Complying with New FTC Guidelines

Unfortunately, I've been lacking in beauty posts this week because I wanted to sit down and read the new FTC Guidelines to make sure I comply and don't get in trouble down the line.  And I haven't had time until now!

I found some helpful links through Liquid Jelly that made the new guidelines easier to understand.  Basically, the FTC wants bloggers to clearly disclose how they obtained the product that's in the post.  To do this, a lot of bloggers seem to be using buttons at the top of their posts, and I think that is one of the best ways...so I'm going to do that too.

I Bought This Pretty self explanatory.  Spent my own money to buy the products shown in the post.

Press Sample Products in the post were sent for consideration, but any opinions stated are mine and 100% honest.

Sponsored I think this one is pretty self explanatory too.  If a company sponsors a post, this will be at the top.  I haven't done any of these, but if it ever happens...I'm prepared, lol.

Affiliate Link I don't have any of these either, but I thought I'd add it in just in case I ever use some in the future.  If this button is present, then the post contains advertorial links and if a purchase is made through that link, I will receive a small percentage or amount from the total of that purchase.  Also, I will label these links with "(ad)" next to it in the post text.

Referral Link I thought I'd add this, even though I don't usually post referral links in a post unless it's a new one.  If you sign up through this link, I gain something (different depending on the company).  All of my referral links are in my sidebar, clearly labeled as referral links.

I got button ideas from Liquid Jelly and Phyrra.  I learned how to make these text buttons from 15 Minute Beauty.

SWATCH: Julep - Joy

Just a short little post about my add-on from my March Julep Maven box today!  This is Joy, a dusty mauve creme polish, and she was part of the Boho Glam box for March.  I loved this color after seeing Julep's swatches, but didn't love the other color in Boho Glam, so I passed on that box.  But I couldn't pass on Joy, so here she is!

  

in the shade & in the sun

And with a matte top coat on middle and pinky fingers:

  

in the shade & in the sun

I used 2 coats of polish for the swatches above.  I also used a glossy top coat for the first two pictures.  This one applied really well with no streaks!  I'm very happy with it, and it will be a great work-safe addition to my collection. :)

SWATCH: L.A. Girl 3D Holographic - Brilliant Blue

Did anyone else know L.A. Girl has a holographic nail polish collection?!  I haven't heard anything about this, but I spotted the display at Rite Aid when I was there earlier this week and it was still pretty full.  I was pretty excited and bought two of the colors!

There are 8 colors all together, and here are some bottle shots of all of them:

 

3D Silver & Electric Coral

 

Teal Dimension & Purple Effect

 

Dazzling Pink & Brilliant Blue

 

Sparkle Ruby & Black Illusion

I pretty much wanted all of the polishes, but limited myself to two: Brilliant Blue and Purple Effect.  Today, I have swatches of Brilliant Blue for you!

Click through for swatches.

Julep Maven: March 2013 It Girl (Shenae, Simone, Teri) Swatches

I finally received my Julep box for March!  It was delayed due to an error in their system, according to an email Julep sent me on March 8th.  I was quite annoyed because they waited so long to let me know, all the while I was waiting and thinking it got lost.  Anyway, I'm glad they fixed it and that the box finally got here!

I almost skipped this one, but in the end, my love of pastels overcame my willpower.  Julep also advertised this collection with a matte top coat, saying that it made the polishes look like sidewalk chalk from our childhood.  I really liked the look of it with the matte top coat, so that was another point in favor of getting it, haha. 

Click through for hand swatches.

Google Reader =/= Google Friends Connect

Hello~  This is not makeup related, but I've noticed a lot of other bloggers posting about the disappearance of Google Reader.  I hadn't really thought about how this disappearance would affect following blogs, as I personally don't use it.  But there seems to be some confusion about Google Friend Connect.  I don't believe Google said anything about discontinuing this (yet), but most people seem to think that the end of Google Reader also means the end of GFC.  I don't think that's what it means at all, though who knows...they may phase it out in the future since they really seem to be pushing Google+.

As I said, I don't use Google Reader, but I do follow blogs with GFC.  Instead of Google Reader, I just read my blogs in my Blogger Dashboad.

So, you can still follow me with GFC and read it in your Blogger Dashboard.  But I know this is not as convenient for most people, since this will only work for blogs with GFC (which is only for Blogger now) and most people would like their blogs to be all in one reader.  So, if this is a problem for you, you can follow my blog on Bloglovin' or HelloCotton.

 

You can also follow me on twitter, where I'll be posting when I update, or by email, through the widget in the sidebar.

Thank you for following!  Hope you enjoy my blog! :)

SWATCH: Sinful Colors - Orange Cream

Sorry it took me so long after my last Sinful Colors post to get this swatch up!  But here is Sinful Colors' Orange Cream!

Orange Cream is a peach crelly (creme+jelly) with a very, very, very subtly shimmer.  It's not even noticeable on the nail and is only noticeable in the bottle if you look very close.  This was a dream to apply!  The formula was very smooth and it only took two coats to reach the opacity in my swatches. Doesn't it look so squishy?  I love it!  This is my favorite from the Sugar Rush collection, so far, and will definitely be a go-to color for the summer.

Click through for the swatches.

REVIEW + SWATCH: Lime Crime Uniliner in Quill

Today I have something different from my usual nail polish post.  I'm trying to swatch and review other types of makeup more, so you can start expecting a bit more variety in posts. :)

This is Lime Crime's Uniliner in Quill, which is just a basic black liquid eyeliner.  I bought this at IMATS because I needed a new eyeliner, and at $10, I thought I couldn't go wrong.

One thing that's consistent with Lime Crime's product is the cute packaging, and this eyeliner is no different.  I really love the print on the brush handle.  The brush itself is thin with a pointed end, allowing you to create different line widths.  This liner has a watery formula and because of that, it doesn't dry very quickly and can smudge a lot.  When it does dry, it keeps a glossy finish, instead of the usual matte finish that you find among other eyeliners.  That was one of the selling points the lady pitched when I stopped by their booth.  I thought that was interesting/different, which was another point in favor of getting it.

Here is Quill swatched on my hand:

Unfortunately, this is not a waterproof eyeliner.  At the end of the day, I had panda eyes.  Quite a bit of the eyeliner had traveled to below my lower lash line.  Not cute.  :(  Because of that, I would not recommend getting this eyeliner.  I will try to use this up, but I won't be repurchasing, which is unfortunate because Lime Crime's Uniliners come in several fun/interesting colors.

SWATCH: Sinful Colors - Sugar Rush and Candy Coated

I stopped by Walgreens on Saturday hoping to find the Sinful Colors Sugar Rush collection because I love pastels and they would be great for Spring!  Also, I wanted to take advantage of the $1 off coupon since it was the last day.

When I got there, I didn't see the display and thought I was out of luck.  But good thing I looked in the regular display!  I don't know about your Walgreens, but the Sinful Colors display at my Walgreens always seems to be in disarray.  Anyway, I picked up 3 from the collection, and I have 2 to show you today!

Click through to see the swatches!