The trick to a lasting manicure is ensuring a strong bond between your nail and the polish you’re slapping on top.
How? My three top nail prep tips are after the jump.
Tutorial
Apply Self-Tanner to the Face – Brush Method
If you’ve been self-tanning for a while, you know a mitt is the way to go when we’re talking about application. If you haven’t…well, now you do. It means you don’t need to scrub your palms for five minutes post-application, and usually gives more even results. They even make micro-mitts that fit over just two fingers so that you can apply self-tanner to the face. They are adorable and wee!
Realistically, though, a micro-mitt isn’t a smart purchase. On top of being yet another thing you have to buy that only has one use, you have to replace them ever so often. I feel like you’d be paying more for the novelty than the efficacy…and who can you share your joy over the cuteness of a facial tanning mitt with? Just going to stash it in your purse, brandish it at your coworkers and go, “OMG LOOK AT MY TINY FACE MITT!”
This method to apply self-tanner to the face (I used to just use my fingers) has been adopted from Jaclyn Hill’s latest tanning video. She uses a mousse product, but I can confirm that this works with lotion-based ones (and will likely work with gels or liquids, too – just be careful to avoid making a mess).
Steps to apply self-tanner to the face:
Clarisonic Precision Brush
Do I talk about Clarisonics too much? Sorry. I’m not sponsored or anything, they don’t know who the hell I am – I just like the dang thing. But don’t worry, this isn’t much of the same – today, I’m sharing a neat trick with you.
So while Clarisonic has a ton of different brush-heads, they don’t really have a variety of sizes. If you splurged on the fancier PLUS model(s) that can accomodate the body brush, great, you have access to a larger one. If I’m not mistaken, the diameter of the luxury heads, too, is slightly smaller than the traditional heads, but not buy a bunch.
Have you ever wanted a smaller brush head that makes it easier to work around, for example, the contours of your nose? A Clarisonic precision brush?
Guess what – you already have one! Really! Check this out.
How to Clean Your Clarisonic
This is the second post (see the first) in my originally unintentional Spring Cleaning Series. I’ve shared extensively that I enjoy some buttons and internet in my skincare via the Clarisonic Mia2. Like any tool, Clarisonics require maintenance not only to work as intended, but to avoid introducing any ilk to your skin that, by its very design, it shouldn’t. So let’s talk about how to Clean Your Clarisonic. For that matter, these steps should apply to most replaceable-brush-head skincare tools, but illustrations will be with my trusty Mia2.
Maintenance is not something we should do when we realize that we can’t quite remember how long our Clarisonic has been hanging out in our shower. You don’t need a significant amount of time and you don’t need any fancy cleansers or materials to clean your Clarisonic. It’s quick and easy, and there’s really no good reason not to do so. (It takes less time than cleaning makeup brushes, come on).
1. After use, dry your Clarisonic.
Anastasia Dipbrow Tutorial
Last week, I rambled about liking Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade. Check out my review here. This time, I’m going to share how I use it. Brace yourself, as the majority of this post contains lower-quality photos than I normally try to secure (I didn’t use my DSLR, this was unplanned). It might be a good thing, my brows are unruly (for me).
Start by sweeping your ungroomed brows into a semi-respectable shape with a spoolie. Ignore the fact that they are terribly ungroomed because you’re growing them in anticipation for a brow wax soon.
Crack the Dipbrow pot open and try to keep it open for as little time as possible to prevent the Dipbrow pomade from drying out – just like you should with any creme/gel brow, liner, or shadow products. The best way to do this (and to apply) is to scoop a tiny bit (get less than you think you need – this was too much!) from the pot with the bristles of your brush (I’m using my LAB2 Brow Brush) and either
- Swipe it onto the back of your hand (what I do) and cap the pot or
- Swipe it into the underside of your cap and then invert the pot onto a flat surface to reduce air exposure.
December 2014 Favorites
December 2014 Favorites
1. Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil, $16 / 2. Kat von D Foiled Love Lipstick in Adora, discontinued /
3. OPI Gelcolor in I’m Not Really a Waitress, $15 (varies) / 4. Red Carpet Manicure Glitz and Glamorous, $10 /
5. L’Oreal Infalliable Eyeshadow in Bronzed Taupe, $7
Rather than waiting a week to get these out, I decided to publish my December 2014 Favorites today. I feel like I should have more on my list, but they kind of overlap with last month…and I imagine next month’s will overlap with this month, too. :P I hope 2014 has been awesome to you, and that 2015 is even more fulfilling.
Before moving on to my favorites, today is the final day for my Urban Decay Naked2 Basics giveaway – it ends at 11:59PM EST, go check it out!