I really do have a problem... a colorful problem.

After being all tied up all winter long, her layers unlace to reveal the bright bikini so teeny days of summer. Shimmering color takes
center stage as she reigns in her seductive off the shoulder look, inspiring fear or desire in those who admire her. Suddenly, mojito
madness sets in and it’s time to be carefree. Even on hot summer days, she knows how to be forever cascade cool.

Now is the time to suit up. Whether you prefer to strike a pose poolside or relax at the beach, the myriad maillot varieties provide endless inspiration for this season’s haute couleurs. Wherever you may fall on the swimsuit spectrum, there’s a color for it – and it’s invariably Essie.

Fear or Desire—bright orange

Off the Shoulder— hot pink

Cascade Cool—shimmery carnation pink

Bikini so Teeny— sky blue

All Tied Up—molten bronze

Mojito Madness—lime

I've been stalking my local drugstores for a "early" appearance, as these aren't scheduled to appear on shelves until June 2012.  Although I have full intentions of taking home the whole collection, I've especially got my eye on its namesake, Bikini so Teeny and Mojito Madness.

"Tickled Pink" Part 3 of 3

Pink nails can be super chic and neon nails are all the rage this season.  They are bold and fantastic and the perfect accessory this spring/summer.  As always, Essie is at the forefront of nail trends with their Poppy Razzi collection with 4 vibrant neon shades.  Since this is a pink themed post, I'll focus on "Lights" which is a electric, bubblegum pink, and is absolutely fabulous.  This color goes on smooth and has killer staying power. 

Things to keep in mind:  After you apply a good basecoat, reach for a white.  I know it sounds funny, but it makes your color super vibrant.  Also, to each is own, but I find that neons look best on a shorter nail.  Think, more square with curves edges.  Keep it classy!

Pink is amazing!  It is feminine and romantic, affectionate, thoughtful and caring. It tones down the passion of red and replaces it with a gentle energy.  It is a positive color inspiring warm and comforting feelings, a sense that everything will be okay.

Learn more about the color pink: http://www.sensationalcolor.com/color-messages-meanings/color-meaning-symbolism-psychology/all-about-the-color-pink.html

"Everything's Rosey" Part 2 of 3

Pink is great.  I think most girls would agree.  On this gray day in New England, I can think of no better way to brighten the day than a 3 part, pink spectacular.  Here's a simple, pink inspired makeup idea.

1.  Moisturize!  It's so important to moisturize, it keeps your skin happy.  I like Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion.  It's fragrance free, light, absorbs quickly, and is non-irritating.

2.  Since spring is here, and summer is just around the corner, try a tinted moisturizer for a light coverage that lets your natural skin shine through.  I used Aveeno's Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer: medium. 

3.  Add a little sheer color on the cheeks.  I'm a big fan of theBalm Staniac: Beauty Queen.  Gives just a touch of long-lasting sheer color, is totally buildable and can also be used on the lips for a stain.  Keep it handy, we'll use it again.

4.  Once that sets give your cheeks, and the spots that the sun would naturally hit, a gentle dusting of some bronzer.  I used theBalm Bahama Mama Bronzer.  It's light, matte, and buildable, making it universally flattering for most, if not all, skin tones.

5.  Finish with a pinky peach blush applied with a light hand.  theBalm's Frat Boy is a perfect natural looking pink that gives you the perfect blush of color.  Keep it out, we'll use it again.

6.  Keep the eyes super simple.  I used an earthy gray-tone as a base, theBalm's Just This Once Jamie and then I used my blush Frat Boy on top to warm up the color.  This ties in really nicely with the pink tones in the face.  I used a thin line of dark brown liner to define the eyes.

7.  Here's where the Staniac comes into play again, (you can use any pink stain you feel like... Revlon Just Bitten has a shade of pink that will give you a similar effect).  Apply it to your lips, you can build color or just do a single application; either way it will give your lip color come staying power.  I finished with theBalm's AutoBalm: Posthaste.  It's a pretty, slightly iridescent pink, that really enhances your lips nicely.  theBalm has some fantastic, non-sticky lip glosses, but you can use any pink gloss that you like.

This whole look is super easy to pull off and only takes like, 15 minutes tops.  You can really swap out any of the products I used with your favorite products.  The key is a light hand and BLENDING for a natural overall look.

Want my earrings?  Ron Jon Surf Shop Plumeria Blossoms
 http://www.ronjonsurfshop.com/women/accessories/jewelry/plumeria_earrings_pink_center.aspx?DepartmentId=804

theBalm Frat Boy review http://beautyconfessions5.blogspot.com/2012/01/fake-it-dont-bake-it.html
theBalm Staniac review http://beautyconfessions5.blogspot.com/2011/12/stainiac-for-sure.html

"Pink, it's my new obsession..." Part 1 of 3

Pink, pink, pink!  I've had an obsession with pink hair since I was in the 5th grade.  No Doubt's Return of Saturn had just come out and Gwen was looking super cool with pink locks.  Throughout the years, my hair has been pretty much every *natural* looking color, reds, browns, blondes, blacks... the works, but I've always kept pink at the back of my mind.  With the emergence of Pintrest, I've seen a million girls rocking pink and looking fabulous, and I couldn't resist the pink any longer.  Not to mention the inspiration of the fabulous Charlotte Free.

Gwen Stefani

After a lot of research and thought, I settled on a more "cotton candy pink"... something a bit more muted.  I had done a shocking pink "highlight" last summer, but for a more all-over pink I felt it a better decision to go a bit lighter.  I also chose to let a lot of the blonde peak through.

My pink: My hair was already super blonde so I didn't pre-lighten.  If your hair is darker, a bleach kit is necessary.  If you are not already well-versed in the world of lightening... you may want to consider going to a professional.  There really aren't any "permanent" pinks, so keep in mind if this is something you want to last, you really need to keep up with it.  I used: Manic Panic Cotton Candy Pink and left it in for 3 hours.  I then rinsed it quickly, NO SHAMPOO, and left in some of the dye.  I then blow dryed my hair on high heat to *seal* the color.  It makes your hair feel a little dirty until you finally wash it out, but trust me, it's totally worth the results!

Fancy Feet

Spring is in the air!  and with Spring comes green grass, baseball, and the ability to show a little toe!  That's right.  If you've been letting your tootsies go over the colder months, the time has come to kick off those shoes and apply some color.  My favorite right now: Essie's Turquoise and Caicos.

This color is so gorgeous I can't even stand it.  Perfectly pretty for Spring...or summer... or your vacation to someplace sandy... but seriously?  It's pretty good for anything, after all, it's a perfect turquoise with a hint of mint.  A shade that refreshes and brightens any skin tone.

Unfortunately, it's kind of a nightmare to apply.  The consistency is what can be expected from just about any creamy pastel color... thin and streaky.  HOWEVER, with a little patience, and the application of 3 thin layers to build up the color, you will have compliment-worthy toes (or fingers) that lasts.  That's right.  This color has a staying power that rivals a gel polish.

*Wondering where to get the nifty flower decals?  Cina Nail Creation Nail Art Decals "Hot Tropic".

Sunshine, Warmth, and Sandy Toes... Well we can pretend

This time every year I start getting a little antsy for sunshine, warmth, and the feeling of sand beneath my toes.  After a vacation to Florida, and a week of unseasonably warm March weather in New England, well let's just say that the itch for summer winds has increased tenfold as the temperatures have plummeted back down to a chilly 44 degrees.  With that being said, I've been inspired to create a uber natural, warm, sun kissed look... without overdoing it.  Let's face it, as winter drags on, skin can reach a certain shade of paleness that creates a thin line between bronze-goddess and muddy cake face.

Long story short: If you can't lay out on the beach somewhere with an umbrella embellished drink, you might as well at least look the part.

To start:  a clean face is a must for this look, preferably after a little, minor exfoliation to remove the dullness.

• Apply a good moisturizer and let in sink in fully.  I'm partial to Clinique's "Dramatically Different" moisturizer.  It's clean, scentless, and non-irritating.  Makes your skin look moisturized and glowy. 
• For a little sheer coverage I do a layer of Aveeno's Tinted Moisturizer, (I know, I know, we just did a layer of moisturizer, but I find this gives you coverage without looking too make-upy - * If you're oily, you may want to skip the first moisturizer) and let that set.
• Then I dab just a touch of Covergirl's Natureluxe Foundation on my forehead, chin, and each cheek and blend.  This gives me a little more coverage where I need it.  You can use what you want, I personally like this foundation because it's super light, a nice cross between a standard foundation and a sheer coverage.  Whatever you choose, it's important to use only a touch of it.  Remember the idea is to look natural.  You just want to enhance what your mama gave you. 
• If your eyes are looking sleepy or dark, just a touch of under eye concealer on the interior corners, should do the trick.  Sweep on a powder to set.

Now for the good stuff: 

• I do a light dusting of theBalm's Bahama Mama (the name is just yummy isn't it?) just on the spots where the sun naturally touches the skin - the cheeks, chin, tip of the nose, slightly along the jawline, etc.  This is a great, high quality bronzer... a nice deep camel color that I find to be flattering on many skin tones.  TAP your brush before application!  I cannot stress this enough. 
• Then you sweep just a touch of theBalms Hot Mama blush on the apples of the cheeks... this is a peachy, slightly shimmery blush that really brightens up the complexion.  Instant fox-i-tude... I promise.

The eyes:  I mixed a few colors to create the shade I wanted.

• I swept theBalm ShadyLady eyeshadow in Shameless Shana (a pretty pinky-bronze) on the lids, with Mischevious Marissa on the brow bone.  To finish, I lightly applied the same Hot Mama blush that I swept on my cheeks, over my lids.  The result is a golden pink shade that makes the eyes pop.  I also lined it around my eyes.  Subtle and pretty... kind of the "anti-smokey eye".

Finish your look:
I am currently obsessed with MAC Surf, Baby! Lipglass Strange Potion.  I picked up a tube while I was at a cosmetic outlet outside of Ft. Myers... what a gem!  Now, it's not a current collection (came out in summer of 2011-limited edition) but I did some web surfing and discovered that it is more than easy to purchase a brand-spankin'-new tube of this gloss from several online vendors.  Actually, you can find *most* of this collection online.  It really is fab: a pink coral non-sticky gloss  in a fabulous cream, orange, teal, and yellow beachy tube, adorned with a hibiscus flower.  Let's face it...just looking at the packaging can brighten anyone's spirits.  This gloss has great pigmentation and is wearable and flattering for many skin tones.


Previous reviews for reference: http://beautyconfessions5.blogspot.com/2011/03/natureluxe-my-new-love.html

I'm not addicted, I can quit any time I want.

Essie 2012 Resort Collection

Pink a boo, Sure Shot, She's Picture Perfect, No More Film

I fully intend on owning all these shades.  I just picked up Sure Shot which is like a metallic fuscha with loads of shine.  I love this color.  Usually I fall for a more She's Picture Perfect on my hands and save the shock of color for my toes, but this is just a spectacular shade.  Bright and fun.  =)