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Neon Skittles with crazy dot

Just a quick post of a fun little mani I did purely to make me smile. I love that neon colors are everywhere these days so I thought I would bring some neon into my life. I uses white polish under the neon so the colors would pop and be more opaque. I used Pop Beauty and China Glaze nail polishes. I love the Pop Beauty(on my middle and ring finger). Its pretty opaque in just one coat. I need to search online for more neon colors. Well talk to ya later and I know it's been awhile but make sure you are loving yourself!!!
-Chelle

My first A England Polish

Just a quick little post and review of my first a england polish. I thought I had already posted this but I guess not. It is called Princess Sabra. Now I thought I had found my true love in a linear holo polish when I first tried HITS but let me be clear this one here is aahmazing. It goes on smooth no streaking. The odor is minimal and its damn near opaque in just one coat. HITS seems to need at least three. I wish I had bought more of this because although its more expensive than HITS (12.00 on llarowe.com) Its a much better formula and lasts a long time without tip wear or chipping. Anyway enjoy the pics and keep on Loving Yourselves!!! 

                                                                                                -Chelle

P.S. Don't forget to follow my blog. It would mean the world to me!

Six Sexy Summer Underarms Tips

Yes that's right Sexy underarms. It may sound strange but think about how many times you have seen someone raise their arms to reveal dark bumpy armpits. It is not a good look so I thought a few tips might help some of you get ready for the warmer weather fashions. The pic below is reported to be none other than Beyonce on the red carpet back in 2009. Yuck. I guess anyone can fall victim to ugly armpits. This is an emergency for some of you out there so lets get to it!

1) Do Not Shave-Shaving can cause skin discoloration, razor bumps and ingrown hairs. Instead opt for waxing. It lasts longer than shaving or using depilatories and doesn't cause these problems. If you choose to have them done professionally make sure the person doing it tests the hot wax and or lets it cool a little before applying to your underarms. This skin is super sensitive and a burn here is miserable. Take it from someone who has had one. A good cheap alternative is buying waxing strips and doing them yourself. Especially if you don't have the time to go have it done by a professional. Veet makes ready to use wax strips for legs and body that work very well. The trip to at home waxing is getting the skin taut. I have found that by raising my arm and placing it behind my head I get the best results. Also make sure you warm the strips between your hands for the most effective use.

2) Use a facial cleanser designed to even out skin tone- This will help with any discoloration you may already have and can also help heal any little pimples or razor bumps. Because facial cleansers tend to be more gentle than shower gels I feel that these are better for areas with sensitive skin. Not gonna lie I use the same cleanser for my va-jay-jay as I use under my arms. Hope that's not TMI. Ha ha! I like Neutrogena Visibly Even for this because its gentle and contains soy which helps also with slowing hair growth.

3) Try a hair growth retardant- There are lots of these products out there Aveeno makes one that is called Positively Smooth and you can find it pretty readily at most Target and Walmart stores. My personal favorite is GiGi Keep It Bare. It comes in a formula for the face and the body and is found at Sally Beauty Supply. The great thing about this product is that its all natural and not only helps with the hair regrowth but moisturizes and exfoliates which brings me to tip number four.

My holy grail because it slows hair growth, moisturizes and  exfoliates!

4) Exfoliate- A gentle sugar scrub or facial scrub work wonders under your arms to clarify and brighten the skin. A body brush would also do the trick. Just don't scrub too hard or exfoliate the same day as waxing because this can cause irritation. You already know what product I prefer to get this job done.

5) Moisturize- Keep your skin soft with a gentle moisturizer. One that is light and fragrance free free is best to avoid irritation. Anything too thick or greasy can clog your pores and increase your sweat production and no one wants that. Again go back to tip three to see the moisturizer I choose for my underarms. Another good option is a baby lotion. If it is gentle enough for a baby it should be no problem for your pits. Ha ha!

6) Deodorize wisely- Choose a deodorant that does not irritate your skin and that doesn't give you those awful looking white balls in the crease of your underarm. A colorless version is best for the summer. Dove has come out with Cleartone deodorant that is supposed to help with skin discoloration in as little as two weeks. I myself haven't tested this out long enough to tell you whether it works or not but it sounds like its worth a try. I do like the Secret Soothing Effects deodorant as it helps with irritation caused by various hair removal methods.

Well there you have it! I hope this helps you ladies looking to show off your sexy arms this summer. I hope to see you back here next week. Although it has been awhile know I still love you so YOU better love you too!!!

My 10 Nail Essentials(L'Occitane Hand Cream Rant)

Wow I can't believe it's been a week since I last posted. It has been a busy seven days. My son was home from college for spring break. We spent a whole day doing his hair. He is starting dreadlocks and I had to wash and retwist his hair. That was exhausting.  I was so happy to spend the week with him. He brought one of his roommates home with him too. I cooked several large dinners, we played video games and talked sports. Although I am so proud of my son it still makes me cry every time he goes back to college. I have mastered holding it in till after he is gone :). I am still working on shopping for my giveaway goodies. I have a few things but I want this first giveaway to be a good one so I'm going to try to gather up some fabulous hard to find prizes.

Anyway today's post is a summary of the ten things I can't live without when it comes to my fingernails. I have posted pics of the specific items I use. So let's get into it. Here is a group shot of my little nail buddies.

I'll start from the beginning and list the everything in the order I use them. Now don't get it twisted I don't use all this stuff every time I do my nails but I do use them at least once a week.

1. Sugar Scrub- I got mine from a friend for Christmas. It is made by a local spa and the scent is heavenly. Its great for exfoliating and softening up my hands. There is another I want to try that I will mention later.

2. Cuticle remover- this one is from Avon. Nail Experts Instant Gel Cuticle Remover. Its the only one I have tried so I don't know if there are others out there that work better but I am happy with this one. I love that the lid is a cuticle pusher. I just follow the directions on the tube and it works wonders. My husband loves pedicures and this product breaks down his thick overgrown man toe cuticles in no time flat.

3. Wooden Cuticle Pusher- I buy orange sticks in multipacks at Sally's or Target. They are great for other things besides pushing cuticles and cleaning under nails. I own a "dotting tool" but I find that nothing gives me symmetrical, identical little dots like the pointy end of my orange stick. They are also great for cleaning up stray polish that is still wet.

4. Nail File- I don't use nail clippers unless I have a broken or snagged nail to trim. I shorten and shape my nails with a nail file. I prefer the medium/fine grit. The course ones seem to make my nails split. I save these for my toes since toenails by nature are thicker than finger nails. Remember to always file your nails in one direction. Now sawing back and forth that causes your nails to split.

5. Four Way Buffer Block- nothing fancy really. Just a four sided nail buffer to remove ridges from the surface of my nails and create a smooth nail. Using this helps keep my nails from yellowing and it seems to make my manicures last longer.

 6. L'Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream- this is my holy grail hand cream!!! I ran out and decided that I was going to try some others because this one in the full size tube is $28. I tried Eucerin, Nivea, Bath and Body Works(shea cashmere & silk) and Ahava hand creams. None of these were terrible but I couldn't get the same results my L'Occitane gave me. It makes my hands super soft, its not sticky or greasy, it has a nice soft scent, absorbs quickly, lasts through two to three hand washings, and it kept my skin around my nails in the best shape it has ever been in. I realize it is expensive for the full size tube 150ml/5.2 oz but it only takes a pea size amount to moisturize my hands and I've got some pretty meaty hands. My first tube lasted me 6 months and 3 of those were winter months. The way I figure that breaks down to $4.66 a month which is cheaper than every one of those other hand creams I tried. It contains 20% Shea Butter and in my opinion its the best thing on the market for your hands. L'Occitane makes a shea butter body scrub I'm going to try when I run out of my sugar scrub. Wow I guess that turned into a rant didn't it? Ha!

This is the 1 oz mini tube sells for $10. Yes its cheaper but five times the product for  only $28 seems like a much better deal to me. I would suggest the mini though if you just want to try it out without the investment.

7. 100% Acetone nail polish remover- besides the obvious use for removing even the most stubborn glitter nail polish I use a little on a cotton swab to remove any moisturizer from my nails before I polish them. My sister who is a nail tech tells me that this makes your polish adhere to the nail better like a prime.

8. Base Coat- now this may be where I lose some of you because for a lot of you OPI Nail Envy is your "be all end all" base coat. I own some but I only use it when I'm not going to apply polish on top of it. It seems to make my nail polish peel off very quickly and I don't like that at all! Instead I use OPI Natural Nail Base Coat. It provides a smooth even canvas for my little works of nail art and it dries quickly. Something in the formula helps prevents polish from chipping and peeling.

9. topcoat- Seche Vite. Yes I know it can get thick after awhile(making sure you keep it tightly closed helps with this). Yes I know some complain that it has an extremely strong smell. Yes it costs up to $10 depending on where you buy it. I know all these things but I have tried lots of quick drying top coats and I only like two. This and Out The Door. They both give you a quick drying shiny manicure. OTD has version called northern lights that has subtle silver holographic glitter in it that makes your cream and jelly laquers really pop. I am currently out of OTD which is why its not pictured here. OTD does not smell as strong or thicken up like SV but its not as readily available as SV. I have only found OTD at Sally's.

10. One inch flat artist's brush- I bought mine at Michael's in an eight piece set for around $5. I use this with my polish remover to clean up wayward polish around my nails. Its also great for getting those color runs out from under your nails when you remove a highly pigmented nail polish. Make sure the brush is stiff enough to do the job. If its too soft it won't "scour" well enough to remove polish and it will fold over and ruin your fresh mani as you run it around your cuticle.

I hope this helps some of you out there reading this. If you have suggestions or holy grail nail products that differ from mine let me know. I'm always looking to try new things and learn new tricks. Please take the time to follow my blog. If you choose not to that's okay too but I would love a comment from you telling me why so that I can improve this little blog. I do this because I want to help ladies feel better about themselves. I wish I help everyone Love Themselves!

                                                                                                                    -Chelle

Essence Break Through

This is my first essence polish. The only place I have seen any essence products is Ulta and their selection is very limited. The day saw this one though I knew I had to have it. I love a good purple polish. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this little gem. The brush although not very long and a little narrow it did the job wonderfully. This polish was opaque in two coats and dried quickly and evenly. No streaks!!! I would describe the formula itself as a jelly like cream which is my favorite. I have to say the nest time I see essence polish I will be buying it. I am always so excited when I find a polish brand that is under $3 that performs like a $10 polish.

Pics taken with no flash. This is two coats and no top coat. Pretty shiny huh?

So of course me being little Miss NeverSatisfied I add a top coat of Pure Ice Busted. The top coat complimented the polish nicely but to be honest this time I thin I should have left well enough alone. The creamy purple is so prettty I kind of miss it with the glitter on top.

Well folks I hope to see you back here soon. I'm planning my purchases for my first giveaway and I am so excited. Please take the time to click follow blog its painless and it would make me feel so good. Show some love and while you are at it Love Yourself.

                                                                                                                    -Chelle

Lilac Sorbet Roses

Boy the weather was beautiful today. I spent time outside daydreaming in the sun and it was lovely. That inspired me to put on a spring pastel mani. I used the Sally Hansen Smooth and Perfect polish in Sorbet. The color is a pale peach sheer jelly. It took three coats to get an opaque look without streaks. Its a very pretty color that will be complimentary to most complexion. Especially those that are darker or have warm undertones.

After about an hour of glancing at this polish I decided it wasn't fun enough so I added a l'il somethin somethin. I used SHXW Lacey Lilac to add some little lavender roses and SHID in Mint Sprint for leaves. I think it came out pretty cute. Definitely a girly look but I like it. I know my cuticles look a mess. I had run out of my L'Occitain hand cream and went to get a manicure that damaged the skin around my nails. I have replaced my hand cream and am working on getting my hands back in good shape.

I don't know about you but I'm looking forward to the warm days of spring. I am not looking forward to the time change and losing an hour of sleep. Something else I am looking forward to is doing a giveaway. Please follow me. I will be announcing a giveaway with nail and beauty prizes next week. Winners will be chosen randomly from my followers. Well ladies and gents I hope you come back and holla at ya girl. I also hope you Love Yourself!

                                                                                                                                   -Chelle