Born Pretty Review: Beach Sunset Nails

Hello, lovelies! I am really excited to announce that Born Pretty Store has invited me to review items for them. They allowed me to select three items to review: iridescent rhinestones (item #16674, $3.41), tropical water decals (item #17000, $2.25), and combination cleanup brush/dotting tools (item #18200, $7.52). I received the products fairly quickly considering the amount of travel they must to before they reach my home, and they arrived as pictured and described on the website. The rhinestones are black but shine gold/green/blue/purple when the light hits them; they are very lightweight and come in four different sizes. The decals actually surprised me a little, as there are also some white hibiscus flowers and palm trees that I didn't notice online. They are your typical water slide decals: cut out the piece you want to use, soak it in water, then press it on your nail. The instructions are printed on the back in humorously broken English. The brush pack came with five brushes in three sizes (notice the width of the bristles below; the dotting tool end appears to be the same size on each brush).

Now let me share my new mani with you! I wanted to use these items to create something that felt like a vacation on my nails. I started off with a solid white base, then sponged a gradient of purple (Sinful Colors "Go Go Boots"), pink (Wet 'n Wild Wild Shine "Lavender Crème"), and orange (Sinful Colors "Sunburnt") on top.

Of course, sponging on a gradient leaves a mess around your nails so I had to clean up a bit. I used my new cleanup brushes dipped in acetone. This works best if you start around the outer edges of the mess then move on to clean the cuticles. Once I had cleaned up around my nails, I chose my decal and rhinestone placement. The decals work best using lukewarm water, and they really cling to the nail if you fire a blow-dryer at them for a few seconds after they are on your nails. For my rhinestones, I found it easy to use the dotting tool end of my cleanup brush and place dots of clear nail polish, then gently set the rhinestones down on the dots.

Overall, I am very satisfied with these three items. The rhinestones are dark yet have a flash of color and depth. The decals are extremely easy to use and have a nice, clear appearance on the nail. The brushes make cleanup of excess polish around the nail much easier, and have bonus dotting tools for creating designs. As you can see, my messy gradient work cleaned up neatly.

I hope you enjoyed this product review! If you are interested in any of the items I used, feel free to use the code FEPX31 to receive 10% off your order at Born Pretty, as well as free worldwide shipping!

Disclaimer: I received these products free of charge from Born Pretty for honest testing and review purposes. The opinions stated in this post are my own.

Influenster Review: Yves Saint Laurent Effet Faux Cils Mascara

Hello, lovelies! Today I am going to review the Yves Saint Laurent Effet Faux Cils ("false eyelash effect," named for the dramatic impact it has on your lashes) mascara. You may know YSL by their line of luxury cosmetics. They recently unveiled a new formula for a classic product.

This mascara contains pro-vitamins B5 which prevent your lashes from getting that brittle, crusty feeling. YSL also incorporated some oils including sweet almond oil, safflower seed oil, and castor seed oil which not only make it smell wonderful, but also nourish lashes. Wearing this mascara, my eyelashes still felt soft and supple at the end of the day.

YSL has released this mascara in a variety of colors. The color I received is called High Density Black. It creates a bold look that really helps my eyes pop. I like to switch between wearing eyeglasses and contact lenses depending on the day, and I find that my eyes lack energy when I don't have my glasses on. In order to help you see my transformation with this mascara, I've included photos to show before and after mascara shots of how my eyes look with and without glasses.

As you can see, it really boosted the length and volume of my lashes! One thing I like about this product is how it doesn't get clumpy or dried out in the tube. And, of course, who could not love the ultra-chic look of the tube? You can get this mascara for $32 at Sephora and high-end department stores such as Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue. The price is a little higher than what my typical mascara costs (They're Real! by Benefit, $24) but if you have a sensitive nose like me, the smell alone may be worth the extra money. Add soft and nourished lashes to the mix and you may want to give YSL Faux Cils a try.

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge from Influenster for honest testing and review purposes. The opinions stated in this post are my own. If you would like to sign up to become a product tester/reviewer, you are welcome to use my referral link: www.influenster.com/r/888740

Parallax Polish April Box Review

Hello, lovelies! I am excited to have the honor of reviewing a special new product for you! Parallax Polish http://parallaxpolish.storenvy.com/ sent me a complementary April subscription box. Included in this package were the following: "April Pink" holo polish, "April Almond" cuticle oil, and a prototype of one of the scientist trading cards with cool facts (I got Grace Hopper). My overall impression is positive. The pricing is very reasonable ($14, plus $3 shipping), and you are able to see this month's items before you purchase the box. Another interesting characteristic of Parallax Polish's sub box is that you can customize it! If you don't care for holo in your polish, you can knock the price down. Just want the cuticle oil and not the polish? There's an option for that too. Furthermore, there is no automatic billing, so you never end up paying for something you do not want.

Okay, now on to the product testing! First up, enjoy my swatch of this hot pink holo baby. Application was smooth, and dry time was relatively quick. You can get full coverage easily in 2-3 coats. The finish is a little matte, but I wore glossy topcoat in this photo. Cleanup was neat - no staining of the nails, although it was a little stubborn around my cuticles so I just used an extra cotton ball. I love the bright color and will be wearing it again soon!

Pardon my stained nails, but I wanted you to get the most accurate impression of this oil that I can offer. As you can see, my cuticles look wonderfully moisturized! What you can't see is how great they smell. This nourishing cuticle oil has a subtle almond aroma which is just fantastic. It isn't an overwhelming scent but it's definitely nice-smelling. The consistency is also nice; it is not runny or goopy. I applied a small amount around each nail (a little bit goes a long way), gently massaged it in, then finished with my regular lotion. My hands are feeling so soft.

There you have it! I recommend you check out Parallax Polish if you like the sound of this type of subscription box. I've been enjoying mine! I think that with the flexibility in the ordering process, you can make sure to get exactly what you want.

Disclaimer: I received these products free of charge from Parallax Polish for honest testing and review purposes. The opinions stated in this post are my own.