Happy Halloween everyone! I realize not all my readers celebrate the holiday but thought it would be nice to put together a collage of different Halloween nail designs that I discovered on Pinterest that I really liked. They are creative and inspirational, hope you enjoy my Halloween picks!
I especially love all the designs with the glitter. It isn’t a true holiday without that extra sparkle! ;)
[Which design do you love most?]
I recently ran out of all my body washes around the same time and I wanted to look for something new. I actually have been using bar soaps more often these days (specifically from The Body Shop, the coconut is my favorite), partially due to the body wash shortage and I just have been liking soaps much better lately. However, regardless, I like to switch it up so I’m not using the same thing every day, so variety is key. I just discovered Thymes Agave Nectar Body Wash and LOVE it!
A few months back, I wrote about another Agave Nectar product I discovered so it was nice to find another one to my liking. It has a light citrus scent and I especially love it being it’s an all-natural product and free from harsh chemicals (such as sodium laurel sulfate).
More specifically, they describe this scent (which is categorized in their citrus category):
“VIBRANT, SPARKLING AND JUICY, CITRUS NOTES ARE MADE BY EXTRACTING THE ESSENTIAL OILS OF SUN-RIPENED FRUITS, SUCH AS LEMONS, GRAPEFRUIT, LIME, MANDARIN AND NEROLI.”
This is my new favorite body wash and I definitely want to try out other products by Thymes in the future.
[Do you have any favorite all natural shower products that you would like to share?]
With the concept of airbrush makeup becoming increasingly more popular, I wanted to discuss this topic in further detail along with what airbrush machine I’m currently using.
In terms of the longevity of the makeup (specifically focusing on the foundation application, although other aspects of the makeup can be airbrushed such as eye shadow, blush, etc), I think the biggest misconception is that airbrush makeup lasts longer throughout the day. From a professional standpoint, this is not necessarily the case. The longevity of makeup truly varies from person-to-person and is going to be most heavily determined by the skin preparation and the actual foundation used, NOT the application of the product. By skin preparation, I am referring to a good face primer, which I use prior to ALL foundation application–both traditional and airbrush. With airbrush makeup, a lot of companies say that their airbrush foundations do not even require a primer or a powder to set, but I’m a makeup traditionalist at heart, so there is no way I’m going to ever skip a face primer or face powder. Keep in mind that face primer and setting powder are both forms of makeup insurance to help ensure the makeup will last the entire day.
So, if the longevity isn’t enhanced by the use of an airbrush machine, are there are any significant differences between these methods of makeup application?
In terms of the actual amount of product being used, airbrush makeup is MUCH LIGHTER in my opinion while still providing a flawless, even finish. Most airbrush foundations are water based which provides light to medium coverage with effortless blendability onto the skin. This is a major beauty perk, especially for people that want to wear as little face makeup as possible while still looking like they have just the right amount of coverage. Airbrush makeup enhances the skin rather than masking the skin, given that it is applied properly. By that I mean less is more. If you over apply the airbrush makeup, it can visually look very cakey.
Currently, I am using a Dinair airbrush machine which I’m a big fan of as it’s portable, easy to clean (proper sanitation practices are essential!), and the application is very smooth and effortless. I have been using their brand of airbrush foundation which I am also very happy with, although I’m sure you can probably use other water based foundations with their machine.
[Has anyone tried airbrush makeup?]
I ran out of a nail base coat a couple months ago and figured I could use a top coat as a base coat or even a clear nail polish. It turned out, that it wasn’t really working so I decided to find a base coat and came across Sally Hansen’s Double Duty Strengthening Base & Top Coat while I was at a drugstore.
Typically, I don’t like the idea of having a two-in-one nail product, but couldn’t really find one that was a base coat only.
This is stuff is beyond amazing. For the first time ever, I’ve noticed a substantial difference in the staying power of a manicure (when I do it myself). I used a single coat as a base and then after a few minutes, applied two coats of a nail polish followed by this polish as a top coat. My current manicure has not chipped at all and it’s been exactly a week!
I know that it’s the Sally Hansen base/top coat that is making a difference because the nail polish color I used (Orly’s “Cotton Candy” – FYI I’m obsessed with this shade), I had used it a few weeks ago without this product and it chipped within a couple days. The manicure was pretty much destroyed (I could peel the polish right off myself) in less than five days. I thought it was because the Orly polish was poor quality but it was because I didn’t have the right base coat!
[Does anyone else have a base/top coat that they recommend?]
August Welcome: Is it me or do the summer months just seem to go by that much faster?! As much as I love the leisureliness of summer, I have to admit that my mind has already fast-forwarded to fall. Fall has always been my favorite season as I love the transition of weather and the fashion is often unbeatable. A lot of my inspiration comes from perusing the runways and I wanted to jumpstart this month with a look at Lanvin’s 2012 collection:
Lanvin 2012 – I love the dramatic feminineness behind this collection along with its exquisitely modern glamour and opulent taste.
This month I would like to share more fall fashion along with some new beauty treats I’m currently obsessed with! I’m always trying new products and the best part is being able to share them through my blog!
Being that I always stress the importance of a good primer, this month’s giveaway is a mini primer set that features three of Tarte’s best makeup priming products!
Moving onto this month’s giveaway…
Enter this month’s giveaway, details below…
August 2012 Beauty Giveaway:
Tarte Clean Slate deluxe primer trio – mini sampler set:
- Clean slate poreless primer
- Clean slate flawless primer
- Clean slate 360 creaseless primer
Rules:
- Open internationally to followers of Style by Meli. (Either via Twitter,Facebook Fan page, OR e-mail subscribers [to subscribe, enter your e-mail in the sidebar])
- Ends midnight EST on August 31st, 2012 and a winner will be drawn at random.
- Winner will be notified shortly upon winning and be expected to give mailing address for prize to be sent to.
How to enter:
1 – Leave a comment on any of my posts in the month of August to be considered for this month’s giveaway. The comment can be about ANYTHING pertaining to my blog. (Within the comment, please state if you follow my twitter, FB, or subscribe, so it’s easy for me to confirm).
Remember, I will allow for up to 3 entries/comments per person for each monthly giveaway! Good luck!
I will also be accepting new ideas/topics of interest that can be posted within a comment…
[Hot Topic: What fall trends are you most excited about this month?]
stylebymeli
