A Pixi and a Dark Horse

Painting my nails relaxes me - don't ask me why. If I had stronger nails, I'd paint them a different color every single day.  I'm obsessed with all the colors of nail polish out there, but I don't like to get all fancy with it - it just isn't me. I see the trend these days to paint one fingernail a completely different color and I don't really like that for me, either.  But tonight as I was digging through my trough(s) of polish, these two kind of landed right next to each other and they looked so good in an "opposites attract/hard meets soft" way that I decided to use both of them. 

On the left we have Pixi Paradise Pink, sold at Targets stores everywhere.  It's a very bubble-gum girly pink, bright and fun.  On the right we have a polish from a wonderful indie brand, Cirque Colors, in Dark Horse.  (From the website:  "Cirque is an artisanal line of hand-blended nail polish made in New York.")  This color is GORGEOUS.  A black base with beautiful multi-colored shimmer.  My pictures could not possibly ever do it justice - I'm a writer and consumer, not a photographer, sorry.  Here's a close-up of the bottle: 

So gorgeous, right?  To get a better idea of the loveliness, try a Google image search of Cirque Colors Dark Horse where people with better cameras can do it more justice. Now, I did nothing fancy or artistic, I just loved seeing the two  colors together so I did the teenager-y thing and painted one fingernail different from the rest.  (My cuticles are a MESS right now, and this isn't my neatest paint job ever, so just squint your eyes and enjoy the overall effect.) I also covered the Paradise Pink with a layer of China Glaze Fairy Dust so it sparkles just as much as the Dark Horse. 

The formula on the Pixi is a little thick and hard to work with, and it seemed to take longer to dry, but you also don't need too much for good coverage. The Dark Horse is very thin on the first coat, but after that each coat overs very good coverage.  I recommend using a very shiny topcoat - perhaps even more than one application as the glitter kind of soaks it up.

There will be much more coming in the future as we get back into the groove and find more things to share.  My writing is a little rough right now because I haven't written anything in a few years, so please forgive my awkwardness.  :)  We're glad you're here!

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Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark-Circle Roller

I want to talk about one of my very favorite products to come around in a very long time, possibly ever.  I've been using it faithfully ever since it first appeared in stores, which has been at least a couple of years.  You don't find it with the usual makeup brands, but in the skincare aisle with Garnier's other products (cleansers, lotions, etc.)

With a lot of concealers, even the really good ones, they are often thick and a little cake-y and can take forever to blend.  This particular one is very thin and blends quickly and effortlessly.  I love it because it seems to just melt straight into my skin, taking my dark circles with it.  I will even use this on no-makeup days to help me look a little more awake.  If I've had a particularly rough night and need a little extra coverage, I can even layer on a second concealer and it's like putting it on my bare skin.  This is a wonderful product, and at a great price point of $10.  I haven't even had to replace it (which, yeah, I know I'm supposed to replace things every few months or whatever, but that's not the point) because it lasts forever.  This is definitely in my top three products of all time.

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Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet

When Life hands you lemons and you make shitty lemonade, you pop open a Coke and a bottle of polish and paint your nails a fabulous color and watch Fashion Police.  (I wanted to paint my fingernails, but they are currently under treatment.)

Orly Halley's Comet.  Gorgeous.  Pardon my terrible iPhone shot.  Missy's amazing skills and her nice camera unfortunately do not live with me.

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Starting Over

Hello, everyone, old readers and new.  I am resurrecting Primp and Tell from the dead, although in a slightly different incarnation from before.  Missy and I had big hopes for this website, but life kind of got in the way.  Since our last post, between us three children have been added to our respective families, there have been family illnesses, children starting school, surgeries, and in my case, a marital snafu (if I'm being honest).  But I've missed writing, and my interest in beauty products, fashion, and celebrity gossip hasn't waned. 

Therefore, this is just going to be a fun, casual place to talk about what products I'm in love with, which ones I hate, a place to muse about celebrity gossip, discuss the fashion magazines and what I like and don't like about certain things.  Also - this will be a place to document my obsession with nail polish.  Over the last two years, I've become quite the connoisseur, and while it's shameful at the amount of polishes I've acquired, I have a lot of fun finding new colors. 

Of course Missy will still be chiming in when she finds the time and the inclination.  Hopefully we can gain our readers back, and add a few more to the pile.

So I sign off for now with a picture of my current polish, the deadly gorgeous matte version of OPI's La Paz-itively Hot.  My picture doesn't do it justice, but just trust that the beauty is immeasurable.  For better pictures by real nail bloggers more dedicated than I, do a Google search on the brand and name, and you'll see what I mean.

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Test Post

Because Primp and Tell has been quiet over the past couple of years, we let our domain name expire. While we are working out the details on getting our original domain up and running, we are using a standard blogger address http://primpandtell.blogspot.com. If you see this post please update your RSS feeds accordingly and we will redirect our new url to this one! We hope to have new posts up soon and that you all enjoy!

– Kelli

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L'oreal HiP High Drama Volume Mascara

My love of all things L'Oreal HiP has been widely documented on this website, but finally there is a slight change in that attitude. At least for their mascara. All I have to say is "meh." There's nothing exceptional about it. I didn't start singing show tunes in its praise after applying, I didn't run out and buy five more just to stock up. In fact, I think I've used it twice. Maybe a couple of more times when I thought I'd try again. But, alas, no. You could just as good results with an even cheaper Rimmel or Cover Girl.

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MagiX Tinted Face Perfector

I actually won this product in a drawing held by Allure magazine. I was very excited to try it, especially since I have such lovely large pores, and according to Avon's website, this face perfector "...visibly minimizes pores witih patent-pending Optix Light-Diffusing Technology. Holds back shine for up to 10 hours. Reduces the look of fine lines...skin feels softer than ever. Shades adapt to your skin tone...like magic!"

Yeah, not so much. I find the consistency very weird and kind of sticky, and I don't notice it doing any better of a job than the foundation I already wear. I believe it's supposed to be sheer enough to wear under foundation, but that's just too much product for me. It seemed like I had to smear an awful lot of this on to get any results. I'm just glad it was free!

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We're baaaaack!

New reviews start up again tomorrow! We've had another upset here in my house: my husband was laid off a couple of weeks ago. Soooo... that just means I'm even more dedicated than EVER to bringing you amazing finds for your budget. Missy has some good ones in the works, too. So keep checking in - we're back in the game!

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Trend o' the Day: Black + Aubergine

From Lucky Magazine's Beauty Spy:

"A smudgy bit of plum shadow makes this classic smoky eye look fresh, romantic, and incredibly sophisticated. Start with full-throttle black liner around the eyes; then, with a small brush, layer sultry brown-purple shadow on top and under the bottom lashes for a sexy, slept-in effect. You can finish with regular mascara or go even further with the A slightly messy ballerina bun and a cherry-ish lip stain or balm are the perfect accompaniments."

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Housekeeping

Hello, my long lost readership. Yes, I have been MIA for a while now. No, I haven't yet sent out the false nails everyone won. So, so sorry about that. I know it's completely unprofessional and discourteous. As previously mentioned, I did have surgery which took me longer to get over than I thought, plus I injured my other leg. I have three young children, one of which just started kindergarten, so things have been a little crazy and I finally feel back in the swing of things somewhat. I was actually going to have everyone's nails out yesterday, but lucky me was hit with the piggy flu! As soon as I know I'm in the clear from that, I will be sending the nails out immediately. And to make it up to all of you that I was such a SLACKER, I'm going to include either a set of false lashes or extra nails in the package. I'll be back up to regular posting in the next few days - so I hope I haven't lost all of you!

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Clean & Clear Oil-free Dual Action Moisturizer

I don't use this daily, as I'm 32 so I'm trying to be proactive by using lots of moisturizers with heavy duty anti-aging properties. But if I'm having a breakout, which the oh-so-lovely humid weather in Texas causes a lot of in the summer, I use this. Honestly, I won't say that it's the BEST anti-acne product out there, but it's under $5, and it gives your face the most tingly, cooling feeling. I love it so much. And it smells really good. It reminds me of when I was a teenager, when I did use this daily. And sometimes, I use it just to feel that cold, tingly feeling. Just for fun.

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Neutrogena Wave Power-Cleanser & Deep Clean Foaming Pads

I've resisted buying one of these for a while, just because there have been lots of products like this that have disappointed me. But I was having one of those BLEH days, and just wanted something, anything to put in my cart that was "for me." So I went ahead and grabbed this Neutrogena Wave and an extra package of the exfoliating pads. It comes with a battery and it has two speeds of vibration. To be honest, I'm very skeptical about the whole claim that the vibration enables it to clean more deeply or thoroughly. But even without that, this is a really good product. I like the foam, it smells great, and exfoliates really well. My skin feels quite smooth once I'm done. And I still turn on the vibration, it just feels nice.

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Almay Smart Shade Concealer

I got this concealer at Target a while back and paid around $9.99 for it. It's package boasts skin matching pigments, the ability to conceal dark circles, and contains ginko biloba. When I first put it on I freaked because the shade was SO light. Almost white. Then after blending it in, it immediately changed pigment and nearly perfectly matched my skin tone. It acts just like the bottle does, see how the colors on this tiny tube gradient from white to beige? That's precisely what happens, and it's honestly fascinating.

It's too bad that as a concealer this product is really disappointing. As a breakthrough in skin matching technology, sure, it's awesome how it somehow knows what pigment is and matches nearly perfectly to it. But, it settles into my fine lines and clumps and creases as the day goes on. The first couple of times I used it I ended up wiping it off near the end of the day and replacing it with this. I suffered with this Almay concealer for about two weeks before I finally bought something else! Save your money and buy something that won't settle into the creases under your eyes.

Has anyone else tried the Almay Smart Shade foundations? I'm totally curious how well it might work!

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L'oreal High Intensity Pigments Jelly Balm

Another fabulous find from the HiP line of L'oreal. This is a sheer balm/gloss, and I love it. It's nice and thick - but doesn't feel gloppy and your hair won't stick to it. I only have it in this color, Delectable. I haven't tried the others, yet, but from all appearances this far, this is the perfect color. It goes on quite sheer, not too red at all, just a light flush. And it's not technically supposed to "plump," but I swear it gives me lips the illusion of being much fuller. Every time I use it, I can't get over how much I love the way my lips look in it.

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L'oreal Endless Lipcolor in Fawn Fatale

Back in high school, I had a babysitting job and I was so incredibly thrilled to have my own money. One of the first things I bought was some of L'oreal's long-lasting lipcolor in a color called Fawn. I absolutely LOVED IT. It was such a flattering color to my skin tone, and it brought out my eyes, and it indeed lasted forever, although at the time, it did give me that feeling that I'd applied superglue to my lips. And even though I worshiped my boyfriend at the time, I preferred being figuratively super-glued to his lips rather than literally. But I loved the color so much, that for a while, I wore no other lipstick. Then as I got more and more interested in cosmetics, I branched out, but I never forgot my true love of Fawn. I tried finding it again for a while, but was never able. Imagine my absolute DELIGHT! when I was perusing the baskets of clearance on a Target endcap, and I saw Fawn Fatale in their Endless Lipcolor line. I bought it, and sure enough - it was the same stuff! And it didn't feel like superglue! And it's as great as I remember! And it lasts! And you should try it! And... and... and... I'm really curious if it flatters other skin-tones. So... let me know!

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Tip o' the Day

"Use the ring finger - the weakest - to pat concealer into place," says makeup artist Laura Mercier. "That way, you won't tug or pull the skin unnecessarily."

Before dabbing concealer on your skin, warm it in the palm of your hand - the heat will thin the texture so the coverage is smooth.

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Clean & Clear Soft In-Shower Facial

Before I get started here, let me apologize again for the light posting! It really has been a crazy kind of month for me, and I know Missy has been crazy-busy as well. But I'm on the mend, now, and my oldest is about to start kindergarten, and all of this will enable me to work more Primp & Tell time in for all of you.

As previously mentioned several times, I'm a sucker for any exfoliating product. And it's probably a marketing technique, but when they put the word "facial" on anything, it makes it seem so hard-core, upscale and fancy, even though it really just means it's a beauty treatment for the face. So, I get sucked right in every time. Clean & Clear makes this great exfoliating "facial." It has a very fine grain to it, and it does a good job of exfoliating. It works, it's decent. Bottom line, really, I probably won't be dying to buy it again when it runs out - I reserve that passion for my Soap & Glory Scrub Your Nose In It.

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You're All Winners!

I guess not too many people are interested in the false nails, huh? Everyone who entered our contest will win a set! I have fourteen sets, twelve winners - which means I'll be putting a surprise extra set in two of the packages I send out. I'll be doing that completely randomly - so good luck on that. I feel I have to let everyone know that on these giveaways, it's generally about two weeks before I get to send them out. I have three small children, so I usually make my husband do it for me, and he does it as soon as he gets the chance. At any rate, please everyone who left a comment e-mail me and let me know your address and we'll get them out as soon as possible. If you have a preference, please include that in your e-mail and I'll do my best to get you the set you prefer. Congratulations, thanks for reading!

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On hiatus...

I am ashamed at my neglect of our little beauty website, but promise to be back in full form, hopefully next week. I've had knee surgery and just have not been on the computer. Please check back next week for our newest winner and for more reviews!

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Revlon False Fingernails

I actually don't like having long nails at all. I feel like they just get in my way and they drive me crazy. I got myself a nice French manicure for my wedding six years ago, and before the end of our honeymoon, I had pried most of them off and then went to a nail salon for them to remove the rest.

In the interest of full disclosure, these were sent to us by a Revlon representative who asked us to try them. I said I would, as long as it was understood my review would be completely honest and true. With that in mind, Missy and I attempted one night to apply them. We failed miserably, more of our own fault than anything, and neither one of us got more than two on before we were soaking our hands in acetone to get them off. But one of the packages of these Revlon nails that were sent to me were this rockin' set called "Crocodile." They were red, and the print on them looked more like spider webs than crocodile. I told Missy, "I am SO going to rock these bad boys." I was determined. One night, the kids were in bed, my husband was working, and I took the opportunity to apply them. I had good hopes, thinking since I had the time, I could do it correctly. They really are technically quite easy to apply. The glue is very strong, easy to squeeze out, and trust me - those nails aren't going anywhere. My problem was that I am so very, very clumsy. SO VERY CLUMSY. I kept gluing the backs of my fingers to the nails - and that just hurt. Then if I did apply it without binding my fingers - the nail would be crooked. I spent a considerable amount of time soaking my hands in acetone trying to remove two crooked ones, tried again, decided I couldn't do it, forget it! By this time my husband had come home, and I then ended up having to send him to the store for more acetone-based nail polish remover and made him promise to stay up with me while I soaked and removed them. I started this whole process at around 8:30 pm, and my husband and I were finally able to turn in close to 2:00 am. My fingers were completely pickled at the end. They were wrinkled and puffy - and no matter how many times I washed them, they still smelled like acetone. The next morning, I was making breakfast and licked something off of my finger - and tasted nothing but acetone. It was just swell. It took at leaset 24 hours before the acetone pickling subsided.

For a better, more in-length review (someone who actually WORE them longer than I did) visit Makeup on the Cheap. (You'll also find some actual pictures of the products. Sorry - Missy and I haven't been able to get together for a photo session other than the above picture.) I also read on another review site that if you apply the glue with a Q-tip, you'll have much better results. All this being said - I think this product is a wonderful substitute for paying full price at salons. Really - the glue is very strong (apparently) and they look very pretty. I am just the wrong person to wear them. So, if you aren't clumsy, and you're on a manicure budget, I have some for some of you! Actually, a lot. The list of styles I have is as follows, along with the number I have of each to be won. If you'd like to try them, please leave a comment and let us know which ones you are interested in. We'd love for you to try them, and submit a review to be featured on our site.

Revlon Runway Collection - Stella (3 to be won)
Revlon Runway Collection - Sateen (2 to be won)
Revlon Naturally Chic - Sophie (2 to be won)
Revlon Perfect Pedicure - Yes, they do toenails, too. (2 to be won)

And one each of the following:
Revlon Runway Collection: Sequins
Revlon Runway Collection: Starlet
Revlon Runway Collection: Mystic
Revlon Runway Collection: Minx
Revlon Runway Collection: Studio.

So that's a total of 14 winners! I'll be out of commission next week, so I'm going to give you all a good, long entry period. Starting NOW enter your comment, through Friday, August 6th. We'll announce the winner on Monday the 10th. If you're DYING for a picture of a particular product, shoot us an e-mail, and I'll get a lovely, completely UNprofessional picture to you. Good luck!

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