NOTD: Gimme MOOO-ARE Essie!

Hi everyone, hope everyone is doing well!  Pardon the pun above but it does seem like I've been using a lot of Essie nail polishes recently huh?  I have been really laggy with my blog posts and Youtube videos (surprise surprise).  I honestly don't know what happened to October.  I feel like someone has been messing with the time machine- making the days fly pass faster like in the Spy Kids movie where the kids face an evil villian who messes around with a Time Machine.

Anyhow, I'm here to clear my backlog of blog posts so that I can get to the really BIG blog post that I really want to do NOWWWWW.  This is a good incentive for me to clear up some of my backlog so let's get down to it!

PRESENTING...............................

ESSIE BANGLE JANGLE!  The colour is a lovely lavender lilac colour under the sunlight but it also borders on a taupey lavender colour without flash if that makes sense.  The formula of this nail polish is excellent.  The consistency is good- not gloopy or too liquidy/streaky.  It applies opaque within 1-2 coats depending on how you apply it.  I like to apply 2 coats for my manicure but that is my personal perference.  It also dries fairly fast which I really appreciate.  Combined with Essie Protein Base Coat and Wet n Wild Fast Dry Clear Coat, my manicure has lasted for more than a week without chipping!  The above photographs were taken yesterday which meant that my manicure was 9 days old.  You can tell that my nails have grown since then so that explains the part on top which is not covered by nail polish.  My manicure stands up to regular washing of dishes and cars (yes, I do household chores too!).

Overall, I'm impressed and I love this nail polish!  So far, I have had really good luck with Essie nail polishes that my manicures with Essie nail polishes last really long except one using a mini Lion Around from Essie's 2011 Far Game Resort Collection.  That particular manicure barely lasted a day.  I'm not sure if it means that the formula for the minis are different from the full-sized Essies because I've read good reviews for the Lion Around polish.  Oh well, I shall experiment some more and leave it for another blog post.

I hope you enjoyed this blog entry and stay safe wherever you are.  If you are in the US/Canada, I pray that you are doing well and that God will keep you safe from Sandy.

xoxo
annsleyw :)

Project 10 Pan

Hello there, I am so excited to announce that I am going to do Project 10 Pan! While this is not an original idea- many other bloggers and Youtubers have embarked on such a journey before, this is my first Project 10 Pan. It is code named P10P- it reminds me of those code names given to secret agent missions.

Basically, the whole idea of P10P is that you must use up 10 things of what you already have before you buy anything else and it applies to all beauty products. I have seen some bloggers and Youtubers do variations of P10P and some of the more dedicated ones have gone far and beyond to tackle P50P and even P100P! I question my dedication and my low threshold for temptation that I have decided that P10P will be a good start.

I will chronicle my P10P journey and maybe start a monthly empties video and blog post if I go through products fast enough. I am not sure if fate is encouraging me to do this because I am nearly done with my current cleanser! With any luck, washing my face tonight will spell the last of my current cleanser. Do not think that I will simply waste the product just to finish it faster. Pfftttt. I will squeeze the life out of the tube just to get every last bit and use it up. It explains why my tubes always end up looking mangled towards the end. You will see them in my upcoming product empties video which was filmed on Wednesday. I will upload it really soon but those product empties will not be counted for this P10P. My P10P journey will start today: 19 October 2012 and only products used up on 19 October 2012 and onwards will be counted.

Anyhow, here are my variations to my P10P:

- While I will TRY MY BEST not to buy any beauty related products FOR MYSELF before completing P10P (let's be realistic here), if it is an essential product that I do not have a backup/ another of (i.e. shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste), I can buy it.

- If I buy any non-essential beauty product before completing P10P, I will add the number of products I buy to the number of items I have to finish. For example, if I buy a blush while on P10P, P10P will become P11P.

- If it is sent to me for review or gifted to me, it does not count.

My disclaimer is that if you see any haul videos/blog posts/pictures while I am still on P10P, they are most likely my purchases before P10P started. I will be honest if I bought more while on P10P or if they are my purchases before P10P. *pinky promise* And let's face it, this P10P is more for myself than for anyone else anyway. It will make me go through my makeup collection and hopefully, I will focus on what I have and not what I do not have!

I am getting pumped for P10P!

Have you gone on P10P before? If not, are you thinking of doing P10P?

Cheers
annsleyw :)

Update: This has inspired me to finish up whatever products I have opened but stopped using. P10P may be going faster than I thought!

Review: Guerlain Rouge G Lipstick 65 Grenade

Guerlain Rouge G Lipstick: 65 Grenade

Hello Gorgeous! *wolf whistles* Is this not the prettiest lipstick you have ever set your eyes on? For me, Guerlain has become my latest brand-crush. Guerlain has amazing products with amazing packaging but the Rouge Gs are top on my list with the exception of the ever elusive Cruel Gardenia that I want so badly. :(

The jewel lipstick compact has a luxurious look and it does have a good weight to it which adds to the luxe effect. The practicality of the compact to open and reveal 2 mirrors is a good idea since it is troublesome to find a mirror to re-apply lipstick when you are out. However, the hefty weight of the lipstick does not make it ideal for having many of these in your bag. Also, it is very susceptible to finger prints and because I like my things to look as pristine as possible, trying to handle the compact without getting my fingerprints on it is not easy. I end up having to use a cloth to wipe off my fingerprints everytime I use it. Yes, I am weird like that.

Anyhow, here is a description of the Rouge G lipsticks on Guerlain's website:

A jewel lipstick compact with a white gold shimmer designed by Lorenz Bäumer, the young and talented jeweller in Place Vendôme. A horizontal design with feminine curves that houses a secret: a mirror automatically appears when the compact is opened. The lipstick has a pure elegant, contemporary design, and closes magnetically. This exceptional object boasts a comprehensive, premium formula containing a star ingredient: ruby powder, which acts as an optical whitener to bring out the colour and shine of the shades. The blend of natural active ingredients (Tiger Grass, wild mango butter, Gugul resin, used in Ayurvedic medicine) complete the formula to plump up, smooth and bring moisture and softness to your lips.

So with the description out of the way, here is what I think of the Rouge Gs. IT IS AMAZING! It has my vote for best lipstick of the 2012. I applied the lipstick when I got home from the mall which was around 6pm. I wanted to test the colour on my lips, the texture and how long the lipstick would last on my lips. It applied like a dream. It glided onto my lips very easily and it felt moisturizing.

Grenade is a pretty raspberry red with a sheen that eliminates the need for a gloss on top.The lipstick was pigmented and the colour payoff was good. One swipe along the lips will give you an opaque colour.

Dinner time was around 7pm. After eating my dinner and drinking my favourite green tea, the sheen wore off but the colour on my lips was about 75% the strength of how it looked like when it was freshly applied. Throughout the night, I was talking and drinking more green tea. I took a photo around 9-10pm that night and posted it on Instagram saying how impressed I was with the lasting powers of the lipstick. Here's the photo:

Pardon the use of filter in this photo and the photo is not a true reflection of the actual colour. I did not apply makeup sans the lipstick so I was not keen on scaring people on Instagram. Besides, the whole point of the photo was to show the lasting power of the lipstick and not my makeup (or lack thereof).

At 12 midnight, the colour was still there. I was getting sleepy and for me, the knowledge that it would last me for about 6 hours was good enough for me. Though the lipstick did not dry my lips out, the moisturizing feeling I got when I first applied the lipstick did not last 6 hours. Do note that I was not expecting the lipstick to be a lip balm so I was not bothered about the lipstick not moisturizing my lips for 6 hours. It is just extra information to make the review more complete. I removed the lipstick and went to bed a happy girl.

In Australia, Guerlain Rouge G Lipsticks retails for $70 AUD while it retails for $48 USD in America. The price tag attached to the Rouge Gs is on the high side but depending on the lipstick that you choose, for example; Grenade which comes with a sheen, you will have no need for gloss over the lipstick. The dual purpose of Rouge G in Grenade makes the price tag seem less intimidating.

Verdict:
Packaging: 7/10 (because it is rather heavy and susceptible to finger prints)
Price: 6/10 (definitely a splurge item)
Texture: 9.5/10 (moisturizing and glides on easily- I am only reserving that 0.5 mark because there is always room for improvement no matter how good something or someone is)
Colour: 8/10 (very pretty colour but not a must-have unique colour exclusive to Guerlain Rouge G in 65 Grenade)
Lasting power: 9/10 (sheen will not last but the colour will last for about 6 hours or more even with eating, drinking and talking)

Do you own any Guerlain Rouge G Lipsticks? If yes, which ones do you have? If not, are you looking to try some in the future?

Cheers
annsleyw :)

August/September 2012 Favourites (Hits & Misses) & Halloween Ramble

Hello there! I finally edited and uploaded my August/September 2012 Favourites (Hits & Misses) video. Here is the link to the video if you have not checked it out.

In the video, I sported my potential Halloween makeup look for this year. I have been dressing up as a french maid for the past 2 years. In 2010, I was french maid in a black and white french maid outfit. In 2011, I was a french maid in a black and pink outfit. I was getting tired of constantly revamping my tired french maid outfit and looks. I was watching a Youtube video from Jordan Liberty of givegoodface. It was his tutorial on the Leopard eyes look which inspired me to try the Leopard eyes look using different colours. So now I am thinking of going as a Leopard for Halloween this year. Say "MEOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWW...."

Do let me know if you are celebrating Halloween this year and what you will be going as. I have more blog entries and Youtube videos coming up so stay tuned!

Cheers
annsleyw :)

PS: Products mentioned in the video are:

Olive Manon Olive Oil (Cosmetic Grade Olive Oil)
Garnier Daily All in One Miracle Skin Perfector (Medium)
Garnier Daily All in One Miracle Skin Perfector for Combination to Oily Skin (Light)
Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation (53 Light Beige)
Rimmel Max Bold Curves Mascara
Becca Eye Tint (Gilt)
Maybelline Baby Lips (Anti-oxidant Berry)
Fresh Sugar Treatment Therapy (Rose)
Essie Mint Candy Apple
Essie Luxeffects Set in Stones
China Glaze Midnight Mission
Hollywood False Eye Lashes

Disclaimer: All products were purchased by me or in the case of the cosmetic grade olive oil; given to me by my grandmother. All opinions are my own and this is not a sponsored review.