Nail Polish Hacks

Nail Polish Hacks

1. Help your nail polish last longer by applying a thin layer of white vinegar with a cotton round to your nails to remove excess oils.

2. If you don't have any nail polish sponges,(used for a gradient/ombre effect) you can use a sponge applicator that usually comes with an eyeshadow palette, like these:

3.  Use ice water to help dry your freshly painted nails in less than 5 minutes.

4. You can make your own nail dotter by taking a pin and sticking it to the eraser of a pencil. You can also use a toothpick as a nail dotter.

5. When your nail polish has dried up and has formed a very thick consistency, you can use a nail polish thinner. This will help make the nail polish thinner and basically brand new. The nail polish thinner that I use is the Beauty Secrets polish thinner and it really does help to restore your nail polish and is very affordable.

6. Another hack to help your nail polish last longer, is to use a rubberized base coat  before applying your nail polish. The rubberized effect should help to adhere the polish to the nail which will make the nail polish last longer than if you were to use a regular base coat. 

I recommend:

Favorites

My Favorite Drug Store Products

You can never go wrong with high-end products because they are high quality, last a long time, and have better pigments. But high-end makeup can be very pricey, and there are several low end makeup products that are just as good as high end makeup. Here are some products that I recommend;

Anastasia Brow Wiz Vs. NYX Microbrow Pencil

This eyebrow pencil is one of my personal favorites because it has a very thin applicator which will give you natural looking brows. But after trying new brow products, I found a very similar pencil which is the NYX Microbrow Pencil. It is basically the same exact thing as the Anastasia Brow Wiz, because it has the same applicator size and has similar shades but the Brow Wiz is $21 and the Microbrow Pencil is only $10 which is half the price! 

$10 at nyxcosmetics.com

Maybelline Dream Lumi Highlighting Concealer Vs. YSL Touche Eclat

These concealers are very similar because they both effectively brighten up the under eye area with a creamy consistency. They also have the same applicator which is dispensed in a pen type tube. The YSL Touche Eclat is $42 and the Maybelline Dream Lumi is $5.60.

$5.60 at Walmart

Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Eye Shadow Vs. MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot

Both of these eyeshadows are very creamy and matte. They act as a good base for other eyeshadows. The MAC Paint Pot is $22 and the Maybelline Color Tattoo is $5.29.

$5.29 at Target

Spring Hairstyles

Spring Hairstyles

Messy Braid Up-do

How to style:

1. Split your hair into 2 sections.

2. Do a regular 3 strand braid for both of those sections.

3. Bring one side of the braid near the top of your head and bobby pin it to keep it in place.

4. For the other braid, repeat step 3 but place it right on top of the other braid.

Loose Curls

This is my favorite hairstyle because it is very easy to do and it looks effortless.

How to style:

1. Spray heat protectant all over your hair, to avoid damaging your hair. 

2. Use a 1 inch barrel curling iron.

3. Grab a small section of hair and hold it on the curling iron for about 5 seconds in order to make the curls look wavy and loose.

4. Repeat step 3 to curl all of your hair.

Triple Braided Bun 

How to style:

1. Split your hair into 3 sections and tie them. 

2. Braid each section in a regular 3 strand braid.

3. Pull on each braid to make it loose.

4. Grab the braid on the left side and wrap it around the other two sections to form a circle. Then bobby pin it to keep it in place.

5. Do the same for the other sections. Make sure to wrap it in a circle to form a bun look.

Fashion Trends

Spring Fashion Trends

Spring is a time of new beginnings, start your Spring off with these new trends.

Bomber Jackets:

Bomber Jackets are perfect for this weather because they are not too warm but can still withstand Chicago's weather. They are also very popular now and easy to style with casual outfits. Bomber jackets can put a whole outfit together, whether you are wearing jeans or a skirt.

Wear to Shop for Bomber Jackets:

$110 from Topshop

$59.99 from Urban Outfitters

White Sneakers

White sneakers are perfect for any season because they match every outfit. My favorite white sneakers are Adidas Stan Smith's because they can make my outfit look put together without really trying. The Adidas Original Superstars are also making a comeback from the 90's and are becoming very popular these days.

$80 from Urban outfitters

$75 from Urban Outfitters

Floral Dresses

Floral dresses are very suitable for the Spring time because this is the time when flowers are beginning to bloom. Floral dresses can be easily paired with some sneakers or combat boots. My favorite floral dresses have a combination of bright colors and pastel colors.

Where to Shop for Floral Dresses:

$59 from Lulus

$64 from Lulus