Review: Spoiled by Wet n Wild Nail Color

Shades from Left to Right:  Pick Your Poison, Shrimp on the Barbie, Toad-Ally Amazing, Pumping Gas

OVERALL RATING: 9/10

PROS:  Long-wearing, large color selection, opaque, large brush for complete coverage, colors are true to the bottle

CONS:  Some brushes have frayed bristles


My obsession du jour has recently been nail polish. In the past several months alone, I've more than doubled my collection.  I blame Pinterest.

However, I've managed to expand my collection without breaking the bank.  I've fallen in love with a drugstore line!

Wet n Wild, known for their extremely inexpensive yet relatively high-quality cosmetics, has released a new line of professional-quality nail polishes available exclusively at CVS.  The line is called Spoiled, and the polishes cost only $2 a piece!

The polishes themselves are very true to the color of the bottle.  I have only used "Pick Your Poison" and "Pumping Gas" so far out of the four I own, because those are the more fall/winter appropriate colors.  Both colors look exactly the same dry on my nails as they do in the bottle.

The brushes that come with the polish are very wide, so it's easy to cover almost the whole nail at once.  The colors are also very opaque, so you're usually good to go after just one coat.  The only issue that I have experienced with this line is that some of the brush bristles are a little frayed out, which can be problematic when working with precise paint application!  This is not the case for all of the bottles, though, and the brushes that don't have this problem are fantastic.

I have had these polishes last up to two weeks without any chipping, which is remarkable considering how much I use my hands!  Other polishes usually chip within the first few days for me.

Overall, I would highly recommend these polishes to someone who can't afford more expensive brands like OPI, Essie, or Zoya.  These get the job done just as well, and with so many colors to choose from,  there's no need to splurge when you can save!

Have you used any of the Spoiled polishes?  Which shade is your favorite?  Let me know in the comments!

Instant Relaxation Made Possible

Top:  Dr. Teal's Foaming Milk Bath with Milk and Honey - $6
Bottom:  Bath and Body Works Luxe Bath in Sleep; Warm Milk and Honey - $17

For those of you who are not yet in college, don't remember college, or are in denial about college, let me tell you: finals suck.  I was carrying so much stress and tension in my body after finishing my finals today that my muscles actually began to hurt.  Not to mention that my skin has been acting up because of the dry winter weather.  Ugh.

The nice thing about finishing finals, though, is that I'm able to come home from school.  Home, for me, means comfort, family, and a big-ass jacuzzi bathtub. 

After hearing about my stress, tension, and dry skin, my incredible mother went out and got be a few things to help me unwind.  One of them was Dr. Teal's Foaming Milk Bath with Milk and Honey, which is incredibly affordable and is supposed to soothe dry, irritated skin.  The other was from Bath and Body Works' aromatherapy line; their Sleep: Warm Milk and Honey Luxe Bath.  Apparently she'd had that one stashed away somewhere for a while, because as far as I know, it's now discontinued.

I put a generous amount of both in the tub, let the water run until it was steaming, and soaked for a good 45 minutes.  Let me tell you, I have never been more relaxed in my life.  Not only did the milk bath moisturize my skin and repair some of the dry, cracked areas, but the scent was enough to send me straight to heaven and back while allowing me to unwind.

Both of these products are a must for anyone with dry winter skin or someone who just struggles with stress and needs a little relaxation.  The Luxe Bath from B&BW has been discontinued in that particular scent, but I have a feeling that their new bath soak in Honey Vanilla will substitute nicely.

Have any of you used either of these products before?  Have a relaxing bath time story to share?  Let me know in the comments!

Sweet dreams!

Newest Beauty Buy: elf Studio Blush in Candid Coral

While shopping at Target the other day for something completely unrelated, I once again found myself in the cosmetics section of the store.  I was thrilled to find that they had an elf display--they seem to be hard to find where I'm from!

I had been reading a lot about elf's Studio Blushes, particularly a shade called "Candid Coral."  According to the blogosphere, Candid Coral is a close dupe for the ever-coveted NARS Orgasm shade.  Well, it was only $3 compared to the $26 I would have to shell out for an Orgasm compact, so I snatched it up!

I've only used it a few times, but I have to say that I'm super impressed!  The product is silky soft, and is a perfectly flattering shade for my skin tone.  It gives me a subtle flush that looks natural, but with the slightest bit of gold shimmer.  I don't own NARS Orgasm blush, but I imagine that this comes pretty close!

Also, the packaging for this product is unreal for only $3.  It's a hard, sleek black plastic that is sturdy and reliable.

For such an unbelievably low price, this is my new go-to blush!  I plan on picking up a few more shades to test out as well, and may deliver a full review with swatches when I have some more!

Have you used elf Studio Blush?  What do you think?  Which shade is your favorite?  Let me know in the comments!

Review/Swatches: COVERGIRL Blast Flipstick

OVERALL RATING: 10/10

PROS:  Long wearing, two in one, expertly coordinated shades, creamy/soft texture, blendable formula, large shade variety

CONS:  None!

Swatches at bottom of post

I'm going to be honest here:  I haven't been a fan of Covergirl cosmetics for a long time.  In my opinion, they're usually cheaply made and low-pigmented.  They just don't do it for me.  This product completely changed my opinion of the brand.

When BzzAgent offered me the opportunity to test out Covergirl's new Blast Flipstick for free, there's no way I could say no.  Free cosmetics?  Of course I'm going to opt in!  And boy, am I glad I did.  I'm so pleasantly surprised by this product that I just had to share!

Review/Video: Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips

OVERALL RATING: 9/10

PROS: Results in just three days, whitens teeth effectively, enamel safe, cheaper than other whitening treatments, easy to use, stays on teeth

CONS:  Funny taste, expensive, leaves temporary white spots on teeth


I received my Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips for free from Influenster as part of a special program for members, and I was so excited to get them!  I had been feeling a little self-conscious about my smile, so these came at a perfect time.

Review: LypSyl Intense Protection LypMoisturizer™

OVERALL RATING:  10/10


PROS:  All-natural ingredients, long-lasting, incredibly moisturizing, unique shape, great packaging, minty flavor, not tested on animals

CONS: None!

This has to be my favorite product that I received in my Naturals Voxbox from Influenster.  I'm a lip product junkie, so I was really excited to get a product that could help keep my lips soft and ready for cosmetics!  Before I got this product, I had been using Burt's Bees lip balm, which is good, but nothing compared to LypSyl!  This is definitely going to be my new go-to lip balm brand.

Pretty Much is Back (and with a new VoxBox)!

Hey, everyone!

First of all, I'd like to apologize for the very long hiatus.  School, work, and rehearsal have been eating up all of my free time, but my life is finally calming down again!

I have plenty new product reviews on the way, so keep an eye out and be sure to check back regularly.

I also just received this little beauty to the right--the Naturals VoxBox from Influenster!  It has several fantastic, eco-friendly beauty products that I've been integrating into my routine, so expect more reviews about some green beauty products in the next few weeks.

Thanks for bearing with my absence, and I can't wait to start bringing you more reviews of my favorite products again!

Comments and questions are always welcome and encouraged, so if you have anything to say, feel free to speak up!

Thanks again for sticking with Pretty Much!

Anna