DIY: Nail Strengthener and Growth Potion

I don’t know about you, but I have very thin and brittle nails. As much as I would try to let them grow and treat them well, nothing seemed to help. The only solution to my problem was to keep polish on them, but we know that’s not always a good solution.

As you may remember, I have one obsession… YouTube beauty videos, that’s right, beauty videos on YouTube. Call me a nerd! Anyway, one of the gals that I follow LovelyShopGirl (Amanda) posted a video on how she got her nails to grow and be stronger (her channel is down at the moment therefore I cannot link it).

Here’s how to create your own DIY Nail strengthener and Growth Potion.

The ingredients are simple, here’s what you will need:

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear - my favorite base nail coat

1 bottle of clear nail polish

1 clove of garlic – finely chopped

Finely chopped garlic

You guessed it, add the finely chopped garlic to the bottle of clear polish and let it “ferment” for at least a week.

Fermented DIY Garlic Polish

Once the week is up, apply two coats to your bare clean nails as a base, everyday for a week. The way Amanda explained it, was that she would add a coat everyday for a week (or two) then take it off and start all over, again.

I didn’t feel like having shiny clear nails for up to two weeks, so I would apply the “garlic” clear polish to my “naked” nails, let it dry, then add whatever nail polish I was going to use. Two or three days later I would take that polish off and do it all over again with a different color polish… on and off for about two months. I am happy to report that my nails have indeed grown and are much stronger than they use to be.

My nails

To this day, I continue to use the “garlic” polish as a base every time I do my nails.

Hope to give this simple DIY nail strengthener and growth potion a try.

~Cat~

New Year, New Commitments

Having relocated to a city where my friends are not just around the corner, I find myself with a lot of spare time. So instead of adding to my extensive list of trashy TV shows (don’t get me wrong, I love me some trashy TV), I’ve made the executive decision to be more productive in 2012.  As a skeptic to anything that looks or smells like commitment I’d like to share with you, my top 4 things to commit to in 2012 in hopes of a more productive and stimulating life. Here it goes…

INSANITY Screen Capture

INSANITY. Yes I’m insane for committing to possibly one of the hardest fitness programs out there (I’ll probably regret it 10 minutes into the work out tomorrow). For those of you who have not heard of INSANITY, it’s a 60-day work out program that includes plyometric drills, nonstop intervals of strength, power, resistance and core training. I’ll admit I’ve started the program before and stopped after day 3 because I was so sore, but I’m going to commit to completing the 60 days. I’ll be posting every two weeks about my “insane” progress.

Music. Music makes my heart go boom, boom. I love it all and there is nothing that I love more than to listen to live music. I am making it a goal to go out and explore and discover old and new music. I will definitely be giving you all insight into my musical findings.

Books to read

Read. I love reading, yet these days I cannot seem to finish a book. Not because the content of the book is boring, but I seem to get preoccupied in nonsense. I have shelves and shelves of books that I’ve started and never finished. My goal is to read them and let you know what I think. Maybe we can engage in a discussion…

Live Fearlessly. For an over-thinker such as myself, this can be a huge roadblock. Always torn between the, what if’s, right, wrong, etc. I think that life is too short to not take risks, regardless of the outcome. So cheers to being brave!

**Cristy**

Top 10 Favorites of 2011

I want to share 10 or my favorite items from 2011. Several of my favorites have been in my collection for many years.

Beauty products:

1. BurtsBees Beeswax Lip Balm

I want to start with my all times favorite lip balm. I love this stuff! I’ve been using this product for many years. It always moisturizes well, adds a little minty tingle, and I love that it doesn’t smell like “medicine.”

2. CoverGirl Perfect Blend Eyeliner

CoverGirl Perfect Blend Eyeliner

Another all times favorite! I’m not a fan of black eyeliner, it’s too harsh or dramatic for me, and I usually use black eyeliner on special occasions. I find the Perfect Blend Eyeliners to be so creamy, easy to apply and it comes with a smudger at one end, so it’s easy to give yourself a little Smokey eye. My favorite color are Black Brown #110, Mink #115, and Smokey Taupe #130 which for a good eyebrow pencil. Another thing that you can do to make it last a longer is to “seal” the eyeliner. Basically you draw on your eye line, go over it with a powder shadow, and voila! I like to stay within the same family of colors; if I’m using dark brown pencil eyeliner then I go over it with a dark brown eye shadow. Simple step but it will help your eyeliner stay on longer and smudge less.

3. Clinique All About Eyes Concealer

Clinique All About Eyes Concealer

Another product that I have been using for many year. I am in the color Light Golden. It give a moderate coverage, it does crease a little. I use it to cover dark circles under my eyes. According to Clinique’s website, it helps to reduce the look of puffiness. I haven’t notice any change, but it’s nice to know it helps. Oh, and it’s oil-free, which is always a plus for a girl with combination skin.

4. CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume mascara – waterproof

CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara

Another product that I’ve been using for at least two years. It volumizes and adds body to my lashes, and it’s pretty black so that’s always a plus! One thing I am starting to dislike is that size of the actual brush, it’s pretty large and I always end up with mascara on my upper lids… or it could be that my upper/brown bone area is starting to sag, hope not. Anyway, it’s a pretty good product and I would recommend it.

5. ELF Studio Kabuki Face Brush

ELF Kabuki Face Brush

Talk about a great bang for your buck! This brush is only $6 at eyeslipsface.com; it is part of their studio line. Its super soft, really makes your make up look flawless, and it’s a nice little compact size. I love it. I have back up, just in case.

6. CHI Silk Infusion

CHI Silk Infusion

I was originally introduced to this product by one of my college friends. I always used to use hers whenever I’d be over; finally I had to get my own. So yes, CHI (Cationic Hydration Interlink) whatever that all means… smells great, leave hair feeling super soft and silky, lasts for a long time. I’ve had my 6 fl. oz. bottle for at least two years and I haven’t even used half of it. I use a little after I wash my hair and before I blow dry it. Also, on those days when it’s feeling a little dry I add more to my ends after its blow dried. Love it, a must try!

Next I’ll focus on non-beauty products. Here I’ll share things I have been obsessed with over that last year or so.

Non-Beauty Products:

7. iPad (1st generation)

Oh my goodness, what did I ever do without one?! Yes, I love it. It’s so easy to take it with me, love watching YouTube videos, reading books, Facebook-ing, and so much more.

8. YouTube beauty videos

As you may have read in my little bio, It’s one of my “addictions.” I seriously watch a new video every day. Some of my favorite Beauty Gurus are: DulceCandy87, JulieG713, Emilynoel83, aLoveTart and one of my friends MelissaGirlstylst. Love them!

9. iPhone Apps – Words With Friends and Pandora

Words With Friends is like Scrabble but with different rules. Love it! I have several games going on at once. I am Cfiggy, let’s play!

Love Pandora, I seriously listen to my different radio stations every day. So accessible, easy to manage, a huge variety and it has minimal commercials. Way awesome!

And the big number 10 is….

10. Kambucha Synergy drinks

It may take a few tries to get used to their unique taste, but I assure you you’ll love them! They’re super healthy and good for you, organic and raw. They come in so many flavors – some of my favorites are: Mystic Mango, Gingerade, and Guava something (I don’t see it on their website), so it may not be around anymore.
But yes, love these drinks.

Alrighty, these are my Top 10 Favorites of 2011… What were your favorites?

~Cat~