A Cult Review: Seche Vite Topcoat

Okay, if you have seen any nail videos or read any nail blogs, Seche Vite is the topcoat of choice. It's claim is that it dries super fast and leaves a high-gloss finish. And there's no need to to sugarcoat it-- this stuff really works!

Before, I was using this Revlon topcoat and base coat, and it was just OK. It took pretty long to dry, so my nails would always end up smudged, chip fast, and were never even that shiny or glossy. But, all of the nail tutorials I'd seen were using Seche Vite, so I just had to try it.

I bought it for about $9 at Sally's, but I've seen it at Target for $10. Overall, it dries in about 2 minutes or less, is the glossiest topcoat I've ever used, and as far as the chip factor? Average. Although some people say it gets lumpy and thick after a couple uses, I've used it 10+ times with the same consistency as the day I bought it.

So, I would definitely buy this again, and ai think the price is fair for the quality and results. It's glossy, fast-drying, and definitely my nail holy grail!

OH CRAP! Nail Breaks and How to Save Em.

If you've read my previous posts, you may know that I am a reformed nail biter, and now I'm just in the even more painstaking process of growing these nubs out. And, I actually see about a centimeter a tip, which is the longest my nails have been in a LONG time.So, when I got back from the pool, I just started picking off my polish-- with my teeth. Stupid, I know. And just a few moments later, I was left with a tear that would take off the entire tip of my "long" pinkie nail. And then I thought, there MUST be a way to save it. So, I turned to my trusty friend, YouTube. And. what do ya know? There's something called the, um.. "Teabag Method". Awkward, I know. So, here's how it works:

Lumpy Shatter??

Okay, I wasn't in the mood for full-on nail art, so I thought I'g give my OPI Black Shatter a little love. So, I went through my collection, found it, and cps crewed off the top only to reveal a crusty opening, mangled brush, and lumpy product inside. Grr! This polish isn't even a year old yet,and nail polish has a shelf life of two years, although some disagree.


But anyway, this just bugs me that I'll have to spend another $8 for a trend that I can't see lasting much longer.

So, have any of you guys faced this problem? Have any solutions? I'd love to know, because this just boggled my mind.

Thanks for reading and I'll be sure to post again soon!

A Trend That *sigh* Just Won't Die

NEON. Urrgh. This has been a trend that just hasn't quite vanished. And I so desparately wish it would! Neon nails, neon pants, neon shirts, neon hair, NEON VOMIT. Now, my only excetion might be neon nails to liven up a bland outfit, but other than that, I think neon pink, and especially neon green has officially driven me up a wall. Yes, as a fourth grader who used to shop at Justice, it was cool. So were glitter monkeys, those stupid sleeve-glove things you wore with tee-shirts, vests and those cheapo shirts you buy at JCPenney with the scarves sewn on. But let's face it-- I've learned my long division, given up on cooties, and given up on neon. It's just gotten old, boring, and to me-- tacky. So good riddance neon. We had a good run. It's not you, it's the overuse of you.

So what do you guys think? Still going strong with neon? Hate it? Have some exceptions or funny trends you remember following? I'd love to hear about them in the comments!!

Charming Charlie Review

Hey there! About two days ago, I went to possibly one of my new favorite accessory stores for the first time, called Charming Charlie. I knew about it for a while, but never checked it out because I though it was a, uh-- senior ladies' store. But after seeing what a family friend had purchased there, I just had to go check it out. And boy, am I glad I did!

Tutorial: "Abstract Lines" Design

Happy Saturday! Sorry I didn't post yesterday. I went to a Cubs game! So, here's a Cubs-inspired manicure, although it's totally cute enough to be worn to any occasion. And once again, it was made using Scotch Tape! So,  here's whatcha do:

Katy Perry Black to Blonde

I love Katy Perry. Her pinup style, crazy nails, and of course-- amazing talent! She's even recently been nominated for 9 VMA awards.. The most this year.And, the day she was told, she publicly debuted her noticeably lighter locks. As you can see, she's gone from jet black to strawberry blonde. Ironic, because she actually IS a natural blonde. I really like this change. I feel like it just makes her look sunnier overall. KP, you've got my vote!

So what do you guys think? Love the lighter locks? Prefer the bolder black? I'd love to know!

Transdesign Haul/Review

It seems like time goes so slowly when you are looking forward to something. And the past 5 days? The felt like any eternity, because I was waiting for my Transdesign order to arrive on my doorstep, being carried by a hunky FedEx man (a girl can dream, can't she?). And today, it finally came! I placed my order on Friday the 15, and started being shipped out on the 18th. So, it took three days to process my order, and two days to actually ship it. I live in Indiana, and it was being shipped from Georgia.

Now, if you don't know what Transdesign.com is, it's basically an online nail e-tailer. And they sell China Glaze polishes for half the retail price! I purchased six polishes, so I saved $18 total. However, here's the killer-- the tax was $9. But, it's really not that bad, since the savings still outweigh the taxes. So overall, I spent $27 on 6 China Glaze Polishes when I would normally spend $36.. wow! Here are some unboxing pics as well as pics of the polish I bought.

Real Tan vs. Spray Tan: Which is Better?

Ok, I'm sure you've heard of or seen the TLC show, "Toddlers & Tiaras". And, I'm sure everybody has a strong opinion about it. But, the star of this show isn't the dresses or Miss Eden Wood, or even some of the psycho pageant moms. For me, it's all the fakeness! Fake hair, fake nails, fake teeth, fake eyelashes, and most importantly-- fake spray tans. Although I really don't support most of the things these parents are doing, the one thing I can support is that they are spray tanning instead of actually putting their daughters in tanning booths. I mean, after all, spray tans aren't actually tanning you, so there is no risk of skin cancer.

Pros of A Spray Tan: Cons of A Spray Tan:
-Will not cause skin cancer. -Can be uncomfortably cold
-Can look the same as a real tan. -Can look orange
-Can be done at home


Pros of a "Real" Tan: Cons of a "Real" Tan:
-Gives you an actual tan. -Can cause skin cancer
-Isn't very uncomfortable. -Can cause premature aging


Winner: SPRAY TAN! Really, if it won't do anything bad to your health and it can look just like a real tan, it's definitely the way to go. Just don't end up looking like Snooki. Please.

DIY Beachy Waves At Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week



Designed by Perfect Tan Bikini



Designed by Tavik Swimwear



As I scrolled through the endless swimwear seen at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, there were beautiful prints, gorgeous tans, and swimsuits that I'd never seen before. But one big thing I noticed was that practically every model had gorgeous beachy waves. Oh, how I hate my straight hair! It can't hold a curl for the life of me, let alone these stunning waves! There is just something about waves that is sooo feminine. And my hair never seems to get anywhere close to wavy when I hit the beach. But my own jealousy aside, there is a way for you girls to get beachy waves like these stunning models, no beach required.

Forever A Trend: Vintage

Where do you think the Oxford shoe trend came from? Where did the fedora trend origrinate? How did lace become so popular? Oh, vintage trend, I love you.

And whether your vintage clothes are from your local thrift store, or Forever 21, it's a totally chic trend that you don't even have to go full out with. You could use a touch of lace here, wear Oxfords with your leggings one day, wear a fedora to the beach, the list goes on and on.

Actually, please don't go full out. Looking totally vintage can make you look like you just trveled through time, or couldn't find the Halloween party.

Forever 21 has this whole "Vintage Romance" line going on right now, and it's all super cute. Especially this sleeveless trench coat. 50's anyone?

So, try your hand at the vintage trend. It's a classic style that never goes away. After all, it's still here!

Hot Summer Trend: Tribal Prints

Wow! Who doesn't love tribal prints? Bright colors and loud patterns are perfect for summer! Stars like Nina Dobrev and Katy Perry have even been spotted trying the trend. I just love this tribal print smocked top from Forever 21. So cute! Get your hands on this trend while it's hot, because paired with the right outfit, this could even be a great winter and fall look!

Tutorial: Asymmetric French Manicure

Wow! I think I'm in love-- with Scotch Tape manicures! Inspired by Chloe's Nails, this super easy and cute look can be achieved by anyone! Below is my variation of the design. Please excuse my hideously short nails.. I just stopped biting about two weeks ago, and I'm in the process of growing them out.

Step one: Start out with a completely dry base color. I used Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in "Shell We Dance?".

Step two: Place plain ol' Scotch Tape on the bottom two-thirds of your nail, make sure it's crooked! Note: Stick the tape on your palm about three times so when placed on your nail, it doesn't pull the base polish.

Step three: Paint over the one-third of your nail not covered by tape. I used the Sally Hansen Hard as Wraps in "Berry Frost". It doesn't matter if you paint over the tape.. You are removing it anyway.

Step four:Remove the tape immediately after your nail tip is covered. And viola! A cute, quirky, asymmetric French manicure!

Good Luck!

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure is the Next Best Thing.

I recently purchased the Sally Hansen Complete Salon manicure polish in the color "Shell We Dance?" for $7 at my local Walgreen's. It's claim is that inside one bottle is a base coat, polish, hardener, and top coat. Wow! I'm super impatient, and most of my manicures end up getting a smudge when drying. Maybe I should get tested for ADHD.. Hah. So basically,the less drying time, the smaller chance of a doomed manicure.