Category Archives: beauty

manic{ure} monday: 9 cute summer mani ideas to start your week

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I could spend hours browsing through nail art on Pinterest. In fact, this afternoon, I did. {Don’t tell my boss.} This summer, I’m loving bright nails with clean designs; like a natural base with a bold tip, geometric pastels, nudes paired with neon, and simple all-white manis.

My kit is stocked, and my nails are in desperate need of some TLC. Now the only question is, which one should I try first?

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new lengths

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I’ve spent the last three weeks pinning hairstyles. Asymmetrical bobs, long layers, bangs, color and tutorials I’ll probably never try. I’ve waged a war with myself over that age-old question: To chop, or not to chopI dragged Chad into the fray, showing him picture after picture of blown-out coifs and asking, “What do you think about this one? Too short? Bangs or no?” Patient and loving husband that he is, he humored me each time but ultimately gave me the same answer: “Babe, your hair looks great however you wear it. I’m down with whatever.” Code for: “I’m in way over my head here, just pick one already and let’s go have a beer.

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Why do I agonize so much over every hair appointment, like it’s going to be my last? I used to do this in nail salons, too; standing in front of that wall of color with a blank stare for several minutes trying to choose which shade to paint my toes, as if I’d have to live with the decision forever. Tell me I’m not the only one who does this. Please?

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I’d never been particularly attached to my hair, until it was long. When you’ve dealt with the awkward grow-outs and months {years!} of waiting to reach that target length, you don’t want to go back and do it all over again. But you also start to get the itch for something new; and if you wake up in the middle of the night with your hair wrapped around your arm just one more time you swear you’re going to lose. your. mind!

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By the time I sat in my longtime stylist’s chair yesterday afternoon, I still didn’t know what to do. I gave her a rundown of all my manic ideas, and a free pass to just do whatever she wanted. She took off about 4 inches (thankfully removing some over-dyed ends from my home haircolor fail) and added layers around the front to remove some bulk. I’m going back next week for some subtle ombre foils!

wearing: 

Sonoma chambray shirt dress (Kohl’s, now on sale for $16.00!) | Seychelles sandals (Hautelook) | Duro Olowu for jcpenney clutch (now on sale for $24!)

made up: my favorite new beauty tricks

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Oh, makeup. I love it. I even love hoarding it. But I don’t always know what to do with it.

My girlfriends are the queens of great makeup. One of them has even turned it into a profession. I, on the other hand, can’t do a smokey eye to save my life — unless you consider looking like you took a punch to the face in a bar fight acceptable — and nothing intimidates me more than the thought of applying false eyelashes.

For years, I’ve been on a routine of tinted moisturizer + blush + mascara + lip gloss. But as I get *cough* older, I’m realizing that a few extra minutes in front of the makeup mirror can make a big difference.

I’ve been watching YouTube guru tutorials for years, but I never really got the grasp of what a good makeover can do for a girl until I started reading Maskcara last month. Her before-and-afters?! I mean.

So, I nudged out of my comfort zone and gave just two of her tricks a try. Highlighting and contouring, and soft blended eyeliner. And you guys! It’s kind of amazing! For the last few weeks, I’ve worked both of them into my daily makeup routine. It’s a subtle change, but people have noticed; “Did you do something different? Your eyes look really blue!” {Tip for blue-eyed girls: Use bronze, copper, and taupe shadows and liners to make those peepers pop!}

Now I’m on a mission to find more great beauty blogs! What are your favorites?

video how-to: scarf wrapped side ponytail

One of my goals for 2013 was to add more videos to the blog. Nearly six months into the “new year,” I’m finally posting my first one! Better late than never?

I filmed a how-to for this scarf-wrapped ponytail weeks ago, after a few of you requested a tutorial. Then I forgot about it. The clips sat untouched in iMovie for nearly a month before I stumbled across them, and pulled it all together to [finally] share it!

Have requests or ideas for other how-to videos? Please share them in the comments! {And have mercy, I’m still new to this “vlogging” business.}