September 2012 Birchbox

• The Brush Guard by Birchbox
• this is kinda nice so I don't have to squeeze my brushes into the plastic cases they came in.  
• WEI to go Beauty 
• this is cool, it has some tinted moisturizer and some gelled oil cleanser for on-the-go getting ready!  travel size!
• Bvlgari Mon Jasmin Noir Eau de parfum
• nothing special, but I'll wear it
• Twist Tie - blace lace 
• So excited!  I don't actually wear them in my hair, I just like them as bracelets(:
• Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator
• Color Club's Put a Pin in It
• like a rose gold
• I got a gold polish by them before and loved it, so I can't wait to try this out!
• I heard this Birchbox nail polish collection was inspired by social networking sites, and this one was Pinterest, which it cool!

I loved this box - the nail polish and twist tie were lovely!

Take care,

Ali

DIY: Nail Stickers

This is a very simple technique if you wish to make your own nail stickers.  You can create little accents, or stickers for your whole nail.  This is great if you are painting the nails of a bunch of friends and want to prepare ahead of time.  Also, if you're not very good at painting with your non-dominant hand, this is great for more precision.

1. With your nail polish, paint your design on a plastic zip-lock bag.

2. Let dry completely.

3. Peel off carefully.

4. I find that it sticks best on top of nail polish that is still slightly tacky/gooey.  Place the sticker on top of your already painted nails.

5. Add a top coat to seal it in.

That's it!  Take care,

Ali

AUGUST 2012 BIRCHBOX

This month's theme was Beauty School Supply Kit.  Instead of the typical product card, we got a pamphlet full of tips and tricks with our products listed on the final page.  

1) Juicy Couture - Viva la Juicy La Fleur

"blend of wild berries, mandarin, and waterlily."

2) stila - forever your curl mascara

This is meant to keep lashes curled.  I really like the wand on this.

3) SHU UEMURA Art of Hair - Essence Absolute Nourishing Protective Oil

This oil keeps hair soft and silky.

4) TALIKA - Oil-Free Lash Conditioning Cleanser

This is meant to be a makeup remover that will get rid of any waterproof mascara you may be wearing.

5) Birchbox Finds: SCHICK - hydro silk razor

"water-activated serum moisturizes skin while you shave, and the innovative oval-shaped design hugs tricky areas like knees and ankles."

Let me know what you got in your Birchbox this month!

-Ali

Nail Art - London 2012 Summer Olympics

I made my own nail stickers with the Union Jack on them to create a second Olympic-inspired manicure!  I'll be posting a nail sticker DIY tutorial soon!  Until then, enjoy this look!

-Ali

UPDATE:  The DIY nail stickers tutorial: http://newenglandschoolgirl.blogspot.com/2012/08/diy-nail-stickers.html

JULY 2012 FAVORITES

1. Bandanas as headbands with the knots tied in the front.

2. Aviators.

3. Using my phone's camera.  Gives a wierd-but-cool effect to the picture.

4.  Friendship bracelets.

5. Body Sprays/Mists (like this Coconut Lime Verbena from Bath and Body Works).

6. Neon Trees' Everybody Talks & Coldplay's Every Teardrop is a Waterfall

7.  And last, but certainly not least ... RYAN LOCHTE.  #jeah

Well, that is all!  

-Ali

DIY: Galaxy Shirt

Materials:  Let's see what's inside the goodie bag for this DIY!

• Bleach.
• A plain t-shirt.
• A spray bottle.
• Water.
• Something to put between the layers of your shirt as well as under it to protect it from the bleach.
• Protective gloves.
• A hanger.
• Scissors

Now, let's move on to the bleaching technique!

• Gather sections of the shirt and twist, as if you're getting ready to tie dye.  
• Using the spray bottle, spray the twist multiple times. 
• Straighten out the shirt to reveal a cool nebula pattern.  Repeat all over to get desired effect.
• To add 'stars' or 'planets', use the tube in the bottle to speckle drops of bleach all over.
• Leave out in the sun for about a half hour (usually between twenty and forty minutes, but sometimes more).  I checked on the shirt every ten minutes just to be safe though.  
• When the shirt has lightened enough to tickle your fancy, bring it inside and soak it in water.  I switched off between temperatures ranging from luke warm, to room temperature, to mildly cold.  
• Squeeze out water and leave to dry.  I hung mine in the shower to catch the water.  Be careful, bleach and the pigment of your shirt may drip.  

 Cutting the shirt!

• This part is optional.  With scissors that cut cleanly through your fabric, decide how you'd like your shirt to lay.  Feel free to use a tank top that fits you well to measure out where to cut to mimic that style.
• I cut along the seams of the arms, neck, and bottom.  Then I evened everything out.  I may cut the neck a bit deeper too.

I tried this technique on another shirt of a different material, and the bleach didn't show up as well, so just be ware!  The shirt I used is one from a craft store - the usual cheap boxy shirts.  The pattern came out looking  great!  Purple shirts give a light purple/pink look, black gives off orange, and other colors usually produce a lightened/whiter version of the original pigment.  I also used ripped up pieces of paper towel to sponge on some pink, blue, purple, white, and gray fabric paint.  You can use a tooth brush dipped in white paint to flick on little dots as well.  I hope you enjoyed this DIY! 

-Ali

London 2012 Olympics Nail Tutorial

I have been loving the 2012 summer Olympics thus far - especially a certain Ryan Lochte!  #LochteNation ... (;  My favorite events are swimming, cycling, gymnastics, and beach volleyball, but any event is enjoyable to watch!  So, I wanted to show my love for the games through nail art!  I couldn't find any designs that tickled my fancy, so I made my own!  Here's how you can recreate it yourself!  

1. Paint your ring finger white.

2. Paint the upper half of your index, middle, and pinkie fingers white.

3. Paint your thumb a true blue.  

4. With a dotting tool, place blue, black, red, yellow, and green dots in the appropriate positions as shown in the Olympic rings symbol.  I suggest starting with the black as it is in the center.  

Finish the top section with blue and red, then move down to add yellow and green.  

5. With a slightly smaller dotting tool, dot white onto each color dot to create a ring.

6. Now let's start on the Union Jack, which will be located on the ring finger.  With a red striper, create a thick cross on your entire nail.

7. Create four thinner stripes coming from the center and moving towards the outer corners of your nails. These stripes should be slightly off-center to leave room for the imaginary white stripes that will become noticeable in the completed design.  I suggest looking up a picture of the flag to replicate.

8. Taking care to avoid areas where white stripes belong, begin filling in the blue sections with a striper.

9. Finish off with a top coat and you're ready to cheer on your country with some rockin' nails!

Thanks so much for checking out this nail design!  Be sure to send me a picture if you decide to try it out.  -Ali