I am an engineer by trade and total beauty obsessed by heart. And I just love to mix my 2 passions of technology and beauty. So much I learn day by day to share. Hope you enjoy! :)
While watching one of RissRose2 haul videos on youtube, I was intrigued by a product that she mentioned/raved about and decided to try it. The name sounded very promising, Hard as Hoof nail strengthening cream. In the video she mentioned that this is available at Walmart for under $5. It took a while for me to go buy the product since a Walmart isn't exactly close to me but finally during the Memorial Day weekend holiday I was able to pick it up.
This product has a very pleasant smell. It came in cherry almond scent. It is very creamy and just takes a small amount to apply to your nails. The directions say to "massage into nail bed, cuticles, and undersides of nails three times per day or as often as needed. May be used over nail polish." I was in dire need of a product like this since I recently took off acrylic nails and my nails are left a little damaged.
I have just been using this product for a few days but have been applying it three times a day to my finger nails and twice a day to my toe nails. I will continue to do this for a month and then return with a full on review. I am hoping to like this product *fingers crossed*.
Its that time of year again when its best to spring clean. I figured my closet is always the best start since I am looking to add some new spring/summer items to my wardrobe. If I am adding some stuff in, might as well clean some old stuff out that is no longer being used. While I am in total violation of all of the tips I am going to list below to closet organization, I plan to follow these guidelines to have a better well organized closet and better yet, keep it that way.
Closet Organization Tips:
1. I saw this great quote on Instagram and I think it perfectly sums up how one should clean their closet.
2. Bulkier items that would take up more space if hung such as sweaters, jeans, etc should be hung. This can conserve a lot of space. Plus in terms of sweaters, they maintain their shape more if they are folded rather than hung.
3. Try to set up your closet in a way so that you can view everything. Its my belief that people, especially women, get constantly caught up in the "so many clothes and nothing to wear" mode because we can't see everything in our closet. What attracts me most in shopping and buying new things at stores is because everything is set up so nice and organized. If our closets were set up this way, getting dressed would be that much more fun. Plus after cleaning, you would get more use out of everything you own.
4. Try to organize by color, season, fit, pattern, etc. This can help when getting dressed daily. This may also help with shopping, if you are trying to add more variety in your closet, you can clearly see what colors, patterns, etc you are missing.
5. Take dry cleaning clothes out of the plastic garment bags before placing in the closet. That garment bag just makes the closet look bad.
And finally...
6. Invest in some containers, hangers, dividers, etc. that will help better organize your closet. The container store, Target, Ikea and other places have great finds to help display everything in your closet.
What are some of your best closet organization tips? What did you discover when you spring cleaned your closet?
It is inevitable that I, like any other person who really loves makeup, have a constant wish list running through my head of things I am thinking of buying next. I currently have 5 tops things that I am going to buy...eventually.
The first product is the Revlon Precision Lash Adhesive. I have passed over buying this product for a very long time but was convinced to wanting to try it after watching a recent video of ItsMyRayeRaye on YouTube. When she mentioned that this has a thin liquid liner type brush applicator and that it dries way faster that duo, I was sold.
After attending this makeup class last month by the wonderfully talented, funny and humble celebrity makeup artist Renny Vasquez, I knew I had to have this product when he mentioned using it. I have again seen this many, many times and saw reviews on YouTube of this but wasn't quite convinced. Since this can be used on all skin types without making one look ashy, I will definitely be heading to a Sephora soon to grab this.
The next product I want to purchase is the Clinique bottom lash mascara. I saw this at Sephora last year and it was only $10 but I didn't buy it...silly girl. But hearing that this works great for grabbing all of the bottom lashes I am definitely going to grab this.
I have been getting more into highlighting lately and saw that the MAC mineralize skinfinish in Soft and Gentle would be a great product that I think would compliment my skintone when I am feeling a JLo day and want to really beat my face.
I have never been into using brow gels, I just fill mine in and go. However, every tutorial I watch on filling in eyebrows, brow gel is used. More so the colored brow gels that many companies are releasing lately versus the clear kind. I want to try the MAC brow gel in either girl boy or show-off. Not sure which one would be best for me.
Out of the many different videos I love to watch on youtube, one of them has to be the infamous youtube tags. And finally...I did one! I dugged within (pun intended) and found 50 random or maybe not so random facts about myself. So click below and learn a little bit more about moi.
This past Saturday, April 6, 2013, I attended that International Makeup Artist Trade Show (IMATS) in New York City. I have been wanting to go to this for quite some time and am so excited that I went. It was an amazing experience that I plan to have again.
I went with my friend Tish. There is no other person I would have rather gone with. We are like 2 peas in a pod and are obsessed with makeup and beauty.
There was so much cool stuff there. One of the things I loved was the battle of the brushes which showcased the talent of many makeup artist students from around the world.
The talent showcased here was amazing and the winner shown above who created the fierce red look received a $1000 grand prize.
My favorite presentation was that from MUA Nicky Posley and his demo of the Temptu airbrush makeup system. This is definitely something that I want to own one day.
His model was gorgeous and he did her makeup in no time.
I got a chance to meet some of my fave youtube beauty gurus while there.
Sunkissalba with her amazing curly hair.
Nicole Guerriero who had 100s of people literally running to see her.
JulieG who has great nail polish and was very sweet. She stood the entire day to talk and take pics in heels.
This art took hours to do. I had to take a pic of the almost completed look.
Not all the makeup was pretty, some of it was scary as hell. This is one pic that represents that.
Now lets get to what I bought :-). I did a youtube haul video sharing what I bought. It had to be put into 2 videos cause I talked too much, lol.
Part 1
Part 2
And some pics of the items...
The ardell lashes were 4 for $10 (other than the double up ones which were $5).
The luxury velour lashes (made of 100% mink) are the softest lashes ever. They were $20 which is a steal from their original price.
These naked cosmetic pigments are the most vibrant pigments I have ever had. They have no fillers, oils, wax, etc, just 100% oxidized mica. So all you get is the pure color. I picked up the tropical indulgence set.
The fantabulash adhesive strips for lashes has both an amazing background story and an amazing product.
Royal and Langnickel was definitely the big sponsor of IMATS. They had a very large booth with every makeup brush that you can think of. I got the fan brush.
I was given this brush at the Cici makeup brush/tools booth. Not only is the handle pink but the bristles are pink too. How cute!
And my non makeup item was sparkling badge holder. Can't wait to replace my regular work one.
All in all I had a terrific time and will definitely go again.
I have been wanting and needing a desk and vanity forever. I have seen pictures on Pinterest that inspired me to build one myself. After seeing a particular picture on instagram with the details of where the desk and everything was purchased I went straight to Ikea after work yesterday with a mission...BUILD MY VANITY.
And without further ado, here it is.
I spent all Friday evening and some of Saturday afternoon putting this together. It would not have taken as long if I didn't mess up a few times and had to redo certain parts. I happen to love putting things together so this was a great project for me. Everything was purchased from Ikea.
The desk is called Micke. I purchased the version with integrated storage on the side. This desk is very simple and functional and also cute. It is large enough to hold my makeup, laptop, iPad, etc and also small enough to fit into the extra bedroom. I just love it!
I have seen this chair years ago at Ikea and always wanted it but never had a reason to actually buy it. Figured now was the best time to get it. This chair is called the Tobias.
I love the extra storage space on the side of this desk. I can place all of my extra makeup, nail polish and other things and since it is open I will be able to see what I have. I don't know about you but I am an out of site, out of mind person so often when I store things in places where I can't openly look at them, I will forget that I even have something.
The mirror I purchased is called the Kojla. I didn't want a mirror for the entire length of the desk but big enough where I can easily do my hair and makeup. The lights are called Musik. Oh these lights, I can have an entire blog post about these. After opening the lights I saw that there is no plug with them but 3 loose wires. So I paused and thought CRAP! The directions required to connect them to a fixture on the wall. I can't go around making holes in the wall and wouldn't anyway so I went to good old Youtube and found a video on a different way to connect them to a plug. That approach required me to make a run to Home Depot thus turning this into a 2 day project versus one day. I have a degree in Electrical Engineering so this didn't frighten me in the least but trust me, you don't have to have a degree to do it, lol, its very simple.
This desk also includes a huge drawer which I definitely needed since the one in my bathroom was completely full. And I didn't even know what all was in it until I transferred the stuff to this drawer. I "found" some stuff that I had forgot about. :-)
I discovered the vine app recently after seeing people post about it on Instagram. So of course I immediately downloaded it. It's quite cool to make these small videos and some people get really creative. I am slowly learning. This may be the best one I have done (and since I have only done 2 this doesn't really say that much, lol).
I have been doing a little shopping lately (as always) and mostly online. So decided to share a few things I have picked up recently and cant wait to wear.
I got this jacket from Kohl's from the LC Lauren Conrad collection. I bought this online. The jacket was regularly $70 but I got it for $28 and also used a 10% off coupon code I found at Retail Me Not. This jacket will be great with the current floral trend and fits perfectly. I will wear this with a white tank, black faux leather leggings and these great blue Sam Edelman shoes posted below.
I bought this shirt at Express the other day. It immediately grabbed my attention cause I just love blouses. I really like that this white blouse had black accents on the shoulder and the back with small gold buttons.
This is a back view of the shirt. Love the little gold button on the back.
And what is even more special about this shirt is that it has faux leather trimmings on the sleeves. How cute!
I bought this blouse also from Express and not only did I get this neon yellow beauty, I also bought it in green and blue. I did say I love blouses right?! This color is just too pretty to pass up. Definitely gives a pop color to a pair of skinny jeans and a pump.
I passed on getting these months ago at Nordstrom's, then when I went to go get them they were unavailable in stores and online. ARGH!! After stalking the web, I finally found them at 6pm.com and they were on sale. I love the color of these shoes plus I already own them in a snakeskin print so I already know that they fit wonderfully.
Now for purses, specifically clutches.
I picked up this navy blue snaked skin clutch months ago at Banana Republic. Its very cute and actually carries a lot of stuff.
One day while at H&M this leopard clutch caught my eye. Its very light weight due to that fact that it is wicker. It has a small gold detail in the front. The material of the purse doesn't seem like it will hold up that long but at $12.50, I will enjoy it while I have it.
Hope you enjoyed my finds and look forward to some outfit posts coming soon :-).
