A blueberry holo glitter jelly sandwich

My obsession with "jelly sandwiches" began when I first saw the beautiful creations of my pal Niki. She's the master of perfectly layering glitter in between coats of sheer jelly polishes. If done correctly, the glitter will appear as if it's suspended in jelly (aka, a jelly sandwich) which I LOVE. Check out Niki's mani here for a beautiful example.

Niki's post inspired me to create my own green jelly sandwich, which you can see here. But the other day I was looking at my bottle of NYX Girls Turks and Caicos (currently on sale over at Cherry Culture) and thought, "What kind of sandwich can I make with this bad boy?"

Turks and Caicos is a royal blue jelly packed with round holo glitter and, if you ask me, it's just itching to be part of a jelly sandwich.

So I went through my stash and decided to use the following four polishes for a bling-tastic holo glitter jelly sandwich extravaganza!

Review: Ruby Kisses HD Gel Liner in 06 Bronze Shimmer

A few months ago, one of my favorite local beauty supplies put up a new Ruby Kisses display and the new HD Gel Liners immediately caught my attention (there are six shades in this range, which you can see here). I decided to pick up the bronze shade and now that I've been using it for several weeks, I thought I'd share my thoughts with you:

Ruby Kisses HD Gel Liner in 06 Bronze Shimmer

(retail: $3.99, 0.18 oz)

If you don't have a retailer near you that carries Ruby Kisses, you can purchase their products, including these liners, online here.

Sinful Colors Savage: a teal creme comparison

Given the $0.99 sale on Sinful Colors this week at Walgreens, I thought it might be helpful to compare some of the Sinful Colors shades I own to other shades in my stash. Hopefully this will help you to better decide if there's anything you "need" during this sale.

Looking at the bottles above, what shade do you think most closely resembles Sinful Colors Savage? Find out after the jump (it might surprise you!).

Want a bite of my Green Jello Jelly Sandwich?

Thanks so much for all of your well-wishes over the past few days! I'm feeling a bit better today so I've got a few posts to share with you, and hopefully tomorrow I'll be back to posting as usual (I've still got tons of new product pics to share!).

When I was a kid, I was fascinated with Jello, and I especially loved the look of fruit suspended in Jello. Heck, I still love the look of fruit suspended in Jello:

 image credit: The Jello Mold Mistress of Brooklyn

If you love looking at photos of fruit (and other things) suspended in translucent, colorful Jello, you must check out the The Jello Mold Mistress of Brooklyn. I'm absolutely obsessed with her site and especially these cherry bombs. 

Why am I telling you this? Stay with me here...

Ruby Kisses Teal Envy is #136!

In case you missed my tweet or my comment on my post from yesterday, I can confirm that Teal Envy (pictured below) is #136 in the Ruby Kisses online store. I know that many of you wanted this shade, so I hope that helps! I'm looking at my bottle right now and it's definitely #136.

By the way, you get free shipping on orders over $20 (thanks to T-Rex for pointing that out!).

Very exciting news about Ruby Kisses!

I want to thank my Twitter pal and fellow blogger Hekela for this one:

Ruby Kisses has a new website!

AND, even more exciting:

a new online store!

Every time I post a review of a Ruby Kisses product (for example, my review of their Xpress Liner & Shadow in Midori Sour, or my review of their nail polish in Teal Envy, the NUMBER ONE complaint I hear from many of you is that you can't find this brand in your area. Well, now there's a way to get your RK fix online, and as they just said on Twitter, "Shop till you drop as you won't find a price over $5!"

Thanks again, Hekela, for the heads-up!

For those of you who don't have access to Ruby Kisses in your town, are you excited that you can now order their products online?

More info about Ruby Kisses

Wow! I had no idea that my last post about Ruby Kisses would receive so much feedback. Thanks to all of you for your questions and comments! I want to tell you all I know about this brand so that those of you interested in getting some of their polishes can (hopefully) find them a little easier.

In my city (San Diego) it's only available in independently-owned beauty supply stores. I tend to have the best luck in urban areas, and I think the best selection is at OK Beauty Supply on University Ave. near SDSU (by the way, this store also has a great selection of NYX cosmetics and Jordana nail polishes and the prices are fantastic).

If you're not in San Diego, I would suggesting calling around to your local indie beauty supplies and asking if they carry Ruby Kisses (be sure to ask if they carry NAIL POLISH, because Ruby Kisses also makes lots of makeup products too).

As for finding Teal Envy, I'm afraid that since this is a new release, you probably won't have much luck looking online for it if you REALLY want it. I noticed that doing a google search for "Ruby Kisses Nail Polish" brings up lots of online beauty supply sites that carry this brand for anywhere from $1 to $1.99 per bottle, but they don't seem to have the new releases up on their sites.

The only shade I can think of right now that is remotely similar to Teal Envy and is easily accessible is China Glaze For Audrey. Here are both shades, for comparison:

Ruby Kisses Teal Envy

China Glaze For Audrey

As you can see, For Audrey isn't as bright or vivid as Teal Envy, but it's still a gorgeous shade and sort of in the ballpark.

Another teal creme that I've swatched in the past is Milani Fresh Teal:

I also looked through the lovely Steph's "Teal" gallery and found some other teal creme options that are more easily accessible than Ruby Kisses Fresh Teal:

China Glaze Four Leaf Clover

Sinful Colors Savage

e.l.f. Teal Blue

I hope this helps those of you who said you wanted Ruby Kisses Teal Envy. If you find it in your area, I would love to know! And maybe one of these other options will satisfy your desire for a nice teal creme polish!

New Ruby Kisses shade: Teal Envy

With springtime comes bright nail colors, and I for one am so happy about that! I was at a local beauty supply a while back and spotted the newest releases from Ruby Kisses and this one just called out to me--I had to get it:

(apologies--my camera was acting up the day I took these so they're a little bit fuzzy)

Ruby Kisses Teal Envy

(retail: around $1.50)

Indoors, with flash.

Outdoors, natural light.

outdoors, natural light

I was happy with the formula of this polish--two coats for good opacity and no application issues.

I love bright cremes! How about you? What colors are you looking forward to wearing for spring and summer?

Review: Ruby Kisses Xpress Liner & Shadow in Midori Sour

Kiss Colors is a brand that has always fascinated me. Their products are very inexpensive and primarily found in beauty supply stores. Most of their face products are made for deeper complexions (powders, concealers, foundations). In my city, I can only find Kiss Colors in beauty supply stores that cater primarily to African American clientele. I LOVE going to these beauty supply stores because, even though my skintone is on the fair end of the spectrum, that doesn't stop me from enjoying Kiss Colors' lovely eyeshadows, lipsticks, etc. (but oh how I envy those of you with deeper skintones because Kiss Colors concealers and foundations look amazing. I would love to try them ALL!).

But here's my issue with Kiss Colors. In addition to products that carry the "Kiss Colors" label (click here to see the complete line), they also have a line of cosmetics called Ruby Kisses (I just mentioned how much I love Ruby Kisses nail polishes yesterday) but there is no website devoted to Ruby Kisses. There are several online retailers that carry an extensive collection of Ruby Kisses products, but there is no official Ruby Kisses site (well, at least that I can find, and believe me, I've searched).

So even though I'm so excited to share this product with you, I can't refer you to a place where you can see the full collection, and I can't even find an etailer that sells these pencils (yet). I think they are very new, as the display at my local beauty supply store seemed a lot more modern than other Kiss displays (it was hot pink with zebra stripes and all the colors have fun, more modern names).

Whew! Sorry for the long intro but I just needed to vent about my search to bring you as much information as possible about Ruby Kisses. For now, all I can say is, look for Ruby Kisses at your local beauty supply stores, and don't be afraid to bust out the phone book and call around to various beauty supplies in your area. It will save you time and gas, and hopefully, if you're looking for Kiss Colors/Ruby Kisses products, you'll be able to find them without too much trouble.

Now on to the review!

Ruby Kisses Xpress Liner & Shadow in Midori Sour (retail: $1.99)

Not gonna lie: the name of this shade totally called to me. Midori Sours were my beverage of choice in college (waaay back in the early 90s...yikes!). Also, I'm a sucker for a good green eye color, so this had to be mine. Plus, I love the cute little band of zebra stripes on the lid!

But uh-oh:

When you remove the safety-seal, the cute zebra design comes off too. Darn you, Ruby Kisses!

Isn't that a gorgeous shade of shimmery green though? It kind of reminds me of Urban Decay Mildew eyeshadow. Also, I love that this is a retractable pencil, so you don't have to mess with sharpening it.

Let's take a look at some swatches:

The third swatch was taken after I blended out the color a bit. I have to say, these pencils are CREAMY. Very, very creamy, and they glide across the lids with ease. But since they're so creamy, I found that Midori Sour creased like crazy on me after just a few hours. Boo!

BUT, never one to throw in the towel, I decided to try using Midori Sour as a base, in much the same way that a lot of you use NYX Jumbo Pencils as a primer for your power shadows. Success! It works wonderfully as a base for me, and even under my least pigmented shadows, and it worked very well to keep my shadow in place longer, prevent creasing, and also pump up the color of my powder shadows.

So in other words, I think these Ruby Kisses Xpress Liner & Shadow pencils are a nice alternative to the NYX Jumbo Pencils. For just $1.99 each, I say, grab one if you see the display in your area. There were about 15-20 shades available in the display, each one prettier than the next (shimmer purples, bronzes, pinks, golds, silvers, etc.).

Are you a fan of Kiss Colors and/or Ruby Kisses? What are some of your favorites from these lines? I'd love to hear from you!

Spotted at the drugstore: new polishes from Sally Hansen and more!

Hello, lovelies! If you don't follow me on Twitter, then you probably don't know that I had jury duty today (my sixth time in six years!). It was a LONG day, but I ultimately didn't have to serve on a jury (they settled at the last minute) and I am BEAT! So, unfortunately, I'm waaaay behind on comments again. After this post I'm hittin' the hay, so forgive me!

I visited some "foreign" Rite Aid and CVS locations (ie: outside of my town) recently and I spotted lots of new goodies I wanted to show you!

First, at Rite Aid, I spotted the new Limited Edition Sally Hansen Insta-Dri display:

It's hard to tell, but there are metallics, shimmers and cremes in this new collection. The glosses are in corresponding shades that match some of the polishes. Here's a closer look:

If I didn't have such horrible luck with the Insta-Dri formula (I know it works very well for some of you but these polishes peel within 24 hours on my nails, even with Orly Bonder and other base coats) I would have purchased Golden Flash (back row) and Metallic Momentum right on the spot. They are both beautiful and kind of unique shades (for the drugstore at least). Golden Flash isn't a traditional gold, but more of a softer, warmer, almost rose-gold (it doesn't have rose/pink it in, but it's RIGHT on the border of being so warm that it almost looks like it has pink in it, if that makes any sense). And Metallic Momentum is a beautiful pewter-taupe metallic. There's a plum creme and a berry creme that also look lovely for fall, and the purple shimmer (Purple Bolt) is very pretty too. So nice to see all these deep plums and purples for fall!

And here's a closer look at the glosses:

Sorry for the blurry pic! These are all very pretty shades (much prettier in person).

Moving on to what I spotted at CVS:

L.A. Colors Color Craze Metallics 4-pack (retail: $2.99)

I think it was my lovely reader Donna (or maybe it was Bobbysgeel?) that told me she spotted these LA Colors 4-packs at her CVS and I was INSANELY jealous! (I'm sorry, I'm kind of delirious right now but I think it was one of you two wonderful ladies--please correct me if I'm wrong!). Anyway, four LA Colors Metallics (full size bottles!) for just $2.99? I thought I would never, ever see these in San Diego, and then BOOM! I spotted them at this "foreign" CVS! It just goes to show you that if you visit the drugstores a few towns over from where you live, you never know WHAT you might find!

Here's a closer look:

There's a magenta, a purple, a silverish bronze and a teal. So pretty! Also at this CVS, I finally spotted the elusive Wet n Wild traincases that caused quite a stir when I posted some pics sent to me from my longtime reader BeautifulMonday a while back (click here if you missed that post). Such a GREAT deal for $9.99! I hope you all are spotting that traincase at your local CVS locations. It would make a wonderful gift for the makeup junkie in your life this holiday season!

Also at CVS, I finally spotted the new core-collection Milani Baked Bronzers:

Milani Baked Bronzers (retail: $8.99)

Ladies, these bronzers are beautiful in person! I love how they have gold veining running through them, and the cases are so expensive-looking! Have any of you tried these yet? What do you think of them?

And finally, for all you polish fanatics, I spotted this display at a local beauty supply the other day:

Ruby Kisses Le Juicy Neon Collection (retail: $1.99 each)

Ruby Kisses is one of my favorite beauty-supply brands. I love their polishes (well, most of them--they do have some stinkers like that green creme I've whined about in the past) but for the most part, their colors are so pretty and so affordable (prices range from 99-cents to $1.99 in my area). I thought it was interesting to note that they've changed the logo on their bottles (it's now a crown and two swans) and well, who doesn't love bright and colorful neons (even though we're headed into fall, I know)!

Here's a closer look:

I know this bottle design isn't unique to the neon collection because I saw the new logo on some core collection bottles as well. Anyway, I have no idea just how new this collection is (for all I know it could have released at the beginning of the summer) but it's just so hard to tell with beauty-supply brands. Beauty supply stores tend to put displays up at all different times so your guess is as good as mine.

If you want a much better look at the new bottles, plus super pretty swatches of Yellow Bikini, check out the lovely Pink Nail Blog's swatches here.

That's it for this drugstore report but, as always, I'd love to hear your thoughts about anything featured in this post!

Review: Ruby Kisses Flower Girl Nail Color

I first spotted Ruby Kisses nail polishes last year at a local beauty supply store. For around $1 each, I have to say that this lesser-known beauty supply brand offers quite an impressive array of shades, and every time I see a display, something new and unique catches my eye.

I've mentioned Ruby Kisses a few times on Nouveau Cheap (click here and here) but if you are a long-time reader, you know that I generally tend to go for bright, bold or dark shades. I very rarely buy light shades of nail polish, and I generally tend to stay away from sheers altogether (unless I'm buying them for layering purposes). But this Ruby Kisses shade, called Flower Girl, really caught my eye the other day and I just had to have it.

In the bottle, Flower Girl looks like a ballet-slippers-pink shade with green and gold flashes. The flashes were what drew me to this color because I always love a traditional color that has a little spin or unique twist to it.

Ruby Kisses Flower Girl (retail: around $1)

It was cloudy when I took these pics so I really could not capture the green and gold flashes in this color, but trust me, they're there and far more obvious in real life. The green stands out more toward the top of the bottle.

Who knew, when I put this on, that I would instantly think, "MANNEQUIN HANDS!" (If you're not familiar with this term, click here for the definition).

It's so bizarre! The pink color of the base, mixed with the gold and green flashes, makes this shade an almost spot-on match for my very own skin! Until, of course, my nails catch the light and the green shimmer appears. But anyway, I think this is the closest I've come to a true "mannequin hands" color, and I wasn't even looking for one. Pretty funny!

All in all, this is probably not a shade I'll reach for too often. It's VERY sheer (the above pics were taken after four coats) and even then, it's barely noticable on my hands, unless of course the light hits my fingers in just the right place and then you can see the gold and green flashes.

I was thinking I could get more use from this shade if I used it layer, but I can't even think of base color that would be enhanced by a coat of this polish. Any suggestions?

PS: I hope you all are having a wonderful Sunday! Mr. R and I went to the farmers' market today to get our weekly produce, and then we had lunch at Tender Greens. If you are in San Diego, I HIGHLY recommend this restaurant, and definitely get one of their iced teas to go with your meal. You will not be disappointed!

For $1.49? Are you kidding me?

I am in awe, people. Really, I almost rearended a guy today and not because I was busy texting or something crazy like that, but because I was admiring my freaking NAILS!

I picked up this Ruby Kisses nail polish in the color "Golden Red" about a month ago at a local beauty supply but just yesterday I got around to actually trying it out. What took me so freaking long? Honestly, this is one of the most gorgeous reds that I've ever, EVER come across. IMHO, I think it's even prettier than OPI La Boheme, and I didn't think any red could EVER touch that one (for some great pics of La Boheme, click on over to The Polish Addict's post here).

My CBC (crappy blackberry camera) once again failed to capture the gorgeousness of this color, but you can kind of see it in the pic of the bottle (the last pic). It's a stunning shade of deep crimson with a tiny gold shimmer running through it. It's basically candy apple red on steroids. LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.

I was so excited when I put this on that I took pics before I even did the necessary clean-up (that's why my mani looks so sloppy in the 2nd and 3rd pics). The first pic was taken in my car (after I had stopped driving and the car was in park, of course) and you can kind of see in the sunlight how truly beautiful this color is.

I suggest you go to whatever beauty supply near you carries Ruby Kisses and pick some up (or you can always order it online). OMG, I'm doing my toes next. Yes.

Two subtle looks, two inexpensive eyeshadows...

Once again, excuse the poor quality of these pics (darn you, Blackberry phone!) but I wanted to share some photos I took tonight after playing around with some inexpensive eyeshadow in my arsenal of drugstore products.

For the first pic, here's what I used:

Ruby Kisses Silky & Rich Eyeshadow Duo in "Shamrock Chic"
This duo contains a gorgeous shimmery forest green on one side and a shimmery light taupe on the other side. Both colors are extremely wearable and blend like a dream. I love the packaging of these eyeshadows--they have a cool slide-top lid! Price: $3.99

Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner in "Cocoa"
All I can say is that this is my go-to eyeliner and holy grail when it comes to staying power, color, and easy of use. Price: $6.50

Maybelline Expert Eyes Twin Brow and Eye Pencil in "Blonde"
Click here to see my love for this product Price: $2.99 for two

Max Factor Volume Couture Mascara in "Rich Black"
This is my go-to mascara that NEVER lets me down. In the pics above, I only used one coat. But even with just one coat, I get defined, thickened, and lengthened lashes that don't flake, run, or smear, even during the summer and even with oily skin. I may cheat on you from time to time, dear Volume Couture, but I always come back to you in the end because you never, ever let me down. Price: $6.99

In the second picture I used the same mascara, eyebrow pencil and eyeliner as in the first pic, but here's the eyeshadow I used:

Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy Instant Definition Eye Shadow Palette in "Quartz"

This trio of shades is simply stunning. You get a light peachy-cream highlight color, a neutral taupe lid color and a warm brown crease color. All three have a very subtle, very pretty shimmer. These colors apply smoothly and are just perfect if you want a sheer wash of color, but still want color that you can actually see. Price: $7.99

Great nail color for $1.50

The next time you're at your local beauty supply, take a look around for the nail polish brand Ruby Kisses by Kiss Cosmetics. Made for women of color, this line offers deeply pigmented, gorgeous colors for about $1.50 a bottle.

I picked up a bottle of "Baby Blue" a few weeks ago for $1 and MAN is it pretty. In the bottle it appears to be a gorgeous turquoise blue with tons of blue micro glitter. But when applied, it's quite sheer and you end up with only a slight tint of blue plus the blue micro glitter. When I did a burgundy pedicure a few days ago, I layered it with Baby Blue and WOW, it brought my boring burgundy to a whole other level. It enhanced the base color because of the blue sparkles, but because the glitter is so fine, I wasn't left with "WOW, LOOK AT ME" toes. The result was a really pretty, slightly blueish, subtle shimmer that really makes my burgundy nails pop.

If you can't find Ruby Kisses at your local beauty supply, you can always check out the online beauty supply store at the link above. Also there are some sellers on ebay who sell it for about $2.50 a bottle, which is still a good deal considering how well these polishes wear and the selection of interesting, original colors.