Impressed with Impress

Posted in Fashion, makeup, Nail Art by EmilyBracey

“Your nails are a reflection of yourself”

Fact. That is exactly why I always try to have my manicure looking top notch. Let’s get real tho, it can be super time consuming to constantly be painting your nails or really expensive to keep up with your fills at the salon. SO, if you’re like me and really enjoy having professional and trendy looking nails on a budget, keep on reading!

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The original packaging, which is still in some stores, were made to look like cute little bottles of nail polish.

Senior year of college in NYC, my roommate and I were walking thru Times Square and saw a sign that said “FREE MANICURES”. The world free always catches a college students attention. We made our way to the commotion and a group of women, from the Impress Manicure Company, were giving away free packs of their new products. These products just so happened to be press on nails. Retail for around $10. I took a few packages never thinking I would actually use them. Like come on, I haven’t used press on nails since I was like seven. Well, fast forward a few weeks and I gave them a shot. Followed the instructions word for word and BAM! For the next two weeks I was getting complimented on my manicure! People were assuming they were actually gel nails because they had such a great shine to them! I was hooked! Oh and yes, you did read that right.. TWO WEEKS!

I’ve always been one to obsess over instructions on beauty products, so let me give you a run thru on the instructions and highlight the most important steps. By the way, it usually only takes 15 minutes or less once you get the hang of it.

These are the packages I have seen more and more lately! They constantly come out with new designs and trendy colors!

Each package contains 24 nails. Obviously you only need 10, but there are 12 different sizes to ensure you get them to fit your nails correctly. The first thing I always do is, besides taking my nail polish off, is trimming my nails down because you don’t want your nails to be longer and poke thru underneath. Next, I pour out all the nails, find one for each finger and lay them out left on one side and right had on the other, so I don’t mix any up. Never start with your thumbs! It will make the process a lot harder than it needs to be, trust me. With that said, start with your pointer finger, find the nail that fits, slowly remove the plastic strip from the bottom and gently press it on your nail. Press it on in almost a rolling motion and do that for about a minute. In the past I have just plopped it on and pressed it once, and well those came off in a few days. Anyway, just do your thumbs last and enjoy your new beautiful manicure!

They even have ones for your toes that are just as easy!!! I am addicted to using them in the summer!

Removal is just as easy! Gently peel them off! I usually wear them until it’s obvious my nails are growing under them and I go pop on a new pair! The only con I can really think of is, if you’re like me, I constantly run my fingers thru my hair and sometimes my hair gets caught under the fake nail. Besides that, they are nearly perfect!!

My current Impress Mani. I’ve had these babies on for about 13 days now. There is some nail growth, but I will probably wait a few more days before I change them out!

21Mar2015

St. Patricks Day Recap

Posted in Fashion by EmilyBracey

If anyone was wondering, it was a ton of fun 🙂

5Mar2015

HD Beauty Save

Posted in makeup by EmilyBracey

I have been all about the HD translucent powder for about a year now. It’s really just a great matte top coat that leaves your skin looking super even and soft! It minimizes imperfections, keeps oil under control, and just kinda holds everything in place! You can seal your foundation with it or wear it alone! The downside about it: I haven’t found a lot of brands that carry a great HD powder! I have tried two brands that give me the same amazing results with one huge difference… The price! Makeup Forever is one of my favorite Sephora brands and they have a great HD powder that comes in a few size containers. The .3oz container runs for $34.00 and while it’s a great product and well worth the money… I can get you a better deal! NYX HD finishing powder comes in a .28oz container and get this, it’s only $10.00! It gives you the same results and lasts the same amount of time! (Use sparingly) You’re welcome 🙂

27Feb2015

Drugstore Discovery- The Ultiment Eyeliner

Posted in makeup by EmilyBracey

I can’t be the only one that gets super watery eyes in these 10 months of negative temperatures here in western NY. I absolutely can’t stand when my eyeliner smudges or runs. For years I have been on the hunt of an in expensive eyeliner that does the trick. I finally found it and it beats any Mac, Urban Decay, Sephora, or Make-up Forever I have had in the past. The best part; it’s SO much cheaper! Maybelline Lasting Drama by EyeStudio Gel Eyeliner. Some of you are already turned off by the fact that it’s a gel liner, but believe me it’s different. Unlike other gels I’ve used, the Maybelline one is smooth and doesn’t smear everywhere as I’m applying it, even to the bottom line. The brush that comes with it is soft and not angled like most. It’s not overly stiff, but gives you better control with more structured bristles. I’ve only used the black one, and it is dark, dramatic black that stays that way all day and night. If you haven’t used a gel eyeliner before, practice before you go to use it on a Saturday night out with your girls. Five stars!

24Dec2014

Wine for the Holidays!

Posted in Fashion, makeup by EmilyBracey

Hello all and a Merry Christmas eve! I needed to quickly share my new holiday make up addictions and we have a theme here people- Wine!! I highly recommend all of these products! As for the nails, use that top coat for extra protection and shine! Feeling sassy? Add some glitter! When it comes to lips… Liner is a must! It’s a fashion thing, not an old lady thing ! Need it exta matte? Cover your whole lip with liner! Especially if you’re going to be sippin the bubbly 😉 it well help the lipstick stay on your lips rather than the glass! So happy holidays! Stay safe and stay fashionable ❤ xoxo

14Mar2014

The Facial Contouring Craze!

Posted in makeup, Tutorials by EmilyBracey

After Kim Kardashian posted a picture on her Instagram of her in the middle of getting her make up done, facial contouring started trending instantly. Pro Kardashian or not, you have to agree that her makeup and face look flawless. I’ve always been one to contour my cheek bone every once and a while with a darker powder than that of my skin tone, but I have never thought about applying concealer all over my face. I decided to do some drug store shopping and spent under $15 on E.L.F and NYX cosmetics.

It was pretty simple to do, but is it worth the results? I put the light yellowish concealer under my eyes, up the center of my nose, and on my chin. Next, I applied a darker concealer on the top of my forehead, jawline, cheekbones, and nose. After I looked like I was about to perform a rain dance around a fire I took a disposable makeup sponge and started blending. I focused on the lighter areas first and then blended the darker areas up and out. The point of this is to make sure you don’t have any harsh lines on your face. It’s also important to make sure you have the dark areas blended into your hair line and under your chin/jaw until it disappears on your neck. Finally, I took a brush with some translucent setting powder and ta-da! I am contoured and highlighted! I went one step further and did my everyday brow routine!

Pros: It definitely made my skin look smooth, pores look almost invisible, and my facial features more defined. It also added a natural glow to my face.

Cons: If I did this as an everyday thing it would add about 7 more minutes to my morning routine and I’d rather be sleeping. Also, I have very sensitive and acne prone skin and with all this concealer I feel like my skin can hardly breath!

Overall: I would definitely try this the next night I go out because it is a pretty look, but the work involved might not be worth doing every morning.

EB-ology #6: Bacteria on your face is a big mistake! I am very against the use of makeup brushes unless you are willing to wash them almost every other day. Think about what ruins your skin and clogs your pore, bacteria. Whenever you rub that brush around your face you are only helping spread that around and by not washing it everyday, you’re just reapplying that gunk from the day before! YUCK! Invest in a pack of small cosmetics sponges for a month, pat on your make-up gently, and see if you see a difference!