Zoya Gemma

Look! A real post!

Today I wanted to show you my NOTD, Zoya Gemma. I purchased this during a promo a while back and still hadn't worn it.

Gemma was released with the Intimate collection for Spring 2011. Zoya describes Gemma as a light muted olive green with an overlay of blue and violet duochrome shimmer. One thing that I really like about Zoya's product descriptions is the opacity scale, on which Gemma gets a 4 (1 being sheer, 5 being opaque). It took me three coats to get to the opacity I wanted, so that seems accurate.

It's easiest to see the blue/violet flash in the bottle.

On the nail, the blue flash is most visible.

Gemma is quite beautiful. I love green lacquer so this is a slam dunk for me, but if olive tones suit you this is definitely an unusual shade worth checking out.

I've been in love with Zoya's formula lately, particularly the Feel collection and the four shades I bought from the Smoke and Mirrors fall 2011 collection. Gemma predates these efforts, plus it is a duochrome so it's inherently more sheer, but the formula is very workable. Very sheer on the first coat but not watery or difficult to control.

Thanks for looking!

Blog sale notes

I want to extend a huge thanks to everyone who has written asking to purchase something! Some items went out yesterday and some today. I went for more mailing supplies today so another bunch will go out tomorrow.

If you bought something and haven't received an invoice from me yet, let me know.

And thanks again!

Loving lately

In an attempt to make this blog somewhat useful or at least entertaining again, I thought I'd write a roundup of products I've tried lately and what I thought of them.

Revlon Lip Butter
I've mentioned this before as one of my favorite products and I haven't changed my mind. I am OVERJOYED that these are permanent (for now, anyway). Pink Truffle is still my favorite shade, but I've also bought Tutti Frutti, Red Velvet and Candy Apple. I love them all.

L'Oreal Colour Riche Lip Balm
Let's call this a grown-up version of plain lip balm. It's in the same vein as Revlon Lip Butter, both products are excellent though I personally feel the Revlon is longer lasting. I have Caramel Comfort and Plush Plum - the caramel is much more sheer than the plum but both provide just a little bit of tint with good hydration and shine.

Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Shampoo
Without going into a 10-paragraph dissertation about my hair and all my issues with it and all the things I've tried to overcome/subdue those issues, suffice to say it's fine and naturally curly. I wear it straight now and have for several years, but it's a fight and any BARE HINT of humidity means my hair turns into a wad of cotton candy.

There are several products I've used and loved over the years, among the best being the Kerastase Oleo-Relax serum and Aveda's Dry Remedy conditioner. Because I am at heart a cheapskate, I'm always looking for the lower-priced dupe for either of these and unfortunately I've come up empty (though I am a fan of Sally Beauty's Coloresse Smooth shampoo and conditioner). Enter this shampoo (and the conditioner, though I'm finishing up my Coloresse right now - like I said, I'm a cheapskate). Not only is my hair smooth as glass but it's incredibly shiny. WIN.

Ultra CHI Ceramic Flat Iron
I finally finally FINALLY replaced my old flat iron, which I didn't even buy but was handed down to me. I used coupons and sales to get the price down to about $70 and I'm very happy with it, it's so much better than the other flat irons I've used. It's an Ulta exclusive, whatever that means, but it works very well. (Can you tell I'm on a bit of a hair high?)

Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo
I heard some good buzz about this and bought Tough As Taupe because I am nothing if not a huge sucker for taupe eyeshadow. It's...all right. I found it very difficult to apply to my eyelid - with a brush, with my finger tip - without the results being patchy and draggy and just generally...not good. I do, however, really like it as a liner. I apply it with a little liner brush and it's great (with excellent staying power).