I’m sure you’ve pulled out those pretty, little bottles a time or two this summer.  Maybe you’ve been one of those lucky ladies at the salon with your feet being lotioned and massaged while you indulge in the latest fashion magazine.  If so, good for you, you lucky duck!  Are you one of those ladies that can choose a color in 30 seconds?  Or do you take forever to choose one?  I’m the latter category.  So, how do you choose?  Maybe some of these tips can help.

–  Choose the color based on the occasion or event.  Your polish color at work will be different than the polish you choose for a hot date, right?  For a more formal setting, neutrals and muted colors are best.  Clear polish is a great way to get a finished look.

If you’re headed out to a party, dare to go bold.  Metallic colors make a bold statement and are relatively versatile.  Keep in mind the jewelry you will be wearing and color your nails accordingly.

–  Choose your color based on the tone of your skin.  If you are fair skinned, lighter shades are the best bet.  Dark ones tend to wash out your skin.  Pink undertones and blue undertones are good choices.  Berry is a great bold color. 
If your skin has more olive undertones and is a bit darker, you’ll probably look fantastic in shades of russet and gold. These shades of nail polish really tend to play up olive skin.

If you have dark skin, you can get by with almost any rich, deep or vibrant shades of nail polish including vibrant reds and purples. You can generally get by with a bolder display of color than can the fair skinned person.



– Choose your color based on your lip color.  One way to determine what shades of nail polish will work with your skin tone is to choose nail color based on the colors that flatter your lips. The colors that look good on your lips will probably also look good on your nails. 

–  Choose a color to coordinate with your clothes.  If you wear a lot of brown shades of clothing, you’ll want to consider adding these shades of nail polish to your collection.  Take inventory of what’s in your closet and keep your dominant clothing shades in mind when you choose nail color.

–  Choose a color based on the season and the current trends.  During the warmer months, you’ll want to go lighter with your nail polish color. Those pale, translucent pinks and pale lavenders may be appropriate. Also take into consideration the prevailing color trends in nail color. If purples are hot, this might be a good thing to know.

With unlimited choices and options of colors to wear on your fingers and toes, the possibilities are endless.  Good luck and happy color picking!

Krista

Have you discovered the joy and beauty or bronzer?  Oh, I hope so.  If not, you’ve come to the right place.  Bronzer is amazing.  It will give you the subtle summer glow, bring out the structure of your face and create a stunning contrast to your blush.  If you use a bronzer with some shimmer, it will also help you look less tired because light will reflect off the shimmer which will make you appear more awake.  So, how do you wear this masterpiece?  Let me tell you.

1.  The key to natural looking bronzer is a light, subtle application.  Painting your entire face is not the way to go.  It will look orange and often leaves a visible line at the jaw.  Besides, a white neck and tan face… Eek!  There are gel bronzers, loose powdered bronzers, pressed powdered bronzers and tinted moisturizers.  I prefer pressed powder.

2.  Use a full powder or bronzer brush and gently dab it against the powder a couple times.  Shake the brush gently to knock any loose stuff off.
3.  Sweep it upward on your cheekbones and then downward to your jaw line in one fluid motion.  Blend it in with your fingertips.
3.  Repeat step 2.  Start your next brush stroke in the middle of your forehead and do one quick, light sweep to your temple.  Go back to the middle of your forehead and do the same to the other side.  This will help spread the bronzer evenly and keep one side of your face from being darker than the other.  Blend with your fingertips.
4.  Repeat step 2 again.  Lightly brush the tip of your nose, jump over your lips, and brush your chin.  Blend the powder on your nose and chin with the brush.  If there are obvious lines, use your finger tips to blend.
5.  You can also lightly brush your neck so it matches your face.  Bronzer also makes a great natural eye shadow with just a touch of sparkle.
6.  Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks.  Lightly is the key here, too.  Both bronzer and blush should appear natural.

Bask in the beauty of your bronzed goodness.  Sigh.

Krista

Welcome to the party!  These were some of my faves from last week:

Today, Claire is here to share a scrumptious recipe for some of my favorite bread… Banana Bread!  So, let’s give Claire a warm welcome.  And here’s Claire:

Take the bowl of the stand and using a spoon, fold through the flour and spices.

Sandal season is in full swing and there are bare toesies everywhere!  What do bare feet need?  A pedicure, of course!  I can’t really afford to shell out the money for a pedi every month, so I have to do my own.  It’s a little less relaxing, having to massage your own feet and all.  But it’s totally worth it. 

Here’s How:
1)  Begin with a clean canvas.  If you wear sandals often, your feet may be dirtier than you think.  I’m guilty of this.  Start by washing your feet in cool water with a yummy smelling soap.  Anti-bacterial soap is a good idea if you have to deal with foot odor.

2)  After you wash your feet, dry them with a soft towel.  Use a callus stone to remove any dry, dead skin.  Buff your feet over a trash can for less icky clean up.
3)  Apply a layer of thick, yummy-scented lotion to your feet.  Let it soak in and moisturize your skin.
4)  Trim your toenails with nail clippers.  Shape the nails with a file.

5)  Paint your nails with your choice of nail polish.  Keep in mind your audience.  Going to the beach?  Headed to church before you take your polish off?  You can go all out with French tips or nail decals.  You can even use vinyl as decals.  Make sure you finish off with a clear coat to help protect from chips and add a shine.  Clean any polish off your skin with a Q-Tip.

Now flaunt your pretty toes!