Topcoat Superior to Seche

If you are into nail products and you've ever browsed the "higher-end" nail polish section at your favorite stores, you've probably heard of Seche Vite topcoat. I only recently bought it after hearing wonderful things about it. However, I really had never looked much into topcoats because I've been faithful to a certain one by Sally Hansen for years.

Sally Hansen Mega Shine Extended Wear Top Coat

Of course, through the many I've gone through, the bottle has changed a bit over the years, but honestly, this stuff is the best topcoat I've ever used...In my opinion, even better than Seche. The formulas seem almost identical. Even the scent is the same (which slightly differs from most nail polish). It has that same thick feeling and when applied over wet nail polish and creates an even, glass-like finish. Best part, it seems to dry extremely fast, even faster than Seche.

The first time I used Seche, I was a little fooled. It looked super shiny...SUPER shiny. I thought it may have been possible that I had found something superior to my beloved Sally Hansen one. Honestly, I was just impressed that something actually was similar to the Mega Shine, simply because I had never found anything like it. But after a day, the shine just wasn't as high as I'd hoped anymore. It seemed to wear off. Nothing horrible or anything, but it was definitely no Sally Hansen Mega Shine... I also feel that the Sally Hansen really prolongs the wear of my nail polish much better. I've used Seche for weeks now and have had the same experience with it with several different polishes and formulas. Don't get me wrong, Seche Vite is GOOOD stuff. Would I have LOVED it if I hadn't have had the Mega Shine to compare it to?? Yep. But nothing compares to my Mega Shine. If you've never tried it, I would obviously highly recommend it. Now keep in mind, the Seche Vite is around $9.00 most places (I got mine from Ulta). However, it's on sale right now at Ulta for $4.99. The Sally Hansen Mega Shine is around $7.00 most places. So you're not going to be saving any money or getting a great deal or anything by trying the Sally. I just feel that it's better.
My bottle of Mega Shine is about 7 months old and it's in the older bottle. So I REALLY hope they haven't changed the formula at all, but over several years and several other packaging design changes, it's stayed the same. Hopefully it always will!
You can find the Sally Hansen Mega Shine Extended wear topcoat in most drugstores--anywhere that Sally Hansen products are sold.

Updo With Headpiece

Hair: Khamit Kinks
Headpiece: Beauloni Style
Submitted by designer Cassandra Bromfield

Man Fashion: What is Cost Per Wear?

As I shared with you before, in this economy turmoil, We’ve all been faced with the dilemma of finding the right clothing to add to our wardrobe as well as justification to spend the amount of cash, more so for these days, fashionable items can cost a pretty penny. So, the great way is to adopt the mathematic calculation that I shared with you previously, cost per wear (CPW). To figure out how to save money with the CPW formula, simply divide the original cost of the item by the estimated number of times you will wear that item. When you look at it this way, you’re looking at a way to save money with the CPW formula.


Let’s take a pair of pricey men’s jeans for example: High-end jeans have become pretty commonplace and are now a necessary item to have in your closet. For the average man, a $150 pair of jeans will probably yield 40 wears over the course of a year. We’d apply the CPW formula by taking the price divided by the number of wears — in this case it’s $150/50. Suddenly, the $200 pair of jeans that you’ve been eyeing becomes a sensible purchase once you apply the CPW formula and realize you’re essentially paying $3 per wear.


Keep in mind, an acceptable cost per wear will vary from person to person. A few factors should go into determining a CPW that is right for you. Start by calculating your annual clothing budget and the number of garments you are likely to buy over the course of a year. Try to cover the following categories:


So keep in mind that this article is not trying to ask you to spend more. Rather, more about spending wisely. Make your dollars make sense and use the CPW formula to save money and set your mind at ease the next time you’re face-to-face with a hefty price point.

Nails: Bright Blue Essie

Essie Shelter Island
This is such a gorgeous bright blue. I was in a bit of a hurry when I was painting them, so I know it looks a tad messy around the cuticles, but oh well. Anyway, this is truly a unique color. As for the formula, it looked a little uneven when I first started applying...like maybe the polish was a bit thick, but the second coat applied perfectly and evened everything out. The unevenness could have been attributed to my base coat which may not have been completely dry. Anyway, I've been wearing it for a few days now and no chipping issues!

Illusion of Thicker, Longer Lashes Makeup look

Products Used:

Benefit F.Y.Eye Primer
MAC Patina eye shadow
Symmetry eye shadow (pro)
Swiss Chocolate eye shadow
NYX Jumbo Eye Shadow Pencil-Milk
Mylar eye shadow
Blanc Type eye shadow
Print eye shadow
Typographic eye shadow
Blacktrack Fluidline
Plushlash mascara
Cantaloupe blush (pro)
A Rose Romance lipstick
Saint Germain lipstick

Wispy Updo

Courtesy of Calaye Makeup Artistry

Man Fashion: Trousers of Best Fit?

So why is the generally recommended length for men’s trousers? Because it creates a clean line at the back of the trouser, adding to the lengthening silhouette that is the suit’s main aesthetic advantage. Because when a man is walking it looks more elegant if his suit trousers flap less and expose less of his ankle.


If the trouser were longer, it would create a puddle of folds that could ruin the silhouette of a suit, dragging the eye down and making a man look shorter. If the trouser were shorter, it would flap around the ankle and remove any elegance – probably reminding the viewer of a schoolboy in short pants.


To quote one famous Italian “I don’t necessarily want people to see my socks, but I want to make sure they can see my shoes.”

Now, if men on the continent simply wore their trousers shorter, they would encounter the aforementioned problem with flapping. But they aware of the rules and why they exist. So they wear their trousers narrower as well, fitting them closer to the ankle and minimizing any flapping.

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Technorati Tags: Men Fashio, Men Trousers, Men Pants, Designer Trousers

Men Fashion: Top 5 Colognes for Men in this Summer

Whether the Night out is formal black tie or casual cocktail, your cologne should be just as elegant and match your style. Find out the five of the season's top special-occasion fragrances.


TOM FORD EXTREME
$125, Saks Fifth Avenue
This cologne, with Thai basil and Italian black fig, will last until you loosen your bow tie.

DSQUARED HE WOOD
$59, Sephora
Vetiver and musk make this powerful fragrance best for parties that don't start until well after cocktail hour.

BECKHAM SIGNATURE FOR HIM
$50, Macy's
The spicy juniper-berry-and-patchouli blend is meant to stand out—a good thing when everyone's wearing the same suit.

GUCCI BY GUCCI POUR HOMME
$70, Bloomingdale's
A mix of violet and cedarwood, this scent is as classic as barrel cuff links.

ARMANI/PRIVÉ
Oranger Alhambra ($115), Giorgio Armani Beauty
If you're a skip-the-vest guy, try this lighter scent with bitter orange and rosemary.

THE CLASSIC: CREED, GREEN IRISH TWEED
$250, Neiman Marcus
The iris-and-sandalwood scent doesn't guarantee you pretty young things, but it might give you some of Grant's legendary ease in eveningwear. Just ask Russell Crowe and Tom Hanks, who've tried it out.

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Technorati Tags: Man Fashion, Men Cologne, Men Scent, Tom Ford, Gucci, Men Fragrances

Nails: MAC Violet Fire

MAC: Violet Fire (LE Style Warrior collection)
MAC nail polish.... where do I begin?? It's a serious love-hate relationship. The colors always suck me in. As you can see in the pictures, they look nice, but when I start to use them I'm always let down and reminded of why I hate them. The formula honestly sucks. The end result turns out nice...but that's after 3 coats and a lot of patience. Now I don't own a ton of them or anything (I have about 8), and all of them are the same. Thin, streaky, blehhh. I just don't have much patience with nail polish and 3 coats is just ridiculous. But it seems that's what MAC wants us to do. haha
Time and time again I tell myself, "Tiffany, no more MAC nail polish," and somehow, I always end up with more and more.
But seriously, past all the work and trouble and frustration (I'll say it again, 3 coats is just excessive...) this is probably one of the prettiest colors I've worn in a while. It's a very gorgeous purple with lots of dimension. Gorgeous with a good topcoat--Seche Vite for me, or Sally Hansen Mega Shine (basically the same thing) OH and I think I spot a misprint...maybe? The formula on the bottle says "cream" when it's clearly a frost. hmmm

**Couldn't get a good "true" picture of the color. It's in-between the two pictures, but a little darker and more vibrant. The last pic just looks dull :( Oh well.

New MAC Style Warriors Goodies! (and swatches)

So happy that I checked out this collection in person. I had made a little wish list in my head of items I thought I wanted for sure, but when I saw them in person, there were different things that caught my eye. Especially with the lip and nail colors.
I thought the boxes were super cute...the actual packaging on the products?? Eh, not so much. But I love the lipglass packaging for some reason with the animal print on the top of the wand. Even though it's, well, a little tacky...haha. Anyway, here's what I got!



I picked up two of the eye shadows, Bright Future and Night Maneuvers. I already had Vibrant Grape (it's permanent in the pro line) and Tempting. I thought the light golden shade was similar to Nylon and Solar White so I skipped that. While I think the Night Maneuvers is very similar to other browns I own, like Mystery or even Brun, I caved and got it anyway since I'm a sucker for good dark cool browns. I picked up two of the On a Mission beauty powder blush just because as you probably have heard me say before...I LOVE BEAUTY POWDER BLUSH!! (not to be confused with Beauty Powders...TOTALLY different thing...see my FAQ section of my blog). Anyway, I wanted one in the packaging for me and one to depot for my kit. Just because I love the color SO much.
For the bronzers, I picked up Refined Golden only. I love Solar Riche, but I have a good bit of my other one left. But who am I kidding... It's a limited edition shade, so I'll probably pick up a back up eventually.
About the nail polish... I had only planned on getting the purple shade and the light cream shade. In person, the lightest shade looked like an OPI shade I already have and the bronze shade (mercenary) which appeared kinda boring in pictures, was gorgous...much brighter and with more shimmer than I had thought. So I had to get that one too.
I was also expecting to get the Brave New Bronze lipstick. When I saw it in person, I wasn't too thrilled with it. It was kinda plain. So I really only liked Purple Rite...SUCH a gorgeous color. But somehow, in all the mix of getting the other stuff, it didn't make it into my basket :( Oh well. I'll have to go back for it later. I LOVED the lipglass shades. Especially Fierce and Fabulous. That's the only one I got. It reminds me of my beloved Star Nova lustreglass, but more opaque. I skipped everything else. Just because I really have always disliked the Solar Bits (the formula is just messy, weird and unnecessary). I also wasn't too thrilled with the lustre drops. Seemed like any other highlighting/bronzing formula like that I have already. But I really do love what I ended up with!

Here are some swatches... I swatched other colors I already owned from the collection as well.

Eye Shadow

Night Maneuvers, Tempting, Vibrant Grape, Bright Future

Beauty Powder Blush

Eversun, On a Mission

Bronzing Powder

Solar Riche, Refined Golden

Lipglass, Fierce and Fabulous

Nail Polish: Violet Fire, Mercenary

*I'll post swatches of the nail polish shades soon :)

Straw Set for the Natural Bride

Nails: Kermit-inspired

5.20.09

OPI: GREEN-WICH VILLAGE

(it's actually darker than photographed)

This color totally reminds me of Kermit the frog...haha. It's unusual, but I'm loving it. The first coat was a little odd. It went on kinda streaky, but the second coat evened things up perfectly. Love it.

and NOW for some positive thinking...

5.20.09

A few words to start...I am a very positive person. I never respond to negativity or anything like that because I'm just a happy person. YouTube is a positive place. BUILD UP your fellow guru. Appreciate what everyone has to offer. When you put yourself out there and JOIN in on this community, embrace everyone. Don't look at it as a competition or as a way to tear down anyone. That's so sad. Of course, we are in a place where free speech is embraced and of course eveyone is entitled to their opinions, but in my opinion, however you look at it, belittling others is not ok. We should be here because we enjoy what we're doing and want to share it with others, not to criticize. I'm here because I love helping others and have a passion for makeup. That's the bottom line.

Now to what inspired this post...

I saw a really disturbing video today sent to me by a friend where another person on YT was complaining about bigger beauty gurus. I know you guys will be curious if you haven't seen it, but I really don't think it's right to empower this person in any way because I think it was very unfair and uncalled for. She was more than entitled to her opinion, but so am I. It was sad because not only was she speaking of something that she may not have fully understood because the truth is, she doesn't know who really takes the time to answer all their messages or respond to as many people as they can. More importantly, she doesn't know what hard work it is to actually respond to every single message when you also have a job and a family outside of youtube. I wouldn't feel the need to respond, but I feel that it's not fair for you guys to be fed this negative information by someone who has no idea how many messages we respond to or who we reply to. I also think it's sad that some of you who saw the video were asked to start a negative dialogue and were encouraged to LEAVE NEGATIVE COMMENTS about OTHER BEAUTY GURUS in the comment section. So sad.

I really feel no need to explain myself, but I take offense when my subscribers are lied to or are being given false information or MOST OF ALL, being encouraged to be negative. Here are my thoughts...

When I had 2,000 subscribers, could I have done that, YES. Because I now have over 50,000, is that a possibility anymore?? NO. As sad as that is, it's true. Has my outlook and love for my subscribers changed?? NO. I pride myself on trying to answer most if not all of the messages I get everyday. I usually sit down every few days and go through them. Is it tedious? YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT. Do I always have time?? NO. That would be like replying to an average of 100 emails a day, with AT LEAST a paragraph because you're giving advice and answering detailed questions. I do that because in my heart, I feel its right. I don't always have time to, and of course, that means that your question may not get around to being answered for a few days, or even a week, but that's just how it works, as much as I would love to be able to respond to everyone right away. Sounds cliche, but it's very true.

About twitter... There's a little feature some may not know about under settings where you can select your @replies settings. (EDIT...apparently twitter removed that setting...MAKES SENSE because who wants to see every @reply someone they follow sends? See the article here.) Let's pretend for a moment... Let's say you are following me, and a popular makeup guru named CHUCK (haha), because lets face it, CHUCK is awesome. Now, CHUCK and I are friends and follow each other also. When CHUCK and I reply to each other YOU will see it if you have your twitter set to show you only @ replies to people you are following (that's the default setting). Get it..??? So let's say I reply to someone that YOU don't follow. Then you wont see it. So you really don't see who all I send @replies to. Which leads me to believe that this person doesn't really realize who all is being replied to.
Can I reply to EVERYONE on twitter?? NO. Chances are if you follow me and reply to me a lot, I've replied to you. That's just how it works. Let's think back to earlier today... I send a tweet about my car and how hot it was (super important stuff...haha). Out of roughly 6,000 people, how many replies do you think I got that were along the lines of people describing a similar situation or something like that? A lot. Which I LOVE. I read all of them. Can I pick and choose one or two people to reply to? sure. Can I reply to everyone all the time....Certainly not. That's silly.
Also, today I tweeted about an issue I was having with YT. I got so many helpful responses from people saying that they had a similar situation. Crisis averted..haha. Twitter is such a cool thing. Anway, instead of @replying 20 people, I replied that I was not the only one and a quick thanks because others were having the problem too.
That's just how twitter works. It's impossible to reply to everyone. Unless you were planning on spamming out your whole twitter page with one word responses as well as the people who follow you if they see your @replies. Do I answer questions? Of course. When I see them or have time! Just like anyone else would.
You'll find that if you follow me on twitter, I'm pretty good about @replying most of the time. I just think that some people don't understand how crazy it gets. Not only that, but that my want to reply to EVERYONE is still there. I still want to help every single person that takes the time to write me. I honestly feel pretty proud that I try to be good at corresponding with my subscribers.

BOTTOM LINE... I feel no need to explain myself. You guys know that I appreciate you and how this stuff works. But I would hate for someone to be fed false information or to be swayed into negative feelings by one person on YT who doesn't fully have all the facts or know the situations of EVERYONE they referred to by inviting negative comments about beauty gurus (sickening). I love you all and I think you guys know that :)

*EDIT* 5.22.09
Thanks everyone for the kind words and support <3>
I know you guys are smart and can see through stuff, I just felt the need to respond and give my take on the situation since I'm in that situation she spoke of and I know how crazy things can get and how hard it would be for me to criticize anyone making videos on here that has a lot on their plate, ESPECIALLY after experiencing it myself. ...and that being busy does not equal being rude nor does it reflect how I feel about anyone :)
Thx for the love and support---Love you all. <3

Men Fashion: Fashion Show by AllStar Fitness Executive Club

Dear readers, thought of sharing something to you, if you familiar with ALLSTAR FITNESS EXECUTIVE CLUB in Seattle, they will host the first annual ALLSTAR FASHION SHOW featuring the hottest Men's and Women's Athletic wear by DIADORA AMERICA, Men's Swimwear by RED DRAWERS, Women's Swimwear by SYLVIA'S SWIMWEAR, Accessories by CINTLI Jewelry & Handbags by ROCCO E DANTE LLC.



Event sponsors include Beauty Revolution Magazine and ESPN Sports Radio 1490 AM. So if you happen to be there, don't miss this event.

Sanaa Lathan's Braid-Bun Updo

My New (well not so new) Obsession...NAILS

Lately I've discovered some blogs dedicated just to nails and all the gorgeous pictures have totally inspired me to rekindle my love affair with pretty nail polish. When I was in my senior year of high school, I discovered OPI and China Glaze and was totally obsessed. I was shocked when I found my old stash of 50+ shades of these brands that were 6 or 7 years old!! What a waste... Some were still good though. So I've gotten into taking care of my nails again. No more acrylics for me. I've always had a nervous habit of picking at my cuticles (gross, I know) and having acrylic nails were the only thing that prevented me from being able to do that. So for a few months now, I've left my nervous habit behind and am taking really good care of my nails. Using all the fun colors is motivation to keep them looking nice too. You've probably noticed in my videos I like to use fun and crazy colored nail polish, but I figured that it would be a fun little addition to my blog to post pictures of the colors I use.

nails of the day...(NOTD) OPI's "Do You Lilac It?"

I also used my new Seche Base (the white ridge filling one) and the Seche Vite topcoat.

NEW Sigma Brushes (SS188, SS109)

I have been SO excited for these new Sigma brushes for months! Since the MAC 188 and 109 are two of my favorite brushes, I was super excited, and skeptical at the same time that my beloved 188 and 109 could never be replicated. Since I absolutely love all my other Sigma brushes and the quality on them are amazing, I guess I wasn't that shocked that these were no different.

(MAC on left, Sigma on right)

(My MAC 188 had just been washed, so it looks a little more spiky.)
Honestly, the only difference I noticed between the 188's were the handle lengths. The Sigma SS188 handle is slightly longer.
MAC 188, $34
Sigma SS188, $14
I love these particular brushes for applying liquid foundation or any type of cheek color or highlight.


(MAC on left, Sigma on right)
The only noticeable difference between these two is that the Sigma brush is less flat on the top. When used, it feels exactly the same and delivers the same results.
MAC 109, $32
Sigma SS109, $14
I love these particular brushes for applying/blending liquid foundation, cream or powder cheek color, contouring, and highlighting.



They've also released a new version of the SS182 brush, now with a longer handle.



Find all the new brushes here: sigmamakeup.com

This Week Top 5 Box Office Movies

Managed to squeeze some free time this weekend and thought of going for another good movie after X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

To my surprise, there are plenty of good movies showing out there. Let review top 5 box office movies of the week and share your opinion on these shows.

1. Star Trek
The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter rivals. One, James Kirk, is a delinquent, thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy. The other, Spock, was raised in a logic-based society that rejects all emotion. As fiery instinct clashes with calm reason, their unlikely but powerful partnership is the only thing capable of leading their crew through unimaginable danger, boldly going where no one has gone before.


Distributors: Paramount Pictures
Ratings: ?? (You tell me)

2. X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Nothing much to tell as I have written some review in my earlier post.

Genres: Action/Adventure
Distributors: 20th Century
Ratings: A+

3. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Celebrity photographer Connor Mead loves freedom, fun and women... in that order. A committed bachelor who thinks nothing of breaking up with multiple women on a conference call, Connor's mockery of romance proves a real buzz-kill for his kid brother, Paul, and a houseful of well wishers on the eve of Paul's wedding.

Genres: Comedy
Distributors: Warner Bros.
Ratings: ?? (Anyone care to share?)

4. Obsessed
Derek Charles, a successful asset manager who has just received a huge promotion, is blissfully happy in his career and in his marriage to the beautiful Beth. But when Lisa, a temp worker, starts stalking Derek, everything he's worked so hard for, are placed in jeopardy.

Genres: Drama and Thriller
Distributors: Sony Pictures
Ratings: ?? (Someone in the net commented this was a good show, given B ratings, what do you think?)

5. 17 Again
What would you do if you got a second shot at life? Class of 1989, Mike O'Donnell is a star on his high school basketball court with a college scout in the stands and a bright future in his grasp. But instead, he decides to throw it all away to share his life with his girlfriend Scarlett and the baby he just learned they are expecting.


Genres: Comedy, Science Fiction
Distributors: Warner Bros
Ratings: ?? (Keen to go for this show? Anyone care to share your review?)

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Technorati Tags: Men Fashion, Movies Review

NY Fashion Designer Phillip Lim Branches into Shoes and Swimwear

Fashion Designer, Phillip Lim is expanding his line to include shoes, swimwear and lingerie, according to new reports. Just in time for summer, his three-piece bathing suit line will feature floral patchwork prints in three variations (two one-pieces, one bikini).


A little background of this Chinese ancestry, he launched his collection with start-up cash from friend and fabric supplier Wen Zhou in 2004. Almost overnight, his line became both a critical and commercial darling. Lim’s coveted dresses were quickly spotted around town on "It" girls Natalie Portman and Kate Hudson, fueling demand upwards of $12 million wholesale by his third season. His womenswear look combines girlish refinement and laid-back ease with moments of quirky romance. Headbands splashed with Swarovski crystals and shift dresses adorned with pearls exemplify his burgeoning arty side and were rewarded with a CFDA award in 2007.


Regarding the shoe line, which has emphasis on flats versus stilettos Lim said, "Everyone's making crazy shoes... so we were like, 'Let's do working shoes, but sophisticated and beautiful.'"

Phillip Lim is also debuting five styles of lingerie and three styles of swimwear, to be sold under the name of "3.1 Phillip Lim Initials," WWD reports.

Technorati Tags: Men Fashion, Men Fashion Designer, Designer Shoes, 3.1 Phillip Lim

Colorful, Dramatic Cat-eye with Shady Lady palette

Products Used:
Benefit F.Y.Eye Primer
MAC Iris Eyes Fludline (or any bright purple as a base)
Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Electric
The Balm Shady Lady palette:
The Balm Shady Lady Palette: Curvy Cami, Easy Wheezie, Risque Renee, Luscious Lani
MAC Brule eye shadow
Benefit High Brow
Urban Decay Perversion Liquid Liner
NYX #105 False Lashes
MAC Plushlash mascara
MAC Pervette Lipstick
MAC Softnote Tendertone
NARS Madly blush

Rosario Dawson in Updo With Cascading Tendrils

Men's Watches Trends for 2009

As I mentioned before, we'll heard that watch is the single most important accessory for a man. It may appear that many men understand this since almost every guy has a watch on his hand, but for watches to be considered fashion accessory watches must be not only functional but also stylish and "in vogue".


So let check out what are the most prominent men's watches trends for 2009.

1. Over-sized
Big trend is big watches, both in size and in shape. Many are more than 40 millimeters in diameter.





2. Modern Vintage
The most sought after watches trends in dressy watches this year are classic retro looks with mechanical movements.

3. Colorful
The trends in watches for this year are not required to be in formal colors anymore. This trend is picked up not only by casual designs but by classic designs too.

These new colorful watches will surely catch the eye and leave everyone with an opportunity to add a dash of color in rather neutral look.

4. Natural
Although Colorful watches are in the limelight, the natural designs are still dominant men's watches world and this natural trends will not be obsoleted in years to come.


5. Mood Style
Watches designers are now focus on consumer moods, rather than purely design and features, this newly identified market segment are getting more and more receptive by the consumers, and the trends will continue for the next couple of months to come.

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Technorati Tags: Mens Fashion, Mens Watches Trends, Oversized Trends, Colorful Watches, Modern Vintage Watches