Whipped Shea Butter Mixture by Hand

Let me just say that I do have a hand mixer, however, it's for food and I'd like to keep it for food only! You can mix it by hand for all of five minutes (or less).



 

 

Here's what I used:

• 2T Shea Butter


• 1/2 t coconut oil


• 1/2 t avocado oil


• 1/2 t extra virgin olive oil


• 1/2 t Crisco (soybean & palm oil)

I combined each into my small plastic bowl and mixed away using a small plastic spoon! I did not melt any of the oils. The result was a very light, fluffy, and smooth mixture.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWo5CA2d72w

 

Tips for Polishing Your Nails

Here are some tips that I'd like to share with you that have helped me to get the best looking nails. These tips can be applied (pun intended) to any kind of nail polish:

• The first coat is your base color, not to be confused with base coat. This layer sets the background, so to speak and allows you to build the opaqueness of the nail polish. For the first coat, dip the brush and gently wipe a bit off the side of the bottle. Apply light pressure evenly over the entire nail.


• For the second coat, load up the brush slightly more than normal and glide it over the nail, applying NO pressure. This particular method ensures that you get no streaks and your final look is nice and smooth.


• Make sure to allow adequate time to dry between coats. I'd give it 10-15 minutes before applying the second coat. For the final top coat, give your nails about 1 hour to fully dry. Allowing enough time between coats allows your nails to dry without bubbles.


• Apply the top coat in the same manner you applied the second coat of nail polish; loading the brush then gliding it over the nail with NO pressure.

 

Please excuse the dent in my index finger :( I was not being careful and doing too much before letting me nails dry.



So that leads me into my last tip. Let those nails dry before doing anything! At least one hour. Go watch a movie or put on a tv show or two while you wait.

Twist & Curl Without Perm Rods or Rollers

Here is a technique I came up with for a twist and curl that does not use roller or rods. How is that possible you ask? Well..............the answer is bantu knots :D



I did about 14 twists in my hair, then half way up, I made a bantu knot.



I really like this method and I will never use rods or rollers again for this look. I find that this is also very comfortable to sleep in as opposed to the alternatives. Rods and rollers can hurt your head if you sleep in them. Plus, if you do go under the dryer, sometimes they can't fit. LOL. Let me add that on the second day of this style, I just used one product. Can you guess what that is? WATER!!!! Water was my styling product. So easy, so simple. Keep reading to see more pics.

NOTM: Mermaid Abstract Gel Nails

So I redid my gel nails for the "n"th time. LOL. I can say that each time = more practice so that's a plus :) I used the Ez Flow Gel It Kit which I purchased from Ebay for $29.99 as well as the Salon Edge 36W UV Nail Lamp, also from Ebay.

Now on the the design:

Click here to see the step by step!

DIY: Vanity Tray

Earlier this year, I bought a haul load of fragrances and needed a place to store them all. I came up with the idea of making a vanity tray. I already have one for my bathroom.

Here's what I used:

• a mirror sized 11x15


• decorative tape


• hot glue gun


• block shaped beads

First, I measured the tape and applied it to each side of the mirror.

Then, I glued the feet on the bottom:

And that's it.  See the finished look here.

NOTM: Royal Nail Art

I named this royal because that is what I thought of when I saw how the colors came together. I think the maroon and gold really characterize this look.

Here's what I used:

• Nicole by OPI - Shoot for the Maroon


• LA Colors Striping Polish (Gold Glitter, Black, White)


• Ruby Kisses French White **for the dots


• Reinforcement labels for the french tip **not pictured

Step 1: Stick on reinforcement labels to act as a guide for the french tip.

I personally do not like these. The shape is too circular and it does not fit the shape of my nails well at all. Also, it didn't form a good enough seal so some polish got below the guide--this could be user error.

Step 2: Add the french tip

Step 3: Add black stripes, white, and gold stripes.

Step 4: Add dots.

Finished look. This was taken the next day in natural light.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWTk-5akF4Y

My at Home Gel Nail Manicure

So I re-did my gel nails. I got some of it on the skin so the last manicure was lifting. I was sure to  be careful and clean the skin off this time before curing the gel. I think this set came out pretty good :)

Products used:

I first used my: Nail Tek Base Coat

Then I used two coats of China Glaze Champagne Bubbles

I then used two coats of this cheap gold glitter nail polish I picked up at a BSS years ago.

Next, the striping w/LA Colors Art Deco (black & white):

I then added dots using an orange wood stick and black & white polish.

I added some more white stripes, along with silver stripes and rhinestones.

I sealed with a gel top coat and flash cured two fingers at a time under my LED lamp for 10 seconds.

flash cure [flash] [kyoor]: to cure under light for a very short period of time.

Watch the video:

[embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqIKMlBdQ04[/embedyt]