Mani's & Pedi's!

Class started for me this week, and I finally have a little time to blog! Before I got back to my apartment at college, my mom and I went and got our nails and toes done. This time, we went to a salon that had the OPI Axxium Shellac, opposed to the CND Shellac. I honestly think that the OPI Shellac is WAY better. I have had 3 CND Shellac manicures before, and only one left me "impressed." The others started lifting between 7-10 days. I know they are only supposed to last for two weeks...but seriously. I'm going on two weeks now with the OPI Axxium, there is not a chip in sight and they are still super shiny. OH, AND OPI HAS *TONS* OF COLORS TO CHOOSE FROM....unlike CND Shellac!

That's my nails right after I got them done. They STILL look like that except obviously there is some growth between my nail and cuticle. I'm not sure the name of that color, because the salon I went to had swatches and a numbering system...so that was just color #37 to me. 

Oh, and I also got my toes done. I apologize for my sandy toes, but I had just gotten home from the beach! This color is OPI Designer Series in Extravagence. Love it!

I'm pretty sure I have the littlest toe nails EVER. 

Have you had Shellac Manicures? What are you experiences?

Sephora & Ulta Haul.

I recently went to Sephora with my mom, so I had to take full advantage of that seeing she is also a product hoarder just like myself....and I wonder where I get it from?

Products from Sephora:

• NARS Blush in Orgasm
• NARS Blush in Oasis
• NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliner in Via Appia
• Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eyeliner in Crash
• Urban Decay Eyeshadow in YDK

NARS Orgasm (left) & NARS Oasis (right)

The other makeup products shown are from the Cargo Mediterranean Collection, which is a GREAT deal. You get a blush (Mendocino--gorgeous!), eyeshadow duo, full sized mascara, lipgloss and eyeliner for about $34. The blush alone retails between $26-30! Cargo blushes are amazing. I think I like them even better than NARS blushes (whoa, did I just say that?). I'm going to invest in some more blushes by them ASAP. I go through phases where I'll buy lipstick, or eyeshadow...I think I am officially in my "obsessed with blush" phase. 

The hair products I purchased at Ulta. The can is Big Sexy Hair Volumizing Dry Shampoo and Powder Play. Powder Play is a hair texturizer that adds volume. Both products are repurchases for me. I also picked up Batiste Dry Shampoo, which I thought they only sold in Europe! I was wrong. It's also another great dry shampoo, and a lot cheaper than the Big Sexy Hair one. 

Hope I gave you some shopping ideas!

Remington T-Studio Curling Wand.

This is my recent obsession!! I have seen a lot of tutorials on YouTube with girls using the ConAir Curling Wand. Now that my hair has grown out from an angled bob completely, I decided to finally pick a curling wand up.

The wand has a "ceramic pearl finish" which is supposed to offer the smoothest possible finish. I find this to be true, my hair is way less frizzy (especially the next day) than when I have used a regular curling iron. It also includes a heat protectant glove, which I find to be worthless. It's too big and bulky to curl hair with.  The wand heats up to 410 degrees. I usually curl my hair in the high 300s. The best thing about curling your hair with this, is that it lasts for a couple days. I like my curls even more the next day...plus it keeps the shine along with it. It's also very fast to use, it probably takes me 15-20 minutes to do my entire head. After I'm done, I spray my head with hair spray and tousle the curls to separate them a bit.

I paid $25 for this baby, which is $5 cheaper than the ConAir one. I definitely recommend it!

Shellac Manicures.

Shellac manicures have become very popular over the past year. Benefits of Shellac include: a no chip manicure that lasts for two weeks and stronger/healthier nails once the Shellac is removed. I have had 3 Shellac manicures so far, but I cannot for the life of me find a milky pink color. Every time I pick out a color, it ends up being really sheer. This is my current Shellac manicure, and the color I picked was a lighter pink (in the bottle).

The downside of Shellac is that they really don't have many colors to choose from, and I am the type of person who likes bright and fun colors. My Shellac manicures have all last about two weeks, and they really do make my nails a lot stronger when I take it off. It is nice to have a lighter/neutral color on the nail, because then it is not as noticeable once the nails start growing out. Most people go to a salon to get their Shellac taken off, but I've always just peeled mine off at home. I know some salons charge to take it off, which I think is ridiculous if you got the manicure done there. 

Other than not being able to find the perfect shade of milky pink, overall I have been pretty satisfied with my Shellac manicures. If you know of any good light pink colors for Shellac, please let me know!