Blue Balloon & Ocean Designs by FAKE TATTOOS

"Blue Balloon" by GOSH and Nail Tattoos - Ocean Design by FAKE TATTOOS

 

 

 

2 coats of Blue Balloon with Base Coat by ASK Cosmetics Inc.

 

Ocean Design Nail Tattoos by FAKE TATTOOS + Top Coat by ASK Cosmetics Inc.

 

Since I have done previous posts on both "Blue Balloon" by GOSH as well as other motives of nail tattoos by FAKE TATTOOS, I will keep this blog post short and sweet.  For more info on both accounts please click on these links to read and see more:

 

Girls just wanna have fun!

 

Much better than the real thing!

 

Oh, My Gosh!

 

 

Be sure to follow this blog for lots of nail polish talk, reviews, swatches, giveaways, and more!

 

Til then,  Lisa M.

 

 

 

 

Girls just wanna have fun!

Last Saturday marked a huge achievement in my family.  It was the 50th wedding anniversary of my parents.  This is truly an incredible accomplishment, so we had to commemorate it by having family photos done by a professional photographer. 

 

My nieces wanted their nails done for the occasion and seeing as I had been having some fun myself with the funky nails tattoos I had been sent to review by Fake Tattoos, I offered to give them all cool designs on their little nails.

 

Nr. 1 in Europe regarding fake tattoos for both nails and skin - FAKE TATTOOS on FB

 

 

Needless to say, they went crazy when they saw all the different choices and wanted tattoos on each of their fingers.  It wasn't an easy decision, but here's the final look they chose....

 

Meg is a die-hard nail polish fanatic and absolutely loves nail art too.  When she heard I had tattoos to apply, she simply couldn't wait to try them. 

 

She decided on moustaches and bows.

 

Kyra chose a mixture of images.  You can see a palm tree, bows and a small ice-cream cone on her nails.  Very proud to show off her glammed-up talons!

 

These girls could have easily applied the nail tattoos themselves; they are so simple to work with.  The only problem might have been positioning them.  These nails were pretty tiny, and we had to choose the smaller tattoos for a better fit on their nails.

 

Last, but not least, Jada chose an array of designs:  a jester's hat, a bow, an ice-cream cone and a red lady bug.  They all looked awesome!

 

We finished off their simple manis with a layer of top coat to help seal the tattoo and promote longer wear. 

 

Top Coat shown here is from the ASK Cosmetics Nailwear line.

 

More to come on Fake Tattoos.....

 

Thanks for stopping by and til next time,  Lisa M.

 

 

 

 

Try It Tuesday!

 

Well, for many people super white teeth give them confidence and increased self-esteem.  However, most of us can't afford the costs of going to the dentist for bleaching.  So, I thought I would look into ways of whitening our teeth for much less money, but would these methods really do the trick?

 

What causes discoloured teeth?  Drinking tea and/or coffee will do it, as well as excessive smoking and improper oral hygiene.  But did you know that as we grow older our teeth become more "yellowish"?

 

During my research on different methods of whitening teeth I came across several ways, yet (almost) every one of them included baking soda as the many ingredient.  Dr. Oz, who we all love and trust when it comes to health advice, has a home remedy I decided to try.

 

Dr. Oz Teeth Whitening Home Remedy (as seen on Pinterest):

 

1/4 cup baking soda

lemon juice from 1/2 lemon

 

Mix together.  Apply to cotton ball or Q-Tip.  Leave on for no longer than 1 minute.  Then brush teeth to remove.

 

Everybody has some baking soda at home, so the ingredients are pretty simple.

 

Dr. Oz called for 1/4 cup of baking soda, which was more than all the other "recipes" I found.  I ended up having to throw some of this away, which is a bit of a waste.

To be honest, I followed Dr. Oz's method almost to a tee, but I didn't apply this mixture with a Q-tip or cotton ball.  I used my toothbrush since the mixture was fairly runny.  It just seemed easier.

 

 

 

Unfortunately, I cannot show you the before and after shots.  I took some, but it is very difficult to photograph your teeth close up on your own.  The pictures did not show the real difference I could see with a blind eye, so you'll just have to trust me on this one.

 

There was a tremendous improvement and my teeth were sparkling once I finished.  Not only did they look like new, they felt somehow "exfoliated" as well.  This is definitely something you should try yourself.

 

 

There are two other very interesting methods I found.....

 

1.  using a banana peel!  Take a piece of the inside of the banana peel and gently rub around on your teeth for about 2 minutes.  The amazing minerals in the peel such as potassium, magnesium and manganese absorb into your teeth and whiten them. 

 

2.  using strawberries!  Take 2 strawberries and 1 tablespoon of baking soda.  Mash the berries and then add the baking soda.  Mix together well creating a paste.  Using a toothbrush (not your regular one!) brush on the mixture for 2 - 3 minutes.  Rinse well.

 

Now, a word of caution - this, and many other home remedies, weaken the enamel of your teeth and should only be done once a week!

 

Have you ever tried whitening your teeth?  What method did you use and what were the results like?  Would love to hear from you in the comment section below.

 

Thanks for stopping by,  Lisa M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Much better than the real thing!

 I've always thought about getting a tattoo.  However, the idea of something so permanent on my body was just too daunting.  I've even considered getting a little one in some inconspicuous spot, but it simply hasn't happened.

 

Well, I was thrilled when I was contacted by the company FAKE TATTOOS not only because I find the idea ingenious, but also because they sent me nail tattoos to try out.  This is a brilliant way of decorating your nails a little bit more than with just colour.

 

So here we go with Part 1 of my nail tattoo review........

 

Photo 1:  The tattoos in the original packaging.

About the company:  FAKE TATTOOS has reached #1 position within Europe regarding temporary tattoos, but they sell to the entire world.  They work with several famous guest designers, so most of their tattoos cannot be found anywhere else - they are originals.  They focus on fast delivery and 100% customer satisfaction..... and ..... they loooooove temporary tattoos!  (Text taken from the original letter and modified slightly for this blog post.)

 

Photo 2:  "Miss Minty" & "Bubblegum" by GOSH and the first sheet of FAKE TATTOOS entitled Hearts & Bow Design Order #CT615744.

 

About the fake tattoos:  The tattoos are easy to apply and last 3 - 10 days depending on your skin type.  The tattoos are FDA tested and totally non-toxic.  (Text provided by the company and slighty modified for this blog post.)

 

Photo 3:  Instructions for the correct application of the nail tattoos can be found on the back of each sheet of tattoo designs.

Photo 4:  GOSH shades "Miss Minty" and "Bubblegum" on alternating fingers with hearts from the Hearts & Bow Design.

 

This was my very first application of nail tattoos.  Apart from the sloppy job I did on my pinky and the fact that these two shades are becoming increasingly hard to work with, I was very pleased with the initial attempt at tattooing.

BTW -   I am really disappointed with the quality of these two, particularly as I have two other shades by GOSH, namely Berry Me and Blue Balloon, which are absolute dreams to work with and apply.

 

In any case, nail tattoos are a must-have item for every nail enthusiast.  These designs were super easy to apply.  It hardly takes any time and you are left with an amazing result.

 

 

Admittedly, I needed a few tries before I got better at lining up the tattoos on my nails so they were even.  Proper and accurate placement of these little pictures is harder than you would imagine on small finger nails such as mine, but practice makes perfect.

It is extremely fun to pick and choose the design you want with an appropriate shade of polish.  Even one tattoo on one nail would look fantastic and add something special to your manicure. 

 

So look them up and stay tuned for Part 2 of the nail tattoo series.

 

FAKE TATTOOS on Facebook - click here

 

on Twitter @fake_tattoos

(FYI - they post all their big VIP discount codes on FB and Twitter)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great Advice for both Salon-Goers and DIY Manicurists alike

Achieving and maintaining gorgeous nails is less a matter of luck and more a matter of caring for them correctly.  Fortunately,  proper nail care is quite easy if you use the right products and take a few simple precautions when at the nail salon.

 

 

Nails need to be moisturized, especially after removing nail polish.  Luckily, the Revival Nail Polish Remover by ASK Cosmetics does both:  removes your polish super fast and efficiently while conditioning and hydrating your nails and cuticles at the same time.  For more information on this remover click

 

Here are the most important tips to keep in mind at your next salon visit:

• While most nail salons follow strict cleanliness and disinfection guidelines, be sure to look for the following when frequenting a salon:  Does your nail technician have the necessary experience and/or license, if required?  Are the stations clean?  Does the nail technician wash her hands between clients?  Are there dirty tools lying around?  Ask how they clean their tools.

• If you get frequent manicures and pedicures, consider purchasing your own tools to be used at the salon.

• Check that the pedicure footbaths and filters are thoroughly disinfected before you use them.  If not properly cleaned, they can harbor bacteria and fungus.  If the salon does not appear clean, then choose another one.  Don't take any chances!

• Shave our legs after getting a pedicure, not before!  Don't shave your lower legs for at least 24 hours before you get a pedicure.  If you nick yourself while shaving, a pedicure could put you at risk for an infection.

• If you want to wear a bright red or orange polish, prevent discolouration by appyling an extra layer of base coat.  If your nails are yellowed and discoloured from the polish, your nails should return to normal colour over several weeks if you stay away from bright polish.

• There is no scientific proof that immersing nails in gelatin makes them stronger.  Polishes that contain strengthening ingredients increase nail stiffness, which may make nails break more frequently.

• Do not wear artificial nails to cover up nail problems as they may make them worse.  Artificial nails are not recommended for people who are prone to fungal infections or have brittle nails.  For people with healthy nails, artificial naisl can be fine as long as they are not worn continuously.

• If you wear artificial nails, know what products are used as the substances can cause an allergic reaction and if you develop a rash or other reaction, your doctor will need this information.

Stay safe and protect your precious finger and toe nails on your future visits.  Gain some peace of mind that your favourite salon is hygenic, certified and willing to please its most conscientious customers, like yourself.  Then you can fully relax and enjoy that next pedi you go in for.

 

Contact me at lmueller@askcosmetics.com if you would like to enter our next nail transformation challenge "Going from fake to really gorgeous nails", that will be starting soon. 

 

Til next time,  Lisa Mueller