How To Make A Manicure Last Longer

I hate when I get my nails done or I paint them myself and they look great... for a day.  Let's face it, nail polish tends to chip.  To make a manicure last longer you can try these tips:

If you get a manicure, apply a coat of clear nail polish every few days, as this will keep nails shiny and prevent chipping.  

If you paint your nails yourself, file you nails so they are smooth on the ends.  This helps to prevent them from breaking or getting caught on things.  Buff your nails, it will make your nails much smoother.  Apply a base coat or a layer of clear nail polish.  This makes polish go on much smoother as the nail color isn't getting caught in ridges.   Allow for it to dry and then apply two coats of the color of your choice.  Applying two coats ensures that the nail polish goes on evenly.  Then apply your top coat.  I really like OPI, China Glaze, and Sally Hanson.  Even if I use a cheap nail polish for my color, I always try to use a really good top coat, after all this is what is going to keep your nail polish in place.  Top coats also make your nails shiny, so they look like they are professionally done.  Reapply your top coat every few days to maintain great looking polish for a week or more!

Kissable Lips

To make lips really smooth and shiny when going out, try this:


Begin by using a lip scrub/exfolient.  This will gently scrub away the dead skin cells that are on your lips, making them much softer.  This is important when applying lipstick so it doesn't goop around the dry skin.  You can also do this before bed and follow it by applying chapstick/vaseline to keep your lips moisturized.


After exfoliating your lips, apply chapstick.  I really like Blistex medicated lip balm, which also has sun screen.  Applying this before you apply lipstick allows your lipstick to go on much smoother, adds some shine, AND it's moisturizing/preventing dry lips!


Next, apply your desired color of lipstick.  Should go on much smoother.  Depending on the amount of shine you desire, you can add gloss to give your lips that extra shine.  I used to be a huge lover of lipgloss, but I recently started to use vaseline.  I apply this over my lipstick.  It tends to last longer, it's not nearly as sticky, and helps moisturize my lips.


These tips are especially useful when using a bold color such as red.  Because you are drawing attention to your lips, you want them to be perfect!

Money Saving Tips When It Comes To Beauty Products

In the past, I received samples of expensive mascaras that I couldn't imagine going without or fell in love with an expensive brand mascara while shopping and just had to have it.  I have found that it's usually the mascara brush that gives you the effect that you want.  As long as the formula in similar, (ex.waterproof)  simply use the brush from the more expensive bottle in the cheaper bottle.


Aside from being my number 1 hangover cure, I've discovered another reason why Pepto Bismol belongs in my medicine cabinet...  Pepto Bismol facials!  Aside from making your face smoother, it actually contains salicylic acid which is found in a lot of acne fighting products.
So does it actually work?  The answer is YES.  Not only does it immediately tighten pores but acne seems to be less noticeable as well.
Give it a try!


Dry Shampoo that works and is inexpensive?  Try Herbal Essence's.  Not only does it make hair appear less greasy, it smells great too.  Sometimes, for added volume when I straighten my hair, I will spray some of this near my roots instead of hairspray.  Gives hair added volume without adding shine and making your hair sticky.  
Tip:  If you have dark hair, don't apply too much.  Product comes out as a white powder and will only make you look like you have dandruff.