Tag: texture

Blinged Out Matte Black Nails

My third installment with Suave^® and Q-tips^® for their awesome ManiCure Pinterest sweepstakes is all about texture! I’m sharing with you one of my favorite hot new finishes, matte, along with a little bling to bring it up a notch. Not only that, but I’ll also be sharing tips on keeping skin moisturized and nails looking clean and healthy.

Up first, a little detail about the ManiCure Pinterest sweepstakes– make sure to head over to the Suave Beauty Pinterest page and pin one of my featured looks (or any other looks by my fellow influencers) and copy the pin URL to the Suave Beauty Facebook page to enter for the chance to win Suave^® Skin Solutions Body Lotions and Q-tips^® Precision Tips^™ cotton swabs or $500 for the ultimate day of beauty and style!

Over the past couple of days, I’ve been trying out Suave^® Skin Solutions Soothing Body Lotion with Aloe. I tend to have some redness in my skin, and I am happy to report that this formula works to calm any irritation caused dry skin and frequent hand washing. I can tell my nails and cuticles really do look richer and healthier. After moisturizing, I pushed back my cuticles and prepped nails with a base coat. Before the base coat, I used a little alcohol on a Q-tips^® Precision Tips™ cotton swab to make sure my nail beds were oil-free.

Next, I applied a matte black polish. You can also use a tradition shiny polish with a matte top coat (more on that next week). Particularly with these darker shades, I appreciate the Q-tips^® Precision Tips^™ cotton swabs for cleaning up any mistakes on the cuticle and around the nail.

Allow the base matte polish to dry completely. I waited a couple hours to ensure it was totally dry. To add a little interest, I took an opaque white polish and added small graphic areas of shine. Using a nail art brush, I outlined the desired shape with the white polish and then colored in with a larger brush.

To really go Black Tie, glam it up with some rhinestones for a 3D effect. You can find these at any beauty supply story. Pick up the stone with tweezers and lay it onto mostly wet polish. Use a Q-tips^® Precision Tips^™ cotton swab to press the rhinestone firmly onto the nail.

Generally, you can seal in these rhinestones with a top coat, but since we are going for a matte look, I skipped the top coat all together. I still find I got great staying power with both the polish and stone. And I certainly feel glam and festive!

This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Influencer for Suave® and Q-tips^®. Visit www.facebook.com/SuaveBeauty for the chance to win Suave^® Skin Solutions Body Lotions and Q-tips^® Precision Tips^™ cotton swabs or $500 for the ultimate day of beauty and style.

Brand Spotlight: Oscar Blandi

You’d think I’d won the lottery. I was positively giddy when I scored a travel size of Oscar Blandi Pronto Invisible Voluminizing Dry Shampoo back in September. I was already devoted to their Jasmine Oil Hair Serum. But people just raved about their dry shampoos. Alas, it did not disappoint I love the feather-light weight and instant volume is provided. It contains Vitamin E and wheat proteins to strengthen and protect the hair shaft. Plus, it did not show up one single bit on my dark brown hair.

I’m sure it doesn’t shock you that I had to dive deeper into the world of Oscar Blandi. The Naples native with family roots in haircare came to the United States 20 years ago to share old Italian methods. With a New York salon buzzing, he launched products in 2005. Today, stars like Jennifer Garner, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Faith Hill and Kelly Ripa credit their hair to Oscar. After trying out some of his more notable products, I almost feel like the Italian has done my hair. My favorites:

Jasmine Oil Hair Serum: I ordered this eons ago from Birchbox just based on a fabulous scent. I couldn’t get enough of the Jasmine, Ylang Ylang and Eucalyptus. But I was also happy to find it provided a whallop of shine. I use just a very small bit mostly on ends to hydrate and tame fly-aways. It also makes for a great heat-protectant.

Oscar Blandi Pronto Invisible Voluminizing Dry Shampoo: As mentioned above, it adds instant volume, revives day old hair and is clear! No white residue on my dark hair. Side note: did you know Oscar Blandi makes three dry shampoos!? For more of a heavy duty oil absorption, try Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo Powder on your strands while you sleep for an overnight refresh. It also helps combat dandruff. If you want a slightly more amped version of the Invisible, try Pronto Dry Shampoo Spray (this might be ideal for those with a slightly oilier scalp).

At Home Salon Glaze: To wrap up every hair color service at the salon, clients are treated to a shine enhancing, color-preserving glaze. Oscar wanted to share it with us who couldn’t make it to the salon and wanted the treatment at home. Thanks to my new found blowout skills, my hair has been a little dull and dry. So I couldn’t tear this open quick enough. The three minute treatment socks hair with moisture and nutrients. Natural plant emoillients help maintain vibrancy while Olive Oil & Macadamia Oil provide instant shine. Soy & Wheat proteins with Panthenol & Vitamin E add nutrition and healthy appearance. You can do the glaze weekly or add a bit to your conditioner for a daily shine boost.

Pronto Texture & Volume Spray: My hair prefers to be straight with zero volume. I got to the point where I didn’t fight it because nothing seemed to work. Well now… hold the phone. This Texture and Volume Spray added that much desired “undone” look to my straight blowout. For the first time, my hair actually held a decent curl. The natural mineral, zeolite, is the key to this volume and hold. Plus, a dose of keratin strengthens hair. The formula is very similar to a hair spray – dry and light-weight. It also comes in handy for extra hold in updos.

I’ll be keeping my eye out for the newest from Oscar Blandi: Dry Teasing Dust and Dry Sculpting Pomade. What can I say? I’m hooked! Shop my favorites here:

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Armani Beauty High Lift Firming Rich Cream

I cannot believe I have already made it through an entire pot of this stuff and neglected to tell you about it. Armani Beauty High Lift Firming Rich Cream has surprisingly been my night cream staple that I just can’t quit. I say “surprising” because it doesn’t sound like a product designed for someone in their early thirties. (Can I still say “early thirties even though I’ll be 33 next week? I think yes.)

While the name conjures up a sense that this will lift sagging skin, the cream actually targets the texture. The formula conditions and softens the skin. So while some might sense diminished wrinkles, I have found this makes my skin more radiant and even. Keep in mind my skin is on the drier side. If you are like me, you will find this has the perfect amount of hydration without being overly creamy. It spreads evenly and absorbs quickly without leaving a heavy or sticky feel. I love the way it looks under makeup so fell free to use it in AM as well (may I suggest the version with SPF – how handy!).