I thought I'd share a little info about myself. My name is Vanessa and I was born and raised just outside of Chicago. I am in my early 30's and LOVE beauty & fashion. I was raised by an amazing woman (my mom & surrounded by strong women with strong sense of themselves) who always taught me girlie fashion and beauty. I wore makeup and enjoyed fashion, even while attending an all girls school, during my last years of high school. After graduating Trinity College Prep in River Forest, I attended Pivot Point International Beauty School, studying Aesthetics. I have maintained my Aesthetician license since 2001. Prior to beauty school, I worked in the beauty industry and continued to do so for the past 13 years, searching for my niche...which I still haven't quite found.
I do strongly believe in good skin care ethics, maintaining one's self image & having fun in the process. I love learning from others in the industry (or with just an interest in beauty) and do not think you are ever too advanced to learn in this profession. I continue to take courses that advance my skills.
I simply hope to gain insight from others & possibly a clientele to keep me busy, as I grow my blog & my own lil family. I hope you enjoy everything I throw into cyber space & please do not hesitate to ask questions or request insight.
Smile, being a lady is fun & we should enjoy each other more!
Vanessa Elise
Friday, April 19, 2013
Mani How To
Hi Guys!!! With all the craziness going on in the world right now, I thought we could all use a little pampering & a good healthy distraction, with a better feeling of summer not far away. : )
I've gotten tons of compliments lately on my manicure & even asked where I go for my manis. I love the compliments but am an at home mani kind of gal. After sharing my indulgence for manicuring my own nails, I've been asked how do I make it look so good?! So, I thought I'd share my tips.
I have recently splurged on a no-chip mani, prior to my wedding, as I considered splurging on the no chip system, for my own use. I unfortunately did not care for it. It left my nails super brittle, weak, and with a ton of polish outgrowth, that I thought was extremely unattractive. Needless to say, not for me. I will continue to indulge in one of my many beauty weaknesses, buying a new Essie polish with each new collection launch. : )
Below I have included my steps on an easy approach to an at home manicure with little chipping and some longevity. Hope you enjoy!
Supplies Needed:
Nail File, Buffer, Acetone Polish Remover, OPI Bond Aid, Towel, 2 sheets of paper towel, cuticle pusher, cuticle clipper, cotton pad, manicure soak dish, hand soap, ridge filler, color polish, top coat, cuticle oil, and an old concealer brush or acrylic/gel nail brush.
1. Set up your items so that they're within reach. Put hand soap in mani soak dish or bowl with warm water. I prefer to lay down a folded towel to soak up any spills & put one sheet of paper towel on top of towel to wipe cuticle gunk on.
2. Remove polish with remover & cotton pad. File Nails to your liking.
3. Apply cuticle oil & massage.
4. Soak hand for 3-5 min. Push cuticles back. Repeat on other hand. Remove any dead lifted skin with cuticle trimmer or trim cuticles, if that's your thing & know what you're doing.
*Removing cuticles with a trimmer without prior experience can lead to bleeding, pain, & infection.
5. Using other end of cuticle pusher, clean the underside of nails. This will lift any filed nail gunk & leave it easily removed by the nail buffer.
6. Buff top & edges of nails.
7. Wash hands in sink & clear your area of supplies you will no longer need.
8. Apply second paper towel sheet for a clean surface to rest hand while polishing. Apply Bond Aid to nails covering the entire nail & underside edge. *Bond Aid is in every manicurists tool kit & makes your nail polish stick & adhere to your nails for much longer with less chipping.
9. Apply 1 coat of Ridge Filler to all nails
10. Apply color to all nails. Sometimes with springy white based colors you will need 3 thin coats. Otherwise 2 should be sufficient. One nail at a time.
Then apply your top coat. One thin top coat, for now.
11. *My trick for ages has been to use an old concealer brush or acrylic/gel brush dipped into acetone based remover and run the brush along the cuticle and sides of nails to clean up any excess polish. Be mindful of tilting the brush to your advantage.
*Even if you're great at painting nails or think that no one will notice the polish jammed into your cuticle, think again. Please be mindful & clean this up. There should never be polish on your cuticle or skin around your nail.
*After a day or two of wearing my fresh new mani, I will reapply (on clean dry nails) another thin top coat. This keeps my mani from chipping and gives much more longevity to it.
I purchase my nail basics at Sally's Beauty Supply. Color polish I tend to splurge on Essie but am not opposed to cheapies, the color is what calls to me. I have been using & happy with Beauty Secrets cuticle oil, & ridge filler. 100% acetone, OPI bond aid, Seche Vite top coat, Mac cream nail polish in Coconut Ice. I realized I have some other alternatives to the MAC color I used, as I think it was a limited item. Essie Haute as Hello & Wet n Wild, Wild Shine 437F are both close colors.
Happy Spring Painting!!! Let me know if you have any questions! : )
I've gotten tons of compliments lately on my manicure & even asked where I go for my manis. I love the compliments but am an at home mani kind of gal. After sharing my indulgence for manicuring my own nails, I've been asked how do I make it look so good?! So, I thought I'd share my tips.
I have recently splurged on a no-chip mani, prior to my wedding, as I considered splurging on the no chip system, for my own use. I unfortunately did not care for it. It left my nails super brittle, weak, and with a ton of polish outgrowth, that I thought was extremely unattractive. Needless to say, not for me. I will continue to indulge in one of my many beauty weaknesses, buying a new Essie polish with each new collection launch. : )
Below I have included my steps on an easy approach to an at home manicure with little chipping and some longevity. Hope you enjoy!
Supplies Needed:
Nail File, Buffer, Acetone Polish Remover, OPI Bond Aid, Towel, 2 sheets of paper towel, cuticle pusher, cuticle clipper, cotton pad, manicure soak dish, hand soap, ridge filler, color polish, top coat, cuticle oil, and an old concealer brush or acrylic/gel nail brush.
1. Set up your items so that they're within reach. Put hand soap in mani soak dish or bowl with warm water. I prefer to lay down a folded towel to soak up any spills & put one sheet of paper towel on top of towel to wipe cuticle gunk on.
2. Remove polish with remover & cotton pad. File Nails to your liking.
3. Apply cuticle oil & massage.
4. Soak hand for 3-5 min. Push cuticles back. Repeat on other hand. Remove any dead lifted skin with cuticle trimmer or trim cuticles, if that's your thing & know what you're doing.
*Removing cuticles with a trimmer without prior experience can lead to bleeding, pain, & infection.
5. Using other end of cuticle pusher, clean the underside of nails. This will lift any filed nail gunk & leave it easily removed by the nail buffer.
6. Buff top & edges of nails.
7. Wash hands in sink & clear your area of supplies you will no longer need.
8. Apply second paper towel sheet for a clean surface to rest hand while polishing. Apply Bond Aid to nails covering the entire nail & underside edge. *Bond Aid is in every manicurists tool kit & makes your nail polish stick & adhere to your nails for much longer with less chipping.
9. Apply 1 coat of Ridge Filler to all nails
10. Apply color to all nails. Sometimes with springy white based colors you will need 3 thin coats. Otherwise 2 should be sufficient. One nail at a time.
Then apply your top coat. One thin top coat, for now.
11. *My trick for ages has been to use an old concealer brush or acrylic/gel brush dipped into acetone based remover and run the brush along the cuticle and sides of nails to clean up any excess polish. Be mindful of tilting the brush to your advantage.
*Even if you're great at painting nails or think that no one will notice the polish jammed into your cuticle, think again. Please be mindful & clean this up. There should never be polish on your cuticle or skin around your nail.
I purchase my nail basics at Sally's Beauty Supply. Color polish I tend to splurge on Essie but am not opposed to cheapies, the color is what calls to me. I have been using & happy with Beauty Secrets cuticle oil, & ridge filler. 100% acetone, OPI bond aid, Seche Vite top coat, Mac cream nail polish in Coconut Ice. I realized I have some other alternatives to the MAC color I used, as I think it was a limited item. Essie Haute as Hello & Wet n Wild, Wild Shine 437F are both close colors.
Happy Spring Painting!!! Let me know if you have any questions! : )
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Preggo Must Haves
My Pregnancy Must Haves...
Happy 6 Months!! Not much longer & I can not wait! Just the other day Jay was able to feel our lil pickle monkey moving! It was really exciting! I was overwhelmed with excitement!! As we've played with names the past few days, it seems our pickle may very well be named Penelope Rose Slosson. We've already nicknamed her Pip, Pippa, Penny, & combined all with, you guessed it...Pickle. If her name sticks, I will definitely call her Penelope or Pippa. Our other option was Sophia & I'm shocked Jay went with Penelope but we are open to saving it for a possible 2nd Slosson baby.
Anyways, as I enter my 6th month of pregnancy, I've reflected on some definite Pregnancy Must Haves!!
Happy 6 Months!! Not much longer & I can not wait! Just the other day Jay was able to feel our lil pickle monkey moving! It was really exciting! I was overwhelmed with excitement!! As we've played with names the past few days, it seems our pickle may very well be named Penelope Rose Slosson. We've already nicknamed her Pip, Pippa, Penny, & combined all with, you guessed it...Pickle. If her name sticks, I will definitely call her Penelope or Pippa. Our other option was Sophia & I'm shocked Jay went with Penelope but we are open to saving it for a possible 2nd Slosson baby.
Anyways, as I enter my 6th month of pregnancy, I've reflected on some definite Pregnancy Must Haves!!
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| Old Navy Leggings, are super comfy although I still can fit into my LC Lauren Conrad leggings. |
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| NewChapter Prenatals |
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| Noodle & Boo Elasticity Oil |
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| Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman |
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| Along with The Honest Co. diapers & baby skin care. |
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| Earth Mama Angel Baby Heartburn Tea |
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| FitPregnancy Magazine |
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| Old Navy Tank Maxi I have this dress in coral & will soon get it in the turquoise seen here. Super comfy & looks great on! |
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
The Start of a Family....
Here is my sweetheart & I. Jason & I have been together for 6 years and married on November 22, 2012. Our wedding was very heartfelt, as we were married on Thanksgiving, in Puerto Vallarta Jalisco, Mexico; where my folks got engaged. We vacationed in PV years prior & knew it was where we were destined to marry. We received our Holy Sacrament of Matrimony in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. We exchanged our vows amongst immediate family and vacationed together. Following our Wedding/Honeymoon we celebrated with a semi-casual reception back home, with our remaining family & friends.
Jason is my soulmate, best friend, true confidant, and rock. We have a loving, balanced, trusting relationship. We look forward to a new chapter that lies shortly ahead, as we are expecting our first child, our honeymoon, baby girl. She is due August 15, 2013. We can not wait to become parents & look forward to the fun rewarding experience of parenting.
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