Mani To-Go

Nails break & chip at the most inconvenient times! Keep an Mani To-Go kit handy for on the go nail repairs & touch ups.

Nail clippers: bring along a small pair of nail clippers for chips that are too deep to be filed down

Polish remover: use a travel container to carry polish remover without lugging around the whole bottle, or purchase a polish remover pen at your local drugstore for small touchups

Cotton balls: if you plan on repainting your nails while out you might want to include some cotton balls

Cuticle clippers: if you have a hangnail or just loose skin around the nails these can make for easy and painless removal

Nail file: when you chip a nail they don't always chip smoothly, use a file to smooth the rough edge so it's not bothering or hurting you for the rest of the day

Clear polish: if you feel like your nails could use a little shine while you're out a quick coat of clear polish can make you look more put together

Color polish: you can also bring the polish that's already on your nails in case you need a touch up

Top Coat Reviews

Insta-Dri (Sally Hansen): The brush really depends on preference. It has a wide set of bristles which can make for thick application. The consistency is neither too thick nor thin & applies evenly. The drying time is decent but doesn't live up to the "Insta-Dri" promise. Overall, the nails will have an even shine & lasts for a decent amount of time.

Top Coat (O.P.I.): The brush is a standard polish brush size. The consistency is a little thin but nothing too discouraging as it applies well and does not run. The dry time isn't instant but it is a reasonable amount of time. Overall, O.P.I. never disappoints & protects nails from chipping for an extended time.

Good To Go! (Essie): The brush is thin & makes for a more difficult application. The consistency tends to run on the thinner side which would explain the almost instant dry time. Overall this top coat doesn't protect from chips & many have reported their polish peeling off almost completely a couple days after applying. Disappointing for Essie.

Extra Life/No Chip (Revlon): The brush tends to be flimsy but the consistency is acceptable. The dry time is a little longer than anticipated but the overall look is satisfactory. However, the extra life, no chip title does live up to the name.

Dry Fast (Seche Vite): The brush is perfect thickness and length which makes applying the polish easy and smooth. The dry is the is quick and leaves the nail looking shiny and sleek. On top of scoring four stars out of four in all four categories, Seche Vite Dry Fast keeps nails from chipping for more than the anticipated amount of time.

Confetti Polish

Confetti polish is different than regular glitter polish. Glitter polish consists of a translucent base with glitter throughout. Whereas, confetti polish is an opaque polish, meaning it has a non-clear colored base, loaded with brightly colored glitter! It is also easier to remove than glitter polish, which is a huge plus! Here are a few polishes we love!

It's A Trap-Eze! by China Glaze: white base with rainbow, circular sparkles

Girly by Revlon: one of two new Revlon nail enamels released this month, pink base with circular pink & purple sparkles

Spumoni by Lynnderella: only available on Lynnderella's eBay page, mint green base with square shards of black, white, pink & red confetti

Candy Shop by Deborah Lippmann: bubblegum pink base with multicolored, hexagonal glitter

Rock n Roll Handmade Nail Polish by Kiwi Bear via Etsy.com: handmade nail polish only sold on Etsy.com, teal base with rainbow hexagonal sparkles

Tip: click the name of the nail polish for a link to where to purchase

Hot Trends for the Cold Season

Stay hot this winter with these cool trends and products we love!

Urbanglow Cream Highlighter (Urban Decay): Lately, many girls have become aware of the effects contouring and highlighting their faces. By using darker and lighter powders than their face they have the ability 

Super+ Beblesh Balm BB Cream (Skin79): BB Cream stands for beblesh balm ('beblesh' is the Korean word for 'blemish') that originated in Eastern Asia and has recently made its way west. It is an all in one facial cosmetic that is said to replace sunscreen, moisturizer, primer, foundation & more

Color Tattoo by Eye Studio in Tenacious Teal (Maybelline): Bright eyes are in! Colors such as yellow, teal, pink etc. are a trend that has been recently showcased during many designers' fashion shows such as Kate Spade, Rebecca Minkoff, Michael Kors & many others. Maybelline's color tattoo is a cream eyeshadow which makes for a more pigmented, brighter color

Paintbox in Purple Haze (Fudge): Colored hair dye has made its way into fashion recently. There are many different styles of hair color such as chalking, dip dye, streaking & overall coverage. Try to take it easy on the hair dye though; start with a streak of semi-permanent or washable dye just to get a feel before committing

Limited Edition Kohl Eyeliner by Choose Your Black (Bobbi Brown): Kohl is one of the oldest forms of makeup, dating back to Ancient Egyptian times. Kohl makes for a more natural, less harsh look that doesn't tend to smudge which is making it widely popular among makeup artists

Glitter in the Air - Sky Blue Confetti (Deborah Lippmann): Confetti nail polish takes glitter polish to a new level! Instead a clear polish caked with glitter, confetti polish consists of a colored nail polish mixed with glitter. They tend to go on much more colorful & glittery than regular glitter polish

Fun Fact! In Ancient Egyptian times, kohl was used on the eyes to protect from the sun. However, scientist now believe that this led to lead poisoning & it is now illegal to sell or import kohl in the United States. Modern day kohl eyeliner is made from galena, antimony & other harmless minerals.

Gingham Style Nails

Gingham nails are cute and sweet! You often see the pattern on picnic blankets which makes it a great look for Spring 2013!

1) Start off with two coats of white polish and let it dry for 2-3 minutes (which is about the time it take you to paint both hands)

2) If your polish's brush isn't thin enough, use a small small paintbrush to brush two lines down the length of your nail & let dry for at least 5 minutes

3) After the two vertical lines are dry enough, use your brush again to paint horizontal lines down the length of the nail

If you've pulled the look off successfully you should have lines that darken when they cross, giving you the perfect gingham effect!

The Proper Order to Apply Makeup

The proper order is everything! Even applying one article out of place can throw your look into a tailspin.

Primer: applying a primer to your face smooths your face & preps it before you put on heavier makeup

Concealer: using your concealer before your foundation will make for a less splotchy look & make for longer coverage & less touch ups

Foundation/Tinted Moisturizer: carefully brush on your liquid foundation using downward strokes to avoid lifting noticeable facial hairs & being cautious around areas with concealer

Powder: using a fluffy powder brush, use your powder to set your makeup on your face and neck

Contour/Blush: this is the time to contour your face using your blush, bronzer & highlighter around your cheekbones & jawline

Eye Primer: prep your eyes with primer to ensure smooth coverage for your eyeshadow & longer lasting color

Eyeshadow: play up your eyes with colorful eyeshadows! Don't be afraid to experiment

Mascara: use an eyelash curler to lift your eyelashes up and out & then cover them with 2 coats of your favorite mascara (if you use eyeliner, apply before applying mascara)

Lips: always finish with the lips, for a more pigmented look, use a lipstick & then coat with lipgloss

Glamour-Eyes

Everyone wants bigger eyes! They're the main focus of the face and are all beautiful because they are all unique & no pair are the same --  like fingerprints! -- but we can't all be born with Amanda Seyfried eyes. Using clever makeup tricks you can play up your eyes to make them seem bigger and bolder!

Highlight: using a highlight, or light shimmer eyeshadow, in the inner corners of your eyes & upper brow bone you give the illusion that you eyes extend further out and up

Dark Crease: lining the crease of your eyelid with a dark brown or gray accentuates the the lid and creates a more dramatic, deep set eye. Avoid blacks on the crease as it can become too dramatic & give the appearance of a more closed, sultry eye

Winged Eyeliner: winged liner exaggerates the eye & pulls it farther out, making for a more elongated eye

Curled Upper Lashes: lifting your upper lashes off of your eye opens them up & takes away the sleepy feeling you can get with droopy, tired lashes. When you coat them with mascara make sure to begin from the root of the lash and brush upward & not outward

Peach Concealer: using a concealer with orange undertones can counter the blue undertones found in under eye circles & make them disappear, unlike concealers with yellow undertones which can actually bring out the circles

White Eyeliner: wear white eyeliner on the waterlines of your eyes to make your eyes look wider and more doe-eyed

Below the Waterline: apply black eyeliner below the waterline for a more wide eye, be careful not to go too or your eyes can look droopy rather than excited

Use a couple, or all of, these tricks to define & widen your big beautiful eyes!