30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 20: Water Marble

I'm not a fan of water marble, so I chose to try dry marbling for this manicure instead.

To begin, I applied a base coat and two coats of Bondi Brick Road. Immediately after the second coat, I randomly placed dots of Bondi Horny Mistress and Chasing The Sun, and used a small dotting tool to gently swirl the colors together. After letting that dry for a while, I added a layer of top coat.

Next, I chose Konad black stamping polish and stamping plate Mash-48 to create the flame stamps. Lastly, I sealed the design with another layer of top coat.

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 19: Galaxies

For this manicure, I began with a base coat and two coats of Orly Androgynie. Next, using a piece of cosmetic wedge sponge, I alternated sponging small amounts of Zoya Giovanna, Sinful Colors Cool Gray, and Zoya Rory in random patterns on the nail. 

Over that, I applied one coat of Orly Shine Bright Crazy Diamond, and small amounts of Icing Frost Yourself. I finished the manicure with Zoya Armor top coat.

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 18: Half Moons

Half Moons.....literally.

This design began with a base coat, and one coat of China Glaze First Mate. Next, I used Zoya Purity to create half-moon shapes on my nail tips. Over the moons, I painted two thin coats of China Glaze Ghoulish Glow glow-in-the-dark polish (the moons really glow!). I covered everything with one coat of Orly Shine On Crazy Diamond, holographic glitter polish. I finished with a coat of Zoya Armor top coat, and let the polish dry overnight.

The next day, I used Sinful Colors Cool Grey and Red Angel stamping plate RA-113 to create the moon crater effect, and Konad white stamping polish with Bundle Monster plate BM14 for the stars. Finally, I sealed everything with a coat of Seche Vite top coat.

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 17: Glitter

To represent Glitter, I began with two coats of Zoya Brie. Then, I painted small amounts of Zoya Twila onto a piece of cosmetic wedge sponge, and dabbed that to the tips of my nails where I wanted the glitter to be concentrated. I added two layers of Gelous gel top coat to smooth out the glitter, and finished with one coat of Zoya Armor top coat.

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 16: Tribal Print

For this mani, I started with a base of Zoya Tamsen, and then added stripes of Zoya Rekha and Zoya Anja. Over that, I used Konad White stamping polish and Bundle Monster Plate BM-402 to create the tribal pattern. Lastly, I added two coats of Zoya Coraline and sealed the design with top coat.

Birchbox - October 2013

This month I received two duplicate boxes, with the only variation being the color of lip gloss. I have only posted and outlined one box since they were the same contents and value.

Birchbox - October 2013

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser + Muslin Cloth

Size Received: 1 cloth & 1 oz cleanser

Value: $9.52

"This creamy cleanser contains moisturizing cocoa butter, and two of nature’s best astringents: eucalyptus essential oil and rosemary. These plant oils lift dirt off the skin’s surface without disrupting the natural barrier function. With the use of the brand’s 100 percent cotton muslin cloth, skin is gently polished without irritation—perfect for even the most sensitive of complexions."

Pop Beauty Aqua Lacquer in Floating Rose (Flowering Fuchsia in second box)

Size Received: Full Size

Value: $14.00

"Each glossy shade is infused with vitamin E and jojoba oil, which provide natural moisture for soft, smooth lips. Try Floating Rose, a soft pink infused with gold shimmer, or Liquid Caramel, a honey-nude hue. Then there’s Melted Peach, a sheer golden apricot color. Flowering Fuchsia makes a statement in sheer hot pink while Dewy Petal is a soft baby pink. And Splashing Scarlet is the brightest of the bunch—a bright strawberry-red gloss with plenty of shine."

Chapstick Hydration Locl Lip Balm in Vanilla Creme

Size Received: Full Size

Value: $2.50

"The clinically tested formula forms a barrier that traps existing moisture while also drawing it in from the outside. Antioxidant CoQ10 delivers protection from free radicals directly to your lips. Vitamin E, that mainstay of skin health, completes the picture for a softer, silkier pout that also appears fuller thanks to the moisture boost. Sensory bonus: This formula smells like delicious Vanilla Crème."

Benefit Fakeup in Medium

Size Received: 0.01 oz

Value: $2.00

"The creamy formula provides heavy-duty coverage and instantly brightens tired-looking eyes with light-reflecting pigments. Moisturizing vitamin E and apple seed extract give the concealer its silky-smooth texture and soften fine lines."

Box Cost: $10.00

Box Value: $28.02

Ipsy - October 2013

Ipsy - October 2013

Theme & Bag

This months theme is 'The Art of beauty', and the bag is white with pink writing, and a pink zipper.

Sexy Hair Spray Clay Texturizing Spray

Size Received: Travel Size 1.4 oz

Value: $8.00

"The Sexy Hair Spray Clay Texturizing Spray Clay creates and allover textured look with a matte finish. This spray allows for a fine and even product distribution and is great for all hair types. "

Ole Henricksen Truth Creme Advanced Hydration

Size Received: 0.25 fl oz

Value: $6.61

"The Ole Henriksen truth crème™ advanced hydration is a light-textured luxurious crème that glides onto skin and absorbs quickly to leave you with a beautiful, radiant glow. Contains vitamin C, which calms, heals, brightens, and boosts collagen. Also delivers powderful antiaging benefits, promotes cell turnover, events skintone, and helps eliminate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. For optimal antiaging benefits, use with Ole Henriksen truth serum™ collagen booster. "

Bella Terra Mineral Shimmer in Navy

Size Received: 2g

Value: $11.99

"It's easy to create a variety of looks with Bella Terra Mineral Cosmetics Mineral Shimmers! As an 8-in-1 product, the Mineral Shimmers are a creamy eye shadow, matte eyeshadow, eyeliner, lip color, nail polish, mascara, body glitter, and hair color for fun hair streaks!"

Zoya Nail Polish in Giovanna

Size Received: Full Size

Value: $8.00

"Zoya Nail Polish in Giovanna can be best described as a stunning emerald green metallic."

Coastal Scents Medium Shadow Brush

Size Received: Full Size

Value: $2.49

"The Coastal Scents Shadow Brush is a medium sized brush made out of natural fibers that is wide in shape and condensed to allow an even distribution of eyeshadow on the lid. This professional cosmetic brush can be used for shading the crease and highlighting the brow bone with complete precision."

Bag Cost: $10.00

Bag Value: $37.09

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 15: Delicate Print

Happy halfway point, Marathoners! The 'delicate' print that I have chosen for this manicure is 'Laces'.

I began with a base coat, two coats of Zoya Gie Gie, and a top coat. 

After that had dried, I chose Konad black stamping polish and Bundle Monster plate BM-420 to create the laces and corset. 

I used a dotting tool and a silver polish to add 'buttons' to the laces, and sealed the design with another layer of top coat.

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 14: Flowers

Tulips

The flowers are Bondi Nyc Brick Road, Teal Magnolia, Strawberry Fields, and Uptown Girl, and the stem is China Glaze Starboard. All painted free hand and lined in black striping polish, and sealed with top coat.

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 13: Animal print

Ferret Tracks

Two coats of Zoya Megan, stamped with Konad black polish & stamping plate M48.

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 12: Stripes

The 12th task in the 30 Mani Marathon is Stripes.

Here I have a 'Jelly Stampwich'! Base coat (Nail Tek Foundation 1), two coats of China Glaze Aqua Baby, Konad special white stamping polish + Bundle Monster plate BM-423 for the stripes, three coats of China Glaze Isle See You Later, and 1 coat of Seche Vite. :D

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 11: Polka Dots

The 11th task in the 30 Mani Marathon is Polka Dots.

To represent Polka Dots, I began with one coat of Sinful Shine Royal Flush (pink). Then, I free-hand painted half of each nail with Sinful Shine My Krypronite (teal). Next, I used a large dotting tool to add the dots on each side in opposite colors. Lastly, I've sealed the design with a coat of Dreams Nail Lacquer top coat.