Summer Besties Tag!

Whether you’re feeling the recent summer heat and rejoicing or hiding, this tag will lend you some inspiration for the coming months! Started by MacBarbie07 on youtube last month, this tag has really gone around, and for good reason. I've definitely gotten some new items on my wish list due to this tag, but was hesitant to do it myself until the heat was here to stay. Now that the heat is unrelenting (and I’m driving in an air conditioner-lacking car to boot), I feel its time to really bring out all the summer gear.

Favorite summer....*
1) Lip product
2) Blush
3) Nail Polish
4) Liquid face product
5) Powder face product
6) Eye product
7) Self Tanner (or any tanning item)
8) Fashion accessory

9) Clothing piece

10) Book

*I did change this tag somewhat to better suit my preferences.

1. Rosebud Perfume Company strawberry lip balm

Fantastic formulation. Smooth, glossy, & just the right amount of pretty pigmentation. Smells wonderful. Does wonders for chapped lips. What more could you ask for?

2. Benefit Sugarbomb boxed blush

Benefit’s highly celebrated boxed blushes are great, and the most talked about would have to be Sugarbomb. The “rose, shimmering pink, soft plum, and peach blend” gives the perfect summer flush.

3. OPI Mermaid’s Tears nail polish

Marvelous! This sea foam green, from OPI’s most recent Pirates collection, is unlike any color I’ve seen. So pretty with sun-kissed skin. This new release should be every girl’s holy grail summer polish!

4. Nars sheer glow foundation

I actually began using this in the middle of winter, when I was having a hard time finding a liquid foundation to suit my dry skin. Now that my skin is no longer quit as dry, it gives a great dewy glow to the skin and just the right amount of coverage. Also, Nars foundations have an outstanding color selection!

5. Benefit Browzings

This is a staple product for me, but the powder (as opposed to the gel) is especially useful for giving your brows a neat shape while keeping it looking quite natural.

6. Mark make it big mascara in espresso

Never tried this mascara before, or a brown mascara either, to be honest. Now comparatively, I love that this formulation is far from wet, making it easier to give a “fluttery” effect, and the expresso color gives definition while keeping them looking naturally gorgeous.

7. Bath and Body coconut mango spf30

I don’t believe I know anyone who really enjoys the smell of sunscreen. While we’re all fully educated on how beneficial applying sunscreen regularly is for the aging of our skin, the smell doesn’t exactly lend to enticing us sometimes! I love this product because it does its job with the added bonus that it smells delicious and summery while being ridiculously easy to apply.

8. round sunglasses

What accessory could be more important in the summer months than sunglasses? In my mind, the thought “round sunglasses” goes hand in hand with Chanel  and the Olsen sisters, which makes them all the more glamorous, right? This season I've seen many companies making this trend more wearable for diverse face shapes with beautiful designs and detailing. 

9. burnt orange

Not necessarily a “clothing piece”, as I’m not currently finding many pieces I’m loving for summer yet. What I do know is the color I’m being most drawn to is a unique burnt orange that looks perfect with a tan while avoiding being to flashy. It’s a great mixture of being bright and feminine.

10. Influence by Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen

Thus far, this my absolute favorite read! I originally bought this book not knowing what it was about, but being a rather large fan of the Olsen sisters, I felt I had to have it. I was expecting some sort of auto-biography, but this went above and beyond any previous expectations. This book is a compilation of interviews with many people who influenced their lives in some way or another, and people they hope will influence our generation. With interviews with Diane Von Furstenberg, John Galliano, Christian Louboutin, Bob Colacello, and Karl Largerfeld, how could this book not hold your attention?! This book gave me new-found respect for the Olsen sisters and all the wonderful people who shared bits of their knowledge with them.

And that about wraps this tag up! I hope you enjoyed & possibly got inspired to try something new for the next few months. Feel free to share what you’re using now that summer is in full swingJ

Check out just afew of my favorite “summer besties” videos:

Michele1218 

MissJenFabulous 

Amarixe

Smokeypinkleopard

AshleysBeautyCorner 

this birthday's fetish

My eighteenth birthday is quickly approaching! Before my last birthday, I bought makeup from Target, and kept it simple; However, last year the only thing I wanted was the BareMinerals starter kit, and that was the beginning of my makeup obsession. For this birthday I have a new fixation: nail polish! China Glaze, OPI, and Essie. Since discovering (and becoming a huge fan of) MissJenFabulous’s youtube, I’ve decided I need to convert my already quite large collection of nail varnishes to quality nail brands.

I made a list of all the colors I want to start my new collection with, and thought it would be enjoyable to share the ones I’m most in love with.

*on a side note, most of these are Essie, and that is because Essie does the best pastels, and pastels have always been my favorites.

*also, these are in order of the ones I want most.

OPI Mermaid's Tears- A perfect spring/summer seafoam green from the newest Pirates of the Caribbean collection

aMAYzing links

MAY!!

How can that be? Weren’t we all just opening presents and singing Christmas carols?! (ok, I exaggerate….)

My past few months have been filled with lots of changes and events, but 2011 is definitely being good to me, specifically May. May has, and I’m sure always will be, the most busy month of the year for me. This May is filled with Mothers' day, my dad’s birthday (May 10^th), my birthday (May 17^th), my high school graduation (May 19^th), my boyfriend’s birthday (May 27^th), and this May 31^st is my one year anniversary with my man! Lots of events, but they’re all celebrations, so I find it spectacular!

On a different note, I haven’t been a very consistent blogger, but I have been following others’ blogs and very present on the internet, so there are some things I’ve been looking forward to sharing. I’d like to make this a regular post if anyone finds it enjoyable, and I have some other ideas in the works.

Lets begin with my favorite YT link,shall we? That would have to be this video posted by Fleur De Force, accompanied by two other fabulous gurus, MissGlamorazzi and Pixi2Woo. 

This is one incredibly helpful video for someone just starting to build their collection/ wanting to try new things, with my three favorite youtubers.

 Birchbox is an incredible $10 monthly subscription that I have been hearing loads about, and am anxiously awaiting to join! When I say incredible, I mean its ever beauty-lovers' dream! For $10 a month, you get deluxe samples of high-end beauty products (aka NOT the tin foils that you get barely one use from). They allow you to try brands like Nars, Benefit, Too Faced, Laura Mercier, Kores, etc. Their blog has become my very favorite because of the inspiring trend updates to the editors' favorite beauty picks.

·        This Mothers' day, my sister and I put together a little “spa” present for our mom, consisting of Essie’s merino cool, Spongeable’s lavender tea-tree oil foot buffer, afew chocolate Heath bars, and, of course, the present included a pedicure from me. I decorate a plain purple giftbag with (1, 2) paper tissue flower tutorials, and she loved it!

      For the past month, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying Danielle’s blog, especially her “Blogs I love” list. I’m finding lots of great reads from that. I also got the idea for this post from her Friday links to love.

·        I have been a huge fan of clip-in hair extensions for years! My aunt kindly gave me my first two sets when I was 14 and they got tons of love back in my big hair days! Recently, I came across the Luxy sisters’ YT, and found them so lovely & likeable, the extensions are getting rave reviews and they look fantastic. If you’re in the market for some clip-in extensions for a great price, whether its to fake some length or add thickness, I’d encourage you to check out their website. 

On a side note, their 50K subs. giveaway gave me a huge smile :D

     My mom and me have been watching NBC’s new show The Voice, and we think its great. Dia Frampton, of Meg and Dia, is already my favorite. Her rendition of Colbie Caillat’s “bubbly” was very original and just plain gorgeous!

·        I think everyone knows Elle and Blair Fowler, who are huge in the YT beauty community. When I found out Blair has a part in Disney’s Prom, I thought I might have to check out that movie, especially after seeing this interview of them at the movie premiere. As always, the Fowlers look fabulous.

·        Because of this lovely lady , I had a fabulous girl’s night a few weeks back where we attempted the infamous swirl nail polish technique. Also because of her, most of the items on my birthday wish list are various nail varnishes ;D Miss Jen is definitely fabulous!

And I had to save the BEST for last

·        The silver teapot located in Manteca has become one of my favorite spots!! It’s a quaint little tea room complete with mismatched teapots & teacups, delicious loose-leaf tea, beautiful furniture, and loads of little knickknacks everywhere! I love it a lot. My boyfriend has taken me there twice, and we've both enjoyed the Paris tea (a blend of fruity black tea with lemon) so much that he bought it for me, and I’ve been enjoying it at home almost every evening!

That about wraps it all up! I’m definitely hoping to become a more frequent blogger by having features like this.

 I hope everyone continues enjoying this May!

Nicolette M.

The 30 day shred

Since my last day at cosmetology school (and my last post), there is one thing that I have been testing out and really enjoying- the 30 day shred. Today is day 12, and since I began posting abit on FB about it, I’ve been getting quite a lot of questions on what it is, where to get it, what its like, and why I’m doing it.

The 30 day shred is a workout DVD by Jillian Michaels, who is a fitness coach on The Biggest Loser. The 30 day shred promises up to 20 lbs. weight loss in 30 days, if you do the 20-30 minute workout everyday. Jillian Michaels is known for her aggressive (some may say annoying) personality and intensive workout methods on the show, so automatically this sounded like an interesting yet intimidating challenge. There is loads of hype about the 30 day shred all other youtube, and I was convinced to try it after watching one of my favorite youtuber’s review on it.

I began March 23^rd out of curiosity and the intentions to lose some pounds and tone everything that I did not lose. After the first workout, I became a full-fledged Jillian Michaels fan! I woke up the following day extremely sore, but did the workout again, and continued to be sore until around day 5 or 6. Now on day 12, I haven’t noticed any physical changes and have lost no weight, but my endurance during the workout has improved dramatically. Previously, I could not do twenty pushups, and I couldn’t get through the entire workout without taking atleast 2 breaks during the strength portions. Its still not an “easy” workout, but I’m keeping up with the DVD now & that’s very encouraging! Although I am not seeing weight loss yet, I love this workout, and will continue and recommend it to anyone!

Afew key reasons that the 30 day shred by Jillian Michaels stands out compared to other workout DVDs:

• The 3-2-1 interval system- 3 minutes strength, 2 minutes cardio, and 1 minute of abs. There are 3 circuits of this interval system, and it really helps to keep you going because the exercises are constantly changing.
• Modified/intensive- There are two girls demonstrating the workouts while Jillian narrates. One of the girls is doing modified versions of some of the more difficult workouts, while the other is doing each workout as intensive as possible, so you can choose which to follow.
• I just love Jillian. She talks you through each workout, and she’s completely spot-on in knowing when to encourage you not to stop/take a break.
• The workouts are not difficult, just vigorous.

So, summer is creeping up on us, and while some may have strayed from their New Years resolution to get fit, this can assist you in getting back on track. There are 3 levels to this workout system, so you’ll get many different workouts for your money’s worth. If you’re looking for something that won’t take a lot of time, room, or money, this is the way to go. I’m super determined to continue the workout everyday for atleast the remaining of the 30 day time period, and will post an update if anyone is curious!

You can find this video at:
Barnes and Noble
Borders
Amazon
Target
Walmart
and even Netflix

COSMETOLOGY SCHOOL

ANNOUNCING…………………………………..

I am officially a cosmetology graduate! After 52 weeks and 1600 hours, I’ve completed my training, and in three weeks, I will take the California Board of Barbering&Cosmetology state exam, and get my cosmetology license (fingers crossed!).

PREFACE

My whole cosmetology student journey (from Dec. 2009 to March 2011) was quite the experience. Let me preface this by saying to anyone who thinks becoming a hairdresser is an easy excuse for not going to college, there is much more to being in the beauty business than making people pretty. I have absorbed more knowledge in many different aspects than I originally expected. SO MUCH MORE.  I believe I grew up quite abit, and was really able to learn a lot about myself.

MY BEGINNING

I started cosmetology school December 1, 2009 as a junior in high school, and had been homeschooled for the past five years. By my junior year, I was very secure in wanting to become a hairdresser, and it just happened that my educational supervisor with my charter school let me know that a cosmetology school in town had just recently opened their list to high school students! I got on the list, and right before Thanksgiving, I was contacted and had my start date. I was so ready to get started and, of course, was curious what it’d be like to GO to school everyday and have classmates, since I had missed out on the junior high/high school experience. Within my first week, I had learned how to do a basic one-length cut and perm, was studying for my first written test on the electricity chapter, and was quickly adapting to my new school environment. Within my first month, I had learned almost all the state board procedures (0, 45,& 90 degree haircuts, perm, soft curl, relaxer, manicure, pedicure, 5 colors, 8 facials, wet set and press/curl) . Needless to say, the first month was intense. My teacher was quick to teaching us everything we’d need to know, and at that point the rest of our hours were to be spent perfecting everything, and learning the salon stuff. I am definitely self-motivated and it payed off, because ultimately only you really are responsible for how much you learn. Cosmetology schools are all about State Board procedures, and anything other than those is all extra. Therefore asking was the key to learning extra things like highlighting, texturizing, color formulating, etc., but luckily for me, my teacher readily gave me all the information I was willing to ask for. The following hours really did fly by, even when they dragged on..if that makes any sense.  

COSMETOLOGY101

There is so much more to cosmetology school than learning though, honestly. We spend 98% of the week standing at all times and usually talking. At my school we are closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays for a test/book work day and a state board procedures day. Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays are all about taking clients, and if you don’t have a client, working on a dollhead. Because we’re almost always allowed to talk, there is constant drama at the school between classmates, but I was lucky (smart?) enough to stay uninvolved in any incidences. Also, because my school takes clients 3/5 days of the week, I was exposed to every type of personality/background/age in this town, and that was tough, but it was much needed experience. While I would say I was not the stereotypical “homeschooler” (i.e. antisocial/quiet/sheltered), I worked on more than just becoming a hairdresser at cosmetology school. I really spent a good deal of those 1600 hours working on my people skills by dealing with difficult clients and gossiping girls.

THE END?

I have (thankfully) concluded my cosmetology school journey. However, obviously this isn’t the end. I am a beginner in the beauty world, and I will fully embrace that title! I am a blank canvas, ready to learn everything I can about all the new hair cut trends, cutting techniques, color placement/formulating, makeup in general, and the basics of the beauty business. And I do have the minor detail of state board to cross of my list, because as my teacher has always said, no one is a professional until they have that golden ticket. Also, I have a photoshoot coming up and I was nominated student of the year for San Jaoquin’s cosmetology ROP. Cosmetology school was an awesome experience and full of so very much learning in every aspect possible. I definitely feel that it has prepared me, and I am eager to move onto the next chapter!

and here are the pictures that documented the past 52 weeks

my very first day of cosmetology school. Dec.2009

after my teacher talked me into letting him give me rounded bangs

April2010

June 2010

Before the big cut. Sept.2010

donated all my hair to Locks of Love <3 Oct. 2010

for those of you who don't know, this is an infamous dollhead. Jan.2011

career fair! Feb.2011

my work. Feb.2011

aliceinWonderland bookbag, book work, notes, ipod: 

this is what my last month of school consisted of. March 2011

my very last day. March 2011

flowers were sent from my grandma :) March 2011

icecream cake from a friend! March2011

INTRODUCTION

Before I throw myself full force into the world of beauty blogging, I want to start off right by introducing myself to the complete strangers, acquaintances who may only know me through Facebook, and even friends, who may not know much about the beauty career side of my life.

I am Nicolette M./seventeen yr old high school/cosmetology student. I complete my 1600 cosmetology hrs on Tuesday, March 22^nd and I will get my high school diploma in mid May. After getting my cosmetology license I plan on working in a salon as a hairdresser and continuing to work my way up in the industry because I absolutely love it.

Anyone who has been around me recently has most likely heard me mention my most recent obsession: Youtube. Specifically, Youtube’s beauty community. I am subscribed to (I think) some of the most fabulous girls on there, and through them I have actually learned an incredible amount. Youtube’s beauty community has also led me to blogs, and both have not only provided entertainment, but inspiration and new knowledge of products and techniques that I otherwise wouldn’t have any exposure. So yes, I do have quite a strong liking for Youtube and various blogs, and I have decided to give blogging a try, considering the experience I’m currently getting in the beauty industry. This blog will be an output of my love for the industry and hopefully a way to connect with others who love it also. I have been considering the idea of blogging for quite awhile and putting it off, but the other day I really started planning it out and already have quite a handful of ideas. I shall see how this goes, but hypothetically, I will have quite a few posts related to my beauty school experience and tips on how to get the most from it and just get through coming soon!

I am already thoroughly excited to be starting this, and so thankful to anyone who has made it through my very first beauty blog post.

xoNMM