Influenster VoxBox Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Total Knockout Challenge: Part 3 (Sally Hansen #CSMTKO)

Three days into wearing Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Pat on the Black, I thought I would check in on how the polish is wearing.

On the first day, I noticed minimal tip wear and minor dulling to my top coat (I used Essie Good to Go to decrease drying time). This is typical of what I expect of nail polishes, if not better than expected. I work in retail and use my hands often, and I honestly expected to see my nails quickly destroyed.

After three days, I haven't noticed much change to my nails. There is still minimal tip wear (of course) but no noticeable chipping. This is atypical, as polishes have usually chipped by the third day for me! Consider me impressed!

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Pat on the Black after 3 days of wear

Honestly,  I think my only real complaints about this polish would be that I did not like the large brush size, although I think you can work with it, and I did not personally like the colors I was sent. I don't traditionally see an appealing color selection of Sally Hansen nail color products in stores I frequent, but I do see colors on the website that interest me.

For more information on Sally Hansen products or the Complete Salon Manicure Total Knockout Challenge, visit the following sites:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

Influenster VoxBox Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Total Knockout Challenge: Part 2

What I Did
On my left foot, I painted Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Red My Lips. On my right foot, I used a similar shade from a competing brand, Essie Size Matters. To both hands, I applied Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Pat on the Black.

Application
Contradictory to benefits promised of Sally Hansen, I did face slight problems in color coverage and streaking.  Particularly with the darkest shade, Pat on the Black, I noticed that the first layer went on somewhat sheerly. This was easily solved with a second coat but left a bit of a mess around the edges, where my brush strokes did not line up exactly.

Brush Size
Although many women apparently preferred Sally Hansen's larger than average brush, I did not. I painted one foot with an Essie polish (known for tiny brushes) and one with Sally Hansen Red My Lips. The toes I painted with the Essie polish (in a similar shade) went on noticeably neater, quicker, and left a nice pedicure. On both my toes and finger nails, I struggled more than usual with the Sally Hansen brush. I took more time trying to "paint between the lines" and required more cleanup than usual.

Finish
Once a second layer was added, I did notice an adequate shine to the polish that I haven't necessarily seen with all other brands. I would be content wearing this polish with a top coat, if I weren't so impatient about drying time. (Because of this, I went ahead and added Essie Good to Go top coat.) However, I would not equate the finish to that of a gel manicure.

Overall
Likes:

• Glossy finish
• Consistency -- neither too thin nor too thick

Dislikes:

• Some streaking/lack of coverage on first layer
• Brush size too large and clumsy to work with

For now, here's my manicure! (Please excuse my need for a cleanup.)

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Pat on the Black

I'm sure I'll have more to say in a few days' time.

Click here to read part 1 of this review!

Influenster VoxBox Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Total Knockout Challenge: Part 1

For those of you unfamiliar with Influenster, it is a chance for bloggers and other social media users to test out new and repositioned products and spread the word about their experiences. The site describes itself as "the go-to destination for trendsetters who want to be rewarded for their influence." To qualify, a user must create an account, fill in basic personal information, and perform a few activities to draw credibility to their social influence and relevance to the product, including things like reviewing similar products on the site or filling out prequalification surveys.

Enough of the boring stuff. I've participated in Influenster challenges before, but this time I was asked to test out Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure nail polish. I was sent three shades: Jaded, a not-quite-pastel/not-quite-midtone jade; Pat on the Black, a deep eggplant; and Red My Lips, a true red.

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Jaded, Pat on the Black, and Red My Lips

A note card included with the polish claims, based on an independent study, women prefer Sally Hansen to Revlon Classic or Essie nail polishes. Benefits of Sally Hansen are said to be color coverage, speed of application, streak free application, brush, and time saved. The brand promises '7 benefits in one bottle:' base coat, strengthener, growth treatment, color, top coat, chip resistance, and gel shine finish.

This week, I'll be testing one (or more) of these polishes, along with polishes of competing brands. Reviews will follow.

FOTD 6-24-2013

Don't you love tees that make statements? I recently found this one at TJ Maxx for $12.99 and found the all-caps "NERD" emblazoned in black glitter just ironic enough but not too ironic. You can't tell from this photo, but the fit is oversized and the sleeves are ultra-low cut-out. It kind of, sort of inspired me to conspire a look around it that was as glam as possible--when you're wearing a cut-out tee, that is.

I've been playing around a bit with my eyeshadow lately, trying to mix it up lately. To be honest, eyes are my beauty weak spot, and I tend to play them down and keep them neutral. Today, I went all out.

Sort of.

I've never worn a smokey eye! The combination of the shirt and the fact that I recently bought MAC Creme D'Nude finally got me there. I won't be listing all the rest of the products I used for this look, as the eyes alone took four different palettes.

Here's a shot of my bathroom counter about halfway through the process.

 

Simple & girly FOTD

Today was an exam day for me, which meant not a lot of time to get ready and MAJOR need for brightening and dark circle repair! (Don't worry--I came back to my apartment and lazed around for a bit before adding the curls later. :P)

My absolute, all-time favorite blush would have to be MAC Unconventional (LE with Taste Temptations collection). It's a pale lilac blush with a frost finish that's ideal for light-skinned, cool toned lovelies looking for a subtle glow. This blush probably wouldn't pack enough punch pigmentation-wise for anyone with medium-dark skin, but it may work in those cases as a nice highlight. Speaking of highlight, I feel zero need to wear one with this blush! (And I LOVE a good highlight!) Needless to say, this product is the star of my look.

MAC Powder Blush in Unconventional

I kept the rest of my face simple but cute and girly, since it is Friday after all, and who knows what I'll be up to later tonight? For eyes, I stuck to a highlight in my inner corners and a thick lashline. So easy.

I finished the look off with my newest Revlon Lip Butter (I think I may be up to 9 now...) in Lollipop. It's a bright, blue-based pink that can look natural or give a pop of color, depending on how it's worn. I love this color!

What I'm Wearing:
Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Normal/Dry Skin in 110 Ivory and 200 Nude (mixed)
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser in Fair
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Spot Eraser in 220 Light
Rimmel Stay Matte in 001 Transparent
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded (inner corners only)
Wet n Wild Mega Liner in 861 Black
Benefit They're Real! Mascara
MAC Powder Blush in Unconventional
MAC Powder Blush Ombre in Azalea Blossom (purple side to contour)
Revlon Lip Butter in Lollipop

I'd like to do a more in-depth review on the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind concealers (both for dark circles and dark spots--one is a brightener and the other is a regular concealer) at some point. So far, I like both of these products and have been using them pretty much daily.

10 products I would repurchase

If all of your makeup suddenly vanished, which ten products would you immediately repurchase to begin rebuilding your collection?

I gave it some thought, and these are my top ten!

1. Revlon ColorStay Liquid Foundation - 150 Buff
2. MAC Studio Finish Concealer - NC20
3. Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer - Radiant
4. MAC Eyeshadow - Malt
5. Maybelline Rocket Volum'Express Waterproof Mascara - Very Black
6. MAC Powder Blush - Well Dressed
7. Physicians Formula - Mineral Glow Pearls Powder Palette - Translucent Pearl
8. Maybelline Dream Matte Powder - Sand (Medium 0-1)
9. Revlon ColorStay Lip Butter - Creamsicle
10. MAC Satin Lipstick - Daddy's Little Girl (LE)/Snob

For full explanations and more information, watch the video version of this post here!

What are your "Holy Grail" products--those top contenders you absolutely need in your collection?

American Apparel haul & unboxing!

Please take me very seriously.