How I Prepare My Nails for Polish

     I am probably the weirdest when it comes to nails in the fact that I can’t stand having polish on my nails for more than 24 hours. I will rarely have polish on my nails (same color mind you) for more than two days, so going to get my nails done is a waste of money. Because I don’t like getting them done professionally I do them myself; I’m not trained nail technician nor am I an expert but I think I do a pretty good job.

1.    If my nails are too long and depending on the polish color I’ll cut them. I don’t like dark colors when my nails are long, they don’t look good on me. I’ll shape them if need be.

2.    Clean the nail- I like using Formula X’s by Sephora Nail Cleaner. It doesn’t smell and dry’s quick.

3.    Base Coat – My nails hardly break but they do chip, so I like using a nail strengthener like OPI’s Natural Nail Strengthener.

4.    Polish- Depending on what’s I’m wearing I try to coordinate. Since I work in a professional office wearing a blue is out of the question, I save that for the weekend.

5.    Top Coat- All the reviews on Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat are right! It does have a strong smell but it works really well.

6.    Cuticle cream- I really don’t have cuticles or they aren’t bad? But I do notice sometimes they get a little dry so I use Formula X by Sephora Erase Aha Cuticle Cream.

Melissa

Surviving the Work Day

Taken in Alaska

     I never said where I work and without going into detail I can say I work in the legal field. Sometimes there is a great amount of pressure at work like deadlines and multiple personalities such as attorneys, co-workers, and others who I encounter on a daily basis.  There are days where I just want to scream and days where I wonder how I wound up at my job. Don’t get me wrong for the most part I like my job but there are days and people that make me question myself. Whatever the reason is  there are a few things I do so I can make it through the day.

Listen to music… I always carry my iPod with me everyday. I don’t really get a good signal in my building for a radio so I hear my iPod. I try to make new playlist or add new songs so I won’t get bored listening to the same thing over and over.

Take a break… sometimes you need that 15 minute break. If you never take breaks maybe you should. The world won’t end if you stop for 15 minutes to gather your thoughts. Pick up a book, walk around or call a friend if possible do something for yourself in those 15 minutes of however minutes you have. Check out and gather yourself again. You’ll come back a bit refreshed.

Go out for lunch… I’m not saying go out everyday but what I am saying is, it’s nice to get out of the office once in awhile. The little break from the office may make you feel better because you’re removed from the hostile or hectic environment.

Talk to a friend… It can be hard to find a genuine friend where you work. I find myself pretty lucky because I have a few of them. In fact I don’t work with all of them hand and hand everyday but I mange to talk to them from time to time. But be careful when making friends in the office. You're friend shouldn't be someone who lies, backstabs and mistreats you.

Internet…this can be hard because no everyone has the Internet or is monitored. However, there isn’t always bad news on the Internet and online window-shopping always clears the mind. If you don’t have the Internet like me (yes super ridicules) I use my phone. Or play with you iPad and pull up a movie on lunch break of course. 

Breath… yes. BREATH! Don’t let them get the best of you. Hold your breath and count to ten and exhale. It’s almost five o’clock and nearly the weekend. Start planning for the weekend and breath.

How do you survive a bad day at work?

-Melissa

L'Oreal La Palette Nude 2

     I really didn’t need another palette not to mention I wasn’t really interested in what I thought would be a drugstore fail and a complete waste of money. A couple of weeks ago in my Sunday paper I saw a coupon for $3 off the L’Oreal La Palette, a few weeks later Ulta had L’Oreal products 40% off not to mention a 20% coupon from the store… why not. I wouldn’t be wasting too much money for something that retails $19.99 at Ulta. I ate my words.

     It’s rare for me to find a drugstore that live close to high-end status. I find that only one of the shadows is a bit chalky (the lightest color). The rest of the shadows have really good pigment considering it’s a drugstore. If Urban Decay Naked and Naked 2 had a baby this would be it. I love Urban Decay’s original Naked palette but the second didn’t work for me so I ended up giving it away. I decided to give this a try because 1) it was cheap, and 2) because I liked the purple shadows the palette contains. I love a good matte shadow but for whatever reason I’ve been wearing the shimmery colors in L’Oreal’s palette they're just so pretty on the lid.

     I admit it’s a good everyday palette. Would this replace all other palettes? No, but it works well with others. There are two colors in this palette that seem alike and those are the two shimmery colors. Some of the colors take a bit more work to blend but the staying power with a good primer is well worth it. I didn’t find the shadows to crease (with primer). Personally, there are maybe two colors I would never use like the gray but despite that I think there is a good selection. I do find it a bit expensive as a drugstore product. Would I return this product? No, it’s a really good palette with a good selection that wears well. I’m actually thinking of buying this particular one as a Christmas gift. It's a pretty good palette. 

-Melissa

Brushes 101: Cleaning/Do and Don’ts/Language

   There are all sorts of ways to clean your brushes and sponges. When I started playing with makeup brushes, I didn’t really understand the importance of cleaning them. The difference between deep cleaning and spot cleaning my brushes was a bit confusing. Fast forward to present day… if I talk to someone who isn’t into makeup or has never heard of cleaning their brushes (yes, it has happened), I get a confused look. Maybe it seems like a no-brainer to some but in reality there are some who don’t know the difference and that’s okay. I was there, we all were. 

Language…

Deep cleaning is really getting in those bristles and cleaning them with water. The drying time for this is usually an overnight waiting period.

Spot cleaning is what I call a ‘quick clean’. Cleaning the brush by whipping it on a tissue (cleaner optional) and re-using the brush.

Do and Don’ts

Do clean your brushes

Don’t let them sit too long with out cleaning them (makeup can stain them)

Do spot clean

Don’t forget to let them completely dry when washing them

Do take care of your brushes

Don’t get the barrel wet (the part where the bristles meet the handle)

Do invest in brush guards

Don’t not clean your brushes, you could catch and eye infection by not cleaning your brushes

Deep Cleaning…

Sponges: I use Sephora’s Dry Clean Solid Brush Cleaner ($14), which has a bit more product than the Beauty Blender Solid Cleaner. Wet the sponge and rub the sponge against the solid bar of soap. Rinse the sponge under water, ring it out and set aside to dry. 

Brushes: I have used all the methods below and I feel I end up with the same results with all of them. Here are a few I’ve used.

1.    Dish Washing Soap & Olive Oil… Pour half dishwashing soap like Dawn and half olive oil on small plate (I use a paper plate). The olive oil conditions the brush with the dishwashing soap takes out the entire gunk

2.    Koh Gen Do Brush Cleaner…This may be discontinued but I place a little on my hand and work the brush around in my hand.

Spot Cleaning…

I have used three different spot cleaners and I recommend them all. They all clean the brush really well. To spot clean, I spray two –three sprays on a brush and go back and forth motions on a towel (I use solely to wipe brushes) or a tissue.

1.    Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner

2.    Sephora Daily Brush Cleaner

3.    Dante Makeup Brush Cleaner

Tools…

I can’t stand washing brushes in my hand. I bought Sigma’s Brush Glove. I heard a lot of bad reviews about it and a few good reviews… I LOVE IT. If you are like me and you don’t want the chemicals from brush cleaner on your hand then you’ll enjoy this. Not to mention I can clean more than one brush at a time. I also use brush guards to keep the shape of the brush intact. I’ve spent money on good brushes and would like to keep them for as long as I can. Places the brush guards on the brush right after washing. Also, when you’re drying your brushes make sure you have the brush at a downward angle. This will keep water from enter the area where the bristles meet the handle. The last thing you want is for the glue to because undone.

Hopefully this has helped you or reminded you to clean your brushes.

-Melissa