The Chip-Free Manicure

Those of you who know me or have been reading the blog for a while may know that I am absolutely terrible when it comes to manicures. Not only am I terrible at applying polish myself, my nails just seem to repel the stuff. (Seriously, I've had manicures done that chip within the day!) 

After chatting with Gummy on multiple occasions, she pushed me to add a few more steps to my manicure routine - a primer that tempted us both and her favorite topcoat.  

So, I grabbed the Deborah Lippmann 2 Second Primer, newly available through Sephora and dabbed each nail with a drop of the stuff. Meant to really clean the nail to prep it for your manicure, this stuff really seems to work. I followed it with a coat of my trusty Nail Tek Foundation II base, and my glossy nails were ready for color. The Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat is brilliant too - a shiny, hard coat to protect, and boy does it keep that manicure on. When I talked about Essie Full Steam Ahead in this post a few weeks ago, I was wearing this bulletproof combo, and my photo is from TWO DAYS after I did my nails. EPIC I tell you. 

Have you tried any of these for your manicure? What manicure secrets really work for you? I'd love to know!  

All products in this post were purchased by me. This post contains affiliate links.  

Lush Times

Lush recently released a new fall Lush Times, and it is a great little read. 

This issue gives you a neat look behind the scenes at how some of our favorite Lush products are made, and I enjoyed reading about the charities that Lush supports as well as the many family owned suppliers of Lush's natural ingredients. And did you know that Lush employs someone to hand paint all the signs, and a team of people to build all of the tables, etc? 

I quite enjoyed taking a peek at the treatments available at the soon to open Lush Spas in New York and Philadelphia - mmm so luxurious! And did you know that you could get a foot massage at your local Lush store? I had no idea…

And, one of the most exciting things is a page featuring ME! :) 

Have you read the Fall edition of the Lush Times? How do you like the revamped content and design? 

Products were provided for my feature, but I was not compensated for posting this or any other feature.

Low/No Buy Recap - Month 6: August

Earlier this month, I recapped all of the products I had been picking up since Gummy challenged me to an epic no buy earlier this year. (See the recap post here)  

So, how did I do this month? Read on and see! 

Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine Purse Spray - GC
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Powder - GC/Returned
Deborah Lippmann 2 Second Nail Primer - GC
Koh Gen Do Moisturizing Spa Gel
Koh Gen Do Cleansing Cloths
Phyto Botanical Scalp Treatment - GC
Sephora Mini Glass Nail File - GC
Nars Radiant Cream Foundation - GC
Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Crayon in (Ro)Cocoa - GC
Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Conditioner 
Murad Acne Spot Treatment
First Aid Beauty Aloe Plus Soothing Gel
Tom Ford She Wolf

Items in italics are ones that are OK to purchase, and the ones with GC noted were purchased with gift cards. Thank goodness for my credit card cashback program giving me lots of Sephora gift cards... LOL! I was happy to have shown so much restraint early on in the month during the Koh Gen Do Hautelook sale, but I seem to have blown it by desperately ordering the LE Tom Ford She Wolf eyeshadow palette that just looks amazing.... 

How do you think I did? What have you guys been purchasing this month??  I'd love to know! :) 

This post contains affiliate links . All items listed were purchased by me. 

What I Wore, #18

Last week, I revived my weekly makeup bag selection in hopes that I could manage more makeup this week. Sadly, I wasn't terribly successful! I managed concealer one day, some eyeliner a few days, and really that was it! Instead, I'll leave you with a few Instagram shots of my last few weeks. Do be sure to follow me there and say hello if you are an Instagram fan! 

Products I Loved: Nothing really sparked my interest this week, sadly, especially since I didn't use much. Last weekend I really loved my Armani lipstick in 103, and was happy to rediscover that!   

Product Disappointments:  I had purchased the Koh Gen Do Moisture Spa Gel from the Hautelook sale a few weeks ago, and I fear that I don't like it at all. It has a super neat light texture, but it just seems to feel sticky on my face. :( 

Beauty Purchases:  I just hit check out on Tom Ford She Wolf... Oops. (But I can't help it!) I also ordered a Murad spot treatment and grabbed a First Aid Beauty Aloe Gel from the sale section...

Added to the Wishlist: Tom Ford She Wolf was definitely on the list, but the other beauty item that is at the top of the list is Bite Cashmere Lip Cream in Sancerre. I'm curious to try some cuticle remover too, so Sally Hansen and Deborah Lippmann's offerings have made it onto my list. And I'm still hankering for some Aesop Parsley Seed stuff and the ByTerry Ombre Blackstar eyeshadow sticks. On the accessory front, I still desperately want the Alexander Wang Brenda Bag in Mink.

What's been on your radar this past week or two? Anything you're loving? I'd love to know!