Friday Beauty - Some New Favs

I recently browsed the beauty aisles of Target looking for a few things for a trip we took last week. My initial search was for a waterproof mascara, something I don't ever wear, but needed. As you know, I'm not a fan of the Maybelline Great Lash, so I headed to Cover Girl to see what they had to offer. I decided to go with Lash Blast Volume. Based on the packaging, the "mascara formula and patent-pending brush are designed to max out each and every lash, leaving you with the ultimate big-lash look." That's what I'm looking for in a mascara so I decided to go for it. I loved it! It gave me a big lash, didn't clump, and went on with full coverage. Nothing like the Maybelline mascara. I loved it so much I bought the non-waterproof as well. It's my new daily mascara! 

Beauty Note: Because waterproof mascaras are just that, I find them hard to remove with makeup removers. This mascara wasn't any different. Because we were on the road, I used Neutrogena makeup remover towlettes. I bought the travel size packs since they lay flat! It took off some, but I still felt like I had a layer on my lashes.

Whenever I travel, I like to have nice nails. Clipped, filed, and with some sort of polish. I usually get a gel manicure. That indestructible mani is the best! However, I'm on a budget and I'm not allowing myself trips to the nail salon. I remembered seeing an ad or commercial for the new Sally Hansen Miracle Gel polish that states it works as well a gel mani without the light. I'm always game for trying new products, and since I needed a hefty polish, I gave it a go. I went with Birthday Suit, I wanted a more natural nail color, and the recommended top coat. I loved the color! It's a very pale peach and totally neutral. It lasted six days, claims to last 14, and it would have lasted long if I hadn't decided to go for a different shade! I'm obsessed! I bought Pink Tank and Blacky O. I'm currently wearing Pink Tank and it's so cheerful! (Check Instagram later for look at the polish!)

Beauty Note: When applying Birthday Suit, I needed three coats to achieve the color I wanted. Apply more or less for the color you desire. Also, I would recommend buying the Step Two Top Coat. It's intended to go with the polish to give you that gel mani look.

I am so happy with my new drugstore finds! I'm psyched about my new mascara! I've been on the hunt for a few months, and I think I've found the one. The new "gel" mani is great! My tiny investment in a few colors, and one top coat, will last me all spring and summer. I will probably add a color here and there, but it's so much more economical than a visit to the salon.

Any new products that you're currently using and loving? Share them with us! I'm always looking for something new and reader recommendations are the best! 

Happy Friday, Beauties!

Friday Beauty - No Dry Time Nails

I love to do my nails. I love getting manicures and I really enjoy doing them myself as well. I've loved experimenting with nail art, but it hasn't been too extensive in design. But the thing about doing your nails is that you have to wait for them to dry. And I mean wait. Like a couple of hours and who has time for that?!? If and when I actually do my nails, I paint them at night after everyone has gone to bed. I'll paint them, work on the blog, watch a little TV, and then I'm off to bed. Usually by then they're dry. 

Then there was the invention of the gel polish. I love getting a gel manicure! It lasts for about two weeks, is instantly dry, and you can be as rough as you need to be without a worry of chipping the polish. The down side to the gel mani is that you have to go back into the salon to get it removed. Sure, you can do it at home, but the process is long and it really dries out your cuticles. And, if you're like me, you usually just peel it off which is horrible for your actual nail bed. Oh, and you have to pay roughly $25 a visit for application. Mani's aren't cheap!

The best solution of all was the creation of the nail polish strips! They are an absolute dream come true! I've been using them for a couple of years and I've tried most the brands on the market. I love Sally Hansen's Nail Effects. They are really easy to apply, come in various colors and nail art creations, and the obvious no dry time is the ultimate reason to love! The little box comes with everything you need. The nail strips, cuticle pusher, and instructions for application. I love an all-in-one beauty buy! The Maybelline nail strips work pretty much the same way, however you file off the excess instead of peel like the Sally Hansen version. It doesn't come with anything but the strips and instructions.

 

Then Jamberry entered my life. Jamberry are Nail Wraps that are made of high-quality vinyl. They are long lasting and they are applied with heat and pressure--no chemicals, no odors, no smudging, no dry-time! The wraps can last one to two weeks on fingers, and up to six weeks on toes! They are latex-free, cruelty-free (never tested on animals) non-toxic, and gentle on your nails! For anyone who is leery of harsh chemicals around children, this is the product of you.

I started using Jamberry after my aunt held a Facebook party about a month ago. I love the catalog of nail wraps, which is quite impressive! And the online parties are so much fun. There are daily games, prizes to win, and a huge door prize at the end of the party which my mom won during Mandy's party! The application is a little more difficult than the previously mentioned products, but there are tons of YouTube instructional videos to assist you. Because they are heat activated, you need a hair dryer, but Jamberry does offer a cute little heater for purchase. You also need a cuticle pusher, manicure scissors to cut off the excess, and a nail file to file off the ends. I haven't quite gotten the knack of applying them, but I'm slowly getting the hang of it. I still highly recommend them because they do live up to their guaranteed longevity. Honestly, this is the way to go in the world of manicures.

Have you tried any of these nail wraps/strip products? If so, which ones? Any not listed? Tell us about them. Which is your absolute favorite? 

Happy Friday, Beauties!

My Beauty in 2015

In keeping with the New Year's theme of goals and resolutions, I am making a goal to try and blog more about beauty and the products I love and use repeatedly, products I really want to use, and the ones I end up trying. 

Lately, I've really neglected my facial routine, especially at night. I'm trying to make a concerted effort to get back into the cleansing process and not let busy nights and bedtime routines be an excuse. As most of you know, I'm a Clinique girl. I've been using their Three Step Program for over 20 years and I'm not about to change now. Don't worry, I will talk all about it in a later post. And while on my quest for clean healthy skin, I'm thinking of investing in a cleansing brush. Clinique has one that I'm researching, but after asking Lucky Magazine beauty editor Jean Godfrey June her opinion, to which she gave it her seal of approval, I'm not sure more research is needed!

I'm currently on the look out for a new mascara. I used a Clinique mascara for years and recently found out that they discontinued it. I was almost in tears! I've been experimenting with a few different brands and fell in love with the Chanel INIMITABLE mascara. But at $30 a tube, and being on a budget, I just can't swing it right now. So, I recently purchased "America's favorite" Maybelline Great Lash mascara. At $3.99 a tube, this is much more wallet friendly. I've only used it once so I will keep you posted on my thoughts. 

Other items I hope to chat about are my favorite drugstore finds, my go-to products for everyday use, makeup application tips that I've learned along the way, what to spend your money on and where to save, and I'm hoping to hear from you regarding topics you would like to have me tackle!

I'm excited about this new adventure in blogging! But, if you were hoping this was the big announcement I talked about yesterday, it wasn't!! Check back Monday for the big reveal! I can't wait! 

Happy Friday, Beauties! I hope you have a fabulous weekend!