mani-monday: aloe & gold

Sherwin Williams announched their 2013 color of the year and aloe topped the list, so I gave it a go with the help of a gold sharpie and my mani-monday was complete.

NOW ITS YOUR TURN!

The link up Heather & I host is open Monday-Friday and we would love to invite you to join in.  If you don't have a post ready (or don't blog) use hashtag #maniparty on twitter or instagram to join in on the fun or post a photo on facebook and tag either of us!  Don't forget to check out this weeks co-host Anna Delores blog.

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JOIN THE LINK... AFTER THE JUMP..

lovely hair color care

Over the course of 3 weeks I have become somewhat of a hair color junkie.  See photo above.  I actually have done this before, especially when I was doing hair professionally.  I mean having the tools at your disposal and seeing your gorgeous clients leave with fun color is quite tempting!

So I made a transition-  platinum > honey > mocha > burgundy > auburn > chestnut, all in 3 weeks.  The last two sort of happened on their own due to fading (which I will discuss*) and today I want to share with you a few tips & tricks for keeping your hair healthy & proper color maintenance if you color it yourself.

• trim- get the yucky stuff off!  it's not going to properly grab the color so trimming any damaged hair off will not only save you on the color you need to use, but it will get it healthier.
• condition- this is vital especially if you plan to go lighter! you want to make sure your hair will be moisturized and strong to take any chemicals you plan to put on it.
• fill- if you are going from light to dark its best to fill your hair with a color right in the middle (usually something with gold) so that your hair takes the new color better and has the right pigments put back into it that may be missing if you are too light.
• dirty-  its not a necessity, but hair color can feel tingly and uncomfortable if your scalp is too clean. the natural oils act as a buffer to the product. and don't worry; color is strong enough to penetrate through hairstyling products, no problem!

• supplies- make sure before you get started you seriously check your list and check it twice, it will save you a ton of headache if you are prepared.  make sure to get a processing camp or use a plastic bag over your head, it helps conduct heat and prevent color for drying out. oil around your hair line prevents skin stains on darker colors & don't forget gloves, a towel & a smock or old t-shirt so you dont mess up your clothes!
• product- if you do color at home its best to avoid store box color (although I've seen great results) as you cannot control the lift/deposit of the developer.  if possible try to purchase tube creme color & the proper developer for it.
• semi, demi, permanent- based off your needs make sure to choose the right type of color if you want it to last a few washes, a few weeks or longer.
• developers- are made for deposit & lift and can also change your processing time depending on the results you want.  the higher the number the more lift, the lower the more deposit.  for an even deeper color add a little water to 10vol.  for extra care add serum to 40 vol and please avoid putting higher developers on your scalp if using lighteners
• directions- always follow the manufacturers suggested processing times, some colors stop after a certain amount of time and some do require checking on. if you are using a color that tells you to leave it on your ends for a set amount of time, then do that- too little or too long can change the color.
• additives- using serum in lightening powder (bleach) conditions while processing.  check in with the color wheel if you feel like you need to counteract an undesired color you make pick up.  gray magic (available at most beauty supplies) is a great for those that have stubborn grays or to add in to dark color when you are going from something much lighter.
• color theory- color will not lift color (at least not evenly), color on top of color results in a darker color (*), and please try to avoid bleaching color out of your hair instead opt for color removers then color correct it.
• fix- if your color comes out too dark try using dish washing detergent, its strong enough to pull out any excess color that will come out during the next few washes.  remember hair looks darker when wet, so you may want to dry first before deciding if the color isn't right for you.

• temperature- washing your clothes in hot water can fade them, same applies to your hair. try using cooler temps to make it last or you will just be watching that work & money wash down the drain.
• wash- look at your shampoo is it clear or sort of opaque? clear is more cleansing, while the latter is more conditioning.  sulfate free or color care shampoos can help tons.  *instead of re-coloring lots (because color on color is darker color like stated before) usin a color wash is great, if you go dark mix some left over color with developer, water & shampoo and wash it in, or purchase a color deposting shampoo (aveda makes great ones!) if you are blonde use purple shampoo to cut out any unwanted yellow or brassy tones.
• 2nd day hair- not only can provide great styles, but is also one less day of washing the color out.  if you need to shower, you can still get it wet just scrub your scalp with your fingers and avoid the suds.  another great option is using dry shampoo if you have an oily scalp and skipping a wash seems hard to do.
• protect- your hair from the sun and water.  suncreen help with fading of darker colors.  they make them for hair, bu you can also use regular sunscreen as well (my favorite are the fine mist spf's).  if you like the in pools & hot tubs then blockers like malibu2000 will be your new best friend and if you have well water then you can use that too!

 If you have any great tips or just a question about something I discussed here or maybe missed make sure to leave a comment so we can chat.  I hope that these tips & tricks help you with your next color and if you are like me and have 6 colors in 3 weeks you will get the hang of it in no time!

*when i stated above that my color faded, its only because i didn't follow my own rules.  for me its easy, i know how to color my hair and its not a task i dread, plus i dont mind change.  i'm naughty when it comes to color- i take hot showers, sometimes wash it daily and i base my shampoo choices off of smell not what they do.. all of which i would never recommend.  so should i practice what i preach? yes.  but i dont.. and as you can see from the photo that burgundy to auburn color happened in 4 days, so if you dont want that- then i would suggest at least practicing a few of the tips i've provided!

14 days of love: lip balm

Thanks for joining me for Day 8 of the 14 Days of Love project!  If you have been following along you know that Dana from Wonder Forest and myself teamed up to shared 7 projects each (over the course of 2 weeks) with a sort of 'love' theme to them.  What's great is that practically all of the projects we have shared, which you can view here and here, can be used for anytime of year!

Today I'm sharing a little 2 ingredient beauty recipe for you that is so insanely easy, honestly the worst part about this project is the clean up.. like I'm talking greasy ass clean up so either use disposable supplies or get ready for some dish washing fun.. I originally found this recipe here.

*UPDATE* 03/22/2012

This tutorial is the most popular post on my blog with thousands of page views and pins from Pinterest (thanks so much!). I  do however want to re-iterate that I found it online and just decided to post a tutorial based on my experience doing it and was originally sharing this for a DIY series we had going on here in Jan/Feb. I would also like to mention that you can substitute the vaseline, so please don't leave negative comments with your opinions about vaseline and/or artificial sweetener, this is simply a tutorial to show you what you can make with these products. If you dont like the products used either find a more favored alternative for your lifestyle or don't make the product.. super simple =) 

SUPPLIES

Vaseline or a petroleum free alternative 

(if you want something more natural)

kool-aid or crystal light

microwave safe bowl

spatula (spoon)

lip gloss containers

(I purchased 4 for $1 at michaels)

First up.. because the Kool-Aid is what supplies the color to your lip balm I would suggest you purchase a flavor that comes out red.  I mixed cherry and tropical punch together.  I have also done this recipe with Crystal light which tastes much better, but sometimes the crystals don't dissolve as well as the Kool-Aid ones do so it can be tricky.

Gather your supplies and in a microwave safe bowl (I ended up using a mixing cup) put a glob <--- that's a proper measurement right.. ok about a cup into the bowl and heat on high for about a minute. Stir. Do again. This is the repetitive part, I usually browse pinterest on my phone while standing next to the microwave.. or sometimes I eat raw cookie dough from the fridge.. whatever works for you!  Keep repeating this step and make sure to stir, stir and stir some more in between each heating. If you plan on making a lot of these I would suggest doing it in batches as it will be easier to melt down.  **please do in small increments to assure that you do not blow your microwave, also if you have access to double boiler that works great too!

Take your bowl of liquid greasiness =) and let cool for just a few seconds, stir in the kool-aid a little at a time and make sure it starts to dissolve (keep stiring!)  The more you add the darker it gets so this is up to you and what you want your lip gloss to look like, I used two whole packets for this pretty color.

Now if you use Crystal Light the flavor is so much better, since the Kool-Aid is bitter I simply pour in a couple packets of stevia just for a little sweet on my lips.  Oh and it's zero calorie in case you ingest the stuff!

If your vaseline looks like it's getting too cool or solid again, put in the microwave for another 30 seconds, stir again and then get ready to pour into your containers. You can use plastic containers like this, or even the cute little tin balm containers. Most of which you can find at crafts supply stores.

Let cool before using or giving as gifts, and for something extra fancy use a custom sticker or even a sharpie to write on the lid.  Have fun, kisses!

*please monitor this project if doing with children or clumsy friends as the vaseline gets hot, and the Kool-Aid stains, as always safety first people... safety first!!!*

*i would use crystal light or for sure add sweetner to the mix, or it will be very sour!*

*if cyrstals are not fully dissovled you will have grainy lipbalm so stir lots!!*

fabric nails tutorial

*view an updated version of this tutorial here!*

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I'm a nail biter... I have been my entire life and the only fix is when I have acrylic overlays on top of my own nails.  When I do that I never pick or bite at them instead I make a habit of changing the polish. 

ALL OF THE TIME.. *this was an unplanned tutorial that happened via cellphone pics*

It's relaxing to pamper yourself in such a little way.  I always feel better after polishing my nails, like they are new and fresh and I'm doing something for me.  For my wedding I had amazing black lace fabric french tips under acrylic and that was 3yrs ago, its funny that I'm seeing that trend just pop up on pinterest now!  Which makes me acknowledge that I'm probably not the first person that has put mod podge on their nails, but I thought I would share a quickie tutorial of how I did them this afternoon.

Supplies needed: 

mod podge, tissue (or tissue paper), paint brush, nail polish color & top coat, file

First step I did was to make a stencil of my nail for my fabric cut out.  Now I'm sure you can figure out a way to make this work for you, but I just took a small piece of tissue paper wrapped it around my nail and traced (lightly) around the curve of my nail bed.  I then cut out the piece of paper and matched it up with fabric & cut that too.  I then painted a thin coat of mod podge on my nail, took the piece of fabric matched it up and covered in another thin layer of the podge.  If there is any overlay of fabric trim if off the end then let dry.  I ended up painting all my other nails a solid color (after a twitter & instagram vote on it) and that allowed the fabric to dry a bit.  Afterwards I took my file to make sure everything was even on the ends and the sides with the fabric then I finished it all off (including the painted nails) with a top coat of clear polish.

The fabric choices are endless and even the placement of doing maybe a different finger, all of your fingers or just the tips.  Its a fun, easy and cheap way to jazz up your digits and make a statement!