Gel-Liscious

Product Whore Alert!

I know it's not technically hair- or makeup-related, but gel nail polish is so superfab that I deemed it blog-worthy. 

Now don't be alarmed; I'm not talking about old school "gel" nails that are more like acrylics.  Those suckers are terrible for your nails.  I'm talking about no-chip, soak-off gel polish.  This phenomenal invention comes in lots of colors (including clear) and lasts weeks, not days.  I have a standing appointment at my nail salon every other Tuesday, and the color literally does not chip for the entire two weeks (unless you are doing intense manual labor or something)!!  How does it work?  A special UV light is used to "set" the polish and seal it onto your nails.  To remove the polish, your nails are soaked in acetone, and the polish basically lifts off of your nail.

I've tried just about every brand of the stuff, so here's the rundown according to Yours Truly:

OPI Axxium was the first big name to this party.  I love me some OPI regular polish, and now I love me some OPI Axxium. 
Pro:  The largest selection of color.  Axxium comes in the best/most popular colors OPI makes, including a ton of glitter shades.  You peeps know how happy I am when you give me some glitter. 
Con:  Tends to be a bit thicker than Shellac

Shellac is another big gel polish manufacturer.  It seems a little easier to find salons that use Shellac than the other brands.
Pro:  Goes on very thin and looks exactly like normal polish.  This also makes soak-off easier/shorter.
Con:  Colors are boring.  Hopefully they will jump on the Fun Color train soon, but for now they are heavy on the pinks and neutrals.

Gelish seems to be the hardest to find in salons, though I'm not sure why.  I'm not totally in love with this brand, but I'm not mad at it either.
Pro:  Good color selection (also with great glitters!)
Con:  Goes on the thickest of all 3

Call your nail salon and ask if they offer gel polish, make an appointment, and get yourself a gel manicure.  It's worth it!!

Disclaimer:  Don't try this at home!  Leave it to the professionals.  The polishing process involves 'setting' each layer of gel using UV lights.  Also, definitely, DEFINITELY don't try to peel the polish off yourself --- most of your nail will peel off with it.  Trust me.  I've tried it.  Let the nail peeps soak it off in acetone and use their tools to do the job correctly.

DiorShow-stopper

This product-whore post is going to be dedicated to not just one product, but instead three products that act as one.  I'm talking about the triumverant known as the Diorshow mascara family. 

I'm not one of those women who are blessed with long, thick, naturally dark eyelashes.  When I take off my mascara at night, I can be mistaken for one of those OCD folks who pull out their lash and brow hairs.  So when I say I've tried every mascara on the market, I MEAN I've tried every mascara on the market --- crazy expensive brands, drugstore brands, even my precious Bare Minerals version.  After countless test runs of all the that Sephora had to offer, I found the answer to my limp-lashed prayers:  Christian Dior.

The first mascara by Dior was simply called "Diorshow," and it was pretty sweet.  It was smooth and dark, and it seemed to be better than any other mascara I tried.  Then, one seemingly ordinary day, I had one of my "A-Ha Makeup Moments" upon walking into Sephora to pick up some essentials.  (Ok, so my "A-Ha moments might not be tear jerkers or worthy of a couch session with Oprah, but I still consider them pretty important.)  I walked over to the Dior section to pick up my mascara, and low and behold, there was a new addition to the usual display:  Diorshow Blackout.  What was this unknown black tube that stood before me, whose description boasted stage-worthy lashes?  Clearly, I had to find out for myself.  2 words: a. mazing.  Blackout is darker, richer, and makes my lashes even more lucious than its predecessor. 

Fast-forward to now, when 2 more must-haves have been added to the Diorshow lineup:  Diorshow Maximizer and Diorshow Unlimited.  The Maximizer is a white basecoat that goes on first (after you curl your lashes, of course) to moisturize and lengthen your lashes.  Don't freak out --- you'll look like Casper when you first apply it.  Next up is the Blackout to volumize and vamp you up, followed by the Unlimited.  Unlimited comes in a skinny tube with a thin wand to define and lengthen your lashes even more, adding the perfect finishing touch and preventing clumps.

...the only time threesomes are acceptable

Yes, it might seem excessive to have a 3-step mascara regimen every day, but I'm not here to teach you people how to shortcut your makeup.  Looking amazeballs takes time and patience, Grasshopper.

Click here to buy Diorshow products at Sephora online

(PS: for some ridiculous reason, Sephora.com doesn't sell Diorshow Unlimited.  Click Here to buy it on Dior's website, or grab it next time you swing by your local Sephora)

KeratinWatch: Day 17

So it's been over two weeks, and my hair is still generally a badass.  There are days --- brace yourself --- when I wash it, slap some Moroccan Oil on the ends (let's not forget that little gem), and go to work with wet hair.  By the time I drop my horse-dog at daycare and roll into the store, I've got shiny, straight hair.  I literally thank my hair stylist a few times a week for this miracle that is Keratin.

I love to wavy-curl my hair with an iron every now and then (future blog topic), so I was a tad worried that the Keratin would mess with that process.  Thankfully, it hasn't changed a thing except to make the waves shinier and healthier. 

As a side note, a friend of mine who gets regular Keratin told me that some salons offer a "mini" treatment that doesn't cost as much but doesn't last as long.  She tried it once and wasn't happy with the result.  I haven't tried this myself, but I thought I'd let you guys know.

To summarize:  Save up some money.  Get a Keratin treatment.  Become a general badass.

Eyeliner Lineup

I get a ton of questions about eyeliner application, so that will be the topic of today's blog.  You gotta give the people what they want, right?

There really isn't one correct way to apply eyeliner.  It sort of all depends on the look you're going for.  I personally don't prefer a harsh line like the one you get from a gel or liquid liner, but that technique does work for certain looks.  After lots of tests, I've found that a self-sharpening pencil liner with a smudger on the end works best.  Below is my how-to for everyday liner.  We will chat at a later date about special circumstances like extreme cat-eyes, crazy dark liner, etc.

For the lid:
I know it's against conventional practices, but I always apply liner before shadow.  I like the soft, smoky look this technique produces.  Obvi, start with your Urban Decay primer.  Then, draw a thick line with your liner pencil as close to the lash line as possible.  Don't be scured to make a pretty thick line, and don't worry if it's jagged or uneven.  I like to sweep up the ends in the slightest cat-eye for an instant "I'm awake" look.  I mean who couldn't use a little faux eyelift?  Now here comes the important part: use the smudger end of the pencil to go over the line you made.  This will even out the jagged parts and also keep the line from looking too harsh.  Next, apply your shadow (don't worry; we'll discuss this in detail in a later post).  If the line is too faint after the shadow is applied, feel free to go over it with the pencil again to darken it up.

For the bottom lash line:
This is where I really like to keep it soft.  In fact, I don't even use an eyeliner pencil at all on the lower line.  Use a liner brush (see previous post on brushes) and coat with the crease (darkest) color that you used for your eyeshadow.  If you didn't use a crease color, find a relatively dark shadow in the same tonal family as the color on your lids and dip your brush in that --- maybe a bronze, gray, or stone color.  Sweep the brush onto your lower lash line, keeping it pretty thick and smudge-y.  The key here is to give the look of shadow instead of a harsh line.  You can make it as dark or keep it as light as it suits you.

For an extra fancy pop:
Wipe your liner brush clean, and coat it with a bright, high-shine eyeshadow.  I love using either an iridescent gold or silver.  Brush this color onto the inner lash line - the wet (I know.  Gross word.) part of your skin that is actually above your lower lashes.  You might have to tug skin under your eye down a bit to make this part accessible.  This trick will immediately make your eyes seem bigger and brighter.

I know it looks gross, but this is the 'wet' part I'm talking about.

Notes:
- Stay away from brown.  By "brown," I mean straight-up-Clinique-counter BROWN.  True brown isn't flattering on anyone, anytime.  I'm not talking about in clothing or hair color; I'm talking specifically about brown eyeliner.  Don't do it.
- Make sure you choose a liner color that complements the shadows you are using.

Fave product:
Stila Convertible Eye Color (OBSESSED.  I have it in every color.  "Stone" is best because it looks gray when you put it with gray hues and bronze when you put it with bronze hues.)
Click here to buy online

Lemme know if you've got questions!  Have fun!

KeratinWatch: Day 4

Well, it's official: Keratin is my jam. If they asked me to be their spokesperson, I would respond with an enthusiastic "hells yes."  (Not that I know who "they" actually are...I guess I'm just referring to the people who make the treatment....whatev.)


ANYwho, I was finally able to wash my hair, and I can tell a MAJOR difference. Blow-drying took less than 2 minutes, and my hair was 100% straight after. No flat iron needed!! I have seriously cut about 20 minutes from my get-ready time (which nonetheless is still excessive, I'll admit).  Not only have I noticed a difference, but my coworkers all commented on how smooth and healthy my hair looks.  Sa-weet.  Tomorrow I will experiment with a curling iron and see how the new hair takes to it.  Try not to faint with anticipation.

Hate to break it to my husband, but this lil' procedure is going to become part of my routine upkeep. Prepare the bank account.

For Hotlanta ladies, inquire about Keratin from Jon David Salon. Jeremiah is the bee's knees. (404) 524-9241

KeratinWatch: Day 1

Recently I've had a few friends who have had a Keratin treatment, so I decided it was time I tried it for myself.  So what the heck is a Keratin treatment?  It's a process that softens and shines your hair and can last up to 5 or 6 months.   For we gals with a little bit of unruly wave, the treatment straightens that out as well.  Anywho, I've decided to devote an occasional blog to updates about the process and results.  Are you shaking with excitement yet?

Today was my Keratin appointment at my uber fave Atlanta salon, Jon David Salon in Inman Park.  The whole process took just over 3 hours.  First, there is a "toxin-removing" shampoo, followed by the application of the Keratin gel, then the slooooow drying process, and finally the sealing with a special flat iron.  Whew!  After all that, I can't lie:  my hair is crazy shiny and smooth.  My stylist told me that I won't have to flat iron my hair for the next 4 to 5 months, and it should be relatively straight and shiny even if I let it air-dry. 

The cons?  Number one is the price.  The treatments range anywhere from $250 to $400.  Yikes.  Also, I have to wait 48 hours to wash my hair.  Holy greaseballs.  On top of that, I can't put anything in my hair --- no ponytail holders, no bobby pins --- nothing that will make a crease while the treatment sets.  Finally, you have to buy special shampoo and conditioner that runs about $30 each. 

According to the peeps I know who have done this, the pros definitely outweigh the cons.  Guess only time will tell!

Here's an example of before and after

RIP, Marc and J.Lo

Let's have a quick moment of silence for the dissolution of my style icon's marriage.  Please pray that the stress doesn't take a toll on her hair and makeup. 

Thank you.