Gel Nail Tutorial

The following is a tutorial on how I get professional looking gel nails at home! This process takes about an hour, so make sure you will not be interrupted during that time.

You will need the following products:

• Sally Hansen Salon Gel Polish Starter Kit
• Gelish Foundation Soak-Off Gel Polish
• OPI Base Coat Gel Polish
• OPI Gel Color in Bubble Bath
• OPI Top Coat Gel Polish
• ibd Flex Powder in Translucent Pink
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Lint-free wipes
• Nail file

You may use the polishes that come with the kit, I just have been using these because of great reviews and I like how all of these work together.

Step One:

Prep nails by pushing cuticles back and trimming, file nails into desired shape then rough up the surface of your nails with the rough side of a nail file. Try not to rough them up too much as this thins the nails.

Your nails should look something like this once done. Pour some of the rubbing alcohol onto your lint-free wipe (I cut up little squares of paper towel) and wipe your nails thoroughly.

Step Two:

I like to work on one hand at a time as this ensures that the nails will be less likely to get lint, etc. on them which can cause the manicure to lift. Apply a thin coat of the Gelish Foundation to your nails, be careful to not get any on your skin or cuticles as this will cause lifting of the polish later on. This step is crucial in a long lasting manicure and was the hardest for me to master. If you do get polish onto your nails you can use a manicure brush to clean it up. Once all nails are coated, dip them gently into the Flex Powder one finger at a time. Be careful doing this as shoving them in too hard can push the polish back, causing a ridge in the final product (see picture below).

Once nails have all been dipped in the flex powder, take a lint free cloth and dust off the nails. Make sure you get into the cuticles. Once dusted off, the nails should look like the above photo.

 

Step Three:

Place the nails into the UV lamp and press the top button once. Repeat this three times; I have found that this is the proper amount of time needed for long lasting results.

 

Step Four:

Apply a thin coat of OPI Gel Color in whatever color you have chosen. I love the color Bubble Bath because it is a nice natural looking color that goes with everything. I used to use the original OPI polish in this color all the time.

 

Place nails into the UV lamp for three treatments. Apply a second coat of the color and repeat the UV lamp process.

 

Step Five:



Apply a thin coat of OPI Gel Color top coat and place under the lamp for three treatments. Once nails have been treated, wipe nails thoroughly with the rubbing alcohol. This step will remove any excess gummy feeling on the nails.

 

Gel manicure is complete, do the same steps on your other hand!

 

If you don't get it right the first time or your nails start peeling soon after, don't give up. It took me a few tries to get it down perfectly and even now once in awhile they don't last like I would like them too. Depending on what your hands go through, this manicure can last 4 days to two weeks. I use my hands a lot in my profession and am constantly washing/sanitizing them so sometimes the manicure doesn't last that long. For the manicure I did today, I capped the nails (put the polish over the edge of the nail) so I am hoping that will elongate the amount of time it lasts. I had not previously done this as my nails were too short.

 

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and try it out for yourself! I realize it is a bit pricey but doing your own nails saves you money. I have done many manicures without having to buy more products.

 

As always, click on Katrina's Beauty Shop at the top of my blog for where to purchase the mentioned products.





Look of the day - work edition!

Tried out a couple of new products when doing my makeup for work so figured I would do a review. I used many of the same products and application as in my previous look of the day post. Primer: Make Up For Ever green primer. Concealer: Rimmel Wake Me Up. Foundation: Make Up For Ever HD. Mascara: Smashbox Full Exposure.

The new products I tried are the lipgloss, eyeshadow and highlighter. The lipgloss is by Quo and it came in a gift set so I don't really have a color to name. The eyeshadow is the Vera Mona eyeshadow I received in my Ipsy bag this month. I love the color, its light and has just enough shimmer for an everyday look. The highlighter is Pixie by Petra, also from my Ipsy bag. I found that it gives me a nice subtle glow without looking too heavy.

Edit to the last post: my eyebrow pencil is not by NYC, its OFRA Cosmetics Universal Eyebrow Pencil. I tried the NYC one out again today and realized how terrible it is compared to the OFRA one. The one I use now goes on smoothly and the line isn't too harsh.

Overall, I loved the how fresh this look is and will be wearing it often this spring.

Look of the day!

Today I felt like going all out with my makeup so I did! If you are interested in any of the products I'm wearing, see my reviews below and check out my beauty shop at the top of this blog for where to buy!

I started off with Makeup Forever Step 1: Redness Correcting Primer. This primer is green, so it hides redness which I tend to have a lot of since my skin is so pale and sensitive. I love the smell of this product and it applies smoothly.

I then applied Make Up For Ever Ultra HD foundation in the shade Pink Porcelain. I applied it with a kabuki brush but I have also been using my beauty blender often lately. The beauty blender is best for this foundation because it can be a little heavy for me. With the kabuki brush I like to pump two squirts onto the back of my hand then dab it in various areas of my face. I then stipple the makeup all over and finally brush it in circular motions. This foundation is a bit pricey but it shows up flawlessly in photos. I have also heard its the foundation Kim Kardashian uses if you're into that twit. 

The undereye concealer I used is Rimmel Wake Me Up in Ivory. As stated in a previous post, this is a new product for me; so far its worked moderately well. Concealer should be applied in an upside down triangle under the eye to give a properly balanced look. 

My contour is thanks to ModelCo Highlighting Trio from a previous Ipsy bag. This product is a cream base which was new to me when I tried it. I like that I can clearly map out where I want to contour before blending. For blending I used Luxie Beauty Large Angled Face Brush. I use this brush for powder contouring as well.

My eyeshadow is from NYX through Ipsy in three colors. The first color was used on my lid and the second was used on my crease line as well as under my eye. I have been using this shadow a lot; it is a nice neutral shade suitable for every day wear. 

The waterline is lined with Coastal Scents Xpress Line Cosmetic Pencil then followed with the black from the NYX shadow on top. Dabbing black shadow on top of liner will help it stay in place on the waterline. 

The above are brushes I use on the eye area. The first is Real Techniques Fine Liner Brush which I use with gel liner for my upper eye. The second is the  Crown Brush Infinity Shadow/Crease Duet Brush. I like to use the bigger side for my lid; sometimes I use the smaller side for the crease but I don't find it blends super well. For the crease I prefer to use the Beau Gachis Paris Smudge Brush. When applying the crease color, its important to blend a lot in a wind shield wiper motion. I like to make a triangle shape in my outer corner with the crease shade. 

My eyebrows are filled in with a NYC eyebrow pencil then lightly brushed with the Crown Brush Brow Duo Brush. When filling in the eyebrows, I think its important to not fill them in too fully. I like to keep my brows looking as natural as possible. 

The mascara I am currently loving is Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara. The brush is great because the one end is larger. 

The lips are done in NYX Mauve liner and Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Honey Bare.

When I really want my makeup to last, I finish up with Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray. It helps your makeup last through almost anything.

March Ipsy Glam Bag!!

My March Ipsy bag came in the mail today and im pretty excited about all the products received! First of all, this bag is totally cute; first one that I have really loved.

Here's a swatch of the Vera Mona eyeshadow. Its a really nice pink color with some shimmer in it. This color is a great choice for spring!

I know its hard to see but this is a swatch of the Pixi by Petra highlighter/blush duo. I am really excited to try the highlighter as it looks like it will give a nice, subtle glow to my skin. I am not too sure how the blush will show up as it barely shows on my hand but I am not prone to wear blush anyways. I have tried other Pixi products and they have all been great so far.

This is the liquid lipstick by NYX in Kitten Heels. The formula looks great and I am already a huge fan of NYX but I don't think I will be wearing this shade very often. I am more of a natural lipstick color kind of gal.

The other products I received are a body oil and a nail buffering stick. Its funny because I almost purchased a buffer today but settled for just a file. I have never used body oil before but I have heard great things about it and products with rose in them. I will post more on this products if I find myself really loving them.

Interested in signing up for Ipsy? Here's the link: https://www.ipsy.com/new?refer=286ms

PGX and Maca Energy

After doing some research about natural supplements for weight loss I came across a fiber called Glucomannan or Konjac. It is a fiber that absorbs water and promotes a feeling of fullness in your stomach. This in turn, helps you to consume less. A study showed that glucomannan helped participants lose 8-10 pounds over 5 weeks along with a healthy diet. It also feeds the friendly bacteria in your intestine, lowers blood sugar and triglycerides while helping with constipation. https://authoritynutrition.com/glucomannan/

This sounded like a great boost to my weight loss goals! I set out to find this fiber at a health foods store. When asking the manager whether he had the product, he informed me that it is the main ingredient in PGX. I had heard that PGX did not work very well so I was hesitant. The manager informed me that he has many costumers who have had success on the product when taken properly. What did I have to lose? (other than my money)

While at the health foods store, I asked if there were any products to assist with energy as I feel like I lack energy much of the time. He recommended Brad King's Ultimate Maca Energy Platinum XP. This product is made from Maca root from Peru. Benefits of using this product are:

• Boosts energy levels
• Enhances libido
• Improves mental clarity
• Reduces stress
• Betters mood
• Balances Hormones

These are all areas I could use a boost in so naturally I was eager to try it!

Day 1 & 2 Review:
PGX - I was expecting to feel much more full after taking the capsules. I am taking two before each meal and drinking plenty of water. I have noticed that I am craving water more than usual and consuming about 10 glasses a day. It is very important to drink lots of water on this product because it soaks up water and can cause digestion problems otherwise. Overall, I have not noticed much of a difference. I am hoping it will help with cravings I get and help me to eat less, especially in the evening.

Maca Energy - I am taking this product in the liquid form in my morning coffee as it has a bad taste. Yesterday I woke up at a reasonable time and did not feel the need to take a nap throughout the day. My energy levels are really low much of the time and I feel the need to take naps even after a good nights sleep. It has also been sunny the past couple of days which affects my energy levels.

As with any other product, it can take awhile to see the effects. I will update as I continue along this journey.

Beauty Spree!

Hello everyone! Sorry for not posting much this week, I was on holidays. Going out of town is exciting for me as we do not have much selection for shopping in my small town. My first day out of town, I went to Shoppers, one of my favorite beauty shops. I know what you're thinking "Shoppers? Could she be more cheap?". When it comes to makeup, I have tried cheap and I have tried expensive and have come to find that there are some great products on both sides of the expense scale. That being said, I purchased some good finds this trip!

I honestly don't know why I bought Vogue. I was bored at my grandmas and looking for some reading material but I always seem to forget that its a million pages of ads. Anyways, my other purchases include:

• Blistex DCT: I forgot some lip chap and this is my fave for chapped/cracked lips. I swear I have gone to bed with my lip cracked open and in the morning its gone all because of this miracle worker.
• Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Honey Bear: more on this below
• Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer: I am on a mission to find the perfect concealer for my dark circles. This one is pretty good, it doesn't brighten my under eye that much because of how pale I am but it is providing good coverage.
• Marc Anthony Deep Moisture Hand Cream: My hands get super dry due to my line of work, the cuticles are especially bad. This cream has a pleasant smell and absorbs quickly. My hands have improved somewhat but that may be due to not having to wash them as much on vacation.

This is a swatch of the Revlon lipstick. On the lips it is a sheer nude with a bronze like shimmer. I don't wear alot of lipstick because I feel like they all look funny on me. This lipstick is natural enough that it gives me that little boost without making me feel uncomfortable.

A couple of days after my initial trip to Shoppers, I decided I wanted to paint my nails so I went there again. I purchased the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Total Wave. So far, I am not a fan of this product. A couple of my nails are chipping already and I just painted them yesterday. However, it was my first time applying the product so perhaps I didn't wait long enough between coats. I think I will be sticking to my gel lamp (more on what I use in a future post).

At the checkout, there was a basket of items for $2 and I purchased two of these Quo Diamond Liners. I tried the golden color today. I like that it is a subtle bit of color on the lid and the applicator is easy to use.  

That's all for this beauty spree! Have you tried any of these products? What are your thoughts? 

Face Cleansing and Moisturizing Routine

I have been asked about my thoughts on anti-aging creams and face creams in general. Since my early 20's I have been using a nightly anti-aging cream. Now, whether this has aided my face in staying relatively young looking or not, I'm not sure. I have tried a few different products but one that is a staple for me is an Olay night cream. Recently I have been using Olay Total Effects Night Cream. It has a pleasant smell and makes my skin feel soft.

Of course, cream is no use without proper skin preparation ahead of time. Twice a day, I cleanse my face with Philosophy Purity 3-in-1 Cleanser. For awhile I was using this product simply as a face cleanser either before or after using makeup wipes. One evening after work, I decided to try it as a makeup remover on my eyes as well and I have never looked back. The formula is so gentle on my sensitive skin, it smells great and the makeup literally melts off my face. It also acts as a toner and hydrates skin.

I loved the Philosophy brand so much that I decided to purchase the three step process which includes the cleanser, microdelivery peel and Renewed Hope in a Jar moisturizer. I use the moisturizer after I cleanse in the morning. The smell is amazing and the formula feels great on the skin. I use the peel once a week, as directed, usually on Sunday evenings.

I like to think my routine is pretty simple. I stick to what I know works and I don't need a whole lot of products for my type of skin. An important element in healthy skin is of course drinking plenty of water and making sure skin is protected while out in the sun. I have never been much of a tanner, if I lay in the sun it is for a short period of time or else I use a high SPF sunscreen frequently. I will include in a future Ipsy post information on some of the face masks I have tried. You can find the products mentioned in this post in my beauty shop. 

Have you tried any of these products? What's in your daily routine?

Ipsy

Have you heard of the website Ipsy? It's a monthly service which sends you makeup samples. I love this service because it allows me to try different brands (many I have never heard of or would have never had the chance to try) of beauty products for a low cost. Find something you love in your Ipsy bag? You can purchase it with a discount thanks to Ipsy. They also have giveaways and you can collect points towards beauty rewards. Did I mention the samples come in a cute makeup bag? The Ipsy website is easy to use and you can easily change your beauty profile at any time in case you want to change the type of products you receive. If you're interested in joining, here's the link!