Manicure of the Week

This is Illamasqua Viridian, a gorgeous blackened emerald with multidimensional shimmer. The lasting power is unimpressive, but the color is unique and divine!

Sephora Haul

Because I just can't stop shopping! Despite having just spent my $20 VIB gift card in-store, I placed a Sephora order the other night. The 500 point VIB gift was a full size Benefit Coralista and mini Bad Gal mascara and I was powerless to resist! I ended up with:

• Jurlique Lavender Hand Cream- very expensive at $25 for a mere 1.4 oz but my hands are a veritable mess from the cold!
• Illamsqua Nail Polish in Verdigris- an shimmery emerald that I can't wait to wear on my fingers and toes!
• Tarte MultiplEYE Lash Enhancing Primer- finally, a "healthy" eye lash primer
• Benefit High Beam- the $10 size

My order already shipped!

What I Bought This Weekend

I went to the Limelight Market in Chelsea to pick up the full sizes of the Om Aroma skincare products I've been using since Black Friday. I had plenty left in all but the toning mist, but the mini sizes I've been using will be perfect for travel and you receive a discount for purchasing the whole set of products. My products came in what must be the old packaging--jars instead of pumps. At first I was disappointed since I prefer pumps for hygienic reason, but there is something a little luxe about dipping your fingers into a a small jar of a precious unguent! The founder of the line was working the store and remembered my from last time. I'm really liking these products!

For those who haven't been, Limelight is an old church that was converted to a small, quaint shopping center. They have amazing food, beauty, accessory and jewelry shops. In addition to OM Aroma, there is also Face Stockholm, Sue Devitt, The Avery Perfumes and more.

I also had my Sephora VIB $20 off a $40 purchase gift card burning a hole in my pocket and despite needing no makeup whatsoever, I picked up a Lancome Artliner in Aubergine (which is limited for the holidays according to the Sephora display) and Sephora Collection Retractable Waterproof Lip Liner in Nude (a light pinky beige). The lip liner was $12 which I think is expensive for the Sephora brand. I really wanted Illamasqua Nail Polish in Viridian but unfortunately they were all sold out!

New to Me Nail Polishes for Fall

I have a love-hate relationship with nail polish. I really prefer to have my finger and toe nails polished at all times, but can't stand the chipping! My typical-for-New-York-City apartment has no dishwasher *gasp* which forces me to wash dishes by hand, and because I'm always on the subway/touching icky NYC things, I'm constantly washing my hands, all of which is murder on a manicure. I've tried every base and top coat, OPI Chip Skip, wearing gloves when doing the dishes and more, all to no avail. I can only get polish to last 2-3 days and so I've decided to forgo professional manicures (and pedicures) and do them myself! I've amassed quite a nail polish collection since I made that fateful decision, and here are two I picked up for fall.
The polish on the left is the Sephora by OPI nail polish ($9) created exclusively for the opening of the new Times Square Sephora and only sold in New York City stores and online. The shade is unique and right on-trend for the season. It's a deep charcoal black with multi-colored sparkles and copper shimmer. Two coats makes the polish totally opaque, the glitter keeps it from being goth and the copper shimmer adds a bit of sophistication that keeps the glitter from being teenybopper. I've never seen another color like this before and it's worth getting even if you'll only wear it on your toes! Click on the image for a close up of the color.

The polish on the left is Jan by Illamasqua ($14), the UK brand known for drama. Their nail polishes have developed a cult-like following for their fresh shades and different formula. The polish goes on quite thick and somewhat streaky, but it is almost self-leveling. You start doing the first coat and thick "this looks awful" and by the time you go back for a second the polish is even and looks great! Very neat! Jan is a grayed pink or light smoky lavender. It's not the typical buff pink, but not so outrageous that it would be unprofessional in an office. The lasting power was just average for me, but your mileage may vary as I've read others rave about how long-lasting the Illamasqua polishes are.