I’m a little late to the game because I really enjoy painting my nails and coming up with some really cool artwork for them. However, I decided to try them last month. And let me tell you, it was amazing, actually. While they don’t have a lot of my type of designs, I did find that they went on easy and lasted a long time. But most of all is my thumb nail.
10 years ago I dropped a 100 pound server on my thumb. My cuticle really. Little did I know I damaged my nail matrix. After a few years a line started forming in the center of my thumb nail. Just a few millimeters long. But as time went on, that line grew until it reached the end of my finger. My nail started splitting at that line and I could no longer grow my thumb nail long. Half my nail would grow slower than the other half and it would always split down that line. I’ve tried nail polish, nail glue, and fiberglass wraps. Nothing worked to allow them to grow again.
Last test was these nail wraps. So I gave it a shot. A month later and they were still on. Very impressive. But the most impressive, they allowed me to grow and protect my thumb nail. It gave it strength. Thank you.
Now, if only I can have a whole sheet of thumb nail sizes just for this purpose!
PS: If any of my writer friends would like to keep up with my writing and how my life is progressing, I’ve moved over to “Caring for My Veteran“. Please subscribe there, too. Thank you.
***I received my Temptations Snacky Mouse complimentary to test and/or review from Influenster.***
Honestly, this is such a cute little thing. I have tried my hand at something similar, though nowhere near as cute as this. I took a small water bottle, cleaned and dried. Then cut random holes in is so the kitties could get their brain exercise, their prey and puzzle solving instincts going. It didn’t look as fancy but it worked. The cats loved it so much that they ATE. EVERY. SINGLE. PIECE.
I haven’t done that in a long time. And when I received this in the mail, it was quite interesting, to say the least.
NOTE TO SELF: Don’t attempt to set it between 3 kitties at the same time!
Of course, after I turn off my camera and leave the area, Sofie goes to town batting at it and eating all the treats.
This item is that it did not come with instructions on how to open it in order to fill it, so I could see it breaking before anyone could get a chance to use it. The other thing I found was that my cats still eat it all gone in one setting. The way to combat that is not to fill it up all the way. They all love it, though. So in my book, this product is a win!
PS: If any of my writer friends would like to keep up with my writing and how my life is progressing, I’ve moved over to “Caring for My Veteran“. Please subscribe there, too. Thank you.
Ever wonder how those fashion hair colors fade over time? Me too! I looked at a lot of pictures before I took the plunge, trying to determine exactly how I wanted my hair. I did find a couple that I wanted. REALLY, REALLY wanted. But, they were either too radical for me and my dayjob or I just didn’t have my grey hair yet.
The perfect blue. The perfect length. The perfect braid.
Alas, the stylist does not want to do this one because it’s just too damaging to my hair. I love this stylist for his honesty! I’ve not had one quite like him, ever.
This is why I want my silver/grey to come in! <3
And this one, well, I’m only now seeing a few strands of silver in my hair. Only a few. Why does it take so long to have them come in. Yes, I am weird. I WANTgrey hair! Because…look at that picture! Oh and to be able to do that flower bun thing would be cool too! But the color!! TheHubs has been going grey since his 20s. Now he has a touch of his natural color left throughout his head. Me, I am just now finding a few strands. Ugh. How long do I have to wait? I want my grey! If my father is any indication what type of grey I will have, I can’t wait. It came in silver and turned to pure white. Not that dingy grey or yellowed grey. Please grey hair fairy, hurry up! 😛
Anyway, last July I went to a stylist and had a few streaks of blue put in my hair. She used N Rage Demi Cobalt Blue
‘N Rage Cobalt Blue Not bad for freshly done.
It really is a nice color when freshly done. Of course, I had to have her bleach the streaks first. Then she added the color. If you notice the color is not even across all strands. Some are darker than others, which is fine really. And I did not have any expectations except blue seeing as this was the first time. It was nice. But not gorgeous nice.
I knew, since this was a demi-permanent color, that a little color would wash out with each wash. The very first wash had me petrified, though. So much color came out, my tub was left stained. I quickly learned, as well, that I needed to get a dark pillow case. I put a t-shirt over my pillowcase in the mean time to keep it from bleeding as I slept. Eventually that stopped after a few washes, but I still sleep with a dark pillow case, just in case.
Now, the question was, how long will my blue last?
Everything I read and even the bottle said, 6-8 weeks. I wash my hair every 3 days and use a sulfate free/color friendly shampoo. I think it held my color mostly well. It faded, yes. And by September, you could hardly see the teal mingling with my natural hair.
By October/November, it started turning green. I was not happy with it by this time. I know, I know, you’re probably telling me that I needed to re-do it. In all honesty, I knew that was what I needed to do and I was too chicken to do it myself. Plus I didn’t want to go back to where I had it done. So, I waited. I wanted to go to my friend’s stylist but I had to get his info from her. Once I had that, then I had to wait until it wasn’t the holidays.
This is my hair after 5 months. It really looks green and very faded.
The end of December I had my hair consult. That’s when he told me that I shouldn’t get the all over blue because it’s too damaging. He doesn’t recommend it unless you are doing a photo shoot…no matter what color it is. He also tried to talk me into getting purple done, only because when it fades, it turns silvery and he knew how much I wanted the silver and blue one pictured. But purple is not my color. Blue is. So blue it was.
On January 2nd, he bleached more of my hair and applied a new type of blue dye. Pravana Chromasilk Vivids Blue.
This time, I thought to take a picture after every washing to see how this one fades. (Should have done it the first time, too, but didn’t think about it. Oopsie.) So, below is a slideshow of my pictures after every wash. There’s no touch ups, no filters. It’s all natural and me. You can see the progression and how it fades for yourself.
Personally, I like how this one fades, much better than the ‘N Rage brand. I like the Pravana’s silvery blue fade versus ‘N Rage’s green. I’ve had several people tell me I should get the Manic Panic, but I’ve read so many reviews about that and how it fades to green. I think I will stick with Pravana. And it’s very easy to apply at home. I will only need to go back to my stylist for root bleaching and cuts. I can color the blue at home. Easy Peasy. 🙂
Hope this has helped you. It was so very hard when I was researching it myself since I couldn’t find any pictures or blogs or anything that showed me how certain brands faded. Let me know what you think.
I received the Influenster #FrostyVoxBox products to test and review. Everyone loves free things, right? Who could pass up on this awesome endeavor? So here’s my review of my latest box. And if you’re interested in signing up for your own, please visit Influenster and sign up today!
In this box I received the following:
NYC Expert Last Lip Color In Sugar Plum I don’t normally wear makeup. But lately, I’ve been getting girly in my old age, I guess. With these two Vox Boxes I’ve received I’ve gotten a few bits of makeup and I’m learning. This lipstick is not overpowering, outrageous, or bold. It is nice and subtle and looks perfectly natural. What do you think?
RimmelScandeleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner In the picture above, you can also see my eyeliner. I’m learning how to put it on. I’d love to be able to do the smokey eyes, but I’ve been failing horribly with that. Though, with my limited abilities, I really like this stuff. It’s easy to glide on and stays on all day.
RimmelGentle Eye Makeup Remover
This is definitely a nice, gentle makeup remover. However, it states that it will even remove the waterproof mascara. Well, I had the darnedest time trying to get the Covergirl Bombshell mascara I got in my last VoxBox off as well as the Rimmel Scandeleyes Waterproof Eyeliner off. After several minutes of “gently” wiping, I had the black smudged all over my eyes. I couldn’t get it off very easily at all. I would not recommend this for any black waterproof anything. But I did like it for the regular eye shadow.
Fruit VinesBites We’ve never tried the Fruit Vines Bites before and I have to tell you, I had to fight TheBoy for this! So I will definitely give this an A! Yummy, chewy, and good!
EcoTools Hair Brush
I tried this brush and it’s not for me. I like a brush that massages my scalp when I brush my hair. This will NOT get through the thickness of my hair to get to my scalp. I don’t usually blow dry my hair and I think this is for that use. It may be good for that. It’s nice and light weight and it does allow the air to pass through, so I can see that working. However, because I like that massaging scalp action, this brush has been tested on TheKats and they have now claimed it.
McCormick Gourmet Thyme
I normally buy McCormick spices anyway. But the Gourmet Thyme. Well, that’s a first. I opened it up and the scent and the spice was much crisper than the normal McCormick spices. I used it in my TexMex Chili and just yum.
Celestial SeasoningsCandy Cane Lane Tea. I love tea. Always have. And green tea and mint are one of my normal teas to drink. Celestial Seasonings always has lovely seasonal teas and this one was no different. Mint has always been a good tummy soother for me. So I tried this on a day I needed it. It did not fail.
No 7Protect and Perfect Advanced Serum
The last thing I tried in this box was a sample of this Anti Aging serum. In reading the instructions, it goes to say that you will notice a difference in fine lines and wrinkles after two weeks. While I liked how I liked how it felt on my face, I did not receive enough to go the full to weeks to complete this trial and see if it lives up to its word. It was very smooth and non-oily. I wish there was a bigger sample to test.
Hope you all enjoyed the quick look and review of this Influenster Vox Box as much as TheoKat and IttyBitty love the box itself!
*****”I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.
We’ve never tried the Fruit Vines Bites before and I have to tell you, I had to fight TheBoy for this! So I will definitely give this an A! Yummy, chewy, and good!
