Beauties in Bloom

OPI Cuckoo For This Color came out with OPI's Swiss collection in 2010. I've been completely obsessed with this color lately as I think it's perfect for winter weather and am happy to know that this color is actually a permanent part of the OPI's line. It's an elegant, shimmering emerald green with teal/blue tones to it. Seriously, how gorgeous is that? I love how dark and rich it is...but not so dark that it looks more black than green. I really think this color would be flattering on anyone! Application is wonderful--two coats and it was completely opaque and smooth. I've never gone through a bottle of nail polish before, but if I ever went through this one I would definitely repurchase!! What nail polish are you wearing at the moment?! Do you like wearing greens and teals? Also, Happy Halloween!!!!

Happy (almost) halloween!! As much fun as it is to wear different costumes and dress up, I'm not really someone who goes all out for halloween. I usually try to put together an outfit from my closet and if I need to, buy some sort of easy to find mask or headband with cat ears (in previous years!). I had a halloween party to attend tonight and decided to dress up as a peacock! I bought a TON of peacock feathers (for very cheap) on ebay to put in my hair and already had some peacock earrings and a turquoise sweater ;) The makeup is the most fun part of halloween anyway, right? That's what I focused on for my look! Rock & Republic (R&R) Ambition on inner corner, R&R Chronic on lower lashline, Mac Shimmermoss on lid, Mac Birds and Berries on outer lid, Mac Humid on outer-v, Mac Nocturnelle in crease/outer-v, Nars Nouveau Monde in crease, Right side of Nars Demon Lover on outer-v. I used bobby pins to keep the peacock feathers in place! Pro

Here's a look that I did with Mac's Vanilla Pigment and Nars Voyage (which I got in trades and was very eager to use!). I always love shimmery neutral looks and this is definitely a favorite of mine. It's especially perfect when you have no idea what you want to wear on the rest of your face! Mac Vanilla Pigment on lid, Nars Voyage in crease, Urban Deacy Smog in outer-v/crease/lower lashline, Nars Galapagos in outer-v Don't mind the messy, damp hair!   Products: Face: Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer in Nude & Sand (mixed) Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Bobbi Brown Corrector in Bisque Laura Mercier Translucent powder TooFaced Chocolate Soleil Illamasqua Hussy Blush theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer Anastasia Brow Powder in Brunette Eyes: Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow primer Mac Vanilla Pigment Nars Voyage, Galapagos Urban Decay Smog Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner in black ink Covergirl Lashblast Volume Lips: Revlon Lip Butter Cherry Tart (these are official

I just wanted to do a quick post on the Target Beauty Bag that was available for a certain number of people back in August (for free!!!). At the time I hurried to the site and hoped that I was one of the lucky ones to get one! Finally, I got mine in the mail today! This is the second time this year that they've done the free Target beauty bag, so I'm crossing my fingers they will continue to have them! Here's what was inside... There's three different shampoo & conditioner samples, a mini Burt's Bees Radiance Day Lotion, L'oreal Youth Code cream, and Pond's wet cleansing towlettes. I was hoping it would have makeup samples (like a lipgloss or mascara or something!) but I'm definitely not complaining--I love getting samples and especially love when they're free! I'm especially looking forward to trying the Pond's towlettes! In addition to the beauty samples, there is a little coupon booklet with "over $20" in savings. Ther

I acquired the Nars duo in Demon Lover in a trade recently and thought I'd post the first look I did with it. I had to work a bit more with blending since they are more on the matte side, but I still love the texture and especially the color! The duo comes with a blue lavender and matte plummy purple...definitely a cohesive duo since the colors match so well together! I'll post full swatches and pictures of it soon! Here's the look I did with it... Lighter side of Nars Demon Lover (blue) on the lid, dark purple in the crease, Nars Dogon (left side) in outer-v, Nars Absynnia to highlight Darn the lovejoy isn't really showing true to color here! It's a bit darker; more of dusty bronzey rose! Products: Face: Laura Mercier Face Primer Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation in Medium Ivory (LOVE this!! will do a post on it soon!) Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Laura Mercier Translucent Powder Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer Nars Lovejoy Blush TheBal

As you've probably noticed from reading my blog, I am a HUGE fan of Nars Cosmetics (especially their eyeshadows and blushes). I recently acquired a Nars Palette that includes the popular taupe, Nars Ashes to Ashes and realized it is very similar to a Nars shadow I already own, Cairo. As much as I love to collect makeup to use, one thing I really dislike is having duplicates of colors in my stash---it's just a personal preference and helps me limit the amount of makeup I own since I avoid buying the same colors. And now, Nars Cairo... Nars Describes it as a "champagne rose with shimmer" Here's some swatches of the lovely Nars Cairo with some other taupe shadows to compare! As you can see from the swatches, in comparison to Cairo, thebalm is a much cooler taupe while Mac Satin Taupe is darker and has more plummy undertones. On my skin, Cairo is a shimmery sand color with a hint of rose. As you can see, Ashes to Ashes is very, very similar. Ashes to