Wet Twists!

I cowashed my twists and took a couple pictures. I love the way it looks when its wet. I don't twist all the way down to the end so when its wet the curls pop.

I always thought it was weird that the front does not curl much and the back curls up a lot.

When I cowash, all I do it wet the hair thoroughly while massaging the scalp. Then I add some conditioner and run that through all the hair. I don't usually rinse out the conditioner, but when I do I let it air dry halfway and then spray with some s-curl.

Everyday Eyes - Shades of Grey

With a slight hint of purple. I love this look.

I havent been wearing blush lately, guess I havent been in the mood.

PRODUCTS USED:


Eyes
UDPP
E.l.f. 100 palette - Silver- lid, grey- outer corner, & purple- inner crease & a peachy shimmer highlight
Mac Forgery - inner corner
MAC Saddle - crease
Tarte cream eyeliner
Clinique mascara

Face
MAC Pro Longwear in NC45 which I later removed
HD Powder

Lips
Clinique Think Bronze lipstick

Acrylic Nails - NSI Spa System Review

I used to do my acrylics all the time and recently decided to get back into it. I purchased a bunch of things from ebay and a NSI Spa sample kit from a professional nail tech supply site.

The NSI Spa system uses an Odorless liquid. I have quickly learned that odorless systems are very different than traditional L&P acrylic, and to be honest I am very unhappy with this particular product.

My Initial Thoughts:

• Not completely odorless and actually has a bit of a sweet smell to it. It is much better than a traditional system as far as the smells go.
• Took a bit to get the right ratio.
• Was very difficult for me to work with.
• The finished product do look and feel good, but I have to say I prefer the traditional L&P.

I have been doing acrylic nails off and on for the past 10 years. Yes, like with everything else, I started very young and am self taught. I have never had such a hard time working with a product as I had with this one.

I realized quickly that this system needs to be worked very dry however I dont think that I ever got it truly dry enough. I could not seem to get this to act right at all! No matter what I did it was just way too sticky. I would wipe the brush almost completely dry and pick up the bead, but IDK. It just wasn't good.

I had to switch out brushes several times just to keep a clean brush. It clung to the brush and refused to let go.

Another thing that really bothered me was the bubbles. I have never had this problem before either, but I couldnt seem to avoid them with this. The top layer never cures so you have to wipe it off before you start to file. Thats no big deal but it can be a little annoying as it is very sticky.

Here are a few pictures of the pink & white sculpts that I did. I am so completely unhappy with them right now. I need to file them down a bit more as well since they are not completely finished.

The smile lines are not good and the whites are more dull but thats ok.

They actually feel really good as opposed to some acrylics that hurt the first few days. These were comfortable after only a few hours, so thats a plus.

My only complaint is the stickiness and the bubbles. If it did not have these qualities it would be perfect!


Would I buy again?
No, I probably wont. But my next purchase will be the NSI Attraction line.


Update
As with anything, practice makes perfect. Getting the ratios right has been the most difficult thing for me, being that I am used to regular acrylics. But, luckily I am getting used to it and I think the trade off is worth the reduced smell. :)

I'm still going to pick up the attraction line though...

Kim Kardashian Makeup FOTD

She posted this pic a little while ago from a recent photoshoot and I Really love the look, so I went ahead and recreated it. The lip color is what actually drew me to it because this color is actually very close to my favorite nude lip color, with a hint of mauve.

Products Used:


Eyes
UDPP
E.L.F. Neutral Eyeshadow Palette
MAC Smolder eyeliner
Loreal Linear Intense liquid liner

Lips
NYX Mauve lip pencil
MAC Brave New Bronze lipstick

Face
Graftobian foundation

Sadly Brave New Bronze is a Limited Edition Lipstick. If I find it again, perhaps at the CCO I will definitely stock up! Its my Fave nude color! :) The ELF eyeshadows are awesome! You cant get a better product for the price. Funny I use my ELF more than I use my MAC shadows...

Regimen for the rest of 2012

Due to protein overload from 2 BKT treatments this year I have experienced some breakage. I have not lost too much length so its not as bad as it could be. I'm going to wait till August to do my next measurement, so I will see whats good then.


I put in a set of twists the other day and plan to continue with low manipulation styles like this for the rest of the year. Well, I've technically already been doing that.. lol


I will not be touching any heat what so ever for the rest of the year as well. If I feel as if my hair needs a protein treatment I will use my aphogee 2 step. I have never experienced protein overload when using this product and I usually use it every 4-6 months, before I started using the BKT.


I need to really add a ton of moisture to my hair, so I am deep conditioning frequently, at least 2x weekly, as well as cowashing every 2-3 days. I haven't worn a ponytail baggy since last year and I want to grab a few new ones and incorporate those back into the rotation as well.


I have been wearing my hair in french braids(cornrows) braided very close to the scalp for the past month and at this time I want to wear singles only. No more french braids. To do this properly and without having to sew the braids down I do very small to mini twists or braids, do a cross wrap, and pin down. 


This way I can still wear my Lacewig without going through all the fuss of unbraiding and rebraiding or what have you. 


What else?? ......


Protective styles that I will wear till the end of the year:

• Braids and Twists (no weave)
• Lace Wig
• Ponytail Baggy
• Buns

Twists
1. Wash(Prepoo, Shampoo, & DC) weekly - sat/sun; and DC 2x weekly - sat/sun & wed.

2. Lightly cowash every 2-3 days when needed.
3. Spray daily with scurl or my leaving conditioner.

Apply Shea butter or other moisturizer and wear a baggy overnight if I need more moisture.They will be retwisted as needed.
Pony
Every 2-3 days:
1. Wash, DC, and Detangle.
2. While still wet add Suave or Vo5 cond, Coconut oil, and a little gel to help it lay down.
3. Smooth into a ponytail with denman brush -or- Braid into 5 sections if doing the baggy 
4. Add Knee-hi holder, only wrapping 2-3 times.
5. Throw on a scarf and allow to dry overnight.

I spray with scurl or my leave in every night, and tie my scarf. My hair is twisted into a bun or braided into 5 with a kneehi covering it. I put on my ponytail every morning when I leave the house and loosen the pony every night to relieve tension and avoid the breakage you would tend to get from wearing them constantly.