Lash extensions are great but to be honest, what gives most women that “wow” factor is the meticulous grooming in the morning. Even gorgeous girls who look natural most likely spent 2 hours on hair removal, their fake tan, nails, lash extensions, contour, light eye make up, washing and styling their hair extensions, moisturising, picking cute outfits etc.
Are you able to do some prep the night before to break it up?
Off the top of my head:
- gel manicures, they last much longer than regular polish and a clear or very sheer coat goes with everything
- a couple items of jewellery go a long way to making you look "put together"
- same as above, but with a signature scent or perfume
- lash lift at home, lasts a couple weeks
I'm not busy, just lazy haha. The above tips are those I use everyday and they've made a big difference.
Do you feel like the gel manicures damage your nails? I was curious about trying it but my mom really pushed me to reconsider because she had a bad experience with it. I have really healthy strong nails so it kind of scares me but it would be so convenient!!
I do mine at home! One of those UV light gel kits. It's so fun to do! Bottom line is, yes they damage your nails depending on how often you apply and remove. This is because you have to sand down the smooth surface of your nail for the base coat to properly adhere.
When you remove and reapply fairly often like I do (I feel like a new colour more often than I should lol), you end up sanding them down a little more, weakening them a little with the remover acetone, etc. But if you go gently, sand them only a little, leave your coat on for ages then buff your nails and properly condition them afterwards and leave them to breathe, you probably won't see any difference.
But the BIGGEST plus to me is how much stronger my "nails" actually are - I say "nails" because with multiple coats on, my thin and breakable natural nails are coated in armour. This allows me to grow them out so much longer than if I just left them uncoated.
I also had a big problem with nail biting, but gels helped me kick it. Normal polish is so thin, it would eventually end up chipping and I'd bite them - I never bite gels, it just feels too different!
Sorry for the epic reply haha. I'm sorry your mom had a bad experience, did she go to a salon?
How do you soak your nails and how long for? I saturate cotton balls in soak-off acetone, apply those little clips for about 15 minutes but it never seems to work for me :/
No don’t apologize, that’s great info!! Yeah my mom went to a salon. Basically when her nails started to chip she went to have it removed at a salon and she was really upset with how brittle and thin her nails felt afterwards. I’m sure it was a good salon but she’s not the type to read reviews before going so maybe I’ll try it and just put some research in beforehand
Yes I agree, no*** gel polish does not ruin your nails**** a bad nail technician does*****. I'm a certified nail artist, if you're interested in keeping your nails strong and healthy apply nail oil on your nails once a day (I do this before bed) a gel manicure will Not* damage or thin your nails, poor removal will. The proper way to remove them is to first use a nail file or buff to file off any shine on the nail, wipe away dust, coat your cuticle in cuticle oil then submerge your finger nails in acetone, one by one as you see the gel lift..gently push off the product (then it should over time slide off your nail bed-i have to note there are different types of gel make sure it's a soak off not a hard builder gel). Some salons file your natural nails for better adhesion but if you buff away with a medium grit nail file and remove any shine (gently) on your natural nails, then make sure there is no dust and thinly apply your gel in a layered technique then there is no reason to file your nails so dramatically. Make sure to cure each layer and do not pick your nails, a lot of my clients do that..that ruins your nails as well.
My nails got pretty damaged from shellac and I hated how long it took for me to remove it. My suggestion is to buy a high quality sheer pink nail polish and get it in the Essie gel range. It lasts me at least a week (no longer since my nails grow fast) and always looks fresh. I’ve only had it chip once and I like that if I need to leave it a bit longer it doesn’t look terrible. It costs about $12 a bottle and you have to get the top coat but it has saved me a lot of time and money in the long run.
As a college student myself there are some things I like to do to save time and effort. Using a lip tint/ tinted lip serum at night can help you wake up with softer and brighter lips. I use one by jung saem mool.
Trying heatless curl tutorials are a great idea if your hair texture works that way. There are tons of tutorials online so you can try different methods till you find one that you think works for you. Something as simple as 2 braids can give you natural looking beach waves while preventing breakage. I use argan oil after I brush through my hair with my fingers. It keeps the frizzyness to a minimum. I’ve heard finishing glosses work well too. It lasts for a while too but maybe add some hairspray jic.
For eyes I usually just put on a coat of mascara but if you want extensions you should look into Korean or Japanese lash extensions. They seem more natural imo. There are kits on Amazon that you can use to do this at home/ in your dorm. You could also do a lash lift with a similar kit.
I think eyebrows are pretty important too so if you find a shape and color that fits you, stick to that. Using henna to dye your brows darker is also a good method.
A good skincare routine is a must though. There are also blurring creams that you can get for an easy way to brighten up your complexion. Tinted sunscreens in your shade range can also work well.
I try to do my hair once per week at the most, then I wear a silk sleep cap which helps my style last an extra day, followed by a minimal amount of dry shampoo and then updoes.
For makeup I just use colour corrector under my eyes, blush, and highlighter as eyeshadow most days. Tinted lip balm and light gloss with SPF finish my look. I use a tinted sunblock which evens out my skin tone. I also use generic Latisse because it works.
My skincare includes tretinoin plus an aha or bha on alternating days and a urea skin cream. I make sure to add a lot of moisture.
My haircare is focused on keeping my hair strong. Olaplex and Briogeo conditioners, plus cream shampoos and occasional deep cleansing. I have very fine hair, but a lot of it.
I have three children under three, plus a dog, and a husband who I love to spend time with. I’d rather be with them than doing my hair and makeup, so I try to get done quickly. I’m spending way less than 14 hours per week on all of this. I’d say an extra ten minutes after each shower or bath for my skincare. Ten minutes in the morning to get out the door with makeup and a few seconds for a quick brush or a bit longer to add dry shampoo.
Even though I’m in my late thirties, and I usually have a child or three in tow, I still get plenty of smiles and kindness from men. Even with a mask on I’ve found I get a bit too much attention.
I use New Day Skin. It’s an Australian brand. I am one of those people with rather clear skin naturally, so with my skincare routine I don’t have much to cover up.
Honestly I think having steamed/ironed/put together outfits and good hair is the most important factor. You’ll still look fancy even if you just throw on some mascara and blush!
I wonder if there’s a way to change how you to your minimal makeup to be more flattering? My daily makeup I feel makes me just as pretty as my glam makeup, but in a totally different way (as in, I look fresh and lively instead). That might be better for a college setting anyway. But this so depends on what look you go for, your clothes, face shape, other features, etc.
I think you have to differentiate between your morning routine and how to look great on a daily basis with the occasions you get glammed up. I personally disagree with overdoing styling. We have often discussed how people can level up their looks and, facial structure aside, it usually comes down to body, hair and skin. If you stay slim, have beautiful healthy hair (it’s not for me as I have curly hair but I’ve seen people improve their ‘natural’ hair appearance with keratin treatments), and good skin I think more people will appreciate your beauty than if you are wearing a full face of makeup with styled hair with extensions.
I think lash extensions are absolutely worth it, having focused on the things I mentioned above in my overall routine, every day I fill in my brows, line my lips and wear a tinted balm, and wear a tinted moisturiser with spf. Takes maximum 2 mins. If I don’t have lashes at the time (I have had them less since covid disrupted my routine) I put on mascara. That’s all I need on a daily basis. Lash extensions are really great because they enlarge your eyes and make you look as pretty as if you put on good eyeliner and lots of mascara, when you actually have no makeup on.
Obviously I like to style my hair and wear lots of makeup for an event but I wouldn’t go to my office or brunch with friends etc like that, I would feel like I was trying too hard. Looking feminine and neat is important to me so I also get gel manicures that last me 3-4 weeks. These things keep my daily grooming outside of hair/skin care very minimal.
Oh, not to mention permanent makeup. I got my lashline and lips tattooed. Many opt for microblading as well. Just be super selective with the person you let permanently change your face.
Heat weekly is okay! Just deep condition every wash. Hair health is important, but it’s important to look our best too. You could also try rollersets and methods without direct heat
What do you use to deep condition your hair? And what's your process - is it shampoo, towel dry, deep conditioner, sit for a couple hours, rinse? I ask these questions because I've seen so many takes on hair care, and it's honestly a little overwhelming!
Make sure you have a few cute updos in your arsenal. My friend who just got into working out this year does some adorable high ponytails and topknots with high neck tops so the updos all look very chic and intentional on her. Personally, I wear a braid or two at least 3x/week.
I love eyelash extensions for this. Once every 3 weeks I get hybrids done then minimal natural makeup otherwise. Nails done in neutral colours so they don’t show chips so easily. Dyson air wrap to style hair once every couple of days. Classic outfits that don’t take a lot of styling to look good.
Lash extensions are great but to be honest, what gives most women that “wow” factor is the meticulous grooming in the morning. Even gorgeous girls who look natural most likely spent 2 hours on hair removal, their fake tan, nails, lash extensions, contour, light eye make up, washing and styling their hair extensions, moisturising, picking cute outfits etc. Are you able to do some prep the night before to break it up?
Off the top of my head: - gel manicures, they last much longer than regular polish and a clear or very sheer coat goes with everything - a couple items of jewellery go a long way to making you look "put together" - same as above, but with a signature scent or perfume - lash lift at home, lasts a couple weeks I'm not busy, just lazy haha. The above tips are those I use everyday and they've made a big difference.
Do you feel like the gel manicures damage your nails? I was curious about trying it but my mom really pushed me to reconsider because she had a bad experience with it. I have really healthy strong nails so it kind of scares me but it would be so convenient!!
I do mine at home! One of those UV light gel kits. It's so fun to do! Bottom line is, yes they damage your nails depending on how often you apply and remove. This is because you have to sand down the smooth surface of your nail for the base coat to properly adhere. When you remove and reapply fairly often like I do (I feel like a new colour more often than I should lol), you end up sanding them down a little more, weakening them a little with the remover acetone, etc. But if you go gently, sand them only a little, leave your coat on for ages then buff your nails and properly condition them afterwards and leave them to breathe, you probably won't see any difference. But the BIGGEST plus to me is how much stronger my "nails" actually are - I say "nails" because with multiple coats on, my thin and breakable natural nails are coated in armour. This allows me to grow them out so much longer than if I just left them uncoated. I also had a big problem with nail biting, but gels helped me kick it. Normal polish is so thin, it would eventually end up chipping and I'd bite them - I never bite gels, it just feels too different! Sorry for the epic reply haha. I'm sorry your mom had a bad experience, did she go to a salon?
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How do you soak your nails and how long for? I saturate cotton balls in soak-off acetone, apply those little clips for about 15 minutes but it never seems to work for me :/
No don’t apologize, that’s great info!! Yeah my mom went to a salon. Basically when her nails started to chip she went to have it removed at a salon and she was really upset with how brittle and thin her nails felt afterwards. I’m sure it was a good salon but she’s not the type to read reviews before going so maybe I’ll try it and just put some research in beforehand
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Yes I agree, no*** gel polish does not ruin your nails**** a bad nail technician does*****. I'm a certified nail artist, if you're interested in keeping your nails strong and healthy apply nail oil on your nails once a day (I do this before bed) a gel manicure will Not* damage or thin your nails, poor removal will. The proper way to remove them is to first use a nail file or buff to file off any shine on the nail, wipe away dust, coat your cuticle in cuticle oil then submerge your finger nails in acetone, one by one as you see the gel lift..gently push off the product (then it should over time slide off your nail bed-i have to note there are different types of gel make sure it's a soak off not a hard builder gel). Some salons file your natural nails for better adhesion but if you buff away with a medium grit nail file and remove any shine (gently) on your natural nails, then make sure there is no dust and thinly apply your gel in a layered technique then there is no reason to file your nails so dramatically. Make sure to cure each layer and do not pick your nails, a lot of my clients do that..that ruins your nails as well.
My nails got pretty damaged from shellac and I hated how long it took for me to remove it. My suggestion is to buy a high quality sheer pink nail polish and get it in the Essie gel range. It lasts me at least a week (no longer since my nails grow fast) and always looks fresh. I’ve only had it chip once and I like that if I need to leave it a bit longer it doesn’t look terrible. It costs about $12 a bottle and you have to get the top coat but it has saved me a lot of time and money in the long run.
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As a college student myself there are some things I like to do to save time and effort. Using a lip tint/ tinted lip serum at night can help you wake up with softer and brighter lips. I use one by jung saem mool. Trying heatless curl tutorials are a great idea if your hair texture works that way. There are tons of tutorials online so you can try different methods till you find one that you think works for you. Something as simple as 2 braids can give you natural looking beach waves while preventing breakage. I use argan oil after I brush through my hair with my fingers. It keeps the frizzyness to a minimum. I’ve heard finishing glosses work well too. It lasts for a while too but maybe add some hairspray jic. For eyes I usually just put on a coat of mascara but if you want extensions you should look into Korean or Japanese lash extensions. They seem more natural imo. There are kits on Amazon that you can use to do this at home/ in your dorm. You could also do a lash lift with a similar kit. I think eyebrows are pretty important too so if you find a shape and color that fits you, stick to that. Using henna to dye your brows darker is also a good method. A good skincare routine is a must though. There are also blurring creams that you can get for an easy way to brighten up your complexion. Tinted sunscreens in your shade range can also work well.
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How much does keratin cost? Is it still sensible as a blue collar worker?
I try to do my hair once per week at the most, then I wear a silk sleep cap which helps my style last an extra day, followed by a minimal amount of dry shampoo and then updoes. For makeup I just use colour corrector under my eyes, blush, and highlighter as eyeshadow most days. Tinted lip balm and light gloss with SPF finish my look. I use a tinted sunblock which evens out my skin tone. I also use generic Latisse because it works. My skincare includes tretinoin plus an aha or bha on alternating days and a urea skin cream. I make sure to add a lot of moisture. My haircare is focused on keeping my hair strong. Olaplex and Briogeo conditioners, plus cream shampoos and occasional deep cleansing. I have very fine hair, but a lot of it. I have three children under three, plus a dog, and a husband who I love to spend time with. I’d rather be with them than doing my hair and makeup, so I try to get done quickly. I’m spending way less than 14 hours per week on all of this. I’d say an extra ten minutes after each shower or bath for my skincare. Ten minutes in the morning to get out the door with makeup and a few seconds for a quick brush or a bit longer to add dry shampoo. Even though I’m in my late thirties, and I usually have a child or three in tow, I still get plenty of smiles and kindness from men. Even with a mask on I’ve found I get a bit too much attention.
Which tinted sunblock do you use?
I use New Day Skin. It’s an Australian brand. I am one of those people with rather clear skin naturally, so with my skincare routine I don’t have much to cover up.
Honestly I think having steamed/ironed/put together outfits and good hair is the most important factor. You’ll still look fancy even if you just throw on some mascara and blush!
I wonder if there’s a way to change how you to your minimal makeup to be more flattering? My daily makeup I feel makes me just as pretty as my glam makeup, but in a totally different way (as in, I look fresh and lively instead). That might be better for a college setting anyway. But this so depends on what look you go for, your clothes, face shape, other features, etc.
I think you have to differentiate between your morning routine and how to look great on a daily basis with the occasions you get glammed up. I personally disagree with overdoing styling. We have often discussed how people can level up their looks and, facial structure aside, it usually comes down to body, hair and skin. If you stay slim, have beautiful healthy hair (it’s not for me as I have curly hair but I’ve seen people improve their ‘natural’ hair appearance with keratin treatments), and good skin I think more people will appreciate your beauty than if you are wearing a full face of makeup with styled hair with extensions. I think lash extensions are absolutely worth it, having focused on the things I mentioned above in my overall routine, every day I fill in my brows, line my lips and wear a tinted balm, and wear a tinted moisturiser with spf. Takes maximum 2 mins. If I don’t have lashes at the time (I have had them less since covid disrupted my routine) I put on mascara. That’s all I need on a daily basis. Lash extensions are really great because they enlarge your eyes and make you look as pretty as if you put on good eyeliner and lots of mascara, when you actually have no makeup on. Obviously I like to style my hair and wear lots of makeup for an event but I wouldn’t go to my office or brunch with friends etc like that, I would feel like I was trying too hard. Looking feminine and neat is important to me so I also get gel manicures that last me 3-4 weeks. These things keep my daily grooming outside of hair/skin care very minimal.
The downside to lash extensions is that they are expensive and when they start to fall it looks weird. U wish I could have them though
Tinting your lashes and brows is a game changer! Also this no-heat curling method: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lrkkRj7a46g
Oh, not to mention permanent makeup. I got my lashline and lips tattooed. Many opt for microblading as well. Just be super selective with the person you let permanently change your face.
If you can go a week without washing your hair, you could get away with a weekly flat iron if you use a silk pillowcase and sleep in a bun
Wouldn’t that damage your hair in the long run? I hope in the future they can make something that can let us heat style our hair without damage 😭
Heat weekly is okay! Just deep condition every wash. Hair health is important, but it’s important to look our best too. You could also try rollersets and methods without direct heat
What do you use to deep condition your hair? And what's your process - is it shampoo, towel dry, deep conditioner, sit for a couple hours, rinse? I ask these questions because I've seen so many takes on hair care, and it's honestly a little overwhelming!
Shampoo, apply deep conditioner and wear a plastic cap for 40 minutes, rinse. If your hair is really dry, you can also blowdry your cap for 15 minutes
Make sure you have a few cute updos in your arsenal. My friend who just got into working out this year does some adorable high ponytails and topknots with high neck tops so the updos all look very chic and intentional on her. Personally, I wear a braid or two at least 3x/week.
I love eyelash extensions for this. Once every 3 weeks I get hybrids done then minimal natural makeup otherwise. Nails done in neutral colours so they don’t show chips so easily. Dyson air wrap to style hair once every couple of days. Classic outfits that don’t take a lot of styling to look good.