My Little Pumpkin

It's a vampire. See it's fangs?

Happy Halloween!

Sometimes last week I was over at Makeupalley.com and seen a code for another Zoya promo posted on the nail boards so I hurried over to Artofbeauty.com and loaded my buggy with the three polishes that came to my mind as a want and clicked order. I wasn't sure if it would work, I mean three free amazing polishes? (just pay shipping?) Well I guess so! I received my polishes in the mail Thursday. These are my first Zoya polishes and I love them! I got one from the winter glitters, one from the winter mattes, and one I've had my eye on for a while. I love all three. I can see why they're giving these away now. They know once you try them you'll be hooked. I got Harlow(which is missing from the picture), Barbie and Nova. I want to paint all my shoes with Nova haha!

I've been messing with makeup all morning, trying to see what I'm going to do tonight. The makeup doesn't show up at all in these crappy pictures, it's so much more dramatic in person. Plus my hair is frizzy but the tutorial I used off of youtube.com said not to use any hair product...if you want to see the most amazing curls ever go here. I wish I would get mine to look like hers! 

I still haven't decided for sure if I'm even going to dress up but if I do I'll try and get better pics. 

Happy Halloween everybody! Have a safe night!

And thanks to everyone entering the contest so far! I love reading the polish ideas!

Giveaway! Barielle, Nailtek, and Nailene +

Hi everyone! I'm so happy to finally post a giveaway. Here's the prizes-

1 Nailene French Manicure Kit

1 Nailene So Real artificial nails set

1 Shades by Barielle polish in Lava Rock

1 Shades by Barielle polish in Pin Up

1 Shades by Barielle polish in Polished Princess 

1 sample pack of Philosophy Microdelivery Peel

1 Nailtek Foundation II

I gotta admit I was tempted to keep the Polished Princess for myself haha! But that would be greedy so I decided I'll just have to buy it...

How to enter:

• Must be a follower of this blog
• Leave me a comment telling me what polish would you create for Barielle if given the chance?? Leave your email address if it's not on your blog already!

Addtional entry:

• Post a blog post about this contest on your blog, be sure to leave me a link in your comment.

This is U.S. only, 18 and up. Winner must respond within 5 days of notification. Contest ends November 12th. 

Good Luck!

Olay ProX

I got home from work this morning and checked the mail since I forgot to check it yesterday and I was so surprised to receive my 28 day sample (I know, huge sample!) of Olay ProX wrinkle smoothing cream! Yay! I had signed up for it at VocalPoint.com and didn't actually think I'd get it because I was assuming it would be an overwhelming response for it. I've had my eye on this line since it was released even though I'm only 24. My problem is I work nights and have developed bags under my eyes which have made lines under my eyes. I know you're thinking...well get an eye cream but my bags are unusually low and so are the lines so none of the eye creams have worked for me. I'm really excited to try this! The quality of this jar is pretty impressive to be a sample. One more thing! They included 5 coupons for $10 off a single Olay Professional Pro-X product, expires 2/28/2010. If you would like one of these you may mail me your info and I will mail one to you. My email is sugar@sparklingpinkgorilla.com. This is a first come first serve basis, I'm sorry I don't have one for each of you :( 

If you'd like more info on this product or line, or to request a $10 off 2 products coupon, please visit OlayProfessional.com.

Free Nail Polish!

I never noticed this before but did you know Barielle has a monthly contest? The winner this month will win the full ALU collection (all12!). I just entered, wish me luck! And get over there to enter while there's still time! Click Here

Iron Fist Shoes: Halloween Ideas

I ran across this brand of shoes I never heard of before called Iron Fist (they make clothes also). I can't believe the designs...or the prices! These would be perfect for Halloween!

Going as Dorothy?These are perfect for the land of Oz! And the heels are striped black and white! <3

Hottopic.com $32.99

Zombie Shoes!Omg these are amazing! Journeys.com $39.99

Not a heels type of Girl?

I don't know where these are from but I'll do some more googling and update if I find them. I love the bows on the side!

Wow Barielle!

With all the technology today, I sometimes forget how easily other people (or companies) can find out what we're talking about. I posted my bottle of Barielle earlier which had a small defect-just so you know the color is to die for and Imma post some pics when I get a chance! Anyways, I got an email first thing this morning from Adam Pollock part of their customer service team and he said, "Dear “Sparkingpinkgorilla”,That should never happen…Send your address to me and we’ll ship you out a new one.We stand behind our products." Wow. I didn't expect that! I hear bloggers and beauty product junkies complain about various companies all the time and never get any response. Anyways, i mailed Adam Pollock back and asked him if they would mind if I used the replacement bottle in a giveaway since mines still usable and he said......(drumroll please).......Yes! That they will send a couple of different ones for the giveaway! Yay! So I'm announcing my upcoming giveaway. I'll post an official post about it when the polishes arrive. I've been collecting some stuff for one and just been waiting for when I had some extra polish to put in the group.

I just wanted to let you all know this. I thought it was quite amazing since I had a small order from them (unfortunately) and I have a small blog but apparently even the "little person" matters in their book! :)

O and I wanted to say wow at their packaging my order came in. I could have sat on the box and nothing would have broke. 

You can order Barielle polishes and treatments from Barielle.com where the polishes are buy 2 get 1 free and they include samples in every order. You can also go to Scrangie.com and click the link on her blog. I had forgot to do this when I ordered and she's the main reason I ordered them in the first place with her amazing swatches. 

What The Hell Barielle?

I got my first Barielle Polish today...Yay! I hope this is not an indicator of their quality though... If I put it back on and twist hard it'll go back together though. The shade is Lava Rock- I'm so ecited to try it on! I can't wear black because it looks all kinds of wrong so I've been trying dark colors that lean towards black. The swatches of this I've seen are amazing!

Just A Cheap Shirt

I wanted to show you all my Miley shirt! I've really been enjoying it, it's really comfy and casual. A good $12 spent. My boyfriend washed it for me on accident and I'm not sure if he used hot water or what but I got some black bleeding around the cuff of one sleeve. Luckily you can't see it when I'm wearing it though. O and my brother asked me if I was pregnant while wearing it... haha!  I stumbled across this shirt at Bluefly.com for $60, so anyone interested in a higher quality version could look here. The name of it is Just A Cheap Shirt yellow plaid flannel western shirtdress...

Drugstore.com Haul

I decided to try this Philosophy On A Clear Day kit($65 on Drugstore.com) even though the reviews everywhere are iffy. I wanted to try it because I'm tired of benzoyl peroxide which makes my skin dry and flaky and has made all my washcloths, towels, and pillowcases look like I went on a bleach spree.  I used it today and even though it smells really really bad, it made my skin feel really good. Hopefully this is a good sign. They included a four pack of the microdelivery peel and I LOVED it. My skin actually felt plumper if this makes any sense. And so soft!

(from left to right) Oil-free Foaming Acne Cleanser, Oil-free All Over Acne Treatment, Oil-free Acne Spot Treatment, Retinol Clarifying Lotion( retinol makes me nervous :s)I haven't used these since they first came out , I was early teens and didn't even have blackheads! I can't wait to see how they do now.These sheets are small so you might need several but they do suck up the oil and make skin matte! I got this for headaches but as an added bonus it helps relieve eye puffiness! Just pop it in the freezer to chill.

365 Days Of Polish?!

i found a really neat blog while googling some random nail swatches. It's called dailypolish.blogspot.com and the girl in charge of it has committed to wearing a different shade of polish every day for a year. I know this sounds like nothing after reading All Lacquered Up and Scrangie's blog where they're constantly swatching whole collections of nail polish but for us mere mortals I find this an achievement. I got to admit as much as I love nails and love polish, I hate the task of doing my nails. I know I couldn't do it every day! Not to mention my boyfriend might think I was crazy if I had 365 bottles of polish stashed around the house...I'm slowly trying to bring him around though :) 

Anyways- go check out her blog, I can't believe she only has 9 followers!

P.S. she's on day 52 if you're wondering

Click Here

images via beauty-advices.com

Christmas Is Coming! Gift Ideas

As far as I can tell- every girl loves Victoria's Secret. I know I do! Even though there are simply too many great gift ideas to show you, I really wanted to share my favorites.

Gifts For All

These gifts are really great and affordable- so you if you're buying for many girlfriends you won't break the bank!

Victoria's Secret Pink®
Eau de Parfum Ornament
$10
Beauty Rush®
Holiday Gift Set
$15

Includes:
• Body Drink Lotion in Twinkleberry, 2.5 oz.
• Body Double Mist in Twinkleberry, 2.5 oz.
• Lip Gloss in Sugar High, a clear, shimmering shade

Victoria's Secret Pink®
Mini Gift Set
$15

 Includes Victoria's Secret Pink® Eau de Parfum, .25 oz., and Body Lotion, 1.7 oz. 
Secret Garden Collection
Hydrating Body Lotion Gift Set
$15

Includes:
• Amber Romance, 1.7 oz. 
• Love Spell®, 1.7 oz. 
• Pure Seduction, 1.7 oz. 
• Berry Kiss, 1.7 oz. 
• Sweet Daydream, 1.7 oz.

Victoria's Secret Pink®
Pink with a Splash All-over Body Mist Gift Box
$25

Includes:
• Fresh & Clean, 4.2 oz.
• Fruity & Bright, 4.2 oz.
• Warm & Cozy, 4.2 oz.

Victoria's Secret Pink®
Must-have Gift Set
$25

 Includes Sheer Fragrance Mist, 4.2 oz., and Body Lotion, 3.4 oz.
Victoria's Secret Pink®
Tank & panty set
$19.50
Tee & pant set
$39.50  

The price for this set is a REALLY GOOD PRICE for one of their shirts and sweatpants! This could be for a best friend, sister, or even your mom-my mom loves Pink!

For Makeup Lovers
POPbeauty
Hello Gorgeous
$20

Includes:
• 10 lip glosses
• 6 cheek shades
• 36 eye shades
• 2 duo applicators

Omg at the price for all this plus- BONUS! When you're done with the makeup you can pop it out and it doubles as a jewelry box!

VS Makeup
Heidi Klum Eye Shadow Palette
$24

Even though she had an adorable palette last year-she had her face plastered on the front! I prefer this. Plus the shades are gorgeous!
POPbeauty
Goddess Clutch
$32

Includes:
• 8 eyeshadows
• Lip gloss
• Highlighter
• Blush

Such a pretty way you can carry your makeup. Another deal from POPbeauty and another BONUS! Pop(haha! no pun intended) the makeup out and carry this clutch out on the town. 

For The Polish Addicts

Victoria's Secret Pink now has polish apparently. The top on these even house nail bling! Victoria's Secret Pink®
PINK ME UP™ Polish & Bling
$7 or Special any 3/$15 

(shown in sweet, love it, and amazing and available in 6 shades)

Anyone seen or used these yet? I'd love to see a swatch.

For The Girl Who Has It All

Let her pick her own gift, now or later. (I wish all giftcards were so pretty)

Deals Going On Right Now

Pink's "natural" line is on sale right now for $5- that's anything in the line! Hurry while they last!

Codes

• Free Pink limited edition tote  VSPINKBAG 
• Free Beauty Rush Lip Set  FREERUSH 
• $15 off $100, $30 off $150, $75 off $250, $150 off $500 FALL09 

All valid until November 18th 

Lust

Sabina Leather Satchel in Emperor Purple $198 @ UrbanOutfitters.com

The Beauty Chick takes a look a Go Girl's practical line of products.

Beauty Junkies Unite swatches of one of the hottest new nail polish shades, Jade from Chanel!

It's "Armani Everything" at Best Things in Beauty, where you can read all about the new Rouge d'Armani lipsticks and Crema Nera OMC3 and enter a giveaway contest for OMC3 ($185).

Denim Debutante talks about why she didn't go to Fashion Week.

"Match you nails to your emails!" Dell and O.P.I. at FeroHHHsh.

Kelly of Gouldylox Reviews sits down with Leslie Blodgett of Bare Escentuals.

Hot Beauty Health is giving you the latest jacket trends for fall!

The Informed Makeup Maven gives away her must have Napoleon Perdis essentials.

Krasey Beauty explores glamour's Gothic side with Illamasqua Dystopia.

Lipgloss Break is giving away Pure Silk shaving cream.

Check out review and swatches of Chanel Glossimers at Makeup4all.

theNotice tries on Fall's dark lip trend -- and throws some blue and violet into the mix!

Obsession Confessions of Glamour and Love has tips for dry hair and skin in colder weather.

Prime Beauty learns that thin is not always in, with hair at least.

It's Breast Cancer Awareness month, and Sicka Than Average wants you to dip into a sea of pink with these BCA-themed fashions and cosmetics

Visit our website for more information about The HLMN or how to become an affiliate.

What is this feeling?

More From Nailene

After wearing the couture nails from Nailene for about a day they started popping off a bit ( I think it was because they are so arched and my nails are fairly flat) so I took them off and out the So Natural nails on for my Saturday night out. They held up much better but I still had one pop off, which was probably my fault. I like these nails a lot but they do have their cons. Here's my list of the good and the bad.

The Good:

• Cheap 
• Easy to apply
• Sturdy-thick enough to not break or chip but thin enough to feel natural.
• Very lightweight-I can't even tell they're on my nails.
• These have a slight sparkle to them which I really like.
• Contour to your nail really well. 
• Short length-I know a lot of people don't like the short length but I prefer this length.
• Natural looking tip-not bright white and no noticeable line between the nude and white.

The Bad:

• Tip wear started on day one and the top coat of the nail is flaking off. I think this could be solved by putting your own clear coat over the nail initially.
• Kinda plastic looking. 

Amazing Deal!

I was looking around for some cheap flats and having found my favorite pairs for cheap at Target last year I decided to check out the website. I found these great looking flats for $12.99! They have several colors and designs and at this price you can have a pair of each! Plus, all the flats have rave reviews from the customers that bought them. Check them out at Target.com.

7 Things

Kae over at The Hungry Asian did a 7 things tag on her blog and said if anyone wanted to do one that she chose purple. I had to do it since I love the color purple and thought it looked like fun! Here's what's in the pic-

• My purse
• My phone and phone sock
• My psp
• Chi nail polish in Passionate For My Work
• My flat iron
• A pair of socks
• A scarf from the Miley Cyrus & Max Azria collection at Walmart- this was only six dollars but is really nice. I also picked up one of the plaid tunics in yellow. I found a Walmart with several of the tunics in a bunch of colors. I really like the shirt and will take a picture when I get a chance. If I go back and they still have more I plan on buying a bunch up! Here's a pic in case you've yet to see the shirt-

Cardi Coats for $20

Old Navy is having a sale on cardi coats this week and after seeing the commercial a million and one times I decided to go see what they had. I looked on the website first and picked out a purple/maroon one. When I got there that color wasn't in my size so I ended up gettingone in gray. I have to say these are really a deal at $20- they were orginally around $44. They look exactly like they do on the website and are so thick and comfy! I can't wait for cold weather so I can start wearing mine. I got this one in gray. I really loved this color but I didn't want to get one too big. $20The sleeves on this one kinda freak me out but I love everything else about it. $20 Here's a shorter version but I seen this style in a long version also. Plus there's several colors to choose from in all the styles. $20I didn't see this one at my store but I really like this one. It's a little more expensive but still cheap at $29.50.

Starry Sky

I was contacted by Nailene Last week and they said they asked if I'd like some products to review. Well I love free stuff and nail stuff so I said of course! I didn't expect so much but they were really generous and it all came like a birthday present in a pretty purple bag with tissue paper. I was so excited to open it all! Here's what I got-

I tried the Acrylic Strong topcoat with some of the bedazzle decals first. The topcoat had a nice shine and dried fairly fast although the formula seemed thin. It could be that I'm just used to Seche being so thick. I really like the bottle design. It's frosted glass which makes it easy to hold on to and the shape feels comfortable to hold. The decals were easy to apply and seem really secure- especially with the topcoat over them. 

So after messing with the decals, I took them off because I couldn't wait to try the Couture nails on. 

These were easy to apply and I didn't get many bubbles at all. Plus I put decals on top to hide any flaws. I love the blue sparkly tips!

What I like about them:

• Affordable 
• Quick and easy to apply
• Seemed not to have as many bubbles
• Fun design
• Bubbled arch (I don't naturally have one but these give me one-which I like)
• No commitment (No going to the salon to maintain these. If I want nails, I just pop some on in the comfort of my own home and when I'm done I can remove them at home.)
• Looks as good as salon nails

What I dislike:

• While I found a good match for most of my nails, there was the one nail that I couldn't match well.
• No matter what there are always bubbles.
• These didn't seem to hold as well as the other nails I've used. This isn't totally a bad thing though, because this nail design isn't something I'd want for more than the weekend. 

Overall I really like these regardless of the cons. I was surprised these are made by the same company that makes Revlon's because I did not like the Revlon ones. I tried applying those and they turned out horrible so then I tried removing them which was even worse. I can't wait to try the other nails I received and will be doing reviews on them also.