This or that:

I use a variety of make-up; my routine includes these:

Lipstick or Lip-gloss?

Lipstick/lip-stain  for parties, nights out, and special events. I never use lip gloss anymore - too messy. I usually use chap-stick. My favorite lip balm/chapsticks and lipsticks are by L'Oreal!

L'Oreal Colour Caresse lip balm with a hint or *glow* of color! Feels like butter on your lips and is the ultimate moisturizer! Pluss its got SPF in it to keep your lips safe from the damaging UV rays! Just apply some before a day out in the sun and slip it into your purse/clutch/ bag and have it with you on the go for the best sun, wind, and chap resistance!



Liquid Eyeliner or Pencil Eyeliner?

I use liquid eyeliner because I find that it leaves a much smoother and flowing line. And its perfect for cat eye! However it does take lots of patience, practice and a steady hand! Yet the pencil liner tends to be chalky and not so smooth...

I like all of Maybelline's eye makeup so I usually use their eyeliner, as well as L'Oreal! I also love to use colorful eye liner and glitter eye liner :)


Liquid Foundation or Pressed Foundation?

Actually I use both! Yes some of us do this - others think its too much. But for me, I need the coverage! I have blemish, freckles, and minimal acne scars...so I double action is best! Plus layering and blending the pressed foundation on the liquid foundation keeps your complexion from appearing greasy or sweaty on hot summer days; likewise it keeps it from "melting".

These are what I use, by Maybelline. The foundation is a airfoam formula! Its amazing!

Volume Enhancing  Mascara or Lengthening Mascara?

I dont have very long lashes, instead I've got lots of volume with minimal length. So of course I choose lengthening mascara...but my favorite lengthening one is actually a 2 in 1...

The L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes™ Mascara. I mentioned this mascara in one of my other posts . Its both "Voluminous" and length enhancing. The formula contains fibers that rap around your lashes protecting and lengthening them. The results are near miraculous lol.. They truly quadruple the length of you lashes. They look like real falsies..if that makes any  sense..Anyway if you try this you will be proud to bat those lashes girl! I definitely recommend this :) 

Pressed eye-shadow or creme-gel eye-shadow?

Knowing me, I'm kinda clumsy...so I'm better off using the pressed eye-shadow. However when I'm not applying it myself, I find the creme eye-shadow very pretty and long lasting. But I also dont like how messy it can be..or is that only me? I just haven't much experience with it ;)

I love to use any eye-shadow by L'Oreal or Maybelline or CG. Revlon I find clumpy and too textured. My favorite shades are by Elf! :) 

Bronzer or Blush?

Definitely bronzer!! I dont think blush fits me..something about my facesshape and the shade of my skin & complexion.. 

 I like to use Maybelline's bronzer!

Applying with brush or sponge?

Most always brush! Better at contouring, blending, and everything! The only makeup sponges I do like are the beautyblending egg shaped make up sponges..but these only work with certain blending and contouring. So  really all I use are brushes. 

I like Sephora's brushes! 

So all in all you can imagine what the inside of my makeup bag looks like? Lots of L'Oreal & Maybelline - yes. And lots of variety! Hope you like!! :) 

French Tip Manicure tutorial! :)

French Tip nails :) 

I used a small tip art pen and a peachy nail polish as the base-coat.

Naturally curly hair products :)

I have loose curls..My favorite hair products I found at my hair salon, and in drugstores!

#1: "Its a 10 Miracle Styling Cream", it is sold in several drugstores and most all salons! Its perfect for curly hair because it defines, eliminates frizzes, seals split ends, increases elasticity and controls the curl with out making it crusty, sticky, or hard texture (ew). It also adds shine and moisturizes leaving your hair silky and styled! There are 10 things it does for your hair..which are listed on the back of the product ^.^
Click here for more info on this product at its official website!

#2: Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave-in Conditioner:

#2. This stuff is amazing!! It is definitely worthy of its 5 star reviewer ratings! It repairs the actual strand of hair, moisturizes it like no other leave-in conditioner I've ever tried, and totally defeats frizz! This works really well on girls who have extremely tight curls too! Its full of all kinds of great stuff for your hair, such as Argon Oil from Morocco, Apricot Oil, etc.. I totally recommend this product for both curly and strait hair! If you've got dry, brittle, damaged or frizzy here this is perfect for you! And the best part is: you can find it in every convenience store, drug store, and even grocery stores for less than $7!  Check out this link for more info & product reviews:

Check out this link for more info & product!

#3: Paul Mitchell Repair Treatment:

This stuff is more pricey than the other two products, but worth it!This is a hair treatment for damaged hair; its to be used once a week. You could even call it a hair "mask" if ya want! Its sold only in hair salons. With in the first couple times I used it I could already tell the difference! This is for both curly & strait hair and everything in between! 

Check this out for the official website and more info!

Now for my shampoos and conditioners, I go pretty cheap (hey I'm a teenager, what do you expect?) So I buy drugstore shampoos & conditioners. I my favorite shampoos are by Herbal Essences. And my favorite conditioners are by Garneir Fructis! 

This is the conditioner

This is the shampoo!

I dont tend to use hair gels or sprays, but I know that "Its a 10" has some great ones
So this is what I use in case anybody was wondering what works great with naturally curly hair! :-)

Gel Manicure FAQS

Okay, so I got the Gel Manicure Starter System by Sensationail , no I didnt end up getting the Kiss one, I couldn't find it ANYWHERE!! Anyway- I'm very happy with the Gel system I got ^.^ So here are *my* FAQS about Gel Nails: 

FAQ#1 Will Gel Manicures severely damage my nails ?

Answer: NO.. depending on the status of your nails whether they are weak or not; there is minimal nail damage when using the gel system. The only damage done to nails is during the removal process...which leads to FAQ #2:

FAQ #2: How do I remove gel manicures without damaging my nails?

There are several different ways to remove gel nail polish while avoiding as much damage as possible.

The most common way to remove is by buffing/filing the gel nail polish's topcoat 'till it no longer shines, then soak it in acetone for 20 mins and then it will peel/crack right off! Now dont force it to peel off! That is how the damage is done! It peels off  a layer of your nail as well 'cuz its not ready to be removed - this leads to nail thinning and damage! 

Another way is to buy the Sensationail Gel Removal Kit - its pretty neat! Its got all the tools and instructions you need! And if you dont have a Sensational system, but have a Kiss, Sally Hansen, etc..you can always try and use Sensationail's removal kit -its gotta work 'cuz all gel nail polish it made of the same stuff ... But I also know that Sally Hanson has a removal kit too - most gel brands will carry a removal kit!

There are also other DIY ways to remove gel manicures - but if you wanna be on the safe side - just remove them as the instructions say or buy the removal kit. Yet if you are daring, then try some of these neat DIY tips:

http://www.luluandsweetpea.com/2013/03/diy-gel-nail-removal.html

http://thebeautydepartment.com/2013/01/removing-gel-nails-at-home/

FAQ #3: Does soaking your Gel Manicure in acetone damage your nails? 

Okay, I can totally see how this is a reasonable question...acetone does damage your nails..but then again you're not soaking your bare nails in the acetone - you're soaking the gel polish! And if you are afraid to damage your nails with acetone this way -then you may not as well paint your nails at all! Wait whhaaa?! Let me explain: painting your nails with regular nail polish causes you to use more acetone (nail polish remover) on your nails then gel manicures do..because: they are always chipping or getting messed up when wet...this is not an issue with gel nails!! So: you damage your nails with acetone LESS then with regular gel nail polish!!! Whaaa?! I'm mean seriously..think about it! It makes total sense! I have to re-do my nails every 2-3 days (this means using lots acetone during removal) but when you use gel nails..you only have to remove your nail polish every 2 WEEKS so that means: LESS USE OF ACETONE!! Ta-da!

FAQ # 4: Are Gel nails really chip free? 

Gel nails usually do not chip until the end of 2 weeks! But if you're extremely tough on your nails (like me) then you should probably expect some chipping with in a week and a 1/2....should I define what I mean by *eek* "extremely tough"..? Alright. If you do sports, such as softball (like me) or others that include much use of your hands, then yes this helps in the ware 'n tear on your gel nails! Or if you go swimming & tubing like everyday of the summer (like me) then yes this will help to lift the gel polish from your nails : hence chipping! Or if you garden (like me) alot through out the summer then, yes all that dirt and ware & tare will cause chipping over time. So pretty much if  you do  lots of manual work with you hands or are around water alot then yes, this will cause pre-mature chipping. But not severely. Yet,  those who are normal (unlike me) and care about their hands more than I do, then you should be fine! 

FAQ# 5: Is applying Gel Manicures easy? 

^ (these are my nails being cured)

The Gel Starter System I got showed me step-by-step instructions, which I found incredibly easy to follow! There are 6 steps:

1 Buff & Clean nails (with provided lint free wipes & cleanser) 

2 Apply primer and air dry

3 Apply clear base coat. Cure in LED Lamp for 30 seconds

4 Apply color gel coat. Cure in LED Lap for 60 seconds (repeat this step for a more vibrant mani)

5Apply clear top coat. Cure for 30 seconds

6 Cleanse nails (with provided cleanser & lint free wipes)

And ta-da! Done! :-) 

Thats all I got for FAQS for now...if you've got any questions, let me know in the comment section below!