New Year, New Me

Hello Ladies,

So, the last year was a crazy one.  There was a lot of good (moving in with my boyfriend, going to California, etc) and a bit of heartbreaking (my mom passed away).  However, tomorrow is the start of a new year, and I plan to make the most of it!

I have a couple of goals/resolutions for the new year:

1) Begin a new fitness routine
2) Not complain to friends and family about my weight

I am doing a Beachbody fitness program (Slim in 6), and I am really excited to get in shape.  I will post fitness updates on my blog.

That being said, I don't want to be a whiner who is always complaining to my friends and family about not losing weight.

This is the year to stop complaining and start doing!  I know it is going to take me a while to get to where I want to be, and that is okay. 

Every day is a new opportunity to do something good for myself, and that is how I plan to treat each of the 365 days in 2013!

Who's with me?

Happy New Year, lovelies!!!

Talk Soon,

T.

MAC Syrup

Hello Ladies,

It is official: I have a new favorite lipstick for day.  MAC Syrup is the perfect your-lips-only-better shade that leaves my lips feeling moisturized and looking lovely.

It retails for $15 at MAC stores, counters and online. It is the first lustre finish lipstick I have tried, and I am eager to try more.

Do you own Syrup or another MAC lustre lipstick?  What are your thoughts?

Talk Soon,

T.

I Heart Tarte!!!

Hello Lovelies,

I made a purchase last week during Tarte's friends and family sale, and I must admit, I am smitten.  I plan to do full reviews of all my new goodies, but for now, I want to talk about the TEN eyeshadow pallette.

Image from Tarte Website

It was on sale for $30, and with the FF discount, I got it for $21.  It comes with 10 full-size eyeshadows, a double-ended liner and a brush.  Plus, it is in a really cute little compact that is great for traveling or carrying everyday.

The top row includes a matte highlight color as well as an amazing purple shimmer!

The kit includes 3 matte finish shadows, two that are a satin finish and five shimmers.

The bottom row features gorgeous dark shades, including a matte brown and matte dark gray!

The only major complaint I have about the kit is that the shades are not named.  That being said, some of the colors are gorgeous!  In particular, I like the copper shade and the shimmery purple.  The pigmentation on the shadows is insane, and with a primer, they last all day.

The pencil liners are also very pigmented.  After trying these, I am excited to try more Tarte eyeliners!  I especially like the deep plum liner but will admit they are a bit hard to apply at first.  Once the liner softens a bit, they are great.  The brush is okay for all over shadow application; however,I like to use more than one brush while creating eye looks.

Tarte Liners in Black and Deep Plum

Overall, I recommend checking out Tarte shadows.  I will have more reviews coming in the next few weeks on other Tarte products, including two of their holiday kits.

Just for fun, here is a pic my six-year-old nephew drew of my boyfriend:

'Tis the season!

Talk Soon,

T.

NOTD: Julep Charlotte

Hello Girls,

Julep makes some of my favorite polishes, and Charlotte is no exception.  It is a really pretty purple with a slight gray undertone.

Julep Charlotte

This polish goes on really smooth and has a thick consistency.  Two coats definitely do the job, and they wear well on my nails.  I was able to wear this polish for about four days with no chipping.

Julep nail polishes retail for $14, but if you join the Maven program, you can get them for $11.20 or even cheaper in your monthly box.  It is free to join, and you can skip your box any time.  I definitely recommend checking it out!

http://www.julep.com/

Are you a Maven?

Talk Soon,

T.

My Life Now

Hey Ladies,

I usually post about makeup and beauty, but today, I am going to get a bit more personal.  I debated as to whether or not to talk about this on my blog, but I realized that, for me, blogging is about being myself and connecting with all of you.  So, here goes.

Two weeks ago, my mom passed away.  She had been struggling with leukemia for a couple years, and the cancer had come back on my birthday (September 12).  Since then, she had been in the hospital preparing for a stem cell transplant.  She got the transplant on November 16, but her heart was not strong enough for all the chemo she had endured.  On Sunday, November 25, just after Thanksgiving, she went into cardiac arrest.  Three days later, she was gone.

My mom was my best friend.  She was my shopping buddy, my sounding board, my hero.  I feel lost without her.  I was so blessed to have 26 great years with her and to have a mom who was so loving, supportive and full of life.  She was the strongest person I have ever known, and she always made me feel like I was special and wonderful.  I miss her every day.

I am having a really hard time.  I never allowed myself to think about what would happen if the transplant failed.  My mom was young, 54, and healthy aside from the cancer.  Whenever I would say things about being worried that the transplant would not work, my family and friends said not to think like that.  They told me to stay postive, and I did.  So, when things took such an unfortunate turn, I was shocked.

It is still hard to believe she is gone.  I want to call her to ask about her day and tell her about mine.  I want to e-mail her pictures of clothes I want to buy, so she can offer her opinions.  I want to give her the Christmas present I had already purchased for her.  More than anything, I just want to hug her.

I have struggled with depression in the past and was being treated for it prior to my mom passing away.  I am trying really hard to keep myself together, but I am struggling.  I don't want to get out of bed and go to work.  I definitely don't want to go to the gym, and I don't even want to go out with my friends.  I know I have to do all of these things because my mom would not want me to stop living my life.  It is just so strange to me that she is gone, and I am just supposed to pick up and carry on without her.

One thing that always makes me smile is reading beauty and makeup blogs and watching YouTube.  I have purchased some awesome new makeup over the past few weeks, and I will continue to blog.  So, thank you for reading my blog.  It means so much to me :)

Me, my beautiful mommy, my little sis

I appreciate you taking the time to read this post, and I hope you are all having a wonderful December.

Talk Soon,

T.

Jordana Easyliner for Lips

Hello Lovely Ladies,

I am not a big lip liner gal, but I recently decided to give them a try.  I didn't want to invest a ton of money in a product I am not sure I will use, so I decided to try Jordana from my local Walgreens.

Pic from Amazon: Jordana Easyliner in Tawny

I chose the color Tawny because it was fairly neutral and would go with a wide array of lipsticks.  In particular, I needed something to pair with my Rimmel Kate lipstick in 08.  Tawny goes on smooth and blends easily.  It definitely does its job and keeps my lipstick where it is supposed to be.

Tawny

These liners are retractable, so there is no sharpening.  The best part about Jordana liners is the price.  They are only $1.99!!!  Since Tawny works well and is so affordable, I think I will try more Jordana lip liners in the future.

Have you had a good experience with Jordana?  Which of their products do you recommend?

Talk Soon,

T.
                                  

Influenster Cosmo VoxBox 2012

Hello Hello,

I am so excited!  I got my first VoxBox from Influenster today. Influenster is an awesome website that combines product reviews and social networking.  The topics range from fashion to food to pets and a ton of things in between.  The best part is that it is FREE!  You can earn points to qualify for free stuff, which you then review.  Pretty cool, huh?

This was my first box, and I am so impressed.  I received two pens, a Venus razor with a replacement blade, a .25 fl oz sample of Forever Red by Bath and Body works and a full size Ghiradelli chocolate bar.  All for free :)

I will be reviewing the products in the coming weeks for Influenster, and I will post some updates on the experience.

Do you use Influenster?

Talk Soon,

T.

Please note: I received each product complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster.  

Black Friday Haul

Hello Lovelies,

I haven't been able to post in a while, but I am glad to be blogging again.  On black Friday, my sister and I went shopping, and of course, we had some awesome makeup finds!  The mall we were in does not have a Sephora, but we hit the Ulta pretty hard.  Here are the items I picked up (along with mini reviews for those that I have tried):

Black Friday Fun

First up is a bareMinerals Little Luxaries Dazzling Eye Trio.  These were on sale for $10 and were flying off the shelves.  I chose to get this one because it came with a full size mascara and two eye shadows.  I haven't used it (beyond swatching), so I can't vouch for the quality.  However, I usually like bareMinerals stuff, and I expect I will like this as well.

Flawless Definition Mascara and Two Eyecolors

Muse on left; Cultured Pearl on right

Next up is the item I was most excited to buy, the Lorac five shadow pallet in Sweet Luxuries   It is gorgeous, and I have used it nonstop since purchasing it.  The pallet includes five very neutral, highly pigmented shadows.  Three of the shades are matte, and two are shimmers.  The best part is that it has a great highlight color, a great liner color and three in-between shades that would work on most skin tones. I love it, and for $12, it was a steal!

The last black Friday special I grabbed was a set of mini nail polishes from OPI.  The "Stuff My Stocking" set features a shimmery red (Last Minute Shopper), green (Skip the Gift Wrap) and purple (Gift Cards for Everyone!), along with a mini RapiDry Top Coat. I picked it up for $7.50.  I doubt I will wear the green, but the purple and the red are nice.  Plus, I can always use more top coat!

Festive! The polishes are shimmery but not glittery.

Finally, I picked up a couple items I had been eyeing for a while.  Ulta had L'oreal on sale buy one, get one half off.  I picked up a MagicLumi Corrector/Concealer in light (with high hopes that it will be a dupe for YSL Touche Eclat) and an Infallible eye shadow in Amber Rush.  I haven't done much with the concealer, but the eye shadow is gorgeous.  I love the color, but if I had it to do over, I might opt for something else, since it is in the same color family as the Lorac shadows.

L'oreal Infallible in Amber Rush

That was it for my shopping trip.  Have you tried any of the above products?  Did you ladies score any awesome deals on black Friday?

Talk Soon,

T.

NOTD: Winter Wonderland

Hello Ladies,

It is time for almost time for snow, icicles and the magic of the holiday season!  When I think about winter, I always gravitate toward baby blue and sparkles.  Here is my current manicure, perfect for ice skating with the girls or strolling through a winter wonderland with that special someone :)

Ice, Ice Baby

For this look, I layered Spoiled Use Protection over two coats of Sinful Colors Cinderella.

What are your favorite winter nail looks?

Talk Soon,

T.

Review: Real Techniques Stippling Brush

Hey Ladies,

I have wanted a stippling brush for a while but wanted to find one that met my needs and my budget.  I had heard a lot of buzz surrounding the Real Techniques brushes.  As a side note, they are designed by Samantha Chapman, one half of the YouTube beauty sensation Pixiwoo. 

The brushes were on sale buy one get one half off at Ulta, so I decided to pick one up.

Photo From: http://www.beautyinmymind.com/random/real-techniques-stippling-brush-review/

First off, the brush is really cute.  It is pink and free standing, so it looks really adorable on my vanity.  It is also very functional.  I have been using it for about a week and am impressed with the flawless finish it gives my foundation.  The brush can also be used to apply highlighter or blush.  It is a very handy tool.

One of the coolest things about Real Techniques is that you can go to the website and see demonstrations on how to use all the tools.  I think this is a great idea for those ladies who are new to makeup or more experienced gals looking for some new tricks.

I also picked up the Starter Set, which features five brushes for creating eye looks.  I haven't used it enough to do a proper review, but I will post after I have some more time with it.

Photo from Amazon

The Real Techniques brushes are color coded by purpose.  Gold are base brushes, purple are eye brushes and pink are finishing brushes.  However, as mentioned with the stippling brush, they are versatile and can be used for many different things.

The stippling brush retails for $9.99, and I highly recommend checking it out.

Talk Soon,

Tiff

Feeling Overwhelmed

Hello Lovely Ladies,

This post is just to vent and blow off some steam.  I am so stressed right now.  Most of the stuff I am dealing with is day-to-day stuff like my weight, my finances, the lack of a fulfilling career, etc.  In the grand scheme of things, I know everything will work itself out, but sometimes, I just feel overwhelmed.  So... I am turning to you for advice :)

1) Weight struggles: Can you recommend a good eating plan and/or exercise routine?  I have tried WW and had success, but I am not sure I want to do it again.  My sister is doing MediWeightloss and loves it, but it is kind of pricey. 

2) Money problems: I am 26 and in a stable relationship with a steady income.  At some point, I want to buy a house, have kids and retire, so I know I need to be saving.  What are your recommendations for saving vs. spending income? 

3) My job is a bit boring, but I am so lucky to have one in this economy.  I am on the hunt for something new and exciting and in the mean time, I am filling my time with new hobbies (like blogging) and volunteering.  What are your hobbies?  Any good volunteer organizations I should check out?

Alright ladies, the ball is in your court!  Can you help me out!  If you have any questions, want some advice or just want some support.  Please feel free to leave a comment.

Talk Soon,

T.

My New Watch

Hey Ladies,

I had been thinking about jumping on board the watch train for a while, but I have never been great about keeping up with watches.  Since I didn't want to put a lot of money into this purchase, I went bargain hunting at one of my favorite places, Kohl's.

I ended up with an Armitron NOW Rose Gold Tone Crystal and Mother of Pearl Watch.  It is so pretty!

I think it looks like it was WAY more than $30!

Plus, I got a great deal.  It was orginally $84.99 and was on sale for $63.74.  I had $30 in Kohl's cash from previous purchases and got 15% for using my Kohl's card (which I pay off every month).  I couldn't believe I got such a cute watch for under $30!

Have you had any excellent shopping finds lately?  Tell me all about it in the comments :)

Watch: http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-826961/armitron-now-rose-gold-tone-crystal-mother-of-pearl-watch-753689mprg.jsp

Talk Soon,

T.

Sephora In the Glow Set

Hello Lovely Ladies,

It is the most wonderful time of the year!  I love love love all the makeup palettes and gifts sets that come out during the holiday season.  I am trying a few different things this year, and I will be sharing my thoughts with all of you.

I recently purchased the Sephora In the Glow set.  It retails for $45 at Sephora and Sephora.com.  The kit includes three highlights, three blushes and three bronzers. 

Pic from Sephora

Please note: These are NOT full-size products.
Check it out here for full details: http://www.sephora.com/in-the-glow-set-P376730?skuId=1453935

First Up: Highlights

L to R: Benefit, Lorac, Bare Minerals

Benefit High Beam
I have tried Benefit High Beam many times before, so I wasn't super excited that it was included in this kit.  It is a nice highlight, pinkish in color and very shimmery.  It gives the skin a nice, dewy finish, so I find it is ideal for highlighting my cheeks in the winter months when I want a little extra glow.

Lorac Perfectly Lit Oil-Free Luminizing Powder in Spotlight
This was the highlight I was most excited about because I had heard rave reviews on beauty blogs and YouTube.  I felt it lived up to the hype.  Spotlight is yellow toned and far less shimmery than Highbeam.  I like that it warms up my face without making me too shiny.

bareMinerals All Over Face Color in Pure Radiance
This was the biggest surprise of the bunch for me.  I am not the hugest fan of Bare Minerals All Over Face Colors because my only previous experience was with Warmth.  It was much too dark for my skin and was difficult to blend.  However, Pure Radiance is wonderful!  The finish is so gorgeous, almost iridescent and lovely on the skin.  I wasn't expecting to like this one, but I really, really do.

From L to R: Benefit, Lorac, Bare Minerals

Next: Bronzers

L to R: Too Faced, Laura Mercier, NARS

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder
Again, I was super excited for this one because of positive reviews on YouTube.  It smells like chocolate, which is kind of cool, and it has a nice, matte finish to it that I really like in a bronzer.  Overall, I was underwhelmed by this product.  It is functional, but it doesn't blow away other (and often less expensive) bronzers that I have tried.

Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc in Golden Mosaic
As mentioned above, I tent to gravitate toward matte bronzers, so I was leery of this one.  The colors are gorgeous!  I have actually been using them as eyeshadows, and the staying power is really good.  As a bronzer, this one would be nice for summer, as it gives more of a summer glow. 

Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna
Matte bronzer that lives up to the hype.  It looks dark in the pan but blends well on the skin.  My biggest gripe is that this sample is teeny-tiny.

From L to R: Too Faced, Laura Mercier, NARS

Finally: Blushes

From L to R: Stila, Tarte Amazonian Clay, Tarte Cheek Stain

Stila Convertible Color in Peony
This multi-purpose product can be used on cheeks or lips.  While I found it was okay as a cream blush, I really liked it as a lip color.  I haven't really found a product from Stila that is a must-have, and I wouldn't consider this blush to be one either.  It was nice to try though, and it did have good staying power.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Splendor
Glitter bomb!  That being said, I do really like it.  It is a gorgeous bright pink that gives the cheeks a nice rosy finish.  It does have some glitter to it, but it didn't leave glitter chunks on my face.

Tarte Natural Cheek Stain in Flush
This was my favorite of the blushes.  It looks really dark but blends well and is surprisingly wearable.  This is also a shade that would look good on a variety of skin tones.  It smells sort of lemon-y, which I thought was a pleasant surprise.

From L to R: Stila, Tarte Amazonian Clay, Tarte Cheek Stain

Overall Thoughts:  It is a great little kit!  If you break it down, you are spending about $5 per product.  Since the full-sizes of these products are big bucks, this gives you a good opportunity to try them out and see which ones really work for you.  It is also great that you can mix and match the products to achieve your own perfect look.  I highly recommend this product as a gift (for yourself or a friend)!

Talk Soon,

T.

Product Review: Tarte Rest Assured Brightening Wand

Hey Ladies,

I recently placed a Tarte order and needed one last little thing to qualify for free shipping.  I added the Tarte Rest Assured Brightening Wand for just $10 and wanted to do a quick review for you all.

The product can be found here: http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-rest-assured

It is a double-ended want with a peachy toned liner on one end and a shimmery highlight (think Benefit High Beam) on the other.  It can be used to make your face look a bit perkier on days when you are feeling less than your best.



Swatches of both ends of the product
Top: Liner
Bottom: Highlighter



Before Applying the Brightening Wand



After Using the Wand



You can use the liner in just the corners of your eyes, to make your eyes look bigger and more awake, and the highlighter can be used on your cheeks, cupid's bow or even as an eyebrow highlight.  In the picture above, I lined my water line with the liner and used the highlight on my cheeks.

Final thoughts: I do think the liner makes my eyes look bigger and thus, more awake.  The highlighter is nice and brightens up the face.  Overall, the product does what it claims to do.  I do not think this is a must-have item, but for $10, it is nice. 

What do you ladies think?  What are your favorite products for making your face more lively?

Talk Soon,

T.

Liebster Award

Hey Ladies,

Sparklegirl (http://sparkle101-sparklegirl.blogspot.ca/) nominated me for this award.  Definitely check out her blog if you have a chance :)  Her caramel popcorn recipe looks devine!

Here are the rules:
1.When you receive the award, thank the person who gave it to you and post the link to his/her blog in your post. 
2. Post eleven random things about yourself
3. Answer the eleven questions that the tagger has set for you and post your answers to your blog
4. Choose eleven inspiring bloggers with under 200 followers. Link their pages in your post and create eleven questions for them to answer.
5. Go to their pages and tell them.
6. No tag backs!

Got it?  Here we go!

Eleven Things About This Twenty-Something

1) I have a master's degree in public policy.
2) I love South Carolina's weather and want to live there.
3) I like to read, especially "chick lit."
4) I am really into the show Parenthood at the moment.
5) I hate scary movies.  Eek!
6) I have a dog.
7) I have a sister.
8) I never wear rings.
9) I want to find a job that I am really passionate about.
10) I love chewing gum.
11) I hate to run.

1. Why did you start your blog?

I started my blog because I love reading other people's blogs, especially those about beauty and lifestyle.

2. Whats your favorite organizational advice?

Pick out your clothes (including undies) the night before and lay everything out.

3. Whats your favorite colour and why?

Pink- it is such a happy color!

4. Do you prefer high end makeup or drugstore?

I love both, but I have more drugstore makeup because it is more affordable.  I am a junkie for Revlon lip products and Urban Decay eye shadows.

5. Who is your favorite youtube beauty guru to watch?

Tanya Burr

6. If you could have one thing in the whole world what would it be?

For my entire family to be happy and healthy indefinitely.  If we are talking material possessions, I would never say no to a cute apartment in Paris <3

7. What are you dressing up for Halloween as ?

Sadly, nothing.  The bf and I are skipping Halloween to stay home and clean. 

8. What would you like to be when your older or out of school?

A mommy :)

9. Whats your Favorite season?

Summer

10. Whats your Favorite beverage to drink?

Dr. Pepper!

11. Whats your favorite hair style to wear?

A somewhat sad looking ponytail on lazy days, ringlets when I am feeling fancy :)

Eleven Inspiring Bloggers:

http://www.dressedinthecity.com/2012/10/flowers-and-frills.html
http://london-bredladieswholunch.blogspot.com/
http://sarahstitch-knitandsew.blogspot.com/
http://dreaming-daffodils.blogspot.ca/
http://scolvinbeauty.blogspot.com/
http://smokingpeaches.blogspot.com/
http://blushingantics.blogspot.com/
http://fantasticadventuresofme.blogspot.com/
http://dress-it-up-6.blogspot.com/
http://beautybyalexiajade.blogspot.com/
http://www.beautymoxie.com/


Eleven Questions:

1) What is your favorite part of being a blogger?
2) What time do you get up in the morning?
3) Where would you like to travel in the next year?
4) Who is your role model?
5) Who should pay on a first date?
6) How did you come up with your blog name?
7) If you had to eat one food every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
8) Do you live in the city, the suburbs or way out in the sticks?
9) What is your favorite store for clothing?
10) Which (if any) monthly subscription service is your favorite?
11) What are you most looking forward to about the holidays?

Alright, blog away.  I look forward to reading each and every one.

Talk Soon,

T.

A to Z of Beauty Tag

Hey Ladies,

Two of my favorite beauty gurus, Fleur de Force and Louise from Sprinkle of Glitter, recently did a YouTube video on beauty products from A to Z.  The video is below, so definitely check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LMmXRNsXag&feature=g-all-u

I thought it was a cool idea, so I wanted to do a quick post using this tag.  If you want to do it too, just pick a beauty related brand for each letter in the alphabet and choose your favorite product from that brand.

Picture from Sephora

Almay Line Smoothing Concealer
Buxom Lip Tarnish Scandal
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
Deborah Lippman The Stripper to Go
Essie Penny Talk
Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment
Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes Waterproof Mascara
Herbal Essences Touchably Smooth Smoothing Mousse
Inglot Eye Shadows (want to try)
Julep Jennifer

Picture from Sephora

Korres Pomegranate Face Wipes
Lorac Perfectly Lit Oil-Free Luminizing Powder
MAC Lipstick in Angel
NYX Megashine Lipgloss in Beige
OPI Every Month is Oktoberfest (want to try)
Philosophy Purity Made Simple Face Wash
Q-Tips
Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation
Stila Convertible Color in Peony
Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Splendor

Picture from Drugstore.com

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Blunt
Versace Bright Crystal
Wet N Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow in Nutty
X
Youngblood Mineral Primer
Zoya Nail Polish in FeiFei

Picture from Amazon

Picture from Sephora

Picture from Zoya

Talk Soon,

T.

Bargain Polish Smackdown: Sinful Colors vs Spoiled by Wet N Wild

Hello Ladies,

Over the last week, I have gone polish crazy!  In particular, I wanted to check out two bargain polishes: Sinful Colors and Spoiled.  Both are regularly $1.99 a bottle.  You can get Spoiled exclusively at CVS, and Sinful Colors is sold at Walgreens.  I had never purchased either brand, but this week, there was a 2/$3 sale on Spoiled and a .99 sale on Sinful Colors.  I bought two of each and will share my thoughts below.

L to R: SC Ciao Bella, SC Cinderella, Sinful I Got So Plastered,  Sinful Distant Memory

Initial Thoughts: The color selection from both brands is great.  Spoiled comes in 72 shades, and Sinful Colors releases collections periodically.  The packaging is very similar (nothing special), and the prices can't be beat!

First up, Spoiled by Wet N Wild :)  All photos are two coats and no top coat.

My favorite color of the four ended up being Spoiled I Got So Plastered.  It is a really pretty metallic pinkish brown, almost a rust color.  I love the finish on this one because metallics tend to be forgiving, and my painting isn't always the best.

The brushes on the Spoiled polishes are a bit wide, which I don't mind.  However, if you have small nails or want to get elaborate with your designs, this brush will not work.  The formula is think and opaque with two coats!

Next, I tried Distant Memory by Spoiled.  This color was opaque after just one coat, but I did two anyway. The weird thing about this polish was the finish was matte.  I don't mind a matte finish, but this one looked chalky and made my nails look dry. A top coat would be a fast fix, so I will probably never wear this polish without one.

On to Sinful Colors...

Ciao Bella is a gorgeous deep blue with a hint of shimmer.  I fell in love with it as soon as it was on my nails.  The SC formula is not as thick as Spoiled, and the brush is much thinner.  I found the opacity of this polish to be good and was pleased with just two coats. 

Last up is SC Cinderella.  This is the polish I was most excited about in the bottle, but I disliked it the most of the bunch.  The formula is so thin, and this polish is so pale.  As you can see, two coats did not do the job.  Plus, it was runny and took forever to dry.  The previous three shades took a while to dry (no longer than a Revlon Colorstay Polish on my nails but longer than Essie), but this one was tacky for a half hour after painting my nails.

Winner of this Smackdown: For me, it is definitely Spoiled.  I was able to wear the polish for about three days without chipping.  The SC polishes both chipped within a day.

For under $2, I would recommend trying both brands to see which works best for you.  When I want a bright, cheap color, I will be reaching for Spoiled.

Have you tried either of these brands?  What are your thoughts?

Talk Soon,

T.