Nails, Nails, Nails!

I wanted to do a post on nails because nails say a lot about you.  You might get negative perceptions if your nails are not well taken care of.  Another thing, the more I see acrylic nails, the less I like them.  Nails are supposed to make your hands look beautiful, and although acrylic nails can give the length, they can make you look just like what they are, FAKE.  Most importantly, your real nails will be completely ruined when you remove them.  So next time, go with a nice mani instead.  Remember, nails are a way to enhance your hands and feet, so always keep them nice and neat (hey, that rhymed!).  Here are some key points to remember:
-Don't get acrylic nails.  If you notice, models and celebrities (the glamorous ones) never wear acrylic nails.  Not that I look up to them, but they do have access to the best stylists!  Thalia once said, "Nails are like orgasms, they should never be fake."

-Nail Polish can be used for fun; you can do colorful designs, or simply a clear coat.

-Always make sure you can upkeep your nails, if your nail polish rubs off, you must either fix it, or remove it completely.

-Try to keep all nails the same length; you don't want to have nine long nails and one short.

-Don't bite your nails! I used to bite my nails, and I got rid of that nasty habit by getting a nice mani, I didn't want to ruin my nails!

-When you are ready to put nail polish on, always use a base coat.  You might think salons take this extra step just because but it actually protects the nail from discoloration.  You might have seen this when you remove your nail polish, they look a little yellow.

-A top coat can make your nail polish last a lot longer, so consider using one.  If you want to use the best of the best you can buy Seche (it's a bit expensive but it is worth it!) which runs at about $10 at Walgreens.

-Carry your nail polish with you, that way if the nail polish rubs off or chips, you can always fix it on the go.

-Don't overlap nail polish colors.  I once knew someone that whenever they were in a hurry, they would just overlap their old manicure with another color.  It is best to simply remove the nail polish, and it takes the same amount of time.

-Moisturize! I like to rub Vitamin E on the cuticles of my nails, olive oil works just as good, and if you want to get fancy you can use a variety of oils such as almond oil, which is perfect for nails, plus it smells great!

-Take Vitamin B.  This helps your nails stay strong, grow faster, plus they do the same for your hair!

You don't have to wear nail polish to make your nails look pretty.
You shouldn't go too fancy with your nails if you won't have the time to upkeep them.  Instead, opt for a buffer such as the Revlon Crazy Shine.  It makes your nails super shiny, naturally, without nail polish and it can last up to two weeks.  It's only about $3 at Wal-Mart or Target.  You will be amazed when you see the results and even more when you see it does not rub off!  Don't forget about your toe nails, they are just as important (if you are going to show them off) so please, don't use open toe shoes if they are not looking neat.

So ultimately, your nails should always give a positive perception about yourself.  After all, your hands are one of the first things people notice in you. Think about it, you use them when you give that initial handshake, when you talk, eat, write, etc.  So always remember to keep them looking beautiful!  And, if you choose to use acrylic nails, please avoid looking like this.

Awesome Deals!

Fashionistas, I just thought I'd share with you that the William Rast line (Justin Timberlake line) is on clearance at Target, everything is 75% off.  I got some jeans for $10! So run to your nearest Target or look online before it's all gone. If you have any questions about any of my posts so far, please don't hesitate to ask in the comments box.  Have a fabulous weekend!

The Art of Makeup

Well, just as I am fascinated with fashion, I am with makeup.  I love the magic of it, you can fix mostly anything if you know how to do it (without looking like you have a plaster of makeup on).  Playing with makeup is very fun and easy, if you don't like it, it is as easy as washing your face and starting all over.  So dedicate a day just to play with makeup, try different looks, the only witness will be you and your mirror, and always remember, you can just wash your face and it will all be gone.  If you like it, you now have learned something new, you can try whenever you want.

One of the things I have learned in the past few years is contouring.  Contouring is used to slim down the face and make it seem more defined.  You didn't think those models had perfect bone structures on their face, did you?  This is a fun step and it makes a great difference when you apply it. Once you master it, and with the right tools, it can be done in as little as 3 minutes-and it's worth it!  So, what you want to do is grab a small brush such as this one...

Next, find any matte shadow, concealer, or makeup that is at least 5-10 shades darker than yours. I like to use one by Physician's Formula called Canyon Classics, which comes with 4 different colors (remember, it has to be matte, no shimmer in it whatsoever). Concealer or foundation sticks are perfect for this, but cream products need a lot more blending. 

Born to Shop

As far as I can remember, I have been fascinated by stores, shopping, and everything that has to do with fashion and beauty.  I remember the long days of shopping with my mom, we would have breakfast and dinner at the mall, and I loved it.  I remember seeing my mom taking money out of this "magical" machine and thinking, "someday I will grow up and take out enough money to buy the entire mall."  I always wondered why my mom never thought of that idea!
In high school, there was a lot of experimentation, and $200 would only buy a pair of jeans and two shirts, three if I was lucky.  Today, with all those years of experience I learned many things along the way, one of them being to shop smart, $200 now buys about 5 to 6 outfits, which is perfect for a girl who shops as much as I do.  I have learned the arrangement of my favorite stores-I can scan through a store in about 30 minutes and spot all the "hidden" treasures.  All this comes with enough practice of course, but I will try to share all of my secrets with you, so you too can be a bargain shopper and still look fabulous.  There are of course some things that unfortunately you have to splurge on, which I will share with you later on.
In this blog I will share all the things I have learned throughout the years, my favorite products, stores, beauty secrets, makeup tricks and answer any questions you might have.  After all those years, today, all grown up, I now know that magical machine is called an ATM and I know that unfortunately, it is not magical, but I still have the same dream of someday taking out enough money and buy an entire mall, and little by little I am getting there!