Review/Rave: Zoya Remove + Nail Polish Remover

Nail polish remover may seem like the strangest thing to rave about, but I am HOOKED on the Zoya Remove +! I believe last year I won one of their twitter giveaways and my prize was the Zoya Color Lock System. In this system is 2 base coats, a top coat, quick drying drops, and an 8 oz bottle of Remove +. Out of all of those items, I use the Remove + consistently. I finished up the entire bottle and ordered a new one. Now that my SECOND 8oz bottle is running low, I have bought a 32 oz bottle to refill the 8 oz. An 8 oz takes me about 6 months to get through so the 32 oz will last me a LONG time.

I find that the nail polish remover aspect of it is the same as any other. However, once you use Remove + for a while and then go back to a standard $2 drugstore remover, you'll really see the difference. Remove + is much more gentle on the hands and smells like nice lavender and not toxic acetone. My cuticles are already dry from the cold weather, I don't want to add to that by using a really drying nail polish remover. Part of my motivation for finally getting the big size is that my mom has been using my remove + too. Ever since I first used it on her, she hasn't used any of our other removers!

Here is my sad, almost empty (but much loved) second bottle of Remove +:

I love the design of the flipper bottle. It opens and closes with a turn so you can lock it and not worry about it spilling. To get the remover out, you just press a cotton pad onto the top and product soaks through...nail salon style!

Here is the HUGE 32 oz bottle of the remover, it was pricey but very worth it seeing as it will take me a while to get through it.

Look at the size difference! It's the mama remove + and the baby remove + (actually it might be the teen as there is even a smaller 2 oz size of remove + available)

 

Hello, happy refilled 8oz!

Zoya's Remove + comes in 3 sizes: 2 oz bottle which retails for $4.60, 8 oz bottle which retails for $9.99, and the ginormous 32 oz which retails for $25. 

I know the prices are a big difference from the drugstore removers but the quality is worth it. If you want to try out the Zoya Remove +, I'd recommend getting the 8 oz version. The flipper part is very convenient and it's a good size to have around.

I highly recommend this nail polish remover! I wouldn't have spent around $30 on a big bottle of such a basic item if I didn't think it was a great value and great quality!

Have your tried Zoya's Remove + Nail Polish Remover? Do you love it as much as I do?

Thanksgiving FOTD

To all my USA readers, HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I'm thankful for all of you and for your sweet kindness and support. I just spent the day with my family and our huge yummy feast.

I went for a neutral look (shocker), really simple yet glowy.

excited for yummy food!

Face:

Murad Oil Control Lotion SPF 15

Benefit Erase Paste in Medium (under eyes)

Benefit Powderflage (under eyes)

MAC Select Cover Up (any blemishes or scaring)

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Deauville

NYC Smooth Skin loose powder (to set)

NARS Laguna Bronzer

Eyes:

Urban Decay Primer Potion

MAC Vanilla Pigment (lid)

MAC Sable (crease/outer v)

NYX Milk & MAC Vanilla pigment (inner corner)

Jordana Fabuliner (upper lash line)

Milani Liquif'eye (waterliner)

NYX Black (set upper lashline and waterline liner)

MUFE Aqua Smokey Lash

How was your Thanksgiving? What are you thankful for?

ORLY Cosmic FX Collection Swatches & Mail Haul

I know I'm MONTHS late with this ORLY collection. I considered getting a few colors from this collection but was hesitant as it's $10 on transdesign. Luckily I had won the entire collection from the ORLY twitter! I was so excited to get it (nail polish addiction being fed!) and I want to share with you guys swatches so that you can maybe decide if you want any of the colors.

Swatches:

Halley's Comet- this is a gorgeous mermaid-y blue/green color. The depth is absolutely amazing and in a word, it's: GORGEOUS! However, not too unique (spoiler to the next pic). This was two coats.

Zoya's Charla is a dead on dupe for ORLY's Halley's Comet. I swatched them side by side in this picture to compare. Index and ring finger- Charla, Middle and pinky finger- Halley's Comet. Can you even tell the difference? If you have one you definitely don't need the other.

Lunar Eclipse- Ah, hello royal navy/purple prettiness. This is a beautiful color and I love blues so I definitely love this one. However, I do not love that it's on the sheer side. This needed three coats.

It's Not Rocket Science- This is an olive-y yellow/ green. It's my least favorite color wise just because I hate those puke-y green colors. That is just my personal preference in terms of color. The formula was good, though, and it only needed two coats.

Space Cadet- This is a red/green/gold color. It's more green and has a red shine to it. This was also sheerer and needed three coats. According to temptalia, it is a dupe for MAC's Mean & Green from the Venomous Villians collection. 

Out Of This World- This is a deep purple with some gold shimmers in it. It's one of those deep, dark fall/winter colors. This was two coats.

Galaxy Girl-  This is a gorgeous purple that has a red shine to it, it's another dark fall and winter color. According to temptalia, this is a dupe for MAC's Formidable nail polish from the Venomous Villians collection.

Overall, the collection is STUNNING. I realize I used "gorgeous" a lot in the descriptions but the colors truly are! Some of them have an amazing duochrome-y shine to them that makes them so beautiful. There are some MAC Venomous Villians dupes that are great if you missed out on the collection or just didn't want to pay for the MAC (as the ORLY is cheaper).
 
I mentioned these nail polishes in my recent video where I show a "mail haul".  I'm a weirdo and LOVE getting packages in the mail. That's part of the fun of online shopping for me, opening the packages! There's soemthing about it that it feels like opening a gift (when I might have just bought it for myself hehe)

Here is my latest video where I show various things I've gotten in the mail recently. Some thing are from blogsales (can't resist blogsales! lol), some are twitter giveaway prizes, and a gift from a sweet friend!



Did you get anything from the ORLY Cosmic FX collection? Is anything catching your eye? And are you a mail loving weirdo like me? lol

Current Nail Polish: Revlon's Perplex (swatch and review)

My Duane Reade has recently gotten in a lot of new collections and I am more than happy to drool over them. One new thing I noticed was this new Revlon polish, Perplex. First, let me say that a peeve I have is when drugstores have a complete disregard for collections. Mine uses the "hey, there's room in this display!" method. I found it in the display for Revlon's Fire & Ice collection so this might be a little hidden in your drugstore. I have also heard there is a display just for this polish, in which case I hope your drugstore has that. Also, I have heard that a lot of drugstores don't even have it (maybe it will soon)! 

I had heard about this as a new dupe for Chanel's Paradoxal. I'd just like to say that I don't have the Chanel so I can't compare =[ Sorry! But I did use Perplex last night and OMG am I in love. This polish is GORGEOUS. If you're a fan of the likes of Sephora by OPI's Metro Chic, you'll love this.

So here is Revlon's Perplex:

Kindly ignore my vanity being a mess lol It has fallen victim to my hectic schedule

 

Revlon's Perplex, no flash, this is pretty true to color

Revlon's Perplex, with flash

Perplex is a dark purple with a lighter purple...glow. Sheen isn't quite the word so I'll use glow because it does seem to glow from within. Not only is the color absolutely gorgeous, but the application is PERFECTION. One coat is probably all you need! I used two just to even out, but I really didn't need to. 

I highly recommend this polish! I can't rave about it enough.

Have you tried Perplex? If so, what are your thoughts?

Mini Sally Hansen Haul

I tried, I TRIED! I said to myself, "No, Yuliya. You filled a nail polish rack...now it's time to stop." But alas (dramatic word lol)...I needed more.

Now that I've been so dramatic about my guilt, how about I share my nail polish haul and swatches, yes?

I recently saw this new Sally Hansen display at my Duane Reade and fell in love with the colors. I wanted to share this haul because a. the colors are so pretty and b. it sold out in DAYS.

 Here's the three that I got:

left to right: Golden Flash, Metallic Momentum, Purple Bolt

Golden Falsh is a golden-peachy shade. I tried comparing it to NARS' Orgasm nail polish and the golden sheen on this is MUCH stronger than the NARS. The display says that all of the polishes only need one coat and I didn't find that true for any of the shades. This was the sheerest of the three (as I find all light shimmery colors to be) and needed three coats.

 

Next is Metallic Momentum. This is a gorgeous silvery-golden champagne metallic color. It's so pretty and needed only two coats.

Here it is side by side with the Dior Vernis in Timeless Gold (sneaky comparison in Sephora!). They're VERY similar. I wouldn't say they're 100% identical but the Sally Hansen is $5 and the Dior is $21 so I'm ok with a very close similarity.

Last is Purple Bolt. This is a really pretty dark purple shade with some lighter purple opalescence. This needed two coats.

Have you seen this collection? If so, did you get anything?

P.S. Sorry for the horrendous nail polish application in the swatches, I was sick and the scent was getting to me lol

What's in my "Just In Case" Bag

I think every woman should have a little "just in case" bag in her purse. Unpredicted situations come up and it's best to be prepared. (Better safe than sorry!)

Here's what's in mine:

This is my little emergencies bag. I have no clue where it's from, I got it with a UK swap. I think "Morgan " is the brand? But the bag is just a tiny wristlet that has a leopard pattern.

First is Tide To-Go. This is such a life saver if you spill anything on yourself. It's like the magic eraser pen!

This is what inspired this post, nail polish remover pads. I've been so stressed with schoolwork and papers and exams that my nail polish has fallen victim. I looked at my horribly chipped nail polish yesterday and just wanted it off. Luckily I had one of these on hand!

Bandaid Friction Block comes in so handy if you're wearing in new shoes. My Tory Burch flats took a MONTH to get comfortable and this little thing was so helpful during that time. I'm the kind of person that if my feet are in any pain, I am miserable. This thing makes a barrier between your skin and the evil shoe, it's not slippery or sticky.

Assortment of Bandaids! These can come in helpful anytime! I would mostly use these before I discovered the friction block stick and would place it to make a barrier so my shoes don't irritate the same spot.

Midol...self explanatory! By the way, did you know it also has caffeine in it? I learned the hard way when I took it at 9 PM one time. I also have some feminine products in the bag but I don't think you need a picture lol

For life's headaches...haha

In case you can't wash your hands or something, these cleansing wipes are really convenient. I also have Wet-Ones in my purse for the same reason.

I pick at my cuticles when I'm nervous (yes, bad lol) so when it starts to hurt or something, I just rub a little of Neosporin on.

I hope this was helpful! It never hurts to keep a little emergency things with you.

What's in you "just in case" bag?

A Vlog...on my Blog

I have done Vlogs on my channel before where I sit down and just ramble on about what I've been upto, what's on my mind, basically just sit down and see what comes out lol (I do that anyway technically since my videos aren't planned). Well, I thought I would do a post like this on my blog, kind of like an update post.

Well the first thing that comes to mind is how crazy everything is. I really wish there were more hours in the day (GASP we gained one with daylight savings!). I would get so much done: schoolwork, youtube videos. These are all things that need time and I barely have enough to go around. I prerecord my videos and that really helps, but I can't...pre-do my exams and papers! I don't know if you guys know this about me, but I'm a HORRIBLE procrastinator. I do things well udner pressure so that works to my advantage but the stress that comes with it? Eh, not so much. For example, tomorrow I have two papers due and Wednesday, I have an exam. Ah, fun fun.

On a more positive note, I made partner on my Youtube channel! I got the news when I was at a play so I had to control the excitement! I will definitely make a video but I just want to thank each and every one of you for your support and kindness towards me in the past almost 2 years. I have met some of the sweetest, most amazing people through youtube/twitter/blogger and I sometimes get so overwhelmed at how a little hobby like makeup can unite people and bring out the best in them. =] (did I not tell u guys I'm the cheesiest person ever?) This weekend I met up with Vanessa, Cindy, and B for a little youtube meetup. It didn't even matter that we barely know each other in real life (two of them I haven't even met face to face) but we talked like we knew each other forever! That's one of the things I love and appreciate about the beauty community!

So that's my little update, please let me know if you like these kinds of posts!

Feel free to talk to me on here, my channel, or on twitter. Believe me when I say I ALWAYS reply lol. I get people replying back that they're shocked I always reply back but if you take the time to say anything to me, you deserve an answer =]

Now I'll ask a question that people generally ask and don't even hear the answer to, but I want you to answer and you'll be sure I'll listen: How are you?

What's in My MAC Palettes

I'm going to say a shocking statement now: I love MAC shadows! GASP! =] I love the variety and quality of their shadows. They have amazing neutrals!

I prefer depotting them/ buying the pan forms and put it in the palettes. I think the little pots are really cute but if you have many, it's hard to keep track and sort through. I am a little embarrased to say that I have now had to purchase a THIRD palette. Now, I know that some people have more but, to me that's quite a lot lol. Another thing I love about the palettes is that they also fit other brands. I don't ONLY have MAC shadows in mine, I also have some Milani single shadows and some Wet n Wild single shadows (I think both are discontinued but you can find the Milani ones on Cherry Culture). I tried organizing them without the divider insert because that fits more shadows than the 15 slots, but I find the slots are more organized.

None of my palettes are full but this is how I have them now. I love all these colors and highly recommend them. The Limited Edition shades have a *.

 I tell my palettes apart by color coding them with nail polish on top.

The first palette is my highlight and lid colors. I labeled it with light, neutral nail polish.

(left to right) 

Top Row:WnW Cream, Shroom, Femme Fi*, Nylon, Grain

Middle Row: Hey*, Naked Lunch, Arena, Dreammaker*, empty

Bottom Row: Shale, Hypnotizing*, Style Snob*, Soba, Patina

This is the crease colors palette. I indicated it with darker nail polishes.

(left to right)

Top Row: Milani Golden Bronze, empty, empty, empty, empty

Middle Row: Tempting, Go*, Mulch, Satin Taupe, Copperplate

Bottom Row: Sable, Milani Spice, Milani Java Bean, Mystery, Wet n Wild Naked

 The last palette is a misc/smokey/colors palette. It's indicated by smokey/teal polishes on top.

(left to right)

Top Row: Paradisco, empty, empty, Poison  Pen*, Birds and Berries*

Middle Row: Electra, Smoke and Diamonds*, Bough Grey*, empty, empty

Bottom Row: all empty

So these are all my palettes. They're not perfectly clean but that just shows I use them =] (the only reason the last one is clean is because I just bought it lol)

How do you organize your MAC palettes?

Saw VII 3D: My Thoughts (NO SPOILERS, I PROMISE!)

I wanted to a "review" (har har) of the latest (and last!) Saw movie. I have been going on and on about that I'm pretty sure twitter, my boyfriend, friends, and family got the picture that I was EXCITED (to say the least lol). I won't add spoilers because that's not fair lol If you did see it, please don't post too much in the comments either ;)

Last weekend came the much awaited (by me , anyway) day of SAW! I'm a huge fan of the series. I HATE horror movies but to me Saw isn't horror, it's more a gore-y thriller. The weekend before I had watched all 6 of the previous movies (thanks to a marathon on TV lol) so I was prepared! Saw VII is entitled "The Final Chapter" because it's (supposed to be) the last of the series (tear!). I went with my boyfriend who is not a Saw fanatic like I am, but I think the the movie was good even if you didn't see the others and it's not like you would be completely lost if you didn't. However, being a Saw FIEND gave me more appreciation for it.

I won't give anything away because first of all, Saw movies are the hardest to describe! You can spend 5 minutes describing a 2 minute scene because it's so complex. That's one of the things I love about Saw, it's not a straight up "kill, kill, I'm gonna kill u" movie. It's a smart movie where the end is the best part because they're the least expected twists.

My opinion of the movie itself and not all it's explanations of previous open ends? It's ok. I found myself going ok, that's nice, but of the general plot, I wasn't too thrilled. Don't get me wrong, I liked the movie, but I didn't love the new plot of who was tested and how. (lips sealed!) However, it wasn't that I felt the series was drawn out for too many sequels (I don't at all! I want more!! haha) but I found the plot just ok. The gore-y parts seemed extra fake and I didn't feel they were true Saw quality (I'm an addict lmao). It was liek they were trying too hard to make it extra gore-y to make up for the weaker plot. The twist in the plot itself is amazing though! (as Saw twists are!) That's pretty much all I can say without giving it away haha

My thought on the ending and how they tied up loose ends from the previous movies? AMAZING! I loved it! This was my favorite part. When people asked how I liked the movie, I said the movie was ok but the end was SO GOOD. The final twist at the end was completely unexpected! If you are a Saw fan, I think you'll like the end because it was more Saw-like than the rest of the movie.

How was the 3D effect? It was ok, I could've done without paying extra when it was barely 3D to be honest. If you are going to see it and want to save money, you can see it in "regular". You won't miss much.

I felt the movie tied things up really well, but there's still open things. Even when we walked out of the movie, my boyfriend asked "but why did he do that?" (shhhh, yuliya!) and I couldn't answer it (how mysterious is this lol). I guess it's good because you can make your own reasons and what happens for some things but I like for EVERYTHING to be tied up, which some thing weren't (but mostly it was haha).

My verdict? B/B+

If you watched the final Saw, did you like it? (no spoilers!)

MAC Tartan Tale Swatches

I excitedly picked up the items I preordered for the MAC Tartan Tale collection the day it came out. I basically came in and told them my name and they handed me makeup! Haha sounds perfect but they did charge my credit card info that I gave them when I preordered.

I didn't want to go too nuts so I just got 2 palettes: a neutral smoeky one and purple toned one.

Here's the haul video:

and here's the swatches!

 MAC Dashing Lassie Palette

oooh...OPENED

Swatches, the lightest colors on top are so light and are nice highlight colors

MAC Beauties Play It Cool Palette

Ahhhh...

 Swatches

What did you get from this collection?