The Gilded Lily Supports Gay Marriage- Rainbow Pride Gradient Manicure

Here at The Gilded Lily we believe that everyone should be free to love whomever they choose to do so. That’s why we believe in showing our support for gay marriage in the upcoming election and you can join in, by trying out our lovely rainbow gradient manicure.

Gradient manicures are artistic and fun, but very simple to recreate at home. The key is using very thick, pigmented nail polishes that don’t need more than one coat to be opaque. Stay away from metallics or anything with glitter. You’ll also need some cosmetic wedge sponges, base coat and top coat. Another way to make sure this manicure is successful is to start off with a thick white polish. You’re going to need a selection of twelve polishes that follow the colors of the rainbow in a gradient (start with a red, then a reddish orange, then a yellowish orange, then yellow and so on and so forth…) Here are the following shades used for this tutorial:

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in White Out

Essie nail polish in Silken Cord

Essence Colour and Go polish in Get The Fever

LA Girl Disco Brite Black Light Nail Polish in Retro

Essence Colour and Go polish in Sundancer

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri polish in Lickety Split Lime

Essence Colour and Go polish in Check Me Out

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Mint Sorbet

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri polish in Blue Streak

Sally Hansen Xtreme in Blue Me Away

Essence Colour and Go polish in Just Rock It!

OPI Nail Laquer in Funky Dunkey

Phewh! That’s a lot of polish, but they’ll really bring the look together. Remember, you don’t have to use these exact same shades, but make sure that any you use are similar in color and don’t need more than one coat of application. Let’s begin the tutorial!

Prep: Start by applying a base coat and letting it dry. Make sure you have a pair of scissors and your cosmetic wedges handy.

Step 1:

Apply a layer of opaque white polish. I would personally recommend doing this a day before, if possible, because you’ll want the white polish to be entirely and I mean entirely dry before moving on to the next step. If not, please make sure to use a fast drying formula.

Step 2:

Cut your cosmetic wedges into little rectangles. This will make the application more accurate.

Step 3:

We’re going to begin with the end of the rainbow and work backwards. Start with the colors you selected for purple, purplish blue, and blue. Grab one of your sponge rectangles and apply a stripe of purple (Funky Dunkey) on it. Follow it with a stripe of purplish blue (Just Rock It!) and then blue (Blue Me Away.) You’ll want the stripes to overlap a little bit. Make sure that they look as if they’re fading into each other. 

Step 4:

Apply the polish on either your pinkie or your thumb (we started with the thumb.) Do this by pressing the sponge onto your nail and using a careful sideways dabbing motion wipe the polish on. Don’t worry if you get some on your cuticles or the sides of your fingers. You can clear up the messiness with a q-tip and nail polish remover once you’re done. 

Step 5:

Prepare your next rectangle. Use blue (Blue Me Away,) greenish blue (Blue Streak,) and bluish green (Mint Sorbet.) Apply the color on the next nail using the same procedure as above. 

Step 6:

On the next sponge, set up bluish green (Mint Sorbet,) followed by  green (Check Me Out) and then yellowish green (Lickety Split Lime.) Apply.

Step 7:

We’re getting there! Repeat the coloration process using yellowish green (Lickety Split Lime,) yellow (Sundancer,) and yellowish orange (Retro.) Go ahead and sponge it on.

Step 8:

Last one, I swear! This time we’ll be using yellowish orange (Retro,) orange (Get the Fever,) and red (Silken Cord.) Apply the colors. 

Step 9:

With a q-tip dipped in nail polish remover clear up the edges and cuticles. Careful not to remove any of the color. 

Step 10:

You’ll want to give your polish ample time to dry before you apply the top coat, otherwise all the colors will bleed together into a hot mess. Once you’re sure that won’t happen, go ahead and top your nails.

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial, now go out there and show your support!

Dior’s Crème Abricot and Crème de Rose

A horrible, tacky part of me wanted to start this review off with an oh-so-intended pun, telling my lovely readers that these two exciting Dior products truly were “La crème de la crème…”

… but I decided to spare you, even though they really are that wonderful. I mean, what’s there not to love?

Rich, velvety moisture? Check.

The scent of fresh rose petals or creamy apricots? Check.

Good investment, as a tiny $26 (Rose) or $24 (Abricot) jar will last you forever? Check.

Adorable retro packaging? Check, check, check!

Now onto the specifics...

Crème de Rose (Lip Balm):

As you can see, application is nice and sheer, with a touch of plumping and a little spf 10. The rose fragrance is neither overpowering, nor fuzzy. Lips will be left luxuriously soft and kissable.

Crème Abricot (Cuticle Cream):

 Now, this product has garnered a few complaints due to its very sticky texture. Applying it right before a busy day or a manicure might be irksome, so take it from me: use it only before bed. Apply a small amount to the tops of your finger tips and rub it into your nails and cuticles in circular motions. While you rest, the cream will have time to really get absorbed and work its magic, leaving both cuticles and nails smoother and healthier.

Final Verdict: Love it!

Ingredients-

Crème de Rose: Octinoxate, (Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate): 7.5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane: 1%, Isononyl Isononanoate, C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters, Mineral Oil, Polybutene, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Microcrystalline Wax, Shea Butter Extract, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ribose, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Parfum, Tribehenin, Commiphora Myrrha Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sunflower Seed Oil, Trimethylolpropane, Triisostearate, Bht, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Propyl Gallate, Alcohol, Phenylacetaldehyde. [+/-: Ci 12085 (Red 36, Red 36 Lake), Ci 15850 (Red 6, Red 7, Red 7 Lake), Ci 15985 (Yellow 6, Yellow 6 Lake), Ci 17200 (Red 33, Red 33 Lake), Ci 19140 (Yellow 5, Yellow 5 Lake), Ci 42090 (Blue 1 Lake), Ci 45370 (Orange 5, Orange 5 Lake), Ci 45380 (Red 21, Red 21 Lake, Red 22 Lake), Ci 45410 (Red 27, Red 27 Lake, Red 28 Lake), Ci 47005 (Yellow 10, Yellow 10 Lake), Ci 73360 (Red 30, Red 30 Lake), Ci 75470 (Carmine), Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Ci 77002 (Alluminum Hydroxide), Ci 77163 (Bismuth Oxychloride), Ci 77491, 77492, 77499 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77742 (Manganese Violet)].

Crème Abricot:

Lanolin, Aqua, Parrafinum Liquidum, Glycerin, Cera Alba, Glycerin Soja, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Lecithin, Phenooxyethanol , Parfum, Propylene Glycol.

The Gilded Lily Special Event: Exclusive Sneak Peak at MAC’s Marilyn Monroe collection

Hello everyone! I have something a little bit different for you today. I’m doing this week’s review a bit earlier to bring you all a little preview of MAC Cosmetic’s new Marilyn Monroe inspired line, which will be available for purchase at the beginning of October at all MAC locations and http://www.maccosmetics.com

When I learned that the new collection would be featuring one of my favorite style icons, I was thrilled! So last night myself and other members of the Gilded Lily crew trekked out to the launch party at a local mall to try the new products for ourselves.

Yours truly with soon-to-be-featured Gilded Lily Beauty, Lisa!

Bro-fist with our VIP stamps. 

And we were not the only ones!

So...

Many...

People..

We got to see the new products used on a very Marilyn-esque model and got a few swatches of our favorites. MAC events are always so exciting and fun and this one was no exception!

Happy Beauty Blogger is happy. Oh so happy with new products. 

A fan tries on one of the new lipsticks. What a great shade!

MAC employee poses with the lip color she’s wearing. I think hands-down the lipsticks were my favorite part.

Without further ado, lets get on with the review of the new line:

Bad news first…

#1 Blushes (Legendary, The Perfect Cheek): I gotta say, these were my biggest let-down in the entire series. They were very powdery and showed off little to no pigmentation, which is sad because the colors (soft pinkish beige) looked as if they would have been nice.

#2 Beauty Powder (Forever Marilyn): Soft, pinky highlighter with a hint of shimmer. Liked the product, but it’s not for tan complexions (like mine.) Paler girls might have better luck, a total Lend It.

#3 Dazzleglass (Phiff!, Little Rock): What could I honestly say about these two? They weren’t bad, but they were very underwhelming and plain. Just clear lip gloss with a little glitter, nothing I could get excited over, at least not from MAC.

But fear not, MAC and Marilyn lovers! Now that we got those three off our list, we can move onto the good news!

#1 Penultimate Eye Liner (Rapidblack): Super pigmented felt tip liner with seamless application and good control. I was very impressed by this product.

#2Eye Kohl (Smolder, Fascinating): Smolder was nice, pigmented black with good smudge ability, but Fascinating (pure white) blew me away with how well the color applied. It’s hard to find a white pencil liner that doesn’t come on too sheer. I am definitely a fan of this one.

#3 Lipstick (Deeply Adored, Charmed I’m Sure, Pure Zen, Love Goddess, Scarlet Ibis): I absolutely loved these! Rich, full color in sexy tones and a velvety texture. Charmed I’m Sure (a) is a berry red, Pure Zen (b) is a creamy nude,  Love Goddess (c) is a pinkish/fuchsia red, and Scarlet Ibis (d) is an punchy reddish orange. Deeply Adored (not photographed) is very similar to Charmed I’m Sure, but it’s more of red mixed with wine, rather than berries.

#4 Eye Shadow (How to Marry, Preferred Blonde, Silver Screen, Show Girl): These were a little bit shimmery/sheer, but the colors were still nice. I would very much like to use the lighter ones as highlighters in different eye looks. Showgirl (a) is a nice gunmetal, Silver Screen (b) is sparkly silver, How to Marry (c) is shimmery white, and Preferred Blonde (d-fave!) is shimmery champagne.

#5 Lip Pencil (Beet, Cherry, Redd): Though I only got to try Redd, it applied nicely and looked as if though it would match some of the lip colors very well.

#6 Mascara (False Lashes Extreme Black): Super smooth application without any clumps in an elegant jet black shade. 

Not tested:

Nail Laquer (Vintage Vamp, Stage Red, Flaming Rose, Kid Orange)

Lashes (35 Lash)

Penultimate Brown Marker

Brow Finisher

As a whole, I am very happy with this product line!

Final Verdict: Love It!

You may ask how a Beauty Blogger, her photographer, and a Gilded Lily Beauty might relax after an exhilarating event such as this? How about being fascinated by the strange tentacles that appeared in the Louis Vuitton display window?

The Gilded Lily’s photographer, Stacey, appears to be completely enthralled.

Followed by a delicious dinner at an excellent sushi restaurant!

Lilies love sushi!

Enjoy!

Evian Facial Spray

“Hello! My name is Tashiro, the Betta. I am a round-tail bi-color betta fish who belongs to The Gilded Lily’s photographer. I spend lots of time watching the ladies of Gilded Lily working and, boy, do they work hard!”

“They also talk. A lot. I don’t understand many of the things they say. What’s exfoliation? What about leave-in conditioner? What the heck is an Urban Decay or a YSL?! They go absolutely crazy when they talk about those last two!”

“Now one thing I do understand is hydration. They love to keep their skin hydrated. Believe me, I know. I’ve heard them. What I don’t understand, is why they keep on visiting these weird sounding places (Lush? Sephora? Ulta?) to find things that will keep their skin from being dry. Why not ask me? I’m a fish! I know all there is to know about hydration!”

“Now, the best way to hydrate your skin (or scales, in my case) is to use plain, old fashioned water. I’d personally recommend walking around with your head in a filled fishbowl for the perfect hydration, but you gill-less humans with your silly little lungs probably wouldn’t like that too much. So what’s the next best thing?”

“Try the Evian Facial Spray! Not only is this funny little bottle full of hydrating liquid and those things called minerals you seem to think are so important, but it won’t ruin any of the paint you smear on your face. It’s a win-win situation, right? Of course I’m right.”

“And one last thing… someone tell that Karen to stop holding that weird, round, shiny thing that opens up to my fish bowl! I swear I see another Betta in there and that guy gives me mean looks and is trying to pick a fight, by puffing out his gills at me in my own turf! Now that’s just disrespectful. He should know better and so should she! Knock it off, Lady!”

Final Verdict: “Since I already have a bowl full of water, this is useless to me and would be a total Lend It. But for you humans, let’s be real. You should LOVE IT.”

PS (from Karen)- These facial sprays come in different sizes, but I prefer the two-pack travel sized ones. They fit perfectly in a purse. Stick them in the fridge for a while before you go out, especially if you’re going to spend a lot of time in the sun. It’ll be a very welcome cooling and refreshing treat for your parched skin in the heat.

PPS- Sorry about that, Tashiro!

Ingredients:

Pure natural Evian mineral water propelled by nitrogen.