Thursday, October 18, 2012

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure At Walgreens on Clearance

I went to Walgreens today and I found certain Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure on clearance for 1.89 plus tax. I am not sure if it's every Walgreens, but I went to two Walgreens today and they both had them for 1.89

Peaceful and Happy thoughts,

--Rue

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Top 10 Makeup Items I would Repurchase TAG

IMAGINE: All your makeup disappears. What items would you repurchase? Here are my top 10 items that I would repurchase.



1. NYC Sunny Bronzer
2. Revlon Color Stay eyeliner in black
3. Revlon Grow luscious  mascara in black
4.  Cover Girl Clean Pressed Powder in 235 medium light.
5. LA Colors 12 shadow Palette in Tradition
6. Target brand Crease Brush
7. Almay colorsmart concealer
8. Wet n Wild White Eyeliner
9. EOS lip balm
10. Soft lips lip balm.

 
Disclaimer:
All products shown or mentioned in this blog where purchased by myself or given to me as gifts from friends and family. All my opinions are my own and not been influenced by anyone, and no companies are paying me for this blog.  


Personal Points
  • I am going to try and post a versus tomorrow. 
  • I have a stock pile of tag that I will be posting this week and next. 
  • I am going working on a list of my collection and I am describing the color, finding out if it's in a collection, and type of color
Coming Soon 
  • Tags
  • Versus
 Peaceful and Happy Thoughts,
--Rue.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Rue's Manicure Routine

I have been planning this blog for a long time, but just haven't sit down to type it up.

Here is what I do when I give myself a manicure. Most of the steps I do everytime I change my nail polish, which if you have followed me for a while, you know that's about three times a week.


What you will need:

* A Nail Polish Remove Without Acetone  (pictured equate nail polish remover without acetone) The only time I use Acetone is when I am taking off glitter polish.
* Cuticle Creme\Oil (pictured Maybelline Express Care Cuticle Lotion)
* Base Coat (pictured Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Clear Coat--the CSM is suppose to be a base and top coat, but if you do not own a base coat just use your top coat)
* Polish you want to pant your nails with (pictured OPI Brake for Manicure and Pure Ice Bite Me!)
* any top coat (pictured Sally Hansen Max Growth Plus Fast Drying Top Coat)
*  Hand creme (pictured Julep)
* Cotton pads (To me these work better than cotton balls)
*File
*something to clean out from under your nails. (I sometimes use a tooth pick)
*Q-tip (remove polish that you can't get with the pad)
*Angled brush (don't have to have this you can use a Q-tip to clean up around your cuticles once you have painted them, but I find its easier with a brush)
* scotch tape (only if you need it for a design)



Step 1:
Remove any old polish.
Even if your nails do not have any polish on them, still clean them with some nail polish remover. This is to make sure that your nails are clean before you add any polish to it. If the only polish remover I have is with acetone and I don't have any polish on, I use rubbing alcohol to do this.



Step 2:
Clean from under your nails.

Step 3:
Wash your hands.
Make sure that your nails are dry before you go any farther. I sometimes put alcohol on my nails to make sure they are good and dry.  Also you can skip this part if you want to. I sometimes do.

Step 4:
With a four sided file, file, buff, and shape your nails. Trim them if they are needed.
Also I only file and buff my nails once a month. If I do it every time, my nails will get brittle and flake off.


Nails clean and buffed and ready to paint.
Step 5:
Apply Cuticle Creme



Step 6:
Apply base coat
I don't always use a base coat. Actually, I just here recently started using one.


Step 7:
Apply Polish
Apply one coat and then clean up. After you let the first coat dry a little bit, apply a second coat. I always apply two coats. If a third is needed follow the procedure from the first to second coat.

two coats of OPI Brake for Manicures. 


Step 8:
Accent Nail (only if you are doing one)
My accent nail is normally my ring finger. On my accent nail, if I have one, I apply one less coat of polish than the others if I am doing an all over glitter, but if I am doing an accent nail that the base polish will show I will apply all coats. I did that for today's accent nail.

Step 9:
Apply Top Coat:
Unless I am trying out a new brand or have matte polish, I always put a top coat on. It protects the manicure, and can help it last longer.

Step 10:
Apply hand creme
Use your favorite lotion, but make sure that your nails are COMPLETELY dry. I normally wait at least an hour before I put mine on.  (if you use those insta-dri drops or sprays you don't have to wait as long, but I have not tried those) I have missed up a how manicure because I have put on my lotion too soon.

Final look 


Look at Rue's Nails of the Week on how I done this look and where you can find a tutorial to do the accent nails.



Disclaimer:
All products shown or mentioned in this blog where purchased by myself or given to me as gifts from friends and family. All my opinions are my own and not been influenced by anyone, and no companies are paying me for this blog.  


Personal Points
  • OPI is becoming my favorite high end polish. It's just SO expensice. 

 Peaceful and Happy Thoughts,
--Rue.



Rue's Nails of the Week

Here are the looks from the past week. I only had two this week because one of the looks I loved so much, that I kept it on for a while.

Look 1:

This look I absolutely LOVED!!! It features OPI Brake for Manicures with an triangle accent nail with Pure Ice Bite Me!

OPI Brake for Manicure is very deceiving color.  I bought it as a brown because in the bottle it looks like a brown. This was an impulse buy when I bought it. I found a deal for OPI bogo and this was one of the colors they had on sale. They didn't have it swatched in the store either. I bought it back in February and forgot all about it. When I put it on my nails, I noticed that it looked like a dusty eggplant, but in some light it looked brown. I did some research on it, and on an OPI site I found it called it a eggplant plum. I absolutely loved the color. It's not like any color that I have in my collection.

First, I used Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Clear Coat as a Base Coat. Then I used two coats of OPI Brake for Manicures. Clear tape was used to get the triangle accent.

I had this look on for most of the week. I painted my nails on Wednesday with this color, and I kept it on until Saturday. It really didn't chipped until work on Saturday, which wasn't a suprise. It did have a little wear at the ends of  the nail, but really wasn't chipped.

I got the idea of a Triangle accent from YouTube. Leighannsays has a tutorial on her channel. Here is a link for her video if you want to try it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcDN-hnEC5U

WITHOUT FLASH

WITH FLASH

SWATCHES


 Look 2:

This look features Confetti Black Tie, and The Color Workshop stencils.

I used the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure clear coat as a base coat, two coats of Confetti black tie. I put the stencil on my middle finger and ring finger. On the fingers with the stencils I put two coats of the Sally Hansen Max Growth Plus top coat and on the rest I just put one.

WITHOUT FLASH

Swatches. 




Personal Points

  • Bath and Body Works 2 for 20 candle sale is no longer going on. 
  • Thinking about starting to show the wear of my nail looks in this post and how long I had it on for, just to where you all will now how long wearing it is, especially if you do a lot of work with your hands. 
Coming Soon 
  • Tags
 Peaceful and Happy Thoughts,
--Rue.


Thursday, October 11, 2012

Bath and Body Works Candles

Online bath and body works have there candles 2 for 20 back. Not sure if it's just online. More investing is going on. Not sure how long. Also online they have shipping for 5.99 and there halloween stuff half off.

Peaceful and Happy Thoughts,
--Rue.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Collective Haul: OPI, Revlon, Wet n Wild Megalast, and few makeup items

Haul Time!!!

First up some Nail Polish.

The salon that is located in my Walmart had a deal on a few OPI polishes. It was buy one get two free. I couldn't pass that up. It was OPI for less than $3 a bottle. Then the OPI for breast cancer was just 8.50 so buy one get one free.



 Swatches from left to right.
1. OPI Call Me Gwen-Ever from the Spiderman collection
2. OPI Suzi Takes the Wheel from the Touring American collection
3. OPI Just Spotted the Lizard from the Spiderman collection
4. OPI I think in Pink (OPI breast cancer duo)
5. OPI You Glitter be Good to Me.  (OPI breast cancer duo)
6. Fantasy Marker No Name mini (This is the same as Spoiled by Wet n Wild Ants in my Pants, just different packaging)
7. Wet n Wild Megalast Under Your Spell (From their halloween collection; not sure if it's limited edition, but I think it is)
8. Wet n Wild Megalast Posion Ivy (Halloween collection)
9. Wet n Wild Megalast Toxic Apple (Halloween collection) 
10. Revlon TopSpeed Grape
11. Revlon Top Speed Cloud
12. Maybelline Express Care Cuticle lotion

Some Beauty items I picked up:
1. Cetaphil soap
2. Lumene Day Creme
3. Chap Stic naturals
4. Fantasy Makers eyeshadow duo.

Disclaimer:
All products shown or mentioned in this blog where purchased by myself or given to me as gifts from friends and family. All my opinions are my own and not been influenced by anyone, and no companies are paying me for this blog.  


Personal Points
  • I meant to have this posted yesterday. There isn't going to be a Versus this week. 
  • I finally have my desktop all plugged up.
Coming Soon 
  • Tags
 Peaceful and Happy Thoughts,
--Rue.

Rue's Nails of the Week.

Sorry, I meant to post this on Monday, but my computer has been acting strange all week.

First Look:
OPI Purple with a Purpose. This is the second OPI polish I have used, and it reaffirms my love for it.

Two coats of Purple with a Purpose. NO top coat. 

swatch
 Look 2:
This is Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Pat on the Black. As in last week's versus it's a dupe for my favorite OPI polish Lincoln Park After Dark. I am starting to really love Complete Salon Manicure.

Two coats of pat on the black. Top coat Sally Hansen Max Growth Plus 

Swatch
 Look 3:
This is Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro in Hard Metal. This is only the second time I have used this brand of Rimmel polish, and I love it. I had really good control of the brush. I only had to touch up one nail.
two coats Rimmel. 

swatches. 

Disclaimer:
All products shown or mentioned in this blog where purchased by myself or given to me as gifts from friends and family. All my opinions are my own and not been influenced by anyone, and no companies are paying me for this blog.  

Personal Points
  • I am going to do my first jelly sandwich soon. 
Coming Soon 
  • Haul
Peaceful and Happy Thoughts,
--Rue.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Rue's Tips.

I was writing my Versus blog this week, and I thought of some tips that maybe you all could use.

First tip-- if there is a brand of polish that you want to try, do not buy it at full price. Try and find it on sale some where. Most of my polishes I buy, I get on clearance. Right now would be a good time to stock up on spring and summer colors. Most of the higher brand nail polishes I own, I have not spent full price on. My Butter London I found BOGO so I spent 7 a bottle instead of 14. This is also true to my OPI and Zoya.

Second tip-- if there is an Ulta close to you, get their monthly sales book. They normally have coupons for five dollars off your purchase. Ulta also has really good sales. As I mentioned before BOGO butter LONDON.

Three tip-- Become a Sally Beauty Club Member. It's only five bucks and you get that right back with a coupon for five bucks. It's worth it. I debated about it for years, and this year I finally did it.

This is possible a new series. I am not sure yet, but I thought that I would pass along some of these tips to you all.


Disclaimer:
All products shown or mentioned in this blog where purchased by myself or given to me as gifts from friends and family. All my opinions are my own and not been influenced by anyone, and no companies are paying me for this blog.  
Peaceful and Happy Thoughts,
--Rue.

Rue's Awards September Edition.

I cannot believe how fast September flew buy. Before we know it, it's going to be Christmas. Here are my favorites for this month.

Starting off with the main thing I use.

NAIL POLISH!!!


look at previous blog posts for swatches. If for some reason you can't find one, just comment and I will post swatches. 
1. butter LONDON polishes (pictured Queen Vic)
2. Orly's Mysterious Curse ( I just loved the way it looked in the light. Sometimes it looked purple, sometimes blue. It also sometimes looked black. I am loving duo chrome polishes right now)
3. China Glaze's Argo ( this was a surprise for me. The only reason I own this one is because I bought the Hunger Games Collection mini polishes. IT had four polishes from the collection. I only wanted one polish from this collection, but the full size was sold out everywhere, so I picked up the four. Plus I really don't need full size bottles anymore. Also I am not a big fan of green on my nails)
4. China Glaze's Smoke and Ashes. (this was the polish that I wanted from the Hunger Games Collection. I loved it)
5. Zoya Codie (I loved the formula of Zoya. I will buy more, but it seems they do a lot of glitter polishes, which I am really not a big fan of. I do buy them, but normally they are not what I am drown to.)
6. Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Top Coat. (this is a fast drying top coat. If not applied carefully it does bubble up. I have noticed that my nails grow a little faster since using this.)

I have been obsessed with Candles this fall so far. As you can see from my months empties that I burned up a lot of candles this month.  A lot of times there is a candle burning in every room of my house. At night, I sit in my room with my lights out and a candle burning, it's so relaxing. Here are my CANDLE favorites of the month.

1. Fall and Sweet Scented Candles
 2. Bath and Body Works Candles ( First of all, I bought the mini candles first, and then they had their 2 for 20 sale. Normally I wouldn't spend that much on a candle, but two three wick candles I bought I could find a dupe for--Leaves and Pumpkin Cupcake-- I really also loves their Farmstand Apples, I didn't buy that one because I found a similar scent for cheaper, but maybe when the go on sale again I will buy it in the big size)
3. Vanilla Cupcake Candle from Walmart that is a dupe for the B&BW candles
4. Mrs. Fields Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Candle ( I finished burning this one today, but I have already bought another. Yes, it smells like the cookie, and I found it at Dollar General)

Makeup...
1. NYC Sunny Bronzer.

Beauty...
1. Bath and Body Works Cashmere Glow Body Lotion (new scent, it has vanilla and peach scents in it. My two favorite scent put into one. I do not have the body spray yet because when I went their they just had the lotion. I have a feeling this will be my signature fall scent).
2. B&BW Warm Vanilla Sugar( this has been my favorite scent for them for years. I wear it in the fall and winter.)

Fashion...
1. Scarves( I am a scarves girl. I can blame that on my best friend. She got me started wearing them)
2. Amethyst Jewerly ( I recently picked up two amethyst pieces from Target, and I love them. Also, I have an amethyst ring my cousin got me years ago, and I wear it everyday. Amethyst is my birthstone as well.)

TV Shows...
1. The Mob Dr. (new show on Fox. It stars the main character from My Boys which I loved.)
2. 90210 (started watching it when it first came out because it followed my favorite tv show of all time ONE TREE HILL, but recently caught up on it on Netflix)
3. Once Upon A Time ( I started watching it when it premiered last season, and loved it, but I would miss it most Sundays because I was working. Season 2 just premiered)

Random...
1. Owl Things ( I have been loving all things owls here lately)


There you go, my September favorites.


Disclaimer:
All products shown or mentioned in this blog where purchased by myself or given to me as gifts from friends and family. All my opinions are my own and not been influenced by anyone, and no companies are paying me for this blog.  

Personal Points
  •  Just realize how many of my favs are from Bath and Body Works this month. 
  • Loving the cooler weather :)
  • Missing One Tree Hill. The last season was last year. It's weird after watching it for nine years, not having it premiere in the fall. Something I always looked forward too. 

Peaceful and Happy Thoughts,
--Rue.

Versus-- OPI Lincoln Park after Dark and Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Pat on the Black.

First sorry for picture quality, but my camera died, and I have no batteries for it and couldn't find my rechargeable battery charger. So these pics were taken from my camera phone. Second, I had another versus planned for today, but I was painting my nails today and I found a dupe for my favorite OPI polish. I decided to share the news.

My favorite OPI polish is Lincoln Park After Dark, and the dupe is Sally Hansen complete salon manicure Pat on the Black. Now it's not the exact same color, but it's pretty darn close. While I was painted my nails today with Pat on the Black, I kept thinking that the color looked very similar. Then I got to thinking that it looked like Lincoln Park After Dark. So I ran to my collection and pulled it from my collection. This is probably the reason that I had not realized it before because in the bottle Pat on the Black looks a lot lighter then it really is. I also googled Lincoln Park After Dark dupes. For better pic quality, google it. 

Here's how they compare. They both will look black on your nails from a far, but they are a really deep purple. Lincoln Park After Dark is a little darker than Pat on the Black, but it's not that noticeable  I couldn't get a accurate pic of them side by side on my nails. In the pic below of my nails, Lincoln Park After Dark looks completely black, but it's not. 
Price wise how they compare. 
Pat on the Black on got on sale with two other polishes in a holiday kit back in February when they were reduced down to like 2 dollars for the whole seat. So I paid under one dollar for this. In general, I believe that the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure is about the same price as OPI. Where I buy my polishes, I believe that SH is 7.99 ( not really sure because of the ones I own, I have not bought any full price. Caught them ALL on SALE!) I do know that OPI full price is about 8.50 full price. Not much of a difference, but just in case you cannot find one, you have options. 

swatches. Here you can see that Pat on the black is lighter than lincoln park after dark. This is only one coat on the paper to show that they are NOT black.

Sorry this pic doesn't do OPI polish justice. It looks black in the pic. TRUST ME  it's not. 
I was so excited I had to blog about this. 

Disclaimer:
All products shown or mentioned in this blog where purchased by myself or given to me as gifts from friends and family. All my opinions are my own and not been influenced by anyone, and no companies are paying me for this blog.  

Personal Points
  •  I am going to have Thai for lunch. Just recently discovered a Thai place close to where I live. 
Coming Soon 
  • Rue's look of the week.  
  • Tips. 
Peaceful and Happy Thoughts,
--Rue.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Rue's Nails of the Week.

Here are the looks I did for last week. 

Look 1:
This look I used Wet n Wild Haze of Love. I put two coats of it. Burgundy is a very fall color, and is every where this season. Sorry that this manicure was crappy. I cleaned it up later, but forgot to take a picture. 


two coats of haze of love topped with sally hansen max growth plus

swatches

 Look 2:
This is Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Commander in Chic. I have heard that this is a dupe for Sephora by OPI Metro Chic. I personally do not have Metro Chic, so I can not tell you from personal experience. I really love this on my nails, and colors similar. This is probably the nudest I will get on my nails. I do not like what they call mannequin hands.

Also I am starting to love the Complete Salon Manicure brand, but there are some that are hit and misses. I think that the darker\neutral colors are better.
two coats of commander in chic topped with my sally hansen max growth 

swatches
 Look 3:

This is the final look of the week. This is from Sally Hansen Maximum Growth plus in Adorning Amethyst. This is the same formula as my top coat, and I had to apply it really carefully because it seemed to bubble really bad. I love the color, but the formula since it bubbles easily isn't the best.

two coats of the adorning amethyst topped with sally hansen max growth plus. 

swatch, which looks more purple than it really it. It's more of a burgundy. 

Disclaimer:
All products shown or mentioned in this blog where purchased by myself or given to me as gifts from friends and family. All my opinions are my own and not been influenced by anyone, and no companies are paying me for this blog.  

Personal Points
  •  It's been raining all day. 
Coming Soon 
  • Rue's look of the week.  
  • Sept. Favs. 
Peaceful and Happy Thoughts,
--Rue.