8/19/2012
How to Paint Your Right (or Left) Hand How-To from Birchbox
I have issues painting my nails without making a mess. I sometimes get really shaky hands... especially my left hand (non-dominant). I ran across this How-To article while browsing through the Birchbox magazine. It def has some useful tips.
STEADY THERE
The couch sure is comfy, but for the best mani results, set up at a desk or table. By resting your elbow on the tabletop, your less-dexterous hand will feel a lot steadier while painting. If you’re not near a table, rest your arm on your knee for fewer shakes and mistakes.
THE PREP STEP
Pre-polish preparation can make a big difference for unsteady hands. Use a small brush or Q-tip to apply a ring of Vaseline or Aquaphor around your cuticle line (make sure to keep it off your actual nail). This way, if you end up with polish outside the lines, the color will wipe right off without any remover.
SET THE FOUNDATION
A base coat is like makeup primer—it creates a smooth canvass that’s essential for a pro polish job. Try Orly Bonder, which has a unique rubberized formula made for long-lasting wear, or a 2-in-1 like Deborah Lippmann’s Hard Rock Base & Top Coat.
LESS IS MORE
Thick, goopy polish will run into the cuticle line and make a huge mess, especially when painting with your less skilled hand. You’ll have more control with a few thin coats than one that’s really thick, so work with less polish on the brush than you think you need.
CLEAN-UP TIME
Achieving a salon-quality manicure at home ultimately comes down to the clean-up. We like to dip an angled eyeliner brush (one that’s specifically reserved for your nails) into nail polish remover, running the polish-soaked bristles along the cuticle to erase mistakes and create a smooth, clean line. The before and after is dramatic. For best results, use a strong yet nourishing remover like Zoya Remove Plus. For quick touch-ups, try a remover pen with a contoured tip like the Cutex Corrector Pen.
—By Anna Norman
STEADY THERE
The couch sure is comfy, but for the best mani results, set up at a desk or table. By resting your elbow on the tabletop, your less-dexterous hand will feel a lot steadier while painting. If you’re not near a table, rest your arm on your knee for fewer shakes and mistakes.
THE PREP STEP
Pre-polish preparation can make a big difference for unsteady hands. Use a small brush or Q-tip to apply a ring of Vaseline or Aquaphor around your cuticle line (make sure to keep it off your actual nail). This way, if you end up with polish outside the lines, the color will wipe right off without any remover.
SET THE FOUNDATION
A base coat is like makeup primer—it creates a smooth canvass that’s essential for a pro polish job. Try Orly Bonder, which has a unique rubberized formula made for long-lasting wear, or a 2-in-1 like Deborah Lippmann’s Hard Rock Base & Top Coat.
LESS IS MORE
Thick, goopy polish will run into the cuticle line and make a huge mess, especially when painting with your less skilled hand. You’ll have more control with a few thin coats than one that’s really thick, so work with less polish on the brush than you think you need.
CLEAN-UP TIME
Achieving a salon-quality manicure at home ultimately comes down to the clean-up. We like to dip an angled eyeliner brush (one that’s specifically reserved for your nails) into nail polish remover, running the polish-soaked bristles along the cuticle to erase mistakes and create a smooth, clean line. The before and after is dramatic. For best results, use a strong yet nourishing remover like Zoya Remove Plus. For quick touch-ups, try a remover pen with a contoured tip like the Cutex Corrector Pen.
—By Anna Norman
8/18/2012
Eyeliner Wars: Gel, Kohl, Liquid and More from Birchbox
I found a cool article on Birchbox about best eyeliners to use for different styles. I thought I would share the info...
Classic Cat-Eye
If want to channel your inner Audrey Hepburn, use liquid eyeliner to create a super chic wing. "Avoid kohl pencils at all costs," notes Emma Willis, Director of Artistry at L.A.'s Blushington. "It will not give you the sharp, precise line that you want.” For a wing novice, Willis recommends stila's stay all day waterproof liquid eye liner in intense black for its thin felt tip pen applicator.
Everyday Eye
DIY expert, makeup artist, and beauty blogger extraordinaire Erica Davidson loves gel liner for her everyday look. "Using a brush helps me get a straighter line, and formulas like Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink stays put and is super dark," she says. To avoid looking overly made up during daytime hours, Davidson recommends replacing black liner with charcoal grey, dark brown, navy, or plum.
Super Smoky Eye
For a brilliantly bold eye, celebrity makeup artist Jenn Streicher uses stila's Kajal Eye Liner in Onyx to get stars like Emily Blunt, Claire Danes, and Bar Rafaeli red carpet ready. "It glides across the eye effortlessly and leaves a rich, deep, dark color that can easily be smudged to the start of a perfect smoky eye," she says. To achieve a truly smoke-show effect, Streicher recommends using a pencil that can easily blend with the touch of a finger. Noir’s Kohl eyeliner is a fantastic alternative that glides on like a dream.
Color-Lined Eye
"I love a colorful eye," says Davidson. "It's modern, fun, and is an easy update on a classic." For a bright eye, she likes highly pigmented formulas like Make Up For Ever's Aqua Liner. "It’s a gel-like formula that's easy to apply and dries to a matte finish. I avoid glittery or super shimmery liquids because it tends to settle in the creases of your lid." Eyeko's Skinny Liquid Eyeliner in Turquoise is another favorite, for its vivid, fade-proof formula. If you're not quite ready to go super bright, PIXI's Lid Last Shadow Pen in Peach Pavé is a lovely bronze pigment that stands out without making too much of a statement.
—By Natalie Alcala
Classic Cat-Eye
If want to channel your inner Audrey Hepburn, use liquid eyeliner to create a super chic wing. "Avoid kohl pencils at all costs," notes Emma Willis, Director of Artistry at L.A.'s Blushington. "It will not give you the sharp, precise line that you want.” For a wing novice, Willis recommends stila's stay all day waterproof liquid eye liner in intense black for its thin felt tip pen applicator.
Everyday Eye
DIY expert, makeup artist, and beauty blogger extraordinaire Erica Davidson loves gel liner for her everyday look. "Using a brush helps me get a straighter line, and formulas like Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink stays put and is super dark," she says. To avoid looking overly made up during daytime hours, Davidson recommends replacing black liner with charcoal grey, dark brown, navy, or plum.
Super Smoky Eye
For a brilliantly bold eye, celebrity makeup artist Jenn Streicher uses stila's Kajal Eye Liner in Onyx to get stars like Emily Blunt, Claire Danes, and Bar Rafaeli red carpet ready. "It glides across the eye effortlessly and leaves a rich, deep, dark color that can easily be smudged to the start of a perfect smoky eye," she says. To achieve a truly smoke-show effect, Streicher recommends using a pencil that can easily blend with the touch of a finger. Noir’s Kohl eyeliner is a fantastic alternative that glides on like a dream.
Color-Lined Eye
"I love a colorful eye," says Davidson. "It's modern, fun, and is an easy update on a classic." For a bright eye, she likes highly pigmented formulas like Make Up For Ever's Aqua Liner. "It’s a gel-like formula that's easy to apply and dries to a matte finish. I avoid glittery or super shimmery liquids because it tends to settle in the creases of your lid." Eyeko's Skinny Liquid Eyeliner in Turquoise is another favorite, for its vivid, fade-proof formula. If you're not quite ready to go super bright, PIXI's Lid Last Shadow Pen in Peach Pavé is a lovely bronze pigment that stands out without making too much of a statement.
—By Natalie Alcala
8/17/2012
Textured Cold Stone
I saw this post on TBD blog where they did a matte/glossy textured look and decided I had to try it out. I didn't follow their directions but I did copy the idea. I love the way the dots looked like water drops.
8/16/2012
August Birchbox and Glambag :)
I got both of my sample subscriptions in the mail yesterday. I gotta say I loved both of them. I think I'll use everything in both boxes. That doesn't always happen.
8/14/2012
Stoned Chunky Holo
This is a quick post. I am having quite a day... especially with my uncooperative polishes. My Kleancolor Chunky Holo Black did not want to dry for some reason. I had mattified these but gave up after the polish getting messed up. So this is what they look like for a few more hours. I started with one layer of WnW Black Creme, One layer of KC Chunky Holo Black, and a layer of NYC matte top coat. I then applied a coat of Seche Vite to save them and added a few black stones.
8/13/2012
Birthday Cake Star
Who doesn't like birthday cake and stars? I know I do! I wanted to use another polish I bought from Lush Lacquer. I really like their polishes.
8/12/2012
Glamour Doll Eyes Swatches Pt. 2
Here is part 2 of my Glamour Doll Eyes Swatches. I had to do 2 parts because I placed an order and forgot so I placed another one. There were a few dupes since there were colors I had to have. It's ok though. Now I can carry one in my makeup bag for my purse and keep one with my massive amount of makeup at home.
8/11/2012
Wildly Un-zipped
It has definitely been a while since I used a stamped image on my nails. I was rummaging through my plates and thought something new and different would be cool. I am not a huge fan of my Mash plate collection but I do like this zipper image. I think this looks cool with the glitter underneath the stamped image.
8/10/2012
Lazy Days of Summer 9 - Thirst Quencher!
I am finally getting closer to finishing this challenge. Three done this week. I still have a few more days to go. So since the theme is thirst quencher, I thought about what great drinks remind me of summer. I have to admit that when I saw this on the challenge, I cringed and was clueless as to what I would do. One day it hit me that lemonade would be great. I then looked at the fimo sticks I had just bought and pink lemonade was a sure thing.
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