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China Glaze Diva Bride

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China Glaze Diva Bride - Gelaze

China Glaze Diva Bride in their Gelaze formula might have dethroned as my go-to nude-pink nailcolor. I’d been wearing a lot of OPI Bubble Bath; it’s a nice, effortless neutral that looks good with everything. As it wears down/away/lifts/chips, it does so gracefully and without making it glaringly obvious that attention is required. I enjoyed it apart from three caveats

  • Accessibility
  • Price
  • Coats to Opaque-Enough

The Caveats

OPI Gelcolor lacquers are technically pro-only – so getting your hands on one as a plebe is a difficult task if you don’t know a licensed beautician. I have no idea how much they cost a pro; I know on the diverted market I can get them for anywhere between $15-20, and then there’s the question of whether you’re getting legit product or not (I’ve lucked out so far). It requires three coats to the minimum level of opacity I prefer.

China Glaze Diva Bride Mitigates Bubble Bath’s Caveats

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Diply Hairstyling Hacks

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This is a legacy post that has been given a facelift. Content is the same but has been edited for clarity and readability. Enjoy!

Through some flavor of social media, I came across this article from Diply. Most of the, “hacks,” this Diply list offers, though, are fairly common knowledge for those interested in beauty. Nothing groundbreaking or inventive. Tips on how to use bobby pins, curl with flat irons, etc.

Nonsense

Then I reached the third page and saw number 8. See for yourself.

Diply Hairstyling HacksHow the hell is this a hack? It’s been a few years since I’ve had bangs, but washing my whole head would be easier, quicker (drying might take longer, but still!), and result in less mess. Suuure, wash your hair in the sink, they say. It’s easy, they say. Is it effortless the same way the ladies in skincare commercials wash their face at the sink, splashing water everywhere like a damn Magikarp?

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August 2018 Favorites

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  1. OPI Red Hot Rio, $8 / 2. Drunk Elephant Marula Oil, $80 /
    3. Perricone No Eyeshadow Eyeshadow, $35 / 4. Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum, $21

On top of coming in later than usual, my dang graphic had issues – thanks for bearing with me. I’ll update with a picture later. :) For details on my August 2018 Favorites, follow the jump!

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Worth it: As Seen on TV Turbie Twist

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This legacy post has been given a facelift! I’m still amazed it took me as long as it did to find this product. Opinions are the same but content has been updated for clarity and readability. Enjoy!

When I was younger, I scoffed at the idea of the semi-old-fashioned excuse of, “Oh I’m sorry, I can’t… I have to wash my hair!”

Washing your hair is easy, come on!

Drying it, however, sucks.

Styling it (if you’re me) definitely sucks.

Ever Lazy

In my natural habitat, I’m absolutely a wash-and-wear sort. I do not enjoy blow-drying it (2018 Update: I have actually come to appreciate it for its practicality). I do, when I need to, but I much prefer to towel or air dry. Wrapping your hair in a full-length body towel also sucks, though. Too much towel! Doesn’t stay in place, you have to redo it a few times. It’s obnoxious.

The Original Turbie Twist

Turbie Twist Stock Photo

Years ago, I had seen the Turbie Twist but dismissed it as a gimmick. Last month, though, I came across one in Wal-Mart or Target (can’t remember) and they were only like $6 – so I grabbed one.

I never thought I’d buy, enjoy, or write about an As Seen On TV product… but here I am.

Turbie Twist

The Turbie Twist is a microfiber terry towel that is sewn like so – tapered so it fits around your head and isn’t too much fabric for the length of your hair.

How to Use

To use it, you flip your wet hair (brush it with a Wet Brush first!) upside down and put the larger side at the nape of your neck with the tapered end facing the floor. Tuck your hair into the inside of the towel, then twist the towel to secure. While holding your twisted towel, pull it back towards your neck and slip the end through the elastic.

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Clarins Glow Booster

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Clarins Glow Boost

I haven’t been thrilled with my facial sunless tanning situation for years. Then, I came across sunless tanning serums and decided to give the highly-rated Clarins Glow Booster a shot. Boy, am I glad I did!

What I was Doing

For a while, I was just using what I use on my body, cut with a moisturizer or argan oil. Then, I’d apply with a black beautyblender or even a cast-aside buffing brush.

The results were OK; it didn’t look unsightly, but I didn’t like the heaviness of the lotion on my face. I never have!

Clarins Glow Booster

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What I Bought at the August Beauty Insider Sale

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In a bizarre turn of events, Sephora threw together an extra (we think) August Beauty Insider Sale. Normally, there’s one in April-ish and then again in November-ish, so to have this August Beauty Insider Sale one fall into our laps is a rare and welcome treat. Fortunately, the stars aligned and I happened to have a gift card – so I didn’t even break my No Buy to shop.

What to Buy, What to Buy?

I’m still riding the post-KonMari wave and don’t feel the need to expand my makeup collection at this time. Sure, are there things I want? Of course. There are cool products released all the damn time that I’d love to try! But the cost to do so is steep; I don’t want to waste money, and I don’t want to reintroduce clutter.

When Urban Decay announced that they were discontinuing their iconic Naked palette (more on that to come), Sephora knocked the price in half. I considered buying a backup and another to give away, but they were sold out before the VIB-tier discount was available.

Setting Limits

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