Rock It ~ Return It

So hopefully this post will be an easy one & done ;)

After much Pinterest research I decided I should DYI removing my gel manicure.  I found these beauties at CVS:

Professional Polish Remover & Gel Polish Remover Wipes

I have realized (by my slow self-awareness into my own passive-aggressive behavior) that my unending love & adoration for gel manicures is equally matched by my annoyance & frustration at how difficult they are to remove.  The true yin & yang.

It puts a burr in my saddle to make an appointment, drive to the nail salon, have them soak my nails in acetone, sit there 10 minutes... and then PAY THEM $10 !?!?!?!?!  Really?  I have a pretty good internal thermometer when it comes to getting what I pay for.  Maybe that's where the rub comes in.  I know $10 isn't a lot of money.  But I can sit in my own living room and watch my own TV (a channel I like) and sit my own hand in acetone.  AND have a whole meal from Chick-fil-A with a supersized Arnold Palmer, light ice. Thank you very much!  I don't mind spending money on things that are worth it - I can't color my hair or give myself a massage- but I do draw the line at nail polish removal.

Two events led to my self-awareness: first I selected a polish at my last manicure on the sole criteria that you won't be able to tell when it grows out.  Turns out it is now my favorite polish color Princesses Rule - on aesthetic grounds - and I bought the regular version at Ulta :) That's not why I picked it in the first place.  Second, I have been letting it grow out.  If you saw my hands up close & personal I would probably be embarrassed.  Every time I look at my nails I shudder a little when I remember the chapter in my How to be Elegant book at how elegant ladies never have chipped nails.  That ship sailed a long time ago.  But I just can't bring myself to go in & have the gel taken off.   I'm making a stand!

It's amazing the clarity that comes with self-awareness :)  I immediately searched on Pinterest to figure out how to remove gel nails.  Turns out it was as easy as I thought all along.  I just needed some acetone.  Thanks for the rescue CVS!

To paraphrase all the articles on Pinterest because they were pretty much the same, the steps are:

1) Wash your hands (OK this step wasn't on any of the Pinterest articles, but I believe any good nail story should start this way)
2) Gently file off the top layer of clear gel
3) Soak cotton in acetone & place on your nails
4) Use Gel Polish Remover Wipes to cover nails
5) Watch Fashion Police in the comfort of your own home
6) Use the included manicure stick to lift off the gel
7) TA DA! Now go put that $10 you saved to good use!  Why doesn't Chick-fil-a deliver?

The verdict ???

ROCK IT !!!

I am so glad this worked as well as it did!  I didn't realize until I had cut up some cotton rounds that the foil sheets had a cotton square on them already.  I ended up using the cotton rounds on my thumbs because they needed extra acetone to come off.  I did need to leave them on longer than the recommended 10-15 minutes on the box, but otherwise the whole process went very smooth.  The hardest part was how much to file off... Did I get the top layer off?  Am I filing too much?

Overall I am very impressed at how easy this is to do at home!  The kit includes 30 strips (I can remove two more manicures) so I will probably use the last one to make templates & cut my own foil.  Especially since I needed the cotton rounds for my thumbs, I have everything I need at home now.

Rock It ~ Return It

I have had some random crazy tooth pain this week, after a trip to the Dentist who punted me to a Neurologist...  I am finally feeling better.   I gladly stopped in at CVS for some vacation goodies :)

(I need to figure out how to take better pictures of products... any tips?)

Ok.... lets rock & roll!

L'Oreal Lineur Intense
in Carbon Black 
I purchased this after seeing a video on MakeupbyTiffanyD (she's fabulous at makeup tutorials & reviews).  She said it was easy to use & featured it in her 5 minute makeup tutorial.  I did not find it easier than your typical liquid liner (I need more practice obviously!).  Although I did like it just as much as my Makeup Forever liquid liner & it is significantly cheaper!  Due to that fact I am glad I purchased it.  Another neat feature is that with light pressure it makes a thin line & with heavy pressure it makes a thicker line.
Verdict ~ ROCK IT!!

Sally Hersberger Glam Waves
Texture Spray
This is one of my old favorites :)  Kinda unfair for "Rock It Return It" but I haven't used it for a while & wanted to make sure I still loved it!  I DO :)  This is the best 'beach spray' that I've ever used.  It is not salty, it is not drying or frizzy, and it is amazing at reviving tired curls.  This is a magic product that creates pretty curls yet has natural oils to make hair soft & pretty.  I love using this on beach vacations.  This was the only hair product I used my entire honeymoon!  Ready for the beach!
Verdict ~ ROCK IT!!

TRESemme Dry Shampoo
Volumizing for Fine Hair
I have been on a massive hunt for the perfect dry shampoo.  This is the best drugstore version I have tried so far.  I like the scent, the size of the bottle & that it helps with volume.  I do want to try it a few more times...
Verdict ~ Undecided

Jergins Natural Glow for Face
for Fair/Medium Skin
If any of you have seen any winter pictures of me, I could be an extra on a zombie movie with my insanely white skin!  I need some color up in my life! :)  This year I have decided to phase tanning beds out of my life & get better at sunless-tanning.  I do like the moisturizer a lot, it has a slight tanning smell but that wears off after 5 minutes.   I did get a spray tan for my vacation after using it 2 days, so cannot yet report on the color progression, but I do plan to use it to keep color on my face.  :)  Is it summer yet?????
Verdict ~ ROCK IT!!

Milani Brow Fix Brow Kit
in Medium 02
I purchased this after the Elf brow kit was not a success for me.  They only have one color at Target & it was too dark for me!  This one was about $7, so twice the Elf price, but in my opinion much more quality & useability.  It comes with two browns for your brows, a highlighter for just under your brows, tweezers, brush & sponge applicator.  I love this kit!  And I'm glad that big bold brows are in (thanks Dad)!
Verdict ~ ROCK IT!!

L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm
in Caring Coral
I am so excited about all the coral colors popping up this spring :)  I typically stick to very natural colors, for some reason I am able to venture into coral land easier than bright pinks.  Maybe I still have nightmares about Mamma Kay's bright pink '80's lipstick she used to try to rub on me "Put some color on your face!!"  I digress...  I am NOT a lipstick girl (see previous comments) and prefer balms, sticks, etc.  I am a big fan of the formula that is like a very moisturizing balm & a very pretty color.
Verdict ~ ROCK IT!!


Always fun spending a free day at CVS :)

Rock It ~ Return It

Sooooooo as of late I have been going drugstore for cosmetics (yikes!) and wanted to share my finds!

Note ~ I apparently have been spoiled by Sephora, MAC & Nordstrom... learned the hard way that Walgreens' beauty return policy (for opened/tried products) is up to the discretion of the manager!  So I would recommend CVS, they have a 100% guarantee :)  And I just love everything about them!

Revlon Lip Butters
in Creme Brulee & Berry Smoothie
I really really really wanted to try Peach Parfait, but Walgreens & CVS were both sold out!
These are called 'lip butters' because they are super creamy & lightly pigmented.  I am not a big fan of lipstick, so I was hoping I would love these :)  And I did!  I like lipstick that is light enough that I can reapply without using lipliner, a mirror, and much effort.  It is also very moisturizing :)  The creme brulee color was very nude.  Normally I would return that, but nude lips are very trendy now.  I loved the Berry Smoothie, it was a cute pink.
Verdict ~ ROCK IT!!

Maybelliene Eyestudio Color Tattoo
in Bad to the Bronze, Tough as Taupe & Too Cool
The bronze & taupe were both SUPER dark!! I might use them only for smoky eye looks.  Or Halloween.  The cool aka "white" worked well, but that bright white only looked good with one purple eye shadow set I have.  I will keep this one, but will probably not use it much.
Verdict ~ RETURN IT!!

L'Oreal Voluminious Million Lashes
in Black Brown
I picked up this mascara looking for extra volume (like always!) and it delivered.  This is the perfect everyday mascara.  The wand is very easy to maneuver & can easily be applied in the car!  Probably not recommended :)  It needs several coats (or a primer) to be voluminous enough for how I like evening makeup.
Verdict ~ ROCK IT!

Maybelliene One by One Volume Express
in Very Black
I am always on the lookout for a Dior Show substitute.  That is the real mascara!  This one is very close :)  Great volume with a coat or two & easy to add volume without clumping.  It has a BIG brush, so not so easy for quick application (or car!).   I would recommend this for a more heavy mascara.  I don't prefer to wear a lot of makeup for work, so this is my go-to weekend choice!
Verdict ~ ROCK IT!

Blistex Revive & Restore Lip Protectant
two-pack
For a lip balm set I thought it did it's job.  I just didn't get the "revive" and "restore" words.  They seem similar to me.  I think one should be to "protect" and the other "revive" or "restore" if that makes sense. I wasn't sure why there were two...  Maybe I'm in my head too much.  Maybe not.  Occam's Razor, Blistex!
Verdict ~ MEH...

And my one beauty splurge is Estee Lauder BB Cream! in Shade 1
Verdict ~ ROCK IT!