My Nail Essentials

I recently posted my Summer Pedi essentials, which got me thinking about how I keep my nails looking close to professional without having to pay the money for a visit to the salon.

Favorite nail maintenance products

I’ve told you I use acetone to remove my nail polish, but that it is pretty harsh, so I use a few different products from Julep to keep my nails and cuticles from being too dried out. I apply the Julep Essential Cuticle Oil at night before bed to keep them moisturized after a long day. I love this cuticle oil because it smells really nice, and it comes in a rollerball form in a bottle about the size of a Chapstick. This keeps it from being too messy and makes it easy for me to just rub the oil into my nails quickly.

Before I do my nails, I start with the Vanish Cuticle Softener and Remover. I make sure my had is over some kind of towel and put two drops of the softener over my nail bed. Then, I go in with their Cuticle Pusher to gently push my cuticles back, lightly scrape away excess skin or cuticle and clean up the nail bed area. This makes a huge difference in making my nails look clean and as if they were professionally done. Obviously, you don’t have to use Julep products (they are a little pricey), but I get a lot of full-size products in my monthly box and have been able to buy some with my points as well. I’m really happy with how these products in particular have helped my nails.

L to R: OPI Nail Envy, Out the Door, Revlon ColorStay Gel Smooth Base Coat

Other than the cuticle products I use, I’ve found that OPI’s Nail Envy has definitely made a difference in the health of my nails. I use it as a base coat or by itself, and I really have seen a difference in how my nails behave. I think this formula is for thin or peeling nails, which is usually what I have the most issue with. As a base coat, it doesn’t really extend the wear of a color polish too much, but it does have the added “health” benefit for the nail, so I think it’s effective either way.

I also LOVE the Revlon ColorStay Gel Smooth Base Coat. Whenever I start a manicure off with this, my polish life is extended at least 2 more days than it would be without it. I don’t know how it does it, but just a thin coat of this before a colored polish really keeps my nails from chipping. When I use it with the Out the Door top coat, I’ve had manicures last up to 5 days, which is crazy. The only think I don’t like about this top coat is that it doesn’t dry the polish as fast as Seche Vite does, but it definitely prolongs the shine and wear of my nail polish. It still is fast-drying, but I find that I have to be a little more careful about what I do with my hands for about an hour than I do with the Seche Vite.

What do you use to make your nails look their best? Are there other tools or base and top coats you think I’d like?

 

 

Mani of the Moment – Members Only

Current Mani – L’Oreal Coloir Riche polish in Members Only

TheBalm Mini-Haul & Reviews

Recently, one of my favorite brands, TheBalm, had a 50% off flash sale to celebrate their new server. Historically, their server has crashed whenever they do flash sales, so this new one was supposed to hold up better. It did, but their processor had an issue, so as usual, the 50% prices went to those who waited…or loved pressing their refresh button. I finally got through and picked up some things I’m really excited about! I’ve been using them for a few weeks, and here are my thoughts.

TheBalm Mini-Haul!

I picked up 3 cheek products: Bahama Mama, a bronzer, Cindy LouManizer, a pink-toned highlight, and an InStain blush in Argyle. (Swatches are towards the bottom of the post).

Bahama Mama

Here’s a good look at Bahama Mama. As with all TheBalm’s products, the packaging is just way too cute with it’s vintage, pin-up-esque style. This is almost similar to Benefit’s Hoola bronzer, but a tiny bit darker and with sleeker packaging. I also think it’s slightly more pigmented than Hoola. I’ve used this with several different brushes, and it’s great for contour and for adding some extra bronzy color to the skin this summer. I really like this bronzer. It blends nicely, and a little goes a long way.

Instain Blush in Argyle

If you haven’t tried an InStain blush from TheBalm, you need to. It’s a powder formula that turns into a long-wearing cheek stain, and the colors are gorgeous. I’ve bought all of mine on 50% off sales, so I’m pretty sure I’ll have all of the colors before long… Argyle is a beautiful, cool-toned pink. It’s a very subtle, everyday color, especially compared to Lace, which is also a cool-toned pink but very bright. I’ve been wearing it almost every day this week, and it looks very pretty and natural. If you have fair skin like I do, you need this blush.

Cindy LouManizer

The Mary LouManizer, the famous highlight from TheBalm, is probably my favorite powder highlight ever. When I saw this pink Cindy LouManizer, I was really excited to try it. This is also a very shimmery, sparkly powder, and a little goes a long way. With the pink color, I find that it’s better with a very subtle blush and this on the cheekbones. I also think it will be great to use it as a blush with a BB Cream or lighter coverage foundation as we get into warm weather. I’ve also used this as an eyeshadow, and it’s really pretty, especially with some of the matte shades in the LoracPRO and Naked2 Palette. I don’t know that this is a must-have product, but it is very pretty.

Here are swatches from L to R: Bahama Mama, Argyle, Cindy LouManizer

Swatches in natural light

Swatches with flash

Keep an eye out on TheBalm’s Instagram page, where they usually announce flash sales. If you haven’t tried anything from them, I would recommend it, especially for cheek products. With a sale, they’re an amazing deal.

Did you take advantage of the sale? What did you pick up that you’re excited about?

Summer Pedi Essentials

We’re coming up on Memorial Day weekend here in the U.S., and that means the start of summer, open-toed shoes and beautiful pedis! I love getting a pedicure at the salon, but getting them regularly is more than my budget will allow. I’ve found some great products for giving myself a great at-home pedi and keeping my feet happy, which I’m sharing here.

Summer Pedi Essentials

If you’ve read probably any other post on here, you know that I love Julep products. These are they’re “best pedi ever” products, and they really do give you the best pedi ever.

The Best Pedi Prep Ever is a roll-on type gel that I put all over my calluses and any hard, gross skin on my feet. I let it sit for 3-5 minutes, and then use the Julep foot file to literally file off callused/dead skin. (Mine looks a little gross, so it isn’t pictured, but you can see it from the link). Then, I rinse  my feet in warm water and apply the Mint Condition Pedi Creme. You can absolutely use regular lotion, but this lotion is very soft without being thick. It also has a minty smell and feel, which leave your feet a little tingly and feeling more awake. That may sound weird, and maybe it’s because I wear heels a lot and have dance rehearsal/classes fairly regularly, but my feet are often sore and tired, and these make them feel really nice.

After my feet are feeling fresh and beautiful, I apply my favorite polish (I’m sure you don’t need to know how to do that) and topcoat, and I’m on my way!

What pedi products do you love using to keep your toes beautiful?

Bite Beauty Duo – Review

In my post-Easter haul, I picked up a Bite Beauty Duo. I’ve had a chance to use it a few times, so I wanted to share my thoughts! You can see the haul post with swatches here.

The formula on these are AMAZING. Definitely worth the hype. They just feel good on the lips, incredibly soft and creamy. They are also very pigmented, which was especially great for the bright duo I got. I wish the colors were a little more long-wearing, but when you reapply they still look really nice. These colors especially are good for looking a little more awake and put together when you’re on the struggle bus, or they’re good for a fun pop of color to your look. Overall, I’m really impressed and will definitely be going back for more Bite lipsticks. Here are some selfies of them in action (I apologize for the duck lips, but I was trying to show off the lipstick…)

Bite Beauty in Palomino

Bite Beauty in Violet

Do you have any Bite Beauty lipsticks? What shades would you recommend?

Mani of the Moment – Jules

Mani of the Moment – Jules by Julep

I love this clean, powder pink polish! It’s more opaque than OPI Bubble Bath and the perfect classic, neutral polish.

What nail color are you loving??

Current Empties – May 2014

I’ve finished up another (small) round of products! Here’s what I used up and how I felt:

May Empties

It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product – This product is an amazing detangler! My hair can be really hard to work with, and this completely changes it and makes it so silky. I just wish it weren’t so expensive. It’s not something I use every time I wash my hair, but I’m always happy with it. I have another sample now, so that is exciting.

Beauty Protector Protect and Detangle – A similar product to the It’s a 10, but the nozzle on mine broke so I had to handle it with my hands. It smells way better than the It’s a 10, though. I

Acetone – This is just the random brand I got from Sally’s or somewhere, but I love using acetone to take of nail polish. Yes, it’s really harsh and probably dries my nails out and does other bad things to them, but it’s so fast, I really won’t complain.

Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector – This is worth the hype! For all of us who struggle with acne scarring, this product definitely makes a difference, especially if you’re really good about remembering to use it daily…which I was not toward the end, but it’s still done great things for my skin. I haven’t repurchased it, but I will eventually.

BeautyBlender – Alas, it is time to bid this BeautyBlender adieu. Don’t worry, I have two backups, but this one needed to die. It was so dirty, had holes in it and just felt a little fragile, so out it went. I love using this especially for sheering products out in the summer, so my new one will get a lot of use.

Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief – I got this in a Clinique sample box from Sephora, and this is the perfect moisturizer for the winter. During this ridiculous winter when it was so frigid, my skin got really dried out, and this moisturizer did what I needed it to do. I’ll definitely repurchase it for next winter.

Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask (not pictured) – This also came in that kit, and it was a great overnight super moisturizing mask. but it was a really nice overnight moisturizer.

Neutrogena Naturals Multi-Vitamin Nourishing Night Cream – I bought this looking for my favorite Neutrogena Light Night Cream when it wasn’t at my drugstore. This was an okay moisturizer, but I wasn’t crazy about the smell and didn’t see anything to special about it, even though it was supposed to be a fancy, organic, multi-vitamin cream. It was fine for the price, but I still prefer the Light Night Cream.

Those were my empties! I’ve tried a lot of moisturizers lately, and I think I’ve found some good choices. What have you used up lately?

May Ipsy Unbagging!

Another month’s Ipsy bag has arrived! This month’s theme was “Fresh Picks,” but for me that meant mostly skin and haircare products. I was a little surprised to see that because I love getting actual makeup products in my bag, but maybe these will really wow me. Ipsy and I have been a little on the rocks lately, so if next month’s bag doesn’t wow me, I’m switching it up.

Here are the products:

May Ipsy bag

Hang Ten Classic Sport Sunscreen SPF 50 – I don’t get too fancy with my sunscreens and I don’t spend a lot of time outside, so I feel a little meh about getting them in subscription boxes. This one is supposed to stay waterproof for 60 minutes, so that is definitely something exciting if it works. I need to plan a beach trip to try this one 😉

derma e Microdermabrasion Scrub – I do love a good microdermabrasion scrub. According to the package, this exfoliator “helps diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and acne scars” and “leaves skin youthfully radiant.” I am actually really excited about this because it sounds like exactly what my skin would love!

Olive Natural Beauty Lip Balm – I guess this lip balm is made out of olive oil? It’s in the “Refreshing Rosemary” scent, and it smells like a spa. I love my Nivea lip balm, so I’ll be interested to see if this lives up to it or adds any healing benefits to my lips.

Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask – This healing mask is supposed to “increase hair’s strength and elasticity” while nourishing and doing all those great things a hair mask does. It has keravis protein and argan oil and the package is huge, so it should last a while! I’m not super picky when it comes to hair masks, but I think this one should be pretty good.

Pacifica Mineral Eyeshadow Duo #2 (Moonbeam and Unicorn) – This eyeshadow duo is really iridescent and sparkly.

Pacifica duo up close

Swatches in natural light

Swatches with flash

The colors look pretty but were a little hard to swatch, so I don’t know how pigmented or easy to use they’ll be. I think this will be something I actually need to use to pass judgement on.

Overall, I’m not super impressed, but after using some of these products, I may fall in love, so we’ll give it a shot.

What did you get in your Ipsy bag? Or do you have another subscription to recommend?

Skincare Routine – Night

Welcome to my Nighttime Skincare Routine! My daytime routine is here if you missed it. I’ve broken up my night routine into two larger sections: cleansing and treatment. This is a little longer than my daytime routine, but I think it’s been the key to really feeling good about my skin.

Step One – Cleansing Products

1 – CVS Makeup Wipes – Obviously, everyone knows that removing makeup is the most important thing you can do. I’ve found that makeup wipes are the best place to start for me, even if it doesn’t completely remove all makeup. I’ve tried a lot of different wipes, but the CVS brand ones are really the best for the price. The closure keeps them moist all the way through the package, and you can often get deals on these in large amounts.

2 – Clarisonic Mia + Purity by Philosophy – I could write an entire post about how much I love my Clarisonic. It has truly been one of the most life-changing products for my skin. Even my husband noticed how much less oily and clean my skin has looked since I’ve used it, which is a big deal! I use the Normal brush head with mine. I like using the Purity cleanser because it is really gentle but still suds up and cleanses nicely. I’ve used the Clarisonic with a harsher, more drying cleanser and it’s made my skin feel really tight, so I like a gentle cleanser for that reason, too.

Step Two – Treat

3 – Origins Zero Oil Toner – I use this in my daytime routine, too, which you can read about here. I like using it at night to make sure all the makeup and dirt from the day is really cleaned out of my pores.

4 – Neutrogena Light Night Cream – This is my favorite night moisturizer for spring/summer. It gives more moisturizer for nighttime than I want in the day, but it doesn’t feel heavy or greasy. Even though it’s a Neutrogena product, I have only found this at Ultas near me. It lasts forever and is really affordable. I’ve tried the famous Clinique moisturizer and really don’t see anything different in my skin when I use this.

5 – Benefit It’s Potent! Eye Cream – This is a really nice eye cream. It’s not too thick, but still moisturizes and does what I need a night eye cream to do. I can tell a difference on mornings when I’ve used this and mornings when I don’t for sure. I feel like my dark circles are less harsh after I use this.

6 – Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment – I have yet to find an acne spot treatment that smells better and is more effective than this one. (I’ve used some that have been one or the other, but I need both. Who wants a gross-smelling paste on their face all night? Gross). A little goes a long way, and it truly clears up acne spots overnight.

Those are the skin products that have been working for me! I use face masks every few weeks with these products, too, but this is pretty much the basis. What skincare products are your staples?

Skincare Routine – Day

One of the things that I’ve developed as I’ve gotten more into beauty is a skincare routine that really works for me. I struggle oily skin, large pores and I have some scarring from struggling with acne in my younger days. However, with the right mix of products, I’ve become really happy with how my skin looks and feels. I’m sharing these products in two different posts, so here’s a look at my daytime skincare routine and products.

Day Skincare Products

1 – Josie Maran Argan Oil – I love starting my day off with this cleansing oil. I use 2 pumps of this on my dry skin, then take wet hands and massage it into my skin and rinse off. It really wakes up my skin with its fresh, citrus smell and ironically, using a cleansing oil removes the oil that built up over night.

2 – Origins Zero Oil Toner – I follow this with a toner to clean out my pores. This Zero Oil toner smells like a spa – amazing – and it helps cut down on oil throughout the day. I always feel so clean after I use this!

3 – Origins Zero Oil Moisturizer – Because I struggle with oily skin, I’m always looking for an oil control moisturizer. I’ve used the Dermalogica one, which is really nice, but really expensive and can get dried up lotion built up in the nozzle (short review here). This lotion is cheaper, also smells great and moisturizes my skin without making it get oily throughout the day.

 4 – Origins Gin-Zing Eye Cream – I didn’t think this would make a difference, but I love this eye cream! It has a slight pink tint and helps cut down on any early-morning puffiness. It really helps me look more awake, especially when I don’t get enough sleep…which is often.

So mornings are pretty short and sweet, but it sets me off on a great foot to put my makeup on and be ready for the day. What do you use to get ready every morning?