"Make it Last Forever!" The Basic Steps to Making YOUR Nail Polish LAST!

When it comes to doing my own nails, I know it's a love/hate relationship! As a faithful customer at my local nail salon, two years ago I decided to give up the acrylics and work on growing my natural nails. It has been quite the process to say the least, but my nails are finally getting back to their healthy ways.

One thing I have experimented with, now that I am growing my own nails, is polishing them myself. For years I was lazy and wanted to have the salon paint them, but I quickly realized how much money I was saving by painting them myself.

I work a lot, mainly in retail and as a cheerleading coach, so I am constantly using my hands. Often my nail polish would chip after JUST painting them the night before, or even in the same day! How annoying! I know we all have had this problem...

But don't worry!

I have found a very simple (and basic) method to keep the polish from chipping, at least it works for me!

1. Invest in Quality Brand Polish!
Ok, so this is as simple as it reads. I know how tempting it is to buy the $1 polish at your local Wal-Mart because well, it's only a dollar! However, you do get what you pay for! A lot of times, "cheap brands" tend to chip within the first day of even applying it on your nails (and that's no matter how many coats you paint on it!). Also, the colors in cheap polishes sometimes tend to be extremely pale and more difficult to see on your actual nail than how it appears in the bottle.

A particular brand that can be rather pricy, but definitely worth the money, is OPI Polish. I have been an avid buyer of their polishes for quite some time and have not experienced any problems. These polishes are also what (most) nail salons use when painting your nails. On average, they run about $8 per bottle. Sometimes, you can find them in sets (coming in two per pack) for discounted prices.

Another brand I have yet to try is Essie. I recently bought a polish by them today, but haven't used it. I've heard nothing but good reviews. However, one thing I've noticed is their polish bottles are a little smaller in size, but still as expensive. :/ Wah.

Now however, just because you spend a little extra money for the brand name, doesn't mean that a cheaper polish will not work at all. SOME cheap polishes I have used actually lasted me for more than a week's time, this can easily be done by applying a little more coating than suggested in the later steps! :)

2. When Painting Your Nails, Use a Base Coat First!
This goes for ANY kind of polish, cheap or expensive! One mistake I made when first painting my nails myself is not applying a base coat! Base coats help prevent staining from the polish onto your real nails, and it also helps speed up the process when removing your polish with remover. You only need to apply ONE coat of this on your nails. 

Pictured to the right is the base coat I currently use. It is the Magnetico Adhesive Base Coat by Borghese. I found this at TJ Maxx in their cosmetics section for about $4.

You don't need to wait on the base coat to dry, it usually dries within three-five minutes of you applying it.

3. Now It's Time to Paint Your Nails!
Now here comes the fun part, actually painting your nails and applying the color. Usually what I do is apply ONE coat of polish onto each nail to start off. Then go over each nail with about two more coats, three all together. I would usually apply AT LEAST three coats, no more than four. You don't want it to look like paste on your nails! 

4. DRY TIME!
Next it's time to let the color sit in and dry. Dry time may vary depending if you have a nail dryer (which can be found at local beauty supply stores, or super stores), or if you let them air dry (which is what I usually do). If you're air drying, let your nails dry for at least 10 - 15 minutes before touching them to see if they're wet. 

5. Apply the Shine :)
Last, but certainly not least, apply your clear coat. This is where you can go the cheap route and buy a clear finishing coat for a low price. I use Sally Hansen's Finishing Top Coat. I usually apply at least two coats of this just to be safe, but this is up to you. Once your finishing coat is applied, apply step four and let your nails dry. The dry time will probably decrease because this is just for the clear coat. 

Enjoy, and I hope this might solve a little bit of the problems those of you may have with making your polish last. 

How I Became the #StyleEnvy of Everyone Today!

Why hello my fabulous blabbies!
I know things have been crazy and THE Blabbermouth page has gone on a temporary hiatus, but we are back and rolling again! What a fun few weeks this has been, and I cannot wait to BLAB all about it to you!

Hmmm... Where do I even begin? Lol!

These past few weeks, my sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, has been hard at work preparing down to the final moments of the annual "Live From The Pink Carpet" Fashion Show Fundraiser. This event is ALWAYS a success and is held at the Ritz Charles in Carmel, Ind. It is held by the Alpha Mu Omega chapter (Indianapolis, Ind).

This year, I was asked to be the fashion correspondent...

...And what an experience it was! A fun one! 

The show was held this past Saturday, on September 7th. While most of you were snoozing the day away, I was up and on the road to Carmel by 7:30 this morning.

The make-up process for me began at 8:30 am with the beautiful ladies representing Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. This was my first time ever using Bobbi Brown products on my skin, I am usually a MAC kind of girl. However, I must say, I was MORE THAN pleased with the "after" results. Even though Bobbi Brown can be quite pricy, then again, GOOD make-up should be (you do get what you pay for), it is worth every single penny! Here is a photo to show you:

Excuse my early morning duck lips in this picture! Haha! 
Anyway...
I fell in love with the Bobbi Brown products today simply because the make-up looks flawless, for one, and for two, it looks extremely natural (and I mean natural as in letting my features do the talking rather than my make-up color tone shades)! I was once told, "The secret to wearing make-up is to make it look like you aren't really wearing any." 
I'm all for accenting the natural features in my face (as stated before), as well as using "naked" color palettes for my eye-shadows.
The foundation/concealer used on me in this photo is "Warm Almond".
My lips have a naturally darker shade than the casual pink on most people. My make-up artist chose to go with a darker lipstick, almost like a "Scarlet" tone. It's definitely darker than what I'm used to wearing, but it definitely worked out!

My hair appointment followed quickly at 10 am. My hair was curled and styled by Fantastic Sam's Hair Salon (there are several locations in Indiana, but the one that did my hair is located on 10th & Shadeland Avenue). Yes, I am wearing a weave (Brazilian), however, my natural hair is exposed on the top and bottom layers.

Now let's get on with the show!

I had a GREAT time interviewing attendees and models at this year's #LiveFromThePinkCarpet event. Attendees got to strut their stuff along the pink carpet, and have the opportunity to get an exclusive interview (by me) showcasing their outfits! A fun time...  

This is taken from my Instagram, before the start of my festivities began! I personally want to thank Danielle, from Fresh Fettle Fashion Events for styling me!

This dress is from "Betsy & Adam", this brand can be found at Macy's. Its retail value is $170. Even though the price is a little uncomfortable for most recent college graduates, like myself, the dress alone is an EXTREMELY comfortable fit!

Since my sorority's colors are pink and green, this dress was absolutely perfect for the occasion.

Thank you Macy's, and thank you Fresh Fettle for helping swag it out on the pink carpet this morning!

Last, but certainly not least, I wanted to thank my sorors from the Alpha Mu Omega chapter for having me as their fashion correspondent. It was a great show, and be on the lookout for #PinkCarpet2014 next year!

Here are a few pictures from the event today, enjoy, and leave comments! XO!

Alia

Soror Mali and I. Soror Mali was a HUGE help!
She was basically my camera woman for the morning! She is awesome!

Me interviewing attendees and sorors, talking about their different
outfits and what they hope to see at this year's fashion show

These HEELS Are Made For Working!

... and that's just what they'll do!

This day in age, it's all about the perfect shoe. Yes, the shoe. The shoe is ALWAYS the key to the outfit, at least it should be. It's that factor that makes your outfit POP.

But what about your heels in the workplace?

This day and age, us ladies are all about style, and what is trendy. However, when it comes to being a career woman, how high is too high of a heel?

Pulling your shoes off the shelf to go with your attire for your next morning interview, do you reach for the heels you wore last night to the club? Or do you pick something else? Hmmmm....
 

"That's Too High!"

So you reached for the heels you wore to the club last night. That tall, skyscraping, bright colored heel that's about 6", right? WRONG! In an article I read from, the new professional blog, while most offices do not state a particular heel size requirement, usually, anything above 4" is considered "inappropriate" for the office.

Heels send out various messages in the setting you're wearing them. While the bright colored 6" pump signifies you're a trendsetter and you want others attention, it is not necessarily the best fit for the workplace. You'll be attracting attention, but not the kind you're looking for.

While this heel represents a night on the town, it also represents unprofessional, unqualified and not ready for a position in the office. While avoiding heels that are above 4", definitely avoid pumps with embellishments! While you want the employer to notice you for skills and work ethic, you do NOT want your rhinestones, buckles, ruffles, flashing lights, whatever it is, to steal the show!

However, if you just can't let go of the high heel... I would suggest a slightly chunky heel? However, in my opinion, I also agree with anything being over 4" as "too high" for a workplace heel.

Pick Your Poison

Caphillstyle.com

In all honesty, the "style" of your heel really depends on the environment you're working in. For example, if your job is with a fashion magazine, of course you want your heels to reflect your style and personality. However, if you're working in a company's corporate office, you might want your choice of heel to be a little more modest.

Most of women in this generation, especially myself, dread the words "kitten heels". Honestly, I avoid them at all lengths possible. If I were the creator of the dress code, they would be banned, but that's just me.

Don't worry ladies! Kitten heels are NOT mandatory.
If you're not much of a heel wearer, then they might be the perfect fit for you. However, most heel queens, should stay around the 3" - 4" range to maintain professionalism, anything higher gets the thumbs up for "after hours".

When it comes to choosing your heels for work, I have heard the phrase from managers alike:
"If you have to question if it's good enough for the workplace... Don't wear it".

"Perfect!"
So you changed your mind and decided to go for something else? GOOD CHOICE!

For most employers, this particular heel is perfect for the workplace. It's modest color (usually blacks, tans/nudes) doesn't say too much, or it's texture (it's recommended by professionals to stick with a leather/patent leather texture), and it's size (4" or less) says just enough.

I attended a "How to Dress for the Job" seminar a year or so ago, and another point brought up was whether the heel should be open or closed toe for your interview.

I know it's summertime ladies, and it's hot. I love this type of style, and it kills me to say it, but...

WE MUST STAY AWAY FROM OPEN-TOED HEELS!!!!!

This may be something we could possibly get away with once we land the job, but it definitely is not going to fly for the interview. Showing your toes resemble "personal" to some employers, and are mostly considered "unprofessional" for the office.

What do you think? Do you think the "higher the heel, the better"? BLAB it to us!

Hello Mr. Nice Watch!

Ace Hood

Now we all know every rapper loves his gold chains, his iced out jewelry, and in rapper, Ace Hood's case... nice watches!

The DJ Khaled label rapper was all about flashing the gold and showcasing the diamonds all on his expensive Rolex watch until...

THE DIAMOND FACE FELL OFF!

You read correctly, the diamond face of his Rolex watch fell apart on the red carpet of the BET Awards. Just in case you missed it, we have you covered.. Take a look.

How embarrassing! I must admit, I give him props for trying to actually PIECE IT BACK TOGETHER! Ace seemed quite embarrassed himself.

For it to happen right then at that moment, I was like, 'You could have had this happen anywhere else. I just performed. I just ripped down the stage, everything. But you chose to let it be there, that's how I know the Devil be working.

Really Ace? I wouldn't necessarily blame the Devil for this... I'd be blaming your jeweler.

And that he did.

According to an article from tlcnaptown.com, the high-end rapper fired his jeweler. Poor guy.

Looks like Ace doesn't need to be waking up in a new Bugatti anytime soon, more like in a real jewelry store. *sigh*

But don't worry, Ace Hood isn't the only celebrity with bad moments. We have five celebrities who can easily share his pain of embarrassing stories. Enjoy!

1. Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence's ball gown by Christian Dior was definitely on the "Best Dressed" list during this year's Oscars. Before accepting her award for "Best Actress", she tripped, and face planted on to the stairs! Yikes!

2. Ashlee Simpson

Who can forget the infamous lip-syncing incident on Saturday Night Live which was pretty much the most memorable moment of Simpson's career! The singer gets caught lip-syncing when the wrong track plays and begins to do this awkward hoedown dance before sadly exiting the stage. EMBARRASSING!

Fergie

3. Fergie

Black Eyed Peas front woman, Fergie, literally had a performance so good it made her pee her pants! Literally! Yuck!

4. Justin Bieber

Beliebe it or not! Justin Bieber had his fans, and myself, totally grossed out while throwing up in the middle of singing on stage at a show in Phoenix! According to an article I read, Bieber blamed the accident on milk. Guess milk doesn't do the body so good after all?

Sofia Vergara

5. Sofia Vergara

Actress, Sofia Vergara literally bursts at the seams out of her gown at the Emmy Awards! Vergara is bootylicious, showing off her cheeky assets after the zipper busted on the right! Yikes!

Thought, comments, BLAB it to us!

Bringing Up Old News: Amber Rose and Kanye West

Hello Blabbies!

Amber Rose

We're pulling the stitches out of an old wound... 

That wound is the former relationship of Amber Rose and Kanye West. 

Now we all remember the couple when they first were an item. Walking around in their leather jeggings and Jordan's, holding hands and the infamous tongue kissing picture.

But... What has life been like for life after AmbYe? (Yes, I just made that up). 

After rolling around YouTube during breaktime, I came across an interview that Amber Rose did with famous blogger (one of my entertainment news faves) Necole Bitchie. This was uploaded in January 2012, and it kind of gave me a new perception of Amber. Not that I ever disliked her, but it made me like her a lot more than I did. 

Necole Bitchie & Amber Rose

Rose (who is now dating rapper, Wiz Khalifa - love them together by the way) brought up some interesting points that I felt should be shared. Rose claims that Kim Kardashian (his new girlfriend and baby's mother) is the reason their relationship ended. Though Rose shows no hard feelings (because she has clearly moved on), she mentioned something that I feel women, celebrities or not, need to hear. 

Kanye West and Amber Rose

Don't blame the other woman, when the man does you wrong.

PREACH IT AMBER!!! PREACH ON!!!

What satisfaction are you getting by blaming the other woman when your man was equally responsible for doing you wrong and cheating? There is none.

No explanation needed for that.

And Rose brought up another thing, forgiveness...

I forgave him. I moved on. I'm past all that.

You can spend your life being miserable and blaming everyone for a relationship that went sour, or you can pick yourself up, forgive the other party and keep it moving. Being the "bigger person" is something we all need to learn how to do. Not only in relationships, but in life... period.

And my last point, letting a man define you...

Kanye didn't make me, my mother & father made me. Kanye had other girlfriends before me, no one gave them the attention that I got because of ME, it's ME.

SAY THAT! A man should never be the reason you are relevant, or the reason you "exist" to others. Amber Rose was Amber Rose BEFORE she met Kanye. Though he may have given her more of a shove into the CENTER of the public eye, she was doing her thing before (I seen her in a few music videos before Kanye was even in the picture, officially).

I thought this interview basically gave Amber the chance to open up about the "behind the scenes" of the infamous Kanye and Amber relationship that we heard LITTLE of. We don't know what goes on when the cameras are off, or when the stage lights dim. Like Necole Bitchie said, what we see is the glamorous side of it all. All we see is front row at the fashion show, and hopping on and off private jets.

I hope my lady blabbies took something away from this post when it comes to relationships.
1) Putting the other woman on blast, hating her, blaming her when your man is EQUALLY responsible... does nothing.
2) Learn to let go of hard feelings, and forgive. I don't know what some of you have been through, but putting hate in your heart will eventually consume you, and eat you alive. Nothing wrong with forgiving... People let us down in life everyday, that is just the way it is.
3) Don't let anyone, a man in this case, define who you are. You were somebody before you met them, you'll be somebody after them. Period.

Thanks Amber!

Woah Baby: The Top 10 Worst Baby Names!

Kanye West & Kim Kardashian

North, South, East, and West.

To you they sound like directions, but to Kanye and Kim, it's a possible name for a baby.

Sources from numerous entertainment news sites indicated that the happy couple named their newest addition, North West.

*pause*

Yeah, I know, I had to re-read that myself when I read it.

This is kind of confusing to me because I retweeted a tweet by from MTV on Twitter two days ago saying the couple decided on a name, and it wasn't North.

The name I read was Kaidence Donda (Donda is West's mother's name who died in 2007).

Anywho, while North West, sounds more like location than uniqueness, this inspired us to make a list of our Top 10 Worst Celebrity Baby Names (no particular order because they are all equally terrible)... Enjoy!

1. Apple Martin - Daughter of actress, Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay singer, Chris Martin.
I've heard ridiculous names before, but naming your daughter after a fruit?

2. Blue Ivy Carter - Daughter of singer, Beyonce' Knowles and rapper, Jay-Z (Sean Carter)
I love Jay and Bey as a couple, and was excited to hear of their expecting of baby Blue. However, I was not too thrilled about the name. Blue Ivy? Sheesh.

3. Pilot Inspektor Lee - Son of actor, Jason Lee
No explanation needed.

4. Blue Angel Evans - Daughter of U2 guitarist, David "The Edge" Evans
What is going on with the trend "Blue" in these baby names?

5. Moxie Crimefighter Jillette - Daughter of 1/2 of the magician team Penn & Teller
Why on Earth is her middle name Crimefrighter? *scratches head*

6. Tu Morrow - Daughter of actor, Rob Morrow
Get it? Tu Morrow = Tomorrow. Real funny Rob, I see what you did there.

7. Seven Sirius Benjamin - Son of singer, Erykah Badu and rapper, Andre' 3000
I remember first hearing about his name back when he was first born, and I thought it was crazy then. I still think it's crazy now.

8. Jermajesty Jackson - Son of singer and brother of Michael Jackson, Jermaine Jackson
I still laugh out loud every time I hear this name. His friends and family are not real for letting him name his child that.

9. Satchel Farrow - Son of actress, Mia Farrow and director/actor/author, Woody Allen
Satchel legally goes by the name of Ronan now.

10. Fifi Trixibelle, Peaches Honeyblossom, and Little Pixie Gedolf - Daughters of Irish musician, Sir Bob Geldof
In an interview, Gedolf said his daughters referred to him as "an embarrassment"... Wonder why that is.

Heard any whacky baby names lately? BLAB it to us!

Cooking With Controversy by Paula Deen

Seems like Paula Deen is cooking up a recipe for racism.

Paula Deen

Has anybody read the article??

According to several articles I've read on this situation, cook show host, Paula Deen, is apparently an open racist. She has admitted to allegations of her freely using the "n-word" in jokes, and in open conversation at her restaurant in Savannah, GA.

She and her brother, Bubba, even admit to referring to President Obama as the "n-word".

But wait... there's more.

For a Southern wedding she is planning, Deen has even entertained the thought of hiring African-American males and females to serve as waiters/waitresses!

Deen got the idea from a restaurant, her quote:
“The whole entire waiter staff was middle-aged black men, and they had on beautiful white jackets with a black bow tie. I mean, it was really impressive. That restaurant represented a certain era in America… after the Civil War, during the Civil War, before the Civil War… It was not only black men, it was black women… I would say they were slaves.”

ARE YOU SERIOUS PAULA?! Seems like she has the perfect ingredients to her recipe for ridiculousness ya'll!

And to think, there are actually people in the world who think racism doesn't exist.

Thoughts? Comments? BLAB it to us!