Christmas Nail Designs

The holidays are coming, and you might want to prepare in advance. Here's a few quick and easy ways to get Holiday nails! Konad Stamping Nail Art Image Plate - M12 (Christmas Designs) is Christmas themed and makes nail design easy as holiday pie!

MASH Premium Nail Art Holiday Christmas Stickers make it even easier to add a little Christmas spirit to your beauty routine. If you haven't tried MASH products before you should start with something small. The price is right, and the quality is exceptionally good for the price.

I'm posting up Christmas stuff before Halloween since the Christmas plates sell out fast before the Holidays even arrive. Enjoy!

Glass Nail Files : the skinny

Trust me. I get it. You want to file your nails, and you're used to cheap nail files. Then someone comes along and tells you how amazing glass nail files are. So you begin searching and find out there are super inexpensive ones, and then very inexpensive ones. For a moment you think, well I can get the cheaper ones!

WRONG.

Trust me. I've been there, done that, have the T-shirt. I bought several very inexpensive glass nail files. Guess what?
Most broke in my hands, others shredded my nails. They were also a bit ugly at the top, with no real ryhme or reason to their design.
So when I was asked to do a post about quality nail files by design-glassware.com by Mont Bleu , I jumped. Quite frankly, more people need to know that sometimes(usually), you get what you pay for.

Design-Glassware.com also makes beautiful pumice-like stones for rubbing calluses.

I have tried higher quality ones, and was quite happy. Through this wonderful site you can also get really beautiful, quality Swarovski Crystal nail files.

So consider not only the polish you paint on your nails, the lotions and creams you apply. Remember nail health comes down to diet, and proper preparations with good, quality tools.

Specifically Design-Glassware.com is well designed, with a beautiful selection to chose from. They carry much of the hardware needed for beauty needs. Many have options for crystals on the hardware, which I love. Prices are reasonable, however they are in Euro's, not US dollars, and ships directly from Czech Republic. Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Design-Glassware.com All thoughts, opinions, etc are still honest and my own.

Difficulties

Having some technical difficulties with the domain. Please sit tight and understand.

Chloe Sunglasses %75 off today and more!

I'm not sure about you girls. But I check Groupon daily. With great deals popping up locally, and nationwide sometimes things can't be beat. Today there is a surge of nice girly things. Including some nice Chloé Sunglasses for %75 off retail! Price is $89. Enjoy.

Free Nail Polish or other goodies, your choice.

We all like free stuff. However, free nail polish is insanely hard to come by. Usually, companies never send out samples, or testers. You have to fork over the moola to decide if you love (or hate) it.



There's a new website called Copious. A bit of a mix of etsy, and maybe ebay. But without the auction style. Everything is available from handmade goods to designer purses . I saw a hot pair of new Fendi pumps up for a very good price.

NOTE: I believe to qualify for the free $10 you have to join with facebook or twitter and it must be your first time joining copious.

Since it's a new site, they're offering a $10 credit for new users. Which can easily snag you a bottle of Julep or other nail polish free with free shipping. Nail polishes go lightning fast, so if you find one available that you love, grab it. The best part of the site, once you click "buy" the item is held for you for 15 minutes , so no one can snag it from under you.

Better yet? The payment company used holds your payment in neutral escrow until the item has been shipped and in your possession for 2 full days. So unlike other websites, you don't have to worry about being sent junk.



So check out Copious and sign up before the $10 credit is gone. I've already used my credit, so I know the site works.

Lip Gloss Love: Review of NYC Liquid Lipshine

I'm a lip balm type of girl. I just want something that feels good, maybe a slight tint of color. I tried out NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine, and here are the details below.

So it's quite glossy, which is very pretty. Comparing to lipsticks or balms it is a bit stickier (one reason I usually don't wear glosses). It wasn't too bad, but my hair stuck to my lips a couple times. The taste, I personally could do without. I really don't like the taste of cocoa butter, or chocolate hints in it. I love(to eat real) chocolate. I'll pass in my make-up smelling/tasting like it though. If you like flavors like that, then this is definitely for you.

The color was pretty awesome, I tried Nude York City. What a great name! It worked wonderfully with my new red hair. Some of the natural pink of my lips showed through but it toned down my lip color enough to do very daring eye shadow! That was nice for a night. I find myself digging for my chapstick still in my purse, and if I can't find it I'm willing to swipe on the easy-to-apply lip shine. Otherwise, I don't use it much. For me, personally, it won't be a staple.

NYC New York Color Retails for $2.50 ish. I sometimes see it on sale much cheaper. The small price is sometimes makes it worth trying if nothing else.

Thanks to Influenster and NYC New York Color for letting me try the lipshine. My opinions are honest & remain mine.

Need New Years Nails? Try imPRESS Press-on Manicure

I've been sick for a month. No kidding! I have no energy to do anything, but I have to be involved with my family for the Holidays. I had to get creative for Thanksgiving, Christmas, & New years for my nails. Something that required NO energy. It's not my usual thing, I like to go all out.
I was given the chance to try imPRESS nails, which are fancy press ons. They are quite nice, for what they are. I do not like the feeling of press ons, but they got the job done. Plus, they come in some toned down colors, or crazy designs. Perfect for New years! Unfortunately, I didn't snap photos of my nails on Christmas, but they looked pretty natural. In a pinch, it's better than bare nails. Just like any press on, you have to be careful, something I am not good at. I couldn't stand it after awhile and ripped them off. If you're used to stick ons, you should try these though.
They come in these cute little packages that look like a nail polish bottle. You can try them out yourself with a $1 off coupon that can be printed from imPRESS Manicure.com in the bottom right hand corner.

My biggest tip? Size it on your fingers first, have a file ready to adjust the sides to the perfect size. Oversized press on nails will look REALLY FAKE if not perfect.
Thank you to Influenster for sending me these to try out! This doesn't change my opinion.

Giftcard Passion

It's almost Christmas! I LOVE gift cards. In fact, I'm getting one this year, as I do every year. I actually request them when people ask what I want. Why? It makes it so easy for me and them.

Gift cards may seem like a thoughtless gift, but I do believe you have to match the gift card to the person. In example, I certainly wouldn't purchase a Gift Card for a lingerie store for my dad. However, say your mother loves baking, but you're not sure if they'd want a bread machine? Get them a gift card to Williams-Sonoma. Or how about your best friend with super sensitive skin? What if she's allergic to the spa set you were thinking of buying her?(Ask me how I know!) You could get her a gift card for Pangea Organics.

Some ways to make it seem more personal are to give it in a box with a little extra item. Once I received a Victoria Secret gift card with an adorable pink teddy bear holding the card. So even after the card was long gone I had an adorable little bear to put on my shelf. It made the gift feel more personal. I've had friends who did scavenger hunts to find their card. One box opened had a clue, which led to another clue, etc. It's a fun and silly way to get your card.

Some of the most Rocking gift cards I've ever received? Some for my fave clothing brands, others that have been more general - Like Amazon and a branded mall gift card that can be used at any store in the mall owners system - even in other malls owned by the same parent company. Lastly, an iTunes gift card was pretty awesome, it wasn't for a lot, but it went a long way in getting new apps.

As an added bonus, the recipient can wait till the right time to purchase the items they want. Like when they're on sale. They can snag a great deal in the post Holiday sales! Even better if the giver found the gift card for a deal like on GiftCardsRock

GiftCardsRock shows great deals going on with Gift Cards all over. A big sale (IE BestBuy's recent sale on iTunes gift cards : When do they EVER go on sale?) among places of where to win a snazzy new gift certificate or card. It's a great way to integrate deals in your life as it's easily updated on Facebook.

Do you like receiving gift cards? Do you think they're good to give?

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Gift Cards Rock blogging program, for 6,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

$5 Free from Clover - The easiest way to send money

I'm in love with my iphone. No really. And I'm not a fangirl, I like androids too, and dont get into the whole iphone vs android battle. Each has their pro's and con's.
Well theres a great new way to send money through your iphone OR android called Clover. You just pick a contact and send! It's super easy to receive money also. This is great just in time for X-mas because I can easily send (or receive funds) for gifts to family and friends. Especially ones that I'm at a loss as to what to send them. This leaves more time for beautification -WEE.

Check out Clover and get $5

Proactiv Test

I recently tried out Proactiv again thanks to being a part of Influenster VoxBox. My acne isnt bad anymore but I thought I'd give it a whirl.
This stuff works seriously well for some of my friends and family. They truly rely on the ease of use, ease of purchasing, and overall results. If you have never heard about it, well... What rock are you living under? Proactiv is sold as a 30-day, 3-step system for $19.95 There are also other goodies than can be purchased to add to the system. I personally have found it lasts longer than advertised.

However, I have incredibly sensitive skin. The product line-up together is way too much. Separately I love it. The toner is my favorite. It's quite gentle and smells ok. It dries well to a nice finish leaving my skin neither too moisturized nor to dry. Perfect for right out of the shower.
The wash would be great for those who need to exfoliate quite a bit, but its too harsh for me. I can never use anything with any texture on my face so it was not surprising. Over exfoliating for me means hurting puffy red skin & more acne.
One thing I've learned through years of trying is what works best for me is benzoyl peroxide for mild-moderate acne. It's gentle, exfoliating, and kills bacteria. Anyone who uses Proactive (or any acne product) with benzoyl peroxide should realize it can & will bleach towels, hair, pillowcases etc. So be careful. I ruined some nice towels.
I have decided to pass the kit onto my fiance, who at nearly 30 still has mild blackheads. Proactiv helps his skin A LOT. I mean, the difference can be pretty amazing after a while. It is something he will continue to purchase.


Thank you to Influenster VoxBox & Proactiv

Free moisturizer from L'Occitane

L'Occitane is offering a free 10ml hand moisturizer through facebook. If you've never tried this brand NOW is the time. I was first introduced to L'Occitane (lox-ee-tahn I believe is the proper way to say it) by my dad. He purchased it from a boutique for my christmas gift. All their products contain lots of shea butter. They are very moisturizing and GREAT for very dry, weathered skin. I love their products so much, but sometimes can't afford the full line up. Jump now, as this free offer will not last long. Product has to be picked up at a boutique/seller.

FREE Mascara from Cosmo

In the november issue of Cosmopolitan Text LASHLOVE to 467467 for a full sized Lash Love mascara from Mary Kay. First 5,000. (standard text rates may apply, I have unlimited) I tried it out just now and it's still working! Sometimes it returns errors, just resubmit your previous response. When you finish it will confirm you will receive the mascara in 6-8 weeks. Enjoy!