Review: ImPRESS Press-On Nails

So last week I received my first Influenster VoxBox, containing two packs of  ImPRESS Press-On Nails. Full disclosure, I'm not really a fake nails kind of person, but then again, I had only tried them once before this, so I was open to giving them a shot. 

On Tuesday afternoon, I put them on while I was watching tv. The process was simple and the nails fit quite comfortably. I took a few pictures and went on with my day. 

pictured above in Evil Queen (left) and Shout (right)

My troubles started rather quickly. I rarely grow my nails out, but when I do, the process gives me time to adjust. Here, my nails went from rather short to quite long in a matter of minutes. I had trouble getting changed, cooking, and even sleeping with the things on. From there on out it was a matter of keeping them on until they fell off so I could review them properly.

At this point I figured, they were quite pretty, the price ($10.99) seemed reasonable, people who enjoyed fake nails would probably enjoy this product. Then a few hours later, one fell off while I was getting ready to go to bed. That's right, the nails, advertised to last up to a week, lasted me 33 hours. Now I live a fairly sedentary lifestyle, I sleep, I eat, I go on the internet, there's not really much going on with me at the moment. So I figure I put these nails under the least stress possible, and they fell off. Imagine someone with a more active lifestyle?

But maybe it was bad luck, maybe there was something wrong with my particular pack, who knows. My friend Lauren over at Lipstick + Lacquer received the same product and her's haven't fallen off yet.  (look for a review from her in the near future!)

So if you're looking for something for one day/night, there's a good selection of colours and patterns, but if you're looking for something with staying power, I'd recommend trying something else.

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Mission: Peanut Butter Cookies

So I've been baking for pretty much my whole life. It's one of my favourite things in life. But I haven't baked anything in over a month. That was one of the reasons I started this blog, I need to get back to doing what makes me happy. 

So what better place to start off this blog than with the thing I've been procrastinating, making peanut butter cookies! I don't really have a favourite recipe for these, so my sister's soon to be mother-in-law suggested this one from the Joy of Cooking. They're a pretty standard peanut butter cookie, crunchy around the edges, soft in the middle, a little dry, but perfect with a glass of milk.

Preheat the oven to 375. Whisk together 1 1/2 cups flour and 1/2 tsp baking soda.

 In a separate bowl, combine 1/3 cup butter, 1/2 cup white sugar and 1/2 cup brown sugar until well blended. I still haven't figured out how to soften butter without melting it in my microwave and I've lived here two years.

Beat in one egg, 1 cup peanut butter and 1/2 tsp vanilla.

Stir into the flour mixture and combine until well blended.

Shape into balls (or if you're lazy like me just drop it by the spoonful) and place on cookie sheet.  I used parchment because my cookie sheets aren't in the best shape, but just a greased pan should be fine.

Press with a fork. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let stand briefly and then transfer to a rack to cool.

 Recipe taken from the Joy of Cooking 

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup cutter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 tsp vanilla

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 

Whisk together flour and baking soda. In a separate bowl, combine butter and sugars until well blended. Beat in egg, peanut butter and vanilla. 

Stir into the flour mixture and combine until well blended. Shape into balls and place on cookie sheet. Press with a fork. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let stand briefly and then transfer to a rack to cool.

Intro Post! Hi Guys!

In my opinion the three best ways to get to know someone are to look in their makeup bag, their fridge, or their iPod. So I figured the best way to introduce myself was to list my makeup must haves and current favourites!

So that's my makeup bag. It's got a lot of good stuff in there, but also a lot of boring stuff and stuff I'm looking for replacements to. So let's talk about the good stuff!

Too Faced Melted in Violet

I had been looking for a while for a nice bold purple colour, so the moment I saw this I knew I had to have it. It goes on smooth and dries to an only slightly glossy finish. It lasts a while, but not as long as I'd like, but the colour is worth the trouble of reapplying. I wear it anywhere and everywhere, but it might not feel like the more wearable shade for everyone. But fear not!  It also comes in three other shades, which are all a fair bit more every day.

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

I have two of these, moss and intense black, and they're the best damn eyeliners I've ever owned. They go on dark and don't budge all day. I basically want every colour.

Kat Von D Lock It Tattoo Concealer

I use light 18, which I think is the highest number I've ever seen on a concealer that's pale enough for me. And it's not even the lightest! It's the second lightest. It's super creamy and nice feeling. It doesn't, however, in my experience, cover tattoos very well. So if that's what you're looking for, I suggest you keep looking.

Revlon Colourburst Matte Balm

(audacious is in a purse somewhere) 

I have audacious and mischievous. If I had the money I would own all of these. The colours are so fun and they stay rather well and they smell awesome.

Essence Lash and Brow Gel

Essence makes me so happy. All their stuff is super cheap and really good for the price. My favourite of their products is this one, but they've never disappointed me!

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipsticks

My favourite drug store lipstick by far. I have a bunch, but my favs are black cherry and pink in the afternoon. And to anyone who has ever compared their skin colour to printer paper, this stuff is especially for you. It's just this lovely soft pink and it's great and you will feel way cuter the second you put it on.

Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream

Okay so when I first got this, I thought it was the best thing to ever happen to me. I wore it every day. But like most wonderful things. The sheen wore off. They're kind of drying and they don't last super long. But I'm still a fan! The colours are lovely and they're truly matte.

Benefit Coralista

The only blush I've ever loved. The colour looks great on pretty much everyone. It goes on nicely, stays well, builds well, smells great. Basically just buy it okay? Okay.

Next up: Mission Peanut Butter Cookie and a review of ImPRESS Press-On Manicure!