Don't Forget to...

 

This is probably the only picture that I will post from Shauna and my Desert trip. Maybe you will see more but just know that this is from the very end of the desert stay.

after we sang karaoke ALL NIGHT LONG at a dive bar in Joshua Tree... dead sober
after we were woken up at 6am by the loud banging of every window and door in our luxurious airstream in the middle of nowhere
after we tried going to a flea market in the 75mph dust storm only to find it mostly shut down
after driving 6 hours in one day and singing our lungs out to 90's country music
after we stayed in a 5 star hotel that we had looked soooo forward to only to find out there was no electricity that night

Pretty Much Everyday

Do it Yourself Glitter Shellac Nail Tutorial

Guys!! I have stumbled upon something awesome. Nerium. Here is my before and after. I was so dull and chalky and wore tons of makeup to cover my uneven skin. Now I only wear Tinted Moisturizer and lip gloss. There is a 30 day money back guarantee for Preferred Customers, so it's risk free!! Click the link or photo for more before and afters!

 

After 3 Months of Nerium        Before Nerium

Click the Photo for More Information

darcic.nerium.com

Recently after discovering "Shellac" gel manicures, I have become a little bit dependent on these suckers. And by suckers, I mean $$$$ suckers. I started to add things up.
$27 + $5 tip = $32 two times per month
Then...I saw some glittery gel nails on a friend of mine and more dollar signs flashed. I HAD to try it, but I just quit cutting and coloring hair and only have extension clients left. I couldn't justify $40 for a bi-weekly service.
$40 + $8 tip = $48 two times per month
$96/month!!
I decided to buy the supplies and give it a go. I can paint my own nails,(my left hand at least), I can stick them under a dryer, and I am very familiar with Martha Stewart Glitters.
So here are the things you need to start your own collection of gel or shellac polishes.
$31 UV Nail Curing Light- This is not something you have to spend $200 on but the polish companies will have you believe you do. You can get it on Amazon for $31. It just needs to be at least 36 watts.
$.20 Nail Buff
$17 UV Gel Base Coat
$17 UV Gel Top Coat
$14 Clear Gel Polish
$18 24 Colors of Martha Stewart Glitter
$5 Nail Brush
$102.20 Total and you can shellac your own nails forever. I recommend buying the smaller bottles of polish just in case you decide you would rather be pampered at a salon.

Now onto the Nail Tutorial!                            
Step 1. Buff your nails with the soft side of your buffer until they are slightly dull then rinse your hands with water and dry them
Step 2. Use the UV Base coat. (When painting all coats avoid your cuticles so your polish doesn't lift and look chunky as it grows out.) Place your nails under the UV Lamp for 10 seconds to cure
Step 3. Paint with the clear coat, don't cure it yet. Tap the glitter out slowly onto your nail. (Use a paper plate under your hand to catch any fallen glitter.) Leave it sloppy and place your hand in the lamp for 120 seconds to cure
Step 4. Over your plate, use your nail brush or craft brush and dust off any glitter that is still loose
Step 5. Paint another clear coat and cure for 120 seconds
Step 6. Repeat Step 5
Step 7. Apply your UV top coat and cure for 180 seconds
Step 8. Use a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and remove the sticky residue on your nails. Don't worry they won't smudge.
Step 9. ADMIRE because these guys are DRY! You don't have to wait and there is absolutely no smudging!! (I did green for St. Paddy's Day but I think I'll go neutral next time)