Tag Archives: beauty

Mar15

New Orange Sorbet & Taffy Pink Nails

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New Orange Sorbet & Taffy Pink Nails

Hello! After a long month in between my last fill, I was so ready to go to Elysian Nails and get my claws looking right. Although I got pink nails last time too, I found myself craving spring colors and ended up with this combination that I am loving:

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When I was driving to the salon, it was completely grey outside and I felt a bit disheartened over the fact that we were due for some snow the following day. I needed something bright and fun on my nails as a pick me up and found myself thinking of colors of the sunset, hence the hues that I chose. My darling nail tech told me that my polish colors reminded her of Polly Pocket and that made me feel even happier with my selections. I freaking LOVED Polly Pocket in my youth and I still do now. I regret every day that I gave my old Polly dolls away!

Since January, my work schedule has been jam packed with a lot of driving. Like a lot, a lot. It felt so good to clock out for the day, head to Elysian, and sink in the salon chair to get pampered. As soon as I entered the salon and saw all of the techs who I just adore, I instantly perked up and, as always, walked out feeling like a billion bucks. Now, if only the colors on my nails reflected the weather outside! 😀

What color are your nails painted? What was your favorite childhood toy? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar13

Sephora Haul

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Sephora Haul

Hello! I don’t shop with Sephora often but, whenever I do, I make sure that my purchases are made online. Sephora’s online promotions pale in comparison to an in store shopping experience and I always receive lots of free goodies with a fifty dollar purchase so that I qualify for free shipping. And, we all know that that isn’t hard to do!

It had been a while since I restocked my Better Than Sex mascara and I was almost out of the tube that I have been using. I spent fifty-four dollars on my order and got all of these freebies to show for it:

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The Haul:

  • 2 Better Than Sex mascaras by Too Faced
  • PeterThomasRoth Water Drench moisturizer (Free with my Beauty Insider points)
  • Fresh Sugar Lip Mask (Free with my Beauty Insider points)
  • Farmacy Vitamin B Night Mask (Free with twenty-five dollar purchase)
  • Clarins serum and moisturizer sample (Free with any purchase)
  • Herbivore Pink Cloud moisturizer sample (Free with any purchase)

Other than Bath & Body Works, I would definitely say that Sephora has the best promotions to give you the most bang for your buck. And, it should because the products are expensive! The Better Than Sex mascara is the only “high end” makeup that I use and it is a whopping twenty-seven dollars per tube. Being able to test out all different kinds of brands and products FO FREE really helps to soften the blow for high priced purchases.

During my online shopping with Sephora, I usually find something that I can use my Beauty Insider points with and typically use my rewards for skin care. While they have free makeup and hair care available, I don’t do my hair and makeup every day, more like once a week, so a trail size mask or moisturizer makes more sense for me. I went with the Fresh Sugar Lip Mask, which I can’t wait to try because my lips are always in a permanent state of chapped. I also cashed in for the PeterThomasRoth Water Drench moisturizer for something different during my skin care routine.

Sephora also offers a plethora of Beauty Deals online and you can get a free trial size product with a twenty-five dollar purchase. Like free shipping for fifty dollars, this is not difficult to get and just one Better Than Sex mascara got me over the twenty-five dollar mark. I chose the Vitamin B night mask from Farmacy for this freebie because it has been a while since I had a new Face Mask Festivities on my page. Keep it posted for a review on this mask soon!

Finally, with every online purchase you can pick out two free sample products which is a nice touch. I always go the skin care route for these samples too and ended up with two moisturizers and a serum sample. With all of these freebies combined, it makes every online order with Sephora well worth it and I feel like I got a deal for how much I spent.

Of course, it’s always fun to poke around in store at Sephora and see everything in real life. I recommend going home and ordering the products you have your eye on online, though, so you can score a great deal too!

Which store offers the best promotions? What are your thoughts on any of the products in my haul if you have used them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar8

Beauty Preparations For Your Wedding Day

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Beauty Preparations For Your Wedding Day

Until you’ve been there yourself, you may not know all of the things there are to think about when it comes to wedding planning. As well as taking care of the basics like finding a venue and choosing the food, there is, of course, yourself to think about.

On your wedding day, all eyes are on the bride. It can be a daunting prospect, so it’s no surprise that many brides aspire to be their most beautiful, confident selves. To help you glow a little more, here are some wedding beauty preparations to help you feel your best in time for the big day:

Take care of your teeth:

The happiness of the day is guaranteed to put a smile on your face but if you’re not overly happy with your smile, you might want to take steps to improve it. The lead up to your wedding is the perfect time to pay closer attention to your teeth and make any changes you’d like ahead of your nuptials.

Teeth whitening is a top treatment for people getting married, as is teeth straightening. A treatment like Invisalign can help you get your teeth straightened without braces, with results possible in under six months in some cases. Visit your dentist to see which treatments are available to transform your smile ahead of your wedding.

Step up your skincare routine:

Your approaching wedding can suddenly wake you up to the need to take better care of your skin. Improving your complexion for your wedding can make makeup easier to apply and leave you feeling more confident too. Treat yourself to some new products and create a wedding beauty regimen that will help give your skin a boost. You’ll develop new habits that will leave you with luminous skin for the day itself and long after your wedding too. Of course, there is no true way to prevent blemishes on your big day. The stress of it all is not helpful, either. However, if you work with a skilled wedding photographer like Naba Zabih Photography (or a similar photographer in your local area) they will be well versed in editing so a problem area won’t show up in your wedding photos.

Indeed, when it comes to wedding skin care, radiance is the name of the game. You will want your skin to shine brightly so it matches those countless engagement rings and wedding bands you tried. Whether you’re going for traditional round diamonds or unique Oval Engagement Rings, you’ll want your skin to look its best for those close up photos. Products with Vitamin C will provide a luminous glow and you can add in some skin care with hyaluronic acid as well to keep your skin soft as can be. Be sure to test out products with lots of time to spare so you don’t have an adverse reaction close to your big day!

Consider hairstyles:

Wedding hair can be a big source of stress. It’s something you’ll want to plan in advance to help you feel happy with how it’s going to look on the day. Finding someone you can trust to do your wedding hair is important and you’ll feel much more comfortable during such an important part of your wedding day prep. Book trials and ask for hair care advice to make sure your wedding hair is exactly how you want it to be.

One great way to find inspiration for wedding hair is to look at websites for affordable wedding dresses. The models will be rocking a variety of different hairstyles and it can make it easier to narrow down which options are your favorite. Try finding wedding dresses similar to what you have and see how the model’s hair was styled for it to get the full picture.

Try different makeup styles to help you feel the most ‘you’:

Choosing wedding makeup can be another difficult decision. While you’ll want to look flawless, it’s a completely different thing to be unrecognizable. Look at wedding makeup inspiration for styles you might like. You can try to recreate them yourself or book wedding makeup trials to see how they look on you. Pick a style you feel comfortable with that helps you feel special and beautiful when you walk down the aisle.

When considering your makeup, it’s important to remember the overall aesthetic of your wedding. Should you go for a rustic vibe after exploring barn wedding venues in hertfordshire (or your local area), a full on glam approach might look out of place. A “not really wearing makeup but I have makeup on” look won’t be cohesive if you are having an ultra lux wedding with all of the stops. Talk to your makeup artist and be sure to share pictures of your dress, venue, and what your partner will be wearing so that they can create a look to match the wedding as a whole.

In the lead up to your wedding, take time to take better care of your skin and hair and start making decisions about your wedding look. By the time the day is here, you’ll feel beautiful, confident, and in control, ready to enjoy the best day of your life.

Featured Image By: Unsplash under Creative Commons

Mar8

Bath & Body Works Hand Soap Haul

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Bath & Body Works Hand Soap Haul

Hello! During my first in store shopping trip to Bath & Body Works in forever, I got an amazing deal on the foaming hand soaps that Johnny and I love so very much. They were $3.50 each AND I got twenty-five percent off of my purchase to thanks to my coupon. It doesn’t get much better than that and now I am well stocked for months to come in the hand soap department of my stock pile. Check it out:

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Would I Buy Again?

  • Pink Pineapple Sunrise: YES
  • Cozy Vanilla Almond: YES
  • Turquoise Waters: MAYBE
  • Mango Papaya Paradise: YES
  • Blueberry Bellini: MAYBE
  • Peach Bellini: YES!! (My favorite!)

Shopping in store at Bath & Body Works was such a treat because it had been so long since I could actually smell the products that I was going to buy as opposed to just crossing my fingers with online orders. However, after a while of smelling literally everything the store has to offer, everything starts to smell the same! Most of these soaps were ones that I took a whiff of before adding them to my basket but some of their names sounded good enough that I didn’t bother.

Johnny is very partial to tropical scents, which B&BW had a lot of in their new spring line. The Pink Pineapple Sunrise and Mango Papaya Paradise are both delightful and definite safe bets if you are ordering online. The Turquoise Waters was just okay, though, and I wish I would have went with another fruity soap rather than beachy. If you are a fan of the sandy beach scents, you will love it!

The Cozy Vanilla Almond was also a really nice one that I picked out more for me because I love anything vanilla. It has a light scent but still smells so lush and, dare I say, COZY. This one and the Peach Bellini would make great gifts because it’s hard to picture someone not liking it. The Peach Bellini is my all time favorite scent so maybe I’m a little biased but I always have to purchase one during my soap shopping. 😀

The Blueberry Bellini soap was one that I didn’t test out in store because it had the word Bellini in it lol so I figured how bad could it be. It didn’t blow me away but I also didn’t hate it. It just smelled blue if that makes any sense! This is one that I probably wouldn’t buy again but am fine with using it or being gifted with it.

Overall, I am really pleased with my haul because I consider it a GREAT SUCCESS when all of the soap scents are tolerable. The awesome deal for them also made this purchase even better!

What is your favorite Bath & Body Works scent? What kind of scents do you like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar7

Bath & Body Works March Freebie

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Bath & Body Works March Freebie

Hello! It has been a long while since I’ve shopped in person at Bath & Body Works because of the pandemic. Their foaming hand soaps are a staple in my apartment so Johnny and I have just been ordering them online for the past two years. It has been fine but it’s also very hard to judge how the soaps are going to smell online!

This past week, I had a freebie coupon as well as one for twenty-five percent off of my purchase and I decided to go to the actual store to cash them in. Tomorrow, we’ll discuss the soaps which I got for a steal at $3.50 each but, today, let’s take a look at this freebie. It smells SO GOOD:

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I have tons of body wash and lotion in my beauty stock pile and, honestly, don’t need more of either one. But there is nothing better than free and I went with a travel sized lotion in Whipped Berry Meringue. Using lotion on my hands and stretch mark areas have become an ingrained part of my bed time routine and I definitely had less lotion than shower gel in my hoard.

The best part of shopping in store with B&BW is, obviously, being able to take a whiff of each product. However, by the time I was done soap shopping I was all smelled out and didn’t even bother smelling my freebie lotion until I got home. The name had me sold already because I highly doubted that Whipped Berry Meringue was going to smell bad lol.

After smelling my new lotion, I knew that I was so right because it is delightful. It is nice and light without being overpowering with notes of mixed berries, lemon, and cream. It actually smells a lot like the berry Lip Smackers that I loved oh so much in my youth. This is a perfect scent for spring and if you have been doing your B&BW shopping online, it is a safe bet to purchase.

Whether shopping in store or online, nothing pleases me more than adding to the ol’ stock pile and it’s even better when the products are free or discounted. If you don’t receive coupons in the mail from B&BW, do yourself a favor and sign up today for the best steals and deals!

What is your favorite Bath & Body Works scent? What is in your beauty hoard? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar5

SkinLab Revitalize & Hydrate Gel Cleanser Review

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SkinLab Revitalize & Hydrate Gel Cleanser Review

Hello! As you guys all know, I am an absolute skin care fanatic and take great pleasure in my twice daily routine. I have a lot of brands that I enjoy using and I was particularly fond of SkinLab before the pandemic began because I would get it for a song at TJMaxx. After seeing the twenty dollar price tag on Amazon for the products that I was getting for six bucks at TJs, I moved on to less expensive brands.

It had been ages since I did actual shopping at TJMaxx so I was so happy to find some SkinLab cleansers during an outing because they were cheap and I had never used them before. Then, during a more recent haul, I bought another of the SkinLab Revitalize & Hydrate Gel Cleansers super marked down on clearance. I just couldn’t help myself!

I have been using the Revitalize & Hydrate cleanser for about two weeks but I feel SO conflicted about it so let’s discuss:

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I don’t know about all of you, but I have a really difficult time using products when they don’t smell good. In fact, if it were up to me, a majority of the products that I use other than shower gel would be unscented. And, unfortunately, that’s where I’m at with this cleanser because I think that it smells awful! The first time I tried it, I seriously almost just let it go down the drain because it smelled like cleaning products.

I have this little quirk where I refuse to not finish something, whether it be a product or a book that I hate so I couldn’t let the scent of this cleanser get me down. Especially due to the fact that it makes my skin feel So. Freaking. Soft. Washing my face with it feels even better than my normal skin care routine and I can’t stop touching my face after my shower. So, you can see why I feel very conflicted!

You know that feeling when you just can’t wait to finish a product because you have been using it for forever? That’s how I feel with this cleanser and I haven’t even been using it for that long. Lol, if scents don’t bother you, then I guess give it a try. But, if you’re sensitive to the way things smell, definitely skip on this one. And I still have a bottle and a half to go, smh. *Face palm*

What is your favorite scent? Do you have to finish a product once you’ve started it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar4

Is Exercise Good For Your Skin?

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Is Exercise Good For Your Skin?

Being physically active can have many health benefits from boosting one’s immune system to reducing the risk of heart disease. But is it good for your skin’s health? There are pros and cons to exercise when it comes to maintaining healthy skin so let’s explore this more:

The Pros:

Being physically active can prevent pressure sores:

It’s a well known fact that lying down or sitting down for too long can cause pressure sores (sometimes known as ‘bed sores’). People who are bedridden are most at risk of this and professional carers must regularly turn them to prevent these sores from developing – failure to do so is viewed as neglect and could warrant hiring a nursing home abuse attorney.

If you’re not bedridden, you shouldn’t really be developing these sores. However, many people with no mobility issues still develop them simply by working a physically inactive job or sitting on the couch all day. This is why it’s so important to stay moving – never sit in the same position somewhere for more than three hours!

Exercise can relieve stress, which can relieve skin problems:

Exercise is a well known stress buster. It releases endorphins which can help to cleanse our body of the stress hormone, cortisol. Stress is known to make inflammation worse – many skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis are triggered by stress. By exercising regularly, you may be able to stop these skin conditions from flaring up.

The ‘post-workout glow’ is a real thing:

Many people report noticing a ‘glow’ to their skin after working out. This is because exercise promotes blood flow to the skin. On top of making you look more rosy-cheeked and youthful, this increased blood flow can physically make your skin healthier by supplying it with increased oxygen and nutrients.

Exercising outdoors can provide many skin benefits:

Jogging outdoors or exercising in your backyard could have increased skin benefits. Sun exposure helps to increase vitamin D production, which is necessary for skin cell growth and repair. The fresh air also helps to oxygenate your skin from the outside, also helping with skin cell repair.

The Cons:

Sweaty skin can increase the risk of spots and acne:

When we sweat, the PH balance of our skin changes, causing bacteria to grow and thrive. Sweating also causes our pores to open up. Bacteria can get into these pores along with dirt or makeup and this can lead to spots and acne. Fortunately, there are a couple of things you can do to counter this: 1) Try to avoid wearing makeup while exercising as this can clog pores and 2) Take a shower immediately after you exercise. Should your acne not be improved through good skin care habits alone, it might be a good idea to consult with a dermatologist. They will be able to prescribe more potent skin care or a Doxcycyline Prescription to help heal your skin and allow you to get back to your best self.

Conditions like rosacea are made worse by exercise:

Skin conditions like rosacea are caused by an increase in body temperature. Our body naturally warms up when we exercise, which can then lead to rosacea flare ups. Is there any way to prevent rosacea flare-ups when exercising? Keeping well hydrated and exercising in a cool environment can help (i.e. a well air-conditioned room or outdoors when it is cool).

Chafing can lead to rashes and blisters:

Certain forms of exercise like running can lead to chafing of the skin. This can lead to painful rashes and blisters. Wearing the right clothing may prevent chafing – moisture-wicking clothing is designed to take away sweat from the body, preventing clothes from rubbing against the skin. You can also try adding Vaseline or talcum powder to areas that are prone to chafing.

Outdoor exercise may increase the risk of sun damage:

As mentioned in the pros, our skin does need some sun exposure to help us get the vitamin D we need for skin cell repair. However, too much exposure to the sun can result in harmful UV rays burning the skin. Sunburn isn’t just painful and unpleasant to look at – it can increase the risk of you developing skin cancer. If you are exercising outdoors for long periods, it’s very important to wear high factor sun cream or to choose times of the day when the sun is less intense.

The Verdict:

Exercise can lead to issues like acne, rosacea flare ups, chafing, and sunburn. However, you can reduce the risk of these skin problems by taking precautions when you exercise. Overall, exercise is very important for your body and does have some major skin benefits such as reducing inflammation and helping skin cell repair. You shouldn’t give up exercise to protect your skin – approach exercise in the right way and it could make your skin healthier.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Feb28

February 2022 Finishes

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February 2022 Finishes

Hellooo everyone and happy last day of February! I don’t know about you guys but January seemed like it lasted a year and February went by in a week! Today, we will be wrapping up the month by discussing my beauty finishes and there are a lot of them so let’s get to it:

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Would I Use Again?

Why/Why Not?

St. Ives Scrub: I love me a St. Ives scrub and, although there are reviews about how bad they are for your skin out there, I really don’t care lol. I have been using these scrubs for well over a decade now and have literally never had a problem with them. The Coconut & Coffee scrub is SO nice in the mornings and using it always made me feel much more alert and invigorated.

It took me twoish months to finish the bottle and I noticed a difference in my skin right away when I was no longer using it. My skin looked a little more tired and my pores felt clogged. I think I will have to incorporate a scrub as an all the time product in my beauty routine.

Innisfree Mask: I received this mask as a freebie from a Sephora haul and it has been sitting on my bathroom counter for months now. I finally decided to finish it a few days ago when I noticed that my skin was looking a bit lackluster. While I did think it helped clear my pores a little bit, I wasn’t blown away by any means and felt just as ambivalent as the first time I used it. I got three uses out of the travel size pot and would not bother using it again.

Hyaluronic Acid Serum: I haven’t been a fan of the Hyaluronic Acid serum by Tree Of Life since I got it in a multipack about a half a year ago and have been using it simply because I have it. Despite morning and night use, I never noticed a difference in how my skin looked or felt. It takes me about three or so weeks to finish one bottle and once I was done, I was eager to start using the Vitamin C one again. The Tree Of Life Vitamin C serum is one that I would definitely recommend and I always love seeing a difference in my skin’s brightness after just one use.

TBS Body Butters: I have been diligently chipping away at my travel size body butters from a Christmas gift and the Shea and Almond Milk & Honey were the last of them. They also happen to be two of my favorite product lines from The Body Shop. Their rich and creamy scents are so soothing and my winter skin has vastly improved from using them in terms of red and dryness. It took me about a week and a half to finish each mini jar with nightly use on my hands and areas with stretch marks.

Despite some duds in February’s beauty finishes, I am very happy with everything else. I am even happier to use more products from my beauty hoard, though, after all of these empties!

Which products did you finish this month? What are your thoughts on any of my empties if you have used them before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

 

Feb16

Loving: My Nebulizing Diffuser

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Loving: My Nebulizing Diffuser

Hello! A couple of weeks ago, I began using the Aurora Nebulizing Diffuser by Organic Aromas and I have been absolutely loving it. Other than a stint in my teens when I enjoyed making bath and body care products, I never was too interested in essential oils. While I understand that there can be benefits, I always thought that people were over exaggerating. However, this product made me eat my words and my mornings no longer feel complete without turning my diffuser on. Let’s discuss:

Okay, before we really get into it, I seriously can’t mention essential oils without talking about Impractical Jokers. Johnny and I are huge fans of the show and there was one episode when the guys had to perform their antics while getting a massage. Q was told that he had to pronounce “oil” as “Earl” and, of course, Johnny and I now refer to my essential oils as essential Earls lol.

ANYWHO, I started my journey with my Organic Aromas diffuser by using their Signature Blend. I did enjoy this scent and it was great for relaxing at home after work. Johnny, on the other hand, wasn’t a fan and it actually gave him a stomachache so I had to use it when he wasn’t home! I will be the first to admit that it was pretty pungent but it definitely did its job because I felt so soothed when I was using it.

The Peppermint oil was a game changer, though. After getting out of the shower, I would put it in my diffuser before starting my writing routine and I noticed a big difference in how I felt on day one. The fresh peppermint scent felt like an additional caffeine boost for those groggy mornings and I do feel like it improved both my focus and alertness when working in the morning.

Not only did I feel extra awake, but my airways felt way less congested too. This Ohio winter has been a flip flop between moderate temperatures, rain, single digit temps, and snow storms and I have felt permanently clogged up since November. My body just can’t jive between the constantly changing temps and it has been really annoying, to say the least. The first day using the peppermint oil was the first day I have felt “normal” since the fall and I can’t get enough of it!

We all know that I am a fanatic when it comes to my beauty hoard and I think essential oils are going to start making a huge addition to my stock pile. I am so eager to try all of the different scents and plan on purchasing some citrus and eucalyptus oil next! 😀

What are your favorite essential oils? Have you noticed any differences from using them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb15

New Black & Ballet Slipper Pink Nails

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New Black & Ballet Slipper Pink Nails

Howdy! My monthly fills at Elysian Nails have truly become a highlight for me because I love hanging out with my nail tech. Catching up and girl talking with her is SO much fun and I, honestly, never even look at my nails anymore when she’s doing them because she always makes them perfect. For Valentine’s Day, I almost considered doing red and pink nails but decided against it last minute and went with this, instead:

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As you all know, I am not one for holiday themed nails and on the drive to the salon, I made the choice to go with black and pink for some sugar and spice. It has been forever since I had black nails and, I have to admit, that my husband’s nails that are always painted black made me jealous! While I do love experimenting with different color combinations, nothing beats the old standby and I think they turned out so cute.

At the polish wall, I was inspired by my new Marc Fisher platforms for the shade of pink that I wanted but I had such a hard time finding black polish. Every shade that I thought was black just ended up being deep purple! Lol, when my tech came over, she showed me where the black polish was hiding and it was in the one spot that I completely overlooked. Whoops!

Because my nail tech is so gifted, I never think that my nails look that bad before my fill but I am amazed at the huge difference when she is done. In fact, I don’t even tell her what I need anymore because she already knows what it is lol. With a little nod to V-Day and a bigger nod to my emo roots, I am obsessed with the end result and seriously can’t stop looking at them. It’s going to take a lot of effort to not have them painted black next time around!

What color of nail polish do you have on? How often do you get your nails done? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah