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Ashley Stewart’s New Beauty Line

Jun3

Plus-size retailer Ashley Stewart has just released a new beauty line of nail polishes and lip gloss. There are only a few items available now, but I’m sure there will be more products to come in the near future. These are probably just the test items to see how well they sell. But in my opinion they should do well. AS was right on trend with the color variations of the polishes. Purple and turquoise are the main colors for the spring/summer and top beauty brands sell theirs for up to $30 per bottle. These would go perfect with a color-block outfit. I’m gonna check them out from AS asap and for only $4.50 each, you can’t go wrong!

PURPLE PASSION NAIL POLISH

DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS NAIL POLISH

HOT TOTTIE NAIL POLISH

HONEY GOLD NAIL POLISH

ASHLEY STEWART LIP GLOSS – RED

ASHLEY STEWART LIP GLOSS – MOCHA

 

http://www.ashleystewart.com

The Dior ‘Rock Your Nails’ Collection

Apr14

I just happened to be fumbling thru the Nordstrom website a few moments ago and came across the new Christian Dior spring nail polishes. This particular collection is called the, “Rock Your Nails” line. It is a rich, high-gloss, long-wearing nail color in shades from subtle to sensational. When you view the swatches on a store’s website, they aren’t that true to color. So I started researching a little further and found some better color swatches on other websites. The collection includes 5 shades and “Rock Coat”, a smoky finishing top coat that can be worn alone or mixed with different shades to create a new look. I personally want the turquoise shade called Nirvana. So I just called my local Nordstrom and was informed that they’re already sold out. As I’ve said before, Dior is my favorite mascara to wear so I’m sure this new nail polish is great too. 

Here are the shades in this collection:

  • Nirvana #704 – deep turquoise
  • Purple Mix #887 – sultry purple
  • Perfecto #804 – cool slate grey
  • Blue Label #997 – edgy navy
  • Underground #824 – rich brown-taupe
The nail polishes retail for $21.00 each and the Rock Coat is $19.50
(Top) Nirvana Polish
(Bottom) Nirvana Polish w/ Rock Coat

http://www.dior.com

My New Beauty Finds: “The OPI Shatter Nail Polish, Sally Hansen ‘Salon Effects’ & NYX Products”

Mar24

I tried my best to only do “window” shopping yesterday but then I came across an Ulta store and found nearly everything that had been on my beauty wishlist for months and some new products too. Now beforehand I will say that I’m a MAC makeup fan and have been one for many, many years but it can tend to get very expensive. I recently purchased my first ever pigment from the MAC Wonder-Woman collection and I paid $21 just for one container. I had been looking for a shadow with a HD effect but was always reluctant to trust myself with the pigments. But once I did I liked it, just not the price. So you can imagine my glee when I came across the NYX “Sparkling Glitter Powder” yesterday in Ulta. They are only $5.49 per container and right now Ulta has buy one/ get one half off on the NYX collection of makeup. So I got two for only $8.25. That’s much less than one container of the MAC pigment. Even better is their 60-day return policy. I played around with my makeup a few moments ago and I don’t think I’ll be carrying anything back. In fact, I’m sold on this glitter powder and may go back for more colors.  They are very bright and bold colored on your eyes. I purchased the “Summer Breeze” and “Royal Purple” glitters and here they are below:

I used this HD Eyeshadow Base first to set my shadows and glitter. It runs for $6.99.

I also got one of the “Ultra Pearl Mania” pigments in “Rust Pearl”. They retail for only $2.99 each. This pigment was also true to color and  showed up very well on my skin. I probably will no longer use regular eyeshadows after trying this. Here’s a video of all the different color swatches that they come in:

(Above) Lastly I got the “Studio Liquid Eyeliner” in both extreme blue and extreme purple. The are $4.49 each but are too part of the buy one get one half off promotion. The brush is very thin for a clean line effect. These colors are very rich and vibrant. Definitely the finishing touch to the right outfit.

NYX also has this eyeliner for $9.99 called the “Super Fat Marker”. Now although I didn’t purchase this I had to post on the striking resemblance to the MAC Wonder Woman “Penultimate” eyeliner that retails for $19.50.


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Next I was on to the nail polish department. I have been looking for the new “Shatter” nail polish from the Katy Perry collection by OPI for awhile but every time I went to Ulta they were sold out. Well I lucked up this time. They had plenty. Shatter is a black polish that you can put on top of any other nail polish color as a top coat but it gives it a crackled look. I want to use mine over a gold polish to get an animal print outcome.

Here’s a video tutorial of the “Shatter” nail polish:

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Then I was off to check out the Sally Hansen “Salon Effects” nail strips that I’d been hearing so much about. They are the next best thing to Minx nails I’ve been told. Minx nails is a process where you don’t use nail polish but instead a strip of pre-designed color or designs for an instant look. Many celebs use them nowadays and it can run you up to $100 per session. But now Sally Hansen has these new strips in 24 different designs and Ulta has them for omly $9.99 per box. You get 16 strips per box. According to the instructions you just peel them and stick on your nails and use a nail file to shape them up. I will do another post to show you the outcome of mine whenever I try it. They are supposed to last for up to 10 days on your nails.

Everything mentioned in this post, except for MAC,  is available at:  http://www.ulta.com

Just Call Me “Wonder Bella”. My Review of the “Wonder Woman” Collection from MAC

Feb10

I posted last month about the debut of the “Wonder Woman” make-up collection by MAC, The Wonder Woman Collection for MAC Cosmetics Will Launch February 10th, and today was the big debut. So you know me, I was the first in line to get mine. Thank goodness I called ahead and found out that the only MAC store in Richmond at Stony Point had closed down as of 2 weeks ago. So my next result was to hit Macy’s at Regency Square Mall. I literally opened the doors of the store. I love getting first dibs on new products. Good thing I did too because the counter was filling up with customers after I was finished checking out. I had a friend with me to serve as photographer for the day and we got close up pics of all the products for my review.



First up I wear the mineralize face powder by MAC year-round so I instantly loved the Wonder Woman skinfinish. I got it in “Golden Lariat” as that goes with a darker complexion great. It comes in a huge pot so it should last a while. At $35 it should too.

M·A·C 'Wonder Woman' Mineralize Skinfinish

The lipglass is to die for. It also comes in a huge container and it has such a high gloss shine. It comes in 4 colors, with lipsticks to match each of those lipglass colors. A bright red called, “Wonder Woman”, a hot pink called, “Athena’s Kiss”, a bronze called, “Secret Identity” and a cream pearl color called, ” Emancipation”. The lipglass runs for $20 each and the lipsticks are $15.50 each.

M·A·C 'Wonder Woman' Lipstick


 I love colored mascara and have been a fan of blue for years now. The “Wonder Woman” collection has blue, green, black and purple mascaras. They retail for $15 each and are gorgeous. I hope these don’t sell out quick because I know I will be back for more.

M·A·C 'Wonder Woman' Opulash Mascara

The two nail polishes are simply red and blue each. They are called “Obey Me” and “Spirit of Truth”. The red is a bold bright colored red and the blue has a very patriotic look to it. The polishes are $15 each.

For some reason I think MAC is just reproducing old products and giving them new names for some of these collections. Take for instance the “Penultimate Eyeliner”. I could have sworn this was from a previous collection. But it is great nonetheless. It goes on just like a sharpie marker. It’s $19.50.


The collection has 3 pallets of quad-eyeshadows each in the color families of green, blue and purple. They run for $40 each. I got the makeup artist to use the “Defiance” quad on me.  She also used the pigment color of “Bright Fuchsia” as a base. It turned out beautifully. The pigment is $21.

M·A·C 'Wonder Woman' Eyeshadow Quad - Defiance

M·A·C 'Wonder Woman' Pigment

So overall I was pleasantly pleased with this new “Wonder Woman” collection. There are colors for every complexion. You don’t want to know my grand total…*sigh*

I hang my head in shame, hahahaha

 

This collection is available on www.maccosmetics.com, http://shop.nordstrom.com and select Macy’s

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OOTD:



Leopard Shirt: $8 Just My Size

Velvet Vest: Ashley Stewart (clearance)

Brown Shirt: Dots

Cape: Beth Ditto (gifted from Evans)

Leggings: $23.31 ASOS CURVE Velvet Panel Legging

Image 4 of ASOS CURVE Velvet Panel Legging

Booties: Bamboo Ceasar-01 Leopard Wedge Bootie $24.70


The Wonder Woman Collection for MAC Cosmetics Will Launch February 10th

Jan20

I have the new pics of the “Wonder Woman and MAC” spring makeup collaboration. I announced it here late last month: MAC To Launch a “Wonder Woman” Spring 2011 Make-Up Collection. This line is the hot topic amongst all the bloggers right now on Twitter. I for one like the design of the packaging and the colors aren’t that bad either but I will have to see in person to know for sure. The lipstick case is a keepsake in itself. I know off hand I will be a fan of the colored mascaras. I have been wearing blue mascara for years now. I just said the other day that I would love to find a green mascara and low and behold, the Wonder Woman collection will have it. Pricing for this collection ranges from $14-$40. I see now that those who are interested will have to make pre-orders ASAP!

LIPSTICK
Marquise d’ Sandy cream peach (Lustre)
Russian Red Intense bluish-red (Matte)
Spitfire Bright creamy magenta (Satin)
Heroine Brown bronze (Frost)
Suggested Retail Price $15.50 U.S./$18.50 CDN

LIPGLASS
Emancipation Pale neutral pink
Wonder Woman Bright red with soft pearl
Athena’s Kiss Bright blue fuchsia
Secret Identity Mid-tone copper with soft pearl
Suggested Retail Price $19.50 U.S./$23.50 CDN


OPULASH
Victorious Purple
Army of Amazons Green
Themyscira Blue
Black Black
Suggested Retail Price $15.00 U.S./$18.00 CDN


PENULTIMATE EYE LINER
Rapidblack True black
Suggested Retail Price $18.50 U.S./$22.00 CDN


NAIL LACQUER
Obey Me True red
Spirit of Truth Navy blue
Suggested Retail Price $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN

LASH
48 Lash
Suggested Retail Price $14.00 U.S./$17.00 CDN

EYE QUAD – Defiance
Defiance Iridescent white pink (Veluxe pearl)
Paradise Island Soft warm pink (Satin)
Star Studded Mid-tone violet pink (Satin)
Real Drama Dark burgundy with pink pearl (Satin)
Suggested Retail Price $40.00 U.S./$48.00 CDN

EYE QUAD – Lady Justice
Lady Justice Bright silver with white pearl (Frost)
Insurmountable Dirty blue grey (Veluxe Pearl)
Bold Babe Deep metal blue with white pearl (Frost)
Deep Truth True dark blue (Frost)
Suggested Retail Price $40.00 U.S./$48.00 CDN

EYE QUAD – Valiant
Valiant Light lime with yellow pearl (Frost)
Spinning Transformation Deep olive bronze with yellow
pearl (Frost)
Diana Undercover Dark forest green (Satin)
Manila Paper Pale frost white gold (Veluxe Pearl)
Suggested Retail Price $40.00 U.S./$48.00 CDN

REFLECTS GLITTER
Reflects Pearl White glitter with a pearl sheen
Reflects Bronze Sparkling rich gold
Suggested Retail Price $21.00 U.S./$25.00 CDN


PIGMENT
Bright Fuchsia Bright magenta
Marine Ultra Vivid marine blue
Suggested Retail Price $21.00 U.S./$25.00 CDN

POWDER BLUSH (DUO)
Mighty Aphrodite Warm peach coral with gold pearl/Bright
coral pink with gold pearl (Satin/Frost)
Amazon Princess Bright yellow pink/Deep blue pink with
gold pearl (Satin)
Suggested Retail Price $24.00 U.S./$29.00 CDN


MINERALIZE SKINFINISH
Pink Power Peachy rose with pink shimmer/Soft rosy
bronze/Soft shell pink with fine shimmer
Golden Lariat True coral with fine gold shimmer/Soft
suntanned bronze/Soft gold with fine shimmer
Suggested Retail Price $35.00 U.S./$42.00 CDN

M·A·C Wonder Woman Red Makeup Bag
Suggested Retail Price $30.00 U.S./$36.00 CDN

M·A·C Wonder Woman Bulletproof Blue Makeup Bag
Suggested Retail Price $30.00 U.S./$36.00 CDN

M·A·C Wonder Woman Utility Belt Eye Brush Set
Suggested Retail Price $49.50 U.S./$59.50 CDN

M·A·C Wonder Woman Utility Belt Face Brush Set
Suggested Retail Price $49.50 U.S./$59.50 CDN

M·A·C Wonder Woman Invincible Mirror
Suggested Retail Price $20.00 U.S./$24.00 CDN

M·A·C Wonder Woman T
Small, Medium, Large
Suggested Retail Price $25.00 U.S/$30.00 CDN



Images via www.ragingrouge.com

MAC To Launch a “Wonder Woman” Spring 2011 Make-Up Collection

Dec28

Back in September MAC launched their Disney “Venomous Villains” collection and I bought a few items from the line and loved them. (Here’s my post on that topic: “MAC Cosmetics & Disney Present: “The Venomous Villains Collection”).Well WWD reports that MAC Cosmetics is now partnering with DC Comics for a limited edition Wonder Woman cosmetics collection. The collection will launch in spring 2011 with prices ranging from $13 to $49.50 and will feature lipsticks, eyeshadows, blush and nailpolish. (I know this is great news to Wendy Williams since Wonder Woman is her idol). I’m sure this is set to be another winner from MAC cosmetics!


The Bella Styles Fashion Forecast: “Spring Trends for 2011″

Dec26

Back in September I posted pics from top designers from their Spring 2011 shows. But today I’m compiling a segment of top trends that I foresee for this upcoming 2011 season:

The Color of Spring 2011: #1 Coral

H & M

Color #2: Colorblocks

Gucci

Marc Jacobs

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The Pattern for Spring: Stripes

Prada

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The Print for Spring: Bold Graphics

Stella McCartney used fruit as her signature print


Prada focused on the Monkey as it’s key print for 2011

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The Material for Spring: Fringe

Gucci

Versace

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The “It” Shoes & Handbags

Prada

Balenciaga

Louis Vuitton

 

Christian Louboutin


 

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Spring 2011 Make-Up Trends:

Dior Addict Ultra Gloss
# 654(pink)
# 707(gray)

 

Dior Vernis Nail Enamel #108 and #707, grey and soft pink

YSL Spring 2011 Boheme Libertine make-up collection


The Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual Sale Starts December 27th

Dec16

I just got word that the big Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual starts on December 27th. This is the best time to rack up on all your favorite scents at discount prices. I always wait twice a  year for this big event to rack up.  I’ve gotten full size shower gels and lotions that retail for $10 for under $2 at this event. Plus they usually have weekly deals and coupons too. I sure hope I get plenty of Bath & Body Works gift cards for Christmas (wink, wink).

www.bathandbodyworks.com

My Holiday Make-Up Trends: “Visions of Sugarplums”

Dec10

As the holidays are right around the corner, the ole Christmas carol “The Night Before Christmas” pops into my head. My favorite line is “The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of “sugar-plums” danced in their heads”. That saying holds true when it comes to my favorite makeup color for the winter season, “plum”. I must admit, I normally am seen in a natural gloss all the time but when winter comes around, I like to go a little deeper with my makeup colors. So today I wanted to share with you some of my favorite and new plum makeup trends for this season:


First off is Tom Ford’s “Black Orchid”. For Fall/Winter 2010, Tom Ford, popular American fashion designer brings “Tom Ford Black Orchid Limited Edition Collection” for smart and savvy fashionistas. This collection is actually inspired by his fragrance of same name i.e. Black Orchid. This slick and stylish set is really a great treat for all Tom Ford fans. Tom Ford Black Orchid Collection features Private Blend Lip Color in Black Orchid, Pressed Eau de Perfume Black Orchid and Nail Color in Black Orchid all for $140.

Now these three lipsticks by Chanel came out last year and I went crazy until I could get my hands on all three. These are from the Chanel “Obsecure” collection. At that time they were only available at Saks Fifth Avenue.  The shades are named Maniac (deep black red), Hysteria (eggplant black), and Obscure (brown black) and they retail for $30 each.

My nail polish of choice this time of year is MAC “Vintage Vamp” and it retails for $13. It’s a much cheaper version of Chanel’s Vamp from a few years back.


This black lipgloss called “Pur Black” came out by Yves Saint Laurent a couple of years ago and I still love it. Although it’s not a shade of plum, you can wear it over a bright pink lipstick and the color comes out gorgeous. It retails for $28 per tube. (Sidenote: I may just try this over my new “Nicky Minaj Pink 4 Friday” lipstick ($14.50) that I ordered today)

Dolce & Gabbana’s Classic Cream Lipstick in Amethyst $30


Lastly, my lip gloss and eyeshadow of choice right now are from the MAC Disney “Venomous Villains” collection. It’s the “Wrong Spell” lipgloss ($15.50) and “My Dark Magic” eyeshadow ($21). Both are beautiful shades of (purplish) plum.

The New Chanel “Côte D’Azur Collection”

Nov24

I’m a sucker for exotic and odd nail polishes and makeup. So I was excited to just come across the new Chanel collection entitled, “CÔTE D’AZUR”. The pale blue polish is a knock-out. Now while I have mentioned before that Chanel polishes are a little too matte for me, I somehow still wanna give this one a try. I saw Wendy Williams with a similar color on her nails the other day and it was really beautiful.  Debuting at the CHANEL Cruise Collection 2010 – 2011 fashion show in Saint Tropez on May 11th, Peter Philips, Global Creative Director of CHANEL Makeup, was inspired by the location to create a playful collection that flirts with the sun. “Effortless, natural beauty, relaxed girls who are enjoying their holidays. That was the main idea behind the look for this show. And we added a touch of playfulness by applying a pastel baby blue nail polish”, says Peter Philips.

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Polish in Riva, $27, available at Chanel; Chanel Rouge Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Colour, $30 each, available at Chanel.