Store Focus - Beyond Skin Shoes

It's been a while since I featured Beyond Skin here on Shoe Daydreams, but I really need to source them more often.  They consistently have cute shoes that, while not cheap, are not as pricey as Stella McCartney.  They definitely are doing their part to showcase how stylish cruelty-free shoes can be.

Of course, everyone needs a few good glitter heels.  I like the Sirene and Sweetie.

The Penny oxford herringbone booties are perfect for this season - from wide trousers to skinny jeans or tights and a pleated skirt.

The edgier Conni lace-up boot is pretty snazzy too.

The tan and black patent Colleen bootie has classic Chanel-esque colorway that keeps up with modern styling.

But personally I'm a sucker for a shiny metallic pump, like the faux snakeskin version of the Sirene.

But I have to admit they gold diamond pattern is striking too.  This also comes in a great aqua zigzag print that would look stunning with a chocolate sweater dress and tights.

And their Heart ballet flats come in every variation you could possibly need. I'm partial to the multi-color glitter myself. 

I actually really want the Franklin faux croc pumps.  Their shape is perfect 1940s.  Picture mid-length pencil skirts, The Big Sleep and Bogey heroines. I have a vintage pair like this but I know they won't last forever.  These would be great with so many outfits.

And they have great basics too, like black patent wingtips...

... or velvet beribboned loafer slippers, Beyond Skin has that too.

Most of their styles come in several color and pattern options, their prices range around $100 and up but their having a sale now. And they're vegan! I love how they say: "No humans, animals or small children were harmed in the making of our shoes. " Wouldn't it be great if everything was that way?

SD Review - Revlon Expressionists Collection Nail Polishes

I am a BIG fan of glitter and have to admit, I'm a sucker for glitter nail polishes.  So, when I was in ULTA the other day and saw the display for the new Revlon Expressionists collection, I had to grab a few of the polishes.

And they are stunning.  There are 4 colors in the nail collection: Smoky Canvas, Facets of Fuchsia, Blue Mosaic and Starry Pink.  I got all but Smoky Canvas.

The colors are stunning.  Jelly base polishes with small round and large hex glitters. I can't wait to try these two.

What I'm wearing right now is Facets of Fuchsia - a sheer black base with purple glitter.  This color is elegant, subtle and stunning.

Deborah Lippmann has made glitter polish upscale and classy, but Revlon (especially with this near dupe of DL's Bad Romance) is hot on her heels.  I was is love with this polish from the first brush stroke.

If you can find these polishes, get them.  The price is great and the colors will totally impress you.

I also bought one of the eyeshadows.  I'm less thrilled with this, as I find glittery shadows to be too "chunky" but the colors are cute too.

Images source via web and not my own.

SD Review - Emjoi MICRO-Pedi

I am a pretty skeptical person when it comes to gadgets, especially beauty gadgets.  I don't buy into the infomercial sales pitch so I don't have anything like Ped-eggs, face trainers, or the like.  So when I received this Emjoi Micro-Pedi to check out, I was about to laugh it off as the typical nonsense.

But I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised with how will this worked.

I have pretty sensitive feet (I never ever walk around barefoot), I wear heels a lot and my feeties tend to get kind of dry but I don't want to sleep in lotion and socks.  So I have a few buffers on hand to use in the shower or when I'm giving myself a pedicure, but they never quite do the job. I've even used those razor deals, which is dangerous for me because I have a tendency to injure myself all the time.

I decided to give the Micro-Pedi a test right out of the box... and it worked amazingly!

The Micro-pedi acts like a rotating buffer (almost like a large dremmel, actually) with two different rollers  - coarse/magenta and extra-coarse/blue) - that snap in and out at the touch of a button. I turned it on and ran  the roller over my heel.  No pressure is needed, the roller does all the work.

In just a minute or two, my heels were perfectly smooth and soft. I put on a little lotion and it was as if I'd had a full on pedicure. 

A week later my feet are still smooth without any dryness, which is not typical for me. I am a full on fan!

Right now the Micro-Pedi is available online and it retails for $39.95.  They'll be in stores, like Ulta and Sally Beauty, in September.

It's definitely the most effective (and for me the safest!) option I've seen.

SD Review - Dior Color Awakening Lip Balm

Dior's Color Awakening Lipbalm may be the prettiest lip balm I've ever experienced. I'm totally smitten with it's feminine presentation and just want to use it all the time because it's so pretty. Luckily, the balm itself is actually pretty amazing as well.

Dior describes it as:

A made-to-measure lip balm that beautifies and durably enhances the lips’ natural color. A customized color result : thanks to its Color Reviver technology, Dior Addict Lip Glow reacts directly with the unique chemistry of each woman’s lips before releasing its color ingredient. Lips seem revived from within, amazingly fresh, full and radiant. In addition, its SPF10 formula enriched with wild mango and luffa cylindrica continuously protects and moisturizes. A universal balm for all lips.

I have to admit that it works. My lips are soft and rosy.  This isn't a gloss but a soft balm that leaves you with a bit of sheen and a flush of pink.

I've always heard (although I didn't put much credit in it) that wearing lipstick fades your lips over time.  I haven't seen that but, even if it's true, this does the opposite.  It leaves your lips worthy of a book heroine description. Who doesn't want that?

SD Review - Sinful 24-7 Neon Pink Nail Polish

Just a quick review.  I've been searching and searching for true neon pink polish and this is it - Sinful Color's 24/7

It goes on pretty well, I used two coats, and got the great neon below.

It's definitely bright.  So much so that even my totally white skin looks almost tan.  It's a perfect punch of neon and worth grabbing.

SD Review - Demeter Fragrances

You probably know Demeter perfumes from their quirky Fragrance Library of "pure" scents.  They captured attention ages ago with perfumes that capture the complex and textured smells of Rain, Tomato and Dirt.

Over the years, their library has expanded to hundreds and include perfumes based on classic drinks, Hello Kitty, Play-Doh and a number of sweet treats.

I've always been interested in a number of their scents... how can you not want to see how they've captured Grass or Bonfire or Champagne. I ordered a whole bunch of their purse-sized sprays to test them out.

I'm generally pretty sensitive and picky about my perfumes.   I don't even have any gardenia-based perfumes (my favorite flower) because they all always smell artificial.

When I received all of these I was pretty excited to give them a go. There were some, like Champagne Brut and Grass, that smelled almost plastic and turned me off completely. Some I just didn't like.  In the end I stuck with:

 Black Pepper (a very wearable scent and a good day option to Caron's Poivre perfume)

Beetroot (sweet, earthy, unusual.  I like the weirdness of it)

Lilac (just as sweet and simple as you would expect)

Earl Grey Tea (I love bergamot)

Wet Garden (moist, green, earthy with sweet flowers)

The rest went back.  They were either too strong, not what I hoped or I just didn't like them in person.  The purse sprays are an economical way to test these out at only $10 each but they are colognes so their lasting time is pretty short.

I'm going to try some more soon, namely that Bonfire, so I'll let you know what they are like as well.

SD Review - Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain

I've spoken before about my love for lipstains and now I have a new one that I've fallen for.  I have just bought three colors of the Revlon "Just Bitten" collection.

I bought Twilight (deep berry), Passion (medium pink) and Frenzy (bright fuchsia).  They don't drip going on, stain well, and have a nice balm on the other side.

Great color, great application and as natural or bright as you would like to go.  I bought mine at CVS for about $9 each.  Since I just bought them I'm not sure how long they will last but I'll let you know!

GPOY Lipstain

SD Review: Boot Tights

You  know those genius ideas?  The ones that you can't believe no one came up with until now.  Well, this is one of those ideas... Boot tights.

I was sent a pair of these tights in the opaque mid-calf style and the moment I put them on, I was in heaven.  These are so perfect for wearing with boots, especially in the winter.  My feet were extra comfortable and warm.

What they are is a thicker, more sock-like, section of the tight that merges seamlessly with the opaque tight above the bootline.  Not only was I loving the fact that my feet were more comfortable (from the extra cushioning) and warm but the boots were less able to destroy my tights.  I can't be the only one who has boots that catch and put holes and runs in her tights.

I love the classic mid-calf style I tried, but they also make opaque & ankle, cable knit, fishnet, pinstripe, herringbone and argyle.

Right now the tights are only available in black but I hope they will think of expanding to other colors.  I love bright tights with boots and wear them all winter long.  More more more!

You can order Boot Tights directly via their site, other sites or via retailers in your area. We've got a lot more winter to get through so check them out!

SD Review: Tsubo Kampot Boot

The folks from Tsubo have graciously let me test out another pair from their product line.  This time it is the Kampot boot.  These boots are so unique looking. They're just killer.

They're knee-high boots with a 3" heel that has almost a talon shape.  But these boots have the same cushion-y insole as their shoes, which means you can walk all day in them.

Did I mention I love the design of these?  The shaft is stiched together in waves, adding a unique embellishment without getting fussy or over accessorized. They're streamlined but not at all plain.

The interior has a bit of metallic sheen to it and is coupled with a soft lining.

The Kampots fit pretty true to size, are medium width, zip up inner calf and have two gussets for a bit of calf stretch.

But what's hard to beat are their grippy soles.  You can look fabulous and sleek while not slipping!  Amazing, right?!?

I prefer the black but the brown version done in multi-tonal pieces is funky too.

The Kampot boots are $200 and you can get either pair directly from the Tsubo site.