Tag Archives: nails

Sassy’s Sexy Six…

5 Mar

Six

Each month, I try to list six new things that I have found, tried, and liked. They may be something I will include in my daily routine, or they may just be something that I think is a good product but just not for me. Here are my six favorite things that I found in February that I think are pretty awesome and you might like as well:

Towelettes1) Garnier Sensitive Skin Towelettes – I am a fan of many Garnier products, but when I saw this one, it really caught my eye. Not because it just removed waterproof mascara (which is very important to me) but also because that it was dye free, fragrance free AND made for sensitive skin! I like that they offer two different towelettes for different skin types. Heaven knows we ALL don’t have the same skin type, and the more specific the products I use on mine, the better. Keeping my fingers crossed that these will be a nice choice for a “clean face on the fly” situation. (Walmart, $4.97)

LeGloss2) L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Le Gloss Lip Gloss – I am a lip gloss whore. I admit it. I will try anything new, and the shinier the better. I got a sample as a perk one month from L’Oreal and didn’t think too much of it. I just added it to the collection. But one day, I was in a bind for a nude gloss so I grabbed the L’Oreal sample of Nude Illusion. OMG, fell in love immediately! Yup, samples sell. I went out, coupons and deals in hand, and I got three more shades to cover just about every color scheme I own. The gloss is shiny, it’s consistency is thick, and it screams runway ready. And it has just a hint of butter cream scent/flavor which is fab. Just what I love–my kind of gloss! (CVS, $7.99)

BCBG3) BCBGMAXAZRIA Bon Chic Perfume – I was really in the mood for a new scent to welcome in the new season that is quickly approaching, so I wanted something bold, sassy, fresh, sexy and alluring. I found all that and more from BCBG. Not only that, but for a limited time, Macy’s is offering a complete fragrance set with medium sized bottle of the perfume, a purse sized bottle, a shower gel and a body lotion, all for one low price. I always stress that layering your scent will help it last longer and keep the scent true. This set gives you everything to do just that. Oh and did I mention you just happen to get a large gold overnight bag as a free gift with purchase? Ah, yah…cha ching! Freebies=good! (Macy’s, $75)

BlackDiamonds4) Sally Hansen Diamond Strength No Chip Nail Color in Black Diamonds – The black polish thing is really growing on me. When done neat and precise, it’s very stunning. But I have to admit I’m a sparkly/frost polish kind of girl and most black polishes are just shiny black. When I found Sally Hansen’s diamond polish, it was exactly what I had been looking for. Straight up black with bling. I think it’s going to be perfect for pretty designs and funky looks, plus make people take a second look at my jazzy nails! (CVS, $4.99)

JuicyPants5) Juicy Couture Velour Track Pants – Anyone who knows me knows I’m not a brand chaser. If it fits and looks nice, then it is for me. That goes from thrift store jeans right through to couture gowns. With that being said, I never was a huge fan of Juicy track attire because I actually thought you were just paying for the name and you could get something comparable at a less expensive retail store. Okay, that was until I got a scream of a coupon deal with Juicy that I couldn’t pass up. I had a code for an additional 70% off all sale merchandise. My first thought was to check out the velour pants since they are so known and chic. I found two pair, less than $30 each on sale with the code. I got them and they are awesome! The fit is great, they wash like a dream, hold their softness, and look fab. I doubt I’ll ever pay full price for a pair, but on a sale like that, I had to follow the trend! (JuicyCouture.com, $23)

CranberryJuice6) Cranberry Juice – Nope, it’s not just for bladder infections anymore! (Sorry, bad female joke) As a redhead it is important for me to do whatever I need to in order to keep my hair its sexy shade of red and prevent premature fading. Cranberry juice does just that. Now remember, you can’t just buy a cheap store brand of some juice blend. You need to be specific here. You have to find 100% cranberry juice, unsweetened and not in a blend. Ingredients should be: cranberry juice, water. THAT’S IT! After I condition my hair in the shower, I let it set for a minute or two then take a small mist bottle full of the cranberry juice and cover the hair, lifting and spritzing. Massage the juice in with the conditioner and make sure all your hair is coated. Let sit a few more minutes then rinse THOROUGHLY! The natural color of the cranberries plus its abundance of vitamin C helps to brighten your hair, prevent breakage, and protect it from harsh environmental elements. Keeping those auburn locks shiny is major plus in my book! (R.W. Knudsen Just Cranberry Juice 32 oz., Walmart, $5.75)

So these are my six sexy finds in the past month. How about you? Have anything new you have bought or sampled that you weren’t expecting to like or buy? Show and tell, ladies! We want to know! Us females are always dying to dish about some new goodie or tricks that we just love to love. So share away!!

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Sparkle On…. Sparkle Off….

30 Dec

glitter-kiss4‘Tis the season for all things that sparkle. Trees, windows, fresh fallen snow. Oh and let’s not forget the glamour industry too. Tops, bottoms, dresses, eye shadow, lip colors, and of course the ever popular manicure. Glittery, sparkly makeup is a major “YES!” this time of year, and glamour department is exploding with all kinds of dazzling products to give your fab look an extra bit of pop. Just recently I won a contest on Twitter, thanks to Cosmopolitan magazine and their beauty editor, Leah Wyar Romito. Leah was great enough to answer questions from readers about holiday glitz and I was lucky enough to have mine answered:

Cosmo Photo(picture screenshot from Cosmopolitan’s article “Cool Trends for 2013” from their online edition, found here.)

Just what I needed to know. I actually went out and found myself a great eye primer for my glitter shadows as well as a good base for my makeup and blushes. For my eyes? I fell in love with LA Minerals “Eye Fix” which is available in two skin tones. Not only does it hold on my lid shadows, but it is great to dot under the eyes to hold any sparkles against the lower lash line. FAB! It is only available online, so check it out here. FairEyeFixFor my face? I absolutely love L’Oreal Paris Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base. The Perfecting Base gives your skin a smooth, flawless finish with a silky, lightweight formula that is matted and holds your glamour look all day. L’Oreal’s Magic Perfecting Base is available in most drug and retail stores. More information on the product can be found here at their website.PerfectingBase

When going with glitter, it is best not to overdo it on your face. Pick one feature and do it up good. Whether it be eyes and lashes, lips or cheeks, find one feature then dazzle it up big! But no matter what feature you choose, you can add an extra bit of sparkle to your look with some glitzy nails. There are all kinds of sparkle/glitter polishes available. I am a big fan of essie’s “leading lady” (a supreme deep red with glitter), Sally Hansen’s Gem Crush Nail Color in “Big Money” (gold and silver sparkles) or my latest win in my Cosmo Swag Bag, OPI’s “Pink Yet Lavender” (pink glitter with lavender shimmer). Although it looks its best over a coat of white polish, I decided to go it alone for more bling. Nice, fun look on my fingers!
OPINails

One of the most difficult things about a sparkly look on my nails is getting it off to put on a new look. Isn’t removal of glitter polish a pain? UGH, the fuzzies get caught in the sparkles, the glitters won’t come off the nails or they just move and get stuck on the fingers. OH, it is such a PAIN! How do these beauty professionals do it? How do they take off the most dazzling finger designs without losing their minds? I decided to ask a professional…. a REAL professional—Leah Wyar Romito, Beauty Editor for Cosmopolitan Magazine—to see how she suggests to remove the most stubborn shimmers on the nails. Leah answered me right away with a super easy way to get the job done right:

“Remover-soaked cotton balls on each finger, cover each in foil for 5 mins!”

That’s it? That’s IT? Easy peasy! I can do THAT! No more sparkle nail polish removing headaches. In just 5 minutes I can transfer from one holiday glimmer look to another on my nails—fingers and toes! Thank you, Leah!

So now that you have the edge on a glittery new year, what do YOU plan on doing in your glamour routine to give your look a little edge? Sparkly red lips? Glitter gold nails? A sequined party dress? I want to know…. and see! Share your pictures with Sassy so I can see how you SHINED this new year!

Here’s wishing all of my fellow Sass-inistas a fierce and fabulous 2013!! happy-new-year-animated

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My Influenster Summer Beauty VoxBox!

31 Jul

Last month, a Twitter friend of mine told me that if I was a glamour and beauty junkie–which we all know I am–then I had to sign up to be a future recipient of an Influenster box. (By the way, I’m a Twitter regular, so if you are on board, follow me @SassyAuburn).What exactly is this, you ask? Well, it’s a box mailed to you, based on items you indicated you might like from a survey, filled with all kinds of goodies for you to try and review. To good to be true? I thought so… until I was chosen to get the Summer Beauty VoxBox. WOOT! I got it a few weeks ago and it was like Christmas in July. All kinds of stuff from food to beauty supplies to play with and review. OMG, it’s like a Sassy dream come true. I encourage all of you to sign up as well so you too could be chosen in future months. No purchase necessary. No pestering emails or phone calls. It’s easy peasy and fun as heck. Go here to sign up!

So what came in my first VoxBox and how did I like the items I got? Well, I’ll give you a quick peak at what Influenster had me try:

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration – Hawaiin Tropic is a staple in most summer-lovers’ beach bags. This yummy product protects your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of 30, all while keeping your skin silky smooth and smelling like the islands. Many sun blocks irritate my skin, but not this one. My skin stayed moist, I stayed protected while I worked outside, and the scent was awesome! It’s nice to have a product that doesn’t just keep me safe but also keeps me soft!

Sally Hansen Magnetic Color – Everyone knows that Sally Hansen is a leader in the hand and nail industry. Their newest product, Magnetic Color, isn’t just a nail polish but is a nail polish with a funky edge. On the top of the bottle is a magnet. Yup, a real magnet (I put a paperclip on it to test it!). After you put on your second coat of polish, you hold the magnet over your nail while the polish is still wet for about 10 seconds. When you move the magnet away, you’ll see these colorful waves on your nails! It took me a couple of tries to master it, but once I did, I loved the look. And so did others…. I got many compliments on how they looked. I was sent the color “Silver Elements” to try which goes with everything, but I plan on picking up “Polar Purple” as well. It’s a long-wearing nail color in a league all its own!

Quaker Soft Baked Bars – Oh yeay! FOOD! Let me just say, if you want to get my attention, send me food! These yummy little snack bars are soooo delish. They are healthy, easy to take with you for times on the go, and come in great flavors: banana nut bread and cinnamon pecan bread. Perfect when time is of the essence in the morning or when you need an energy boost later in the day, Quaker’s Soft Baked Bars are packed with 6 gr. of protein and 20% of 5 essential B vitamins. I love the soft texture and the taste is fab. These are always in my cupboard for whenever I need a fast, good-for-your body nomnom!

Clear Scalp and Hair Therapy – Every time I go down the hair products aisle at the store, I get dizzy. I have come to the conclusion that there is a product for everything. Dry hair, oily hair, frizzy hair, thick hair, thin hair, color-treated hair, hair that needs oomph, hair that needs to calm down, you name it. But do you know of any shampoo and conditioner that focuses on the scalp instead of the hair? Probably not. But Clear products do. It starts by taking care of the hair where the hair starts—the scalp. By giving the hair a healthy, strong foundation, you can get luscious hair in days. I like the way Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy shampoo and conditioner worked on my hair. It didn’t strip away the color, made my hair soft and shiny, and kept my scalp feeling clean for days. I like a product that does what it says it’s going to do and Clear did just that!

Sally Hansen Nails & Cuticles Crème – …and speaking of Sally Hansen, when you aren’t wearing one of their jazzy nail colors, what else can you do to keep your hands looking young and feeling soft? You can use their Nails & Cuticles Crème. I think this was my favorite product of all in my VoxBox. The hand cream has a light, refreshing citrus scent and is infused with shea butter to keep your hands smooth and silky for 24 hours. Everyone knows that hands are one of the biggest giveaways of your true age, so you want to keep them moist and prevent your cuticles from cracking and peeling. Sally Hansen’s Crème does just that. I’ve noticed a significant difference in how my hands look and feel, a difference I like. Plus my nails have seemed to grow in faster & stronger since I started using it. That’s something I REALLY like!

So, are you interested? Do you want to be an Influenster too? Come on board with me so we can talk about the great new products we will be testing in the future. Influenster’s Summer Beauty VoxBox was filled with the perfect items to keep me looking and feeling healthy each and every day this season! And I found some great new products to add to my beauty routine as well!

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Do You Prepare For Your Mani?

15 Jul

Tonight, my family and I decided to go out to a nice dinner. Mr. Sassy selected a nice restaurant which wasn’t too fancy but still very classy. I chose to wear nice capri jeans, a patterned “cut out” shoulder top, and strappy sexy sandals. I added a nice smoky eye look with some bright wine-colored lips and I was working it in a good way. Err, well almost. I realized my latest manicure was chipped and splotched, and I had no time for a touch up. When faced with this situation, a fashionista knows it is better to go with NO polish then a sloppy manicure. So I took off all my neon pink polish and thought I was good to go….

…till I got outside in natural sunlight.

My nails were yellow–almost orange!–from dark polish stains. In addition, they had ridges & rough edges and my cuticles felt like bunions. Ewww….. not good. Thank goodness the restaurant was dimly lit so you couldn’t really tell my “clean” nails were stained and uneven. But I knew they were. And I couldn’t wait to get home and get them cleaned up.

Having a perfect home manicure needs to start BEFORE the colored polish even comes out. And I have learned this from experience. So what do I do to prep my nails before the mani begins? Here are some tips you can follow to keep your nails looking just as good bare as they would with color:

  • Have yellow staining from dark polishes? Base coats can help but not completely. If you have some yellowing, brush on a light coat of Clorox Bleach. The Bleach Pen works awesome! Leave a light coat on for about 5 minutes. Then give your nails a good brushing with some whitening toothpaste and an old toothbrush. Bleaching your nails often can make them soft and irritate your cuticles if you do it often so try to only do it every few weeks. Brushing them with the toothpaste, however, will help keep them clean and also stimulate growth.

  • File and buff! When your nails are at their cleanest, that is the best time to shape them and shine them up. File them so the tips are even, cutting down any super long ones and smoothing out any jagged edges that can get caught and tear. Use a buffer to even the tops out getting rid of any uneven ridges or rough spots (this includes any rough spots on the skin around the nails too.) Finally, use a polisher to give your nails a nice, healthy shine. Want a great tool that does all three? Sephora’s 3-Step Ergo Buffer is the perfect tool to get the job done!

  • Use a moisturizer made especially for hands and nails. I’m absolutely loving Sally Hansen’s Nails and Cuticle Hand Cream. It is infused with shea butter to help keep the delicate skin around your nails soft and your cuticles pliable. If your hands are super, super dry, coat them with the Hand Cream then soak them in warm olive oil for 10-15 minutes. Once a week, exfoliate them by adding a teaspoon of white sugar to the olive oil and rub it in on the backs and palms of your hands, and in between the fingers. Then rinse with warm water. This will help removed the dead skin cells that keep your hands from looking young.

  • Keeping your manicure fresh longer will allow you to change and/or remove polish less. That, in turn, will keep you from having to paint your nails more often which can cause staining. Wear gloves when doing dishes and housework, moisturize every morning and night, and protect them if you plan on working outside or with harsh chemicals. If you can keep your mani looking fab for a week? That will keep your nails from staining as much and also keep them strong!

Now I’m relaxing watching TV and taking care of my nails before I put on my next coat of polish. I have removed the yellowing from old colors, brushed under and over the nails to remove any dirt and chemicals, and softened the cuticles and ridges by deep moisturizing my hands–coating them with hand cream and putting them into warm socks for several minutes. Now, I don’t have to be ashamed to go without polish. If my fingers want to take a vaca from polish for a while (which is a good thing now and then), I can make sure they look their best when they are “naked”!!

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When The Student Becomes The Teacher….

11 Jul

A while ago my husband found that writing relaxed him after a rough, stressful day. Then he realized that he couldn’t get the right words from his mind to the paper and instead of easing his soul, it caused him more anquish. That is not a good thing.

So, for Father’s Day last year me and the family gave Mr. Sassy a camera to take nice photos with. It took him a while to get into it, but now he ventures out into the unknown taking photos of anything and everything that jazzes him. He’s very fussy and very self-critical about his pictures but I think his work is fabulous! Plus it is still a way to channel his “down time” so he doesn’t go insane from boredom. Although what he calls boredom, I call relaxation. C’est la vie.

I think when I first started writing, I too did it to relax me and keep me focused on things other than the ones that stress me out. I didn’t think about family issues, I didn’t worry about money, I didn’t concern myself about my health, I didn’t get anxious about my mother. I could submerge myself completely in my writing and get lost in the world of fashion, glamour and makeup. It was a dream world for me and I was loving every second of it. Every day, I’d walk the red carpet…. even if it was in my own mind.

Today, while at CVS getting a new top coat for my nails (I am no longer using my previous fave due to certain reasons). While there, I found a mom and her daughter in a dilemma about which mascara they should get since they were going to a water park tomorrow. I couldn’t help but chime in with my two cents. I told them that currently, my favorite waterproof mascara was Covergirl Lashblast 24 Hour Mascara. Lasts all day with no smudging or flaking. The mom said she had used that before, but didn’t like the brush too much. She was also hoping to take advantage of the Maybelline sale that was going one—Buy One Get One Half Off. Okay I can work that. I said that my favorite Maybelline mascara, by far, was their Illegal Length Waterproof Mascara in Blackest Black. It stayed put no matter what you put it though. She asked if it would withhold the torments of a waterslide park and I said no problem! With the BOGO sale, she wanted to take advantage of another waterproof eye product but didn’t know what to choose. I told her that I absolutely loved Maybelline Master Drama Eye Studio Cream Eyepencils. I said they were smudgeproof for up to 16 hours and I found them to be very waterproof myself–so much so, that I had one in every color! I loved the way it went on easy, had the intensity of a cream, but was convenient in a pencil. She decided that she would give that a try in Bold Brown. She seemed happy with her selections and even continued to browse at a few of the other products I had pointed out earlier that I had liked and why.

After I helped her with her choices I decided to take advantage of the BOGO sale as well and picked up two of Maybelline Color Tattoo by Eyestudio Eyeshadows since I am totally loving long-wear cream shadows lately. With coral being my new hot color in my wardrobe, I got two shadows that would match this color perfectly: Fierce and Tangy and Bad To The Bronze. With my auburn hair, these colors should look ultra fab! Plus… hello?…. we all know this year’s color of the year is Tangerine Tango and these eye colors should enhance any outfit with that shade! With those shadows plus my new top polish, Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat, my beauty shopping was done for the day.

Just as I was about to leave, the mom and daughter came running after me as I headed to the door. She once again thanked me over and over again. She didn’t just thank me for giving her my opinions but also educating her on a few different products and brands. I just smiled and said no problem–the honor was mine. And truly it was.

I realized something while helping the mom and her daughter out in the drug store today. My love and knowledge of the fashion, glamour, and makeup industry is not just something I do when I’m bored or when I need to do something to ease my stress. It now has become a part of me. I’m trained, educated and informed and can actually help people when it comes to these loves. It’s not just a case of “This is a jazzy color!” anymore. It’s become a “I really like this product because…” which gives me a good feeling inside.

I know I don’t know everything there is to know in this industry, and that what makes it so interesting. It is always changing and that means I am always learning. I challenge you to find something you’d like to know more about, then start learning. Ask questions, read books, talk to experts. Anything. And keep learning, keep asking, keep reading. Become an expert on something, and just when you think you know it all…. go learn more. Like the great Eartha Kitt once said:

“I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma.”

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I’m A Slug In The Spring……

15 May

Maybe I should have wrote in my blog sometime at the end of April that I’m not a big fan of May. As a fashion follower, you would think I would be. The styles are changing, colors are exploding everywhere, shoes are beyond your average drool. The fact is, it has nothing to do with the weather or the season. It has to do with a history of bad events happening in May during my life. I probably could change the string of bad luck if I just put my mind to it and barreled through, but as soon as May 1st gets here, I feel like I’m getting sucked into a black hole where I’ll be stuck for a whole month. Today, I looked at the calendar and realized it was the middle of May and I had been in a writing funk for over a month. Not good….. not good at all. But on the positive side, the month is half over. Wait… is that positive???

Well, I didn’t want my loyal followers to think I had been wearing old t-shirts given away at the latest vodka promo at the local bar and the same pair of jeans for an entire week. I’ve been checking out spring fashions, been slowly putting away my heavy winter attire, digging out my favorite summer sandals, looking for new styles that pique my interest. Although I’m finding some things that catch my eye, the way out of the rut is a slow one.

There have been a few things that have given me a glimmer of hope, however, that I’m getting back to my sassy glamourista self. Sometimes I over think it–honestly, it doesn’t take much! But I’m sure I’m not alone. If you’ve been in a seasonal rut, try these things like I have. Maybe they too will get you out of your fashion funk:

1) Jazz up those nails! – Pick a color that SCREAMS warm weather and “Notice Me”! Hot neons, bright pinks and flashy corals are the perfect nail pick-me-up. And don’t forget those toes! Seeing those bright colors will lift your mood right up! Sassy’s Pick: “Go With The Flow-er” by OPI

2) Change up your scent! – Still smell like the perfume your Aunt Helen gave you for Christmas? Well, it might be time to grab something new. This is the perfect time of year to find a nice body mist in a light, refreshing scent. Go all out and get the matching shower gel, body lotion and even the shimmer spray for those sleeveless shirt days. Awaken the senses and you’ll awaken the fashionista within! Sassy’s Pick: Bath and Body Works “Pink Chiffon” in shower gel, body lotion, fine fragrance mist, and shimmer body creme.

3) Wear some color! – Finding it hard to get out of the black sweater/blue jean rut? Man, I am. Of course, the weather hasn’t helped, but I’ve stopped waiting for Mother Nature to tell me when it is time to start looking spring stylish. One of the hottest trends this spring is going to be colored denims (especially skinny jeans) so I took a leap of faith and got myself a pair. Let me just say, wearing them took me FAR outside my comfort zone. And I survived! Now they are my go-to “lift my mood” pants. Think I may have to add a few other colors now too! I’m having way too much fun “creating” with these bottom hues! Sassy’s Pick: dELiAs low-rise skinny jeans in purple.

Okay, followers, I’m making a promise to myself: each day I will get up, put on something weather-appropriate, but fashionable. And I am also promising myself that I will take the TJ Maxx gift card that I got for Mother’s Day and get myself something that will be fun, refreshing, and WAY out of my comfort-zone. How about you? What do YOU plan on doing to get yourself snazzy this spring?????

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Sometimes Nails DO Need A Break….

11 Apr

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been going really bright with my nails. I wanted a little oomph to my manicure and I thought some out-there colors and eye-catching hues would not just look good on my hands but also boost my mood during the “blah” weather trend we are having. It was a nice change to see my nails all decked out in flamboyant shades such as “Red Red” by Wet n Wild, “Go With The Flow-er” by OPI, and “Bling-tastic” Gem Crush Nail Color by Sally Hansen. Although the color makes my hands look fantastic, the minute I’d get a chip, the niceness all goes away. And once the chipping starts, it’s all over. There’s no saving it.

Because I have had bright, dark colors on for awhile, I noticed when I took my polish off today that my nails were looking a little dry and stained. Yucky. They needed a little love and attention. And rest. So I grabbed myself a natural-colored polish but not before I got my nails in good shape by giving them a quick, mini-mani:

 

  1. Remove all polish with a non-acetone nail polish remover. (TRICK!: Use lotion-infused tissues to help keep your hands and nail from getting extra dry!)
  2. Rub a good oil into your hands playing special attention to your cuticles, ridges and sides of your nails. Sweet almond oil works the best, but if you don’t have that, coconut oil, grapeseed oil or even olive oil will work just as good.
  3. Take a Chorlox Bleach Stick and with the brush end, give your nails a quick going over, avoiding the skin as much as possible. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
  4. With a nail brush (or an old toothbrush), brush off all the bleach using a few drops of your favorite fragranced soap or bath gel. Scrub lightly, underneath the nails as well. Rinse.
  5. Add a nice rich hand cream to keep them soft and silky. (My favorite? Tree Hut Shea Body Butter! Rich, moisturizing and smells good!)
  6. Give your hands about 30 minutes to absorb the moisturizer, then wipe each nail off with a paper towel, so any remaining oils won’t interfere with the nail polish. Then give them a couple of coats of your favorite light, neutral polish to keep them strong, protected and looking classic-ly neat!

 

So what are my go-to favorite neutral shades?

 

 

Sally Hansen Diamond Strength No Chip Nail Color in “Brilliant Blush”

 

 

 

MODE Nail Enamel in “Shade #118” (Sheer Mother of Pearl Pink) – I got this at my local grocery store on clearance for 75 cents!!

 

 


 

Revlon Nail Enamel in “Pure Pearl”

 

 

 

Plain nails don’t have to look boring. In fact they can look simply classy! Not only does it give you a simple, elegant look but it also gives your nails a rest from heavy dyes that can stain and dry out your nails. Not to mention, it won’t look like a puzzle missing a piece when the shade starts to chip. It will keep your nails on the down-low when only you know they aren’t completely up to par!

Okay, Fashionistas…. share on! What is YOUR favorite nail polish shade right now??

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When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Switch Handbags!

28 Mar

Today was not a good day for me. Because of the abrupt change in weather here in my lovely area of Upstate NY, my head decided to hang out in “massive migraine mode” all day. I spent a good chunk of my time in bed sipping ginger ale and nibbling crackers. Oh yeay, oh yeay…. a completely wasted day. For those who sometimes get migraines, you know exactly what I’m talking about. And for those of you who don’t? I’ll just say I wouldn’t even wish them on my ex. Yeah, they are that bad.

With an hour or so before bed, I felt like I needed to do something glamour or fashion-y to at least not feel like the day was a total waste. So, with a smile on my face (and an Excedrin Migraine under my tongue), I decided to change handbags. I had been using the same brown patent leather “XOXO” brand bag for almost a week now. I’ve been wearing a lot of brown! But I felt I needed some color. Not a lot, just a little. Plus I needed a bit more room. My XOXO bag is quite tiny and until these headaches let up, I need some space for a few meds. Purses just don’t show off your unique style–they need to be functionable too.

While looking though my closet, I thought ahead and realized it would definitely be jeans kind of weather for me for the next several days, so I picked one of my favorite colored, patterned, jazzy bags I have: my Kathy Van Zeeland satchel in Blue Leopard. I love this bag. It has lots of compartments, tons of room, looks jazzy as heck, and is uber chic with a pair of hot denims and a black leather jacket. Style with an edge. That’s me!

Now that I’ve done that, I think I might do my nails too. My fingers look a mess and there is nothing more annoying (and embarrassing) to me than a frazzled manicure. I don’t usually like doing it right before bed, but since I have this great top coat which dries fast without smudging, it’s easier to do them late at night. So, hopefully I will feel better tomorrow because I’ll have a new purse and classy looking nails to help boost my mood and cast the headaches away!

Tell me, Sassy fans… when you just aren’t having the best day, health-wise or other, what do you do to boost your mood? (Legal answers only. LOL!)

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…With A Cherry On Top

23 Mar

I hate cherry flavored anything. Lollypops, cough syrup, popsickles. Blech. Not for me. But when we go beyond the flavor and get into the color? That’s a different story. My “taste” for cherry fashions is extrodinauire! My love for cherry-colored makeup is mind boggling! And cherry-colored accessories? Oh man, get me a chair, I have to sit down. With the spring season upon us, there couldn’t be a better time to show off this fabulous “out there” color.

In my book, cherry comes in three shades. Let’s break them down, shall we?:

Maraschino – You know, you order the hot fudge sundae with the cherry on top? That’s the color I’m talking about. Not a true red, more on the dark pink, cool hued side. It screams warm weather. Perfect for lips, nails and toes. You can even find some tres chic clothing that will really stand out in that color as well. Don’t miss out on this shade because you might think it’s too bold. It’s not…. it’s hot and it’s now! My favorite item: Milani Nail Laquer in Cherry Pie

True Cherry Red — This doesn’t differ too much from apple red, maybe just a bit darker. It is a neutral shade so it can go with anything. Perfect for the office, slamming for a night on the town. Dress up your blue jeans or turn heads in your black evening attire. No matter what you are wearing, there is a good chance if you are looking for some color, a good neutral cherry red will fit your need. My favorite item: Avon’s Shine Attract Lipstick in Cherry Pie

Black Cherry — Oh, this color is HOT! In clothes, shoes, accessories or makeup, this is one color that stands out on it’s own. Leaning way over to the deep cool shades, this purplish shade with a cherry red undertone keeps it looking mysterious yet sexy. Perfect for nightwear for the lips or all year round for nails and toes. Want to really give them a shocker? Use it as a liner for a smoky eye look with a ton of WOW! My favorite items: Pure Mineral EyeShadow & Liner in Black Cherry; Stilla’s Lip Glaze in Black Cherry

The fact of the matter is I am still not a fan of cherry “flavored” things. I LOVE the fruit and I’ll even do a bottle of Cherry Coke now and then. But that Robitussin cherry flavor? NO THANK YOU! So this fashionista is going to stick with the color this spring, not the flavor, and rock some killer looks….. with a cherry on top!!!!

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Click, Click, Click….

20 Mar

Okay, fun quiz: What makes you think of the above noise?

Louboutins in a tile floor?…..yes, but no.
Pushing my retractable pen as I write fashion notes?….ah, no.
The fan belt on my car?…..oh please good God no.
My CD ROM drive stuck with a disk inside?….better be a no.
The magnetic clasp on my Betsey Johnson purse opening & closing?….ahh, yes, but no.

Errrrr. Times up. Good try, good try.

Actually, today the click-click-click sound came thanks to a unusually beautiful day of bright, sunny, warm, 80 degree weather here on the first day of spring in Upstate NY. We don’t get temps like that in March around here. That’s obvious because we’ve broke three record highs in less than a week in our area. So maybe the clicking is a thermometer rising so fast? No, can’t say that it is. But they do go together.

Today, I had a blast click-click-clicking as I went through, sorted out, and shook up all my nail polishes. Those two or three little beads in each bottle flowing freely, hitting the edge of the bottle letting you know your favorite shades are primed and ready for your spring mani’s and pedi’s? THAT click-click-click! It’s sandal weather and it’s time to get all those nails into tip-top shape so they can look gorgeous for open-toe/sun worshiping season.

I decided I wanted a dark, shiny shade for my nails today. I think it’s a bit early for the bright oranges, yellows and hot pink glitters that scream warm weather. I wanted a color–especially for my toes–that would stand out in my lighter shade gladiator sandals. Which polish did I choose? Sally Hansen’s Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color in Pronto Purple. I love the Sally Hansen brush, as it is rounded and covers the nails easily without much smudging along the cuticles. I love those kind of brushes. One coat of polish, one layer of top coat (that’s another post!) and I ready to rock my nails! Take a look!

Since this is the time of year when you’ll want to get your polishes out, you should do an inventory of colors you already have and make a note of ones you might want. Make sure you take each polish you own and give it a shake–a good shake. Do you hear the click-click-click? Are the mixing beads moving freely? If not you may need to thin out the polish a bit. Use an eye dropper (available at any drugstore) and put in five drops of nail polish remover. Recap and shake again. Still no clicking? Add five more drops. STILL no clicking? Then buh-bye…. I suggest you ditch that bottle and invest in a new one. That one is just too old or dried out. Yuck. Gack. And it won’t look good or stay on your nails.

Don’t forget, nice weather equals nice nails. Keep your manicure and pedicure goodies in one place. A dark, cool area is the best…keeps them from getting gooey. I keep mine in a large train case. (See pic?) Keep cotton balls and Q-tips with your polishes, use lotion tissues to remove old polish (it helps from drying out the nails), and keep the nail polish remover close by and closed tight! And don’t forget a good moisturizer when you’re all done and your nails are dry. Sassy’s fave? A couple of drops of pure, sweet almond oil is perfect for the job–and inexpensive too. And don’t forget those cuticles!

Click-click-click, ladies! Start shaking those polishes and show off those nails! Show me too! I’d love to see what your favorite shade is or newest discovery. It’s spring–we all need some new colors and styles!

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