My favorite YouTube beauty channels!

When YouTube started a few years ago it was really a great thing. I can't remember what I did to kill time on the internet before YouTube came along.

Anyway - there are lots of "beauty gurus" on YouTube, ones that give tutorials and reviews on new products, and also list their favorite products and worst products they have ever tried. Let me tell you, I have learned SO MUCH from these people, so I thought I'd post my favorite channels here to share with all of you!

Beauty Broadcast with emilynoel83 - Emily is amazing! She is the most honest of all the YT beauty gurus, gorgeous, speaks well (she's a former news anchor so that would explain it) and just gives great tutorials, tips and honest opinions on beauty products, the majority of which tend to be DRUGSTORE products! She's the first beauty guru I started watching on YouTube, and remains my favorite.

Wayne Goss - gossmakeupartist - Wayne is a professional makeup artist and has the most amazing tips and tricks for applying makeup. He is also EXTREMELY honest, but focuses more on the "high end" makeup, which is understandable as he is english and the drugstore options in the UK are different than those in the US. I have taken so much great advice from him, and never miss a video!

FleurDeForce - I could listen to Fleur all day long, I love her english accent! Anyway, I have to admit this gal has persuaded me to buy a few very pricey products, but she has always been totally right about all of them, this is why I trust her. She's gorgeous, and I love her lip product choices!

missglamorazzi with Ingrid - This girl is so freakin' bubbly, you can't help but love her. She gets so excited over all of her beauty products, and she's just all around enjoyable to watch. Love her "monthly favorites" videos the most!

Nail Care Tips!

Last year, I went to school for manicuring, and I do have a license as well, and do some manicuring on the side. I do a mean pedicure, too! Anyway, I thought I'd take the opportunity to post some nail care tips here, as far as going to a salon and nail care at home!

1. Use cuticle oil daily to soften and soothe cuticles, also making the ugly dry look disappear.
2. DO NOT "nip" your cuticles with a cuticle nipper unless you know what you are doing. Cuticles are dead skin cells stuck on the nail bed, but just below that is live tissue and if you nip too far, you will cut yourself up and it will lead to infection. Just use cuticle remover from the drug store and a wooden pusher to gently push them back.
3. When giving yourself a manicure, DO NOT use lotion before painting your nails, or any other type of product that may leave a residue (like cuticle oil). Wait until after your nails are completely dry before applying oil & lotion.
4. Be sure to dehydrate your nails before applying a base coat (I recommend Orly Bonder) with Acetone. This will ensure the nails are totally dry for nail application, so the polish won't wrinkle as it dries. Always use a paper towel or fiberless wipes when applying the acetone so you won't have any cotton fibers stuck in your polish (a nail tech's greatest enemy!)
5. Use a REALLY good top coat if you are doing your nails at home. I recommend Seche Vite or CND Super Shiny). Even if you use cheap polish, use a GOOD top coat, it protects the nail color and will aid in dry time.
6. When getting your nails done, just make sure that the implements are sanitized with pure alcohol or disinfectant before they work on you. This is a no-brainer, people!
7. DO NOT let any nail tech use a "callus razor" on your feet. This does not work, and will do nothing but cut you up. Calluses are SUPPOSED to be on your feet, they PROTECT the feet. However, they should be smoothed down, not totally removed, unless you have to get them removed by a doctor for whatever reason.

Lifestyle Change - I hope!

Well, I got a new "day" job and it starts on February 19th. I am THRILLED and excited, and mostly relieved. The road has been long, I've been without health insurance for over a year and I am going to be so happy to be getting it back.

Along with this comes a new schedule. I'll be working there 8:30-4:30 Monday-Friday, and hopefully will be at the salon on Wednesdays & Thursdays 5:30-8:30 and Saturdays 10 AM - 3 PM.

Along with a new schedule will HAVE to come a new lifestyle change. Basically, I plan on doing some exercising for 15 minutes after work on Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays, then work my way up to 30 minutes in a few months. I used to do all my cleaning on Sundays but since that is going to be my ONLY day off, I plan on moving it all to Friday nights, leaving my Saturday evenings and Sundays completely free to relax or do whatever I want to do.

Next week, I plan on going to the grocery store to get some stuff for my lunches and snacks at work. All healthy but filling stuff!

Here's the list I've compiled for two weeks worth of snacks and lunches:

• Apples
• Tangerines
• Green Grapes
• Pomegranate Seeds
• Bunch of Bananas
• Celery Sticks
• Baby Carrots
• Cucumbers
• Sliced Almonds
• Low-Fat Granola
• Whole-Grain Tortilla Chips
• Reduced Fat Triscuits
• Laughing Cow Light Swiss Cheese Wedges
• Pretzels
• Low-Fat Yogurt
• Fat-Free Ranch Dressing
• Hummus
• Peanut Butter
• Luna Bars
• Healthy Choice, Lean Cuisine or SmartOnes micro. dinners

As you can see, I am not really a cook at all. I don't really see myself cooking lunches for the next day or putting a salad or sandwiches together as busy as I am gonna be so, the TV dinners are the best I'm gonna do haha.

Wish me luck with this, and I wish you all luck with any lifestyle changes YOU all might be making within your own lives!

Random Favorites: 2/3/2013

Currently Smelling....

Yankee Candle Whoopie Pie!

This literally smells like chocolate and cream.

Smells great before you even light it, and I got it

on sale at a local Yankee Candle store - IT SMELLS SO GOOD, 

please pick it up, you won't regret it!

Where to Buy: YankeeCandle.com, Yankee Candle Stores, 

Bed, Bath & Beyond Stores, etc.

Currently Eating....

Wright's Chicken Farm Dinner

Well, you can only get this in Harrisville, RI but - it's amazing!

You get fresh roast chicken, pasta, hand-cut fries and salad -

ALL YOU CAN EAT!

You have to put on your eatin' pants when you go here, believe me!

http://www.wrightsfarm.com

Currently Wearing....

Ballet Flats!

For some reason, I have been fascinated by these things

for years! I've always wanted a pair, and now I actually

do have a couple pairs, and I AM IN LOVE with them!

They are so comfy but not frumpy - just what I need!

You can obviously buy these ANYWHERE but,

I got mine at Payless!

Currently Listening to....

"Flight" by Sutton Foster & Megan McGinnis

Just listen to this - it's beautiful. The harmonies are

AMAZING and it's such a haunting song with such a wonderful

message! LOVE this!