Quick Tip: Sneaky Pedi Secrets

Hey guys! So today I'm going to share some cool secrets to keep your nails (both fingers and toes) in tip-top shape. Here are some ways to prevent your color from looking streaky, dull, and sloppy!

Stop Streaks: Pastels and other white-based shades tend to go on unevenly. Before applying a base coat, wipe your nails with a cotton pad soaked in polish remover to get rid of oily residue that can clump your polish.

Add Shine: Metallics like bronze and silver look glam, but can get dull quickly. To revive glossiness in a pinch, quickly rub a microfiber cloth or a cotton t-shirt over the top of your nails.

Get Glittery: To get the maximum dose of sparkle, roll the bottle between the palm of your hands. This mixes the glitter that has sunk to the bottom of the bottle.

Avoid Chips: Matte polishes tend to chip easily. For a long-lasting paint job, apply three coats of polish. Then, hold the brush vertically and sweep the side of it across the top edge of your nails with a thin coat of polish.

Check This Out: Hot Nail Designs for This Season!

Hey, sorry it has been a while...again. With studying for finals, weddings, and grad parties, my schedule has been extremely busy! To make up for my absence, today I'm going to share some super hot new things to do with your nails!

Something that might be new for you to try is stripes! White nails look extra fierce when paired with jet-black lines.

Using navy blue instead of black will give your nails a cute
nautical feel!

  

Another style is neon nails! Fluorescent shades will definitely electrify your look.

Polka dots are also in - those tiny dots of color really hit the spot!

What's sure to catch everyone's eye? Glitter! Get a 24-karat upgrade: Sprinkle gold glitter on a clear base to transform your nails into tiny treasures.

Swirls are way cool! Nail pens can give you multicolored spirals - they're like candy for your fingertips!

A lot of fashion magazines feature models with a single color on the ring finger that is different than the other fingers. Mix it up by using a shimmer on your ring finger and an opaque polish on the rest! This will be sure to help you stand out. 

  

Pastel polishes are my favorites. They're so cute and they give your nails a refreshingly sweet look!

Perfect for Spring!

I hope these designs helped you to switch things up on your nails. Thanks for reading! Bye ♥

Quick Tip: Waxing Strips

'Sup guys! So there are a lot of different brand of strips out there that can be sold all over the place. Today I'm going to share some good brands as well as some tips for doing it correctly!

Let's start with the tips:

First, you want to clean your legs (taking a hot bath will open your pores and will help to make waxing less painful).

Next, make sure your legs are completely dry and rub and warm the strip in your hands to make the wax pliable (I suggest applying some talcum powder before sticking the strips on - this will give the wax a better grip on your hairs. Applying the powder is not necessary).

Then, separate the strip and firmly smooth it onto your skin in the direction of your hair growth.

After that, pull the strip off quickly in the opposite direction, keeping it close to your skin as you go.

Then, search your legs for any stray hairs that might not have been picked up and pluck them with tweezers.

Finally, rinse your legs with cold water to help close the pores and apply some cocoa butter or non-alcoholic lotion to your legs. *Remember to exfoliate 2-3 times a week to prevent ingrown hairs.

It also might be easier if you take 1-2 painkillers (ex: ibuprofen) 30 minutes before waxing!

Some brands that I have found/heard to work great include:

♥ Sally Hansen Wax Strip Kits
♥ Bliss Poetic Waxing Kit
♥ Moom Organic Hair Removal Kit
♥ Nads Natural Gel Kit

YouTube Channel: MichellePhan

Hey guys! So I found this channel on YouTube a while ago and just had to subscribe! It's a girl named Michelle and she uploads videos often of great beauty and makeup ideas for certain events or just for hanging around. I've already tried a couple of looks from some of her videos and they turned out great! She does a really good job explaining how to do things, too.

Check out the link I posted below! Really, check out her channel, it's awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/user/MichellePhan/videos

 

Thanks! ♥

Swim Suit Season!

Hey guys, so today I'm doing a special post about bathing suits!

A few patterns and styles that are really 'in' this season are neon, florals, Mayan prints, animal prints, and polka dots. Here's a list of stores that sell super cute bathing suits:

Delia's -


Animal Print Tankini



Floral Bikini

Mayan Print

Neon!



Fun Polka Dots



Forever 21 -

Floral

Polka Dots

Charlotte Russe -

Animal Printed Monokini

Bright Neon

Victoria's Secret -

Pretty Floral Print

Abstract Mayan Bikini

Neon



Yellow and White Polka Dots and Stripes




Papaya Clothing -

Cool Neon

Check out the websites of the stores above for even more swim suits! These are just a few examples of bathing suits with stylist prints. Which one is your favorite? Let me know - comment!

Thanks! xo ♥

Heads Up!

Hello everyone, sorry it has been almost a whole week since my last post! Things have been pretty crazy with AP tests and other things like my house being remodelled. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you all to stay tuned because tomorrow I'm going to make a post about all of the totally cute bathing suits coming into stores for summer! I'm pretty excited now that the weather is getting warmer so make sure you stop by my blog and check it out.

Thanks, bye! xo

Step Up Your SPF

Hey everyone, with skin cancer on the rise among teen girls, there's no excuse for skipping sunscreen. These new products make getting that essential protection pretty easy!

On lazy makeup-free days, a mineral formula protects and polishes your skin. Try using La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral Sunscreen to get covered (there's also a tinted version of the same product!).

Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid-Lotion (SPF 55) will help fight zits. Wear it in place of your regular moisturizer; because it's oil-free, it won't clog your pores!

When the temperatures rise, Banana Boat CoolZone Sunscreen Spray feels great on your skin. Applying it every two hours become a treat with this cool sunscreen!

The antioxidants in L'Oréal Paris Sublime Sun Lotion help protect your face from both the sun and pollution. It beautifies and pampers your skin as you wear it!

Be Your Own Pro: Frizz-Free Hair

As some of you readers know, a deluxe keratin treatment at the salon can get you up to three months of frizz-free hair. This three-step kit from Suavé uses similar heat-activated keratin to seal your strands (keratin is a natural protein). This leaves your hair smooth, but not flat, for up to a whole month! I recommend Suavé Professionals Keratin Infusion 30 Day Smoothing Kit. It's sold at most drugstores for around $13.

Products I Recommend: Tanners

Hey everyone, today I'm going to share some really great tanning products. When it comes to looking sun-kissed, faux is the safest way to go. I'll help you find the right self-tanner for your skin tone.

Your skin is:

Olive - Because it has the same olive undertones as your skin, you get a very believable glow with Xen-Tan Deep Bronze.

Fair - Supergoop! SPF 20 Gradual Self-Tanning Mousse has the tiniest amount of tanner so your pinky-pale skin still looks natural, not fake.

Beige - Your medium skin tone can get a bit sallow, so smooth Jergens Natural Glow & Protect (in Fair to Medium) all over for a touch of warmth and moisture.

Golden - The subtle shimmer of Victoria's Secret Tinted Self-Tan Body Spray plays up your skin's sunny color.

Dark - The flecks of bronze give your deep complexion a nice sheen with Hard Candy Glow All the Way in Deep Tan.

Bronze - L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Clear Self-Tanning Gel develops into a deep caramel color that's just a shade darker than your natural coloring.

Hope these helped you in your search for the perfect tanner! Bye ♥

My favorite person :)
She has a perfect tan here!

DIY: Leopard-Print Shorts

Rawr! Everyone's getting at least one pair of these leopard shorts, so why not make your own?

♥ How to: Leopard Print Short Shorts

You will need:

♥ Shorts (the pair used in this pic are BCBGENERATION Jackson shorts)
♥ Leopard print stencil (can be bought at craft or fabric stores)
♥ Fabric pen

1. Place a piece of cardboard inside your shorts to prevent them from moving. Keep the shorts on a flat surface. Trace the outlines of the leopard print with your fabric pen.

2. Fill in each traced leopard spot.
It's that easy! Take a walk on the wild side with your cool new shorts. Enjoy!

Be Your Own Pro: Chip-Proof Nails

So there are a lot of polishes out in stores that say 'no-chip,' but really there are only a few brands that truly last like the labels say they do (learned from experience).

Fancy gel nail treatments, like Shellac and GelColor by OPI, last chip-free for two weeks. That's because the polish is cured under a UV light for a few minutes after each coat. Get a similar high shine and long wear polish at home by applying two coats of a 'hybrid' gel color over a base coat activator. I recommend products like Nutra Nail UV-Free Gel-Color (it can be bought for about $12 at most drugstores). In five minutes, you'll have a strong, rock-hard mani - no UV lamp needed!



Nutra Nail UV-Free Gel-Color



Tricks for Your Texture

Hey guys, sorry that it's been a while again. Coming back to school from spring break was very hectic, but I'm all organized and ready to post!

Today I'm going to share some products that are definitely worth the $$$, but also some ways of recreating them at home.

First up is straight hair:

Buy it - Straight hair is prone to greasiness, so sop up oil and add instant volume by spritzing a little dry shampoo onto your scalp. Massage it in with your fingers then brush it out. Try Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo ($4 at most drugstores).

DIY - To instantly fatten up skinny locks, create a sugar mist by mixing 2 tsp of brown sugar and 1 cup of warm water in a spray bottle. Shake well and mist damp hair from roots to ends. Style as usual.

For wavy hair:

Buy it - To make your waves look lush and defined, warm a walnut-sized amount of lightweight cream in your hands and run it through your hair from midshaft to the ends. Try Dove Style + Care Frizz-Free Shine Cream-Serum ($4 at most drugstores).

DIY - Wavy hair can look dull, so boost shine by soaking hair in a apple juice rinse made of 1 part apple juice and 2 parts lemon juice. Apply to freshly washed hair, leave in for 2 minutes, then rinse.

This is for curly hair:

Buy it - Keep frizz at bay by sealing the cuticle: Coat damp curls with a nickel-sized dollop of dry oil, then let it dry. Don't touch it afterward! Over-handled curls will get frizzier faster. Check out Organix Hydrating Macadamia Dry Styling Oil ($8 at most drugstores).

DIY - Curls need a ton of moisture, so coat your hair with a mashed avocado and a dab of sour cream. Leave this mask in for 20 minutes and rinse.

Lastly, this is for very relaxed hair:

Buy it - Relaxed hair is pron to breakage, so keep locks soft and hydrated with moisture-rich shea butter. Massage it into your hair and scalp after you shampoo, then rinse it out. Try Motions Hair and Scalp Daily Moisturizing Hairdress ($5 at most drugstores).

Buy it - Relaxers can irritate your scalp, making it flaky and itchy. For fast relief, soak a cotton pad in witch hazel and gently dab it onto your scalp - $5, Walgreens.

DIY: Super Shine

Hey again! Today I'm going to share a really cool DIY I found circulating on Pinterest.

For super shiny hair, mix a lot of olive oil and one tablespoon of honey. Work the mix into your hair and leave for at least half an hour (overnight is always best). Shower the next day when you wake and your hair will be totally sleek, gleaming, soft, and static-free. Thanks for reading and let me know how this works for you! Bye ♥

Check This Out: Katniss Inspired Hair Tutorial and Outfit

Hey there everyone, so I know the Hunger Games books and the movie came out a while ago, but I wanted to share this awesome video! The hair is inspired by the movie so it's not exactly the same, but it's still pretty cool. Plus the outfit is too cute. Enjoy! ♥

Check This Out: Straightening Serum

Hey guys! I don't know about you, but this is my Spring Break so I've been really busy. After school starts back up next week, I'll definitely be back on my regular posting schedule.

Anyway, today's post is going to be focused on straightening serum. Tired of straightening your hair everyday? Try this! It's like a salon treatment in the comfort of your own home. Get super-straight strands by applying this serum to your roots all the way down to the ends. After 30 minutes, rinse it out and blow dry. Finally, flat-iron your hair to set in a sleek style that will last up to approx. 30 washes!

A great product is Bumble and Bumble Concen-Straight Smoothing Treatment.

Thanks for reading, bye. ♥

Quick Tip: Sweet Smelling Hair

For hair that smells great (and looks good, too!), use a scented conditioner and let it set for a few minutes while the shower steam deep conditions your hair!

I recommend Organix Conditioner which can be found at most Target stores for $7.

Cool Tool: Towel + Brush!

So the other day I saw this really awesome new product that I just had to share about. It was a paddle brush with mega-absorbent microfiber bristles that soak up extra water to shrink your blow-dry time after a shower! Throw in the towel and let this multitasking brush do all the work to dry your hair!


This is the Goody QuikStyle Paddle Brush -
available at stores like Walmart and Target. ($12)



Cool Tool: Spiral Iron

Hey guys, I know it has been a few days and I'm sorry! A lot of things have been popping up all over the place with school and other things.

Anyway, one thing that I wanted to include in my posts was cool tools and products that not a lot of people know about. Today, I'm going to share some info about a spiral iron!

A spiral iron creates perfect, springy curls. The iron is super easy to use, too! It has a handy corkscrew guide to keep your curls tangle-free and some come with a coned barrel to give your hair a very natural shape. It does not have a clamp, so you twirl the hair around the barrel and hold it. This prevents clamp marks!

Most drugstores sell them, or you can purchase them online.

Hairstyles: Braided Bangs

Hey guys, so today I'm going to be posting a really easy hairstyle that's both flirty and fun!

You can also tie your hair back in a neat bun!

How-To:
Rock this twisted French braid whenever you want! What you want to do is make a French braid along your hairline, bringing in pieces from along your part, to your ear. Pin the ends underneath a section of hair so they stay hidden. That's basically all there is to it!

Check This Out: Liquid Eyeliner

Liquid eyeliner can intimidate even the most skilled makeup experts, but you can get the hang of it with a few simple steps.

Here are some products that I recommend:
♥ Rimmel London Exaggerate Eye Liner
♥ Maybelline Line Stiletto Ultimate Precision Liquid Eyeliner
♥ MAC Superslick Liquid Eye Liner

Step 1: Prime

This step is optional, but really prevents the liner from smudging or running. Apply an eyeshadow primer to your lids and along your lashlines. This will also 'matte out' excess oil from your skin so it doesn't run.

Step 2: Line

The trick to a precise liquid line is to draw it first with a pencil. A creamy pencil is easier to fix if you make mistakes.

Step 3: Trace

Once you have the right shape with the pencil, carefully draw over it with the liquid. Use one quick stroke and flick it up at the end if you want to create a cool winged look.

Eventually you will become a pro at this with practice and you won't need to draw the line in pencil first! Thanks for reading, bye ♥

Quick Tip: Lasting Lipstick

Hey guys, so today I'm going to share some tips on getting your lipstick to last without fading for hours!

1. Line - Trace the outline of your mouth, starting with the outer corner and following the natural shape of your upper and lower lips. This will lock down the edges so your color doesn't bleed.

2. Color - A lip brush allows you to get the perfect placement with the color. Load up your brush with lipstick and fill in your lips. Blot with a tissue to create a stain and then apply again.

3. Define - To get a super sharp line, apply foundation to a makeup sponge and gently dot around the edge of your lips to really make them defined.

Hairstyles: Lace Braid!

Hey again! So this is a braid I learned how to do a while ago and not a lot of people know about it, but it's pretty awesome! A lace braid is basically half of a french braid, but a little more goes into it.

How To Make a Lace Braid:

Just pinning it back: All you'll really need is a couple of bobby pins for this first version.



This is my friend Hannah's hair.



 First, gather three medium-sized sections from the front of your face. Start off like a regular braid - cross the left strand over so it's in the middle, then cross the right over so it's in the middle. Now, here's where it gets started. Grab a bit of hair about the size of the picture below. Add that to the strand closest to your part (Both Hannah and Jenn's part are on the right, so you I added the hair to the right strand).

Continue on with the braid - do not grab any hair from the other side of the braid. When you get to the part when you need to cross the right strand over the left again, add more and repeat the steps above. When you get to the back of your head, secure it in with as many bobby pins as needed. That's the end of the braid if you just want to stop there. Here's the finished look:


And this is Jenn. I switched models because I stopped and pinned
Jenn's hair, but continued on with Hannah's since it's longer.

 If you wish to continue on and have it look the the picture below, follow the steps above. When you get to the back of your head, don't pin it. Instead, all you need to do is carry on with a regular braid, not grabbing any hair on the way down.

Just tie off the end with an elastic band.

Hope you like this ♥

Quick Tip: Second-Day Hair

A lot of you probably know this already, but for those that don't - it's actually healthier for your hair if you wash it every other day. Washing your hair every day can cause your hair to fall out more! Plus, second-day hair is easier to style because of the grip. Luckily, there are products that make your hair look like you just washed it, even on day two!

The secret to perfect second-day hair is a volumizing dry shampoo brush or spray. If you use a brush, it's easier to apply right to slightly greasy roots for instant lift. Plus, the powder blends in and won't leave you with an icky white residue. With the spray, I recommend TRESemmé Fresh Start dry shampoo. This product has worked really well for me as well.

To apply, either spray or brush the powder on your hair in sections, getting more than just your part. After waiting a minute or two, brush the product through with a paddle brush and give your hair a good shake with your fingers.

That's all there is to it! Bye ♥

Check This Out: Soft Lips

Want to know some great tips on getting incredibly soft lips? Well I'm here to help you out!

One way uses petroleum jelly:

1. Apply a bit of petroleum jelly on a toothbrush with soft, straight bristles.

2. Brush the toothbrush on your lips in a gentle circular motion. Be sure to leave a bit of petroleum jelly on your lips to bring back some moisture.

If you don't have any jelly at home, or just prefer not to use it, try baking soda:

1. Mix baking soda with water until it forms a paste.

2. Take an old toothbrush, making sure again that the bristles are soft and straight. If you don’t have a toothbrush, feel free to use a washcloth.

3. Rub the paste in a circular motion all over your lips.

4. Make sure to rinse your lips afterwards and apply moisturizer to your lips.

One product that I'm obsessed with is my Maybelline Baby Lips lip balm. It's the best product that I have ever used on my lips to make them softer. Plus, you can either get a clear color, or some fun neon colors! I never leave the house without it.

DIY: Perfect Mani

Don't feel like hitting the salon constantly to get a manicure? With these steps, you can nail a perfect mani without paying for a professional to do it!

You'll Need:
♥ Metal cuticle pusher (more sanitary than wooden ones)

♥ Cuticle remover - a good product is CND Cuticle Eraser. (it also hydrates your nailbeds and prevents hangnails!)

♥ Nail file - use a file with a fine grit for the most natural nails

Step 1: File
Use a fine file and run it straight across the tip of your nails with a back and forth motion. Then round the corners so they don't snag.
*Don't file along the sides or buff the tops. It will weaken nails and cause them to peel.

Step 2: Prep
Apply a cuticle remover with a gentle acid (such as alpha hydroxy or glycolic) to dissolve the dead skin around your nails. Then, use a metal cuticle pusher to push them back neatly, and wipe clean with a towel.
*Swipe on acetone after this step so your polish adheres better!

Step 3: Polish

Make your mani last by starting with a base coat, then paint on two coats of color using three thin strokes (center, left, and right) from cuticle to tip. Finish with a top coat.

*Place the hand you're painting on a computer mouse - it will give you the perfect position to paint steadily.

Hope this helped! See you tomorrow ♥