$5 Essie Nail Polish

I wanted to get this out quickly, because I have no idea how long this will last! I just came back from Walgreens, literally just came in and they have their Essie nail polish for $5. The signs do not say how long this sale will last, so I suggest you go out there and get the polish now if you want it. The sign specifically says that it does not include Essie nail treatments or the magnetic polishes from Essie. - When I went in, I first saw the sign on the cosmetic counter and it had some Essie polishes on it, but all the polishes were from their core line; no limited edition polishes were there. So, I was just going to skip the sale, because honestly I do not need any more Essie polishes right now. However, when I went around the corner, on the display in the back of the cosmetics checkout counter there was the limited edition 2013 summer collection and it ALSO had a sign on it, so I grabbed some. When, I went to the register they all rang up the regular $8. The cashier told me that not all of the polishes are on sale, especially the new ones. I asked to speak to a manager, because I swore there was a sign on the actual display. The manager checked and sure enough, I was right. The manager said that this was something that just started and was not in the system yet, so all of polishes I bought had to be manually marked down by her. It was the worth the wait though, because at $5 a bottle that is less than I can buy any higher end polish at Walmart. (Around here Essie is $7.75 at Walmart and Nicole by OPI is $7 at Walmart. All other places are about $8 for both brands or sometimes even more, depending on where you go.) I did feel bad that I held up the line though.....for a long time. There is more to that story and I'll share everything I bought today later. Let me know if you happen to buy anything off of this sale! I have not seen anyone else mention this sale and I would not have known if I had not gone in today.

Wet 'N Wild Fergie Summer 2013 Photo Op Eyeshadows

I finally caved in and bought the Wet 'N Wild Fergie Photo Op Summer 2013 eyeshadow palettes. I missed the original display that came out earlier this year. I'm not sure if my Walgreen stores just never received them, if I just some how overlooked them or if they were only in Rite Aids and/or CVS stores, because I do not have a Rite Aid close to me and I rarely go into CVS now that I live in Tennessee. (I pretty much stick to Walmart, Target, and Walgreens -they cover every brand and all my drug store cosmetic needs. Occasionally, I go into a CVS.) Recently, I saw small displays popping up at Walgreens which contain the lip glosses and the palettes. They are just shelf displays, not real big, and some Walgreen stores didn't even bother putting up the displays and the palettes and glosses are mixed in with the core Fergie line on the shelves. I saw the displays in 3 different Walgreens and passed them up for 2 weeks. I have heard very mixed reviews on these. While some people are saying that they feel they get a good deal for their money and that the shadows are just as good (with some saying even better) as the core line, the other half of the beauty community is spouting to stay away and that they are a huge disappoint due to bad color pay off; very powdery; and no staying power. 

Personally, I feel the colors are appealing and they go together well. Here's what did me in- If you look closely on the right corners of these palettes you can see marks from where a peel off coupon was. These Walgreen displays had a $1 off coupon on them making these $3.99 instead of the normal $4.99.

I took these home and swatched them to see the color pay off and to get a feel of the texture and quality. Personally, I have had good luck with the palette that I received. For my birthday this year, I was given "#A029 Desert Festival". When using this palette, most people couldn't even tell I was using a drug store cosmetic. 

The picture is of my eye and a make-up look I did earlier this year. The purple color is from the "Desert Festival" palette. I have received tons of praise from this look and no one guessed I used a drug store eyeshadow.

The first palette swatched was "Shades of the Hamptons". This is the more colorful palette, although the colors are cool and pastel. The only color I really foresee being difficult is the pink color; it is a bit on the chalky side and not as smooth as the rest of the colors. It still does give color though and the rest of the shades seem soft, which will make them easy to blend. The fallout didn't seem like it'd be too bad either. I'm excited to try this palette!

The second palette is called "Newport Nights" and it is a more neutral color. Again, the only color that seems to be difficult is the pink color. Not sure what it is with the pinks....... The bronze color in the middle is very intriguing to me. You can't tell from the picture, but it is a bronze with a good amount of shimmer to it.

Overall, I am really excited to try these out and I think they're going to be good. Especially considering the price that I paid, only $3.99, it it was a good deal. The only real problems I have are- The names of the palettes were only on the sticker that you have to take off in order to open the palettes, so you either have to remember the names or look them up. A pet peeve of mine with cosmetics is when companies don't make it easy or accessible to find the names of their products on the actual product.

The other warning I have- my first palette I received for my birthday broke when I dropped it. Not the colors in it, but the actual palette. The clear plastic part that you view the colors through just came out and there was no way for me to put it back together or protect the eyeshadows, so I had to toss it. I only used it a handful of times. I have had bad luck in the past with Wet 'N Wild's trios and 8 pans breaking easily but dropping them or having them placed in the wrong way, but that was the actual eyeshadow breaking. With these, I would say that while the shadow seems hardier, the palettes feel more sturdy, but really aren't.

Just in case you didn't know- there are lip glosses that went with this collection, but I have never felt compelled to try Wet 'N Wild lip products, so I passed on those. I have also heard really bad reviews from the colors in this collection.

Target Clearance Summer 2013

Went to Target last night and discovered they were having a few of their items on clearance. Mostly, what I saw on clearance was select Sally Hansen polishes and Maybelline products (mostly lip products).

I am trying really hard to not buy a lot. In my previous post I stated I am moving and that's why I'm trying not to buy too much. I already have a ton of make-up and nail polish I have to move. However, I couldn't pass up a Maybelline Tattoo shadow that I don't have!

The color is "#30 Pomegranate Punk". The other color they had on clearance was "#10 Fierce And Tangy" which is an orange color. I was really tempted to buy the orange one, but then I passed. Living in Tennessee on and off for the last 9 years has really turned me off from the color orange due to the Volunteers. If you are not a sports fan you may not understand, for me all I ever see around this place is orange and I'm NOT a fan of it right now. I'm thinking both of these colors are going to be either discontinued or not carried by Target anymore - either way, for the price, I'd pick it up if you are interested. I may go back and get some of the lipsticks, but I really am trying hard to stay away from cosmetics right now because of my move. Every Target will have different quantities available and certain Targets will have brands that other locations won't, so if you can make sure to check out multiple locations.

CVS Last Chance Sale Summer 2013

As many of you know, CVS has been having a Last Chance sale. They marked things 50%-75% off, which is a great deal, even if you consider that CVS usually has higher prices than Walmart or Target (with the exception of sales or the use of coupons). I really wanted to jump on this sale, but my grandfather was ill and I wasn't able to go about my day doing what I please. To make a long story short, he passed away and my time and money went to a 20 hour trip and family matters. - Most of the sale items, at least around my area, are gone. Some of the CVS stores have even taken down the sale banners. I happened to stop in a CVS that is in a town just outside of where I live, because I was waiting for my car to be fixed. I actually have never been in this CVS before, but it is nice. I did find a few clearance items, but most of it would not suit my skin tone or skin type. However, I did find 1 gem and couldn't pass it up! For $2.12, which was 75% off of the regular retail price, I found a Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick!

The color is #663 "Va Va Violet". It is a deep, dark purple. For those not familiar with Revlon lipsticks, they don't have a scent and they're pretty nice lipsticks for drug store cosmetics. I personally am not a fan of their rival, L'Oreal. I cannot stand the smell of L'Oreal lipsticks!

I have always been a fan of dark colors, especially purples and reds. (I also really like browns; more along the lines of cafe colors.) So, I was really satisfied with my find! From what I can tell from the other stores around here and on the Revlon site, it looks like this color has been discontinued. -I shall enjoy it while it lasts.

When swatched, this color is not as intimidating as some people may first feel it is. Obviously, for me, it's not an every day color and I don't think it would be for most of us, but I'm excited to wear it out! 

Wet 'N Wild Pop Art Craze Collection

As most of you know, Wet 'N Wild released a summer collection inspired by the 80's and Andy Warhol. People starting seeing these displays pop up last week and blogs & Instagram are flooding with people who are posting their findings and what they bought. The West Coast and East Coast seem to have gotten these displays in first and they are slowly creeping up from the South and down from the Midwest.

I have been on the hunt since I heard the first person that found them! Today was my lucky day. While most people have found these at Rite Aid or Walgreens, I found mine at K-Mart. I have been into several Walgreens and have yet to find them there; I was in 3 before I found them in K-Mart today. I want to share my experience though, because for some of you it might help you find them if you are the hunt as well. 

The nail polishes were on the front cosmetic display that you see when you walk in. It was not on the front side, it was on the back side. It looked like a full display, except for the green polish (Stand The Test Of Lime), but I don't know if that means someone bought 1 or that they didn't get that many in.

I did not buy the white polish (A Blank Canvas) as it looks like it is the same as their permanent white shade (French White). of the same line. It may possibly be a bit brighter as I tried to compare them in the store, but it could have just been the way the lighting hit the color too. I bought the rest of the shades.

Now here's the tricky part! I was frantic, because I did not see the eyeshadow trios! I looked about 3 times around the cosmetic area and was trying to find someone to see if the display was somewhere else or if they would be getting the display in. (Or, maybe they had, but hadn't put it out! -I was determined to get these!) I was just about to give up, because I could not find an associate. I went to put the French White color back and there they were!

Whoever stocked these decided to ditch the display and put them where the regular 8 pans are, because they had an empty spot. All 6 palettes were there, just behind each other. I bought 1 of each, which left 1 of each for someone else. So, there you go! Make sure you check EVERYWHERE, because you never know where they might put them. I have also heard that some Walgreens have been keeping them behind the counter if they have limited space, so make sure you ask someone (the best person would be a cosmetics associate) before you give up. Hope this helps!

***The price listed is for the 8 Pan. These trios rang up the normal $2.99 and the polishes were the normal $0.99.

I'm not going to swatch these, because you can find swatches all over the internet. I recommend "Oh Three Oh Four" for great swatches on the polishes. For the trio swatches check out "Nouveau Cheap" who also gives a great, detailed review! Also, "Vampy Varnish" gives a great up and close view!

I will be updating my blog later with my personal thoughts and feelings on the performance of this collection after I've had time to try it out! Any questions, just ask!