Influenster VoxBox

This post is going to be a long one. I received the Influenster VoxBox this May and will now review the products for you.

Item One: Bath and Body Works Body Spray - Paris Amour

I wear perfume every day, but I never wear body sprays because the smell fades quickly. I did not like the smell of this, but everyone has different tastes and I'm sure some people would like it.

 Item Two: Sally Hansen Salon Effects: Nail Polish Strips

Sigh. This was made with real glitter. That means that when you try to get a straight edge on your nail by filing it, the entire piece of glitter comes off, along with the stick nail strip. Can you see that on my thumb?

It also means that it was a huge pain in the ass to remove.

I do not like nail strips as a rule because I can never make them look as good as I'd like.

 Item Three Soy Joy Bar - Blueberry

I had already take a bite of it when I realized I need to take a picture of it. Lol. These are gluten free which is good for those that are allergic to gluten. They tasted pretty bad though. One bite was all I could take.

Item Four Aveeno - Daily Moisturizing Body Wash

Ah, Aveeno, how I love you. This smells very nice and I've been using it when I shower. Does it make "visibly healthier skin?" I have no idea. I can never tell a difference with that stuff.

Item Five Sheer Cover - Concealer Fair/Medium (the lightest they have)

As you may be able to tell, my skin is very pale. When it comes to face makeup, I am always the lightest color. Normally number 01 titled Porcelain or something. 

Basically this concealer wasn't light enough to work for me. If you don't already know this, the rule for face makeup is that it should match your skin tone before you begin to blend it in. 

Item Six Chapstick - Lip Shield 365 

This chapstick has SPF 50+. Can someone tell me what 50+ means? Is that like, SPF 52 but they thought it'd be stupid to put that so they just use the plus sign? 

Anyways, this smells like a combination of citrus and sunscreen and I actually like it. It feels good on, and the smell/taste isn't too strong.

 Item Seven Dr Sholl's For Her Ball of Foot

I haven't tried this yet. But I will. Maybe.

Love, Bethany

Where Have I Been?

So sorry fellow bloggers! I've been in Ohio for my boyfriend's brother's high school graduation. When I returned, it was back to work and so forth. I've been a little stressed. But I have continued to take pictures of my nails.

The worst part about being gone is not commenting on all of your lovely nails. I feel bad :(

I'll try to catch up! The gorgeous Lizzy always sends me an email and checks up on me when I've missed a few days. She's the best :D

So here are some nails. I wore these for graduation. See how far behind I am on posting? Graduation was three weeks ago!

Essie - Geranium (2 coats)
Seche Vite top coat

Although there are many different colors of geranium, this color perfectly matches the red/orange geraniums. My grandmother always has geraniums at her house on the lake. 

Isn't this polish great? 

Love, Bethany

Franken With Me!

Two new frankens! I actually have some more that I have not yet swatched. I love making them! If I ever sold any, which I'm considering, I would name my line Bonfire.

These are both shown with no base or top coat.

Here is a nice pink jelly.

Bonfire - Pinky Toe (3 coats)

It has a coral look to it, but I think these pictures make it seem a little more coral than it actually is.

Next up is a dusty blue jelly with silver flakes. 

Bonfire - Moi? (2 Coats)

I hope you liked these!

Love, Bethany

More Blue

Have you noticed that I love blue polish?

Claire's - Twinkle Twinkle (3 coats)
Gelous Top Coat
Seche Vite Top Coat

Twinkle Twinkle is a dark blue jelly with light blue shimmer. Isn't it lovely?

It had a very gritty finish, but I fixed it with some Gelous and Seche Vite. I feel like the glare takes away from the shimmer. I need a professional photographer. Or a light box. Lol.

Love, Bethany

Savage

Here is a mani for less

Sinful Colors - Savage (2 coats) $1.99

A beautiful bright blue that dries matte because it's neon. The formula was great.

Here it is with a NYC - Quick Dry Top Coat

Isn't it great?

Love, Bethany

Double the Fun

My first Double the Fun - One base color...two top coats!

Base: China Glaze - Electric Beat (2 Coats)

Top Coat: Julep - Melissa

Do you like the green tinge?

Second Top Coat: Julep - Ellie

I like the pink tinge the best!

So how do you like the very first Double the Fun?

Love, Bethany

We're Off To See the Wizard

...the wonderful wizard of oz. This was one of my favorite movies as a young child. My parents tell me that I would make them watch it over and over again. Isn't it funny that children can do something a hundred times and not get sick of it?

China Glaze - Dorothy Who? (3 coats)
Gelous (1 coat)
Seche Vite (1 coat)

This is pretty spectacular isn't it? I don't know if they specifically meant the Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, but that's what I thought of. Now I want to do a mani with this and Ruby Pumps :)

Love, Bethany

Absences and Holographics

Sorry for being absent but I graduated on Saturday and this weekend has been crazy!!

Here is the polish that I wore to take my exams.

A-England - Saint George (2 coats)

Apparently I decided to do a poor job with clean-up. Oops. 

I was so excited when this arrived because I've been craving this polish! I have tons of pictures on my computer of many different nails. It's getting backed up, so I really need to post more! 

Love, Bethany

Pink Is My Signature Color

My title comes from a line in Steel Magnolias. Great movie.

Mani For Less

Pink: Sinful Colors - Glass Pink (2 coats) $1.99

Accent Pink: Wet n Wild Coloricon- Jewels For Your Highness (1 coat over Glass Pink) $2.99

The Wet n Wild mirrors the new China Glaze Prismatic collection. I surprised myself by loving this polish! It's mostly pink with some random colored glitter thrown in. 

Yay for cheap manis! 

Love, Bethany

Why Do I Buy Black Nail Polish?

I like black nail polish on other people but I NEVER like it on myself. So why do I buy it? I have no idea.

Anyways...I didn't fight to get the glitter out in this black jelly. I just stuck my brush in and slapped in on the nail. I feel like that's more accurate than digging around to get a lot of glitter.

Orly - Androgynie (2 Coats)

Added a coat of Essie - Matte About You

There's lots of glitter, so I might try this again and actually work to get it out, but maybe not because, as previously stated, I don't like black. Lol.

Love, Bethany

First Mani for Less

Unfortunately, I had trouble with this mani because the polish bubbled. Sigh. Not all cheap polishes bubble. I promise!! The matte coat works wonderfully though!

Color: NYC - Lavender Cupcake ($1.99)
Matte: NYC - Matte Me Crazy ($1.99)

Even with the bubbling it is a pretty color. Maybe I'll keep it for nail art.

Love, Bethany

Shes Kind Of Dotty

I loved reading your responses to my last post. The favorite seems to be Manis For Less, but many people expressed that both ideas would be fun, so I'll do both!

Here is a dotted mani with one of my new frankens!

Blue: Franken - Maid of the Mist
Brown dots: Pure Ice - Risk Taker

Love, Bethany

Important Question

I have a question for you guys! I have two ideas for future manis and I'd like to know what you think.

1. Mani's For Less: This is where I show manis for less than $5.00.
2. Double The Fun: This is where I have one base color but the designs on each hand would be different.

So my question is: Do you like either of these ideas? I can't promise that I'd be able to do a bunch of them, because I get bored easily. But what do you think?

Anyways here's my mani for today

Base: Orly - Rock the World
Glitter: China Glaze - Blonde Bombshell

Love, Bethany

Nail Polish Swap - Two Polishes!

I did a swap with the lovely Kate from This Charming Kate. I sent her OPI Steady As She Rose and a bottle of Seche Vite.

She sent me Barry M Racing Green and Kiko Pearly Chocolate Noir.

Barry M - Racing Green (2 Coats)

Kiko - Pearly Chocolate Noir

Top Coat - NYC Quick Dry

The formula for both polishes was perfect! I LOVE these colors. I especially love the Kiko. Isn't that a fabulous brown?

Thanks Kate!

Love, Bethany

Round Nails

My daddy is home from the hospital. Of course there's still a long road of recovery ahead. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers!

On to the nails: I felt like round nails so I cut all my nails. Now I miss the square ones. Lol! This is the crackle that Lizzy sent me!

Base: Essence - Nude It
Then Essie - Matte About You (because I knew the crackle was going to dry matte)
Crackle: Nabi - Hot Pink

The essence polish bubbled. Sigh. But it's okay because the crackle covers it up!

Love, Bethany

Gold Comparison

The wonderful Lizzy send my Sinful Colors This Is It and I noticed that it was very similar to China Glaze Champagne Bubbles.

The difference is that the Sinful Colors has rainbow glitter and the China Glaze has silver.

Pointer and Ring: China Glaze - Champagne Bubbles
Middle and Pinky: Sinful Colors - This Is It

There's definitely a difference and I would probably pick the Sinful Colors, but I don't like either of them because the yellow looks weird with my skin. What do you think?

Love, Bethany

We Have A Winner!

The winner of my second giveaway is Melissa Renee from Passion For Polish!

YAY!

A third giveaway will happen soon-ish. I have some polishes already purchased. It will be a "layering" giveaway with glitters and flakies and things! 

Second Butter London!

This is the second Butter London polish that the lovely Abbie sent to me! 

Butter London - Bluey (2 Coats)

Top Coat: NYC - Quick Dry Top Coat

Isn't it pretty?

Love, Bethany

Ruby Heels Comparison

Can you see the difference between China Glaze - Ruby Heels and Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear - Red Carpet?

Pointer and ring finger: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear - Red Carpet
Middle and Pinky: China Glaze - Ruby Heels

Cool, right?

Love, Bethany

Franken Me

Here is my newest franken called Send Me Into Shock.

Send Me Into Shock (3 coats)
Top coat: Seche Vite

Base: William Tell Me About OPI (2 coats)

Then one coat of Send Me Into Shock

Top Coat: Seche Vite

What do you guys think?

Love, Bethany

What Big Nails You Have

I have for your viewing pleasure, Little Red Riding Hood nails!

Too many polishes to name, unless anyone wants to know one of the specific colors.

Do you like it?

Love, Bethany

Thank You Readers

Thank you all so much for your kind messages. Reading them really made me feel much better. I've caught up on my commenting and it was very therapeutic to just sit and look at nail pictures. It allowed me to turn off my brain for a few hours.

I have two jelly sandwiches for this post, one is bright and one is pale. I think the pale is the best.

Revlon - Plum Seduction
Glitter: Confetti - Tasmanian Devil

Ulta - Sweet Nothings

Glitter: Sally Hansen Diamond Strength - Bridal Veil

Love, Bethany

Facets of Fushia

This is a polish that is in my giveaway!

Revlon - Facets of Fushia (2 coats)
Top coat: Seche Vite

Isn't it lovely with that black jelly?

Love, Bethany

Serious Post

My father had a stroke late Thursday night. He is still in the hospital. The doctors say that the effects will be permanent, although they may get better with time and therapy.

I will post and comment as often as I can but it may be awhile before I'll be back full time. I do have back-up pictures which I will post.

Prayers and good thoughts are appreciated.

Also, if any of you readers smoke, please think about quitting. My father had a heart attack in '99 and triple bypass surgery. He has had three transient ischemic attacks (mini strokes) and now a stroke. These were all caused by his smoking, which he has done since childhood.

Love, Bethany

New Favorite Red

Best red ever!

OPI - Vodka & Caviar (2 coats)
Top Coat - Seche Vite

Look at that jelly gorgeous-ness!

I kept this on for two days, a testament to how much I love it!

Love, Bethany

My First Barry M + Layers

Abbie included a Barry M polish in my nail swap package. I love it! I definitely want more!

Barry M - Vivid Purple (2 coats)

I changed it up by layering!

Ring-Thumb: Zoya - Ki

Pinky: China Glaze - Luxe and Lush

Don't forget to enter my giveaway!

Love, Bethany

Enter My New Giveaway!

So this was going to be my 100 follower giveaway but I surpassed 100 followers before my first giveaway ended. So it's just the 100+ giveaway. I hope everyone likes the prizes. You have a chance to win Whimsical and Cinderella again if you didn't the first time ;)

And the Nail Polish Goes To...

Sue from Creative Nail Design by Sue! Congratulations, you won the giveaway! I've already sent her an email.

I'm getting ready to post another giveaway. I just need to take pictures of all the polishes. Yay!

Love, Bethany

I Want to Be a Fairy Princess

Every year for Halloween when I was little, I dressed up as a "fairy princess." That's what I always wanted to be. So here are some fairy princess nails:

Base: Zoya - Marley
Glitter: Revlon - Whimsical
Top Coat: Seche Vite

I wish I had these nails when I was little! 

What were you guys for Halloween?

Love, Bethany

Craving Glitter

Lizzy and I must be soul mates because at the same time she was sending me Essence - Choose Me, I was buying it at Ulta! I now have two bottles of the stuff. I thought it needed a little more glitter, so I sponged some onto the tips (and by tips I mean almost 3/4 of the nail. Lol.).

Base: Essence - Choose Me
Glitter: Finger Paints - Art You Wondering
Top Coat: Seche Vite

I would wear this a lot if I was a mermaid!

Love, Bethany

Awards

Sometimes, beautiful ladies give me blog awards. I do not like giving out awards because they are so much work. I already spend over an hour every day on my blog, so I don't want to do any more. However, I feel like it's unfair that I'm given awards and I don't acknowledge the ladies that gave them to me. So I will now introduce you readers to the ladies that have recently tagged me with an award!

First is Devilish Polish.
Check out her lady kisses mani. She free handed the kisses!

Next is Nails By Diana.
Check out her stunning franken!

Next is Abbie Nail.
Check out her subtle orange and red Design!

Last I have Superficialy Colorful.
Check out her pretty dot mani!

Okay, I hope that makes up for the fact that I don't do awards! <3

Love, Bethany

Easter Mani and NYC Quick Dry Top Coat Review

Happy Easter! Here is my Easter mani!

Base: On Ice (not sure what the name of the color is)
Sponged Pink: China Glaze - Sweet Hook
Sponged Mint: Wet n Wild megalast - I Need A Refresh-Mint
Top Coat: NYC - Quick Dry Top Coat

The NYC top coat dried very quickly and was very shiny! Maybe not as Seche Vite, but pretty close and $8 cheaper. 

Have you guys tried this top coat?

Love, Bethany