Essie Finally Got it Right

I have always been an Essie polish fan, I find the colors are unparalleled in the market, and can never find another brand I like more. However I have never found the polish to last, chip-free, for more than a few days. And chips are a pet peeve, I literally cannot handle chips, nor can I get a manicure any more frequently than once every one to two weeks. I've tried many brands and formulas over the years, CND's Vinylux was a recent favorite for its longevity but I was not a fan of the limited color selection, or how dark the colors seemed to lean after application. Enter Essie's Fall 2016 Gel Couture line.

Top coat, Rock the Runway, Bubbles Only, Gala-Vanting, Twill Seeker and Fairy Tailor

The polish should be applied to bare nails (no base coat), and followed with the special top coat. I bring my own polish to my nail salon, and the manicure lasts a full week plus the extra days in between regular manicure appointments (when my usual weekly lunch slot fills up with client calls). It removes easily with acetone, and there's no staining even after using dark shades for weeks on end. I can't see every using a different polish again- I'm that obsessed. You can find nearly all the colors on Amazon for about $11, and its well worth the price. Has anyone else tried this line?

Skincare Round Up: Hits and Misses

Its been a while since I talked beauty (perhaps because I'm not feeling  a whole lot of 'beauty' at 6 months pregnant in my home office most days). But I am still a huge fan of products and trying the newest and greatest in skin and makeup. I've added a few things to my lineup over the past few months, and while some are definitely hits, there have been some misses as well.

1. Skin- daytime 

I am a fan of BeautyCounter's Dew Skin ($45) and Tint Skin ($41). I was lured into the cute advertising targeted at me via Facebook, and decided to give Glossier's Perfecting Skin Tint  ($26) a try in the shade light. This my friends was a miss for me. After a few days of barely there color, i started getting huge blemishes in places like my cheeks where I never breakout. I stopped using this right away and they have subsided. I have since read reviewers of the product who experienced the same. So I'd say definitely skip this is you've ever had a breakout.

2. Concealer

We all know I have serious genetic dark circles. I have tried every product known to man, and will continue to do so. For now, I love It Cosmetics Bye Bye under Eye Corrector ($29), layered with BeautyCounter's concealer pen ($32). I tried Glossier's Stretch Concealer when I ordered the skin tint, and sadly this was another miss. It did not break me out, but it dried out any patch I placed it on. Not cute under the eyes at 1pm on a video conference call.

3. Moisturizer and Serum

Clique is a skincare staple for me that finds its way back into my rotation no matter how many others come into the mix. The new Acne and Line correcting serum ($44) is a big hit for me. I layer under the Dramatically Different Moisturizer (gel formula $26) and then add BeautyCounter's Night Cream in the evenings. No breakouts, no lines.

4. Lips

I love the YSL Oil in Stick formula ($37), and the shade Beige Blouse is not to miss for a perfect nude. I have also tried the new Dior 'Addict' Hydra-Gel shine formula ($35) and I like, but don't love it (I am a current fan of the many other formulations). I wouldn't count this a total miss however.

5. Nails

The new Essie Gel Couture ($11.50 per bottle) line is a must have and maybe my favorite new product addition of the season. Unlike the regular formula, this one truly stays put for at least 7-10 days and does not chip.  Try 'Model Chicks' or 'Spiked with Style' for the perfect deep fall plum/burgundy.

Any new fall must-haves that should be on the radar?