Merry Christmas Eve! "Favorites" posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) "rediscovered" items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month."
I know favorites posts are usually due at the end of the month/first of the following month. But I was afraid I would list all my new Christmas items as my favorites just because they were new and in the spotlight. So to be fair, I'm doing this a little early...
Bath & Body Works - Aromatherapy Sleep - Lavender & Chamomile - I mentioned the pillow mist awhile back, I purchased the lotion and a candle this month. I'm becoming obsessed with the line. I know the two scents are relaxing, but I need to do some research and see if this product really works. Maybe it's all mental, either way, I'm sleeping like a baby, and plan to purchase the rest of the line. (*Fingers crossed* for the Semi-Annual sale having some deals!)
LUSH Christmas Eve Bubble Bar - (not pictured, all crumbled up in Tupperware, already.) Another relaxing scent, it's pretty girly though (Jasmine) that gives mountains of bubbles. I wish this was a permanent scent (or just more products!); I only purchased 3, I should probably go get some more to last me the rest of the year.
MAC Bare Study Paint Pot - With my tan, I was loving Indianwood, (I'm getting paler by the minute...no, for the first time in six years I am not tanning. So it's an excuse to buy lighter shades of makeup.) this is such a pretty color to wear under any eyeshadow or alone.
MAC Bisque Eyeshadow - Another pale shade, I wanted a matte color because I'm tired of a shimmer overload, I've been wearing this every day. (see previous FOTD the post here.)
iPhone Case - I ditched my Otterbox for a clear case that cracked a million times; I randomly came across this one on eBay for dirt cheap, it looks pretty sleek, it's a keeper.
For the holidays, I've been loving glitter polishes. My only complaint is staying power is awful! No matter what base coat, top coat, or normal polish that is combined with these next two polishes didn't help. At least two nails would peel off the following day. Most people can't get glitter polish off; I can't get it to stay on! Any suggestions?
OPI Bring on the Bling - I'd say this was the star of the collection, it was always sold out at my Ulta so I ended up swapping for it on Makeupalley. There are plenty of reviews and raves on this already!
Nicole by OPI Spark my Mistletoe - I was disappointed by one thing about the burlesque collection.... there wasn't a red glitter! Luckily, I bumped into this instead. Over Sephora by OPI Sample Sale, I feel extra Christmas-y!
UPDATES: Room Makeover
Out of boredom, birthday money burning a hole in my pocket, and realizing I will not be moving out until next fall, I decided it was time for a room makeover. I have had the same bedroom theme and decor for almost six years.. (middle school, 7th grade.) A change has been long overdue. I went from a cluttered and busy yellow and pink theme to a clean and relaxing red and black one. I spent a little over a hundred dollars total (my walls and furniture are white so they can go with anything.) A new bedding set and curtains were the "big money" items. A few things just needed to be covered with fabric or black spray paint. Then, I ran to local dollar stores and raided my craft box. I failed to take before and after pictures. Here is a stock photo of the new bedding...
Also, here are my DIY items I am most proud of... they all came from a dollar store yet they do not look like it with some ribbon and jewels. Storage Bins and Makeup Holders. TIP: Use rice instead of bead-filler in your makeup holder.
Embracing Paleness
I have been "fake baking" for the past six years, usually every October-March (sometimes longer.) I have to decided to give my skin a rest. Seeing a pale reflection and pictures is taking some getting used to!
FOTD: using a few of this month's favorites*: MAC Eyeshadow Honesty & Bronze, MAC Technakohl Graphblack Eyeliner, L'Oreal Carbon Black Telescopic Mascara*, NYX Ultra Pearl Mania Nude Pigment*, Clinique Blush in Big, Wet'n'Wild Lipstick in Smokin' Hot Pink*.
Watching a New Show
Everyone always raved about One Tree Hill (season 8 is now airing) but I did not want to dive into it without watching them. I watched the first few episodes (season 1) one Saturday morning on Soap Net about a month ago and decided it was worth a watch. Luckily, I got to borrow them from someone local. I am only on season 4 now, it is a good show, but I am not hooked. (Gossip Girl Season 1: i stayed up for 48 hours and watched the entire box.) I am sure One Tree Hill will get better with time. I like it, but has not made my top 4 TV shows (yet?)
October Favorites
"Favorites" posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) "rediscovered" items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month."
I recently realized I sold all of my larger purses on eBay, leaving me only with hipsters/cross-body bags. For school, I like larger bags, so I splurged a bit and got my second Coach Purse. (Coach OP Art Chainlink Maggie #14420) I love it! It is pretty bag and has tons of compartments, so I can easily find anything I need.
Because of the room makeover and new purse, I stayed away from shopping for beauty products. Most of these are rediscovered items.
Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Sleep Pillow Mist in Lavender and Camille - I had problems sleeping, my mind just would not shut off at night. I was taking some over-the-counter "natural" sleep enhancements, not a good idea, led to breakouts and vivid dreams. I was looking for a healthier option and found this. I can not decide if it is a mental thing or it really does work, either way, I sleep like a baby now and want to check out the other items from this line.
Moroccan Oil Hair Oil - This has been on my want list for some odd number of months. There are plenty of positive reviews out there, I agree with them. It is a bit pricey, yes. (The bigger bottle is a better deal.) I have a head full of long, thick, hair and only need less than a dime size. I have used it every 3-5 days this month and have only used 1/8 of it. Immediately after applying (to dry hair) I can tell a difference.. more shine, less frizz. It smells good, too.
OPI Black Onyx - Just a creamy, somewhat shiny, black. I don't know if I was in the Halloween, rock chick mode, or what, but I kept reapplying this all month.
Physician's Formula Gentle Cover Concealer - I received a sample of this forever ago. I was looking for a good corrector concealer palette, then settled for this instead. I hate concealer and foundation all together and usually, I do not wear it unless I have to. It is getting colder, that means redness around my nose, it kind of gets chapped I guess. (I am not sure, I will have to do some research on it!) Anyway, instead of layering on the concealer, using a corrector is a really good idea.
Wet 'n' Wild Smokin' Hot Pink (905DP) Lipstick - I am loving the Fuschia lip trend. (Not that I can pull it off.) I picked this up for .99 cents, not the greatest formula... it definitely needs a primer before. It is a really pretty color.
LUSH Christmas Eve Bubble Bar - it's back!! I purchased it as soon as it was at my counter and have been letting it smell up my room. This is definitely my favorite Christmas product, maybe even it all time (it ties with sex bomb!) The scent is really girly: jasmine and ying-yang.,, quite floral-y and perfumey. It is a relaxing scent as well. (Which is the point of the bubble bar.. to make little kids fall asleep on Christmas Eve.) Here is a demo... (starting at 1:15) However, I would suggest crumbling half of it under running water instead.
L'Oreal Carbon Black Telescopic Mascara - I have always been into high-end mascaras, for whatever reason I picked this one up awhile back, rediscovered it and it is all ever grab anymore. (2 coats)
NYX Ultra Pearl Mania - Nude Pigment (001) - (Repotted in the picture, the original jar is way too tiny.) A perfect highlight (under brow on cheeks) now that I am a bit paler...
A lot of website traffic comes to this specific post, at least one (often more) Google search a day. I would like to state I now have 15 bottles of OPI polish (purchased from Ulta, Trade Secret, eBay, and received in MakeupAlley swaps) and no two look the same.
According to OPI Twitter, (@OPI_PRODUCTS) "[There is] no sure way to tell unless bottle content [is] tested, unfortunately." Each bottle is formulated differently, meaning different colors, consistencies, and contents. The glass bottle depends on the manufacturing company. The warning labels and green/black labels also vary. The labels are better explained here: Black Label OPIs.
It's going to be hard to tell just by appearance if it's real or fake. If the consistency is different than the rest, then you may have a fake on your hands (or it's been used and diluted with too much nail thinner.) - The best way to avoid this is to purchase from salons or beauty supplies (no eBay, blog sales, or swaps!)
Feel free to comment below with your input/your experiences.
ORGINAL POST:
Today, I received two OPI polishes. Brand New Skates (I ordered it on eBay.) and Black Onyx (Was picked up at State Beauty Supply.) I realized the packaging was completely different. I pulled out my other six polishes, starting examining them and doing research.
NOTICE
I'm not 100% sure what I'm saying below is accurate. Please comment below if you know of a completely accurate link. I just don't want anyone else googling 'fake opi' and freaking out like me! hah.
Both of these websites are repetitive, like one copied the other. They seem so sure in what they're saying as well. Never did they say it's a theory. (The second link compares two real OPI nail polishes.) I also commented saying I doubted her theory, and she deleted it! According to the two sites, only 1 of my 8 polishes is real.
OPI Polish Collection Background eBay
(All from Power Sellers with excellent feedback.)
Brand New Skates
Dulce de Leche
Mod About You
Over the Taupe
Local Cheap-O Beauty Shop
Elephanstic Pink
MUA Swap
At Your Quebec & Call
State Beauty Supply
Black Onyx
Trade Secret Salon
My Private Jet
NONE of my OPI polishes are alike on the glass bottom, back, or label.
Warning Labels
Supposedly according to those sites, the polish I just received from State Beauty Supply (Where all salons go and order for their customers!) was a fake, just because it had 3 warning labels instead of 4. I continued on with my research spree... over time, chemicals and ingredients in the polish have changed. So with different chemicals, it's going to mean different hazardous materials, therefore... different warning labels. Why the font is different, I don't know, I guess OPI wanted a change in appearance. There are also some polishes with only 2 warning labels, I don't own any, but they're out there, and completely legit.
Bottle Spacing & Ridges
Glass bottle manufacturer can't be perfect every time. OPI may change the appearance of their bottles over time too.
Different Color Labels on the Bottom
Black labels are an older formula. Green labels are a newer b3f. Explanation here.
Serial Numbers
I don't know about this. None of my polishes have "engraved" serial numbers. Only two have serial numbers stamped on the bottom glass
Help / Add More Info
Help from MUA (makeupalley.com) Boards I posted a thread similar to this, but more in a freaking out, questioning manner. lol. All of these replies helped me and I thought they should be recognized.
I am not trying to put down or make fun of the two top blogs in any way. Again, when you google 'fake opi' these are the first two things to pop up! I don't believe their information is accurate. MUAers agree. Do you?
I know many of you are bigger polish lovers and polish obsessed than I am; If you have any information you want to correct or add, please let me know. I will add it in and link it to your blog.
The consistency in all 8 of these polishes are the same. I don't know why I doubted them being fake. Don't believe everything on google! Chances are, your OPI polish is real no matter where it came from or how different in appearance they are.
"Favorites" posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) "rediscovered" items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month."
Color Club Magic Attraction
I saw many bloggers post NOTD's with this. I eventually just bought it on eBay. I'm not sure where you can buy this brand... anyone know? It takes 4-5 coats to get the color of the bottle. But I LOVE it, it's holographic glitter than just glistens in the sun. It almost looks like MAC's 3D glitter on your nails.
LUSH Aqua MarinaCleanser
Purchased this without doing any research. I love ocean salt, but I only use it in the shower, I wanted an everyday cleanser. I just bought it out my counter, the LUSH girl told me how to use it. I drove home, and then smelt it.. ick. It reminds me of Sushi. Remind sushi on your face. ick. It's just a seaweed roll. You have to make a paste to use it. The smell eventually grew on me, it started smelling more clean. I use it at night, my face felt so good in the morning. This is supposed to be for sensitive skin. I have normal skin, so I'm not sure about its claim.
MAC Creations Hue: Turquatic
I was tired of my old perfume (Stella) so I purchased this. It's just a clean-cologne smell. It only last a few hours, which is annoying. If it had better staying power, I'd love it.
Joico K-Pak Intense Hydrator
You're supposed to just put this in dry hair and let it set. I've only that once. I've just been using this as a conditioner. It fixed my pool, lake, and ocean hair. Great for summer!
OPI Elephantastic Pink
I've found this being my go-to pedicure color. It's a barbie hot pink.
Palmer's Cocoa Butter
I hate the smell. I hate product food scents. This smells like I'm rubbing a Hershey's chocolate bar on my skin. I was extremely sunburned from the ocean. (for the first time in my life I was peeling, flaky skin. ew.) I was slathering the peeling with aloe vera and baby oil enriched with aloe vera. After a week and a half, I did some research and found out that aloe vera just hydrates your skin, making it feel better, but not healing it. Cocoa butter moisturizes it. So after 2-3 days of using cocoa butter, peeling was gone, and my skin discoloration was gone.
Ms. Manicure Mini Emery Boards
I purchased these forever ago and just threw them in my makeup bag. I find myself needing a nail file all the time lately. They're perfect just to throw in your purse.
MAC Thrills Frost Lipstick
I can't pull off red lipstick. This is just a light, wearable red. I've found myself reaching for this every day.
Maybelline Define-A-Brow
I've been using eyeshadow to fill in my over-waxed, uneven eyebrows. I read reviews on this, and how it was a dupe for MAC's eyebrow pencil. So I went to Wal*Greens and picked it up. I got Light Brown, thinking it was the lightest shade, next time I repurchased I'll get Dark Blonde. The pencil is super dark, you can't press hard at all, but it's a little easier than eyebrow powder or eyeshadow.
Urban Decay Eyelash Primer Potion
This is an HG for me. I had to repurchase it this month, so I felt like I should mention it in this favorite. I've been using it since Christmas. It's a really good primer to make your mascara stay all day.
MAC 239 Eve Shader Brush
I finally forked out the money for my third MAC brush. This should've been the first one I purchased. It can do everything for your eyeshadow, (all over lid color, crease, blend) you just have to clean it multiple times while switching colors.
EOS Lip Balm
I purchased this awhile back. I wasn't sure about it. I like the scent, I don't love it. Summer Fruit. I want to purchase the lemon one if I can ever find it. It has SPF 15, which we all really need for summer. I keep this in my purse and I've been reaching for it quite often. I love the reactions you get while applying it in public, too. haha.
