OPI Axxium vs CND Shellac

Finally made the decision to take off my acrylics and go for natural manicures again. One of the downfall of not having overlay, is that my natural nails are thin and weak. Prone to peeling and rips, not fun overall. Enter the gel polish manicure. While I still need to be somewhat mindful of what I'm doing with my fingernails, I have some added strength and resiliency as my natural nail bed grows back to normal. Currently, still thin, but halfway there and only about 3 more months until the rough appearance is completely gone.

CND's Shellac in Iced Cappucino

Not the best choice in color for the state that my nails were in. Since this was a pearl finish, it showed every divot and uneven nick in my nailbed.

OPI Axxium in Black Cherry Chutney

This was my second time around with Axxium. My first go round was very light with Bubblebath and DS Radiance. You couldn't really see any color, hence no photo.


The great thing about gel polish is that the finish really stays perfect. You can go about what you need to do right after your manicure without having to worry about getting impressions or nicking the finish. Some say their nails remain perfect for 2 weeks. In my experience, it can "last" for 2 weeks, but I do notice some wear around the new growth and the edges can lift.


Overall, I love having a gel polish manicure. I really make use of my hands when cooking and cleaning - what are rubber gloves? Only when handling harsh chemicals of course, but I love washing dishes w/o gloves. My recommendation would be to get an OPI Axxium manicure. Axxium went on thinner and smoother and seemed to do well with my nails. Shellac was a bit thick and I noticed more lifting on the edge of my nails than Axxium. I am thinking of investing in my own Axxium products to do at-home mani & pedis.


Pros
-Long lasting, shiny manicure
-Dry time is only when being cured under UV lamp
-Adds strength to your natural nails
-Can be used with both natural and enhanced nails
-Shellac: bottle brush application
-Axxium: extensive color collection


Cons
-Pricier than regular manicure ($25 was average cost)
-Can lift and peel
-Removal process can be long
-Shellac: limited color selection, seemed a bit thicker in application
-Axxium: gel pot application can be messy, colors may not seem as rich with just 2 coats & a 3rd coat may be too thick

Slightly...

annoyed. I haven't been blogging lately because the mo-bloggin' lite Blogger app is now defunct. Boo! That's how I did most of my posts, but now it looks like I'll have to carve out time to take pics, upload etc. etc. Oh good ole fashion bloggin'. How has everyone been? New year, new goals, new life. I still believe that even #s are best, but 2010 was interesting and am glad to see that over and done with. But, some old habits die hard and I find myself back in some of the same scenarios I've dealt with before. Oh well, figure it out and move along.

As of lately:

-make up: has been minimal to none, with the exception of those evenings where I'm going out. Nothing spectacular and blog worthy in my eyes, but I'll figure something to report.

-nails did: I removed the overlays and now will be keeping them natural and polished. I have tried CND's Shellac and OPI's Axxium. Reviews on them soon.

-living situation: back at home in the mean time. Things have been great and its nice to have homecooked food all the time! I do miss my privacy...I swear things move in my room when I'm not at home. *cough*mommy*cough*

-love life: what love life? I have been trying to "date," but those encounters have been fruitless. It will happen when it happens.

c'est la vie.

Snow Day Mani

MAC Style Clan + some gold at the nail salon.


Not everything in life is gold...make it as you wish.

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Christmas List for 2010

Not what you think - amidst all the retail madness, advertising, I am glad to say that I don't need anything this year. There are several things I can do without and have had to really test myself this year with the want vs. need argument constantly. I want things, but I don't need things. I used to shop every week. Now I feel guilty when it comes down to spending $2 more on drugstore shampoo/conditioner because I didn't get it on sale the prior week. My indulgences have been on food, because at the table is where I spend most of my valued time with my family/friends/sistahs/kasamas. I'm hoping that my friends and family will consider donating to these charities and organizations. Not only during the holidays, but year round. If not with $, with your time. These are just a few of the orgs I work with and have taken interest in within the Seattle area. =)

Hunger Intervention Program - http://hungerintervention.org/donating.html
YouthCare (ending youth homelessness) - http://www.youthcare.org/index.php/donate/donate_online/
Asian & Pacific Islander Women & Family Safety Center - http://www.apiwfsc.org/donate.html
Washington Asian Pacific Islander Families Against Substance Abuse (WAPIFASA) - http://www.wapiseattle.org/donate.html
FilSTAR (Filipino/a Seattle Teens and Resources) - http://fcsyouth.wordpress.com/donation/
Anakbayan Seattle - anakbayan.seattle@gmail.com
Pinay Sa Seattle - pinayinfo@gmail.com

Skincare Routine

Cheap and steep. Just the way I like it. If I could, I would be slathering my face and body with La Mer, but that would require a deeper pocketbook. I am 31. I don't look it and nor do I feel it. I would like to prolong my youthful appearance as long as I can and use items that aren't going to make me broke. I'm always on the lookout for prods that people swear by or call their HG (holy grail) so let me know what your recoms are.

Here is my mix of products that I use on the daily/weekly.

Everyday:
-Cleanse 2x with Olay Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin.
-Moisturize with up&up daily facial moisturizing lotion for sensitive skin.
-Hope In A Tube around the eyes.

Once a week
-Exfoliate with Clean & Clear Oxygenating Facial Scrub.
-MAC Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask.

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N/POTW: Dark & Light+the odd one out

Mani & pedi time! My feets needed some attention forreal. I decided to bring the odd one out back this time around too. Here is the color selection:
Tips:
OPI My Private Jet-odd one out
Zoya Blair-on the rest of the tips
OPI Suzi And The Lifeguard-on the toes.


(Suzi And The Lifeguard, Blair & My Private Jet)



I love Blair! I am in search for a really frosty blood red.




Check out My Private Jet! It looked darker in the bottle, but I like the holographic glitter. I may put a coat of Lincoln Park After Dark and then a coat of My Private Jet to make it pop.



And finally on the toes, Suzi And The Lifeguard. I'm not ready to let go of my floofy, girly colors on the toes. I am NOT a fan of darks on the toes. There is something not appealing to me just yet. So, the darks on the tips and the light on the toes for now.

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I forgot...

how yummy this smelled.


Smooth & delicious :p

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Office Must Have: Haken Essential Fragrance Cuticle Oil

Every AM, when I come in to my office, I have a ritual of applying Haken's Essential Fragrance Cuticle Oil in Vanilla Almond. I am prone to getting hangnails and ragged cuticles, especially in the fall and winter months. This is an affordable addition to my fave Julep Cuticle Oil that I keep in my purse. The scent is yummy and the oils are light & absorbed quickly. It also puts a nice temporary sheen on my mani to freshen it up. I also use this on my toes when I have sandals on. Those cuticles need attention too!

Pros: light oil, smells great, affordable, brush on application

Cons: bottle easily chips (which is why I don't keep this in my purse or make up bag)

Cost: $4 Sally Beauty Supply

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OPI You Don't Know Jacques

I think I'm going to continue to keep my nails short with an overlay. They don't look as hoochie and the color lasts longer with the acrylic. My manicurist asked me, "Who did this to your nails?" As in, who did this jank file job on them? See previous nail post on 9/11. Haha! In keeping with the gray color scheme, I chose OPI's You Don't Know Jacques. I love this color!






It's a muddier gray. Very much like wet cement.

Here are my nails compared to Julep's Toni.





Toni is much lighter and has more of a purple tint to it. Both are beautiful, but I think I'll be sticking to OPI for awhile. What are you wearing on your nails for Fall?

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Throwback to the 80's

If you want frosted lips, get this Softlips. Tickled Pink is not an accurate color description at all. I was hoping for a lightly tinted balm, but got this smear of frost that reminded me of one of my first Wet'nWild lipsticks that I thought was so cool back in 7th grade. Meehhhh. I'll stick to the plain Softlips sans color.

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get fresh SPA Lemongrass Dry Oil Body Spray

Received this bottle of get fresh SPA Lemongrass Dry Oil Body Spray from my director C along with some other goodies for my bday. I love dry oil body sprays, especially in the summer because they make your skin soft & glowy without loading on heavy lotion. My fave dry oil spray is discontinued and I have been using my reserves sparingly. This has a light citrus scent that smells a little reminiscent of Pledge at first, but smells like faint lemons when it dries. I'll probably save this for spring & summer use because I need heavier creams in the fall & winter when my skin is drier. If you like light moisture, this would be great. A bit on the steep side in price, so if you can sample it before buying, do it to see if you like it.

Price: $22.50
Where To Buy: www.getfresh.net & some salons/spas carry the line (Prosports Club in WA)


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NOTW: Short & Toni

I am tired of the long frenchies and may just keep my nails short for fall/winter with an overlay and dark colors. I had this obnoxious peachy pink that was somewhat cheap looking on the tips, but may have looked good on the toes. I had OPI's Makes Men Blush earlier this week, but that didn't look right either. Filed them short this morning and painted them Julep's Toni. Much better. Bu-bye summer frenchy talons.





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Drugstore Shampoo: Approved!

Must be all silicones coating my hair, but this shampoo & conditioner are tops in my book right now. From the scent to the way my hair felt after, it's all good. And the best part, the shampoo, conditioner and hairspray were $2.99! Recessionista in full effect. Thank you Target!

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Curse of...

Another MAC Spice lost. :/ Really hate losing things! I used to lose this color frequently back in the clubrat days.


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Goodies from BKK

Loves from across the miles. :) Its been awhile since Ms. B and I have exchanged goodies. We have been collecting for some time now and were hoping to see each other in the spring. But plans changed and we had to mail our hauls to each other. Well, her's is still pending shipment. I've been busy and haven't had the chance to stop by the Post Office to ship it off. Looks like she will have to wait until I return from my little trip to Miami. Who knows what I'll find to add in her package down there!

She spoils me so. She knows I love, love, love lippies and always adds in plenty to my gifts.


Here are some other shots of the products she included:

Thank you Ms. B! Be on the look out later this month for your package. Its a big one! Loves!

Hello Summer

And hello Dolly! Back to the super bright, creamy neon pink polish on my toes. I also brought back the frenchies on my tips with acrylics. I wanted a no fuss mani. My nails are peely and chip quick. So much for the all natural mani. It's summer and I really like this look for my tips. Any of you have a specific look you like during certain seasons?



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Taking a break...

I just noticed that the month of May was a quiet one on my behalf. As life happens, priorities shift and for me, this includes some of the pieces that I find great joy in, but just don't have the time or energy to put into at this point. I'm going to try and find a way to consolidate several posts into one BIG SHABANG post a month, so stay tuned. :)

Lovesies,

Leilei

Updated: Affordable Brazilian Waxing!

I have found a BETTER place for an affordable brazilian wax. One of my friends recommended Magic Beauty in Bellevue and that Dora did a wonderful job. I visited Sally's Nails back in January, Affordable Brazilian Waxes? and was pleased with the results, but not with the tiny and questionable cleanliness of the waxing room. Magic Beauty is a definite upgrade and I was completely happy!

The wax room is neat and clean with appropriate paper lining on the table. Dora advises to wear an old pair of thong underwear for the appointment. That I did not know and this is what happened. Like most estheticians, they are all up in your chuckie and will hold your girl bits if necessary to wax. Not the case here. She threaded a clean & new plastic bag from my bum to my chuckie to hold things apart. LOL! I had to stifle a giggle because no one had ever done this. So note, if you go, WEAR an old thong/g-string. SMH.

This is a full service salon as well and the pricing is comparable to small boutique salons. Relatively mid-rpice. I'm happy to have found a new place on the Eastside to have my brazilian done. I will definitely be back in a couple of weeks.

Magic Beauty
1803 132nd Ave NE Ste 2
Bellevue, WA 98005
(425) 558-1906


Cost: $30 Brazilian wax (cash or check only)

Would I recommend this place to a friend? Yes! I would have to choose this place over Sally's Nails for the hygenic atmosphere.

Mascara Review: Stila Multi-Effect Mascara in Black

This was included in the Sephora Lash Stash I bought awhile back. Its tough trying to go through lots of mascaras when you usually change them out every 3 months. I think I still have about 5 or 6 I need to try and reaview.

I really wanted to like it, but I couldn't find myself to like it at all. The formula was dry and the brush was CURVED. I have a dislike to curved brushes. First of all, when you remove it from the tube, its difficult to scrape off the excess product. This leaves too much mascara on the wand and you're more prone to clumping. Secondly, the formula seemed a bit dry that I couldn't build the product on my lashes without it clumping. Ugghh! Not even a month after opening and I just had to get rid of it. What a waste!




Eeepp! A bit blurry! Guilty of one of my own pet peeves. >.<

After 2 coats of mascara on the top and 1 coat on the bottom lashes. Ehhh...


Cost: $20 on www.stila.com (They don't offer this on Sephora's website anymore)

Would I recommend this to a friend? Sadly, no I would not. The curved brush just does not do it for me!

Welcome back!

Its spring and I'm feeling beautiful at the Nordstrom Beauty Trend Event with my gf
Lyna. Updations soon luvahs. Soon! xoxox

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