OPI Liquid Sand Jinx

Yes, I painted my nails twice in one day.  I realized that I had a liquid sand shade from last years Bond Collection from OPI that was similar to Zoya Rica.  I pulled out my Jinx and fell in love with the deep coral/red with gold shimmer.  I added the studs back on easily and I love the richness and sparkle to this shade!

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Zoya Rica

I was feeling like something bright tonight, so I pulled out my bottle of Zoya Rica.  This is a coral orange shade with gold shimmer.  It actually looks better in person the photos are a bit bright.  I added a few Sally Hanson nail studs to finish this easy look.  Can't wait to wear it with my bright orange shirt tomorrow to bring a little sunshine to this January cold snap!  Do you feel like its time to break out the spring shades yet?

Julep Galaxy Nails

I tried my first Galaxy nail tonight!  I have been eyeing this technique for awhile, but finally had the time and colors to try it out!  I used all Julep colors, many newly discovered shades after I reswatched my Juleps into color groups the other day.  A lot of these shades I got through mystery boxes which is a great way to build up colors I would not have picked out on my own.  I used Julep Leslie as the black base with shimmer.  I then sponged on some Julep Char and Evelyn and Bunny to create the galaxy down the middle of the nail with a piece of makeup sponge.  I then added a topcoat of Joelle and a few glitter pieces from Paris to finish the look.  It wasn't that hard and the I love the results.  I can't wait to try more galaxy mani's soon, maybe a neon one this summer?

Julep Leslie, Char, Evelyn, Joelle, Paris, and Bunny

Ipsy January Bag

My January Ipsy bag arrived last week, but yeah I had already peeked at my Glamroom and knew what I was getting ;)  This month included 5 items and a cosmetic bag!  This months bag theme is 19 reasons, 19 reasons that 2014 will be wonderful, and focused on bonus products that were for your skin.  Ipsy is a beauty subscription service that promises 4-5 deluxe sample or full sized products a month along with a cosmetic bag.  If you are interested in Ipsy CLICK HERE and sign up.  Let's check out the goodies!  Ladies, also remember to review your bags afterwards for Ipsy points that you can use towards free products in the future.

All the Goodies!

Elizabeth Mott Smooth Shadow Pencil in Penny ($6.99):  This pencil can be used as a liner or a shadow.  It has a nice creamy formula and I love the color.  I will use this, I love brown toned eye makeup.

Mica Beauty Tinted Lip Balm in Fiesta 2.5g ($18.75):  This balm promises to hydrate with a tint of color.  I put it on the other night, I would say its a lot of color!  I had to scrub it off, and I am sorry to say it wasn't very moisturizing.  I would call this more of a lip pot.  This may get used we will see, I don't like applying lip products with my finger, and the price is ridiculous!

Swatch of Penny eye pencil and Mica tinted balm

Big Sexy Hair Leave in Conditioner 1.7fl oz ($6.00):  This promises to smooth split ends and nourish hair.  I have never used a leave in conditioner.  I love Big Sexy Hair products, I am excited to try this, my hair is very dry right now with this cold snap!

3 in 1 Revololution Toner Serum from Leeanni Eco.35oz ($2.60):  Toner, Serum and Moisturizer in one, this product says to save you time and last all day.  I love new face products, I will give it a try.  However, can I say that this is not the size of product I have become accustomed to from Ipsy.  I know they promise deluxe sized samples and this is not a "foil packet" but it also is not that large.  

Absolute Make Up Cleansing Clothes 10 ct ($2.49):  I use makeup remover toilettes only when I go on vacation or out of town. But, they are appreciated.  I am glad I got the cucumber scent, seems the ladies on Ipsy review do not like the smell of the pomegranate towelletes that some people got.

This months Ipsy bag totaled $36.83, I paid $10 a month so this is a great deal (not counting value for makeup bag).  This month there was a combination of 20 products that you could get, as always some were better than others.  Ipsy seems to be branching out lately and including new brands and new items.  I will use everything in my bag this month and love having new items, what did you get in your January Ipsy bag, any new must have's?

PopSugar January Box

I got my January Must Have Pop Sugar box in the mail today!  Historically, this is my favorite subscription box.  Pop Sugar features a mixture of must have lifestyle and beauty items.  Pop Sugar recently raised the monthly box prices but you can save by signing up for more months upfront, and there are promo codes from time to time.  Use code JAN10 right now for $10 off a 3 month subscription.  Click here is you want to subscribe to Popsugar.  Now lets check out the goods!

All the Goodies!

Must Have Beauty
  Malin + Goetz Detox Face Mask ($40):  The five-minute foaming gel uses antioxidants and vitamins to gently cleanse pores while sealing in hydration and brightening your complexion.  I love new skin products and am most excited about this item.  It has really good reviews on Amazon, I hope it works!

Must Have Fashion:
Jack + Lucy Tech Gloves (est $20):  Temps are still low, but don't let that stop you from texting or web browsing when you're outside.  I don't own any tech gloves, I don't actually use my phone much, however I live in MN and any gloves are welcome no matter how many you already have!  Plus I do like the neutral gray shade.

Must Have Beauty
Revlon By Marchesa Box O' Files ($3.49):  Have you seen a prettier set of nail files?  The runway meets your beauty routine with these dual-sided files.  Hey I always need nail files!  In my purse, bedroom, bathroom, work, etc so a welcome gift!

Must Have Food
Pipsnacks White Truffle Pipcorn ($6):  Pipcorn is mini popcorn featured in a white truffle flavor thats popped in olive oil.  I have never tried anything truffle flavor, or seen mini popcorn, I can't wait to open the bag and find out if its tasty!

Must Have Food
The Juice Generation Book ($15.88):  If you haven't already fallen for the juicing trend, let this book be your introduction.  Features over 100 recipes for fresh juice smoothies.  I don't juice, I might give it a look through, but probably going to pass this one on to a friend who would appreciate it.  

Must Have Home
Rifle Paper Co. 2014 Flip Around the World Desk Calendar ($16.00):  Throughout the year flip through 12 charming illustrations of Internaional cities like Paris and Istanbul.  This is a cute item, I love the illustration and I love calendars!  This will go on my desk right away.

I paid $35 for my must have box and received $101.37 worth of goodies.  Admittedly, this is not my favorite Popsugar box ever, but that face cream makes the whole box worth it for me!  Can't wait to try out this month products.  

Julep Betty

Julep released the start of their birthstone collection this month.  Every month Julep will release a birthstone shade and it will first be seen in their secret store if you take your Maven box.  As soon as I saw this red, cranberry and purple glitter shade I knew I had to have it.  Julep polishes on their own are not cheap $11.20 for Maven pricing with free shipping.  I had a free polish code I had been saving up for taking my box 3 months in a row, so I was happy to use it on this shade!  These pictures were taken 2 full days after I painted my nails.  You can see how well this shade holds up, the glitter, the shine of the Julep freedom Polymer topcoat!  Did you pick up Betty?  Which month of the birthstone collection are you most excited for?  I can't wait to see October (my month) and what they come up with to represent opals!

I took some pics with my new ring I made featuring Betty, my other new nail polish rings and tutorial post will be coming soon!

Julep Mona & Margot

I was excited to see the Julep  nail art contest on their Facebook page using the new January colors.  I tried my hand at stamping (again) I am just not skilled at this!  I am going to keep plugging away at creating a great January Julep look, but still thought I would share my attempt at stamping using Julep Mona, a deep grey creme and Margot, a shimmering gold.  What colors are you using for the #mymaven challenge?  I want one of those $100 Julep gift cards!

Julep Farrah & Missy

The new January Julep Boudoir Collection came this week!  I got to use the new Vanish cuticle product from the January collection as well.  I loved this product, the consistency was nice, not too watery.  You used the dropper to deposit some on the nail bed and I used an orange stick to push back my cuticles, it worked really well.  This product will definitely help me with my resolution to stop nipping my cuticles!  I was most excited to try out the new Julep silk finishes in the January polish line.  I chose Farrah for this mani, a light lilac purple with slight shimmer, which dries to a semi matte finish.  I also used Julep Missy from the October Rebel set collection to add some shimmering silver foil french tips.  I love the way this turned out, simple and pretty!  What new Julep colors are you sporting this week?  Love all these Julep colors and want to become a maven?  Click here and use code FREEBOX and just pay shipping for your first month of Julep!

Check out that matte shimmer1

Facebook Contest!

I want to build my list of followers in 2014!  I am looking for 200 likes on my Facebook page Sassy Swatches.  When I reach 200 I will draw a name at random for a $20 Sephora Gift Card!!!  Please share with your friends.

Follow me on Bloglovin!

I claimed my blog on bloglovin!  Come follow me or of course like my Facebook for updates!  My goal this year is to get more followers and build my content to share more of my makeup loves with everyone!

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Julep January Boudoir Collection

The January Julep collection is titled the Boudoir Collection and it is gorgeous!  The Julep Maven window was open from December 20th-25th this month.  As a Maven you get to choose from 4 boxes with the January colors and a featured beauty product for $19.99 a month.  You can also choose to skip, or upgrade to receive all the colors and products for the month as well.  I have only upgraded once before (October) but I had to this month once I saw these shades.  I don't own anything like them, and I love the range of finishes offered and I was feeling the neutral tones.  Also, this months products were new to me.  The upgrade this month included 9 polishes, the Ta Da drops, the Vanish drops, and cuticle sticks for $55, thats $5 an item!  The featured product this month was Ta-Da quick dry polish drops.  These are meant to be dropped on top of the polish so that it dries in 1 minute!.  I have not tried them yet, but I am excited to see if they work!  The add on product with the upgrade was the Vanishing cuticle treatment.  Again, I don't have a product like this and I need to take better care of my cuticles.  Vanish says you use the dropper to deposit a drop on each nail and then push back the cuticles.  I need to stop cutting mine, especially in this dry weather, so I can't wait to try these as well.  I have been using Julep cuticle oil and it is great, but living in Minnesota is not good on the hands in the winter.  What Julep box did you choose this month?  Interested in becoming a Maven?  You save on each polish, get free shipping, and of course get to take or skip your box each month!  Click here and use code FREEBOX and just pay shipping your first month.  I love these January colors and you will be seeing me use them soon!  I received $126.40 of nail products this month for $55!

Julep January Boudoir Collection upgrade $55

The 9 New Polishes

Ta Da Quick Dry Drops (retail 14.00 maven price $11.20)  Leaves your manicure touchable smudge free in one minute.  Reduces dry time and nourishes nails.  I hope these work, what a perfect sounding product!

Vanish Cuticle Softener & Remover (retail 18.00 maven price $14.40)  The lanolin-enriched formula quickly removes overgrown cuticles, clearing the way for a cleaner, prettier mani (or pedi). Over time, you’ll notice a dramatic decrease in cuticle regrowth.  Again, can't wait to try this new product!

Left to right:  Noelle, Abigail, Farrah, Mae, Hope, Annemarie, Mona, Hannah, Margot

Left to right:  Noelle, Abigail, Farrah, Mae, Hope, Annemarie, Mona, Hannah, Margot

Farrah, Abigail and Noelle (retail 14.00 maven price 11.20)

Julep's new silk finish is featured in these shades.  Julep defines silk finish as semi matte with a hint of opalescence.  In these swatches you can see the shimmer and the finish is not shiny at all, I really like them!

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Hope & Mae (retail 14.00, maven price 11.20)

These two new shades are featured in a satin finish.  Julep defines Satin Finish as soft, smooth and semi matte.   These are a nice variation to the classic creme shades.  I like how thick and smooth they were, and who doesn't need a nice bright white polish.  

Annemarie, Mona, Hannah (retail 14.00 maven price 11.20)

These are the creme shades of the month.  Julep defines creme as ultra pigmented with shine.  I love Mona!  I think these 3 shades will go together perfectly this spring with some cool nail art.

Margot (retail 14.00, maven price 11.20)

This months shimmer color is Margot a bright shiny gold!  Julep defines shimmer as infused with glossy micro glitter.  This is my favorite of the bunch, can't wait to put it on!