Candy Corn Nails

It's a little late, but hopefully you can still paint these on your nails in time for Halloween! They are super simple and don't require much time.

1: Apple a base coat to prevent staining.
2: Paint your nails with a white polish until it is opaque.
3: After the white is dry, apply an orange polish to the bottom 2/3 of your nail until it is opaque. An easy way to make a straight line is by painting your nails horizontally, or you can use a piece of tape.
4: Paint the remaining 1/3 of your nail with a yellow until it is opaque.
5: Add a top coat to prevent chips.

Products used:
OPI Natural Nail Strengthener
OPI Alpine Snow
OPI Clubbing til Sunrise
Dolomia Primula
Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Microwave Popcorn

Most people call popcorn the healthiest snack because it is full of fiber and low in calories. This is an easy way to make your own healthy popcorn in less than 5 minutes without the unhealthy ingredients of store-bought packets.

1: Pour 1/4 cup of unpopped popcorn kernels in a brown paper bag. You can get popcorn kernels at Sprouts for about $1 per pound.

2: Fold the top of the bag over several times and put the bag in the microwave. Microwave for about 3 minutes or until the popping slows to every 2 or 3 seconds.
3: Take the bag out of the microwave. You can eat them plain, which is the healthiest way, or make some melted butter by melting it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Pour the butter into the bag and shake. You can also add salt or other spices such as Parmesan cheese, sea salt, or garlic powder.

Homecoming Nails

This is an easy way to create simple, elegant nails for your next dance or special event. Choose colors that match well with your dress or other accessories.

1: Use a base coat to prevent stains.
2: Paint your nails with a polish that matches your dress until your nails are opaque.
3: Get a chunky glitter polish and paint it a little less than halfway down your nails.
4: Add a top coat to smooth out the glitter and prevent chips.

Products Used:
OPI Natural Nail Strengthener
Essie A Crewed Interest
Milani Gold
Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Fall Scalloped French Nail Tutorial

These nails will look great for the fall time and are a different twist on french nails.

1: Paint your nails with a base coat to prevent staining.
2: Paint your nails with a brown polish until it is opaque.
3: Get an index card and and a pair of crafting scissors with a scalloped edge. Zigzags will also work. These scissors can be found at craft stores such as Michaels.
4: Cut an edge of the index card with the scissors, then cut out a square with the scalloped edge.

5: Put a piece of tape on each of side of the square, then wrap it around your nail.

6: Paint the tip of your nail white. Allow the white polish to completely dry before removing the index card.

7: Add a top coat to prevent chips and make your nails last longer.

Products used:

OPI Natural Nail Strengthener

Essie Don't Sweater It

Index Card

Craft Scissors

OPI Alpine Snow

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Yogurt Facial Mask

A while back ago I discovered natural yogurt masks from a youtube video by Bubzbeauty (linked below). I've been using this yogurt mask for about a year now and it is AMAZING. It moisturizes my face while reducing redness, acne and dirt at the same. It also leaves your skin super smooth and soft, and can also be used in your hair. Here are the steps to use this facial mask:

1: Get a tub of natural, unflavored yogurt. I used Mountain High Original Style All Natural Yoghurt. If the yogurt is flavored, it will damage your skin because of the unnatural ingredients.
                                                             
2: Take one spoonful of yogurt and put in a bowl.


3: Spread the yogurt on your face, using either your fingers or a brush.

4: Leave the yogurt on your face for 20 minutes, then wash it off with water.

Your skin should feel smooth and soft! Comment below if you tried it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNk7fN2-SHw

Natural Nail Tutorial

This is a tutorial to show you how I get healthy, shiny natural nails.



1: Remove your nail polish. I highly recommend using an organic nail polish remover, because acetone based polish removers make nails very brittle and strip them of any moisture. Organic polishes work just as fast as non-organic products, and they are vegan, biodegradable, and have no nasty odor. I bought mine for about $10 from my local Sprouts grocery store, but you can also get them online. The one I use is made by Peacekeeper Cause-Metics and is made from sugar beets, rosemary, and spearmint. It sounds crazy! But trust me it really works. I have found that my nails are even stronger after I use this stuff.


2: If you need to, clip and file your nails. I use a cupcake manicure set that you can purchase from ModCloth. It contains tweezers, a nail file, cuticle pusher, cuticle clippers, and nail clipper. ==> http://www.modcloth.com/shop/beauty/sweeter-than-a-cupcake-manicure-set

3: Pour some olive oil into a small container and submerse your nails in the oil for five minutes. Olive oil is extremely beneficial to nails because it is full of vitamins and promotes nail growth. Leave your nails in the oil for five minutes, and then massage your nail beds and cuticles to stimulate blood flow. Wash your nails off with water.

4: Use a nail buffer to smooth and shine your nails. I used the Revlon Crazy Shine nail buffer which I got from Target for about $4.

These are the steps I use to take care of my nails :) All of them really do work, especially the organic polish remover. If you happen to try any of these, please leave a comment below. 

M&Ms Rice Krispies Recipe

Today I made home-made rice krispies treats for my friend's birthday. It only took 10 minutes to make and has 12 servings! Best served on the same day.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup mini M&Ms (you can also substitute in different candies)
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
10 oz. of regular sized marshmallows (about 40) or 4 cups mini marshmallows
6 cups Rice Krispies cereal

1: Grease the bottom of a pan and evenly spread the candy.

2: In a large saucepan or pot melt the butter over low heat. Add the marshmallows and stir until it is completely melted. Remove from heat.
3: Add the cereal and stir until it is coated with the marshmallow and butter.

4: Spread the mixture over the M&Ms in the pan. Let it cool, then cut out squares and serve with the candy side up.

If you want to go the microwave way..
1: Same as above.
2: Heat butter and marshmallow on high for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes.
3: Same as above.
4: Same as above.



Nutrition Facts: Serving size: 2 2 inch squares, calories: 180, calories from fat: 45, total fat: 5g., saturated fat: 2g., trans fat: 0g., cholesterol: 0g., sodium: 115mg., total carbohydrate: 33g., dietary fiber: 0g., sugars: 19g., protein: 2g.

Splatter Nail Tutorial

1: Paint your nails with a base coat to prevent staining.
2: Paint a base color on your nails until it is opaque.
3: When your nails are dry, scrunch up a sandwich bag and paint a gold polish onto the edges of the bag.
4: Pat the edges of the bag onto your nails to create a splatter effect.
5: Add a top coat to prevent chipping and make your design last longer.

Products used:
OPI Natural Nail Strengthener
Essie Barefoot in Blue
Essie Good as Gold
Ziploc Bags
Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Crayon Melting

You may have seen people selling crayon art on Etsy, but it is very easy to do. This would make a great birthday present because you can customize it and only takes about half an hour to make. I put my crayon art inside a binder, but you can also put it on foam board or something sturdy and hang it in your room.

Materials:
Crayons
Paper or foamboard
Superglue
Tape
Blow dryer
Newspaper

1: Peel any paper or wrapping off of the crayon.
2: Place your crayons in the desired design and superglue it down. You might need to tape down some of the crayons if they are still loose.
3: When all your crayons are secure, lay the newspaper down to prevent a mess. Then turn on your blowdryer and make sure the air is hot. Because I used paper, I had to hold it against a wall to keep it from blowing away. Crayon splatter WILL get onto the wall, so make sure you will be able to clean it off later.
4: Aim the blow dryer at the bottom crayons until they begin to melt. This takes about a minute or two, and the wax will begin to drip down.
5: When you are satisfied with the design, allow it to cool. This does not take very long, and then you can place it in a binder or hang it in your room.

Half Moon Manicure Tutorial

1: Paint your nails with a base coat to prevent staining.
2: Paint your nails with a white base until it is opaque.
3: After the white coat is completely dry, place paper reinforcement stickers about 1/3 from the top of the nail. The stickers can be found at office supply stores, but I got mine from CVS.
4: Paint your nails a contrasting color. After one minute, carefully peel the reinforcement sticker off of your nail. You should be left with a curved half moon shape.
5: To create the optional polka dots, place a few drops of nail polish on a paper plate or other surface. Dip a mechanical pencil into the polish and begin dotting your nails. To create the best effect, make one row of dots and then create the second row by dotting in between the first row of dots.
6: Use a top coat to prevent your polish from chipping.

Products used:
OPI Natural Nail Strengthener
OPI Alpine Snow
OPI Mermaid's Tears
Avery Reinforcement Labels ==> http://www.amazon.com/Avery-Self-Adhesive-Reinforcement-Labels-Inches/dp/B003CT7L2G
Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat