Save Your Lifting Or Outgrown Manicure

Happy Wednesday, y'all!!

I hope this hump day is going more than well for you! If not, the week is halfway over (silver lining??) 

If you are anything like me (half frugal, half smart shopper?), you know the guilt I feel paying for these gel manicures - like yo! How are they getting more and more expensive year?! - and then the anger and frustration when they start to either grow out or lift in the following 1 - 2 weeks after the manicure.

If I am paying $30 - $50 for my manicure, it better be on my nails looking fresh for a while!!

It is a blessing and a curse that my nails grow quick. Anyone else?!

So instead of shelling out $30 - $50 every two weeks for touch ups or redos, I follow these hacks to keep my manicure going strong for long! 

OUTGROWN MANICURE:
Like anyone else, my nails start out all fresh and banging once I leave the nail salon, but then that freshness will only last for so long. 

Two weeks later, nails are still intact but the nails are growing and the gap between the cuticle and the polish grows wider and wider. The rest of the polish is still fly though. I can't just get it redone two weeks later. Or filled! A fill is still money!

After staring at the annoying gap, I realized and learned that I can just fill it in with regular nail polish at home. 

See the picture below:

TA-DA!!!

I love it!!! What do you think?

This look is actually a style in the manicure world. It is called reverse French manicure. As you know, the typical French manicure has a tip at the end of the nail that is a different color than the remainder of the nail. The reverse French manicure has a the "tip" at the top of the nail by the cuticle. 

It's actually a thing! "Reverse" French because the small tip of color is reversed in position. Get it, get it? :D

LIFTING MANICURE:

I have hit the two week point of my [first time with] dip powder manicure (I LOOOVE IT). For the most part, it is still going strong. However, it is starting to lift by the cuticle and y'all know what that is like - hair getting stuck in our nails in the shower or just hair getting caught in them out of the shower. WHAT A PAIN.

So when my manicure below started to grow out and lift, my heart began to sank. I've been wanting to try this look for a while and I was nowhere near ready to let it go.

Fresh coat

Yes, they are two different colors on each hand. I was undecided. LOL.

How did I fix the lift? I put a clear top coat on the edges of the manicure where it is lifting and filled the gap (basically a top coat reverse French manicure). The nail polish colors are nude so the gap isn't too noticeable or bothersome. 
As you can see, there is some top coat residue on my skin by the cuticles. To be honest, I rarely clean those mistakes. I like to naturally let them wash away. And they always do. 

And that's all folks!

So ladies and gents, SAVE YOUR MANICURE. 

You did not pay all that money to just get it done in two weeks. Oh no, honey! Not on my money-saving time! I got chuuuu.

<3<3<3

Winter 2014/2015 Favorites

I don't know if it has anything to do with global warming, but Los Angeles has not had a proper winter in the last few years. I am so very sad that I didn't get to maximize the use of boots, scarves and light peacoats this past winter.

We've had some chilly nights and maybe two weeks tops of real cold, wintery days. However, we did experience a good week of rain - so good that it knocked my power out the day before my 8:30am job interview. Other than that and the occasional sporadic rain, winter in LA was winter in LA.

Here are my favorites:

FACE

Rimmel Stay Matte Primer

This with the NYX setting spray (featured in my Fall Favorites 2014) is a match made in heaven!! It definitely keeps me as matte as possible during the warmer, sweat-worthy LA weather. After using this primer with the NYX setting spray, I found makeup to last longer! My bronzer and blush are still prominent on my cheeks by the end of the day.

Flat Top Kabuki by Beauty Junkees

I heard about this from Youtube's saaammage. She mentioned it in one of her videos and offered a discount code via Amazon. The brush ended up being $6 pre-tax, pre-shipping fees. I am so happy with this brush. It works just as well as Sigma's $18 flat top kabuki and 1/3 of the price. I've experienced no shedding in the last 3 months that I have had it. It blends smoothly, is dense and very soft at the same time. 

LIPS

Wet N Wild's Sugar Plum Fairy and NYX's Aria were both in my Fall 2014 favorites as well, but I could not help rocking it all Winter long too. I am going to miss these colors during Spring as I tend to gravitate towards my pinks.

Rimmel London Provocalips in Make Your Move

For those that like/love this lipstick, consider this to be the "Your Lips But Better" lip color and I must agree. It is long lasting which makes me gravitate towards this product. This product is not completely perfect and I'll talk more about that in an upcoming review.

Rimmel London Provocalips in Play With Fire

This is not my most favorite shade of red, but I love that it's red lipstick that will not get all over the place. I've heard great things about Sephora's Cream Lip Stain in 01/Always Red and can't wait to eventually try it.

NAILS

Zoya - Juno

I got this on clearance at ULTA for $4.50. What a steal! I love it and wore this soooo many times February and March. It's a beautiful purple with flecks of shimmer. Gorgeous :)

SHOES

Rampage Jaycer Booties

I got these online on Macys.com during the Black Friday sale last November. I have always wanted to own combat boots but thought they weren't for me. My new life goals are to just do what I want, dress how I want, without thinking too much about what people are to used to seeing me wear or what they would think. I got these bad boys on sale for $19.99. I can't remember the original price (I think it was $50. It is currently on Overstock for $54.99. I initially got brown in a size 7.5. They were way too big. I went to the store to exchange them and ended up getting a 7 in taupe. I love it! I wish it was chillier so I can still wear them. It is now flip flop weather in Los Angeles. 

PLACE 

Planet Fitness

I have been getting my workout on! I used to think this gym was a joke because it was $10/month. Boy was I wrong! It is legit! AND IT'S SO PURPLE INSIDE! It's amazing. I still have my 24 Hours Fitness membership which is set to expire in May. I am just totally digging this gym. The equipment is female friendly and amateur friendly. The staff are so nice and they are always (ALWAYS!) cleaning. It never smells. It's never dirty. I am so happy PF moved into town.

PERSON

Ben

We celebrated our three years in February. He's my best friend, my prince, and my boo boo bear. LOL. Just being in his company makes me happy. He also got his black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in March. Way to go! He gave me a little shout out in his speech that made me melt into a pile of mush <3

I am really excited to see what Spring has in store for me :)

What were your go to products this past winter?

What do you look forward to in Spring?

<3<3<3

Fall 2014 Favorites

This past Fall have been the season for me to fall more in love with makeup. I tried a few products that have got me head over heels over this season's makeup trends, both old and new!

Maybelline Vollum'Express: The Rocket Mascara

I know, I know. This mascara is old news, but it is new news to me! For the past how many years, I've been loyal to Maybelline's Volum'Express: Falsies. This year, I started branching out and trying new mascaras. I decided to give this a try this Fall and I am so happy that I did. I mean, look at my lashes! :) I own false lashes to make my lashes look that way :) Next up on my "To Try" list is Maybelline's Lash Sensational Mascara. Has anyone tried it?

NYX Matte Setting Spray

I LOVE THIS!!!!! I am currently using my second bottle. I actually think this works even better than the Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray. That's a big claim especially since I love the UD spray. The NYX setting spray just really made my makeup last all day. If my blush and bronzer are still on by the end of the day, that's how I know the setting spray has worked. The UD is longlasting, but by the time I get home from work, my blush and bronzer have lightened to little to nothing. With NYX, I look nearly the same as I had left the house :)

Best way to use it: Put your moisturizer on, set, primer, set, setting spray, set, apply makeup.

I have heard the L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Spray & Set Makeup Extender Makeup Spray was a great drugstore setting spray.  I do want to try it but it's more costly. 

NYX - 2.3 fl oz at $7.99 - $8.99

L'Oreal - 3.4 fl oz at $13.99 - $16.99

Urban Decay - 4 fl oz at $30.00

Urban Decay - 1 fl oz at $14

Even though L'Oreal has more product in it, it's still pricier per fl oz.

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel

(Picture from Target website)

There are mixed reviews about this nail polish, but aren't there always? You cannot buy the polish without the top coat. TRUST. For me, the polish wore off just like any other polish would within a few days. The top coat works magic for me. It made my polish last for a week. Together, it does look and feel like you have gel nails on. It's shiny and sturdy. I love it! It's $9.99 each so definitely wait for drugstore promos such as BOGO 50% off. I am currently (and anxiously) awaiting the next BOGO sale from Ulta. Hurry, Ulta, hurry!!

NYX Matte Lipstick in Aria

Vampy is definitely back this Fall. I've never felt bold enough to wear a more vampy lip, but 2014 was my year to unleash the styles I wanted to be no matter how timid I felt. I always stayed safe with natural styles because it was expected of me, but heck! This year, I learned to just be me. Aria is definitely a gorgeous color, both in photos and in person.  It has fuchsia/magenta tones embedded in it so it makes it easier to transition to a vampy look if that's not what you're used to. The color is just so beautiful! I wish I could wear this every single day :)

Wet N Wild Megalast Lip Color in Sugar Plum Fairy

Another vampy look! I know this is similar to NYX's Aria, but this color is darker and less pink. The more you layer, the more plum the color becomes. So beautiful!! 

I cannot wait to see what I fall in love with this Winter :)

What were your Fall faves?

<3<3<3

Crazy for Lippies Part 2: Wet N Wild

As mentioned, here is part 2 of my Crazy for Lippies installment. If you're interested, check out Part 1 in which I talk about my most recent NYX purchases. 

This post is about my [kind of recent] Wet N Wild haul. At $1.99/lipstick, how am I not supposed to get as many as I can??

I picked up 5 colors: Don't Blink Pink, Smokin Hot Pink, Stoplight Red, Cherry Picking, Sugar Plum Fairy.

Here are the arm swatches:

I included arm swatches in two different lighting.  

Here are the lip swatches. Just a little disclaimer, I tried to take pictures in different lighting to see how the color would fare. That is why I am lighter in some shots and darker in others. Enjoy :)

Don't Blink Pink

Verdict: Looks great in pictures, but in person, it's just way too bright for me. I'm not sure how I feel about this color quite yet. Maybe I'll feel more confident rocking it when I have a bit color in my complexion Spring/Summer. It was just too Nicki Minaj for me. But unlike Nicki, it was just not working 

Smokin' Hot Pink

Verdict: I do like this color too. Less vibrant than Don't Blink Pink, but still pretty vibrant. It's darker than Don't Blink Pink which makes it less overwhelming. A beautiful, fun color for Spring/Summer

Stoplight Red

Verdict: Before this purchase, I only owned one red lipstick by NYX. It was a red lip pencil (name, can't remember sorry!). I saw swatches of this color on other makeup lovers and dang, it looked so pretty on them! I don't know why there's so much shine on my lips? Maybe it was the light? Maybe I should have blotted it first? I'm not a glossy, shiny lip person. Love it on others, not so much on me. Lastly, I'm not a fan of bright red lipstick on myself. This color is way too bright. I love dark, deep wine reds or brick reds

Cherry Picking

Verdict: I thought it was going to be more purple-y because the sticker on the lipstick looks a little purple/plum to me or am I colorblind? The color is still nice. It's like a pinky red. I do look forward to rocking this later on as the weather warms up

Sugar Plum Fairy

Verdict: Definitely my favorite of all my Wet n Wild purchases. I've been totally digging the vampier purple lip. I love this one! Makes me feel pretty badass ;) I have been rocking this and NYX's Aria all Fall and Winter. And heck, if I still have some by the time Spring and Summer roll around, I'm sure I'll be wearing it then too.

I love lipstick! :)

One of my best friends enabled me by gifting me the Tarte Kiss & Belle Lipsurgence Lip Set. I've tried on all except the lip glosses. I love all the darker colors. Not so much the nude. I'll try to do a lip swatch post for these as well.

(Tarte photos taken from Sephora website)

I am excited to play around with these! :D

If I didn't say it already, HAPPY NEW YEAR. I know totally random placement, but I think I hadn't greeted you yet.

May 2015 come out with more beautiful colors and may I find more control in purchasing them!! haha, maybe?

<3<3<3

Blame It On The Lupus: Hair Loss

Hair loss.

Just those two words by themselves do not have any positive connotations.

Hair loss.

A symptom of lupus.

Hair loss.

Something I experienced when I was first diagnosed with lupus in 2010.

Hair loss. 

One of the most traumatizing experiences I have ever gone through.

Hair loss.

An ever more reminder that I have lupus and an even bigger reminder that my lupus is active.

This was my hair May 2010, two months before I was diagnosed with lupus. My hair was thick. It was crazy thick. Whenever I got my hair done, my stylists would tell me, "you have such thick hair." Drying my hair took forever because there was just so much of it.

July 2010 was when I was diagnosed with lupus. As you would imagine, my life changed. My body changed. My emotional well-being changed.

One of the most prized possessions of women is hair. Some may call it vain, but it is what it is.

Hair is many things to different women. Hair is feminine. Hair is beauty. Hair is sex appeal. Hair is an avenue for self-expression.

I lost all of that when most of my hair fell out progressively (but rapidly) after my diagnosis. It fell out in clumps in the shower. It fell out in bunches when I wasn't in the shower. Imagine my head of hair in the picture above diminished so much that you could see my scalp in multiple sections. I had bald spots.

As a female, a 24 year old female (at the time) who felt like I was on top of the world, in my prime, hair loss was one of the most traumatic experiences to crush my world.

I tried to wear headbands to disguise some visible scalp areas. I sat in the back of class so no one could stare at my head. I cut my hair short and short as they said short hair conceals thinning hair. I rarely left my home. If I did, it was to go to school, to my internship and to the home of my boyfriend  at the time.

I cried every day, every single day.

I tried to keep a happy face for everyone, especially my mom who took my diagnosis worse than I did. I broke down this one day that I remember it so clearly. It brings tears to my eyes 4 years later. I was watching TV on the living room couch. My mom came behind me and said, "your hair. We can go buy a wig. Let's go buy a wig." And then she started crying. With a brave face, I said "no. It's okay." She insisted, I refused. She left and I ran to my room bawling.

On another occasion, I remember my brother was brushing his teeth. I was combing my hair. And I turned around so he can see the back of my head. I asked, "can you see my bald spots?" He took a gulp and with a crack in his voice he said  "yes." My brother and I don't "talk" about serious stuff. But he knew. He knew how much it hurt. He hurt with me. He hurt just to tell me.

I don't have too many pictures of myself from 2010 - 2012 just because I avoided them. I felt so ugly. I had the steroids "moon face" due to meds. My hair was falling out. I was a not cute hot mess. I felt like (excuse my French) shit. 

Spring 2012 was when my hair started to grow back. I was taking a biotin supplement which I think helped speed up the process. I've tried shampoos and this spray that did not work. For nearly 2.5 years, I kept my hair short to conceal. By spring 2013, my hair was thicker and growing faster. Most, but not all, of my hair grew back. I was happy with it. 

By 2014, I felt beautiful again. 

This is me in May 2014. This was the first time I felt genuinely pretty in years. 

Fast forward to September 2014. I notice my hair falling out more and more. I know it is normal for hair to fall out daily. What was falling and how rapid was not normal. 

Mini clumps were falling out in the shower. I constantly felt tickles on my arm due to loose hairs falling onto them. 

I woke up one day with many hair strands on my pillow (it wasn't as traumatic as in 2010, but still very much so). I got my hair cut right above my breasts within 2 hours of waking up. 

It's happening again I thought to myself.

I cried. I panicked. My hairdresser noticed my  random small bald spots. I told her to comb lightly. And she did. Mini clumps of hair would drag out with the comb.

She saw my face. "You'll be okay," she said. "If you got through it before, I don't see why you can't get through it again."

These are mini claw clips. I used to need 4 to keep my hair up in a secure bun.

Now, I only need 1 or 2 if my hair is feeling very poofy. It's a sad reality. It makes me sad when I tie my hair up to see gaps at the side of my head. It's so weird that my hair dries a gazillion times faster because it's a lot thinner. It's so weird that I when I hold my hair, I notice a grave difference in what it was months ago and even years ago.

My most dreaded moments of the week: washing my hair in the shower and seeing the hair at the drain. 

I know it's not the end of the world if my hair falls out. But it opens up a whole new can of worms: of flashbacks, insecurities, worrying about my health. 

In all honesty, hair falling out now freaks me out. I'm getting older. Hair doesn't always grow back as you get older. Hair falls out. Two odds against me. Granted, I'm in late 20s, still young, but still getting older. 

I'm not really sure how to end this blog post.

I really feel like I just spit out a whole bunch of words.

If you made it this far, thank you for reading...and you're a trooper :)

<3<3<3

Summer 2014 Favorites

Am I the only one super excited to see summer go?! Los Angeles had two weeks of a dry dry heat wave last week and the week before. I am so happy Fall is here! YEEEE!! Hello boots, scarves, and beanies! Well, it's not totally Fall weather just yet, but the weather is cooling down daily. YAAAS!

This summer, I did find some product that worked well for me. I'm so happy I came across them :)

(photo credit: www.benefitcosmetics.com)

Benefit Posietint

At first, I thought it would be too much of a bright pink on me. Boy. was I wrong! It took me some time to understand how to use it. Once I got the hang of it, I fell in love <3

Why I love it: The blush gives me a natural flush and lasts for the full work day and then some :)

Benefit The POREfessional

Why I love it: Definitely minimized my pores. I love the way my skin feels after application - silky and smooth! This also helps my daily tinted moisturizer last throughout my work day.

(OGX Coconut Milk Shampoo, Aussie 3 Minute Miracle, It's A 10 Leave-in Product, OGX Moroccan Oil)

Why I love it: Going as light as I did with my hair can really make hair look dry. I have gotten compliments, "Your hair looks so healthy despite the bleaching of your hair" / "Your hair looks so soft and healthy!" And as an added bonus, the coconut milk shampoo and 3 Minute Miracle both smell like coconut so my hair always smells so tropical :)

The reason why this is so exciting is because my hair is naturally dry. I've spent most of my life with coarse and unmanageable hair. It only took me 28 years to figure it out -__-

Minute Maid Watermelon

Yes, yes, I know super random! This has been my summer drink (beside the iced coffees, of course!). 

Why I love it: It's actually pretty tasty and a great drink for summer :)

What are your summer favorites?

<3<3<3

Product Empties #2

This is another installment of my Product Empties (read my first one here!) I probably won't be doing Product Empties posts too often as I tend to not venture out too much when it comes to products. 

I'm one of those people who stick to what works. I'll try new things here and there if I am not 100% satisfied or if I'm feeling adventurous. This post will include a blend of mostly staples and new tries. 

H A I R :

It's a 10 Miracle Leave-in Plus Keratin (sample) 
<3 I received this 4 fl oz sample during one of the big Ulta sales in April.
<3 The verdict? I LOVE it. Like LOOOOOOOOVE. I have repurchased my second bottle. My hair is very dry and unmanageable when it dries. My hair is pretty lioness in its natural state. This product has made my hair manageable. I never knew that was possible to achieve outside of a salon.

Organix Hydrating Macademia Oil Intensive Moisture Mask
</3 I bought this product after seeing it in YouTube's ThatsHeart favorites a while ago. It worked for her, but definitely did not work for me. 
</3 It did not add any moisture to my hair. It actually made my hair feel drier after using it. And to top it off, it had a funky smell. Double whammy. 

F A C E :

Aveeno Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer
<3 I have been using this for 3 - 4 years. I love it, but I am itching to try something new. Any recommendations? I would like to stick to a tinted moisturizer for every day use. I'm not looking for heavy coverage, just sun protection and an even tone. I've heard Neutrogena and Sonia Kashuk are good options. I'm even considering a BB cream. HELP?

Rimmel Stay Matter Powder
?? I'm not quite sure how I feel about this. Women rave about it on YouTube. I have another one that I'm finishing off since I did buy it BOGO 50% at Ulta..
?? Maybe it is just summer and I tend to get oilier, but this did not make my face "Stay Matte." 

L'Oreal Revitalift Moisturizer
<3 I love this moisturizer. It's a bit greasy, but it does make my skin feel soft. With added anti-aging elements, it's a plus! 

E Y E S :

Maybelline Falsies Volume Mascara
<3 This is my staple and I love it. I will most definitely continue to repurchase.

Maybelline Line Stilleto
<3 I first tried this liner a few years ago and I didn't like it. I assume I got a bad batch because it dried up really fast. 
<3 I rediscovered this product on New Year's Eve 2013 when I forgot my liner at home. I was going to a friend's home to get ready. I stopped by a CVS. This liner was on sale and I thought, WHY NOT?
<3 It was amazing!! New found love for this product. I am on my third one since New Year's Eve!

NYC Eye Pencil
<3 I used to buy these so often for my brows. I haven't really been using pencil lately. I bought a new one after I finished this one, but haven't used it since. There's nothing wrong with it. I just found a new routine (e.l.f. Eyebrow Kit)

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser, Brightener
</3 Oh this is awful. It had a pink undertone which does not work well with me at all. This product did nothing for me. I love the neutralizer from this line and will stick to that. 

And that's a wrap! I know my pictures aren't the greatest. I'm trying to figure out what camera will work best. I shall see :)

L I P S :

Maybelline Baby Lips
</3 This didn't leave a long lasting moisturizing feel. It always felt like I had product on my lips even after one swipe across my lips. I would apply before I went to bed and still feel it in the morning. It was just sitting on my lips. Gross!
</3 I bought this at Ulta BOGO 50% off so I have another one I am looking forward to using up so I can return to my holy grail of chapsticks: Soft Lips. Oh Soft Lips, I'm sorry I left you a minute or two. My bad, my bad.
</3 The only things I do like about this balm are the scent and light tint it adds to your lips


<3<3<3

OOTD: Being Bold(er), Being Me

I had an adventure day with one of my best friends and her toddler last Monday. For my outfit, I was feeling "different." I wanted to wear something out of my element. I wanted to put a style together that I've always wanted to do, but wasn't so gutsy to pull off. My best friend is very retro, very vintage, very hipster, very feminine, very indie, very hippy, very eclectic all combined into one. She's such an inspiration because she rocks everything she wears with such confidence. She's just bold and stands out in a crowd and is very secure with being herself. She's awesome!

Whenever I hang out with her, I am inspired to be more bold and step it up a notch with my wardrobe or makeup. I'd love to be as bold as she is, but part of me gets insecure about standing out. I've always played it "safe" and have always been so "mainstream" because it was easier. I knew that part of me wanted to express myself in bolder looks, but I was too timid to let it loose. Because of her, I'm learning to be more comfortable in my skin and in my style. 

you don't have to tell me. i know they're a bit blurry. oops =/

This is what I wore to the park which is funny because I spent the day with a toddler at a park, going to Costco getting "everything-on-it jumbo hot dogs" wearing basically all white. That just sounds like a recipe for stains and getting dirty! Somehow I walked away stain free!

Here is my outfit in detail (and sans blur):

Front:

It's a sheer two-toned sleeveless blouse with gold buttons for detailing

Back:

The upper two thirds is a beautiful lace of flowers

Gold buttons

Lace back

Close up of my pants

Top: Papaya Clothing

Pants: Leggings that my aunt gave me when I was in the Philippines

Shoes: JCPenny

Sunglasses: Marshalls

Earrings: Charlotte Russe

Lipstick: NYX

I'm sorry I forgot to take a picture of my makeup close up. My makeup was very pinup girl-esque. My best friend, who's amazing at makeup, even gave me kudos for being "on point" with my makeup. And those words coming from her was definitely a compliment and validation! 

This was also the first time I ever worn a red lip! I've always been so insecure about wearing a red lip, thinking it didn't suit me, thinking I could never pull it off. But this day, I decided to stop over thinking and just do it. 

Anything can look good on you if you feel good in it. 

This is something I hope to continue on no matter how insecure or how doubtful of myself I get at times.

I will do me. 

<3<3<3