OPI Designer Series Coronation

I decided not to do red or green for Christmas, so I did the other predictable color - silver.  But OPI DS Coronation is a sparkly holo silver, so I give myself a few bonus points for the holo.  Plus, I got loads of compliments on it.  Coronation is a flashy, but not overly so.  Call it grown-up holo.

More pictures after the jump.

Do you measure Christmas Spirit in lights?

Last night Mr. swatchcat and I drove around town looking at Christmas lights before heading off to midnight Mass.  As we drove around, I began to wonder what people are thinking when they decorate the house.  The vast majority keep it simple and understated, which is what I prefer.


This whole block gets in on the act.  Yes, it's a bit over the top, but hey, they sure have the spirit of cooperation down.

We went to one particular subdivision where the houses are ginormous, and therefore, the occupants have plenty of cash to spend on lighting up.

But, there are the few that just don't know when to stop.  Click the jump to see.

Dior Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum: Review and Swatches

If I could, I'd steal my sister-in-law's lashes.  Hers are perfect.  Ultra-long and thick - the perfect frame for eyes.  Unfortunately, I wasn't born with lush, long natural lashes, so I'm always on the lookout for a product that promises such...without breaking the bank.  I've been asked what I think about Latisse, the prescription lash enhancer, and I refuse to go there.  Not only is it expensive, but with the chance that it might darken my irises, it's just not worth the results.  I love my hazely-green eyes!  But, if I had dark eyes and wasn't price sensitive, I'd probably try it out.


I purchased Dior Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum a couple months ago, and put it through the ringer, so to speak.  According to Dior, the Maximizer contains hydrolyzed soy proteins and lots of other scientificky-sounding stuff.  After eight weeks of use, testers found the Maximizer increased lash volume by 52%, lash length by 38%, and lash curl by 73%.


So, does it deliver?  Well, I did notice some difference in my lashes, though I don't know how to quantify that difference.  My lashes do appear a bit longer (though it is hard to tell in the pictures because my lash tips are blonde), and more voluminous.  I wouldn't say the Maximizer caused my lashes to grow, rather it conditioned my lashes, allowing them to grow longer (without breaking) and have a longer life before falling out.  I also noticed those fine little baby lashes grew thicker and longer.


Application is like that of a mascara.  It has a spiky, silicone (I think) brush with a little nub at the end.  The Maximizer is formulated for use under mascara, which gives you instant results, as well as on it's own as a nighttime treatment.  You can use the little nub to apply the serum to your eyelid right at the lash line to get the serum right down into the base of the lashes so it will work while you sleep.  I'm puzzled by the use of the word "serum" because the stuff is a white cream.  When I think serum, I think of a light, almost gel-like formula, not a thick cream.

One Coat Primer:

One Coat Primer + One Coat Mascara (at the start of the 8-week test):

Personally, while the Maximizer did produce instant results when I wore it under mascara, it was a bit too much for me for daily wear.  Furthermore, I found my mascara flaked off when I wore the serum underneath.  After that, I limited my wear to nighttime and special occasions only.


Being that I am a visual person, I like to see results, not just read about them, so I have a lot of pictures.


More pictures after the jump - and I mean a lot more pictures!

The winners are...

For the Zoya Ultra Glitter Set:

For OPI My Private Jet:

Congratulations to the winners!!  Please contact me at swatchcat@gmail.com so that I can get your mailing info.

I had a lot of fun doing this giveaway, and I will do more in the future.  Stay tuned because I have lots of great swatches coming up, including more Deborah Lippmann plus a whole bunch of Butter Londons, Burberry and Urban Decay, just to name a few!

One Last Reminder For My 100 Followers Giveaway!

Who doesn't love free stuff?!  Make sure you enter my giveaway.  Tomorrow is the deadline!


Tell your friends, family, neighbors and blog readers by 5:00 p.m. to get entries.  See the details for entry here.

Reminder Cats

swatchcat D might be too busy napping...

but swatchcat C has your back.  He wants to remind you to enter my giveaway.

What a pal!


(Hurry, the deadline for entries is 5:00 p.m. December 15th...I'll be picking the winners that night!)

Deborah Lippmann Across The Universe

See?!  It's a conspiracy!  Another pretty blue!  At least this one also has green glitter.  Plus it's a navy jelly base, so it makes my inner-goth very happy.


You want pretty pictures?  Sure you do.

More after the jump.