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There’s a certain recharge you get when you get There’s a certain recharge you get when you get to spend a few magical days with friends, watching the stars from the jacuzzi, soaking up the winter desert sun next to the fire pit, and generally not looking at your phone except to take a photo here and there. ✨ 🍾🍾

& Bonus photo of Wesley pouting that he didn’t get to go hang out with the girls at @desertdecohouse 😂

#passthebollydahling #girlsweekend #joshuatree #desertdecohouse
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Especial these @ctilburymakeup jewel pots in walk of no shame and pillow talk 💕 just the right amount of pigment payoff and shimmer

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As the target of roll on body glitter ads in my yo As the target of roll on body glitter ads in my youth, you can definitely say it wasn’t a phase. Gimme all the body shimmer dry oils please thank you 😂
I feel like each chapter in my life has had its ow I feel like each chapter in my life has had its own collection of signature scents, and every time I smell them it takes me back. High school was all Lucky You, college was Lovely, start of my career was Black Opium, then Givenchy and Flower Bomb, now on the hunt for this next chapter’s signature scent - Whisky is a key contender but would love to hear some of your favorites so I can check them out 🥰
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Oui Emmy

Trying Out A New Gel Polish, No UV Light Needed

Essence is a brand that I’ve seen around the blogosphere for a while, but couldn’t easily get a hold of here in the States. The nice thing is I’ve been seeing more and more of their products stocked at Ulta. Enter their “The Gel Nail Polish” line, where I promptly picked up the base, color, and top coats.

Essence The Gel Nail Polish base coat, color, and top coat (bonus points because you don't have to cure it with a UV light)!

If there’s a gel polish that doesn’t need to be cured by UV light, I’ll want to try it. Extra kudos when I can pick up each bottle for $2-4. The one thing that I don’t like about painting my nails is the down time of waiting for them to dry. Essentially being held hostage by your un-set mani. Without fail, as soon as I finish my top coat, I will have to pee. So in a moment of foresight, the Express Dry Drops came up to the register with me too.

Best Non UV Gel Nail Polish Quick Dry Drops

Ultimately, the pros are that the system provides a really nice looking manicure. The polish looks very glossy and applies incredibly evenly. I only had to apply 2 thinner coats to get great coverage and color. The price point definitely falls under pro as well.

The good news is that I didn’t have a problem with it chipping at all. The bad news is that when I was trying to peel off something a few days later, the only thing that decided to peel off was my polish… So I only got about three days wear out of it. In terms of normal nail polish wear for me, it’s pretty average. Not great, not terrible. While it doesn’t really compare to an actual gel polish in longevity, it was still very shiny when it started to peel up at the tips. Overall verdict for the gel polish is that it’s acceptable.

The real hero here would be the Express Dry Drops. The pipette delivery is really easy to use without getting product everywhere and it spreads over the nail nicely with 2-3 drops depending on your nail beds. It was a little greasy feeling if it got on the rest of your hands, but if anything it felt more like a cuticle oil and wasn’t drying on actual skin. Oh, and I was totally able to go pee without getting those awful smudges or ruining my yoga pants (I was referring to getting nail polish on them, but make of that what you will).

Shop this post: Essence The Gel Base Coat, Essence The Gel Top Coat, Essence The Gel Nail Polish (in Rock My World), and Essence Express Dry Drops.

♡Em

My Blogiversary Giveaway including Jo Malone + Benefit Bella Bamba + Skyn Iceland is still going on: click here to enter via the rafflecopter widget!

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Recent(ish) highlights ✨☀️✈️💼👩🏼 Recent(ish) highlights ✨☀️✈️💼👩🏼‍💻💅🏻
Slightly last minute but long overdue London visit Slightly last minute but long overdue London visit. Already looking forward to the next one 💕
There’s a certain recharge you get when you get There’s a certain recharge you get when you get to spend a few magical days with friends, watching the stars from the jacuzzi, soaking up the winter desert sun next to the fire pit, and generally not looking at your phone except to take a photo here and there. ✨ 🍾🍾

& Bonus photo of Wesley pouting that he didn’t get to go hang out with the girls at @desertdecohouse 😂

#passthebollydahling #girlsweekend #joshuatree #desertdecohouse
Dream aesthetic ✨ Absolutely loved getting to s Dream aesthetic ✨

Absolutely loved getting to spend the day at @mbeautyclinic’s dreamy Beverly Hills set up! Thank you @drtessmauricio for helping us spread the @alumiermdusa love! Can’t wait to do it again💕✨
Current gloss rotation 💋 Current gloss rotation 💋
Sucker for jewel tones always ✨ Especial these @ Sucker for jewel tones always ✨
Especial these @ctilburymakeup jewel pots in walk of no shame and pillow talk 💕 just the right amount of pigment payoff and shimmer

#ctilburymakeup #ctpillowtalk #whatsinmymakeupbag
Current retinol line up ✨ #pmskincare #retinolr Current retinol line up ✨

#pmskincare #retinolreform #retinoleyegel #shanidardenskincare #alumiermd
As the target of roll on body glitter ads in my yo As the target of roll on body glitter ads in my youth, you can definitely say it wasn’t a phase. Gimme all the body shimmer dry oils please thank you 😂
I feel like each chapter in my life has had its ow I feel like each chapter in my life has had its own collection of signature scents, and every time I smell them it takes me back. High school was all Lucky You, college was Lovely, start of my career was Black Opium, then Givenchy and Flower Bomb, now on the hunt for this next chapter’s signature scent - Whisky is a key contender but would love to hear some of your favorites so I can check them out 🥰
So exhausted from moving over the weekend, but it’s been fun unpacking all of my skincare and rediscovering a few favorites. The moisturizer is super rich and nourishing - just what my tired skin needs💕

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