me and Kristen (GlitterNGlue.com) in our non-planned matching outfits
Happy Monday! I’ve decided to stop doing The Monday Rundown, as it really just wasn’t inspiring me any more and I really want June to be a fresh start for my blog (and for me). For now, I’ll keep Mondays open to really any topic, but I might throw in a round up here and there 🙂 As for June, I’m going to have a strong health/fitness theme this month so make sure to check back for lots of summer-themed pieces. And, as always, feel free to comment and email me to let me know what you love, don’t love, etc.
With thousands upon thousands of nail products on the market, all claiming to solve ALL of your problems, it can definitely be confusing as to what you actually need to achieve your best nails possible. Here, I break down for you the four products that you should be using, no matter what. Trust me, use these four and you’re good to go!
1. All-In-One Treatment
When you’re crammed for time, it’s best (and easiest) to use a strengthening base and top coat in one. Hydrating panthenol will smooth and glaze nail beds, while also preventing your nails from chipping. Make sure to first apply this treatment to clean, dry nails as a base coat and let dry. Then brush on one to two coats of your favorite nail color and let dry. Finish with the Double Duty treatment as a shiny top coat.
I prefer a polish remover with a light, calming scent (like lavender), which will swiftly and effectively take off your darkest, most glittery polish just as fast as you applied it. Sure, in a pinch cheap or generic polish remover will do, but I really love the version from Zoya, which smells great and actually gets all of my nail polish off.
This calcium-enriched formula toughens nails, without altering the color of your polish! It’s recommended for use twice a week and will definitely help strengthen nail beds within a few weeks time. I can’t recommend this strengthener enough. The fact that you can actually apply it OVER your nail polish is truly amazing and I’ve definitely noticed a huge difference in the health of my nails.
Cuticles simmer down with just a drop of this cure-all product. Infused with sweet-almond, jojoba and vitamin E oils, your nails will never be softer. This is my secret weapon! For anyone who gets dry cuticles, this oil is your best bet.
It’s time for May Favorites! Truthfully, I still have a LOT to learn about making YouTube videos, but I genuinely do enjoy making my monthly favorites videos. Ha, my manager would be so proud! It’s not that I’m uncomfortable in front of the camera (quite the opposite, actually), but I have absolutely no eye for editing and/or filming. So there’s that. I’d much rather be in my pajamas, hair in pony tail, zit cream on face, writing a blog post. Truth. With that said, I digress, and present to you…my favorite things for May!
Something that only my close friends/family know about me: I volunteer once a week at a home for at-risk teen girls.
Not that I try to keep it a secret or anything…clearly not, since I’m now blogging about it. In fact, I’m actually quite proud of the fact that I’ve given my time for the past two years to teen girls who need it. But volunteering is something that is good, yet deeply personal (at least to me). There are really strict rules about what we can and cannot share with the girls, what we can and cannot give them as far as projects (nothing with glass or sharp edges) and, lastly, we can’t give them any personal information about ourselves. For me, the last rule is particularly difficult since, after two years, I’ve developed attachments to some of these girls. While I’m only with them for 1-2 hours per week, they’re allowed to be creative and free with me, which can sometimes spur emotions that they would otherwise keep hidden.
Growing up, I have a lot of great memories doing arts and crafts projects with my mom, a former art teacher, so it seemed natural to me to pick an activity where the girls (some of which don’t even have parents) would be able to do something similar. Anyway, the point of this post is this: it’s important to give back.
So many of us go through the motions and often feel all “woe is me” about things that are, sorry to say it, just not important. You know what a real problem is? Not having a place to live. Losing a parent to a gun shot wound. Being put into foster care because your parents are drug addicts. THOSE are REAL PROBLEMS. And believe me, I’m guilty of the “white girl problems” too, but every time I start to feel sorry for myself because I’ve gained a few pounds, or can’t afford a trip to Australia, I try to bring myself back to reality by thinking about the girls that I volunteer for. THEIR lives are hard, mine is not.
I encourage all of you to find an organization and volunteer, even if it’s only once a month..or even a few times a year! It truly warms my heart to see my girls and gives me a different perspective on life, honestly.
I’m blaming my dry lips on the Santa Ana winds but, in reality, I think it’s a combination of not drinking enough water and the fact that I wear my Invisalign retainer at night. Ok, maybe I’m making up that last part…but I’m convinced! Regardless, I’m really into this KAPLAN MD Lip 20 Mask. It’s not very often that you even come across a mask for your lips…so when I heard about it, I was really pumped to try it out. My favorite part about this mask, aside from the fact that it did, indeed, exfoliate and moisturize my lips, is the fact that it is QUICK. And, since I’m incredibly impatient and lazy, committing to a mask for 3-5 minutes is totally doable. My lips got tingly, then I wiped off the mask with a warm wash cloth…then BOOM- moisture. Thank you.
Tibi Stripe Camisole: My black and white obsession is one of those things that will never end, so I’m sure that you’re not surprised with this choice.
Clinique A Different Nail Enamel for Sensitive Skin in “Juiced Up”: I’d love to meet the scientist/R&D person at Clinique who thought up the brilliant idea of creating a nail polish for sensitive skin. Who would’ve thought it would be so genius? The polish goes on smooth and lasts longer than most.
Nestle Crunch Girl Scout Candy Bars: I think everyone has fond childhood memories that involve Girl Scout cookies, so when they partnered with Nestle Crunch, I was really excited to try these out. My favorite? The Thin Mint version, of course…but they’re all good. Seriously.
Furbish Brass Urchin: My whole body cringed when I read the name of these:brass URCHIN. I’m insanely allergic to sea urchin, in case you didn’t know. But, alas, these are actually pretty cool and would look good on a coffee table of end table.
