Showing posts with label butter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label butter. Show all posts

Vanity Spotlight #1

Just a few of my favorite things on this beautiful mirror tray: 

larsson and jennings watch, fresh beauty fragrance in hesperides grapefruit, tom ford lipstick in violet fatale, catbird rings, earrings from s.korea, butterlondon nail polish in la moss




My At-Home Manicure.




Ever since I've started blogging, I've been going from wearing absolutely no nail polish, to wearing perhaps once every month, then once every two weeks… and now, I'm switching it up whenever I need something to uplift my mood. When I started wearing nail polishes regularly, I realized how damaged my nails were getting. I used to have no cuticles, so much so that every time a manicurist looked at my nails, they always commented on how clean my nails were. I also had no ridge problems, and my nails in total were quite healthy.

Now? After so much nail polish wearing, so many things have changed for the worse! I have slight ridges on my thumbnails, and my nail tips sometimes turn a bit yellow (ew) and I have dry cuticles all along my nails and my nails have become so brittle!

But to stop wearing nail polish, my hands feel so empty now! So, to compensate for how unhealthy my nails have become, I have come up with a routine that helps my nails at least maintain some decency!

What I use: Fundamentally, I think for a good at-home manicure you'll need…
  • Nail polish remover (if you had nail polish on before the manicure). Currently love Bourjois 1second Nail polish remover
  • Nail clipper
  • Nail filer
  • Water to dip nails
  • Base coat
  • Top coat
  • Optional: cuticle oil (I personally just skip this step)
So here is the order in which I do a mani:
  1. Clip nails. Make sure you don't cut it too short so that you can actually shape it. Whenever you use cheap nail clippers, what you'll get is rough edges after clipping your nails. That's when the filer comes in so don't worry too much about that!
  2. Nail Filer. Filing nails is paramount! Most filers will come with double sides, one that is rougher and the other side, finer. After getting your nails to the length you want with the rougher side, you can go ahead and file with the finer side so that you get smooth edges. 
  3. Water-dipping. What I love to do is get a little cup of water and dip my nails into the water as I file my nails. This way, it makes filing so much easier. Also, when I have a nail polish on for so long, your nails my have acquired this extra layer. After dipping my nails into the water, I would then go ahead and file a little bit of the extra top layer. Just slightly, and it helps the ridges to stay at bay! (Although for really horrible ridges, it may not fully do the trick!)
  4. After you've prepped and primed your nails, shaping them and making the edges smooth, you can dry your fingers. Make sure none of the filed dust is on your nails! This way, it'll help your nail polish go on smoothly without any bumps. 
  5. Base coat. Base coat is CRUCIAL! It helps especially vibrant colors from seeping into your nails and changing your nail color. Dark colors are especially prone to changing your nail color, and oh you don't want that. A good base coat will help you keep your nails healthy for sure. I use the Butter London Nail Foundation that I feel is so easy to apply and use. 
  6. Nail polish. Most nail polishes will require two coats for that immaculate look! I do a not-so-tidy first coat of my nail polish. You really don't want to apply a thick layer. Do it as thin as you can, and DON'T worry about it looking messy. That's where the second coat comes in. With the second coat, you don't want to make this THICK EITHER. You want to just apply a decent amount over the first coat. It'll perfect your first coat! Also, practice makes perfect. There's no secret to applying them perfectly but for practice!
  7. Top coat. For the long-lasting wear and shine, you might want to end it with a top coat. I use the Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat which is by far, the fastest drying top coat I've ever seen. It's not that amazing in terms of shine, but it really perfects the nails and makes them look ready, all within a few minutes! 
Then, voila! You've given yourself a nice at-home manicure for much less then $$$ then going to a nail salon :) Here are some pictures from my Instagram (etherealellie) of my NOTD!

Nars "Bad Influence"

Ciate "Main Stage"

Butter London "La Moss"

Essie "Bahama Mama"

Butter London "Poole"

Essie "Schoolboy Blazer"



NOTD ButterLondon-Snog

Every girl needs some kind of red in their nail polish collection. I had only one- Illmasqua's Alarm. I loved the color until the color changed into this more orange color than anything else. So, I relied on Butter London to find me that perfect shade of red. I for one, do not like deep red color because it can make my hands look old! So, I opted for Butter London's "Snog", which is a raspberry red! So young, fresh, and pretty... yet still the classic "RED". Let the pictures say it all :)

ALSO featuring a few of my CatbirdNYC rings that I so love :)





Top 10 Spring/Summer Nail Polishes!


I have finally gotten to a point where I can stand in front of my displayed nail polishes and pick and choose which of them are my "favorites" (not that this was ever my goal!). I have a new nail polish display in my room which you can't see in this post, but maybe one day. Anyway, I picked out my favorite 10 nail polishes for the Spring & Summer :)

At first, I was going to do just 5, but it ended up being all Butter London! So, I went and picked out some more and decided to just go for 10.


Here are my picks: (watch here)
  1. Snog - Butter London
  2. Mint Candy Apple - Essie
  3. Under Where? - Essie
  4. Lilicism - Essie
  5. Trout Pout - Butter London
  6. Kerfuffle - Butter London
  7. Cuppa - Butter London
  8. Eden - Julep
  9. Fruit Machine - Butter London
  10. Navigate Her - Essie
P.S. Follow my Instagram! :) username is obviously... EtherealEllie 

NOTD: ButterLondon "Kerfuffle" & CND Top Coat!

Butter London is addicting... and so is this color. It's a color called "Kerfuffle". I love this so much. It's pink but not just pink. It's pink with a bit of peach. I've realized that I look good with shades that have a bit of peach in it. I like it that it's not just baby pink. It's this soft pink with that hint of something that makes it softer and more milder. Love it!


Remember I bought the Sally Hansen "MegaShine" topcoat? Oh, I was very disappointed indeed. If ever considering a top coat, stay clear of that. The shine isn't that great and oh dear... my nails were chipping so much! So, I decided to try CND's SuperShiney topcoat. CND is known for their Shellac nails (which I so want to try!) and since they are very recognized and a professional brand, I thought I could trust them.


I really wanted that super shiny effect. Also, this top coat promises hardening so that the nail polishes don't chip too fast. So far, I love it! It really is SUPER SHINY! :)

The next picture is one I took with flash.
Oh and please excuse how horrendously I've applied this! The brush was actually deformed, which is unlike Butter at all! I might go back to Ulta and exchange it. 
Take note! My rings from Catbird :))))

Feb Faves!


I really am sick of this dreary winter! I want Spring to bloom right now. So, in preparation for the coming season, I decided to combine some of my February favorites along with some Spring makeup. Now, I realized after I took a picture and filmed a video that I forgot all about lipsticks!!! But, I felt way too lazy to redo everything from scratch so... the lippies will need a rest for this post :( 

Anyway, let me move on. All of these have been featured on my blog before, besides maybe that Diptyque Oyedo eau de toilette. I've used up almost all of it already and I'm getting very nervous for fear I'll run out before I restock! It's such a beautiful beautiful beautiful fruity and citrus scent that instantly brings you to a hill of fruits and Spring. It's beautiful and I have commenting people about this oh-so-fresh fragrance all the time!


On that note, another really Spring makeup is my Burberry blush in Peony! It is the perfect pink yet natural glow. Usually, pinks that bright and light stand out on my skin tone but this one just makes you look like you have this natural pink glow! Love it so very much (as well as the gorgeous packaging). 

Then, since it's all about looking AWAKE! and ALIVE! for the Spring season, I thought a highlighter was only appropriate. This Benefit Watts-up highlighter is life-changingly perfect. Put it on the tops of your cheeks, down your nose, and under your brows. You'll look so young, healthy, and fresh. The glow is just addicting. 

For the warmer seasons, a smooth and clean mascara would be nice, wouldn't it? The Giorgio Armani lengthening mascara is just the best for that. No flakes, no drying, yet perfectly wet and smooth. It does the job amazingly! 

If you want a bit of a something-something, maybe a tinted moisturizer might help? This Works' Perfect Look Skin Miracle, which is a tinted moisturizer, is the perfect primer. It moisturizes and preps the skin for foundation. The tint is bit of a bronze, but for me, the color is practically invisible. But maybe if you are pale and want something-something for Spring, this would be great! 

Next is the one and only Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover foundation. This stuff is really something. If you are looking to cover up everything, this is it. It isn't too matte, nor is it very glowy. It's somewhere right between, which is great. It lasts REALLY LONG. The consistency is surprisingly watery that dries quickly on your skin, feeling intact all day long! The coverage is flawless and on top of that, it can be BUILDABLE. Whoa. 

I use my favorite foundation brush from Real Techniques (Expert Face brush) to apply these high coverage foundations. Why? Because this brush makes the foundation last longer and it gives the perfect finish. I used to be obsessed with the Stippling brush, then the Buffing... but now, it's this stuff right here. LOVE IT.

Lazy people, you may not want to go about putting on an eyeshadow. Maybe you want to achieve a "minimal" look? Well, still maybe you need something for a pop on the eye. Well, this 24/7 Glide-on eye pencil from Urban Decay is great for that. It's a creamy pencil that works like gel, and dries and stays on forever. When you first apply it, it is so super creamy that if you take a smudging brush (MAC 219) and smudge it gently all along your eyelids, you can achieve a softened yet defined eye! Love them so much.


But say you do want eyeshadows! Well, Urban Decay has some great shades for that. I chose the Naked 2 because it is currently what I'm obsessing over but also, since they are mostly cool-toned, it can help give the face a COOL fresh look. There are pinky shades that might look good for the Spring as well!

Finally, for nails, you know... it's the Butter London "Tea with the Queen". Perfect perfect nude. I will probably have a bottle of this until the day I die. This color just does not go wrong. Days when I want my fingers to look long, chic, and feminine? Well, this is the answer :)

So yep! This is my Winter to Spring, transitional makeup products. What are some products that are helping you transitioned between the color to warm?

2012 Beauty Favorites!

2013 is in full-swing, supposedly. I, however, lose all grasp of time between the end of one year and the start of another. It's one party after another, and endless holiday eating that an understanding of time is broken down. Still, 2013 is here and I took some time to think about what I loved most in 2012. It was actually quite easy to pick and choose. Although I absolutely LOVE all that's in my makeup collection, if I had to choose something that stood out most to me the past year, it would have to be these. Some are new discoveries and some are old classic favorites!




I have featured...
  • Bioderma Crealine H20
  • Diptyque Eau Duelle
  • This Works Perfect Look Skin Miracle
  • Origins Rescue Mask
  • Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation
  • Nars Sheer Glow
  • Stila Perfecting Concealer
  • Urban Decay Naked Palette
  • Estee Lauder Bronze Sands Palette
  • NuMe Arganic Oil
  • Benefit Coralista
  • Tarte Exposed
  • Mario Badescu Bee Pollen Night Cream
  • Mario Badescu Seaweed Night Cream
  • Giorgio Armani Mascara
  • Butter La Moss
  • Butter British Racing Green
  • Sally Hansen InstaDry
  • Burberry Copper Lip Mist
  • Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye pencil
Sorry that the video was cut off short. I guess my camera decided I was talking a bit too much and just shut down :( Anyway, thankfully I got to my final product so that was good. I hope you enjoyed it and tell me what some of your top 2012 beauty products were down below :)

NYE NOTD! #GOBSMACKED

Happy NYE everyone! I don't know what part of the world you're all in, but here in NY we still have four hours left before the clock strikes 12 midnight and the year goes from 2012 to 2013. Crazy crazy. Anyway, I wanted something special and sparkly for NYE and I choose "Gobsmacked" from Butter London. It's a really dark gray with small glitters. It was actually quite hard to apply but once I applied about 3 coats, I used the Sally Hansen Insta-dry Top Coat and voila, beautiful!


I hope you all have a GOBSMACKED NYE and an equally and even better 2013! Happy New Years :)

No Dry Time for Nail Polishes? Festive Nails

Sure there's a lot of products trying to shorten the dry time for nail polishes. But still, an impatient girl like me can't stand the wait time. Literally, you become a dummy for the while your nails are drying, incapable of doing anything. Recently in my November Glossybox, I received this Incoco Nail Polish in the color "Sinderella". It looked like an interesting idea and the color seemed great for Christmas. So I saved it and waited until this month.



The Incoco Nail Polish is real nail polish with no drying time. It comes like a sticker and you stretch and adjust it so that it fits on your nails. Then you file off the excess and then voila! You have your painted nails all set. And you don't have to be dummy in the process :)

Check their website for more information on how to apply! 

I thought of what could be festive enough for Christmas. I thought of the red and green combo and went for this nail idea. The green nail polish is the British Racing Green by Butter recently blogged on this post. What do you guys think? I'm getting mixed thoughts here but... I like it! It's past Christmas but I don't want to take it off. These nail applicators are good for 14 days! Wowza :) I'm going to leave it until I get sick and tired of it, or just to see if it'll really last 14 days.


I did fumble a bit applying it. But I also fumble in applying real nail polish so... practice may make perfect? :) So far, I'm loving the idea. It has all 3 coats... the base, polish, and top coat all in one. How easy! If all is well, I may try more of them.

What do you guys think of this idea? Have you tried these? :)

NOTD "British Racing Green"

So, do you remember how a few posts back I talked about not being a nail-polish obsessed girl? Well, it's still kind of true but I have to say, over a course of a few months, I've gotten pretty addicted to wearing nail polish. Whether that's good or bad, or rather... neutral, I owe it all to the beauty girls out on Youtube. 

Taken with Instagram

I had placed an order few a few Butter nail polishes a few weeks back. I've been taking my time with each. This time I tried their wondrously named, very posh "British Racing Green". Online, it looked like hunter green. I didn't know there were hints of pearls. When I got, I saw pearls and it wasn't as "dark" as I thought it would be. So I had put it off for awhile until I thought I'd give it a proper chance. So, I did. And voila! It is such.... a pretty deep hunter green. The pearls aren't very obvious. It just gives a nice coat of glean. I absolutely love LOVE this color so much. No wonder it's one of their best-selling. And, considering I don't look that great with green nail polishes, this shade totally makes me happy :)





What do you guys think? :) I love it. I think the green also hints the Christmas spirit. I took these pictures with flash so the color looks different in person than these pictures. It's a bit darker and more matte (can't see as much pearls as you can with flash). I'm also deeply into dark nail polishes and so I'm happy it's as dark as I hoped it to be. It's just lovely!





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