Essie Bikini So Teeny Nail Polish

 Today I have the best selling Blue Nail Polish from Essie, according to Essie. For some reason I love buying blue nail polish- I don't particularly love wearing it so I don't know why I keep buying it? I have since acknowledged I have a problem and I've stopped. I seem to have re-focused and moved on to buying green nail polish....

Anyway...Essie claims:

Daring meets darling in pretty yet provocative cornflower blue. This sparkling nail polish bares it all with a wink and a smile and no strings attached.

Daring meets darling in Bikini So Teeny, a sparkling cornflower blue nail polish. This shimmery, light blue is your go-to nail color that turns heads at the beach, on vacation, and everywhere in between. Equal parts playful and polished, it's the best blue nail polish for when you want your manicure to do the talking. 

 

RICH COLOR & SHINE: All essie Original nail polishes offer a salon-quality, billion pigment formula that is vegan, providing saturated color payoff and shine in every coat. This is a very old bottle. I've had it for a long time. I have another color that is so similar to this that I really didn't need this. I've also stopped buying duplicates. Yay, me.  Essie is my favorite brand of nail polish. I find it wears the best on my nails. At the time of this picture I've had it on for two days with minimal wear- at least for my nails. 

Sorry about the blurry pictures...

I wish I bought my bottle with the new brush- which just so happens to be my favorite nail polish brush. I have the old style thin brush which works but I prefer the wider rounded shape. It makes painting easy.

This ia two coater- it will be streaky with just one. I find I get decent coverage with two. I've been wearing it for two days (with top and base coat) and it looks decent. I could probably wear it another two days with no major chipping.

As for the color- on my hands I think it's OK. I mostly love it as a pedicure color. It's a pretty cornflower blue/pastel blue that looks very summery. I really enjoy the color and quality of the polish.

Overall, I'm glad it's in my collection. I think it's a good nail polish. Not sure I would buy another bottle though because there are just so many other shades/brands/ colors out there to try. 

Curls Blueberry Bliss Reparative Leave in Conditioner Review

 Have ya'll noticed that AI commercials are starting to pop up on social media? It's the strangest thing- mainly I've started noticing them on wig advertisements. It just kinda feels like you are watching something very creepy and strange but you can't really put your finger on it. I've even seen AI remakes of video's from actual people. It's really so disturbing and I wish there was a button so you can turn it off or block it. I think the craziest thing about it is so many people don't even clock that they are watching AI...they will be like oh this person is so pretty..or the wig is is nice and it's literally all fake. Crazy times.

Curls Blueberry Bliss claims: 

Softening & Nourishing Blueberry Bliss Reparative Leave-in Conditioner Repair, restore, and condition your overworked curls with Blueberry Bliss Reparative Leave-in Conditioner, a top pick for naturally curly, wavy, and coily hair. This hair conditioner features an enriching moisturizing formula infused with blueberry extract, coconut oil, aloe leaf juice, and chamomile extract. Use after the Blueberry Bliss Reparative Hair Mask (sold separately). Make quick work of detangling while helping to repair and restore your curls with this leave-in conditioner. Our curly hair conditioner is perfect for wavy, coily. and curly hair. And the best part? It's free from sulfates, silicones, parabens, or artificial colors. Discover the magic of blueberries with our Blueberry Bliss Collection. Rich in antioxidants and essential vitamins, blueberries are known to shield your curls from environmental damage, preserving their vibrancy. Our formulas help define curls, strengthen hair, and lock in moisture, leaving your curls soft, supple, and hydrated.

Made in USA

It's been awhile since I've used anything from the Curls line..the most recent thing I tried was the Curl Control Jelly. I probably should have purchased both together to see how they work. Actually it's entirely possible I did and just never reviewed this. 

So we shall start with the scent. It smells exactly like those blue icees I used to get in the mall. I don't buy them anymore because they are chock full of high fructose corn syrup- but they bring back a flood of good memories. I like the scent but it isn't strong and it also does not linger. It's more of a leave in that just smells good as you are applying it and then it fades. 

 

The texture is like any other leave in/hair lotion type of product. It applies easily- doesn't pill and layers well with other products.

It just doesn't really do much. I was expecting a bit of hydration or some help with avoiding the crunch when I apply a gel over top and...it just doesn't feel like it does anything. It does say it's supposed to be detangling but I usually only detangle my hair with actual conditioner so...I'm not sure. It might be. If I end up testing it that way- I'll update. 

The price isn't bad-I see it on Amazon right now for less than $10 and I always appreciate when something is $10 or less. I'm not mad at the price at all.

The ingredients are fine. There are no silicones or artificial colors which is always nice to see. It has a few fruit extracts- blueberry (of course) Silk Amino Acids,  Aloe etc. 

ingredients:

Water/Aqua/Eau, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Glycereth-26, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Silk Amino Acids, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Lactobacillus Ferment, Glycerin, Sorbitol, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Trans-Rose Ketone 2, Benzaldehyde, Benzyl Benzoate, Hexamethylindanopyran, Hexyl Cinnamal, Vanillin, Fragrance (Parfum)

Overall, not something I would buy again. It just really didn't do much of anything for my hair.  I think maybe Curls works best for looser type curls but it does look like they are starting to cater more to type 4 hair- so I might have to snag something that is specially made for my hair type to review. 

Tony! Toni! Tone!

When I was in the states, I was a little shocked at how much Tony! Toni! Tone! I heard on the radio- coming up on the youtube mix etc. Also..typing the group name out is a lot from we shall call them TTT from this point on.

We shall start with It Never Rains (In Southern California). I have no idea what this song means but it goes hard. It's the song I think of when I think of the group. Issa bop.

Next up, THE definitive anniversary song. If you have an anniversary and don't play this one, what are you playing? This should be in the rotation. 

I'm not sure how I didn't have this song before- it was a recent download for me. It was a sleeper song for me. 

To be honest- they have quite a bit more songs in the discography that are smooth and easy listening but these are just my favorites. Definitely a group worth checking out. I wish I could have seen them live before one of the lead singers, D'Wayne passed away.

Polenta with Herbed Mushrooms and Mixed Berry Crisp

 Already that time for another food post. Really I should be heading to the grocery store...I've needed to go grocery shopping since last week really and have put it off and opted for an early naps instead....

But I have managed to make two new things. Starting with polenta with mushrooms. This was...OK. I don't think polenta is my favorite thing and I"m also not really a fan of mushrooms. I would really have rather eaten anything else for dinner. But it was heathy and filling and easy to make. Wouldn't make it again though. I made chicken to go along with it because protein.

I feel like I haven't made a dessert in forever so I was really happy to see this pop up. I've made many crisps/crumbles over the years and this is without a doubt my favorite! Per the recipe it's supposed to be strawberry rhubarb- but I made a Rhubarb Crumble last year and didn't really like it so I skipped. Plus I had some frozen fruit/berries in the freezer I wanted to use. It was a mix of blueberries/ blackberries/raspberries/strawberries and it made the BEST filling I have ever made. Also the crumble/crisp on top was good and plentiful. So the fruit to crumble ratio was perfect. This will probably be my go to.  I think this will probably be my go to and I would 200% make this again. I almost want to  make this and mix it into an ice cream. Might do it once I clean out the freezer.

And that's all for now for this week...

LYS Speak Love Glossy Lip Treatment Oil Review

The heat has become unbearable yet again. This is the type of weather where it is really hard to do anything...and so I pretty much haven't been doing much of anything. Except I did cook today...dinner and now dessert in baking in the oven but I really, really had to talk myself into it. 

In the meantime...a lip treatment glossy lip oil review. 

LYS:

An irresistible, high-shine lip treatment oil that replenishes lips with vital moisture for all day hydration.

• Sunflower, Carrot, Sweet Almond & Macadamia Nut Oil | Nourishing blend that helps hydrate and condition lips
• Cold-Pressed Chia Seed Oil | Deeply hydrates and volumizes the look of lips
• Vitamin E | Provides antioxidant benefits for visibly nourished lips

made in taiwan

This is my first product from the brand LYS. I don't know much about the brand- it is supposed to be black owned but then i'e also briefly read it's not really. I'm not sure but a part of the reason I bought it was because it's supposed to be.

Lip Oils were also something that were all the rage awhile back-and to be honest they have never appealed to me. Why would I want oil on my lips? It isn't really going to moisturize the lips and will probably look greasy and slide right off. So I didn't really have any high hopes for the product.

And I should have trusted my instincts on that. I don't like this lip treatment/oil/ grease at all. 

It just feels so thick on the lips and doesn't feel hydrating at all. It has a hint of mint that has mostly faded since I've had the tube so long. 

It does have a bit of a glossy look. I don't really care for a glossy lip in my 'treatment' balms though so it's not really a plus for me. 

I think I'm just old school and much prefer a lip balm. 

The packaging is nice though. It is your regular tube with an opening in it. The lid completely stops the product from coming out because it has its own stopper in it which is nice. And it comes with a ton. It has lasted me for a very long time. But that's mostly because I don't like it so I prefer not to use it. Then I lose it, then I find it. I kinda wish I had lost it permanently so I don't feel obligated to use it.

I've also tried to use it as your would a MAC lipglass- just to make a lipstick looks glossy and I don't recommend it. It feels so thick and then becomes goopy and makes your lips stick to each other. It's really not pleasant. 

Ingredients aren't my favorite. I didn't read the list before I bought it and was expecting something a bit more natural based on the advertised oils. 

ingredients:

 POLYBUTENE, OCTYLDODECANOL, TRIDECYL TRIMELLITATE, HYDROGENATED POLYISOBUTENE, DIISOSTEARYL MALATE, SILICA SILYLATE, ETHYLENE/PROPYLENE/STYRENE COPOLYMER, POLYGLYCERYL-3 DIISOSTEARATE, SYNTHETIC WAX, BUTYLENE/ETHYLENE/STYRENE COPOLYMER, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE, GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) OIL, DAUCUS CAROTA SATIVA (CARROT) ROOT EXTRACT, BETA-CAROTENE, TOCOPHEROL, SALVIA HISPANICA (CHIA) SEED OIL, MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA SEED OIL, PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (SWEET ALMOND) OIL, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS HYBRID (HIGH OLEIC SUNFLOWER) OIL, PHENOXYETHANOL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE (VITAMIN E) , FLAVOR (AROMA), RED 7 LAKE (CI 15850), YELLOW 6 LAKE (CI 15985).

Overall, I really don't like it. I was hoping to change my mind on lip oils and this definitely did not do that. Maybe I should try a more popular one before completely writing them off but that won't be anytime soon.

Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Soap Bar Review

 I've really been meaning to get posts up more regularly...but Jet Lag has been tearing me up.It's crazy because when I went to the states I adjusted rather quickly. But coming back has been HARD. I go to sleep pretty much as soon as I get home. At least I've been cooking a bit more though. I made dinner twice in a row now. A new record for me. 

Anyway...I've got some Jo Malone to review today. 

I've reviewed a bit of the brand- most recently the soaps. She doesn't have a large collection- and I've basically reviewed more than half. 

Jo Malone:

Elevate your daily routine with satiny Pomegranate Noir Soap. With moringa oil and RSPO-certified palm oil, the formula creates a creamy lather, and cleanses and conditions skin. Leave skin scented with this intense, enigmatic fragrance.

Made in England 

I feel like pomegranate scents are kinda rare. The only one I can think of is the Midnight Pomegranate scent that came out a few years ago from Bath and Body Works. I really disliked that scent though. This...I can get behind.

I just think I'm using it in the wrong season though. I really wish I had saved it for fall. I did love the scent upon initial use but as i've kept using it, I'm a bit tired of it. It's a lovely scent though. Definitely on the heavier side and probably best used only on occasion. It's a woody, dark, berry scent. I really couldn't get enough of it when I first used it. It's also scented well so I found it really smelled up the bathroom. Every time I visited, I would be thrown off because how can it smell so good?

And the scent of the soap lingers. 

It lathers well. Rinses clean. Doesn't dry my skin too much.

The only real gripe I have with it is that it seems to melt quickly so it does not last long. DIssapointing for the price. It's also on the smaller side compared to some other more luxury priced soaps. I did buy it on sale though. So that was a win for me. 

Ingredients:

Ingredients: Sodium Palmate, Sodium Palm Kernelate, Water\Aqua\Eau, Fragrance (Parfum), Methyl Gluceth-20, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Palm Acid, Palm Kernel Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Limonene, Bht, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium Edta, Tetrasodium Etidronate <ILN52088>

Overall, definitely my favorite of the soaps I have tried. I don't think it's for everyone. And I would probably only recommend it for cooler weather.