So...just a random assortment of things this eve. Remember that link I posted Tuesday about the knock off gel mani?  Painted them Sunday eve and they still look gorgeous! Photographic proof is below. Zero chips or nicks, no peeling up at the bottoms. I am super impressed!  A regular polish application would not last four days for me. I even scraped labels off wine bottles with these nails. And yes, that's my cat on my lap with my nails. She's a diva.

Exciting find at the Vickis Secret Semi Annual this year...their lipgloss in Innocent, which is a dupe for NARS Turkish Delight, for $3!!!  One of my favorite shades super cheap!  Its the perfect pale pink.  They still carry this shade in their "new formula" for $14.

Tomorrow is Feb 1...almost time for a new Birchbox!!  I'm also super pumped to start getting New Beauty TestTube!  Sigh, I have a problem ♥

The Daily Grind

Makeup excites me!  I think having the tools and ability to enhance (and some days straight up improve) my features is fun!  I am a product junkie. New colors, shades, collections, palates, tips and secrets make me giddy like a schoolgirl!  That being said, I try to keep my morning routine simple, clean and natural. To start, I use a primer which I apply following my moisturizer. Right now, I'm loving NARS Pro-Prime multi-protect primer. Next, I apply foundation. I'm using Loreal BB Cream in fair. I love this stuff!  Benefit boiing concealer comes next which I apply with an IT Cosmetics brush. Put on a little Clinique powder and my face is ready. For blush and highlight, I'm using some fantastic samples from Birchbox from the Balm. I love this stuff!!  Hot Mama is the blush and Mary-Lou Manizer is the highlight.
Next, the eyes. I use MAC Vanilla all over my eyelids. Next I apply MAC Satin Taupe in the crease with a small angeled ELF brush and blend with NYX Aloha, using an ELF shadow brush. I highlight my browbone, inner corners of my eye, and the dip of my upper lip with Mary-Lou.  I line my upper and lower lashes. with Avon Glimmersticks in Chocolate Brown then finish with multiple coats of Smashbox Full Exposure mascara.
Finally, lips. Now, I'm taking a leap here and sharing photographic evidence of (the majority) of my lipgloss, lipstick, lip products (ok, its only about half of my stash. No judgements♥). 
That's my daily face!  It took longer to describe than it takes to do.  Feel free to leave me feedback, questions, comments...anything! 

I am a proud curly girl. This is not a statement that has always come out of my mouth. For years I fought my curls...products, tools, tips and tricks; anything to (try to) give me straight hair! I envied Gwyneth Paltrow and all the other glossy, straight haired bitches girls. Why did I get STUCK with these curls?? It was the source of teasing, name calling and much strife. Not to mention falling victim to some horrendous cuts via the salons of Southern West Virginia (I'm over it ladies; you did the best you could). But even among the turmoil, name calling and curly madness, women would compliment my hair. I never understood it. What were these women smoking??

The tides started to shift. In high school and college, I started embracing my curls; well, most of the time. There were still days that ended with me in tears, in hair styles that looked absurd, curls all in a mess. I walked out of salons with straight up mortifying "styles". For any stylists out there, here's a bit of advice...don't ever comb curly hair (a wide toothed comb is ok when its wet); don't run your fingers through it while your drying it; always use a diffuser (a plastic one, not a sock-like one); don't "thin" my hair and never ever under any circumstances recommend a chemical straightener. Do. Not. Do. It. I've walked out of dozens of shops and immediately pulled my hair up or went home to re-wet it and style it again. After moving to Charleston, 712 Salon was recommended to me by a friend. I read their reviews on Yelp and was stunned to see a stylist there lauded for his work with curly (or curlee, if you please) hair. My curl life was about to change. There I found the amazing Larry Bragg. The man who would turn my hair into gorgeous ringlets...who would cause me to tear up after our first appointment and admit I had never felt this good, EVER, after leaving a salon. The only man (and woman or child for that matter) who I will let touch my hair. It goes without saying that I love him. Seriously, West Virginia curly girls, call him! Their number is: (304) 382-0712. Make an appointment! If you don't live around here, drive here. You can eat at Pies and Pints and go to Ulta AND Sephora (Charleston is movin' on up). Or just find a Deva stylist near you.

Larry was trained using the Deva Curl method which is an all-inclusive approach to cutting, coloring and styling. The products are fab (and I'm so desperately wanting one of their driers/diffusers combos). The Deva Curl mastermind, Lorraine Massey literally wrote the book on curls...The Curly Girl Handbook. This is the Bible of all things curl. I encourage you to check it out.

I recently added a new step to my styling and that is plopping. I know, it sounds delightfully glamorous and looks as hot as it sounds. However, it seriously cuts down on drying time like whoa for me. A little instructional and video can be found from my friends at NaturallyCurly.com. I would attempt a description but its best that I don't.  I also did a coconut oil treatment and my hair loved it!!  If you're wanting to try coconut oil, get extra virgin, non-refined.  This is what I use...

Just slather it on and let sit.  I used Deva Curl No Poo to cleanse the oil out of my hair after about 45 mins-1 hour.  It only took me one wash but I read some blogs and boards that indicated it took some ladies two or more washes with various shampoos.

Seriously, curlee girls...love your curls!! Its easier said than done, I know, but they (and you) are beautiful! This is such an Oprah moment and I apologize. I won't suggest a Gratitude Journal but if you want to start one, list your curls as Number One! Curls really are so unique and fun...straight hair is just boring! 

Feedback?  Questions?  What works for you?  What doesnt?  Let me know!!  I love all things curlee!

A mani that lasts

If you've ever been around me for any period of time, you've probably seen me peeling off my nail polish. I have this issue; when one nail chips, its all gotta come off. Call me crazy, OCD or just girly but I've always been this way. This "issue" is easily rectified with a gel polish...however those puppies are pricey!  Thanks to my beloved Pinterest, I stumbled upon this genius post...http://ramblingsfromyourstruly.blogspot.com/2012/12/at-home-gel-manicure.html?m=1
Last night, pre-SAG Awards, I got busy on my at home gel mani. The results...amazing!  The process was simple, my nails are super glossy and it was much cheaper than going to a salon.
Here's a pic 24 hours in...ignore my dirty diamond!  Run to your nearest Sally Beauty for the gel polish. I found the same brand as the instructions but used Seche Vite top coat. Good luck and happy cheap gel mani!
♥

Well, here I am...joining the world of blogging.  I have always liked sharing my obsessions, favorites, likes and dislikes relating to all things beauty and what better place to do it?

I started today signing up for NewBeauty TestTube the ultimate beauty sampling program aka my dream come true!  I can't freaking wait to get my first one. I've been a member of Birchbox now for over a year and I love it.  Their customer service is fantastic, I love getting points (aka cash) for reviewing the products, it comes in a fabulous package each month and its just fun!  I'll post by Feb box here as soon as it arrives!