Summer Accessories: 3 for Under $3

It's always fun to revamp a few things for a different season.  When it starts hitting the triple digits here, I need something to help me get geared up to deal with the summer heat. Here are a few accessories I found for $3 or under...

I snagged these adorable sunglasses, at the Dollar Tree for $1.  I was quite shocked at what a good selection of cute sunglasses they had.  I never spend tons of money on sunglasses.  They always get broken or lost.  And it is fun to justify having a couple pairs, which you can do if you get them for a bargain.





I also bought this new lip shade for 93 cents at Wal-Mart, and I have been loving it!  I wear it almost everyday.  The eclectic shade of pink is a fun and nice change (it doesn't look as bright here as it seems to be in real life).







I picked up the nail polish at Target, for $2.49, after Brittany inspired me with a comment on my nail post.  I am pretty sure this will be my go-to summer color from here on out.  I never thought of this color, but I kind of love it. 



sunglasses: Dollar Tree

lip color: NYC #316 "Blossom"  

nail color: Sally Hansen #270 "Lacey Lilac"

 

These would be especially fun splurges if you are heading to the beach anytime this summer.  Have a good start to your summer--on a budget, of course!

Let's Talk Nails

I love getting my nails done, just as much as the next girl.  And I feel so much more pulled together with my nails nicely manicured.  And on top of it, my new indulgence is of course, the "gel nails".  But being a young wife and mom, getting my nails done on a monthly basis isn't a priority when we budget.  So going to a nail salon to get them done is now a rare treat, not part of my regular beauty routine.

But of course, that doesn't mean I can't have rockin' nails!  Just the last few months, I have discovered a great top coat polish that makes nails super shiny and is fast-drying (so you can squeeze a manicure in during nap time!).  I have had several people ask me if they are gel nails, but it's just the awesome top coat!  It also helps your nail polish last longer, although the results don't last quite as long as gel nails, they do keep them in pretty good shape for a while!

The top coat is Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat.  I use it over all my polish now!

I bought it at Target, but you can purchase it from Amazon, and I am sure most drug stores and beauty supply stores carry it as well.

Another thing I have learned about doing my own nails, is that there is a huge difference between nail "polish" and nail "lacquer".  I now pay  more attention when I am buying a color that I think I will wear often.  I typically will spend more on a lacquer for a color that I think I will use regularly, and buy the cheaper quality stuff for trendier colors that I just want to try out for fun. Brands like OPI and Essie are nail "lacquers".

Mimosas with Mr. & Mrs.

For example, I own OPI in Mimosas for Mr. & Mrs. and in Lincoln Park After Dark because they are both shades I wear often.  I want to splurge on a coral color for this summer!  I just pick up trendier colors like greens and blues (that I don't tend to wear as often) at the drug store with brands that are less expensive and not usually nail "lacquer".

The reason I love Mimosas with Mr. & Mrs. is because you can wear it so long!  Even if you have a little "wear and tear" on your nails, the color is so natural, you don't notice chipping nearly as easily.

Here is a shot of my toes.  This is a cheapy polish I got for 99 cents, but it looks fabulous with that top coat.  This picture doesn't do it justice.  Very shiny and thick looking.  Looks like a professional pedi, even from this amateur! 



What are some other tips for nails?  I love learning more about what works for other people!

Secret Eyelashes

So I have fairly long eyelashes.  But they aren't super thick or dark, so for me, mascara is necessary.

Which meant I was super jealous of the luscious lashes that eyelash extensions gave a lot of women I saw around town.  But let's be honest...my husband wouldn't be thrilled if I thought that spending $30+ a month on my eyelashes was a priority.

One day, my cousin's adorable wife Stephanie, invited me to go with her to the MAC counter in Nordstrom.  It changed my life (Okay, slightly dramatic.  But it was indeed a wonderful secret she let me in on!).

That secret, I will now share with you...

False Eyelashes.

Don't worry!  I had nightmares of ripping out all my own lashes or never being able to get them on the right way.  And while I am still learning things as I go, I can assure you, that with a little help from the MAC people, and giving it a try one or two times, you will be well on your way to beautiful lashes on a dime!  Of course, you have to reapply them every day, they aren't permanent like extensions.  But saving this much money and still looking this good, is way worth it to me!  Once you have practiced, it will be a breeze applying them.

Stephanie is loyal to the Nordstrom Mac counter, she has always had better experiences going there, because she thinks that the MAC training combined with the Nordstrom training gives the best possible customer service.  So that's what I do.  You can go elsewhere if you feel so inclined!

They are great there, at the MAC counter!  They will help you pick out the lashes you want (I love the #7 lashes, and those are what I would recommend for first timers--more natural looking, but still make a statement).  They trim them to fit your eye, and will even put them on for you.

The lashes themselves run around $15, but the first time you go, you have to buy the glue.  The glue is one of the biggest secrets.  It starts out white, but dries clear.  The glue is amazing!  It is $12, but will last forever.  Don't scrimp and buy it elsewhere, or you won't enjoy putting these lashes on and wearing them.  At the MAC counter, they tell you that these lashes will last you 5-6 wears if you take good care of them.  I will tell you they will last you 3ish months, wearing them everyday, if you take good care of them!

So the first time you go, you will spend a little less than $30, but after that, you won't need to buy glue.  So $15 every few months for amazing lashes is awesome and way cheaper than extensions!  Here is another secret...my other cousin's wife, Skye, professionally applies eyelash extensions for other people.  But she wears MAC false eyelashes!  That is how great they are!

Tips for wearing these lashes:

- I put one very light coat of mascara on BEFORE applying the lashes (not after, the lashes won't last long if you put mascara on them) so that my natural lash won't be noticeable since they are light colored.

- If you don't have them trimmed by a MAC person, or they poke you in the inner corner of your eye, trim them down a little more.  I like it when my lashes only cover a little more than 3/4 length of my eye.  Your natural lashes will continue to the inner corner and if you have a light coat of mascara on already, it will look great and they will be much more comfortable!

- The glue starts out white and dries clear.  Apply a thin layer of glue (they should show you this at the MAC counter--I use a toothpick to do it) and let it air dry for a minute or so.  It will turn a slight yellow color, and that is when you should apply it to your eye.  It will be a  little more tacky and stay when applied.

- As long as you see "white" where the glue is, you can continue moving and fixing the lashes in place.  Once the white is gone, the glue has dried and you will probably have to re-apply.

- If you take Sunday afternoon naps and tend to sleep on half of your face (like I do), take the lashes off.  So you don't smoosh them into a weird shape.  It was a sad day when this happened to me!

- When taking the lashes off, they can peel right off.  It won't rip your natural lashes out, I PROMISE!  There is usually a thin layer of glue stuck to the lashes, resembling that of dried Elmer's glue.  Carefully pull it off the best you can, to keep your lashes in tip-top shape for a long while!

Hope this inspires someone to give them a try!  They really are so fun to have and use.  I feel pretty with nothing more than these on and some lip gloss, even at the grocery store with a baby on my hip.

Accessories: K Momo Style

So, the other day I was out and about, and had a few minutes to spare before I needed to be back to work. So I decided to run into this store called K Momo.  Never been inside before, but had passed it numerous times and my curiosity was peaked.

I scored this adorable necklace for $5.  It's a style I have been looking for, for a while!

I quickly perused the clothing and saw some things that I thought could be quite cute as well, for pretty good prices.  Also, if you are in the market for a wig, they carry those too :)

I think it is safe to say, I will be popping in to that store now and again to see what other deals they have going on.  Next time I hope to have more time, so I can try on a few clothing items as well.

Check it out if you are local!  The store I stopped by was located on Southern, in between Alma School and Longmore (on Stewart, I believe).