Twisted Curls

I have naturally curly hair, and I don't always like taking the time to straighten it or curl it BUT just wearing it natural isn't always the cutest thing. :)  So, I decided to try letting some clips and the air do the work of curling it for me.

I parted my hair down the back and twisted each side away from my face, then I added a medium claw clip on the top of each twist and a small claw clip on the bottom. 

I ate breakfast then did my makeup.  Just before my hair was completely dry, I used my hairdryer to lightly blow-dry each twist (with the clips still in) just to make sure they were completely dry.  I waited until they had cooled before I took the clips out.  After removing the clips, I flipped my head over and lightly shook the twists out, then used my diffuser to dry the hair on my crown and give it a little volume.  I finished with some flexible-hold hairspray before I flipped my hair back over.

Lastly, I straightened my bangs and, again, finished with hairspray.

I think it turned out pretty well and was a lot less damaging on my hair than a curling iron...plus since the curls air-dried, they lasted WAY longer.  Give it a try and tell me what you think. :) 

Have a happy hair day!

Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish - By Nail Harmony

If you haven't heard of gel nail polish yet, then you're missing out.  The best way I can describe it is...if nail polish and acrylic gel had a baby, it'd be gel nail polish.  Gel nail polish goes on like nail polish but is cured and hardens like acrylic gel.  It lasts longer than regular nail polish but it doesn't damage your nails like acrylic gel does.  Since I'm impatient and don't like to wait around forever for my nail polish to dry, I tend to end up with bumps and smudges on my nails after all my hard work, but that's not the case with gel polish.  It's completely dry after application, and it stays on for up to 2 weeks!  So, for Christmas I asked Santa for Gelish gel polish...and I got it!  I have used it a few times and I love it...definitely a 5 scooper!

Gelish is sold at Sally Beauty Supply and many nail salons.

Check out this how-to video from Gelish:

Toxin-Free Products

I recently came across this website that lets you type in the name of your beauty product and then it rates the product based on how good/bad the ingredients are. Check it out for yourself and see how your favorite products score.

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

Super Volume Mascara - By The Body Shop

In general, I've always liked The Body Shop products. One day I was going out to dinner and I was in a rush so I did my makeup in the car while my husband drove. I noticed I forgot my mascara. Mascara is the one thing I wear the most so I had to get some. :) Luckily there were shops close by and we had a long wait for our table. Since I didn't have mascara and I was running low anyway, I went to see what I could find. The Body Shop was the only place nearby that sold makeup. The sales rep led me to their Super Volume Mascara. He told me it was their #1 selling mascara and that they're usually out of it. The brush is very unique, it's spiraled and the bristles are medium-short in length. The formula is good because it didn't clump like some volumizing formulas do, however I've gotten more volume out of other brands. Also, it doesn't smudge much either. I was glad I forgot my mascara that day because I never would've tried it otherwise.

Bad Gal Lash - By Benefit

BAD gal Lash by Benefit is a great mascara. I love the over-sized brush. The volumizing formula is nice and it thickens lashes very well. It comes in small and large sizes.

205 Brush - By MAC Cosmetics

One of the girls at the MAC counter talked me into trying this brush. You can use it for applying your mascara by putting the mascara directly on the brush or you can use it to separate your eyelashes after applying mascara. I prefer to use it for separation. The bristles are softer at the tip and get more coarse toward the base of the brush. As long as you keep the brush clean, it works great.

MAC Cosmetics - Artists In Action

MAC Cosmetics have a lot of excellent products. They also have some great make-up artists who work with them. On their website you can find a few "how-to" videos where they show their "Artists In Action". So go check it out, learn some new techniques, and enjoy!
http://www.maccosmetics.com/makeup_artistry/8858/Video/index.tmpl