First Impression: Maybelline's The Rocket Mascara

Have you tried Maybelline's new The Rocket mascara? It's been 90 days since I opened my last tube of mascara, so it was time to get a fresh one. I've heard such wonder reviews about this product that I had to try it myself.  

It comes in "Washable" or "Waterproof" formulas. I chose the Washable version, due to the fact that eye makeup remover tends to make wearing my contacts very difficult. If I can avoid using it, I do. 

It also comes in Blackest Black, Brownish Black and Very Black. The one I purchased is Blackest Black. The best part was that it was less than $6 at Walmart on sale!

Normally, I like my mascara to have a curved brush similar to Maybelline's Falsies. This brush is rubber similar to Cover Girl's Clump Crusher, but it's not curved. To me, The Rocket is a great combination of these two mascaras. It separates my lashes as did Falsies, but it adds fantastic volume as well. The wand glides through my lashes without clumping too. My lashes look amazing! It also wore all day without flaking off. 

I can't speak to smudging, as I didn't use it on my lower lash line yet. The formula is washable, but it doesn't come right off. I use a somewhat gentle cleanser, so I work it into my lashes and let it sit for a few second to remove it. 

If you've been thinking about trying it, GO FOR IT! I highly recommend it!! 

What's your favorite mascara?

Hairspray Review

Hairspray is a necessity for me. I wish they all lived up to their claims though. These are some of the things I want out of a hairspray:

• Should add shine
• Doesn't make my hair hard or stiff
• Doesn't flake
• Provides a flexible hold (on days that I wear my hair down)
• Must smell nice & not be overpowering

I recently purchased the Vidal Sassoon Flexible Hold Hairspray from their relaunched line in drugstores. Back in the day, I used their shampoo & loved how it smelled.  I wish I could still say that. I'm having a hard time truly testing this hairspray due to its horrible scent. It literally smells like an airplane bathroom! 

So far, my favorite hairspray is by Suave...yes, Suave! I love the Suave Professionals Touchable Finish Extra Hold spray. It has a light scent & holds my hair all day without making it stiff, dull or flaky. It doesn't build up & brushes out easily, so second day hair isn't weighed down from it. 

For those rare days that I wear my hair up, I like a stronger hold hairspray. Right now, I have Pantene Stylers Anti-humidity hairspray with Maximum Hold. It holds my hair well, doesn't flake or dull my hair, and I love the smell.

What's your favorite hairspray? 

MOTW 7/15/2013 - Glittery French (UPDATED for Interview)

I wanted to share this short lived mani with you before I took it off. It only stayed on for 2 days. Although I loved it, I felt it wasn't conservative enough for interviewing. 

It's Sinful Colors in White & Heavy Metal, Milani in Silver and Wet n Wild's Fergie polish in New Years Kiss. It was super easy to do. This white polish was one of the best I've used. I did my tips freehand, but you can use tape to do the tips if you feel more comfortable.

Here's what I changed it to this:

I used Wet n Wild's Tickled Pink. Love this polish!!

What do you think of this look? Do you think it matters what's on your nails when interviewing? 

Random thoughts:

• The next time you go to Dollar Tree, be on the lookout for Sinful Colors & Milani nail polishes. I found them both here, but they're packaged. Holla for a dollar!!
• Did you know that Dollar General is not a "dollar store"? Their merchandise isn't all a dollar each. I think they need to change the name. ;)

MYTH: You Get What You Pay For (Nail Polish Edition)

Hi! Just wanted to share this with you. It's nice to share products that live up to their claims, but sometimes I feel it necessary to let you know about some that don't & aren't worth the money. I don't always agree with the saying "You get what you pay for".  Some things are inexpensive while others at a low price are just cheap...there is a difference. This is so true when it comes to nail polish. 

I received a free bottle of Ulta's nail polish with their reward points program.  Although I received it for free, it's regularly sold for $6.

Here's what I have to say about it:

I used the same base & top coats I always do too. Sinful Colors usually lasts me a week. For $6 I can get three bottles of Sinful Colors + tax!

On a side note, I really hear my NY accent in this video! LOL

Sale Info: e.l.f. is on sale on Haute Look starting today! Their brushes are great! Get you some!!

Finding a Hairstylist in a New Town

You just moved to a new town & need a trim...really bad...but you don't want to take the risk of going to a new salon with hairstylists you know nothing about. This was my reality when we moved from New York to Texas. I lived in NY for so long that it was so easy to find someone I knew or who knew someone who did hair well. That said, I hadn't given finding a stylist that much thought until our move. I made a few mistakes in my search for a hairstylist, but I now know what to look for in a quality salon & its hairstylists. Here are some tips to find a quality salon to keep you lovin' your locks.

For more information about donating
to Locks of Love, click this image. 

When we moved, I was in the process of growing my hair out to donate to Locks of Love. Why is this important? My hair was really simple...no layers. So, I just needed my side swept bangs & ends trimmed. I didn't think it mattered where I went. How bad could someone screw up my hair? I found out the hard way.

What I Knew
I learned a lot on my quest to find a good hairstylist. First, each area has different salons. In NY, we had salons in which stylists were either employees or rented space. As a customer, you didn't know the arrangements unless you asked. You'd go to a salon based on a reference. There were a few salon chains offering inexpensive cuts but not many. I then learned about the different types of salons here, in Texas, that I will describe.

There are several different business models for hair salons. Here's how I classified them:

• Chop Shops: In the Dallas suburb I live in now, there are a lot of what I like to call "chop shops". They're inexpensive chain salons that welcome walk-ins & offer services a la carte. Communication is important when you're explaining how you want your hair to look, so this can be problematic when the stylists don't speak English as their first language. Right before my nephew's wedding, I went in for a trim. My bangs were butchered! When I expressed my dissatisfaction, I was literally laughed at by the stylist...no apology. It appeared as they have no vested interest in producing happy customers.

Pro: Pricing is affordable. Being that every service is sold a la carte, I recommend these places for kids to get a trim. Mostly for girls with straight hair that's all one length. It's unrealistic to expect little ones to sit in the chair longer than 20 minutes.
Con: Enter at your own risk.

• Suite Salons: There are hair salons that are like office suites. Each stylist has their own fully functional salon room within the suite. They each have their own phone line & maintain their own appointment books. I used a stylist at one of these salons & didn't feel she cut my hair properly. There were missed pieces that I didn't realize until I got home. The first time I went to her, she owned her own salon. I had reached my goal to donate my hair & couldn't take it one more day, so I went to her salon on a whim. That cut wasn't bad, so I gave her another chance. By then, she had moved to one of these suites.  I never went back.

Pro: Because you're in a private room, you have lots of privacy.
Con: The person cutting your hair is not responsible to anyone but themselves. You're not guaranteed  that your stylist participates in continuing education.

• Rent-A-Chair: This type of salon offers stylists the opportunity to rent the space they use within the salon. This business model is very similar to the Suite Salon. Some may or may not rally their stylists & provide continuing education. 

Pro: You can see what the other stylists are capable of if you aren't pleased with yours.
Con: You're not guaranteed that your stylist participates in continuing education.

• Quality Salons: These salons don't just put their stylists on the floor & hope for the best. They refer to their stylists as their "team" and believe in team development. Continuing education is mandatory for all team members, in order to maintain a high level of quality. Hair trends are constantly changing, & with continuous education, stylists can better meet their clients' requests. Although the services may be more pricey than those described above, the salon & its stylists have invested a lot of time in enhancing their skills to make your experience a positive one. If your budget doesn't allow for a top stylist, ask for one of the newer junior stylists. They're subject to the same standards & education as the senior stylists but lack the experience. Prices are usually based on experience within this type of salon.

In hindsight, I should have looked for a salon with the same qualities & standards as a friend's quality salon back in Pomona, NY. It would have saved me a lot of time & aggravation. Click here to see their website. It demonstrates all elements of a quality salon.

I finally found the salon I go to now by looking online. I used Google Maps to look for salons near our new home. Then, only considered those with websites. Websites can provide valuable information, such as a salon's stylists' training, continuing education, services offered, etc. When I found one that provides its stylists with opportunities to participate in hair shows & education, I knew it was the one for me.

One thing I've learned is that we all have certain things in our lives that we'll splurge on. Some women will buy Hanes & refuse to splurge on Victoria's Secret. Some have no problem going to a "Chop Shop" for a trim, while others won't dye their hair using a boxed dye. We all need to do what's right for us.

Lastly, a crucial tip I have for my readers is...be realistic. Bring a picture of the look you want, but make sure it suits your face & hair's texture. I hope post was helpful in your quest finding a hairstylist &/or salon  that meets your needs if/when you need one.

*This post is based solely on my experiences & perception. It is not meant to bash anyone. I have nothing but respect for hairstylists who chose a career to help others feel good about themselves. 

Keep 'Em Hanging - A Quick Tip

When my husband & I bought our first home, the master closet was a reach-in. It was the same size as the one I had in the home I grew up in...S-M-A-L-L!  I installed a closet organizer, but it wasn't enough. My goal was to have all of my clothes in one closet.

I gave these a shot:

They're hangers covered in a suede-like material that are noticeably thinner than plastic or wooden hangers. They've saved me a considerable amount of space. The best part is that you can hang anything on them without worrying about finding your clothes on the floor. Because of their design, they're suitcase-friendly too!

When you do laundry, you can hang wet garments on them without the hanger's color transferring onto your clothes.  So, you can order them any of the fun colors they offer & don't have to worry about ruining your clothes. I don't put a lot of clothes in the dryer & use them to hang my size small tops & my husband's extra larges. 

Being that it's that time of year when many high school graduates are preparing to go off to college &  they're spending the summer collecting dorm necessities, I thought it was the perfect time to share this. Space is so limited in dorm rooms...not to mention the tiny closets they have.

These are called Huggable Hangers and are available on HSN & HSN.com. Some products from the TV shopping channels really are worth ordering. These hangers are one of them.  Be on the lookout, as they sometimes have closet organizing kits available which is what I purchased. These hangers are a "must have" in my home. My closet has never looked more organized! 

*This post not sponsored by HSN. I purchased the product described above myself.

25 Things You Don't Know About Me (TAG)

I came across this TAG & thought it would be fun! Here's a list of 25 things you don't know about me. 

1. When I was a kid, I always wished I had a sister. I'm the only girl on my mother's side (I have one brother & 13 male cousins). Having a sister would have meant I'd always have someone to play with. 
2. I'm actually pretty shy.
3. I love to sing, but my shyness prevents me from singing karaoke alone.
4. My favorite color is green. It's the color of grass that is always growing. I believe that, like grass,  I'm always growing.
5. As a kid, I was diagnosed with what doctors thought was a seizure disorder & was on medication for several years.
6. I got my driver license at 17 because of #5.  
   
7. I'm a home body. 
8. I absolutely have to make my bed every day.
9. I wasn't allowed to play sports as a kid.
10. At the age of 36, I pierced my navel.   
11. My maternal grandmother pierced my ears the old fashioned way with a needle & thread. They're not even. It wasn't obvious until I went to do my second holes, so I only put a second hole in my left ear.
12. I grew up in a kosher home for the first 10 years of my life.
13. I hoard nail polish.
14. I don't need to always be right. I just want the correct information. There's a big difference. 
15. I don't have any tattoos...yet.
16. I'm a giver not a taker. Asking someone to do something for me is very difficult. 
17. I like to play golf, but I'm not good at it.
18. I was allergic to gold as a kid & could only wear surgical steel (aka stainless steel) earrings.
19. My biggest fear is fire.
20. I wasn't into Sex & the City when it first aired. Now, I watch it whenever it's on & can't get enough.
21. I only shop in stores that sell pants & dresses in petite sizes, because I'm just under 5'4".
22. My favorite store is NY & Company.
23. My favorite discount store is Ross.
24. When we lived in NY, I would only go to gas stations that had attendants.
25. I finally understand that forgiveness means letting go of the hurt & pain. It doesn't mean that what caused the hurt & pain is accepted or okay. It just means that you're no longer carrying it with you. 

What's one thing that no one knows about you that you're willing to share? Please comment below.

UPDATE: Hair Product Update

Recently, I posted about summer hair care products. I wanted to give a quick update on the Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray (that's a mouthful!) pictured below. (If you would like to read my summer hair care post, please click here.) 

I used it again today and had great results! Sometimes with new products I either use too much or not enough to get the desired results. My hair has beachy waves and doesn't look wet at all. Plus, it's wavy with absolutely no frizz, and it's literally 102 degrees here. Score!!

I highly recommend this product if you're looking for an easy, inexpensive way to get that beachy look. 

FYI: There's only a few days left to participate the nail polish poll (it's on the right)!!

MOTW - 6/25/13 More Fun with Tape

I am having so much fun with scotch tape nail art! It's so easy which is why I love it! The hardest part is deciding on a design.

Here's what I used this week:

From left to right: Snow Me White, Starfish, Kaleidoscope,
Orly Bonder & Seche Vite

I started painting my nails like this. Usually I do only one accent nail, but I went with two this week.

Before the tape. Do 2 coats of polish on each nail & apply a quick drying top coat.
Wait 15-20 minutes & apply tape to form your design. 

This is the end result! 

My Left Hand

My Right Hand

To see another scotch tape nail art post, please click here. That previous post has more specific information if you need it.

What's on your nails this week? Don't forget to vote in my nail polish poll to the right!!

Random thought of the day: I walked two miles in the Texas heat today! Get your fitness on!!! You'll be happy you did!!

Summer Hair Care

Summer is my favorite time of the year! It unofficially arrives pretty early here in Texas too! We don't even need to heat the pools, and it's only mid-June! I have a love-hate relationship with the sun. I love the color it gives me but hate what it can do to my hair. The sun and chlorine combined can do some major damage...especially if you color your hair like I do. Add humidity to that and you have a calendar  full of bad hair days! Here are some products that have helped me. I hope you find this information useful.

I have been using this duo for about a month now.  It's the Color Vibrancy Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner by L'Oreal. I only shampoo 3-4 times each week but don't want my color to fade. In the shower, I wash my hair first. Then, I apply the conditioner, clip my hair up and continue my shower. The last thing I do is rinse out my conditioner. I find that this particular conditioner doesn't weigh my hair down. My hair feels healthier than ever, and my color really is more vibrant.

L'Oreal's Color Vibrancy Shampoo & Conditioner

Then, one of my 3-4 shampoos is followed by a deep conditioner. The one in my shower at the moment is by Vidal Sassoon. It's a one minute repair mask. It's ok, but I don't see as much of a difference as I did with the Biofusion. For more information about it, click here.  

Vidal Sassoon's One Minute Mask

Most days I dry my hair with my hair dryer to smooth it out. Before any heat styling, I always use a heat protectant. The only other product I use sometimes besides hair spray is a shine spray. I find that the more styling products I use the more my hair gets weighed down and unmanageable. 

TRESemmé Heat Protectant & Shine Spray

@lisaalonso23 glad we're protecting your hair & keeping it shiny! Thanks for the write-up! :) #HairHug

— TRESemmé (@TRESemme) June 27, 2013

Summer heat and humidity can also make blow drying my hair so unappealing. That said, I try to let my hair air dry whenever I can. In the past few years, my hair texture has changed dramatically. It's gone from pretty straight to very wavy and somewhat curly. I recently picked up a sea salt spray to tame my waves/curls and love it! The only minor complaint I have is that it gives my hair a wet look after it's dry. My hair dryer doesn't have a diffuser to remedy this. (I have a Rusk Speed Freak dryer, so if you know of where I can pick up a diffuser for it, please let me know.) 

Not Your Mother's Sea Salt Spray

What are your summer hair products and/or tips? Please leave them in a comment below. 

If you haven't taken my nail polish poll yet, what are you waiting for? Giveaways to come!!

Please follow by e-mail and click the share button to share this blog with your Facebook friends too!

Random Thought of the Day: Sleep is one of the best beauty products

How To Remove Glitter Nail Polish

Glitter polish is fun to wear until you have to remove it. If you'd like to know an easy, fool-proof way to take it off, read on.

All you need are:

1. Cotton balls
2. Aluminum foil (2 inches x 2 inches each)
3. Polish remover that contains acetone
4. Cuticle oil or something to return moisture to your nails and cuticles (I use argan oil)

Step 1: 

I use the large cotton balls, so I unroll them and split them in half. Then, fold up one half and saturate it with polish remover. Place the saturated cotton ball on your nail.

Step 2:

Take one piece of aluminum foil, and wrap your nail to keep the cotton ball in place. Do the same for all nails that have glitter polish on them. Relax for 5-10 minutes. The amount of time depends on how much glitter you have on your nails. 

Step 3:

Remove the aluminum foil and the cotton ball. The polish should be completely gone. If some remains, use the cotton ball the remove whatever is there. Acetone tends to be a little drying.  To combat this, gently rub some cuticle oil on each nail and your cuticles. 

Helpful Tips:

• If you plan to give yourself a new manicure, wash your hands well after the cuticle oil is absorbed. This will help your new polish adhere to your nails properly. If you don't, you run the risk of your nail polish chipping and/or peeling.
• This is not recommended for young children. The acetone in the remover can be absorbed through the skin. (How can you tell? You will smell it on your breath.) 

What's your favorite drugstore nail polish brand? Please take the poll.

Questions or comments? Please leave them below by clicking on Post a Comment.

Thanks for visiting my blog!

MOTW - 6/2/2013 Nail Art Using Tape Tutorial

I tried a new technique for nail art. Well, it's new to me. I used scotch tape to get the look below. It's really easy, and all you need in addition to polish is the tape and some time.

Here's what you'll need:

• Base Coat (I used Orly Bonder)
• Base Color (I used Sinful Colors in Sunburnt - a gorgeous burnt orange)
• Accent Color (I used Sinful Colors in All About You - a gold glitter)
• Fast drying top coat (I used Seche's Seche Vite)
• Scotch Tape

How to do a tape manicure: 

1. Get your tape ready by breaking off pieces larger than your nails and applying them to your palm 3-4 times. This will get rid of a lot of the stickiness to avoid lifting your base color. Then, stick the tape on the end of your table or counter until you're ready to use it. For triangle shapes, use two pieces.
2. Apply your base coat.
3. Apply your base color and let dry for 10-15 minutes.
4. Apply fast drying top coat and let dry for 20 minutes.
5. Once your nails are dry, apply the tape to create the shape(s) you want to make using the accent color. Make sure to press the edges down for clean lines. Do one nail at a time.
6. Apply your accent color and make sure to go over the tape to ensure coverage.
7. Carefully and slowly remove the tape.
8. Let dry for 10-15 minutes, so you don't smudge your design.
9. Apply another layer of fast drying top coat, and you're done! Easy, right?

Here's my finished product:

Please show me how you recreate this if you're on Instagram by tagging me @lisaalonso23. Can't wait to see the designs you come up with!

What's on your nails this week? Please leave questions and/or comments below. Have a great week!

Mani of the Week - 5/25/13

I'm back!! The exam is over, and I passed!! Hard work really does pay off. It's been a few weeks since I've had time to sit down and pamper myself. It felt wonderful! Doing my nails is relaxing knowing all of my responsibilities have been met. Here's a pic of this week's mani.

It reminds me of a French manicure but with dots. All you need for this look are dotting tools that you can pick up at a craft store. 

If you'd like to know what I used to get this look, please leave a comment below. 

What's on your nails this week?

Random May 2013 Favorites

Hi! I'm taking a little study break and thought I'd share a couple of products that I'm so in love with.  Living in a somewhat dry climate, my skin was starting to get pretty dry. I was using Laura Geller's Balance & Brighten. The convenience and quality of this product is unparalleled. However, it's in a powder form, so I figured a cream foundation would be more moisturizing. That led me to Benefit's Some Kind-a Gorgeous foundation. I loved the way it looked, but it broke me out. Rimmel's Lasting Finish Foundation was up next. I loved it! It's affordable and  provided the coverage I need, plus it lasted all day. To set it I used a large powder brush with a light dusting of the Balance & Brighten.

Rimmel's BB Cream with
Broad Spectrum 25 SPF

Then, Rimmel put out their BB Cream. I've been using it for a over a month and love it! My skin is no longer dry, and the product doesn't break me out. It's a little thicker than their Lasting Finish Foundation, but I think the color of the BB Cream matches my skintone a bit better.  Now I no longer feel the need to use a primer. It provides enough moisture without being greasy too. If you're looking to try a BB Cream but don't want to spend a lot of money, I recommend starting with this product. A light dusting of the Balance & Brighten is used over this too.

The next product is a dry shampoo. One of the benefits of growing older is that your skin produces less oil. That said, I now shampoo my hair every other day to help maintain my color and reduce heat styling. It also saves time in the morning. The only downfall is that my second day hair tends to get flat. Usually, I spritz it with a mixture of water with some of Wen's Sweet Almond Mint Replenishing Mist. Then, I use the blowdryer to restyle and lift the hair at the root.

Garnier Fructis
Volume Extend
Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoos tend to be for lighter hair, so I shied away from them. I saw a review about Garnier's new dry shampoo, bought it and have been using it for a couple of weeks. It's fantastic! It disappears into my hair, smells nice without being overwhelming and provides my hair with great body. I spray it at the roots, rub it in and brush through. Then, I do a quick all over spray and brush again. To restyle I just roll my hair around some large velcro rollers, and leave them in while I apply my makeup. The result is voluminous hair that's not weighed down.

I filmed a quick video to show you my second day hair.

What new products have you tried lately? Did you like them? Please leave me a comment below.

*I purchased the above products and have not been paid to review them.  

3/18/2013 Mani of the Week

No blog post last week, because I've been super busy with school work and studying. More content to come once I finish with school and take my certification exam. 

There are so many gorgeous Spring colors out now!! Walgreens had Sinful Colors on sale, so I couldn't resist buying four bottles of polish from their new display of Spring pastels!! In the past, I didn't purchase pastel polish, as it had a tendency to go on streaky.  I'm happy to say that I had no problems applying this one! Check it out!

Sinful Colors in Sweet Tooth

It looks similar to another lavender shade I have, but this one is softer.  Loved it so much that I put it on my toes too!

What's on your nails this week?

3/4/2013 Mani of the Week

This week I used a soft metallic pink with a shimmery silver polish on two accent nails.  Although I like my mani this week, I don't love it.  After applying two coats, it's a lot softer than it appears in the bottle. It has a platinum shimmer that makes it difficult to accurately photograph.  In the pic below it looks like the polish didn't apply evenly, but it did. 

If you would like to know the polishes I used to get this look, please leave a comment below.  What's on your nails this week?

2/25/2013 Mani of the Week

Fun with polka dots! This is one of my favorite colors from OPI called Give Me Moor! It looks nice alone, but I couldn't resist playing with some nail art.

If you would like the details regarding what I used to get this look, please leave a comment below.

What's on your nails this week?

2/17/2013 - Mani of the Week

Couldn't wait for Spring to wear this pretty pastel green. If you'd like to know the colors and brands I used to get this look, please leave a comment below.

What's on your nails this week?

One of the Scariest Words...Change

Although this is a blog directed at beauty, I feel that when we're happy we tend to see the beauty in things more clearly.  Too often, we let life and the people in our lives dictate how we live making it difficult to be truly happy. You know, that true happiness you feel way down deep that makes you smile for no particular reason. 

It's so easy to become complacent and get stuck in daily routines. Just know, that if you're not truly happy, you can change that. You can. Your change doesn't have to be as drastic as moving half way across the country, but there are many aspects of our lives we can change. All you need to do to work toward your happiness is to take the first step. 

Friends & Family

For some of you the first step may mean walking away from those people in your lives who just aren't "for" you. Those people who would rather tear you down than build you up are toxic plain and simple. They add nothing good to your life. The more you hear that negative noise the less you'll hear the positivity. If you cannot completely cut those toxic people out of your life (i.e., family members), maintain limited contact. Then, make sure to surround yourself with really good friends who love and support you.

Work Life

After leaving two careers behind and swearing off ever returning to school after completing graduate school, I found myself lost professionally after making the move from New York to Texas. What made me more lost was that I was the CED (Chief Executive Diva) of our home for several years. The move, however, gave me the courage to try things that I never thought I would enjoy doing.  The act of stepping out of my comfort zone to try new things felt liberating. What was the worst that could happen?  I met some great people and some who were down right awful, but I opened the door to new experiences. It became apparent that I had to choose another career path and get on it. With an open mind (a key component to change), I went to the local community college to find out about a new career. Many community colleges have continuing education programs that are much cheaper than degree-oriented programs. They're for adults looking to change careers and give you what you need to make that change. I'm now on a different path in healthcare than I was before and am excited about it. Yes, excited! I fell into it while looking into a different path too. If you're not happy in your professional life, it may be time to look into other paths to find one that makes you happier. Go to your local community college and ask about career change assistance. It's a great first step.

Appearance

Sometimes a change in appearance gives one the confidence they need. Think about this question. If you're not wearing the same clothes you were 20 years ago, why would you keep the same hairstyle or makeup routine? Pick up some hairstyle magazines and find some styles you like. Bring those pictures to your hairstylist, and ask his/her opinion as to which one suits you best. Hair is an accessory that should be changed and updated every few years. As for makeup, YouTube has some great tutorials on how to do today's looks. Play around with colors and techniques to find yourself a new look. Even subtle changes in your makeup can make you feel good when you walk out the door.

If you are wearing clothes from 20 years ago, maybe you need to update your wardrobe a little. Some people are great at putting outfits together and some are not. If you're in the "not" category, go to several stores and use your phone to take pictures of the mannequins dressed in outfits you'd like to wear. Then, copy them. A small change in how you present yourself can also be a great first step.

Working toward change starts with one step. Change can be scary and risky, but it's so worth it when its results bring you happiness. With only one shot at living life, give yourself a chance to take the risk at being happy. You're worth it. 

The world needs more women for women.  ~Lisa Gootman Alonso

2/10/2013 Mani of the Week

Pink, hearts and glitter for Valentine's Day! This is a little later than my usual weekly posts due to lots of schoolwork.  Doing my nails each week has been like therapy. It gives me something else to temporarily focus on and relieve some stress.

If you want to know the colors I used or an easy way to make hearts, please leave a comment below.

What's on your nails this week?

2/3/2013 Mani of the Week

A quick mani for this week. A pretty dark green, but this pic doesn't do it justice.  

It looks so much nicer in person.

I'm trying to change it up a bit by using colors I haven't worn before.

What's on your nails this week? 

If you'd like to know the name & brand of this polish, please leave a comment below.

1/27/2013 Mani of the Week

This week I chose a gorgeous gray polish with holographic glitter. I'm so in love with this color!!

In person, the glitter is very subtle.  Please leave a comment below if you would like to know which polishes I used to get this look.  You should try it!! You'll love it!!

What's on your nails this week?

1/21/2013 Mani of the Week

I'm loving this purple! It's slightly metallic, so I did my ring fingers in a light silver with 

silver glitter over it.

If you'd like to know the exact colors I used, please post a comment below.

What's on your nails this week?

1/13/2013 Mani of the Week

For this week's mani I used nails inc. polish that my husband got me for the holidays. He got me two sets of minis...the Neon & Nude Collection and the Autumn Winter Collection. I can't wait to try them all!!

nails inc. in Jermyn St

I love doing an accent nail, so this week I did both ring fingers. To get this design, I used craft paint in two colors, different sized dotting tools and topped it with Luxe & Lush by China Glaze. The colors used were inspired by one of my sweaters.

What's on your nails this week? Please comment below.

1/4/2013 Mani of the Week

I've been so excited to use this pretty blue polish! The main color is Cinderella. I then used two glitter polishes, Queen of Beauty and Frenzy, on my ring fingers. Cinderella is an icy, light blue with a subtle shimmer. Queen of Beauty is silver glitter, and Frenzy is a pretty combination of purple and light 

blue glitter.

Pastels are going to be hot this Spring, so this icy blue will still be on trend. Here's a pic of all three Sinful Colors polishes.

From Right to Left: Cinderella, Queen of Beauty, Frenzy

What's on your nails this week?

Special Edition: Influenster Holiday VoxBox 2012 Review

I recently received the 2012 Holiday VoxBox from Influenster full of items for review. Here's a pic of the swag.

The Goody Quikstyle Brush Half Round Styler looked so interesting that I had to try it first. With the microfiber in it, I really thought it would give my hair a lot of static. It didn't. I actually liked it. It didn't break my hair and grabbed it with enough tension to straighten it while drying. Being that I don't always flat iron my hair, I love a good blowout. This brush helped dry my hair a little faster and helped style it. I like that I can get good results without using a metal brush. After using it, the microfiber dried quickly too. If you have long hair that takes a long time to dry, I recommend giving this brush a try. 

I'm all about eating healthy carbs, and I LOVE oatmeal.  I always have a large cylinder of Quaker Oats in my pantry, so I was excited to try the Quaker Real Medleys Oatmeal. I received the Cherry Pistachio flavor.  It was delicious!! If you're trying to get your kids to eat healthy, sneak this into their diets for breakfast. It's chewy, crunchy and sweet. If you're an adult watching your weight, I recommend the original Quaker Oats and adding fresh berries and cinnamon to it. Real Medleys is 290 calories for 1/2 cup and has added brown sugar.  With the original, you control the sugar and is only 150 per 1/2 cup. 

I love trying new lip products! I had the opportunity to try a NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine in a pretty nude color called Nude York City. It lives up to its claims. It's not sticky and leaves my lips really soft. Nude York City is a sparkly nude. First my first wearing I wore it alone and could feel it on my lips for a few hours, but I couldn't see much of the color. I'm curious to try darker colors to see if they last longer. It also had a nice scent and didn't migrate. It's a keeper!

Sole Society is an online shoe store that has some really cool styles. My biggest problem is that I like so many of their styles that I can't decide which ones to order! They included an offer for $25 off my first purchase. The best part of this offer is that I'm allowed to share it with my friends!! If you're interested, please let me know. I love to share! 

Stay tuned, because I have three products left to try and review. Also included in the VoxBox are EBOOST, Kiss Nail Dress and a Montagne Jeunesse Face Mask.

I also want to wish you all a very happy new year!! I hope the coming year is better than the last. May you find all that you're looking for. My goal for this year to continue to focus on the positive and be the best me I can be. xo

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