Ombre Nails Tutorial

christine — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:23:46 +0000

I’ve gotten a lot of questions on how to do my faded nails I posted recently on instagram and tumblr! Below was my first attempt with a dark fade, because let’s face it–dark nail polish is easier to work with, in my opinion. There’s less margin for error, and the streak issue becomes a thing of the past. Overall, you use less polish which makes for an easier drying time too.

So I posted my dark fade, and people in my classes and online began sending me questions via tumblr and e-mail, so I decided to do a short tutorial, but this time with brights! Brights, for me, have always been hard to work with. I don’t know why exactly, but they’ve never been my friend. I managed to attempt a bright ombre style fade with a nice glitter tip. Below are all of the visual steps as well as a short tutorial on how to achieve this look. The photos really don’t do the design justice!

1. Start out with a base coat. I used Sally Hansen Maximum Growth. I then applied three coats of China Glaze in Happy go Lucky. The yellow was pretty streaky so I had to compensate for that.

2. Once the yellow dried, I applied a small amount of China Glaze in Shocking Pink. At that same time I took my clear topcoat (Orly Top2Bottom) and quickly fanned out the color as you can see in the bottom right hand small photo. It looks a bit streaky, but that’s okay because next you’ll apply the glitter.

3. I used Essie Luxe Effects in Set in Stones for the tip. I gently applied it to the tip of my nail and let some of it slide down. I did NOT keep the tips uniform. That’s the point of the gradient effect. It should be free-form.

4. Finally, I applied a generous coat of Sally Hansen Maximum on top. Ta-da!

About five minutes after, I wanted more sparkle. I can never be satisfied. So I added one more coat of China Glaze in Fairy Dust over the whole nail so the glitter would have a gradient effect as well. I’m happy with the result, but with Valentine’s Day coming up, I’ll probably have a new nail design by the weekend!

Overall, thanks for all of the amazing compliments and keep the questions coming! Hope you enjoy your fancy, bright, sparkley, nails!

Self Tanners that DON’T stink!

christine — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:47:40 +0000

I’m all about being tan, but since I gave up tanning beds in 2006 (Six years ago, time flies!) I’ve spent some serious time finding the perfect self tanner. What is the perfect self tanner, you ask? To me, it’s one that does NOT make me look like I’ve spent my life next to a nuclear reactor, doesn’t make me smell like over processed bacon, and finally doesn’t come off while I shave my legs. Not so much to ask, right? You’d be surprised! Here, I share with you–the best self tanners that I’ve come across in my six year pilgrimage of tanning glory and the worst:

I always like to hear the bad news first. If you’re looking for a natural, healthy glow, you can cross these self tanners off your list.

Neutrogena’s Build-a-Tan was the first self tanner I ever tried and it’s still around today. I gave this one a go because it was gradual and I was petrified of looking orange and fake afterwards. When Neutrogena says “gradual” they should actually say “nonexistent.” I never got darker even after two weeks of using it regularly. The only benefit for me? I was super soft and smelled fresh and clean. Other than that, t’was a no go for me. Don’t waste your money.

Jergen’s Natural glow for face and body sounded like an instant hit for me, until my skin exploded. After about four days of using it my skin was darker, and had a decent glow, BUT my pores were crying. The smell was tolerable, but the pigment didn’t seem to stick. I literally shaved my tan off in the shower. As for the firming capabilities–I didn’t notice much of a difference. Sorry Jergens! I still love your Cherry Almond you’ve perfected!

Last up, L’oreal Sublime Bronze. I was dark as heck (and natural looking) but boy did I smell. Even Keith was horrified by my self tanner stench. Mind you, he works in a graveyard, so horrifying him with a smell is quite a feat. The smell was unbearable and even gave me a headache. When someone next to me asks me what smells like chemicals and pork cooking I knew it was time to give this self-tanner the heave ho.

While there were three self-tanners that had to be forced out of my bathroom ASAP, there are also three that have captured my heart. First off, Origins The Great Pretender and Origins Faux Glow for the face had me at hello. I was reluctant to spend the money at first, and at 19.50 a pop for each, I was dropping some serious cash. I had heard nothing but great things about Origins from my friends and online while I researched and took the risk. My wallet cried a little bit, but after three days of use I was looking fantastic. I had an amazing, even glow on my body and face and I didn’t break out once! The scent was pepperminty and cooling, especially since I used this in the late Spring to prep myself for shorts. No one knew I had self-tanner on, but everyone complimented my tan and asked if I went on vacation during Spring Break. A+ for me!

Another high priced beauty is Lancome’s Flash Bronzer. At $37.00 it was worth the money and it lasts which was my one gripe about Origins being in such a small tube. It dried quick (I wore a light grey tank top less than 5 minutes after applying and no streaks to be seen!) and it smells like honey and jasmine just like the website said it would. No smell, no streaks, and hot damn was I tan quick! What I liked the most was the gel consistency. It glided on and little massaging was required compared to when you use regular lotion. For me, this will be purchased when I have an event coming up. Otherwise, I stick to my recent new buddy…

Bath and Body Works Strike Gold Self-Tanner. It’s a friendly $15.00 and it lasts! I’ve been using it for over a month now and I have a healthy radiant glow. I also smell like a summer day on an island. It has hints of coconut and sandalwood which is earthy and clean. The tanner is easy to apply, and like Origins and Lancome is tinted so you can achieve an instant glow while keeping track of where you’ve applied. Hands down, this is one of the best self-tanners I’ve ever used and I think (dare I say it??) my search of six years has been completed!

Grieving, but healing…

christine — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:17:07 +0000

I am absolutely overwhelmed by the amazing amount of support I have received from everyone on my blog, tumblr, twitter, and google+ regarding my loss of Socks. Being a blogger and having a close network of friends online has been such a blessing and I truly appreciate all of the kind words, prayers, and thoughtfulness of everybody. Thank you all. We received Socks’ ashes on Saturday morning in a tiny little flowered tin that is just perfect for her. She was a little Italian princess cat, dainty as can be. It’s currently sitting in our kitchen which was one of her favorite rooms on our shelf so we can always have dinner with her like we used to. With all of that being said, again, I send a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported me within the past few weeks. It means so much to me! <3

Since the title of my post also has the word "healing" in it. I've taken some time to consider what helps me to heal and I wanted to talk about them with all of you because we all have trials and tribulations we need to get through during our lives. Grief can take a toll on you emotionally, but also mentally and physically. So, these are some of the things that I do (and have done recently) to channel my emotions in a positive direction.

Creativity and Clutter: You already have seen my scrapbook, but I’ve also gotten creative with my nails, my outfits, and I’ve been organizing some of the clutter around my desk and work area. It helped me to keep my mind busy, but it also got me ready to take on the MANY projects I have coming up. The semester starts in two days and I have to get ready to teach!

Working out: I’m Italian and I eat when I’m sad, I’ll admit it. Since I let myself have about a week of not caring what I eat I went to the gym. I was angry that Socks was sick and I took it out on the treadmill, crosstrainer, and pull up bar. It felt good and I didn’t gain any weight during my week long eat-fest.

Spending time with friends: With the semester coming to a start soon, I knew there would be certain people I won’t get to see as often–MY GIRLFRIENDS! I made the effort to get myself out of the house and talk to people about what was going on, how I felt, and to hear what’s been going on with them too. Turns out 2012 has been rough on a few people so far.

Journaling: You already know that I do a lot with my paper and pen, but I kept it going and got myself to write down memories, raw emotions, and more. It helped me get it out without bottling up everything inside.

Spending money: I mean this in the most controlled way possible. I bought myself some treats at Barnes and Noble. It helped to cheer me up. Some modest retail therapy has never hurt anyone!

I know that many of you have had your share of losses over the years, and I’m curious: What do you do to heal? What to do you try to do to help yourself deal with emotions? I’d love some suggestions!

My Cat, my sister…

christine — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:03:38 +0000

I’ve debated for a few days now how to begin writing this post. How should I start? Is there a right or wrong way to do it? At last, I decided just to go for it and see what happens. Let the words flow straight from the heart. Is there a way to properly encompass the past 15 years in a blog post? I don’t think so. For pet lovers and animal lovers everywhere, there are never enough words to express how deeply a love goes for the furry friends who make our lives so full of joy. This leads me to January 6, 2012, a mere three days ago. On this day my family said goodbye to our beloved cat of 15 years, Socks. After a solid three months of battling mouth cancer, and almost a year of battling hyperthyroidism, we decided it was time to send her off and give her back her peace and comfort she so enjoyed prior to becoming ill. Within the past two weeks, she was eating only baby food and a special food that our vet had prescribed to us to help her gain weight and would be easy for her to swallow. By Thursday night, January 5, she was unable to walk up and down the stairs due to a sudden growth under her tail. Since a cat’s tail is one of their points of balance, she was unable to properly walk and was sitting down to go down the stairs. Socks was having trouble eating, and it was no longer fair to her to put her under any more tests or on any more medication. My Mom made the final decision and she and I brought Socks to the vet to see Dr. Dunn and to say our final goodbyes to her. They gave her a preliminary shot to relax her and she fell asleep in my arms. When she looked up at me, she looked like a kitten again. Her nose was bright pink, and her beautiful green eyes shimmered with peace that I hadn’t seen in some time. When it was time for her final shot, the one that would take her away from us forever, but bring her comfort, we stayed with her the whole time. Dr. Dunn shaved a small piece of her white fur off of her leg to give her the shot and placed it beside her on the table. I took it home with me as a reminder of her beautiful white “socks” that everyone came to know her by.

Our first Christmas together in 1996. I was nine.

A photo taken a few years ago, maybe 2 or so. One of my favorites.

When we returned home, the house was quiet. It was truly unlike any type of quiet I’ve ever experienced in my life. My Mom cleaned, as she does when she grieves, and I hoarded–with control. When we adopted Socks she was so small she could fit in our hands at only 8 weeks old. She slept in a cardboard box with a little pillow and a blanket. I saved that and placed some of my favorite things of hers in it. Her bowls and some of her favorite toys that I wasn’t able to part with. When I was placing her fur in a small frame, my Mom and I realized that we didn’t get any grey fur. While cleaning, a big poof of grey fur came tumbling out of our kitchen cabinet and I placed both colors in my frame next to a photo of her as a kitten.

The first night was so hard and I spent most of it crying with Keith and my Mom and Dad. I forced myself to get out of the house for dinner with Keith and the next day I spent my afternoon and morning channeling my creative energy to creative something positive for myself. As you may know, Keith and I have a scrapbook together that I add to. I made a page dedicated to both of our first pets, Socks, and his dog Royal who passed away in 2009. I also wrote a letter to Socks from me in her photo book I received with a limited edition set of cat stamps for Easter. Maybe one day I’ll let someone else read my letter, but for now, it’s just for her and I.

Today, I was surprised by one of my very best friends, Kathleen who has said goodbye to her fair share of pets in her life. She stopped by with a beautiful gift basket for my family and I with a lovely note, a story by David Sedaris about losing pets, a framed copy of Rainbow Bridge with a picture of Socks on it, 2 packs of smokes for my Mom and I, and a Starbucks gift card. She took me out for the day and we talked, laughed, and cried a bit, but it was much needed.

Next week we will get her ashes and I am comforted knowing that she will be back in the house with us. Socks, to my family and I, was more than just a cat. She was a true member of the Gallo family. She taught me responsibility at a young age, she provided me with companionship, and made me laugh and smile on a daily basis. I loved brushing her, reading with her, and spending time with her. I talked to her every day, and she always reciprocated the love we showed to her. She loved American Cheese, home made meatballs, and my Mom’s sauce. She tolerated Keith for the first 6 years of our relationship and loved him unconditionally for the past two and a half. She kept me company when I had Mono, and kept my Mom’s foot safe when she broke it years ago. She also guarded my Dad when he had knee surgery in 2009. Socks was one of my best friends and I have countless memories that I could speak about for hours upon hours that I have shared with her. I am so happy to have been able to call her MY cat, MY sister, and I know that she was happy to call us HER family, too. My heart is broken knowing that she is not here anymore, but I find comfort in the fact that she is playing with Royal (Keith), DJ (Dawn), Champ (Mom), Gracie (Kathleen), Shadow (Kelly), Sonny (Dan), Odie (Aunt Rose), Sam (Grandma), Max (Butch), and Bud (Todd) and all of the other animals who have come and gone throughout our lives. Those are just the ones I was blessed to have known so far. Funny how she’ll be spending her time with DOGS, but in her old age she had become very tolerant of others aside from her immediate family, (HA).

Socks Gallo – September 8, 1996 – January 6, 2012
The last photo taken of Socks on January 1, 2012. Thank you Keith for this adorable photo!

Socks, I will always love you. You will always hold a special place in my heart and I will never forget you. Please know that we all love you and will miss you every day. You truly were the best cat ever.

Christine’s Skincare Routine

christine — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 01:15:09 +0000

I’ve gotten a few questions from my classmates, readers, and even my cousin on my skincare routine. While I like to think I’ve been blessed with good genes for clear skin from my parents, I do work hard to make sure my skin is taken care of properly since I do have Oily/Combination skin and because I often try new products for my blog! I think the most important thing to do when it comes to skincare is to make it part of your schedule. If you’re not being consistent with your skincare, then you’re not going to see any results. So, without further ado, here is my skincare regimen that I’ve been following for the past couple of years with some additions!

Every morning:
Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash – Every morning in the shower, I wash with my Bliss. I’ve written a review for this product before, but I love it because it’s gentle and effective. It’s great for oily skin, but is generally made for all skin types!

Bliss Fabulous Face Lotion with SPF 15 – Ever since kicking my tanning bed habit, I’ve decided to try and undo some of the damage from my tanorexic phase. Now an avid self-tanner and SPF user, I try and look for lotions that have the SPF already built in for me. I use this lotion every morning after washing my face and let it soak in before putting on my makeup for the day. It smells like candy oranges and keeps me soft and matte.

Every night:
My night time skin care routine is a little bit more intense. I live by the rule of washing your makeup off every night before you go to bed, no matter how tired/drunk/lazy/forgetful you might be. I will stagger to the sink to wash my face no matter how terrible or tired I’m feeling. Heather Locklear gave me that piece of advice when I was watching her in an interview as a little one and it stuck.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover – Obviously, I only use this when I wear eye makeup, but since that has turned into an almost every day thing, I do this before washing my face at night. It’s cheap and it works better than baby oil. Shake it good because the dual action formula burns otherwise!

LUSH Dark Angels Cleanser – This is my nighttime cleanser. I started only using it once a week to keep oil at bay, but quickly changed it to my every night cleanser. It smells like Earl Grey Tea and turns your whole face black. Your skin feels amazing, soft, and clean. My best friend and boyfriend have also become LUSH converts after hanging out with me for so long. After a long night out with a face full of makeup–this is my go-to. Use less than you think you need to, and make sure to scrub the sides of your nose well!

Bliss Detoxifying Facial Toner – After I wash with the Dark Angels, I swipe some toner over my face quickly. I love the smell and feel of this amazing toner. It’s tingly and fresh! It keeps my skin clear and helps to remove any extra dirt or residue from the Dark Angels. I only use this at night, but you can use it during the day or as a primer for your makeup.

Pond’s Dry Skin Cream – Finally! I slather on a ton of Pond’s for my night cream. It’s been around for 100 years, has simple ingredients, and makes me nice and soft by morning. Night creams are my favorite to be honest, however, I’m not buying into the “fancy night cream” trend. Save yourself the money and just stick to Pond’s. It’s cheap and it works!

Once a week:
Last, but not least, once a week I do a mask. I use the Iced Mint Mask from Morgan’s Boutique. It’s tingly like my toner, but my skin looks so fresh and matte afterwards. I use it every Saturday or Sunday to extract any dirt or grime from my pores. It’s also just fun to do, and can be done while I’m reading or relaxing.