Shellac Don't Crack

Sorry for the headline. I couldn't help it....So in an old post I vowed (or at least suggested) that I wouldn't waste money on manicures that only last a day or two because I had found a nail kit that I loved. That's still true, however, that was before I discovered shellac nails.

Shellac is some sort of gel-like polish that doesn't chip or crack and typically lasts for about two weeks. I've been shellacking for several months now and love it! If applied properly just beyond your cuticles (as opposed to on them), it tends not to peel away from your nail until the end of the second week. I've found that OPI's shellac polish (I think they call it Gel Color) can even last up to three weeks, and at that point, you need to redo them anyway because your nails have grown out too far. The other benefit is that once they're dry, they're dry. You don't have to carefully dig into your purse to gently grab your car keys with the tips of two fingers to avoid scraping your newly polished nails. Here in Richmond, you can get a good shellac manicure for about $25. I usually go to Classic Nails in Short Pump, but I've also gone to Cathy's Nails near Virginia Center Commons.

But there are a few downsides to shellac. The range of colors is limited. Sorry. Some people suggest that it actually improves your nail health, but I've experienced otherwise. While it's true shellac doesn't chip, it will peel, as I've mentioned. And if you cannot fight the urge to peal pieces of the polish that have separated from your nail, chances are a layer or two of your nail will peel away with it. However, I will say that if you decide to remove the shellac and go without, you are NOT left with that sensitive thin-nail feeling you get after having acrylic tips. Just sayin.

Bottom line: Try it! It's much longer lasting and perfect for important events, like weddings, where you absolutely don't want to have chipped polish. Just a little tip, if you shellac and want to avoid indulging in peeling it off, try a darker color like red. You don't tend to see the separation after two weeks that you can clearly see with light pink or clear shellac. Love it!

Framed Pottery

I went to the Spring Craftsmen Expo this past weekend and discovered the artwork of Carlos Silva, owner of Centuries Clayworks. Loved his framed pottery and I bought a brightly colored clock for my future craft room (cannot wait to move into the new house in two weeks!). He's developing a website, but in the meantime, I found photos of his work here. LOVE IT!

Also, I wrote a while back about the Mountain Mist company, which sells soaps, lotion, and my beloved lip balm for very reasonable prices at the spring and fall craftsmen expos. Without fail, they were there this past weekend with a few new lip balm flavors in stock-- my favorite being orange creamsicle! Now if I can just convince her to create an almond flavor:)

Hang nails (day 1)

This is day one of my hang nail experiment to test whether Argan oil prevents hang nails better than olive oil. I coated my left hand finger tips with Argan oil while soaking my right hand in a bowl of EVOO. Even I can smell the olive stench despite my lingering sinus congestion. Yum.

I really don't know how long I'm supposed to bathe in oil. I probably should have asked the sales lady when I bought the Argan. I figure five minutes oughta do it. And hopefully washing away the oil with soap and water won't eliminate any benefit my skin may have just had from soaking in oil. But I really can't go out smelling like my Italian great grandmother's kitchen all day. It is what it is. Let's see if I notice a difference tomorrow...

(Day 2)

Softer cuticles on both hands, but there's not a noticable difference between the right and left. More later...

(Day 3)

Hang nail forming on right thumb. Is it because I use it so much it dries out quicker or does EVOO not hold up in comparison to Argan? Time will tell.

Argan today, hang nails gone tomorrow?

Well, the craftshow was great, but no luck on the mugs. Hopefully my potter man will show up for the Bizarre Bazaar...But Mountain Mist was there as expected! I stocked up on their incredible lip balm, including their new strawberry flavor, and even purchased a few other items. Mango body butter. Yum. And Argan oil.

What the H is that?

According to Mountain Mist's website, "Argan oil is exceptionally rich in natural tocopherols (vitamin E), phenols, carotenes, squalene, and essential fatty acids. What does this mean for your skin? In short, it is a fabulous skin moisturizer that absorbs quickly and has a transparent, lightweight feel."

It's supposed to be good for your nails, skin and hair. Once my hair grows long again, I'll likely have to try it out on my inevitable split ends, but for now I thought I'd oil up my lovely hang nails that line each of my fingernails year-round...Huh. As fate should have it, I recently read on Celebrity Beauty Tips that Julia Roberts soaks her nails in olive oil to soften her cuticles and prevent hang nails. Looks like we have more in common than just our big 80s hair.

Naturally, I'd love to know whether my $15 Argan oil works wonders over plain ol' olive oil. So I'll be soaking one hand in Argan and the other in EVOO throughout the week and will report back on the results. Back to you soon!

How to kick the winter lip-split

I cannot wait for the Craftsman Christmas Show at the Richmond Raceway this weekend! You never know what new and interesting jewelry, crafts, and art you will find. Two crafters I'm especially hoping to see is one particular potter from whom I mistakenly bought two beautiful mugs last year when I should have bought a set of 10. I went to all the spring shows hoping to find him again, but failed miserably. Potter man (whose company name I can't remember), don't let me down! I tossed all of my husband's Denny's-style mugs to make room in our small cabinet for your gorgeous creations and I'll never hear the end of it if you're a no-show this weekend.

I digress. The other vendor that I'm almost certain will be here (if not, they'll be here in December for the Christmas Bazaar) is the Mountain Mist company. This company is single-handedly responsible for ending my annual lip-split, which I used to enjoy each winter. I wear it everyday-- EVERYDAY. I also love lip treatments by MAC and FRESH, but Mountain Mist's lip balm is a fraction of the price and works as well or better. Ingredients include "sweet almond oil, lanolin, aloe, and Vitamin E and all-natural lip balm flavors".

They're now offering a pack of all five flavors for $12 at http://www.mtnmist.com/. I especially love the cherry shimmer and honey flavors and am still holding out hope that they'll make almond or orange spice flavors as well. I stock up twice a year when I see Mountain Mist at the spring and winter shows, even though one tube lasts me about a year. Hope you enjoy them!

Everyday Nails

First impressions are important-- especially when interviewing for a new job, which so many people are doing these days. Apparently, first impressions start with how you look, for better or worse.

Sharp haircut? Check. Modest accessories? Check. Polished shoes and a Frebrezed suit? Check, check. Manicured nails?...Oops.

Manicures. They look great, but only last a week or less. And at $25 plus, they can add up fast.

I went to Richmond's Woman Show and ran into a lady selling home manicure kits. Because I've tried these before and have never been impressed, I walked passed her booth. My then boyfriend (now husband) had to use the restroom, which of course was right next to her booth. Ew. So I had no choice but to listen to her product pitch. She polished my nail. Clean, shiny, nice. But before I could be sold, I needed to know I could shine them myself without having to put my back into it. Step 1) File and shape. 2) Clean. 3) Condition. 4) Shine. 5) Erase cuticles with the cuticle coconut oil pen.

EASY! Best of all, NO MORE HANGNAILS! I was pretty excited to find a kit that I could reuse for months (or years) at the price of only two manicures.

Bottom line: If you want polished nails everyday, call Archie (205) 863-8024 (she doesn't have a website) and order the Nail Strong Set for $34.95. Let me know what you think!

It's been a while...visit Celebrity Soap on Etsy!

Hi everyone,

So, I know, I know. It's been about two months since I've posted on this blog. Not good. And thank you for the few of you who have actually noticed! haha. I've been hard at work to finally-- and I do mean FINALLY-- launch my Celebrity Soap shop on Etsy. It is now OPEN!

Visit me at http://www.celebritysoap.etsy.com/.

I'm also very happy to say that my LLC is confirmed. I'm more proud of this certificate than my own diploma (well, almost), mostly because its the first random idea I've actually seen through without being pinned to a deadline. It's a hobby, just like this blog, but hopefully it'll someday turn into more with time. I have 11 items posted now and many more to come!

As for my beauty product/treatment experiments, back to you soon! In fact, I have a few in the works and will post them ASAP.

Happy holidays!