Clear Plum Polish

:: Orly Beverly Hills Manicure Polish ::

I bought this on a whim because it just looked yummy in the bottle (think the color of the flesh of a plum mixed with the color of pink grapefruit flesh). It's a sheer, plum color that looks a bit more unique and polished than just using clear. It gives your nails a healthy, plump look, and by plump I mean it looks like the blood is flowing well into your finger tips. I also love that Orly polishes have a rubberized handle/grip. Great design.

*Pictured second from right.

HIP Shadow

Loving these shadows. They aren't the kind of thing I wear every day, but when I'm feeling foxy I pull these out. I am in love with the deep, jewel tones that somehow manage to stay subtle. I own three: the two above, and a bright green with a darker, olive green. I use Clinique's Touch Base for Eyes underneath to make sure the color stays put all day. If you haven't used Touch Base, you should try it. It's magic.

:: L'Oreal HIP High Intesity Pigment Shadow Duos ::

Good things:

1. Gorgeous colors, go on pretty transparent despite the name. I dampen the brush a bit for a more saturated application.
2. Cute packaging.
3. $6.99 a piece. Cheap!

Bad things:

1. When I see the name High-Intensity, I kind of expect a lot of pigmentation. It's annoying that these aren't more vivacious, but it does prevent you from leaving the house looking like a freak.
2. I've read reviews where people have allergic reactions to this, so be careful if you have sensitive eyes/skin. I have both, but these didn't bother me at all.

Natural Snatch, er Match.

First off, I want to confess that I originally bought this for one reason: Penelope Cruz has a crazy sexy voice and when I see her in a commercial saying something to me, I believe it because I want her desperately.

Now, moving on... my natural hair color is a medium auburn. Most of the time I love my real color. But, I am a creature that loves variety, so I often color my hair as a means of dealing with crisis, or injecting drama into a boring period, etc. etc.

Lately I am addicted to chocolate brown hair. The problem with at-home coloring is that my hair always ends up either dark, reddish brown, or black. Not *chocolate* brown. The red always wants to come out and going darker just makes it look flat and black.

L'Oreal Natural Match in shade 4C (Dark Ash Brown) is the first hair color I've had success with at home. I've used this twice now and have been extremely happy both times. The Natural Match line gives you the option of going cool (eliminating red or brassy tones), warm, neutral, or red.

:: L'Oreal Natural Match Hair Color ::

Good Things:

1. The colors are true to life. They look like your hair, but better. The 4C for me is a deep, rich, velvety chocolate brown.
2. It makes my hair shiny. I have naturally shiny hair but coloring usually dries it out. My hair looks better after using this.
3. Smells good.
4. At less than $10, very affordable.

Bad Things:

1. The first few days it seems darker than it should, but after a few washings it tames down to the luscious color you're expecting.
2. The whole idea of this hair color is that you don't stray too far from your natural color. Not recommended if you're looking for drastic change.
3. Penelope Cruz was not in my box.

*All hair responds to color differently. Please do not blame me if you use this product and don't like it.