NAIL NEWS: MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY NAIL POLISHES

A list of some of my favorite holiday nail polishes from all price points. Also, check out my post about dupes for Deborah Lippmann Happy Birthday polish and my review of Dior Merveille.

Polishes featured (the ** denotes an absolute must-have):
-Sephora by O.P.I. What's Your Point-settia? **
-Sephora by O.P.I. Sample Sale
-Dior Merveille
-E.L.F. Red Velvet
-O.P.I. Manicurist of Seville
-Sephora by O.P.I. Run With It!
-Sephora by O.P.I. Bling on the Snowflakes
-E.L.F. Metal Madness **
-Sephora by O.P.I. Already Famous
-Sally Hansen Jumpin' Jade **
-Confetti Tazmanian Devil **
-E.L.F. Golden Goddess **

What I'm wearing:
-Eyes: UDPP, Mac Nightlight pigment, Mac Navy Blue and Silver from the Surf the Ocean Pigment Stack, Urban Decay Uzi 24/7 Liner, Urban Decay 24/7 Mildew, Sephora Advanced Lash Booster Black Mascara
-Cheeks: Tarte Glisten Amazonian Clay Blush
-Lips: Josie Maran Optimism
-Face: Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Balancing Foundation in Light, Mac Select Cover-up in NW 20, Garnier Anti-Dark Circle Roller, Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Translucent
-Sweater: Evelyn Grace Cashmere

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LUSH ABOMBINABALL BATH BOMB REVIEW

When the temperature drops outside, I love nothing more than to slip into a hot bath.  Seriously, soaking in a “tricked out” bath is my idea of heaven on this marble planet. Thus, after my recent shopping spree at Lush, I was faced with a difficult decision: which delightful bath time treat(s) should I use first?

I knew I wanted to try one of the bath bombs I purchased from the holiday collection. I was leaning towards using Abombinaball ($6.95 for 6.3 oz) over Golden Wonder because I loved its peppermint and vanilla scent. I also couldn’t resist the abominable snowman's goofy face, which made me smile.

Abombinaball Bath Bomb (Photo taken from Lushusa.com.)

After much deliberation, I chose to cocktail my bath by pairing the Abombinaball bath bomb with the almond scented Melting Snowman bath melt. (I waited a few minutes after Abombinaball had dissolved completely before I added the Melting Snowman because I wanted to see how Abombinaball performed on its own first.) I tossed Abombinaball into the running water and watched it dance along the surface, leaving plumes of blue and white in its wake. As the bath bomb dissolved, the water slowly turned into a stunning glacial blue with hints of frothy white foam on top. I felt like I was on a trip to the Arctic watching glaciers calving…only significantly warmer and safer.

Glacial blue water with frothy white foam remained
after Abombinaball had completely dissolved. 

Although the foam lasted for only a few minutes, the
 colorful water remained for the duration of  the bath. 

I didn't think to take photos until after Abombinaball disappeared, so I apologize for not being able to show you how this bath bomb dissolved. I've learned my lesson and will be better prepared next time!

Unfortunately, although I liked the show that Abombinaball put on, I did not wholeheartedly enjoy my bath while using it. I noticed that the bath bomb’s scent changed once it encountered water. What had been an enticing sweet and minty aroma when Abombinaball was dry turned into an unpleasant burned coffee odor as soon as it started to fizz in the tub. Luckily, the smell didn’t linger on my skin afterwards, but it did rush me out of the tub sooner than usual. It’s a shame that I couldn't stand the scent because Abombinaball was quite moisturizing even without the bath melt (kind of like Butterball) and left my skin feeling silky smooth.

Overall Verdict: This bomb was fun to watch dissolve and created a beautiful looking bath. If not for the odd scent when in the water, I would have repurchased this because it created a soothing, moisturizing bath that left my skin soft to the touch.

LUSH HAUL AND REVIEW (PERMANENT ITEMS)

A Lush haul featuring items from the permanent line. I also bought bath products from the 2011 holiday collection, but I split my Lush haul into two parts because it was fairly long. You can read my review about the limited edition Abombinaball bath bomb here.

Have you tried any of these items? If so, what did you think? What are your favorite holiday bath/shower/body products (from any brand)?

Items featured:

-The Comforter Bubble Bar

-Dreamtime Bath Melt

-Ceridwen's Cauldron Bath Melt

-Floating Island Bath Melt

-Butterball Bath Bomb

-Dragon's Egg Bath Bomb

-Big Blue Bath Bomb

-Twilight Bath Bomb

-Ocean Salt Face Scrub

What I'm wearing (See the tutorial here.):

Eyes: Chanel Beige Lame, Mac Blanc Type, Urban Decay Zero 24/7 Eyeliner, Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes in 9L (gold), Mac gold from the Surf the Ocean Pigment Stack, Sephora Advanced Lash Booster Mascara in Black

Cheeks: Laura Geller Baked Cheek Dreams in Neapolitan

Lips: Chanel Triomphal

Face: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, Garnier Anti-Dark-Circle Roller, Mac Blot Powder, Tarte Maracuja Creasless Concealer

LUSH HOLIDAY COLLECTION HAUL

A Lush haul featuring items from the limited edition 2011 holiday collection. I also bought bath products from the permanent line, but I split the video into two parts because it was fairly long. You can read my review of the Abombinaball bath bomb here.

Have you tried any of these items? If so, what did you think? What are your favorite holiday bath/shower/body products (from any brand)?

Items featured:
-Christmas Eve Bubble Bar
-Abombinaball Bath Bomb
-Golden Wonder Bath Bomb
-The Melting Snowman Bath Melt
-Snow Globe Soap

What I'm wearing (Watch the tutorial here.):
Eyes: Chanel Beige Lame, Mac Blanc Type, Urban Decay Zero 24/7 Eyeliner, Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes in 9L (gold), Mac gold pigment from the Surf the Ocean Pigment Stack, Sephora Advanced Lash Booster Mascara in Black
Cheeks: Laura Geller Baked Cheek Dreams in Neapolitan
Lips: Chanel Triomphal
Face: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, Garnier Anti-Dark-Circle Roller, Mac Blot Powder, Tarte Maracuja Creasless Concealer