How To: Remove Gel Manicures

Oh how we love gel (or shellac) manicures! They're chip-resistant! They dry instantaneously so no more waiting 20 minutes to pay for the manicure! And they look so good all the time. But I hate going back to the nail salon to get them removed (unless I'm getting another one done), so I stole their methods and have been doing this at home ever since.

What You'll Need:
+ Typical kitchen foil
+ Scissors
+ Cotton balls
+ Acetone nail polish remover
+ Cuticle tool
+ Buffer file

This is a 3-week old gel manicure, you can tell because it's starting to crack and my nails have grown out (well, in-person at least...in this photo they don't look too bad):

Step 1: Cut the foil into 10 pieces and set aside 10 cotton balls. I usually just split 1 cotton ball in half for two nails.

Step 2: Soak each cotton ball with acetone nail polish remover.
Step 3: Using the foil, secure each fingernail with the acetone cotton ball facing your nail.

Step 4: Leave for 5-7 minutes.

Step 5: Using your cuticle tool, gently scrape off the nail polish, going away from your hand. It should be relatively easy - if it's still too difficult and isn't peeling off, then reapply the soaked cotton ball and foil and wait a few minutes.

Step 6: Repeat for the rest of the hand and switch over to the next hand. Your nails may still have some nail polish on it as well be uneven, but that's okay.

Step 7: With a buffer, simply buff your nails out until smooth and even. Use more acetone to remove any excess nail polish as needed.

By the time I'm done with using cuticle oil and prepping my nails, they're ready to go with a basecoat and color!

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Opposites Attract: Product Reviews

These two products are ironically the exact opposite of each other but are the two best things in my life right now.  The first smells like the inside of a teenage boy's gym bag after 3 weeks of soccer practice.  The second prevents me from smelling like the inside of a teenage boy's gym bag after 3 weeks of soccer practice.  I love them both equally.

The first is organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar (ACV).  This is definitely a "beauty sekret" that Tramanh introduced me to awhile back...and yes, we've been holding out on this gem.  The most popular brand is Braggs and can usually be found at a Whole Foods or the organic section of your local grocery store.

i use a generic organic ACV, but it seems to be doing the same thing as the name-brand version

After reading the reviews and talking to Tramanh, it was definitely something I wanted to try.  The reviews were fanatical to say the least.  ACV is one of those products that you wonder why no one told you about before - girls were using it in their hair to create more shine, using it as toner to create a better complexion, and even drinking it a tablespoon a day to create a glow from within.  I was so excited to try it, though the reviews also said that one of the biggest factors when using ACV is the smell.

And they were right on both accounts.  I started using ACV as a toner since the end of last year (around Christmas time) because even though my complexion was OKAY, it wasn't great.  I was still getting little blemishes, I didn't have a glow, and my skin wasn't smooth.  I initially diluted the ACV with water 1:1 in a travel bottle, because I hear it is pretty potent stuff.  I applied it twice a day with a cotton ball and after the third day, I started noticing my complexion changing in a good way.  It was clearer, the smaller blemishes were going away, the redness was fading, and my skin had a better glow (and not in the oily way).

After about a month, I upped the ante.  I diluted it 2:1 (ACV: Water) but reduced it to 1x a day after I wash my face at night.  It's been about 4 months and I've really noticed a positive change in my skin.  I don't break out as much and when I do have blemishes, they go away a lot faster with lessen time for scarring.

But the smell.  It literally smells like feet.  Smelly, wet, dirty, teenage boy feet.  It's practically offensive.  I know Ryan hates it when I use it.  But the rewards > cons and there's no way I am giving up my ACV.  The smell DOES fade after 3-4hours but can come back if you sweat or wash your face with warm water.  Also, your trash can will smell like ass because of your used ACV cottonballs.

Overall, I love the results.  I haven't used it for my hair and I dare not try to ingest it, even with juice.

The second product is something I've joked about on AskPhivy: my crazy sweating problem.  I remember I joked about how I started sweating when Tramanh and I first starting talking online and someone chastised me for being "weak," well little does that person know that I am just a sweater.  I'm totally self-conscious of it and it bothered me a lot.  So I recently went to the dermatologist who prescribed prescription anti-perspirant.

hypercare is the generic version of Drysol, which is more commonly prescribed

Most deodorant sticks we think of today are two-in-one, but really there are two critical elements within them: anti-perspirant (which prevents you from sweating) and deodorant (which masks the body odor).

In OTC deodorants, including "clinical strength," the aluminium combination (usually Aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly) deposits gel-like beads within your pores, which blocks the sweat from hitting the surface of your skin and will wash away with your skin cells.  However, in prescription anti-perspirants, the active ingredient is hydrated Aluminium Chloryde, which actually acts like an astringent and closes your pores, preventing you from sweating altogether.

This is exactly what I needed, but it's not easy on your skin and it does take some commitment.  Firstly, you must apply it on dry, clean skin at night before bed.  It comes with this weird spongey applicator, but after a few weeks of it not working, I decided to apply with a cotton ball.  At first it's a little cooling, but much like an astringent is on your face, it can start to burn.  The next morning, you're supposed to wash it off with soap and water.  It should only be on for 6-8 hours.  I applied it about 4 nights in a row, and after Day 3, I noticed that I wasn't sweating nearly as much.

My dermatologist noted I can wear deodorant (strictly deodorant, not with anti-perspirant), if I chose to.  So I purchased Tom's natural deodorant, note that it's aluminum-free:

I have pretty sensitive skin on my underarms (and eczema), so this wreaked havoc after Day 4.  I applied my topical cream and it was better.  After Day 4, I waited about 2-3 more days and noticed I would perspire so would reapply at night to re-close my pores.  The theory is, when you start, you're supposed to apply it 4-6 nights in a row, then afterwards you would only need to "touch up," once or twice every week.  The pain is making sure to wash it off the next morning.

So far, I'm addicted.  Anytime I notice a slight "wetness," I apply it the prescription solution that night.  It does get stingy and itchy, especially with my sensitive skin, but it seems worth it.  I can wear button-down tops that used to chafe my underarms, I can wear silk blouses!  I don't have to worry about going to the gym and bringing an extra deodorant, it's been pretty liberating!

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Slim Shady

I don't really think I have a FLAT nose...though when I was younger, I felt it was too big for my face, but I do think I grew into it.  Like how puppies grown into their paws and ears.  Case in point:

Now with the miracles of makeup, I thought I'd try slimming my nose to create a higher bridge and slimmer frame for my face all with shadowing and contouring.  I mean, it works wonders with Nicki Minaj and Kim Kardashian, I could TRY, right?

Now, I'm not saying I did a great job.  This is my first time after all, but I did want to post my experience about it and eventually, I'll hopefully get better at it.

P.S. I took these pictures without thinking I would post about contouring my nose, so forgive the wider-angled shots.  Just pay attention to my nose, lol.

I think the first thing you need is the proper color.  It's one thing to have a nice deep brown for your eyes, but when you start applying it on your actual FACE, it's a lot different.  You want the color to be subtle yet noticeable.  You want it to look like a natural shadow or contour, not dirty or misplaced bronzer.  So a flat, taupe might be the best bet.  I used a brown because taupe wasn't really showing up and bronzers typically have a shimmer or can be a little too red in tone.

Next, it's about application...I can't figure out where it should START and end...most beauty experts put start contouring right by the eyebrows...I feel like that is just SO high...but it does create depth and height, so what do I know.

I applied a brown shadow to the sides of my nose then carefully blended down.  I wanted to create a higher bridge but without making it look like I had received a black eye in the process.  It was a lot of smudging, blending, and adding a little more color:  I tried to narrow the "tip" of my nose but honestly gave up after it looked like I had a snout.

Lastly, I added a slight shimmer to the top of my nose; supposedly this highlight should add more height to the depth you've already created on the sides.  I think I did a pretty subtle job, but maybe I'll work on it for photographs...so that it will be a little more evident.

I'm still on the fence about it because I'm still practicing...I want to get better at it, but when I showed my sister her first comment was, "Oh THAT'S why you looked half-white." but then proceeded to comment, "Don't forget...less nose means MOAR face."  That's true.  I don't want to be so busy slimming my nose that all of a sudden my cheeks look humungous!  Then I'll send more time slimming those down too!

Oh to be a girl!!  Woe is me.

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My Stash: Makeup Brushes

On Ask Phivy, I was recently asked to do a blog post about my favorite brushes, but I don't really have FAVORITES...because I like all the ones I have!  I have a mixture of more expensive brushes (like Bobbi Brown and MAC) and lower end brushes (ELF) because I just gravitate with what works well.  Since I try to play with a lot of eye colors, I don't spend too much money on those eye makeup brushes since it's just easier to switch them out.  So here's a haul of my go-to everyday makeup brushes:

I keep all of my makeup brushes in a cup standing up.  It allows me to keep them organized and know which brushes I'm reaching out for.  This awesome Alcatraz cup is from my sister.  Of course if my brushes were visible to people (e.g. on a vanity or in my bathroom), I think I would "class up" my container, but since it's just hidden in my closet shelf, I think this cup is perfect.

Face Brushes:

Sephora Professional Powder Brush (similar one here)  - I use the smaller brush for my final Make Up Forever HD Finishing powder.  This brush is a little denser than the Victoria's Secret brush so I do a lot of "tap tap tapping" to remove excess powder before applying.

Victoria's Secret Powder Brush (similar Clinique one found here) - This is what I use with my everyday loose powder.  The wide brush allows for even distribution without picking up too much powder.

Blush/Bronzer Brushes:

MAC 129SE (similar one here) - This brush is great for traveling but the bristles are pretty soft so if you don't have an accurate application, blush can get everywhere.  I typically use this brush from the apples of my cheek (versus creating definition).

Sephora Professional Angled Blush Brush (found here) - This brush is a little sturdier (especially compared to the MAC 129SE) so I use this a lot for my blush.  It's great for both creating definition and color.

Bobbi Brown Face Blender Brush (found here) - I was recommended this brush by the lady at the counter when I purchased cream blush...and you know what?  It totally works better than a sponge or any other brush could.  It's great at picking up color and applying it without smearing it everywhere.  If you're a fan of cream blush, I recommend this brush to go with it.

NARS Blush Brush (found here) - I recently purchased this brush and because the bristles are so soft (like the MAC 129SE), I usually save this for pink colors on the apples of my cheeks. 

Essence of Beauty Contour Brush (similar Sigma Beauty one found here) -  I use this blush brush the most.  Particularly with my loose bronzer.  Because my bronzer is so pigmented, I often just use the remnants on the "mirror" part of the compact, but this brush is stiff enough for contouring without depositing too much color.

Eyeshadow Brushes

Essence of Beauty Eyeshadow Brush (similar Sonia Kashuk one here) - I use this brush a lot for colors outside of black/brown.  The brush is the perfect width to apply color (e.g. purples, mauves, even yellows) to the crease of my eye without overwhelming it.

E.L.F. Defining Eye Brush (found here) - I solely use this angled brush for black shadow, especially for my outer corners.  It's pretty thin (without being a flat brush) for getting those angled corners.  I usually blend the black shadow out, but this is a good brush for application.

E.L.F. Blending Eye Brush (2) (found here) - I use these two brushes for dark browns/mauves.  I apply the base level of my shadow with these two brushes because they're thicker but also have a slight angle to them so it's easier to get my inner corners of my eyes.

Blending Eyeshadow Brushes

Victoria's Secret Blending Brush (similar Sephora one here) - I typically use this brush to "fan out" the color towards the outer temples to create an elongated eye.  It's not thick enough to do a lot of my heavy blending, but does a great job of pull color outwards.

Bare Escentuals Eye Defining Brush (found here) - I accidentally stole this from my friend, Jane, when I was doing her makeup and keep forgetting to bring it back to her.  This is a great brush, though very soft, for adding light color around the edges of my eyes.  I obviously don't use it often (or ever) because it's not mine, lol.

Sephora Blending Brush (similar one found here) - Unlike a "blending" brush which is more stout and stiffer, this is a little bit longer, which allows more movement (and more blending).  I find that the traditional blender brushes are more "smudgers" than "blenders."  This is brush is in my top 3 best brushes.

Iridescent Eyeshadow Brushes:

Garden Botanika Oval Blending Brush (similar Sephora found one here): Do you guys remember Garden Botanika?  They used to have one at the Brea Mall where I grew up!  That is how old these brushes are, but look at how great they still look.  This brush I use to apply a white shimmer on my inner corners when I need a light dusting.  The brush is incredibly fluffy so it doesn't pick up too much pigment.

Garden Botanika Crease Brush (similar Stila one found here): This one is smaller so it picks up a lot more pigment and is perfect when I want a lighter shade in the center of my eyes, like in this picture.

Flat / Angeled Brushes

MAC 266SE (found here) - The crazy thing about the first brush and the second brush, which has the exact same name is that they're completely different textures and bristles.  The first (green) one is very stiff and I use it to fill in my eyebrows.  

MAC 266SE (found here) - This one is a lot softer than the first one and is what I use to line my lower lashline.

Laura Mercier Flat Brush (found here) - This brush was given to me by Ryan's sister and I like it a lot, especially for lining my lashlines or applying a very precise amount of color.

So that's a glimpse of my tools to make me who I am on a normal basis.  What?  Did you think I woke up this way?  It takes a whole TEAM.

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The Devil's Tool

I'm in SF for the week - surprised?  So am I!  I got the call on Monday afternoon with the request to be up here ASAP, but was able to come up on Wednesday instead of Tuesday, whew.  Enough time to do laundry and pack.  Oh, and celebrate Valentine's Day.

With the insistence of some readers, I caved and bought myself an epilator.  Everyone's like, "I can't believe you still tweeze your armpits, that is so 2000-and-late!"  I'm like, mind yo business about my hairy pits!  So I recently bought a Braun 7681 Silk-Epil 7 Xpressive Pro Epilator (what a mouthful) from Amazon.  I got it a few days later and though the box looked like it was in the mouth of a rottweiler, the actual tool itself wasn't touched.

So I read the instructions.  Yup, I actually read the instructions for this one.  The main reason?  When I took one look at the epilator, I wanted to run it over with my car.  It was SO SCARY looking.  WTF...are those RAZORS?  How are those tweezers?  They're all sharp...and edgy.  And not the "cool high school girl who wears all black and smokes cigarettes behind the bleachers" edgy, it literally has SHARP EDGES.  The battery was already charged and so when I turned it on (low), all those RAZORS started spinning all sorts of crazy and I was expected to put that on my skin?!  Bitches be crazy.  This thing is literally made by the Devil.

amazon's stock photos. mine looked exactly the same.

The epilator had like, 10 different adapters.  It had interchangeable heads, a shaver, and some other things I had no idea if it even belonged with the product.  I read the instructions first so I knew which way to hold and move it.  (Btw, it doesn't even matter because hair grows in all sorts of directions)

I finally mustered up the nerve to try it - on my arm pits first.  Most people have really sensitive skin under their arms as it's pretty thin, but after years of plucking and/or waxing, I feel like I have a pretty high pain tolerance there.  After sucking in a deep breath and holding it, I tried it.  And you know what?  It was fine.

I know.  Anti-climatic.  This thing looked like a portable paper shredder, but when I actually used it, I could feel the vibration from the motor more than the plucking.  If you can get over how scary it looks and how loud it is, it's actually a very efficient hair removal process.  I can see why girls get addicted.  It takes as long as shaving, hurts less than waxing, and you don't have to wait as long between sessions.

I will say that for some reason, I did start to bleed, but I didn't feel it, I just saw it.  Gross.

A few days later, I decided to epilate my legs.  That wasn't as smooth (excuse the pun) going, I feel like my legs didn't feel as hairless as shaving and it was a little bumpy.  I'll give it another shot, but so far, I'm pretty happy with this purchase.


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