I learn a lot from beauty mavens on YouTube. I love watching beauty tutorials and hearing what other beauty lovers are doing. When I saw this video for a creative and easy nail polishing idea, I had to share it with all of you. Enjoy!
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its cold and dry, but you don’t have to be!
16 Nov
Well, its pretty darn cold and dry here in Sacramento, and while fall in Sacramento is my favorite, my hair and skin begs to differ. Here are a few of my favorite cold weather beauty tricks!
Every night, slather pure coconut oil (you can get it at the grocery store!) on your feet and hands, put on some gloves and socks, and dream your night away. Say goodbye to unpleasant dry, cracked hands and feet come morning!
My hair is a static electricity mess, but by taking a dryer sheet and lightly running it over my hair, it gets rid of the static and smells oh so nice! Not to mention clean laundry is my favorite fragrance of all time!
Try warming scents like ginger for your fall/winter signature fragrance. They give your mind the illusion of being warmer than you really are. Origins makes a delightful ginger fragrance that warms your spirit while it warms you up!
Use oil on your face at night to replenish your facial skin. I love Nude Replenishing Night Oil, and it makes any dry patches disappear by morning!
Keep your lips moisturized with lip moisturizers rather than balms. Origins Lip Remedy is the best lip moisturizer I have ever used, and only needs to be applied twice a day for some serious lip repair!
Pump up your lashes with falsies. I like wearing false lashes in the fall and winter. It gives your eyes extra definition on those darker overcast days.
Add some shimmer to your cheek bones. Its easier to achieve that natural glow in those hotter months, so fake it instead.
Paint your nails in rich reds, purples, browns, and other jewel tones. The great thing about fall and winter is the abundance of saturated colors that decorate your nails in holiday spirit.
Drink lots of water. Just because the weather is colder, you can still get dehydrated. If you aren’t adequately hydrated, your skin, hair, and nails will become dryer more easily.
More fall/winter beauty tips to come. Bundle up girls!
the pedicure lounge
15 Oct
self-explanatory
A while back, before I made the move back to Sacramento, I was visiting for the weekend and had the craving for a good pedicure. Living in LA, amazing nail salons are a dime a dozen, but unfortunately, here in Sacramento, they are few and far between. Though I am a manicurist myself, I still like to venture to other nail salons to see what others are doing, get new ideas, and also just relax. After searching on Yelp for about an hour, I came across The Pedicure Lounge.
Some of you may not know this about me, but I hold extremely high standards for services, and in order for me to rave about a service, it has to be incredible. This brings me to my review. The Pedicure Lounge, tucked away in an easy to miss shopping center on 18th between Broadway and X, has a relaxing and chill atmosphere. The cleaning standards are unparalleled in any other nail salon I have been to in this city. Lisa, the owner, is both fun and meticulous. After a scrub that made my legs and feet softer than they have ever been, and a massage that left me drooling in my seat, my nails were painted perfectly, and it lasted for a whole month! I knew that if I was going to do nails in Sacramento, it had to be here!
I’m happy to say that Lisa and I hit it off so well that she offered me a job! HOORAY! If you would like to experience the magic that is the Pedicure Lounge for yourself, book an appointment with ME! 916-444-2590
*The Pedicure Lounge will soon also be offering facial waxing services, courtesy of yours truly, the brow specialist!
the minx
20 Sepmarieclaire.com
Want statement nails? Check out the latest looks from Minx, the makers of this super metallic look above. The thin, heat bonded film is applied to your nails (by a professional only) and can stay put for up to 6 weeks! There is only one salon in Sacramento so far that advertises this service so far, but I’m sure there will be more to come. The films come in hundreds of different styles, from plastic white to paisley, and is sure to garner attention.
Minx Manicure available at Esthetics by Jeanette Salon and Spa 916-486-8338. I will also be offering the service soon, so check back for my availability!
relax and skip the chips
20 Augphoto courtesy of sensationalcolor.com
Working as a manicurist, I take great pride in providing my clients with the best manicure they have ever had. I want my clients to leave the salon with red carpet ready nails, and have polish that lasts until it grows out. Chipped nails are such a pain, and I felt like whenever I got a manicure, my nails chipped within a day. I would hate the provide that same experience for my clients.
Chipped nails can be avoided if one knows how to prepare and paint the nail so that polish lasts. Using my method, I have been told that my manicure is the longest lasting my clients have ever received. I was even told that the nail polish never chipped, that the client had to remove the polish only because her nails grew out. Here is my step by step method:
1. Start with clean, dry nails and file in one direction only. Filing the nails back and forth can cause splitting and microscopic fissures that cause nails and polish to chip and peel. Also, never file wet nails or you will damage them!
2. Follow with a buffer, using the same one direction technique to smooth down any rough edges left by the file. Always use a buffer with a very fine grain. Do not use a buffer that feels rough to the touch.
3. You may at this point soak your nails and apply cuticle cream before cleaning the cuticle. Remember to only clip what is necessary, because too much clipping can make the cuticles worse.
4. Massage with your favorite lotion. Yes, I still do this at home when giving myself a manicure because it is important to make these rituals a treat. You might not give yourself the best massage, but rubbing in some lotion while taking some deep breaths can be very therapeutic. It is at this point that I will buff the surface of the nail lightly to remove any small surface imperfections. I like to use the excess lotion as a protective layer between the buffer and the nail. But make sure your buffer is fine grained.
5. Remove excess lotion on skin and nails with a hot steamed towel. You can make steamed towels easily at home by soaking a hand towel in water, wringing it out (add a drop or two of essential oil for an aromatherapy treat) and pop it in the microwave for a couple minutes. Be careful, because the towel will be very hot! Wave it around to cool off before applying to your skin. Make sure to remove excess lotion around the nail and cuticle.
6. Take polish remover on a clean towel. Using a towel instead of a cotton ball or paper towel is important because the towel will clean better and leave less lint. Soak a small area of the towel in a nail polish remover free of lotions or moisturizing agents. Oils and lotions left on the nail will keep the polish from adhering properly. Rub each nail with the remover soaked towel until each nail is squeaky clean and free of residue. I usually use a fair amount of pressure to really ensure that the nail is clean. This is the most important part of the process in order to avoid chipping.
7. Apply a good basecoat (I love Creative Nail Design Stickey) to each nail and allow to dry.
8. Apply two coats of the polish of your choice. I find that OPI colors really do stay longer, so I usually use those.
9. Apply one coat of topcoat. For shiny nails, I swear by Healthy Hoof Lacquer. Its hard to find, but you can order it online. It is the longest lasting, shiniest topcoat I have ever used. Creative Nail Design also makes a good topcoat, but it loses its lustre after a couple of days. OPI’s topcoats leave much to be desired. Allow your nails to dry thoroughly before attempting to use your hands!
You might feel like your manicurist uses this method, but the step with the nail polish remover soaked towel is key. Alcohol is not as effective, and one swipe over the nail is not sufficient to remove oils and lotions. It is important that the nail is squeaky clean! It sounds silly, but it works.
Some factors may still cause your nails to chip more quickly, like having your hands in water, or being particularly hard on your nails in general, but hopefully even you hard working girls will find your polish lasts longer.
If you are just changing polish between manicures, you can cut the steps down to just nail polish remover and polish. Just make sure those nails are squeaky and that you use a base coat, two coats of polish, and a good topcoat to ensure it lasts and lasts. Your basecoat and topcoat are crucial to the formula. Doing your nails is a great way to unwind and relax, so enjoy yourselves and your longer lasting mani!
dios mio!
14 Aug
So OPI released their Spain Collection for Fall 2009, and I am in love with the color Manicurist of Seville! If you liked Miami Beet from the South Beach Collection, you’ll love this slightly richer version! Very vampy worn either shiney or matte, and definitely garners attention.
Check out the entire collection at Total Beauty Experience at 2929 Arden Way.
Willklummen
16 JulBack in June, German Vogue did a fantastic spread featuring the stunning Heidi Klum. In addition to being tremendously gorgeous, Heidi Klum is poised, classy, and darling! These photos are marvelous, and the hair and makeup is both modern and fresh. Here are a few of my favorites:
By the way, did you notice the matte finish on the nails? See my previous post: http://theemeryboard.com/2009/07/09/the-new-black-for-your-nails/
the new black (for your nails!)
9 Jul
There is a new nail trend out there that is a must try. Matte nails are luxe looking and unique. You can pick yours up at koknockout.com from KO Cosmetics. They’re a bit pricey, but well worth it. If you are on a budget, then try using your basecoat as your topcoat. It doesn’t have quite the same effect, but it gets close (and the basecoat takes longer to dry). I personally love the black, but there is something about the matte nude colors that are so smart! Opaque nudes that elongate the finger are a great way to explore this new trend if you are feeling a little iffy about it. Trust me though, this new take on polish is super chic and delightfully mod! Make sure your nails well manicured as this is sure to draw attention. Take your new matte colors and check out The Pedicure Lounge on 18th and Broadway for a meticulous mani that’ll have you dosing off in your chair!
