Minimal Shoes ... VFFs

WARNING, WARNING ... old, worn, thoroughly used shoe photos ahead.  These are not nice, neat, nor brand new shoes in the following photographs.  For the sensitive, avert your eyes ...





I can guarantee you one thing with a transition to "minimal shoes" ... you will learn proper exercise form, or else.  :)

I transitioned to approximately half my time in minimal shoes in late 2011.

I had seen Vibram Five Fingers (VFFs) for several years, and thought they looked a bit silly.  However, everything I read on them was intriguing and, since I happened upon a sale anyway, I decided to try a pair out.

FYI - For me personally, I don't have any trouble putting VFFs on, I find it easy to figure out where my toes go, and they slip on practically like slippers after all this time. 

Here are my first and favorite VFFs, the KSO Trek in kangaroo leather.  They fit my foot beautifully, and this is the only shoe I would wear if they were a touch more "acceptable."  I ordered them in a size 40 as per fitting recommendations.  This is my European shoe size.  In "American" shoes, I generally wear a women's 9.5B dress shoe or a 10B in athletic shoes.

My only problem?  I wish they reversed the velcro.  I cannot wear longer pants with these as the fabrics catch in the exposed hook side due to my high instep.

I will say, this is not your father's kangaroo leather, it is not stinky or thick, but supple and easy to deal with.  So far, I have not experienced the VFF funk I have read about on other forums.

I enjoyed the KSO Treks so much, that I ordered a second pair (also on sale), Jaya LRs in Almond/Copper color: size 41 (as per fitting recommendation).  These are like slippers, and they are my *only* house shoe for spring and fall.

I had two problems with these.  First off, they are a bit tighter in the pinky toe than the KSO Treks, and I fell asleep in them my second wearing.  When I woke up my pinky toes really hurt!  Ouch.  Moral of this story, don't fall asleep in new VFFs!  :)  They have since stretched out with wear, and I have fallen asleep in them several additional times without pain upon waking.

Second issue, since these have stretched out quite a bit, I cannot workout in them.  Hence the reason they are house shoes only.

My third pair of VFFs were the Performa Jane, size 41, which I absolutely love.  I wish they had a less wear-away base, because these would not last long on concrete.  They are great weight lifting, house, and relaxing shoe.  I don't expect them to have the longevity I would prefer.  I wish they came in a wider range of colors ... psst, Vibram FiveFingers, Give us warmer colored girls something to wear, wouldja?

My fourth pair of VFFs were the Sprint, size 41.  I strongly dislike this shoe.  If I had started with these, I would not have a good impression of VFFs and may never have purchased another pair.  I got these for aerobics because the tread on the Treks are too aggressive for slipping and side to side motion ... a basic requirement of kickboxing.  These are the shoes that taught me the lesson at the beginning of this post.  I get more numb toe issues with these VFFs than any other pair of shoes I've ever worn.  I also had to do major surgery to these to make them halfway wearable by slicing the elastic at the heel.  Surgery did not improve them enough to make them wearable.

I usually wear my shoes into the ground before I replace them.  These are not going to make it that far.  I have considered, more than once, turning them into: dog toys or trash dwellers.

Moral of this portion?  If you have tried VFFs and had a bad experience but like the idea of the shoes, you might consider another style.  Because the style you picked may have been bad for you, not necessarily the entire line.





But I still had issues with my KSO Treks, I have hot spots develop when doing cross training movements.  TaDa ... SmartWool Toe Socks ...

Yeah, KSO Treks dye my socks pretty badly.  I've never had the KSO Treks dye my feet when worn without socks ... but I suspect leather and wool dye have many similarities in property, and I'm just glad the dye issue stops with my socks.

Something I figured out pretty early on, when putting on the socks, pinch a quarter of an inch or so beyond your toe.  If the socks are pulled on really tight, exercise could tighten them more and dig into the soft tissue between your toes.



And here we are ...

 

 

No more hot spots, no more blisters, regardless of how much horizontal stress movement I place on my feet.  Good thing too, since I haven't found anything that works as well as my VFF KSO Treks.  I hope VFF brings back the kangaroo leather soon.

Exercise and Running clothes ... the top side

I started out wearing my cotton exercise clothing for working out ... cotton shorts, cotton yoga pants, cotton yoga tops.  I like cotton, most of the time, and it had worked out well for all of my previous forays into exercise.

But ...

I started developing "issues."  Let us just say a little "chafing of the cheeks" and leave it at that.

So I began looking for alternatives that wick sweat and dry quickly.  I pulled out my simple Ibex bra, and ran in that.  Wow, what a change from sticky, heavy cotton (regardless of the fact that cotton starts out lightweight, it quickly droops with sweat).



Since my Ibex bra did so well, I bought two more.

Ibex's Balance Light Bra

This is not recommended for high impact activities, and it was originally purchased as a travel bra since I would not have to wash it much (it performed very well on vacation).

For me, it also performs well as a running, walking, aerobics, and weight lifting top.  Being that my body type does not store much body fat above the waist, I am not overly endowed in the chesticles department.  As such I have no fear of falling out, nor of pain, as a result of enthusiastic movement within the confines of this article of clothing.

I highly recommend it for B cups and smaller for anything you desire to do within it.

Granted, in aerobics, I do hear what little arm fat I have cheering me on as it flaps against my rib cage, but that it NOT the fault of the bra!


 

Ibex's Balance Sport Top

Since I enjoyed my bra so much, I decided to try the Sport Top.  I'm not likely to go out in company with my belly exposed - it does not get sun, it is a bit flabby, and I just would not be comfortable saying "Hey world, can you guess how much body fat I carry by looking at my abs?"

I did find the low side cut a bit disconcerting the first two or so times I wore it, but I've quickly gotten used to it and would not want it any other way.  I currently have two.  They can get a little warm in extreme heat, but I'm quite comfortable in anything at or under 80 degrees F.



I do have a variety of tank tops from Smartwool and Icebreaker, but prefer to use them in "nice" outfits rather than as exercise clothes. 

Exercise and Running clothing ... the bottom side

I started out wearing my cotton exercise clothing for working out ... cotton shorts, cotton yoga pants, cotton yoga tops.  I like cotton, most of the time, and it had worked out well for all of my previous forays into exercise.

But ...

I started developing "issues."  Let us just say a little "chafing of the cheeks" and leave it at that.

So I began looking for alternatives that wick sweat and dry quickly.  So I pulled out my old "old, old" pair of running shorts in nylon.  They worked, but they were too big, shifted everywhere, and just felt strange.  I am not a fan of most synthetic fabrics, they feel off to me.  They make my skin rebel.

Right about this time of my discomfort, winter sales are occurring, and I check out my favorite wool companies: Ibex, Icebreaker, and Smartwool.  Gak!  Wallet attack!



Into my exercise world crept:

http://www.backcountry.com/stoic-merino-boy-boxer-womens

Stoic Merino Boy Boxer - Hands down the most comfortable boxer I've ever worn.  It stays in place, does not creep much, and can handle a couple of miles of sweat.  I started out with a large, which has become a bit too large for exercise (as it now creeps where it once did not) so I've also ordered a medium.  The larges are now sleep and goof around shorts while the mediums are my exercise short.

I would gladly have an entire wardrobe of these shorts.  They fit the pear shaped saddle bags well.  I would not recommend these for straight up and down types, as they do have quite a bit of shaping to them.  Thank goodness Stoic came up with these, the only boy shorts made for curvy women!

Icebreaker's Swift Short

These are last year's model, and my favorite.  They are a bit tighter in the waist, so I do not have to bother with a drawstring.  A good compromise between too loose and too tight, they dry quickly and are the shorts I reach for most often.

Icebreaker's Dart Short

I got these because of a spring sale, and since I loved the Swift short so much, expected to like these as much.  These are looser in the waist, which means the drawstring is much more important.  They aren't going to slide off, but when I'm doing abdominal work they do gape abominably on my abdominablies!

They do work well for running and walking.  Another good mix of loose, but not too loose.

 Icebreaker's Boyshort

These seemed like such a good pair of shorts when I first got them, but their fit gets worse and worse as time passes.  I would not do aerobics in these now since they creep.  I infinitely prefer the Stoic Boy Short for my curvy body.


 

Icebreaker's Run Skort

Honestly, I got these for a lark.  Running shorts aren't the most attractive, and I thought these would do well when in company (I usually exercise alone and at home, so it doesn't matter what I wear).  They were a "girly" compromise.

I would not wear these for cross training or weight lifting, as the split irritates me.  However, for simple running or walking they work quite well.

I find the short liner inside quite comfortable, and it does not ride up badly.  I purchased these rather than the Ibex run skort due to the price difference, and am quite happy with them.

They do not get much use because: 1) I'm not outside much during the summer, and 2) I'll reach for the Swift's or Stoic's first.

Beginning to Run ... at 30-some ... 'ting

At some point in my early 30s, I decided to take up a running program.  Although, I'm not sure you can call it a program, per say.  It has been intermittent, and I change things up all the time.  So I'm not settling into any set schedule, but run as I wish.

I think I can blame it all on the treadmill.  My hubby decided to buy one after a discussion with his doctor.  It went something along the lines of, "You need regular exercise, or else."  I think he was one of those guys that could have been teetering along the lines of a fat skinny person.  Healthy on the outside, and nothing but potato chips on the inside.

So into our world comes a PaceMaster foldup treadmill.  It fit our requirements: maneuverable, no foot tripping handles/gripping bars attached at or near the belt surface, and simple electronics to reduce possible service issues.

                               Thanks to http://www.fitnessrepairplus.com for the jpg.





Our PaceMaster has been running consistently for well over a year now.  I'd say it gets used five days out of seven, sometimes twice a day.


Along with weight lifting and aerobics, running has become a regular part of my routine.  This has led to a remarkable numbers of shoe and wardrobe changes for comfort.  Not to mention the wardrobe updates required for size change.  


And, as always, a rather large number of books have "run" through my reading list.  These include Christopher McDougall's "Born to Run" (of course ... and recommended), Dean Karnazes' "Ultramarathon Man" (pretty amazing story, and a fun read, recommended), Runner's World Complete Book of Women's Running (not recommended, what a waste of paper), Scott Rigsby's "Unthinkable" (not to discount his fight against adversity, but a repetitive, tiring read, not recommended), Runner's World The Runner's Body (by far the best book, highly recommended), and Jason Robillard's "The Barefoot Running Book" (recommended).



Book of Women's Running addressed none of the problems I've puzzled over, nor did it cover women's specific issues unless you count pregnancy as the only issue women runners have in comparison to men.  I was looking more for hip and knee issues due to our angled femurs, and how to identify and correct any problems arising from this physiology.  Nope, simply another "women's power" type books with no substance.  It is not worth the paper on which it is printed.

http://www.amazon.com/Runners-World-The-Body-Exercise/dp/1605298611



The Runner's Body is a recent library borrow, and I'm not even finished yet.  But, it has addressed many of the problems and issues I've encountered or puzzled about.  I wonder what I will learn from the second half of the book?  I think this should be required reading for anyone getting into the running sport or interested in the physiology of the runner's body.

http://www.amazon.com/Born-Run-Hidden-Superathletes-Greatest/dp/0307279189/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1341006615&sr=1-1&keywords=born+to+run

Born to Run was, of course, my introduction to running, barefoot running, and ultramarathons, in particular.  It fired my imagination, and got me thinking about how easy running could be versus how hard I'd experienced it in the past.  I started a lot of shoe change up after reading this, and have finally settled on what works for me.

Seborrheic Dermatitis, Skin, and updates

As Senya requested, here is an updated routine. 

As an aside - Several readers over the years have written in claiming that SD is caused by only one thing and all you have to do is _____ (whatever they are shilling) to stop your problem.  I disagree.  I think it is pretty obvious from most of my reader responses, that SD can have several different root causes and you have to work it on your own end to find fixes.  My own fix came about from cutting dairy out of my diet.  I encourage you to read back through comments of others struggling (without thoughtful medical help BTW) to find the answer to their own disease state.  Best of luck to us all!


It has now been 3 and one half years since my last Seborrheic Dermatitis outbreak came to a close.  I do not use any Seborrheic Dermatitis medication, neither OTC or prescribed.  I haven't needed them since 2008.

My current care routine closely follows what I originally developed in 2008, with minor tweaks here and there.

Above is a January 2012 skin photograph.   If dryness shows up, it will start at the nasolabial folds, and that is my notice that whatever product combination I am using at the moment is NOT working.

I am still dairy free (I still miss nachos, but I'll smell some of hubbies cheese to get my fix), and have started eating eggs (really only in fried rice, because the smell of just eggs is a bit revolting).  Eggs do not seem to have an impact on my skin issues.

I fell off my workout wagon in 2009/2010 due to "Cubital Tunnel Syndrome", and have only returned to regularly scheduled exercise for the last six or so months.  While I did not see a large skin change with my workout losses, my energy levels were very different, as was my personal outlook.  I am a much happier, and easier going person when I get a regular workout.  :)

Products currently in the lineup:
Soap - All Terrain All Natural Wonder Wash Fragrance Free
(this is also my shampoo, my dog wash, and my occasional clothes wash on vacation)
This is the rare soap that does not dry out my skin, and yet can be used several times a day.  I'm ready to start putting it in pump bottles for handwashing.


Facial Lotions/Creams - this category is always under revision because I've rarely found anything with which I am truly happy.  The La Roche Posay Toleriane and Toleriane Riche works very well for me, but I find their prices ridiculous (about $20/ounce).  And no, I don't think it is R&D I am paying for, but rather "the European mystique" and L'Oreal's advertising budget, since L'Oreal is the parent company of La Roche Posay.

- Almond Oil - this was an amazing discovery last year.  This is pretty much my go to night oil/lotion.  It absorbs fairly quickly.  I use it on my face, neck, chest, hands (especially nails), basically anywhere.  However, it does not absorb immediately, so it is not something for a morning routine unless you like the slicked up skin look.  Totally unscented and rarely, if ever, causing any kind of breakout.

- Giovanni D:tox System Replenishing Facial Moisturizer - this is the morning moisturizer I reach for if I am staying inside all day (or in the evening if I am going out).  My only issue is that it has a fragrance that I dislike, it reads as a light greened floral.  It does dissipate fairly quickly, but I'd still prefer something unscented and unfragranced.  (I don't abhor the fragrance as I do with other products such as The Healing Seed "Facial Cream" or Alaffia "Baobab & Shea Butter Skin Renewal Face Cream".)  This is my replacement for La Roche Posay Toleriane, but I am looking for a replacement for my replacement - unscented please.

- DeVita Protective Moisturizer SPF 30+ - is my morning moisturizer when I'm planning to be outside for any extended length of time (over 15 minutes).  This may be just perfect.  However, it is a recent acquisition and I want a full summer with it before I jump on the bandwagon (it is better than Kimberly Sayer Ultra Light Facial Moisturizer - SPF30, which is simply too drying for winter).  I plan to order more DeVita lotions and creams with my next iHerb order.

Body Lotion - I have a bottle of body lotion in just about every major room of the house.

Beauty without Cruelty Fragrance Free body lotion is in my kitchen.  Not amazing, but not bad.  No scent to interfere with food enjoyment.  Absorbs quickly.

Mode De Vite Shea Butter Body Lotion "unscented" - does smell of the neem in the product.  The scent throws me off, but this is the only lotion I reach for when the skin is really damaged and needs serious relief.  Strangely enough, also the only lotion of which I have a backup.  So while I don't like the scent, its benefits outweigh the negatives.  The scent does dissipate over an hour or so.

Nature's Gate Fragrance Free Moisturizing Lotion for Sensitive Skin - this is the lotion in my bathroom that I use before bed just about every night (after my almond oil application).  Like the BWC lotion it is neither amazing nor bad.  It works, the scent does not distract me while I'm trying to fall asleep.  Absorbs quickly.


Makeup

Lipstick - Reds, Oranges, Plums, and Browns
A small selection of my lip products.  I keep buying, because I can rarely find a great color.  Good, yes, great no.  I have coloring between neutral and super warm, and lipsticks are usually made for the cool and the super warm.  I do not react to any of these lipsticks, which is a major and common concern of mine.  I've reacted to Cover Girl, Almay, and Josie Maran lipsticks and lipglosses.

Revlon Super Lustrous "Ravish Me Red", Revlon Colorburst "Candy Apple", Fyrrinae Lip Lustre "Hair Dye", Silk Naturals Butter Cream "Mango", Korres Cherry Lip Gloss "Natural Purple 25", Korres Mango Butter Lipstick "Natural Purple 25", Revlon Super Lustrous "Plum Baby", Korres Cherry Oil Lip Gloss "Golden Brown 37", Korres Mango Butter Lipstick "Cinnamon", and Revlon Super Lustrous "Highbeam Tan"

Revlon Colorburst lipsticks, Silk Naturals Butter Cream Lip Glazes, and Korres Cherry Oil Lip Gloss all have scents.  They are faint scents (so faint, apparently that some people cannot smell them, see Scrangie's post on Revlon Colorburst - I don't have that problem) but they dissipate rapidly enough that I still wear them.  Not as often as I would if they were completely unscented (as they should be, in my opinion).

The Silk Naturals Butter Cream in "Mango" is a replacement for the Fyrinnae "Hair Dye" which is apparently discontinued.  However, I will keep searching for a more widely distributed replacement, since smaller companies have a much higher product line turnover than larger companies (some kind of supply and demand nonsense).

Eyeshadow Primer - Too Faced Shadow Insurance
The only primer I have found that works for my skin (and does not cause a reaction).  It keeps my eyeshadow from creasing, which happens within two hours without a primer.

Eyeshadow - In addition to a small collection of Stila and Mac, I have two and a half tubs of loose and mineral eyeshadows.  95% of those shadows come from these six companies:

Aromaleigh "Nocciola",  Fyrinnae "Griffonrider", Korres "Golden Bronze 27S", Meow Cosmetics "Trophy Cat", Morgana Minerals "Emily", and Silk Naturals "Caliber"

Eyeliners - These only get use if I am in a hurry.  Most often, I would prefer to use one of my eyeshadows for liner, but time constraints may push me to use real "eyeliner" instead.  I do not react to any of these products, and they last and do not migrate through a day of work (none of them last without migrating overnight, but during the day I am good).

Too Faced Perfect Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner in Perfect Peacock and Perfect Storm.  They are expensive, but I like the ingredients list better than the Covergirl Liquilineblast Eyeliners.  I do wish they had a much wider range of colors.

Kat von D liquid Tattoo Liner in Maya.  Easy to apply, lasts all day, and has not dried up yet.  A celebrity's personal life does impact my choices and I'm not sure I'll be able to buy anymore KVD stuff.

Cover Girl Liquidlineblast Eyeliner in Brown Blaze and Violet Voltage.  Made in Germany, just like the Too Faced, and sharing a remarkable similarity, the ingredients lists do differ but they both work quite well.  I prefer Cover Girls price and Too Faced inci.

Urban Decay's 24/7 Eyeliner Pencil's are holy grail products for many enthusiasts.  However, they migrate on my lower lid, staying in place only for an hour or two.  So while I do have several UD 24/7 liners, I'll reach for my Too Faced, KVD, or CoverGirl first.

 

Face Primer - Korres Vitamin E Silicon Free Primer
Especially useful in summer, when I know plain moisturizer is not going to keep my makeup on all day.  The sweat defeats primerless application every time.  Korres other primer, Quercetin & Oak, causes a moderate allergic reaction (so glad I never purchased a full size).  So I will stick with the less expensive primer as long as they make it. 

Foundation - Meow Pampered Puss in Frisky Mau color, depth of 2.
One of the few powdered foundations that does not irritate my skin.  Other powders can make me feel as though I am buffing with sand.  Not so this foundation.  Not to mention, it is one of two foundations I've used in my entire life that actually match my skin.  Most foundations are not warm enough.

  

Balms - I have balms spread throughout the house much like (and very close to) the body lotions.  These have to work for two people in the house (unlike most of my other products ... for instance, the hubbie never has asked to use my makeup, so it does not have to agree with him but he does need a lip balm from time to time). 

Aubry Organics Organic Lip Balm "Tangerine" - works, but too much citrus oil

Mode de Vite Karite Lips "Vanilla" - works, but too much vanilla

Dr. Bronner's Magic Organic Lip Balm "Naked" - a favorite, works well all night long

The Merry Hempsters Vegan Hemp Balm "Natural" - a favorite, and I have a backup.  The slightest of scents, perhaps from the rosemary extract, but it does not bother me.

Now Completely Kissable "Vanilla" - it works, but I don't like the scent.

Terra Firma Cosmetics Chai Tea Lip Moisture - a favorite, it is what I reach for when my lips are damaged.  Unfortunately, they no longer sell this ... and it was the only Terra Firma product I could wear, so not impressed with anything else I bought.  Their "lip balm" has a similar ingredients list, but it is not the same item.

Weleda Everon Lip Balm - another favorite of which I have a backup.  However, it always takes me a couple days to get used to the rose scent again.  It really works well, but I'd prefer one that did not have such a strong scent.

As an aside, I have a young pup to whom I have lost several tubes of lip balm.  They seem to call to him from across the room.  I have found their chewed remains in the strangest places.  So now all my tubes are placed relatively high, because waist height is far too low for my circus pup.

Keeping an eye on our elderly: family, friends, neighbors

Grandma Got Conned ...

My grandmother and I are fairly far apart in miles, but we keep in touch by phone.

We'll play message tag for a couple of days until we get to have a voice to voice, so to speak.  Last weekend and week went about typical.  She called over the weekend, but I was unable to respond to her call until that following Tuesday.

We caught up on the latest happenings, the family gossip, and her very busy schedule.  We were going through our closing "routine" - it takes about three or so times to say goodbye as we think up things we didn't mention earlier in the conversation, when her comments made all the hairs on my body stand on end.

"I got a phone call from a man today, from Medicare.  He told me they were re-issuing cards and he needed by bank account and routing number."  I laughed, "Well, you didn't give him anything, did you?"  Ha, ha, I hear about these phone calls all the time.  Surely *MY* grandmother wouldn't fall for such, would she?

Yep ... hook, line, and sinker.  She continued, "I kept telling him I didn't think I should be giving him this information."  But he was a smooth customer, giving her the phone number for Medicare to call back and double check after their conversation was complete.  She handed over all of her important information, including her social security number, I later learned.


I would love to find her caller and wring his neck.  But for a while, I was also tempted to wring my grandmother's.  How dare she fall for this!  She owns her own business (has for years), is a active 80+, and lives alone in her own house.

She should be smarter than this rang from all quarters of the family for several days.  And I am reminded, once again, of what these confidence men (conmen) are looking for: lonely elderly who grew up in a very different environment and will respond to the authority that comes through a phone line.


It has been a wake up call to me.  Even my family is not safe from these idiotic a$$es out to make a quick buck.

The good news is that grandma got right on the ball after I told her she probably lost all the money in that account.  First, she called Medicare, who set her straighter than I (apparently).  Then she called the banks.  That next morning she had a hold on her account ASAP and closed it.

She did not lose any money, but the stress and sleeplessness have definitely taken their toll.  She keeps asking, "Why won't the cops or the government do anything about this?" 

My answer does not please her, since this is a "damage-less" crime, it is low on the totem pole of things-to-do. 


I wonder, who else is on my list of "double check to make sure they aren't succumbing to smooth taking telephone callers?"


Grandma is doing better, but it will be some months before she can shake off the pall of this experience.  She is also doing well with the good-natured ribbing she constantly gets from the family.  Though she is not too keen on coughing up a "saver's fee" for my intervention!  :)

OPI DS Jewel Swatch

OPI DS Jewel ... an elite designer series lacquer, guaranteed to make your mouth water in some nail polish induced joy ... right???

Wow. This is once seriously ugly nail polish.

 

DS Jewel has a streaky, corpse pale, smokey base that causes the first coat to give you slightly shimmery dead nails. The second coat does not improve things much. The third coat does give it some depth with the red-violet glitter, but that semi-translucent smokey base curdles the shimmery goodness.

No wonder you do not see swatches for this. Who would pay good money for this crappy polish when given an option? OPI "Teasy Does It" is a much better warmed red-violet glitter option.

I love a good jelly, and VNL rarely bothers me. However, the juxtaposition of this warm shimmer riding on a ghostly ugly cool base is a definite turn off.

Maybe DS Jewel would make a good layer polish ... but that is what CND Effects are for, yup.

Barielle Hydrating Ridge Filler

I placed my last Barielle order in late September of 2010.  Which is about when I opened my newest bottle of Barielle Hydrating Ridge Filler with Silk Fiber for Dry, Brittle or Ridged Nails.

It has been my go to base coat for well over a year now.  This is my second bottle.  It is moisturizing to a point, and has a protein compound to help strengthen nails.  However, I did not get very far through this second bottle, before it developed the same kind of cloggy, aggregating flakes that my first bottle developed.

These odd flakes are impossible to prevent, regardless of how clean I keep the bottle or how much contamination I try to avoid.  Between the price, $16 a bottle, and how quickly this second bottle has flaked, I am left disgruntled.

The flakes are laid down upon the nail, resembling an odd glitter lump on the nail.  So with any lightly pigmented lacquer the white grit bumps show through.  And anything creme shows the lump.  Perhaps not visible to the casual eye, but how many of us look casually at our manicures?

Here is the old bottle with a picture of the new bottle right beside it.  You can see the flakes coating the inside of the bottle.  No way to get rid of those unless I filtered them out.  Hm.

My disappointment in this fail leads me to investigate several other moisturizing base coats.  

I now have in my arsenal:
Citra 2 for soft, peeling nails by Nail Tek
Nail Strengthening Basecoat by Poshe - this has mineral spirits in it, *REALLY*, hydrocarbons ... I'm sure a replacement is available Poshe
Nail Rebuilding Protein by Barielle - this has camphor, so I expect the smell to bother me

Zoya Faye Review try 2

Apparently the great blogger outage is only going to repair certain posts ... I would choose the day before the outage to upload four posts of information.


I thought Zoya Faye was going to be my color from the collection. A beautiful plum with gold glitter,  just perfect.   However,  it just does not grab my eye.  I'm not sure how a semi-translucent base with gold glitter smorgasbord can be boring, but this Zoya Sunshine certainly fits the definition in my case.  I've even tossed Apple into the donate pile.  It is almost like they made a collection, didn't like it, and tossed in glitter to liven it up.  But not enough. 

 

Additionally, it is as slow drying as everyone says. I have never had a Zoya dry so slowly. Even with 15 minutes between coats, I banged up two nails after a quick drying topcoat was added.

In the light of the setting sun.


I guess we should have realized, if Zoya was putting this brand-new superduper set of collections on discount sale, something about the formula was going to be crappy.

Base coat - Nubar NuNails
two layers lacquer
quick drying topcoat - Nubar Diamont (old formula)

In the shade.



Too many issues - it is not worth it.

There is a minor bit of VNL present in certain lighting conditions, but I'm surprised that bothers anybody. It is hardly noticeable at two coats.

It has held up quite well to five days of abuse, with chipping only along peeling nail layers.  Minor tip wear.

Regardless, I prefer Zoya Pru,  and will be gifting Zoya Faye to another.

Morgana Cryptoria Lipstick Swatches 2 (the warmer side)

Top Left to Right: Cocoa, Clay Bakin', Apple Plum
Second Left to Right: 24K Pumpkin, Pumpkin Eater

In bright sunlight.

In the shade.

Cocoa is almost a my lip shade color, peachy beige, fairly easy to apply.  But I'm really not looking for a nude lip.

Clay Bakin' is a bit darker and a bit pinker than Cocoa.  Also fairly easy to apply.  

Apple Plum is almost a warmed berry color.  A bit too pink for me to be comfortable.  Not too dark, but not too light.  

24K Pumpkin is a beautiful orange shade that is a bit deeper and more toned down than Pumpkin Eater.  This is one shade I may purchase.  It is a reddened orange.

Pumpkin Eater is the only full size Morgana shade I own, but it is too bright for me to be very comfortable.  It is a metallic red-orange.  The most unusual shade I've ever seen.  And very bright!

Morgana Cryptoria lipstick swatches

I do have far too many lipsticks.  But I wear most of them.  Not that I will ever hit the base of a lipstick, but I'm getting close with a couple of my Korres Mangos.

Korres lipsticks are usually very light, and very natural looking.  But every once in a while, I want a lipstick with more pigment.  I have a couple Laura Mercier, Stila Long Wears, and Primitives.  I'm always on the lookout for my perfect lip color.

So I ordered a bunch of samples from Morgana's last sale, hoping to find a perfect plum, a gorgeous red/orange, and an exceptional peach.  Of course, any browns that work will also be welcome.

And I have finally come to a conclusion.  Morgana Cryptoria has really nice lipsticks that don't make me feel pretty.  And, really, it is not her schtick.  The company is a "goth" brand that makes gorgeously weird colors.  But they are not for me.  All of her lippies scream "look at me" and that in not the person I am.

So I won't purchase any MC lipsticks, and will stick with her pigments.  But don't let my experience deter you.  If you have cool coloring, or want to stick out, check out Morgana Cryptoria.

The sample containers are clam shells with differing amounts of product.  But all contain at least enough for a week's worth of sampling.

First Row (left to right) Goldrush, Peach Daquiri, Sunset Peach
Second Row (left to right) Plum Crazy, Plumeria, Shrieking Violet
Third Row (left and right) Mocha Blast, Guilded Brown


I applied all of these with a lip brush to my bare hand.

Shade was the game for the day.

Though I did catch the occasional ray of sun.

A second sun picture.

First Row (left to right) Goldrush, Peach Daquiri
Second Row (left to right) Plum Crazy, Plumeria
Third Row (left and right) Mocha Blast

First Row (left to right) Peach Daquiri, Sunset Peach
Second Row (left to right) Plumeria, Shrieking Violet
Third Row (left and right) Gilded Brown


Goldrush - A warm gold with red and green microglitter.  It had good coverage with a lip brush.

Peach Daquiri - A very light and warmish pink.  It has red microglitter and good coverage.  This left a day long stain behind on my hand.

Sunset Peach - An orange base, so much warmer than Peach Daquiri, it also has red microglitter.  Less pigmented and patchy coverage, so you need to take greater care with application.

Plum Crazy - This reads mauvey brown to me.  Not much plum.  It also had patchy coverage, so care needs to be taken with application.

Plumeria - A red-violet with blue glitter.  Not as dark as Shrieking Violet, with more red.  It has patchy coverage, take care with application.

Shrieking Violet- This is a medium red-violet creme without any glitter.   It is darker and more blue than Plumeria.  It is extraordinarily patchy, so I would call it a wash of color, but fairly pigmented.  Perhaps a good starter color, though it will read very different depending on the shade of your lips.  On my pale skin and pigmented lips, this turns a dark, cyanotic purple.  It is overwhelming on my pale features.

Mocha Blast - A medium cool brown with red microglitter.  It had fairly nice coverage.

Gilded Brown - This is a deep orange bronze metallic.  It has great coverage, and makes me look like an extra on a sci-fi show.


These lipsticks have a good to great coverage, with some needing more care than others.  They don't overwhelm my sense of smell, although they do have a slight scent.  It is not bothersome.