#AdultLife

Since graduating college and joining the adult work force I have come to be more confident/time efficient in my appearance. I used to think that people would notice if I hadn't washed my hair or that they would care if I wasn't "done up" while out running errands or going to class. These are just a few things that I have come to realize that, since getting a full time job, some things can take a back seat in the morning...

1) Running errands with out any makeup on.

 I used to wear minimal makeup when I had to run errands, and on the occasion I wouldn't wear any (still a little self-conscious). Now I love to take my make up off as soon as I get home from work. As previously stated in my No make-up tag, (go check it out) I enjoy naked face days. And now for a tangent...

 I never have ever purposefully put on make up to go to the gym. Occasionally when in school I went straight from a meeting or class to the gym so I would end up with some make up on, but on those days I brought make up wipes to at least take my foundation off.  When you gym you are just going to sweat it off and lets be real, if you put on make up just to go to the gym who are you trying to impress? Get that work out on and don't pay attention to anyone else girl!

2) Not shaving my legs every day.

As every girl knows winter time is the glorious season where our legs are in hibernation. Minimal shaving, later alarm times in the morning, and lots of pants. But even in the winter I would shave every day. If my boy friend was around and we were hanging out I didn't want to have on capris and look like Chewbacca...not cute. He didn't mind  Now even in the summer I shave every other day and my legs are nice and smooth. I think my legs have grown used to not being shaved every day so my hair doesn't grow as fast (#praisehim). It also allows me to have a few more minutes to do my make up ;)

3) Rocking 2nd day hair.

In college I learned about dry shampoo but I only used it for a texturizer. I have oily hair so I have never been able to go 2-4 days with out washing it, like some of my friends can who have curly or thick hair. It's not until this winter that I was brave enough to attempt real 2nd day hair. During winter my skin and hair is less oily so I thought I had a better chance of it actually looking decent. One cold morning I loaded my hair up with some dry shampoo and let it soak in while doing my make up. When I was done I worked it in and put my hair in a chic top knot. It looked fabulous! I have started to do 2nd day hair about two times a week and while its still only updo's I am proud of my self for trying something new...and giving my hair a break from heat styling.

So there are some things that "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" about anymore (10 points to the house who knows that reference...and this one haha). Growing up has its ups and downs but finding ways to save time while getting ready is totes an up. Try something new in your beauty routine, whether that is 2nd day hair, wearing less or no make up, or even trying that new smokey eye trick you watched a million Youtube videos about. Embrace yourself and rock your self confidence. 

Respectfully

-Elizabeth

The Wonderful World Of Nail Wraps

Well hello there! Very long time no see. I'm only human. July-October is the busiest time of the year for me. For example July 2-8 is back to back family members anniversaries, birthdays, and the BFs birthday (he got a kick ass watch btw!!!). SO needless to say that first week was very full of happiness but also very tiring...and very busy. So. Much. Travel. I wouldn't trade it for the world :)

Today I have something very cool to talk about. The exciting mysteries of nail wraps! About 3-4 years ago ( I think ) I started noticing displays in drugstores about something called nail wraps. Using my awesome context clues I figured out they were basically adult nail stickers. Fast forward about 3-4 years and I have finally tried them! 

I have no idea why it took so long to actually pick a package of these up but I am here to say they are awesome! Very easy to apply and no where near the mess that regular polish can cause. 

About two months ago I was in Walgreens looking at all the Spring/Summer 2014 makeup collections, as you do when you are obsessed with makeup, and I saw some really cute beachy patterns on the nail wraps from Sally Hensen. I picked up a few and for about a month they just sat at my dressing table. Every once and a while I would remember them and think to myself "oh I should try those" but I would chicken out because I thought I didn't have the time. I wouldn't say that these cut your manicure time in half but boy are they much quicker. 

Alright let's get to the good part. Last week I knew I was going to go see my boyfriend at an event he had and then he would be visiting me after (long distance relationships are the pits!). I wanted to do my nails because let's be honest...we all know we feel prettier and sexier if a perfectly executed manicure happens. 

I decided to sit down and try those dang wraps. In my long relationship with youtube I have come across some "How to" videos on the nail wraps but never paid them much attention since I didn't have any and wasn't interested in them. However, when I decided to try them, my brain remembered a video from a youtuber that I enjoy watching. Her name is Leigh Ann from Leighannsays and this is the video that calmed my nerves about the simple process of application. 

You will need: 1 package of nail wraps (any brand will do)

1 soft nail file 

1 wooden dowel 

1 top coat

I followed Leigh Ann's exact process:

 Step 1 clean/shape nails

Step 2 measure and lay out nail wraps to match your finger shape

Step 3 apply wraps (one finger at a time) and smooth out bubbles

Step 4 gently file excess wrap off with soft side of file

Step 5 apply fast drying top coat of your choice

The wraps I picked up were the Sally Hensen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips...too long of a name in my humble opinion. They claim to have a no dry time, (which is true if you don't use a top coat), and that they last up to 10 days. Personally I haven't had them on for 10 days but I can see them lasting that long. I can't remember the style name but they are a super swish (thanks British Youtube slang)  multi green color starfish pattern. 

This is what they looked like right after application. Ok not the best picture but I wasn't planning on doing a blog post about them. I fit the wraps the best I could with minimal gapping. 

Here are what they look like 7 days after application. You can start to see the growth at the cuticle but there is NO chipping or peeling. 

I have only picked up limited edition packages of the wraps so they only come with 12 polish strips, where as the wraps in the regular line come in a box with 16 strips. They also come with a baby nail file and the wooden dowel to smooth out all the bubbles. Since I don't have the dowel I just used my fingers to smooth the wraps out and it worked just fine. For the top coat I used the Sephora Formula X standard top coat and I think it is helping the lasting power as well.

I can honestly say they were no mess and no fuss to use. They are perfect for a full manicure or just as an accent nail...since I don't know anyone who has 12 fingers. 10/10 do recommend. Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer!!!!

Respectfully

-Elizabeth

Sephora / Formula X

Last Friday a new Sephora opened up in our local JC Penny. I cannot contain my excitement... SO EXCITE. Our town has come up in the world! Me and my coworker decided to meet up Friday before work to check out the new hot spot. 

We made not one...but two stops to Sephora that day. The first visit was packed. There were people everywhere! Since it was a new store opening there were staff members brought in from other locations and everyone was friendly. But it felt like we were being a little pressured to take samples we didn't want...first world problems I know. My coworker felt like every time she turned around there was another staff member trying to give her not so great advice about products she wasn't really looking at. Now Im all about great customer service and I understand that it was a grand opening so they wanted to put their best foot forward but it felt a little too forced. The second visit was wonderful. Less crowded and the staff was lovely. I helped my coworker pick out some things that she didn't get the first time around.

A few weeks ago I was visiting my boyfriend and where he lives there is a Sephora also located inside a JC Penny along with a stand alone store in another part of town. While the BF was at work I went to Sephora to see what they had because I hadnt been inside a store in about 2-3 years (shock horror!). There I had the most wonderful experience with a staff member named Sam. She was so helpful, nice, and very personable. It was about an hour and forty-five minutes before closing time when I arrived so I was the only person in the store... and I was there for about an hour and a half haha. Sam and I spent the whole time talking about skincare and she had great product knowledge about most everything in the store! I asked her lots of questions about how to get started with a Sephora because ya girl loves makeup and I think it would be a great career opportunity. 

Recently I took stock of my nail polish stash, Im not saying collection because I don't intentionally collect them, and I noticed I was about out of a base coat (yellow nails are not cute). I did a little research and settled on the Sephora house brand of nail polish Formula X for my planned purchase at the grand opening. 

Top row: Nail Cleanser, Base Coat, Top Coat

Bottom row: Fahrenheit, Riotous, Super Sonic, Chaotic 

I purchased the Formula X The System starter kit. Hearing so many wonderful things about these polishes that I thought I might as well try the kit out.  It retails for $32 and comes with a nail cleanser, base coat, top coat and one polish of your choice. My polish of choice was Fahrenheit along with the black and white glitter. I decided to step out of the box and get a red, since I don't wear a lot of red and this is a blue based which I feel looks better on me. The glitter is beautiful! It has long stick glitters, hexagon glitters, and regular small dot glitters.  

The kelly green and magenta polish were purchased on a different day. They are the colors I currently have on my nails. When I got home that Friday I layered the glitter on top of the red and it looked very classy. The polishes apply very smooth and opaque with no streaking. I didn't keep the red polish on because I was to anxious to try the other colors. Im testing the staying power of the polish right now with Riotous on my left hand and Super Sonic on my right hand. 

Supposedly if you use the system it should extend your polish life to a week to two weeks with very minimal chipping. I normally only keep my polish on two to three days (I like color) but I am going to see how long this will last. I have had this polish on for about 2 days so I will update you guys with wearing time later. So far I am really loving the system and the polishes. I have yet to try the system with polishes other than Formula X colors so I am interested to see if it prolongs the wear of those polishes as well.

Respectfully 

-Elizabeth

SO MUCH LOVE!