My Nails are Back!!! My 2 Step Recovery Program

I have pretty much, always had nails like granite.  Then one day, like your first rogue chin hair or the moment you think every publisher has changed their print to mice type, my once lovely nails, were splitting and bending.

It was then that I discovered Nailtiques Formula 2, a strengthener designed for weak brittle nails.  After that, I used it with routine and once again my nails flourished.

Town & Country

BB. I still gasp every time!

The view from my guest room window.
Breathtaking!

I've been away Lovelies, visiting dear friends in London. My hosts planned a fantastic stay in both the city and country.  Despite all my best intentions, I was way too busy to post. Apologies!

Not to worry, I will be catching up with you this week.

I have a new eye pencil that can survive transatlantic travel intact. It was recommended by Sarah Ban of Reviews.com, who sent me the most comprehensive review on eyeliner's ever written. I promise to share...

I found my new Holy Grail blush from Lipstick Queen at Space NK in the UK. Stay tuned...

While there, I also couldn't resist picking up London skin Guru Sarah Chapman's Face Roller. Coincidentally, I had been researching it at home and then had hoped to have time to pop into her Chelsea skin clinic to learn more about it. Time did not allow, but Space NK had it at the ready. Of course I had to have it and I will be telling you all about it...

Night night. Missed you!

xox,
DD

ELF Studio Baked Eye Shadow Trios

ELF Studio Baked Eyeshadow Trios
$4.00!

Have I ever entered and exited a CVS without perusing the cosmetic aisle and leaving with a purchase???

In a word, NO...

I was down to the point where my Nailtiques #2 strengthener was as thick as sludge.  Time for a new one. I know there is formaldehyde in this product, which I don't exactly love. That smell because is permanently etched into my nasal membranes, having had to dissect a C-A-T (sorry Scoots), to fulfill my science requirements to graduate college.  One of the reasons my nails are as hard as granite, is because I use Nailtiques regularly.  There is simply no better strengthener out there; chips, splits and peeling will become a memory I promise.

But I digress...

On the way out, I saw the ELF display, a brand I have never tried. The Baked Eyeshadow Trio's caught my eye. I toiled between the 1st and 3rd palettes, settling on the slightly bronzier third one. I was looking for a way to add a bit of pop to my eye crease, without an obvious amount of color or contrast.


What a great shadow this is! Infused with good for your skin ingredients  Jojoba, Rose, Sunflower, Apricot and Grape, it applies as smoothly as my best shadows, yet costs a fraction of the price. The glitter factor is nil, just a soft wash of glow.  I use the lighter shade under my brow bone and in the corner of my eye and the darkest shade to add some definition to the outer, upper corner of my eye.

How did it hold up through a day of wear???  Brilliantly! I still cant believe my good luck.

ELF stands for Eyes Lips Face.  Oddly their website  gives no backstory, so I still know nothing about the brand.  The site, however, is filled with highly rated reviews for many bestselling products.

You best believe, I'll be trying other ELF offerings...How about you?  Have you tried ELF? Anything to recommend?  I promise to share my future ELF flip and flops. Stay tuned...

xox,
DD

IT Cosmetics Tightliner-10-in-1-dual-ended-brush

IT Cosmetics Tightliner-10-in-1-dual-ended-brush
$24 at Ulta Stores

I know good tools can truly make a difference in makeup application.  I'm always covetous of makeup artists tools and brushes; and the fact that they are fresh and fluffy, unlike my trove.

If I had to choose between eyeliner and mascara, I choose the liner every time. I've probably read a  few hundred tutorials on how to achieve the perfect "cat eye" with liner.  Obviously, success eludes.