Mission: Gel Nail Polish

With my job I can NOT have FAKE nails (all of you know I love anything Fake and have had fake nails since I was 13 years old :) ha ha) For the past 2 years I have hated having stubs for nails. What I hated even more than having stubby nails, is having stubby nails that chip in ONE DAY!!!! Can we say: White Trash!?!?! I have tried a million ways to avoid this problem. Nothing works. My good friend, Melina, had some rockin' nail polish and I was totally digin' it! She said it was "Gel Polish". What, the heck, is gel polish? Well over the next months "Gel Polish" was a buzz word! I was hearing people talk about it left and right.

There can't be a beauty treatment I haven't tried at least once.

Mission:accepted!

I had to research my assignment...

Here is the skinny on "Gel Polish".
1. Can last over 2 weeks!
2. Doesn't damage your real nails
3. Shinny for the full 2 or more weeks
4. you soak it off to have it redone
5. The price is around $30 (may be cheaper to not have manicure with it)
6. It takes a little longer than a regular manicure
7. not as many color choices (but there is an OPI version & it is becoming so popular that will change)
8. You get to leave the nail salon with completely dry nail polish
9. Great alternative to acrylic
10. Normally it is not done on the feet (nail polish always lasts a long time on the toes anyway)


I had been dying to get it for the last couple of months but hadn't been able to find a minute to get it done between work, work, work & a social life. Finally... I entered the nail salon


I choose "You Don't Know Jacques" by OPI AXXIUM because I knew I loved that shade in their normal nail polish. The Gel is in a little pot not a normal nail polish bottle and has a much thicker consistency. (note: this color turned out a little lighter than the original nail polish)
Bellow are my nails before she started.....

Manicure Time at the Nails Boutique & Spa in Long Beach. click here to read their Yelp reviews...

After the manicure came a clear gel base. I was instructed to place my hand under the light for a few minutes.

Then the first coat of the AXXIUM Gel Polish was painted on the with another bake under the UV light....

Coat #2 & the light (you can see why it took longer than expected)

Then a clear top coat... of course, don't forget the light...

Little wipe with alcohol and .....

And I was done!!! Plus instead of a hand massage I got a shoulder massage (now that was the best part!!!!)

It has been a week since I got it done and my nails still look great! I have a horrible job for having pretty hands... all the spray tanning solution, lash tint, wax & glue guns.... but I think this is the answer for me. I can now have nice nails for a couple weeks with out having to have FAKE nails or chipped polish! Thank you Melina for filling me in and I hope this blog filled a couple more people in!!!!

Mission: Complete

Lindsay

Obagi C-Serum

So My skin was not on its game last month. I was not happy with my 27 year old aging skin because it wasn't looking like my 17 year old beautiful young skin. I am noticing dark spots of hyperpigmentation and areas that were not as smooth as I remember!!!!!! I know it is only going to get worse but I need to do what I can now to keep it looking its best.




My friend Carrie who is 37 and on the healthy skin bandwagon with me (of course we also keep up on our botox ;) ) had been looking fantastic. Now how can that be.. her skin is glowing and she is 10 years older than I. So I asked what the heck was up with her skin. She replied "I am using that Obagi C serum". Dang IT!!!! I had a bottle of that sitting in my medicine cabinet for the past 6 months and haven't touched it!!! Then I remembered how great it made my skin look!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I started using the 20% (highest dose of L-abcorbic Acid) about a month ago then I ran out of my old bottle and had Jan get me the 10% w/ 4% Hydroquinone (a bleaching ingredient so if you are not it to that idea just get the basic C-serum) ...Look at the difference:)

I tend to have dry skin so I love that this is an oily product. That is what makes my skin glow along with the exfoliation of the serum. I use it under my makeup in the morning. If you have oily skin you might not love it as much as I do :( so I would suggest you use it at night and wash it off in the morning. So you get great results but you don't look shinny throughout the day.

How could I have forgotten about it!!!! And every person that I know who uses it is equally in love with it.... what is my problem! ha ha ha

Check out the Obagi Website and research it. Click here I think it is a good idea for people to look into what they are buying instead of just trusting someones experience :)

Catch.....You have to get it from a Doctor or a Medical Spa... Look on their website to see where it is sold near you. You don't have to get a prescription for it but it is dispensed at medical facilities where you have to sign a consent form etc....



Or My Botox Lady Jan can also Get it for you at her place.

It is an awesome product and well worth the cost... it can range from $70-$100 a bottle depending on where you get it and what strength.

I am so glad Carrie reminded me of it. I am the type that goes in and out of regimes so I can't fall off the Obagi C Serum bandwagon again!!!

-Lindsay

Wilaine & Jason's Wedding

I met Wilaine in 2006 during my first season of wedding makeup. I was still getting the hang of doing large groups for weddings and loving it. Wilaine was a Bridesmaid in Cyril's wedding and contacted me this year for her own wedding, four years later. What a breath of fresh air she is! Everything was so positive and fun working with her. Between the wedding horror stories she went through on her journey and creating her wedding look we really got to know each other and had a blast.

I did her hair and makeup for her engagement photo shoot a few months back and here is how it turned out.

After the engagement shoot was done we planned for her big day. Since she was wearing all white and her Bridesmaids dresses were eggplant we decided to throw some purple into her eye makeup to give it a pop of color and tie her in with the rest of the Bridal Party. We choose to leave the Bridesmaids makeup more neutral so it didn't look too matchy-matchy.

The getting ready process was very entertaining. No one was happy about waking up at 6am but everyone was an amazing sport! 10 Ladies to get ready by 1pm. With two assistants in tow I was ready to tackle this task. Everything went according to plan. There was even a time when the Mother's of the Bride & Groom and a Grandmother had a dance party in the room with the ipod crankin'. There was no tension, no stress and Wilaine even said "I feel like I am getting ready for someone else's wedding" because the idea of HER being a Bride hadn't kicked in yet.I was impressed with her photographer from the second I saw this photos from the engagement shoot.

Jen O'Sullivan Boutique Wedding Photography

Jen was friendly, professional and punctual. She came early and was a great director for the girls with out coming off bossy. She knew what needed to happen and made it happen with ease. You can tell Jen loves what she does! Wilaines wedding was on Nov. 27Th and I received the photos from Jen on Dec. 4Th. This is amazing. Most of my Brides do not get as quick a turnover on their pictures. Jen is based out of Beverly Hills. Check out how great the photos turned out.

The Flowers were very beautiful. I loved all the different shades of purple involved in the bouquets. What stuck out to me the most about the florist was the attention to detail. Instead of bringing the bouquets in jars, handmade containers were made with creative tags. They almost look like center pieces. The Florist is Lola Flowers

After all the vendors came together with Wilaine to make her special day just the way she wanted we were left with one happy bride:) Thanks Wilaine for letting me be part of your special day!!!

-Label Me Lindsay

The "Sweatpants Funk"

Being in my line of work I see it all. My job has been, for years, to make each one of my clients feel like a million bucks. Your Wedding Day is a day you want to look more beautiful than everyone in the room. So what about the rest of your life? Do you feel beautiful everyday? Because, to be honest, I sure don't! Even when you see, what you think to be, the most beautiful woman who walked the face of this earth there is still underlying insecurity in her own mind. I have yet to meet a woman that wouldn't change anything about herself. Sometimes the most boastful women happen to be the most insecure.


It is extremely hard in our society to feel like you meet the criteria of a a sexy woman. When all is stripped away, what is left? No makeup, hair pulled back, grungy clothes, over worked, tired and broken. Many women feel like this every once in a while (even the supermodels). The days you wake up and don't want to put on your makeup or get out of your sweats! Those days can be a great way to recharge. It is easy for "those days" turn into "those weeks", "those months" or even "those years". You forget what it is like to get dressed up and feel amazing. At that point.......... you NEED to bring your sexy back! Get out of that funk and feel hotter than hell!

So how can you do that? Definitely not buying an outfit that is too small that you will fit into when you loose 10 lbs. It is about finding things that make you feel great right now. This blog is dedicated to those in a funk who want to climb out and dominate the day! We have to jump start the "Hot Tamale Train" people!

I am not saying that being your best solely depends on your outward appearance. I think beauty runs deep. But, when I feel good about my outsides I am much more productive, confident and open to new things. All, of which, better my insides as well. It is really easy for us, as women, to hate on ourselves when we are in that "Sweatpants Funk". Remember, a lack of self confidence can take a toll on our inner beauty sometimes. NO HATERS ALLOWED!!!


Every woman has the potential to feel and look like a their own 200%.


Here are some easy ways to feel hot in one day:


1. Workout - it feels good to get your endorphins going. If you are like me and hate working out: take a dance class, clean the house, take a walk or something that gets your heart rate up (be creative :) haha). You will be happy you did.




2. Buy a new outfit- get something that you can't wait to put on when you get home. Make sure it fits and shows off your best asset.

3. Get your nails done- go for the extra long massage. It feels good to be pampered. Try something outside the box (i.e. red, sparkles, long & fake)

4. Get a wax- clean up your brows or anywhere else you have unwanted and un-sexy hair!

5. Take a bubble bath- without your cell phone (I am so addicted to my blackberry so that is the hardest part) light a candle and stay in there longer than you might normally bathe.

6. Exfoliate- get a scrub and scrub the crap out of your skin. Especially your elbows & heels. Soft skin is amazing skin

7. Get a tan- now that it is winter we all feel pasty. If you get bronzed you feel like you lost 10 lbs. and you have an amazing glow. This is at the top of every "feel better" list.

8. Put on fake eyelashes- Who cares if it isn't prom! Thick, long lashes are fun and make your eyes stand out. Shoot, while you are at it put on some darker makeup around your eyes too!!! Smokey is Sexy! (just don't get carried away. We don't want you to look like you just got socked!)

9. Add some longer, thicker hair- If you don't want extensions clip some in. You can clip in hair and feel like a playmate. Everyone loves to have long and think hair from time to time (if you aren't born with it, of course).

10. Wear Heals- this makes legs look longer and sexier! No need to explain further. If you are female get on board.

11. Vitamin B12- This can put you in a feel-better-mood. Do your own research on it. I don't want to tell you to take something because I am not your Doc. but it gets you going in a positive way.

12. Your anti- "sweatpants funk" trick- we are all so different and have different ideas on how to vamp ourselfs up. Add to the list your favorite thing to make you feel your best.

These ladies definitly got out of the "Sweatpants Funk"!!!

Women have been amping up their appearance since the beginning of time. Don't feel bad about it!

Be your best and feel good about it! Take some time for YOU!!!!

-Lindsay

Dry/Spray Shampoo

I love the way my hair styles when it is dirty! Who feels me on that? Whenever you go get your hair styled with your hairstylist they always say "DON'T WASH IT!"... All those natural oils that are NOT found in freshly washed hair are what makes it style like a sexy bombshell!!! BUT... there is a fine line between good dirty and an oily MESS!!!! If you want to avoid stripping your hair of its natural oils (which daily washing does) with out having a greasy disaster... use DRY SHAMPOO.

It has been around for decades. In the 1970's they had a product called Pssssst!

The can looks old school!!! I have never used this product but if they haven't updated the can I think it might be safe to say there are better technologies out there for spray shampoo.

Many major hair care lines have "their" version of the dry shampoo which many come in the form of a spray powder or powder that is shaken on. It avoid complete boredom I am only going to use an example for each price point.

Bumble & Bumble: found in Hair Salons and Beauty Supply stores

This specific product I like because it comes in different shades from "Blondish" to Black. It is in an aerosol can so it is used by spraying the roots of the hair.

Here is the downside, for those of you who the economy has tightened your purse strings....

It is $35.00 for a 4.4 oz can

For someone like me who uses spray shampoo often this would prob last me a month or two.


On to the next... This product is by Oscar Blandi. It is a dry shampoo you shake on, shake around and shake out.... I have used this product and it works well. It, in my opinion, has somewhat of a strong perfume odor. So if you don't like the smell, it will be with you all day :).

I do like the texture it gives your hair

This price point is $19 for a 2.5 oz bottle. I know that the oz. are less so it isn't cheaper.... but... when it comes in powder form it seems to last longer. I know that might not make sense but that is what I have found. This bottle would probably last me at least 6 Months.

Downside for this ... it says it is "clear" or "colorless" but for those of you with darker hair you have to work much harder at brushing it out.. sometime it can make your hair look grey.


NOW for the grand product finale!!! This is my favorite...

#1 reason it is $7.99 and you can find it at Target, Rite Aid, Walgreen's.... etc.... and sometimes it is on sale for buy one, get one half off so you can get 2 for like $12. It has 4 oz. so it is comparable in size to the Salon brands like Bumble & Bumble.

#2 reason......it comes in a wide range of hair colors. They also have an invisible choice as well (haven't tried it yet).
#3 reason I can camouflage my BIG BAD BROWN roots with it!!!

It is by Salon Graphix and you can find it in the Hair spray aisle sometimes if it isn't there it might be in the shampoo aisle.

Okay so I am holding out on you a little.. There are other options If none of this sounds very exciting or you don't have time to wash your hair and are in a bind there are home remedies.

Most of us blonde's have used baby powder from time to time.. This is made up of cornstarch, a great oil absorber. So you can use baby powder as dry shampoo or make your own dry shampoo at home... look up some recipe's online... some of them include one or more of the following ingredients...

cornstarch, salt, cornmeal, oatmeal, baking soda, almonds, baking powder, flour

Another idea I read about.. let me know how it works... I haven't tried it yet....

is wrapping cheesecloth around a natural bristle brush and brushing your hair with it. The cloth absorbs the oil and dirt out of your hair.

So that concludes my overview on Dry Shampoos... Try some out... fall in love with the great hair it gives you..... wash your hair less and for the blonde's: go longer in between dye jobs!!!

I would love to hear your responses after you try some out so tweet me @labelmelindsay

This week at Label Me Lindsey…

Halloween was a success! (check the end of this post for new photos) Keep posting your pictures from all your Halloween festivities! I want to see pictures of your custom made costume (made by Label Me Lindsey) as well as others! I need ideas for next year! Also if you have an idea for a Halloween costume, it’s never too early to start brainstorming for Halloween 2011!

The holidays are just around the corner! Label Me Lindsey GIFT CARDS are in the works and should be available soon! Be sure to get that special someone a Label Me Lindsey gift card good for any dollar amount or for any specific service. LML has some great helpers this Holiday Season:) Nothing is more personal than a handcrafted Gift Card....,...



*Gift Card Special: 3 Airbrush Tans for $90 + a 15% OFF one service discount voucher for the buyer.

Halloween Highlights!!!

New entries coming soon:

The benefits of Spray/Dry Shampoo

and

How to Host your own LML Airbrush Tanning/Cocktail Party