How I Have Perfected my at Home Manicure

So I basically have a slight addiction to nailpolishes. My friend and I actually used to quiz eachother on the names of the colors, haha.

I personally think I have perfected the at-home manicure and have decided to share my tricks.

I have really weak nails that peel & also nail polish ALWAYS chips within 1-2 days.. partially because of peeling but also just because my nails suck. I keep them short so that they look decent. 

1. Shape/File
First of all, after I trim my nails I use a crystal file. It is so much gentler on my nails and really helps with preventing - or atleast not causing- the peeling. It really makes a difference :)
After you're done filing, wash your hands atleast with water to remove residue and to have a clean base for your polish.

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2. Base Coat

I used the same base coat for a few years until one time the store was out and I was devastated (rough life, I know) and the sales girl talked me into buying a different one. I don't know how she did it, but she convinced me to buy CND Stickey & promised it would make my polish last longer.

OH EM GEE it's a gift from above, I promise! I never thought my nail polish would last longer than a day without chipping, I had just accepted that as part of my life - and for a girl who loves nail polish it was really sad!

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Seriously, get it. It will change your lifeeee.

3. Polish
OK, once that has set for a few minutes, it's time to paint ("polish" as we had to call it in beauty school =]) It really doesn't matter what brand you use, although I prefer OPI because of the width of the brush.

When painting, start with the brush 1/4 of the way up from your cuticle, then gently push down until you reach the cuticle. From there you want to repeat 3 times, once in the middle, and once to each side, leaving 1 mm between the edges of your nail and the brush - that's how you avoid getting paint all over the edges of your  nails!

Always do two coats. The first one doesn't need to dry completely before adding the second coat, but let it set for a few minutes then add the second coat using the same technique (start a 1/4 of the way down, push to the cuticle, then three strokes of polish).

4. Top Coat
Top coat is probably the most important step of making your manicure look "polished" (pun intended). It finishes off your look, making the color you chose look shiny and solid.

My favorite is Seche Vite dry fast top coat. This stuff is by far the BEST. It makes your nails completely dry in about two minutes, no joke. I am so impatient and until I found this, my nails were always smudged and I just stopped caring because I can't sit still long enough for them to dry. This literally dries them completely in a few minutes! Worth it's weight in gold, I promise.

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And you're done! See how easy that was?  A professional looking manicure from the comfort of your own couch. =) Let me know how it works for you, or if you have any tricks I need to know!!

Oh, also. For those pesky hangnails and split cuticles that are so popular in these dry months: rub some aquaphor (my secret beauty tool for EVERYTHING) on the affected area, wrap in a bandaid and sleep with that overnight. In the morning, it'll practically be gone. It's magic, I swear.

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She Made Me Do It

Some of you may know how I feel about ombre hair. I just feel like most of the time it isn't done well and ends up looking tacky. If everyone with ombre hair looked like Alex Hunter, my opinions would change, but until then, I'm picky kapeesh?

perfection : a subtle fade from dark to light
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ugly : overdue for a highlight touch up
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Anywayyyyyyyys my little sissy wissy poo has been begging me to do her hair ombre for months now and I finally gave in this weekend :) And it actually changed my opinion. When its a subtle fade, it's really pretty!

Before:

After:

So what do you think?! It's not that orange in person.. these are with my iPhone in direct sunlight. I wish I had better pictures!

After doing this, Lauren sent me a pic of her new ombre .. umm GORGEOUS!!

The Curls Post! {finally}

Alright, this has been long awaited. After posting a few pictures on Instagram, I've gotten quite a few requests to dish on how I curl my hair, and also how I make those curls last three days :) I finally had enough time to take photos while I did it so here goes.

Ummm.. don't judge my awkward faces. It's weird taking pictures of yourself while you curl your hair, ok!?

Let's get started, shall we?

You will need: Curling Iron, clips, mousse, shine serum, flexible hold hairspray

[See my Hair Products post for some of my favorites]

First things first, I "cocktail" products when my hair is damp. I mix a mousse and serum in my palms and run it through my hair. This way I get shine & hold in one. And also then the mousse isn't too sticky. My favorite one is Davines Wizards No. 3. Then blowdry..

We start by sectioning the hair. My hair is thick so I start with just above my ear, and pin the rest on top of my head. Cute, I know.

Next, you start curling using a technique called "clicking out". You start the curl towards the top of your hair shaft, rather than at the bottom and rolling up. This way, the heat is evenly distributed throughout your hair, instead of the ends being really hot and the top barely getting any heat. 

As you click out, let the hair wrap underneath what you already have heated. Each time you click out, hold it for about five seconds. Repeat until your little ends are all the way tucked in!

I don't spray each individual curl. Instead, once I've curled an entire section, I spray that layer. Then I let down the next layer and start curling, etc. Let your curls lay how they fell when you released the curling iron. No touchy!

At the very top section, I start curling really close to my head (opposed to the bottom layers I start 2/3 - 1/2 way down since you wont see it anyways). 

Finish this section then do an all over spray. You don't want to hairspray too much, otherwise it will weigh down the curls and they'll fall easily. Since you haven't touched your curls yet (right?!) you should look like you are ready for prom with your perfect little ringlets.

Also notice I curl away from my face. I prefer that look. 

At this point, you need to let your curls cool completely before you touch them. When they cool in this position, you get longer life out of them. This is when I usually get dressed, add jewelry, etc, so that the very last thing I do is brush out the curls. Once you know you are totally cooled, flip your head upside down and gently run your fingers through the curls to break them up. This is how you make the prom look become more beachy/casual!

Spritz all over (again, not too much) and style how you want!

And lastly, the way I make these babies last three days is ...

Simple as that. The messy bun keeps your hair in a semi-curly hold all night, but since it's loose you still get waves in the morning!

Hopefully that all makes sense, please don't hesitate to ask me to clarify anything for you! Happy Friday my friends :)

Lather Up! {My Fave Moisturizers}

This post is entirely inspired by the super dry, cold weather we've been having in these parts! I have very sensitive skin so as soon as the air turns dry, I am itchy scratchy almost immediately. When I lived in Colorado, I loved every aspect of it except for the dryness. By the end of the four months there, I literally needed a straight jacket to keep me from scratching! Now that we live in the mountains again, its definitely becoming an issue. Here are the ways I keep from the itchies! Not to mention having ashy dry skin is just plain unattractive.

#1 I make sure that nothing I buy contains mineral oil or anything ending in "-cone". Being in the beauty industry, I've learned that mineral oil causes a lotion (or whatever product you're using) to sit on the surface of your skin, and prevents it from soaking in to the many layers of skin that need moisture. I don't know the specifics of the "-cone" (I should probably research that one) but I've heard from people whom I trust that all those ingredients aren't good for you either. :) How's that for solid information?

#2 As soon as I get out of the shower, I immediately put lotion on my entire body, starting with my face. I do my face first so that I dont mix my body lotion with my sensitive facial skin. After my face, I just lather from my feet up to my shoulders using Hempz Age Defying Herbal Moisturizer. I am obsessed with this stuff and I like how it makes my skin feel and also how it smells. :) Sometimes I mix it up and buy the pomegranate Hempz.. it's also quite delish.


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 #3 When my skin is ultra dry, and needs more than the regular routine, I add jojoba oil. Jojoba oil is amazing stuff, let me tell you! It is the closest thing found in nature to the oil that your body produces to moisturize itself (just one of the nuggets of gold you learn when you work for Aveda..). I just mix a pump of lotion and about 5 drops of jojoba oil in my hand, and then apply as usual. My favorite is Desert Essence and I buy it from Trader Joe's.

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 #4 Since I live at 4800 feet elevation, it's pretty stinkin' dry up here. Lately I've been skipping the lotion and resorting to pure oil. Jojoba oil is aweome, but takes a while to soak in when I apply it alone. So when I want straight up moisture but not to feel all oily, I use Lavender Oil  or Coconut Oil. (both purchased from Trader Joe's who does not have an online site)

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Not only do both of these moisturize amazingly well, but they also leave you smelling wonderfully!

I think that's all for now -- Thanks for reading!

I'd love any suggestions if you have something that works even better!



Makeover Monday {Pucker Up}

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Helloooo! And happy Monday! Today's theme is in honor of Valentine's Day, your favorite lip stuffs! If you have something you'd love to share, please link-up with Molly and me :)

I don't have a whole lot to say on this subject. My only lip stuff I use is ... drum roll please....
Aquaphor!

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Literally swear by this stuff. I put it on every single night before bed.

When I do wear lipstick, I always wear MAC. It's soft and doesn't smear and lasts awhile. I'm just not much of a lips girl, I guess!

Thanks for linking up, y'all!!

Makeover Monday Link-Up {Blush, Bronzer, etc.}

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It's my favorite day of the week! Just kidding. But I do like writing these posts every week!

Blush! Bronzer! Highlighters! Woohoo!

please excuse my silliness... it's been a longggg day (I'm writing this Sunday night) and I think I am still on a high from meeting some fabulous girls yesterday!

Here are what I use for the goods. The other day, I was trying a new eye look and I was so focused on that, I forgot to put on blush. When I had done my eyeliner and mascara [I always do those very last] I looked at myself and thought "why do I still look so plain?" and realized I had completely forgotten my blush. That is when I realized how important it is! 

Confession: I have very rosy cheeks so sometimes I just put a little bronzer on the edges of my face & it looks like I have blush on already.

Anyyyyyways.

Bronzer:

Prestige Illuminating Bronzing Powder in Terra

Love this stuff. I've used it for 5 years [!!!] now and I will probably never change. It lasts forevverrrr because it's huge! like four inches across. It is the perfect amount of pigment, not orange, and layer-able. 

I dust on my temples, tip of my nose, chin, and edge of my cheekbones [near my hair line]. Sometimes I just do this, on days I am super rosy. On days I'm not...

Blush:

 "Fair skin looks great with fuschia blush!" -girl at the MAC counter while helping me choose wedding makup.
I did not believe her. Then I tried it... my life has forever changed.
MAC Sheertone Powder Blush in Coygirl [not on the website! boo!]

I never pick bright blushes so this was hard for me to even try. Remember, I told you I am set in my ways! But I really really love it & it doesnt look so obnoxious on me! It really does look pretty with fair skin :)


Some other favorites include: 
CoverGirl Cheekers in Party Peach

and 

BareEscentuals Rose Radiance

And if I'm really goin' the extra mile, I will use an illuminator/brightener/highlighter powder. It's truly magical...

Highlighter:
MAC Pigment in Vanilla

Like honestly, heavenly. Dust a little on the tops of your cheekbones and inside your eye.. amazeballs.
Also a pretty eyeshadow :)


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Here is a picture of me wearing the bronzer, MAC blush, and pigment on our wedding day. [also the foundation & skin routine from past weeks!] I think it looks alright!

Well girls that's all I've got for you today! Can't wait to see what the rest of you use! And again, thanks for linking up!


PS: Next week's topic is in honor of Valentine's Day. "Pucker Up!" Share your favorite lip shtuff!! Yay!

Makeover Monday: Haircare Edition!

Woohoo! My favorite topic: HAIR!
I have been a licensed hair stylist for three years now!
I'm not gonna get too wordy here, I plan on doing a few posts about hair tricks this week. As far as product goes, though, here are my favorites. {I have super duper thick hair, medium texture, and the tiniest bit of wave.} I do not purchase drugstore product. It is made with fillers and waxes and I do not want those on my precious locks! You really do get what you pay for with hair product!
Fave Shampoo/Conditioner:

Pureology Hydrate // Davines Love Smoothing // Redken Allsoft
Fave Deep Conditioner:

It's a 10 Miracle Hair Mask

{Don't let the packaging fool you -- this stuff is the best you can buy!}

After shower products:

It's a 10 Miracle Leave-in + Keratin // Chi Silk Infusion // Aquage Sea Salt Texturizing Spray
Best Hairspray EVER:

bigsexyhair Spray & Play

******************************If you ever have hair questions, I LOVE helping and answering the best that I can! Please leave a comment or email me and I'd be happy to help! :)
Thanks for sharing, girls!! Check back this week for more ways to protect your hair!
Link Up here!

Makeover Monday: Skincare (Link-Up!)

Welcome to Makeover Monday! Molly and I are so excited to be hosting this & we both hope it really takes off! Each week we'll be sharing our favorite products and hope that you'll share yours too by linking up!! Next Monday we'll be back at it with HAIRCARE! [my personal fave!] But until then.. here's my two cents on taking care of your face.

Well, lets get started, shall we?

So a little background about my skin: in high school I had terrible acne. Works wonders for a girls' self-esteem! I wore a hood everyday to hide my face. I have been on Accutane twice; once when I was 15 and then again when I was 19.

My skin tends to get dry quickly, but I am definitely prone to breakouts. I was on the pill for 7 years to help with breakouts around 'that' time, and have been off of it for 6 months and so far not too shabby! Thankfully :)

So I guess I am what is classified as Combination Skin: dry yet prone to breakouts.

With that said, here is what works for me!

Exfoliating: Exfoliation is important to remove dead skin cells. Dead skin cells build up and cause breakouts, clogged pores, and wasted product since the dead cells block the live cells. Basically, if you don't exfoliate regularly, start now!

Skin Prep Scrub used to be my crutch. I still use it occasionally, when I am not in the shower. It doesn't irritate, is fragrance free, and makes my skin as smooth as a baby's bottom.

Then one Christmas, my mama gave me a NutraSonic!!!! {Basically a Clarisonic for a fraction of the price} It is sooooo amazeballs! I only use it in the shower, because when it is turned on it splatters water. I use the attachment for Sensitive Skin, and it also makes my skin uber soft. I highly recommend.

Cleanser: I only cleanse my face once a day. Otherwise I get too dry! I always cleanse at night so I remove my make-up and all the dirt & grime from the day. Yuck. Even if you don't wear make up and never get blemishes, it's still important to cleanse your skin to remove sweat and toxins from the air.

I keep Purpose on my sink counter, and Aveda Purifying Gel Cleanser in the shower. I will admit, I love Purpose more than Aveda. And I'm pretty snooty with my products, so this even surprised myself! It just makes my skin really soft even when I forget to exfoliate, and since I started using it a few months ago, my skin has been clearer than ever. If you take one thing away from my whole post today, it should be this facial cleanser!! The. Bomb. Not to mention the HUGE price difference! Don't get me wrong, I still adore Aveda & what they stand for, I just am not as in love with this cleanser as I used to be.

Also, the only tools I use to wash my face are my hands and warm water. I don't use a washcloth, sponge, etc because it really is unnecessary. Your skin doesn't need to be scrubbed everyday, so warm water and your grabbers will do just fine!

Moisturizing: Keeping the skin on your face moisturized is super important! Even if you have oily skin, keeping it moisturized will prevent your body from producing more oil. It also helps keep your skin's elasticity which equals less wrinkles as you get older.

This is my simplest department.

I use Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture & I probably will for the rest of my life. I'm hooked! After I wash my face at night, I use one pump of the Sensitive Skin formula, and when I wake up in the morning I use the SPF 15 formula. I always wear SPF even if I don't think I'll be outside much, because frankly, I don't want skin cancer. At all. 


I am in the market for a night time super moisture cream and I hope one of y'all can point me to a fab one! My skin is getting so dry living at 5,000 ft elevation!

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Welp, that's all for today my friends! I hope you learned something and can't wait to read what your faves are too! Also, dont forget to link up next Monday with your favorite haircare. :)

PS you only need to link up here or at Molly's blog. It will show up on both!

Makeover Monday - Linkup With Us!

Hey! Lookin for some new beauty products?! Well I like to see what everyone's favorites are and I like to share my own favorites too which is why I am excited to announce:

Molly of A Midwestern Touch and I are starting a new series every Monday called Makeover Monday! 

Each Monday we will host a link-up & every week will be a different category!  

This coming Monday, January 16th, will be skincare. 

So get your post ready and tell us all about your favorite skin products, then come to either my blog or Molly's, link-up, then check out everyone elses! Sounds like fun, huh?!

See ya back here on Monday :) We will announce the following week's category at each link up!