Saturday, April 28, 2012

Removing Glitter Polish Sweat-free

We love our glitter but do we love removing it? I know glitter polish can sometimes feel impossible and seem like you have used pints of acetone before it is fully removed BUT with this old trick I've learned from my mother glitter polish is off within minutes on its own.

Supplies needed
-Acetone
-1 sheet of aluminum foil
-1 sheet of paper towel
-scissors 
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Cut Paper Towel & Foil
1) For both, the sheet of paper towel & foil, cut straight down creating two pieces
2) Then cut 5 individual strips on each piece, leaving you with 10 separate pieces. 
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Soak in Acetone
1) Grab 1 piece of paper towel and fold it twice creating a little square
2) Then soak it with acetone
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Over the Nail
Place the soaked paper towel over the nail
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Foil Up
1) Grab a piece of aluminum foil and wrap the nail with the soaked paper towel still above it
2) Repeat the steps to all of the nails
3) Now let it sit for 10 minutes...
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Remove the Foil
1) Gently press and pull the foil off, and you'll have 95% of the polish removed 
2) With the same soaked paper towel that was on the nail use it wipe off any left over polish on the edges
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Happy Nails!

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Dark Smokey Eye


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What I Used:
Eyes
-Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion: Original 
-AVON Big Color Eye Pencil: Night Glisten 177-353 On SALE now for $3.99
-Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil: Dime (gun metal is similar)
-Urban Decay Naked Palette 2 Shadows: (Blackout, Verve, Tease)
-AVON Glimmersticks Waterproof Eyeliner: Blackest Black 387-801 
-DUO Eyelash Adhesive: clear-white
-Salon Perfect: Demi Whispies
-Covergirl Lash Blast: Blackest Black

Eyebrows
-N.Y.C Browser Brush-on Brow Kit- Brunette 
-Jordana FabuBrow Eyebrow Pencil: 03 Dark Brown

Lips
-Sonia Kashuk Lip Definer: Bare II (Purchase at Target)
-Covergirl Lipstick Queen Collection- 0440 Penelope Pink

Face
-Covergirl&Olay Simply Ageless Foundation: 250
-Covergirl&Olay Simply Ageless Concealer: 220
-N.Y.C Color Wheel Mosaic Face Powder: All over Bronze Glow 724A

Brushes
     -Flat Brush
     -Small Flat Brush
     -Small Pencil Brush
     -Round Flat Brush
     -Angled Flat Eyebrow Brush
     -Angled Blush Brush
Urban Decay Tapered Shading Brush (came with the Naked Palette 2)
Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki F80

Tools
-Tweezer (for eyelash application)

Outfit
JCpenny Black Blazer Brand:Bwear (same brand similar blazer here)
Forever21 Tank
Forever21 Heart earrings (not available anymore) BUT similar ones at stores and online
Wet Seal Sequins Skirt (not available anymore) BUT similar ones at stores and online
Express wristlet (similar ones here)
Aldo Nude Platform Heels  (same style but different colors here)

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Pearly Jewels

I recently purchased Sally Hansen polishes from their Hard as Nails collection...
1. Dura-pearl #130 (paid: $1.97) 
2. Strobe Light #200 (paid: $1.97) 
I purchased mine at Walmart!

Overall Review:
This line is very affordable, each polish is only $1.97 so I 100% recommend them if you love polishes but also on a budget. (as am I haha)  

The Dura-pearl polish did take 3 coats to achieve the same opaque color as the bottle but even with the three coats it did not feel or look thick (TIP: when doing multiple layers make sure each layer is thin and completely dry before doing the next layer) I also agree with the name of the polish, in person it does look like you have pearl nails.

As for Strobe Light I absolutely love the fine glitter (usually not a fan of huge chunks of glitter polish) it has a mix of silver and pink glitter. The technique I used to achieve the gradient (ombre) like affect, as the pictures show below, were by applying two thin coats from tip to mid-nail and then one final thin coat layer on the whole nail. (Remember: wait awhile between layers to prevent clumps or thickness) 


NOTE: I use Seche Clear as a base coat and Seche Vite as a top coat. As I have mentioned in previous posts I highly recommend these too especially the top coat. I use to not use base coats or top coats because I honestly believed you really didn't need them BUT ever since I have purchased them I will never go back. They truly help your polishes last longer without chipping no matter how low-end or high-end the polishes are. They also help give off a nice gloss finish to your nails. 
Happy Nails! <3

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Style One: 
Dura-pearl
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Style Two: 
Accent Nail w/ Strobe Light
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Style Three: 
Gradient Effect on all nails w/ Strobe Light
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Monday, April 16, 2012

DIY Makeup Brush Holder

I created this in order to be able to hold my 16 brushes. I wanted something different from the "traditional" brushes in a cup display and ended up with this. What i love about it is that you can create it however you'd like! You can use scrap-booking paper, fabric, glitter, photos, stamps, ribbons etc. Hope you guys love it and try it out yourself. Below is a step by step video and further down are all the materials and supplies written <3 
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Materials:
- Poster board (bigger than 12" X 13.5" ) (paid: $0.97)
- Ruler
- Pen and Pencil
- Elmers CraftBond Quick Dry Glue (paid: $2.78)
- Stapler (optional)
- Whatever decorative items of your preference 
                           I used: 
                           - Black acrylic paint (Paid: $1.47)
                           - Stencils (Paid: $3.77)
                           - Teal Ribbon (Paid: $1.97)

Steps: 
1) Measure out a rectangle of 12 inches by 13.5 inches on  a poster board
2) Make the following marks on both 13.5" sides (points: 3.5", 8" and 12.5")
3) Connect the paralleled points from side to side (one section is to be 1 inch, 2 sections 4.5 inches each and the last section is 3.5 inches)
4) With a pair of scissors lightly go over each line (this will help you when you bend the poster)
5) Use the ruler to hold down the poster board and gently start bending each section towards you.
6) Now, flatten the poster board down and place your makeup brushed in the order you would like them displayed (ONLY place within the two middle 4.5" sections)
TIP: make sure the brushes alternate in direction (It showcases the side they'll be on)
7) Lift one brush at a time and make a mark on the spot it was laying on. (MAKE SURE the mark is an INCH away from the middle line) 
8) With a pen poke each mark point made
9) Now with a pencil poke each hole all the way through 
10) Some holes will need adjustments since brushes vary in handle size 
11) Flip the poster board over and snip off any excess paper around the holes
12) Flip the poster board back over and you are ready to DECORATE IT 
13) I painted a decorative design using a stencil and some acrylic paint. (if using paint make sure to let it a 100% before following the next step)
14) Flap the 1 inch side towards you and spread glue on it.
15) Bring the other end towards the glue and press&hold firmly for a few minutes (staple once on each end to secure it)
16) I added a strand of ribbon and made a bow in the middle to add a hint of color
17) FINISHED! now just add your brushes. 

Thursday, April 5, 2012

French Twist- Pastel Pink with Glitter Tips

This is such a cute girly design and yet so affordable! The pastel pink with a glitter tip is perfect for this coming Easter. Below are the simple steps you can follow to achieve this look on your very own nails!
Used
Seche Clear- Base coat
Seche Vite- Top coat (reg. $7.99 BUT right now SALE $5.99)
Sinful Colors- Beautiful Girl (3rd one 5th row)
Pure ICE- Beware
Tape- recommend Scotch Blue Painter’s Tape

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Add Base Coat
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Add Polish
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Add Topcoat
wait until it is completely dry
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Add a Strip of Tape

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Add Glitter Polish 
try not to add much of the glitter polish onto the tape to help the peeling process go easier
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Peel Tape Off 
then make sure to add a thin layer of top coat and you are DONE! <3
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Monday, April 2, 2012

Liquid Eyeliner Sticking to Your Lashes?

So I was approached by a good friend asking me for advice if I knew any technique(s) on how to prevent liquid eyeliner from sticking to the lashes. Well first of all let’s see the possibilities of Why it might be happening…
Why: 1) Could be that your lashes are naturally curly or long (maybe even both) and if  
                   they are you are one lucky girl so embrace those lashes!
               2) Or the way you’re positioning the brush applicator is not correct

Regardless there are some tips and tricks!!

The Lash Guard
This lash guard is actually a lash applicator that came with my lashes that I just purchased for $4.98. Since I do not use it to apply my lashes I realized it is perfect shape to gently hold the lashes down when applying liquid eyeliner. Not only that but it helps from being tempted to tug on my eye (which we all know adds to premature wrinkles). NOTE: Apply the liner first before mascara, if you apply the mascara first before the liner the lash guard will smash your lashes. 

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Homemade Lash Guard
Don’t have $4.98 to spare? Pssssh no worries! Make your own!! I’m sure you have some sort of index card or sturdy material paper lying around.
Follow these easy steps…

                        1) Cut out an index card as wide as your eye.
                        2) Now cut a curve from each point
                        3) Voila! (French: "there it is') your very own lash guard to keep that liquid  
                             eyeliner off your lashes!  

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Alternative to liquid eyeliner: Gel Eyeliner

If your liquid eyeliner sticking to your lashes has always been an issue, give gel eyeliner a try. Gel eyeliner is not as runny as liquid, so that’s a plus! (Having no worries of it sticking to your lashes). Gel eyeliner is applied with an angled brush, meaning more control with creating the desired line you want to achieve.

Recommend: Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Eyeliner, which comes with its own brush!

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Second Day Hair: Volumizing Wavy Hair

Materials
-Spray Bottle w/ water
- Hair clips ( bobby pins, duckbill pins, curl clips etc.)
- Dry Shampoo (Salon Grafix OR Dove)
-Hair Protectant ( CHI OR Tresseme)
-Blow Dryer
                 **optional**
                           -Hairspray (I used Garnier Fructis)



Steps

1) Spray dry shampoo to the roots around the crown area and let it sit for a few minutes.

2) With a comb start brushing your scalp to spread the dry shampoo. Finger combing and rubbing the area works just as well.

3) Very very lightly add water sparsely throughout the hair from mid section downward to the tips


4) Spray hair protectant throughout the hair lightly as well since there will be hair blow drying later on.

5) Starting from the front of the head grab a section of hair about an inch to 2 inches. Then using either two or three fingers, wrap the hair strand around the fingers and go downward forming a roll. Once the roll has reached the scalp secure in with a hair clip.

6) Continue by repeating step 5, working your way to the back of your head.

7) With a blow dryer set on (Medium Hot for thin hair or High Hot for thick hair) blow dry the whole head for 5 minutes.


8) Now let the pinned curls set for as long as you can or until you’re finish getting ready I recommend at least 45 minutes to an hour.

9) Remove all hair pins starting from the back working your way to the front. Gently spread and loosen the curls by finger combing.  Apply hairspray (optional) very lightly and WAH-LA you have beautiful volumized wavy hair.