a bargain based on the quality.  You can get the China Glaze Ombre sets at beauty supply stores such as Sally Beauty Supply.

Cruelty-Free: Why, How, and Who

The "why" is pretty simple: I don't want bunnies blinded for my benefit, or tumors induced in rats so I can look pretty.  It turns my stomach.  It's the idea of harmless animals tortured for essentially no reason.  I can't claim to be the superhero of animal rights as I eat meat, wear leather, and support medical research, but there are logical reasons behind those (protein source, full use of the animal, and human lives saved though I'm sure there are many people who would disagree with me!).  Whereas looking good?  I can't fathom it.  THERE ARE HUMANE ALTERNATIVES TO ENSURE SAFETY.  So I choose to support cruelty-free brands.

But why do cosmetics companies even do it?  The European Union has banned all cosmetics and ingredients used in cosmetics that have been tested on animals, that should be a pretty big deterrent, right?  Well, it should until you look at China as an example.  China is a HUGE market and they REQUIRE animal tests to prove safety for products to be sold there.  Therefore many companies conduct testing to be allowed to sell to that market and Chinese companies must test.  Huge, very popular brands like Sephora are Chinese-owned and thus conduct animal-testing.  In addition, the U.S. does not regulate the use of the phrases "cruelty-free" or "not tested on animals" which makes deciphering these claims difficult.  From the FDA website:

"Some cosmetic companies promote their products with claims such as 'CRUELTY-FREE' or 'NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS' in their labeling or advertising. The unrestricted use of these phrases by cosmetic companies is possible because there are no legal definitions for these terms.

Many raw materials, used in cosmetics, were tested on animals years ago when they were first introduced. A cosmetic manufacturer might only use those raw materials and base their 'cruelty-free' claims on the fact that the materials or products are not 'currently' tested on animals.

Some companies may apply such claims solely to their finished cosmetic products. However, these companies may rely on raw material suppliers or contract laboratories to perform any animal testing necessary to substantiate product or ingredient safety. Other cosmetic companies may rely on combinations of scientific literature, non-animal testing, raw material safety testing, or controlled human-use testing to substantiate their product safety."

Cosmetics tend to throw another wrench in the works though.  It's not often apparent but many brands that don't test on animals are owned or have been acquired by parent companies that DO.  For example, Urban Decay has long been known as a cruelty-free brand, but they were obtained by L'Oreal, who is NOT cruelty-free, in 2012.  If you wish to avoid supporting cruelty-free brands exclusively, including parent companies, you will have to be more diligent and do your research.  However, there may be good reason to support these subsidiaries.  My Beauty Bunny puts it pretty succinctly:

"We believe that supporting animal-friendly companies goes a long way toward the eventual elimination of animal testing. If the parent companies see the successes of their brands who do not test, it’s a win. It’s also a win for the animal-friendly companies to get larger distribution in mass channels by being involved with huge companies. That’s our personal opinion here at My Beauty Bunny and we invite you to make up your own mind on the matter!"

So how do you sort out this mess?  Firstly, decide how exactly you feel about testing.  Do you support completely cruelty-free?  Do you choose to support cruelty-free subsidiaries in hopes of getting the parent company to take notice?  Do you not care at all, in which case why are you even reading this?  If you feel strongly about this subject, DO YOUR RESEARCH.  Good places to start are Leaping Bunny (gocrueltyfree.org) and PETA's searchable catalog of cruelty-free companies.  Be aware that their standards are different!  The Leaping Bunny created an internationally-recognized standard in the 90s that companies must adhere to in order to remain on the list in addition to being open to independent audits to ensure their adherence.  PETA requires that companies sign an assurance or submit a statement indicating that neither they nor their suppliers test on animals.  Cruelty-Free International is also a good resource.

Personally, I will consider supporting cruelty-free subsidiaries in hopes that the parent company will consider the matter more closely and hopefully go completely cruelty-free.  I keep a list of which companies adhere to Leaping Bunny's standards and refer to it when purchasing my cosmetics.  I support anti-cruelty reform in many areas, including animal abuse, animal fighting, etc.  Make up your own mind and do what you feel is right.  If you're serious about the issue, get involved!  There are many, many ways to help from signing petitions to donating money to your own personal conduct, and more.

Mani Monday: Naked Nails!

Y'know, I was going to pick a nice, springy color for my nails since it's finally warmed up in the crazy-weather Midwest, but when I took off my last mani (SH Black and Blue) after a week, I was sort of astounded at how quickly my nails had grown and how pretty they looked bare.  I ended up just applying one coat of Sally Hansen Ultimate Shield and leaving them be.  I also decided I like the rounded thing I've got going on.  Rather than writing a thesis on how to shape your nails, I will be lazypants and link you to the AMAZING tutorials at Loodie Loodie Loodie.  Read them ALL.  She is the guru of filing, seriously.

Fear not, the next Mani Monday post will be huuuuge!  I've actually been swatching like a real blogger!

EOTD: Wet n' Wild Color Icon Palette I'm Feeling Retro

I originally wasn't even interested in this palette but the husbeast kept grunting and pointing and I decided to pick it up.  The purple did catch my attention and at the price I figured why not?  Instead of posting a wall of text, I shall let the pictures speak for themselves.  Please ignore the stray eyebrow hairs, I desperately need to wax/tweeze!  My camera also had a little difficulty with the glitterbomb shadow in some of the pictures so they came out a tad blurry.  I apologize.

Products used:

• Olay Total Effects 7 Daily Moisturizer
• Revlon ColorStay Mineral Foundation in Fair
• L'Oreal Infallible 16 Hour eyeliner in Carbon Black (this will be the last time I use this liner as I refuse to support L'Oreal; they are NOT a cruelty-free company)
• L'Oreal mascara, I do not remember which as I have already tossed it for the same reason as I will not be using the liner again.  I have switched to Wet n' Wild Mega Plump and will be picking up other cruelty-free brands to test :)
• Wet n' Wild Color Icon palette in I'm Feeling Retro.  I did not use it as recommended; instead, I used the blue as my lid, liner, and undereye color with the purple in the crease and white on the browbone and swept around my inner eye.
• Wet n' Wild Mega Last lipstick in Bare It All
• Wet n' Wild Speed Gloss in Reckless liberally over my lips; it's superbly glimmery!

I was surprised by how much I loved this palette!  I didn't think blue would do much for my green eyes but as you can see, the colors really made them pop.  The fuschia-leaning purple was a definite winner, despite not being as pigmented as I would have liked.  It definitely required some building to get the color payoff I wanted.  Using a primer would have helped too.  The blue was very dense from the get-go.  There was some fallout but not too much.  Actually less than I would have expected for such a pigmented shade.   The white also impressed me.  It was a glitterbomb!  Lovely for highlighting and at the inner eye.  I can see myself using the white often.  I need to check out the single colors in the Color Icon line and see if there's a comparable color or I'll be hitting pan quickly.  I will definitely re-buy this palette!  I refuse to comment on the liner or mascara as they are made by L'Oreal, who is not cruelty-free and unfortunately own many smaller cosmetic companies.  I will make a post addressing this issue specifically in the future and my stance on buying from cruelty-free subsidiaries of non-cruelty-free parent companies, but for now, suffice to say L'Oreal is on my no-no list.  Happily, Wet n' Wild is cruelty-free and always a bargain so I can buy with impunity!

My lips were done using my favorite nude lippie, also by WNW.  It's just so dang versatile!  Here I swiped a shimmery gloss over it since my eyes were so dramatic to give just a hint of that drama on my lips while still keeping them toned down.  I loved this look!

This EOTD/FOTD was done before I learned some of the tricks I use now, such as ALWAYS using eyelid primer (so far I only have ELF primer but it's amazing!) and using a BB cream to even out my skin.  And as mentioned in my last post, lip liner!  Even with the BB cream, I find my undereye circles are prominent so I will be adding a good concealer to my regime so you guys will be privy to my quest for a good, inexpensive, cruelty-free undereye concealer.  Excitement!

Red lips: Wet n' Wild Stoplight Red vs. Cherry Frost

TGIF :D  Today I have for you a small comparison of Wet n' Wild brand lip colors in a perennial favorite: red!  I love a red lip, especially with a neutral or smoky eye, or pinup-styled.  I'm on a personal quest for a great red and I've purchased a couple of reds recently in my hunt.

Both are Wet n' Wild.  The top picture highlights why you should ALWAYS use lip liner, especially for reds.  I had some definite bleeding which was completely avoidable, had I but used a lip liner.

Products used:

• Wet n' Wild Mega Last in Stoplight Red
• Wet n' Wild Silk Finish lipstick in Cherry Frost

Stoplight Red is a slightly warm-toned rich red.  It took a bit of building up to get it to the color you see in the picture.  Obviously as stated I would have greatly benefited from using a lip liner.  Not only would it have stopped the bleeding I experienced but overall would have made the look more polished and longer-lasting.  With a red or dark lippie, I believe the best way to get the most lasting, best color payoff is to layer.  Apply primer (I see no reason you couldn't use the same primer you use for your lids on your lips, but there are also lip-specific primers; I plan on picking some up!) and/or lip balm (not gloss or your color will slip right off!), line your lips first, then apply one layer of color.  Blot gently, apply a layer of translucent powder if desired (this will help your lipstick last and last and last...), then apply another coat.  Repeat until you reach your preferred saturation of lip color.  Wet n' Wild are generally very pigmented so I doubt you'd need more than two coats.  Mega Last lipsticks are mattes and as such can be drying, which is the reason for applying a bit of lip balm before application.  I personally don't find them drying, however.  If you want a demi-matte or even glossy finish as in my photo, apply a bit of your favorite gloss and gently press your lips together to distribute it.  For a demi-matte look, blot after applying gloss.  Don't rub your lips vigorously together or you'll end up with a mess and undo all the work you did with layering!  Wear was very good, I did have some rub off when I was drinking but not much.  I'm sure you'd need a touch up after eating though.  My biggest peeve with the Mega Lasts is that the lipstick doesn't retract completely.  If you're careful with the cap, this isn't a problem though.

Cherry Frost is a gorgeous vivid red with shimmer.  I love this color!  For some reason, red lipsticks generally make me self-conscious (and that's why I'm on the hunt for great reds) but this one was a stunner!  Applied with a light hand, you can get a nice stained look or you can layer as described above for a more saturated red.  I have two coats of lip color applied (but not layered, I was lazy) in the above picture.  The Silk Finish line is very moisturizing and I'd describe it as a creme finish vs. the Mega Lasts, which are mattes. The shimmer is not at all like the "frosts" some of us may remember from the 80s, but a fairly subtle sparkle.  It adds a little something to what is already a gorgeous shade.  Wear wasn't spectacular and you'd definitely have to re-apply after eating or drinking so keep an extra in your purse.  The Silk Finish lipsticks are a measly $0.99 each so buy one to keep in every room, your car, your purse, next to the computer... 

Wet n' Wild has made HUGE strides from what I remember in grade/high school and are now on par with many high-end brands.  Pigmented and gorgeous.  For $1.99 (Mega Last) or a shocking $0.99 (Silk Finish), these are a budget hunter's absolute dream!

Mani Monday: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Black and Blue

I've decided Mondays will be dedicated manicure days!  I may or may not post every Monday, but when I do, it will be nothing but nails ^_^

Today I have a gorgeous little drugstore gem for you.  I saw this in the bottle when I was picking up a prescription at Walgreens (I always check out makeup while I wait for them to get it ready, natch) and fell utterly in love.  It was super-duochromey in the bottle in two of my favorite colors and I couldn't wait to get it on my nails!  Husbeast was with me and he liked it too.  It's great when I can get his seal of approval :)

Application is pretty decent considering I hate the brush in the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Line. It's wide and flattened and just drives me crazy.  It was a little bit patchy but nothing an extra coat didn't cure.  I have on 3 coats in these pictures plus Seche Vite as a topcoat (which explains the bit of shrinkage I experienced, you can see it really well on my index finger).  It applies as blackened teal with shimmer but oh boy when the sun hits it right... CRAZY purple shimmer!  I love, love, love the color(s)!  It was worth struggling a bit with application.  This shot right to being one of my favorite polishes!

Here's what it looks like in natural sunlight:

And flashing purple:

OoOoh, shiiiiiny!

Happy St. Patty's! Or, BC is always a day late and a dollar short...

I had originally intended to start this blog on St. Patty's Day because I'm Irish on my daddy's side and had this amazing makeup look planned but you know what they say about the best-laid plans of mice and men...  So I'm posting it today!  This was my crazy green eye look for the holiday.  Ugh, let's pretend my eyebrows are in better shape, I keep meaning to get them waxed and never have the time!

My lips were intended to be "pot of gold" inspired.

  Products used:

• Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream with SPF 15 in Fair/Light
• Revlon Colorstay Mineral Foundation 
• ELF eyelid primer ($1!  Works amazingly to even out your lids, brighten your eyes, and keep your colors in place)
• ELF liquid eyeliner in Black
• Wet n' Wild Mega Plump mascara in Black
• Wet n' Wild Color Icon trio in I Dream of Greenie plus dark green shade from Color Icon trio Cool as a Cucumber to line outer edge of eyes
• ELF blush in Pink Passion (use a very light hand with this, as it's VERY pigmented!)
• Wet n' Wild Mega Last lipcolor in Bare It All with Mega Slicks lip gloss in In a Tutu layered on top and Mega Brilliance lip gloss in Blushing (a great glitterbomb gloss) in the center of my lower lip and my cupid's bow

I'm a big fan of both ELF and Wet n' Wild, both for their prices (generally between $1 and $5 max) and for the great quality of their products.  As I mentioned, I have sensitive skin/eyes and I have never had a problem with any of their products causing irritation.  Both are also cruelty-free, which is very important to me.  These two brands are my picks for anyone wanting a great makeup collection on the cheap but also values quality.  Very pigmented, buttery eyeshadows from Wet n' Wild and highly pigmented, beautiful blush from ELF.  And ELF's primer is a must-have.  I saw Wet n' Wild's Bare it All lipcolor touted as the "best nude" and I have to agree, it's amazing!  And so versatile, I layer it with glosses and other lipsticks to get all sorts of looks.

Of course, I also did my nails ;)

This is Wet n' Wild fastdry in SaGreena the Teenage Witch.  Dreamy, easy application.  I use various Sally Hansen basecoats and Seche Vite as my topcoat.  Seche Vite is the ultimate topcoat, your nails have a glassy shine and it dries in what seems like seconds!  I pick mine up at Sally Beauty Supply for around $5 and it lasts a long time.  It does tend to get a bit goopy after you've used up 1/3 or so of the bottle, so just add a drop or two of nail polish thinner (NOT nail polish remover!) and you're good to go.

What did you wear to celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

Happy first post and a bit of an introduction!

Happy inaugural post!  I'm brilliantcat but you can call me Cat, or BC :)  I've been inspired by my blogging friends to start my own blog.  Mine is a little different as my focus will be all things beauty at bargain prices.  I'll be trying out and using all those "cheapie" brands that some folk steer clear of.  In these economic times, it just makes sense to seek out less expensive alternatives that still give beautiful results.   Not all of us have the same amount of disposable income and I want to emphasize that you can look gorgeous at any price range!

From time to time, and on certain key products, I will splurge either just because, or because the products are worth it.  I have sensitive skin and eyes so some of these "splurges" are necessary to keep my body happy.  Some are just for fun, because I can and I deserve it!

For reference, I'm a natural auburn (though I generally dye my hair a more vibrant red because that's my preference) with green/hazel eyes and very fair skin.  Obviously YMMV with some of these looks depending on your own hair/skin/eye combo but there should be looks that work on everyone.  I don't subscribe to the notion that only certain colors work on certain skin tones or with certain eye colors and I veer off the beaten track to try colors that I may have been hesitant about.  It turns out some of those color combinations can be absolutely stunning even if they break with traditional makeup rules.

In addition to makeup, skin care, nail polish, and beauty implements like brushes I will also be blogging my experiences in saving money on all types of beauty treatments such as haircuts and waxing services.  There are all sorts of deals and ways to save money without having to go to Great Clips or the like for a standard haircut.  Not that you can't get a great cut at those type of hair-cutting places, but often they are only able to do simple haircuts with any kind of reliability.  I've gotten great styles from them and... not-so-great.  One memorable cut had me crying in the bathroom at home while my husband fixed it (and did a better job than the stylist!).  Don't discount (pun intended) these money-saving places, but you should always demand a quality cut/style and don't leave until you're happy!  Even though they're inexpensive, they still have the obligation to send you home with a cut you love.

As if all that weren't enough, I also plan to throw in some fashion posts as well!  Between my daughter and seven cats, most of our money goes to dressing her and providing her school supplies, and feeding our herd.  Mama's wardrobe tends to fall by the wayside and as a consequence, I have mostly t-shirts and jeans.  I aim to change that through judicious purchases that can be mixed and matched to create a ton of different looks with just a few pieces.  And shoes, oh shoes!  How I love shoes!  I'm going to be bargain-hunting all kinds of shoes and boots and sandals :D

One last note: I'm not a professional photographer and it's hard to take "selfies" and get the lighting just right to show off the products.  I am also not a professional makeup artist or stylist.  In fact, I'm a registered nurse!  But I love playing with new things and I do my best and will hopefully improve.  That's the great part of blogging, besides sharing what you enjoy with other people: the ability to learn and get better with every post!

Comments and suggestions are always welcome :)