Cult of Pretty

Resolution #3

Learn my way around (eye shadow) color!

I feel ashamed to admit this since I write a beauty blog/work in this biz, but I really can’t do a nice blended eye with colors : ( I just haven’t spent enough time playing.  Can you? 

In any case, I lost my whole cosmetic bag (more on that some other day) so I have an excuse to rebuild my collection and this is what I’m getting:

1. YSL Ombres 5 in Midnight Garden ($56.00) | 2. Urban Decay Naked 2 ($50.00) | 3. NYX Glitter Cream Pallet in Sweet Chocolate ($5.99 - these are Buy 1 Get 1 50% off right now helloooo)

Do you have any eye tutorials you love?  I watch a lot of Sam Chapman/Real Techniques … I think it’s just a matter of practice.

Image: YSL shadows, created by me

Whatever you’re doing, chilling at home or getting ready for a rager, have a great night tonight (drive safe + sober) … see ya next year <3  Thanks for making 2011 so awesome.

Image: Vogue Russia, rest here

If you hear someone outside your building singing GOLD—-FINGA!!! at the top of their lungs around 3am on January 1, 2012 … don’t look at me. 

… Or my New Year’s Eve C-3PO style shiny-shiny gold nails courtesy of Nail Rock, who sponsored today’s massive #GIVEAWAY (10 sets of nail wraps, over $100 value)!

CONTEST OVER THANKS FOR PLAYING

Nail Rock is a U.K.-based brand by celebrity manicurist Zoe Pocock.  Unlike the Sally Hansen/Incoco-type “real nail polish” stickers, these are nail wraps, which are more like actual stickers … which means you can achieve that super-shiny metallic robotic look. 

Couple of tips for these (in addition to the directions that come in the pack). Cut them to fit, but don’t cut down the tip yet. Apply the sticker to the base of your nail and then PULL & STRETCH the sticker along the sides and over the tip of your nails - otherwise you will have ridges and bubbles.  Pull really hard - don’t worry, they won’t tear.  Then cut the tip down, leaving a little bit of edge to wrap over your own nail tip if your nails are long enough to do so … tuck it under then file.

Today’s prize is 10 packs of wraps (16 in each), in the following designs: pink + blue zebra, cheetah, black & white mod stripe, dalmation, python (x2), silver metallic, gold metallic, gold metallic giraffe (x2).  The duplicate sets I decided to throw in should you want to practice, or share!

TO ENTER YOU MUST COMPLETE BOTH OF THESE STEPS …

1. Do ONE of the following…. reblog this post OR follow Cult of Pretty on Bloglovin’ OR follow Cult of Pretty on tumblr OR subscribe via email.

2. Leave a DISQUS comment below and tell me WHICH DESIGN WOULD YOU ROCK FIRST?  Please please SERIOUSLY make sure you either leave your email or that your Disqus email is accurate - I’ve had several instances of not being able to get in touch with winners : (

Contest ends next Friday January 6 2012 at 11.59pm Eastern. Winner is drawn by random number; multiple comments do not increase your chances of winning. If you subscribe or follow to enter, you must be subscribed or following at the time of the drawing.  XO

Welcome to another edition of FOR HIM AND THEN YOU STEAL IT!  This is a really, really good one.

I fell in love with the packaging of this Fulton Apothecary Hand Lotion (Fine Handcare for Gentlemen) before I knew anything about it, but when I dug in OMG was it cult product magic. Literally!

Ok, so Dan & Dave (who make the product) are MAGICIANS.  Serious ones - check out their beautiful website where you can buy all sorts of trickery. If you’re a magician, what are people looking at the entire time?  Your assistant’s boobs. YOUR HANDS.

In their own words:

Inked lids … and that hair! 

Image: Hasse Nielsen for Bon International; makeup by Zenia Jaeger via.

I hope you’re vacationing somewhere.  I am not!  Hence the vacay Resort (2012) ombré sunset I created on my nails.  Every night at 7pm this week, I’m going to pour myself and drink, set up a chair, and stare out at my nails. normal

I received the Jet Set collection from Le Métier de Beauté (a hot pink, orange and sunny yellow), and by sheer luck both the translucent, gel-like nature of the formulas and the close-ness of the pink and orange shades made them PERFECT for a fast ombré manicure.

I just applied a base coat, one layer of the pink about 3/4 of the way up my nail, then applied the orange slightly overlapping with the pink.  Finished with top coat and that was it!  So easy … it’s hard to see in the photos how bright and delicious this is in real life … it’s also double-take inducing in its subtlety.

Try it! 

Does this: Super easy and stunning sunset ombré manicure
Is this: ShocKEN Pink and Not-So-Safe Orange from Le Métier de Beauté’s Resort 2012 collection.
Get this: Available early January at Bergdorf Goodman & Neiman Marcus
Price: ~$18

Polishes c/o the brand