NOTD: China Glaze "Smoke and Ashes" (Hunger Games Collection)

Since I've been back into reading the Hunger Games Trilogy recently, I decided to be a little festive by using a nail polish from the China Glaze Hunger Games collection. This polish is "Smoke and Ashes", which represents District 12 (The district of Katniss, Peeta, Gale, Haymitch).

Artifical Light

Natural light

This polish wore 3 days with lots of wear at the tips and some other chipping. It only took one coat to apply, and the formula was just the right thickness. The only downside to this polish for me was the major chipping and not so great wear time! I'm sure with a better top coat, you could get pretty good wear (I use Sally Hansen Shine Effects).

Review: Olay Fresh Effects Bead Me Up Cleanser

Recently, I picked up a new facial cleanser after running dangerously low on my Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Acne Cleanser. My Target had a very limited selection of cleansers I had already tried and weren't in love with... until I stumbled upon this at the end of the isle on a separate display. The pretty print on the packaging drew me in. Plus, it was contained exfoliating beads, which eliminated an extra step from my skincare routine. So, I bought it!

I've used it for a little over a week as I'm writing this post, and so far I really like it.

When squeezing it out, you can't see large exfoliating beads.

Pros: exfoliates (although the beads are EXTREMELY tiny, almost invisible), definitely feels like it's actually cleaning out your impurities, doesn't dry out your skin

Cons: lots of artificial fragrance (one of the ingredients listed is actually "fragrance/parfum") which concerns me and many others because the chemicals they use for the fragrance may irritate sensitive skin (although I haven't experienced this so far), also doesn't contain any acne-fighting ingredients (salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide)

Fragrance/Parfum in the ingredients list

So far, I would give this cleanser a pretty positive review. Lately, my skin has been getting a lot better. However, I cannot attribute this completely to the cleanser, as I have been doing an entire skincare routine lately.

Nutrition/Fitness: Week 1 Progress!

Ever since I was young, I've had bad eating habits. I ate out of pure boredom more than anything. During the summer of 2012, I decided to try to change my lifestyle. From July 2012-September 2012, I lost about twenty pounds. I went from 165 to around 145. Then, my birthday came... Long story short: cake, pizza, leftovers. I started to realize what I was "missing" and quickly went back to my own habits. I no longer counted calories, and felt myself gaining weight. I was so scared to look on the scale and see that all of my hard work for those 3 months went to waste. The first day of the year in 2013, I decided to finally weigh myself and recommit. I was 155, ten pounds short of my weight 6 months before. It could have been worse, I thought. From January to April, I shed about 18 more pounds. I was 137. All the counting calories and being obsessed with weight got to me, and I felt deprived. I began binge eating in May, almost just because I could. I was eating anything and everything. Last Saturday, I decided I no longer wanted to live in denial. After about two and a half months, I stepped on the scale. I had gained 8 pounds and gotten back to 145. Not too bad, if you factor in what I was eating. I thought I was going to step onto the scale and see 180 or 185 or something drastic.

Now that I've told you that long-winded story of my progress so far, I wanted to blog about my weekly weigh-in and what I've done this week.

Starting Weight: 145.7 lbs
Ending Weight: 141.3 lbs

What I did:

-MY DIET-
I ate when I was hungry and tried not to deprive myself, since that only leads to binge eating. I ate lots of Special K! Protein cereal, which I've found keeps me feeling full longer. I snacked on Chobani Greek Yogurt tubes, which I froze. I ate fistfuls of trail mix, as well. For dinners, I ate hamburgers with veggies and peanut butter sandwiches with lots of fruit.

-MY EXERCISE-
I ran cross country twice this week, and did some blogilates videos. I jogged on incline on the treadmill and walked my dogs.

Mani Monday: 1st Attempt at a Black & Gold Half Moon Manicure!

For today's mani Monday, I decided to try some simple nail art. I attempted a black and gold half moon manicure. It turned out pretty mediocre in my opinion. I don't think it looks great by any means. Alas, here it is!

Artificial light

Natural light

Bronze/Gold Color= Sinful Colors "Super Nova"
Black Color= Petite "Night" (found at Walmart)

I HATE the formula of "Super Nova". It is clumpy and bubbles up when it dries. I'll probably do a post on this by itself one day. However, it was the only bronzey/gold color I owned. Plus it took forever to dry, and when I used the circular sticker to aid the manicure, it would stick to the bronze color and take it off. Also, it was hard clean up around the edges, since it's a glittery polish.

The next time I'll try this manicure, I'll make sure to do a thin coat of the bronze color on all my nails first and let it dry for about 20 minutes to make sure it won't be removed by the sticker. Also, maybe I'll invest in a better gold polish so it will look a little nicer. I'm thinking about purchasing Orly's "Rage". If you own it, please leave your thoughts.

This manicure lasted for 4 days on me.

NOTD: Icing "Lang Lo"

If you don't already know, Icing is mainly an accessories store (kind of a more adult version of Claire's). Their nail polishes retail for $4.50. This is the color called "Lang Lo" and it's a true red color with tiny silver shimmers that barely show up when the nail polish is actually applied. This was opaque in two coats and was not streaky. I was pleasantly surprised with the formula, as it was actually better than some of my higher end polishes despite its low cost. I wore this polish for 3 days before taking it off to apply another polish. I had slight chipping on the ends of the nails where growth had occurred. 

Inside, artificial light

Outside, natural light

Close-up 

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September Favorites!

Here's a look at some products I've been loving for the month of September.

Revlon nail polish in "Charming" 

I love the consistency, formula, brush, and overall application. It's very user friendly and ensures that you don't have to go get your nails done by professionals to get nice looking nails.

Eos Lip Balm in "Strawberry Sorbet" 

I love the feeling it gives to your lips. It's not greasy and it really sinks into your lips.

Eos shave cream "Pomegranate Raspberry" 

You can shave completely dry because of the amazing lotion consistency. I love the packaging and the pump is very practical. 

L'oreal Infallible "Iced Latte"

Gives a beautiful frosty look to the eyes, helps create illusion of brighter, more awake eyes. 

Mac "Dame" blush

Gives a pretty glow, has a satin finish that makes your face look doll-like and flawless. 

Cardigans!

Perfect for transitioning to fall, great layering staple.