A Nail Hack You Can't Go Another Day Without

If you ever paint your nails, ever at all, you need to know this tip. I tried it yesterday, even amidst a sea of disbelief, and you know what? It honestly worked. Want a fabulous salon-like pedicure without waiting for 6 days for your nails to dry completely? Go into your kitchen and get greasy.

The first attempt, using olive oil cooking spray.

My bestie told me about a hack that she had seen on the Dr. Oz show to make your nails do a usper dry like they do at the salon, but without the fairly expensive finishing spray to dry your paint. Cooking spray, specifically the kind containing olive oil. I removed all of my old polish with 100% acetone (don't bother with that non-acetone stuff, get the hard s***), clipped and filed down the edges of my nails (and for those of you that don't file, I highly suggest it. Use a medium grain file and file the same direction over all of your nails before painting, you get a nice, even edge, it only takes a minute or two and it's seriously worth the extra effort). I did two coats of colored polish, a coat of glitter and two coats of basic top coat, waiting about 1-2 minutes between coats, let it sit for 2 minutes or so and sprayed my feet with cooking spray. It felt wrong, greasy, and slimy. I waited 2 or 3 minutes for the oil to sink in to my skin and rinsed my feet off in the sink with warm water. The rest of the oil I massaged into my toes for softness sake. To my surprise, after washing off the oil, I found that my nails were smooth and dry, if not neccessarily hard as a rock. I could, however, put my shoes on without fretting about marring my pedicure.

I tried it again at a different time, looking for continuity in my Mythbuster's heart, and found that it does work with other types of cooking sprays, but I would say that the olive oil spray specifically works very well. The second time, I used a canola oil spray. While it worked, I would say that my nails did not feel as hard and dry as they did with the olive oil spray.

Cleaned, filed, painted with polish and two coats of clear polish.

Slightly slimy, yet highly moisturized piggies.

Immediately dry and patriotic pedicure.

Let's Talk About...Facial Masks

Let's talk about...facial masks.

It's not a great picture, but I am wearing a lemon and honey peel away mask.

I am currently wearing a mask on my face. I can't smile much and I run the risk of catching some tiny baby hairs when I finally peel off this shiny, orangey layer. While it may not sound that great, I have really come to love putting varying kinds of masks on. It started as a one-time spa type hangout with a friend, pedicures, masks and wine; now I'm doing them once or twice a week. I like the act of putting the stuff on your face and waiting patiently (honestly, the waiting is some of the best part), and finally, finally peeling off, or washing off that strange but deliciously scented concoction to reveal beautifully smooth, glowing, radiant skin.

 I will partially attribute my fabulous golden goddess vibe that I've been strutting around in to seriously taking the time to take care of my skin. I never used to be one to religiously scrub and wash my face every day. I was lucky not to suffer from acne as a teen and I still maintain fairly clear skin as an adult. I just never took the time to honestly care for myself and as I quickly progress in years, I want to ensure that I am doing my best to look and feel beautiful, for myself if no one else.

Super cool big-eye filter.

Doing these wonderful little mini-spa timeouts a couple times a week gives me that little extra in my beauty routine (I'm terrible about moisturizing so in my head this makes up for it). Usually after I do a mask, I'll go sans foundation or BB cream for a day or two as my skin feels and looks so fresh I hate to cover it up. Masks and other little DIY pampering can go a long way in a few minutes for others too! I've shared a mask-and-wine evening with my mother-in-law and my bestie several times, and recently had a mini-makeover with a friend of mine on a long anticipated get together. I love the power of the mask. I also love the price and the variety of the mask! Any skin type can find their perfect fit, there are paper masks, peel-away masks, charcoal, diamond, green tea, mud, clay, the list goes on.

I recently bought a ton of different kinds from Walmart (above is a small selection). These packets are $1-1.37 a piece, and most are enough for two to four applications. They are awesome. A quick little pick me up at a completely reasonable price? I'll take it. Pamper yourself! If you tried one, try it. Doesn't matter who you are. The sheer act of taking the time out to cleanse your face, massage your face with your hands and applying the mask is relaxing. It's centering and I enjoy taking the time for myself. Soon soon soon I'm going to attempt at making a DIY version of my favorite masks as well! 

Breaking News: My New Shoes Just Arrived

  I love buying crap online. It's like Christmas...with a tracking number. I have been eagerly awaiting my new shoes and bracelet, stalking UPS twice a day for the last week waiting for my shoes to arrive. And guess what? They did, today, a day ahead of schedule. Please prepare for the following visual assault:

Wedges, heeled sandals and cuff bracelet from Shoedazzle. That is all.