Pretty Senses

Sunday, 15 September 2013

NOTD: China Glaze Boo-gie Down, over Deborah Lippmann Lara's Theme, OPI Hi Pumpkin, and a Rite-Aid Pumpkin Polish...

Boo-gie Down is one of the five new shades for the Halloween 2013 [Monsters Ball] range, and is one of the four glitter shades, where it is one of the two scattered polishes in a clear base. So this shade is made for layering over other polishes. This is probably my favourite shade out of this year's Halloween range.

Boo-gie Down is filled with small, medium and large black hex glitters, some white hex and larger copper gold hex glitters and some black bar glitters. The most 'Halloweeny' colour combination that I've tried so far and recommend wearing Boo-gie Down over is orange, as shown in this post.

The copper glitters don't photograph well, but they look lovely in real life :)

I've also seen photos of other people wearing Boo-gie Down over green, another great option for Halloween, and beige, where it looks like snake-skin. No doubt there'll be other great combinations too - I just haven't had the time to play around yet.

LT: Deborah Lippmann Lara's Theme
HP: OPI Hi Pumpkin
PP: Rite-Aid Pumpkin Polish [unnamed shade]

Despite the glitter this polish is easy to apply, leaving no bubbles or streaks and I was impressed with the drying time. Being a it does take a little bit more effort to remove, but it seems easier than my other glitter polishes.

Thursday, 12 September 2013

Continuing my hair colour journey; Schwarzkopf Color Mask in Dark Blonde [700]...

I'm already a fan of Schwarzkopf's XXL and Salon Style hair colourants, so it was only a matter of time before I tried their latest range: Color Mask. The main selling point of this range is that the formula of the dye is like a conditioning mask; it has a thick formula, so you apply it to your hair using your hands so it gets right to the hair roots, and there are no drips.

Was the application that easy, and was it mess-free? Yes, and yes again. Plus the dye was super easy to rinse from my hair, using only water. Plus it didn't have any harsh chemical smell, and my hair didn't feel dry after dying.

And how was the colour? I love it - it was exactly what I expected and wanted. A blonde that wasn't too light, or too warm. Check out the shine...

Then came the root touch up...

Guess what? This shade will not dye my roots the same shade as it dyes the lengths. Of course, if my hair were naturally dark I'd expect this, but it isn't. My natural hair colour is ash [not quite light enough to be truly blonde, but still too light and colourless to be classed as brown], and the box claims it will dye dark blonde and light brown the same shade...

To be fair the difference in the resulting shades between my hair root and lengths isn't too bad and is much less then with previous blonde home dye kits - most people I asked barely noticed the difference. So I could grow it out and keep using this shade for grey cover and shine if I wanted to.

But when you know it isn't quite right, you focus on it... So yeah, this shade has some good points, but was ultimately a bit of a disappointment for me.

I want to clarify that I do love the formula; it doesn't have a harsh smell, it doesn't stain or irritate skin, it covers my grey streaks perfectly, it is fade resistant and has a long lasting shine. For the last few weeks I've been washing my hair with Vosene and haven't been using a conditioner in a attempt to cause the dye to fade before I recolour it, but the shade hasn't noticeably faded. My hair is still silky smooth and shiny too.

As the formula has proven to be shade resistant and left my hair in good condition I've just recoloured my hair using the shade in Light Brown [600].

How will the slightly darker shade fare?

To be continued...

Thursday, 5 September 2013

Speedy review: Killer Queen by Katy Perry...

A playful, sophisticated, powerful, edgy and delicious fragrance, Killer Queen reflects the rebellious spirit of Katy...

"Killer Queen has been in my vocabulary since I was 15, because of the song ‘Killer Queen’ by Queen. Freddie Mercury painted the lyrics of this woman who I wanted to be. She seemed very powerful, and she captivated a room when she walked in. I named my company Killer Queen after those lyrics. I feel like, after all this time, it was appropriate to use that name in association with something I did. I feel like I’m falling, finally, into that woman Freddie painted" - Katy perry
　

New Christmas collection: Happy Holiglaze 2013 by China Glaze [swatches and photos]...

One day after China Glaze's Halloween collection became available to buy from Ebay (you know that I've already placed my order), they go and debut their latest Christmas collection [Happy Holiglaze] swatches online.

There’s Snow One Like You – White with matte glitter (Limited Edition Texture)

Elfin’ Around – Red-Rust with Aluminum-like Mirror Finish

Just Be-Claws – Red with Aluminum-like Mirror Finish

Santa Red My List – Pink-Red with Aluminum-like Mirror Finish

Put A Bow On It – Magenta glitter

Be Merry, Be Bright – Multi Magenta/ Purple Glitter

All Wrapped Up – Midnight Purple/ Blue Glitter

Your Present Required – Multi Size Colour Glitter

So Blue Without You – Blue with Aluminum-like Mirror Finish

Bells Will Be Blinging – Blue/ Gold Multi Glitter

Mingle With Kringle – Fierce Gold with Aluminum-like Mirror Finish

This Is Tree-Mendous – Green & Fine Gold Glitter

[Credit: ChicProfile]

I have a weakness for blues and purples, plus China Glaze's glitter polishes aren't as stubborn to remove as other brands, so most of this year's options are calling to me.

Between this and OPI's Christmas range, my wallet will be begging for mercy...

Oh - I've not finished yet. China glaze does the best polish sets, and 2013 is no exception

Be Merry 4 Mini Set – New & Limited Edition
This set features 4 mini nail polishes from the Happy HoliGlaze Collection...