OPI Nail Polish: Stay Tough As Nails

Let’s be clear, I love OPI Nail Polish. Not for the purposes of this blog post but my admiration goes back to being a teenager.  I was eager to get professional manicures because my mom would get her nails filled-in.  To me, this signified being the ultimate adult; going to the nail salon.  As a grown woman, I still have that same level of excitement when entering the salon.  All of those nail colors are fascinating but I can only pick one!

OPI shipped me a box of the latest shades for the season and I couldn’t wait to share them.  Remember, we are a few months away from the new year; continue to stay tough as nails!

Nail Color: I Just Can’t Cope-acabana
Nail Color: My Italian Is A Little Rusty

OPI’s Nail Lacquer We Seafood and Eat It #ManicureMonday

The pandemic has definitely taken a toll on my manicure schedule.  I am squeezing in salon visits. Yikes!

One easy beauty technique is to keep nail lacquer at-home.  You never know when you need a change or quick touch-up.  OPI shipped a collection of colors that would make anyone want to polish their nails!

After reading a few online articles, I learned the importance of bringing your own supplies to the salon.  This helps with the health and hygiene of preventing the spread of germs.  Then, why not bring nail polish, right?

On this particular day, I stopped by the salon and grabbed a manicure.  I brought the color We Seafood and Eat It

The shade is considered to be reddish-orange and accents my tiny hand.  In-between zoom meetings, I still like to look my best!

OPI: We Seafood and Eat It

Visit OPI to shop for more products and keep stunning nails during the pandemic!

How To Make Gel Manicure Last During Holiday Party Season

November marks the beginning of holiday party season and getting a manicure is at the top of everyone’s to-do list.

My favorite salon service is receiving a gel manicure but with so many daily activities I suffer from a few dents and chips.

Featured Photo from Vogue.com

I wanted to share tips that will make your gel manicure last longer and keep your hands beautiful during the holidays.

Make Your Gel Manicure Last:

  1. When cleaning wear rubber gloves.
  2. Avoid boiling water which lifts the nail lacquer.
  3. Use cuticle oil to keep the nail bed healthy.
  4. Apply a clear topcoat to add shine.
  5. Use sugar scrub on the hands to exfoliate and remove dryness.

The biggest gel manicure secret is when the polish chips use a file to reshape the nails. Filing removes the chipped polish and makes your manicure look fresh.  Finish the process with hand lotion.

Gel manicures can be beautiful and shiny!  Remember, do not remove the gel polish at-home and take a break between salon visits to let the nails repair.

 

Beauty Regimen in Winter Months – Editor Talk and Products

Yesterday was the first day of December and that means we are officially in the cold weather season.  Not only does the seasons change but our beauty regimen alters with the weather.  The reason we must change our beauty routine is because the external environment can damage our skin, hair, and nails.

Every year I look in the mirror (around the month of November) and my skin is excessively dry.  My first instinct is to panic but then I realize it’s time to visit the drugstore or cosmetics counter.  I have a few beauty products that I am actively using from foundation to nail polish remover pads.

Beauty Regimen

To begin, let’s talk about foundation.  We often forget to change our foundation because it’s our favorite shade or brand.  Here’s what I learned, foundation in the winter months should have hydrating and moisturizing functions. This helps to counter-act dryness and use a lighter press powder.  Also, if you tend to look a shade darker (or tan) in the summer months, you may consider a foundation that’s lighter.  The foundation color should match the exact shade of your face and neckline.

In terms of face lotion, it is suggested that we stay away from light-weight lotions and use a cream.  Lotions are not heavy enough to protect the skin from the dry air.  I suffer from dry skin due to eczema and prefer a cream lotion whether in the winter or summer months.

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Always opt for a deep hydrating mask to use on your hair in the winter.  The cold air can create brittleness no matter the hair type or texture.  If you can’t afford an expensive hair mask, visit your local drugstore or Pinterest.com to create a DIY hair mask at home.  Either way, your hair can not afford to be shampooed with a leave – in conditioner alone.  The result will be breakage and frizz!

An additional beauty product that I’m actively using are nail polish remover pads.  Surprisingly, my mom (the other contributor) introduced me to this product last summer.  You can purchase a box for about $2 at the drugstore and they serve two functions.  Nail polish remover pads will remove polish quickly while also conditioning the cuticle and nails.  I was relieved to discover this product and since that time disposed of liquid remover (and cotton balls.)

I’m always searching for beauty tools to make my life easier because I’m managing my brand and have mommy duties.  The ultimate makeup tool the everyone should own in their bag is a Beauty Blender.  I have to admit that I own three because they serve a different function (and if I lose one there’s always an extra.) The Beauty Blender surfaced several years ago but has recently become available to beauty enthusiasts.  This is not your normal sponge due to the shape, texture, and use of the blender.  The Beauty Blender can be used to apply foundation, bb cream, tanner, bronzer, and concealer.  It can also be used for highlighting, contouring, and strobing.

Fall 2015 Lipstick

Lastly, with so much dryness in the air and having a hectic holiday schedule, we need an at home facial in between our spa treatments.  Purchasing a Sonic Face and Body Polisher can be an investment.  I am totally in love with my system and received it as a product review.  This little hand-held machine exfoliates and softens the skin while tightening my pores.  I love makeup but I’m a huge advocate for natural, glowing skin and we must take care of it!

I hope the tips I provided will help your winter beauty routine.  Also, stay connected to the site because I will be visiting a few local wellness spas very soon!

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Gift Giving Ideas: Tis’ the Season for Holiday Shopping

Tis’ the season for Holiday shopping.  It’s that time of the year and this is the perfect opportunity to post a gift giving guide for fashionistas.

Hopefully, we can redeem ourselves from that set of candles we gifted our co-workers last year.  Below, I have provided a few chic gift giving ideas that won’t have you feeling “naughty instead of nice!”

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Statement Sweater
 

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Mini Jambox Bluetooth

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Nail Polish Kits

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Statement Necklace

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Men’s Slip on Sneakers

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Cuff Bracelet

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Leather T Shirt

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Embroidered Yoga Mat

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Perfume Sets

photos are from Pinterest.com