Testimonial Tuesday

Testimonial Tuesday

This week's testimonial is about nails and technicians. I have the best spa to go to for nails - Soho Nails. I have had acrylic nails for quite a few years, but had to find a new technician over a year ago. After trying out a few different places and being frustrated/disappointed every time I decided to give it one last try before having them all removed. Soho was one my last chance. It was the best decision I could have made. Making an appointment was easy and convenient with my crazy schedule. My first time sealed the deal when I was lucky enough to have Tracy, owner with her husband, do my nails. They were perfect with a touch of fun! My usual is a pink and white nail but the fun comes when Tracy designs something different on my thumbs every time. She does it freehand and from her imagination. Each week she asks what design I want and my response is always the same - whatever you feel like. Here are a few examples of the great work she does for me.

So what made me decide to do a testimonial for Soho this week? Well this week I decided to be very brave (dare I say bold?) and step outside my comfort zone. I wanted to show my school spirit for Northwest Missouri State University's first football game of the season, so it was all about green! What do you think?

The thumb design gives it a little bit of a feminine touch.

We even made sure the toes matched!

Do you get your nails done? I would enjoy a discussion of the merits of acrylic vs. gel.

Pamper Yourself Friday

Pamper Yourself Friday

So summer is quickly coming to a close. I have to admit one of the things I am going to miss is wearing my sandals and flip flops. What I won't miss? Having to be aware of my feet and toenail polish. I love the comfort of my sandals, but I hate having to check to see if my feet look okay enough to go out in public flashing them around. 

Have you ever added up the cost of pedicures and toenail painting? It might make you cringe thinking about it. Luckily I am able to save lots of money doing a professional job on myself at home when I have time. Usually this is at night or first thing in the morning when I remember to look at my feet. When they are bad or I just feel like pampering myself for once I take out BeautiControl's Pedicure set. It is so easy and convenient to do at home, and I like mentioning to my husband the cost savings whenever I can. Let me walk you through it...


Step 1: BC Spa Pedicure Foot Spray 
Make sure you are in a comfortable place to sit. Your feet will be resting for 10 minutes so best to have a towel or somewhere easy to clean to place those piggies for awhile.
Spray all over feet and let them rest for 10 minutes.
*Enzymes in the spray are breaking down the bonds that hold your dead skin cells together.  This will make sure to get more dead skin off without the extra effort and pain of scrubbing to hard.

Step 2: BC Spa Pedicure Instant Pedicure Scrub 
You will need to be near water for this step.
Start with a quarter size amount of the scrub and rub all over your first foot. Make sure to do extra scrubbing around dry areas and where you have hard callus build up. Feel free to use more product as you need or want. 
Rinse all the scrubbing crystals off, dry and repeat on other foot.

Step 3: BC Spa Pedicure Cooling Foot Salve  
Again start with a quarter size amount of product and use more as you feel necessary. Rub into foot - if you feel up to it give yourself a foot massage to really make the effort worthwhile. 
There will be a cooling sensation, just as the product name advertises, as you rub and leave the product to soak in.
Really enjoy BC's description of this product: Revitalize tired, achy feet with this ultra-rich, cooling foot salve that moisturizes, nourishes and protects. Its blend of vitamins, emollients and peppermint oil lavishes skin with moisture. 


Just a quick suggestion - while giving your feet time to moisturize and soak in the product, either lay back with eye pads for some relaxation or paint your toenails. Both are great little pick me up I enjoy when I can squeeze them in. 

Hope all of you have a great weekend and enjoy the last weeks of summer!

Testimonial Tuesday

Testimonial Tuesday

This week's testimonial is a great mud mask, of course from BeautiControl. The Detoxifying Clay Masque is a great mud mask that won't form a solid material on your face. 

So let's walk through how to use this product. First, there is no need to pre-wash your face. To start with dab a small amount of product into your hand.

Smear all over your face - avoid the eyes and lips. You will definitely feel strange rubbing this thick substance on, but trust me it is worth it. *Also make a note not to have company or answer the door while wearing this mask. It causes many questions to be answered or a loved one to snicker at you.

Leave on for 10 minutes. Here is a shot of the full affect. What is great about this mud mask is that it does NOT dry into a hard clay on your face that makes it impossible for you to smile, talk or have any expression.

As you can can see from the background of this next shot - this masks makes it easy for you to multitask. You can spa yourself while you put the dishes away. 

Last step - either wash clean with WARM water from the sink or hope in the shower for easy cleanup. Pat dry with towel and followup with your toner, eye creme and moisturizer. *Don't forget to lightly feel how soft your face is before your followup steps. Also very key to use the followup steps as you have removed the top layer of your skin and changed the pH balance. The toner re-balances the pH while the other products put good moisture back into your layers. 

Don't I look great for more bedtime?

Something to remember about masks - no matter what kind you use or have done at a spa - you may have pimples break the surface of your skin in a few days. This is normal! The clog of oil in your pore was buried under the layers of your skin; the mask just acted as a catalyst to bring it to the surface faster for repair. This is a great way to get of pimples under your skin sooner and renew the softness of your face. Not recommended to do more than 2 times a week.

If you are looking to try out this great skincare set for yourself AUGUST is an amazing month. You get the kit you see in the picture plus several more spa products for the low price of $79. *Regular value cost $464 and for this month only you get to choose from 3 DIFFERENT packages (valued up to $186) FREE when you attend BeautiYou. I'd be happy to share more information with you anytime.

Friday = Fun day

Fun Day Friday

So today I am in the mood to talk about fun things and stuff on my mind. I so look forward to Fridays, like most of you, because I know ME (and ME + Hubby) time is right around the corner. And maybe a little bit of sleeping in and/or nap time. So on my mind is my haircut appointment on Tuesday. I LOVE getting my hair cut - it's like a whole new me each time. Very renewing and relaxing. It really helps that I have an amazing stylist named Sarah at Aura Hair Studio and Boutique who is honest with me and knows how much effort I am willing to put in my hair.

So background on me - my hair is super thick! I know some of you might be jealous but it is not that fun. Sarah has to thin out my hair every 4 weeks or it gets heavy and it never stays full/teased for that more dressy look. Also I will admit that I am very low maintenance aka lazy. I don't like having to spend 30 minutes drying my hair with two kinds of blow dryers every other day, then have to use a curler or straightener. That's time I could be sleeping or reading. Here is my look a couple of weeks ago before I got it colored again:

Here it is with the new color (which is perfect for me), but pulled back:

So I am at a place where I just feel like I need something a little different - I'm in a rut. I know that I won't be able to grow my hair long because it is just too thick and heavy. Also the whole patience thing - it would probably end up in a pony tail all the time.  When my husband and I were just dating I completely chopped off all my hair before I left for an internship. We both agreed I would never cut my hair that short again! So this look is out of the question.

Readers I'm looking to you for help. Do you think I could pull off a more stacked look and not end up with the same style everyday? I would really enjoy some opinions before I go in.

Thinking more like this if it is low maintenance:

Or even this!

Am I being too optimistic that this would be low maintenance? Does anyone have suggestions on  different ways to style this look to keep me out of my rut? Would really enjoy to know what you think!