Tag: DIY

3 different ways to apply glitter nail polish

You might have encountered two issues while applying glitter nail paint – Firstly, sometimes you want a lot of glitter coverage but too many layers can make your nail look too thick and take a while to dry. And secondly, when you use the brush to apply the glitter polish, the glitter often gets wiped off and you are left with bald patches and uneven coverage. Fret not, though. Janelle Estep has got you covered for both these issues. Yes, you can fix these issues with different tools and application techniques. Take a look at these 3 different ways to apply glitter nail polish with higher coverage and faster drying results.

Brush

The conventional way to apply glitter is by using the nail paint brush, of course. Simply dunk the brush in the bottle, wipe it off from the inner neck of the nail paint bottle and then quickly scoop up the glitter bits while the clear base drips down the neck. Now you just need to apply the glitter to your nails and that’s it.

This way you can get more glitter on the brush without the extra thick clear base.

Makeup Sponge

Makeup sponge can be used to apply nail paint as well. Apply glitter polish to the sponge (no need to worry about excess base) and just dab on to your nails.

The down side is that you can get glitter on your surrounding skin but that can be taken off with the nail polish remover, once you’re done.

The nice thing about using the makeup sponge is that you can get more glitter coverage and since the base is absorbed by the sponges, the layers will not get overly thick.

Q-tips

It’s easier to apply glitter with Q-tips than a sponge and if you don’t have sponge at home, you will definitely have this. Just deposit some glitter polish to the Q-tip and by using the dabbing motion, apply the glitter on to your nails.

This method helps a lot because you get more control over the Q-tip while applying glitter.

The disadvantage of using a Q-tip is that you may get stray fibres on your nails but you can remove those with your fingers or tweezers.

P.S.- You can also use a toothpick as well instead of Q-tips but that’s a more time-consuming process.

January 20, 2016
DIY: 30 second ponytail hack

Ladies, your lipstick will help you get a thicker ponytail… ughhh, actually the lid of your lipstick. Make your ponytail look thicker and perkier in just 30 seconds or less. Check out this simple DIY ponytail hack by YouTuber Kayley Melissa which works wonders for your hair.

This DIY ponytail hack helps you during those hectic and busy days when you choose to tie your hair in a ponytail and work throughout the day because this holds your ponytail all day long.

How to do that?

Start by sweeping your hair into a ponytail at whatever height you like and secure it with a hair-tie.

Now, it’s time to use your magic weapon (okay, we know it’s just a lipstick lid).

Split your hair in half, stick the lid into your ponytail and let your hair down. This will make your ponytail look wider and little bit bouncy at the same time. (*wink*)

And, that’s it!

Few tips to keep in mind:

Make sure your hair-tie is loose enough to accommodate the width of the lipstick lid (or whatever you are sticking in your ponytail) because otherwise you will not be able to wedge it into your ponytail.

If you want to adjust your ponytail, make sure to hold the lid against your head while you do so because if you don’t, then the elastic might get underneath the lid and cause it to fall out.

This is optional but if you want to tie a piece of hair around the base of your ponytail, bobby pin it off to the side instead of pinning it underneath the elastic. This way the bobby pin would not get in the way of the lid and will hold the end of your hair in place.

January 18, 2016
8 safe and simple ways to detox your body

Feeling lethargic or disoriented? Struggling with skin problems, aches and pains, or digestive problems? Not able to lose weight? It might be the right time for a body detox. Keep reading to identify some safe and simple ways to detox your body and why it is needed.

Detoxification is all about cleaning and nourishing your body from the inside. By removing and eliminating toxins and feeding your body with healthy nutrients; detoxification helps build immunity to fight diseases and renew your ability to maintain optimum health. Basically, detoxification means cleaning the blood. This is done by removing impurities from the blood in the liver where toxins are processed for elimination.

Why detox?

Detoxification offers many health benefits like improving digestion, promoting intestinal system, increasing energy levels and nutrient absorption. Detoxification is required for vitality and rejuvenation. You should cleanseyour body to build immunity, treat diseases and prevent future problems. Detoxification is also helpful for weight loss because the body stores toxins in fat cells, although this is not the primary purpose. When you cleanse your body these toxins are more easily released from their fat stores and your body starts ridding itself of excess and unnecessary fat.

Studies say that everyone should detox at least once a year but you can cleanse your body daily with these diet tips and lifestyle practices. After cleansing you will feel more organised, more creative, more productive, more relaxed and more focused and clear.

Eat right

You may start by adding food to your diet that help detox naturally. Eat plenty of fibre including brown rice and organically-grown fresh fruits and vegetables. High in liquid-content, fruits are very easy to digest, full of nutrients and help the body wash out toxins. Add raw veggies to your diet as the digestive enzymes are very beneficial in the natural detox process.

Garlic also has the magical power to kick out toxins from your body. This little food item is one of the best detoxing food available all over the world. It helps stimulate the liver into producing detoxification enzymes that help filter toxic residue from the digestive system.

Cleanse and protect the liver by drinking green tea. Not only is green tea full of antioxidants but it hydrates your body (especially if it’s herbal) and fills you up as well. The added bonus is that you will be less likely to overeat or eat the wrong things.

Vitamin C helps the body produce glutathione, a liver compound that drives away toxins. In particular, things like oranges, lemons, and lime aid the body in flushing out toxins and jump-starting the digestive tract with enzymatic processes. Lemon juice aids the liver in its cleansing process too.

Drink water

Drink plenty of water in a day, say 6 litres of water minimum because we all know human body consists of 72% water. Try starting each morning with a glass of warm water with a few drops of lemon into it. It will not only help in the detoxification process but also cheer up your mood.

Breathe more often

If you’re interested in detoxing, here’s why breathing matters. Deep breathing charges your lymphatic system by increasing oxygen levels and helps in absorbing vitamins and nutrients. Even though breathing is an automatic process, most of us make less use of this amazing built-in detox system of the human body.

Sweat it out

There’s nothing more detoxing than sweating it out, thus go for sauna bath so that your body can eliminate waste through perspiration. You can also practice hydrotherapy by taking a hot shower for five minutes and allowing the water to run on your back, an added bonus in the detox process.

It’s proven that people who exercise regularly have far fewer total toxins in their systems. It promotes the detoxification process giving all systems of the body a boost. As you exercise, the blood circulates throughout the body, bringing nutrients to all the organs and muscles.

Featured image Source:

January 15, 2016
DIY: water marble mug

Don’t want to use your boring white coffee mug? Let’s add some colourful water colour texture to it. Watch this DIY tutorial and learn how to make your own water marble mug. Not only is this a great present, it’s very simple and affordable to make.

You will need: a big empty bowl, toothpick, paper towel, some nail paints and of course, a white ceramic mug.

Take a look at the steps below:

Fill the bowl with room temperature water, add nail polish to it and let it spread out. Use a toothpick to swirl the colour around.

Dip the mug into the water for 3 to 5 seconds and take it out. Pat dry the mug carefully with paper towel and let it sit for at least two hours.

Voila! you’re done.

January 14, 2016
How to get rid of dark circles

No matter what you do, those pesky bags keep popping up – uninvited! We know for a fact that many of you have experienced dark circles under your eyes. They don’t only make you look lethargic and ill but are even harder to get rid of. There are many factors that cause this skin discolouration, some of which are unavoidable such as age or illness. However, there are many ways to prevent them. If you are tired of looking tired, read on to identify what could be causing these dark circles and how to get rid of them!

Source

1) Treat your allergies

Discolouration of skin under the eyes is commonly caused by allergies and the only solution to get rid of dark circles is to find out the reasons behind the allergies and removing the allergen. If you are struggling to work out the root of your problem, don’t hesitate to get an appointment with a dermatologist to access what could be causing your allergic reaction. Seasonal allergy problems such as the hay fever can frequently be effectively treated with over-the-counter and prescribed medication.

2) Invest in a good eye cream

Selecting an eye cream can be confusing especially when there are so many options to choose from. Avoid creams containing a lot of harsh chemicals and look for products which contain retinol and vitamin K because these two magical ingredients have been proven to reduce dark circles considerably. Creams containing them reduce puffiness and discolouration significantly. Please note that their effects can only be noticed in the long term.

3) Reduce salt intake

Excessive salt causes the body to retain water in unusual places and this can result in puffiness under the eyes. Too much salt can also cause the blood vessels under the skin to appear bluer and you may suffer from fluid retention which is a major cause of dark circles under the eyes. Eat a good range of fruit and vegetables, stick to the freshest you can find and try cutting down on raw salt from your diet. Also, drink a lot of water; It is the simplest and best way to get overall good health and appearance. Vitamin deficiencies play havoc with our skin and dark circles can be caused by a lack of vitamin K or B12, so less salt and more water.

4) De-stress yourself

Stress is also one of the reasons for the reappearance of dark circles. Knock off all the sources of stress and anxiety that are preventing you from sleeping, eating and resting properly. Yoga or meditation, if practiced regularly, also helps in calming your mind, body and soul. Pick up any activity to soothe your mind and choose anything you want to do like reading, cooking, dancing or working out. Relaxing enough will help the skin beneath your eyes to improve as you feel less stressed and more at ease.

5) Homemade spa treatment

Spare some time for your eyes in the morning before getting ready. Cut cucumber slices or soak green tea bags in water, cool it down by placing it in the refrigerator for a while and place them over your eyes. The tannin in tea reduces discolouration, and the cucumber reduces puffiness. Use this remedy on a regular basis to see considerable difference.

6) Get your beauty sleep

Last but certainly not the least, get a sound and good night sleep, daily. It’s not entirely clear why inadequate sleep results in dark circles under the eyes but lack of sleep tends to cause the skin to become pale which results in appearance of darkness under the eyes. It’s also believed that lying down on the bed for less time is a cause in itself. So, it is advisable to take minimum 8 hours sleep everyday. Also, remove all your makeup before going to bed. Insufficient sleep causes your eyes look tired and puffier.

January 13, 2016
How to curl your hair without heat

Ladies, we know that there’s nothing that looks better than a head of bouncy curls but struggling with curling rods and iron plates, damaging our hair in the process? Uhhh…. No. Many women don’t feel comfortable with the curling irons and other hot tools because of their adverse effects on hair. And yes, it is scientifically proven that heating machines do havoc to your hair. But then the question remains: how to curl your hair without heat?

There are multiple ways to get beautiful curls without heat, no matter what your hair type is and they’re ideal for a lazy evening before bed so you can wake up with curly hair the next morning. Now you can make tight curls, voluminous curls, beachy waves or lazy waves on your own without burning yourself. We’ve rounded up some amazing and effortless video tutorials by Luxy Hair about heatless curls or waves, so you don’t have to spend much on those curling rods and flat irons because these techniques are better when you actually see them in action.

Watch these videos and learn how to curl your hair without heat.

January 7, 2016
How to do a pull-through braid

Girls, if you have flat tresses then this hair tutorial is what you need. This technique allows you to fake the look of a braid without weaving a single strand, hence giving it the name pull-through braid. This braid makes your hair appear voluminous and fuller. At first you might find this braid looking like a regular 3-strand braid but it has a unique twist. It comes across as complicated, at first, but it’s actually very easy to do and you can master it in just one attempt.

This braid is appropriate for a family dinner, a day-out with your girlfriends and for your office meetings as well. So if you can tie your hair in a ponytail then you can definitely achieve this look in less than 3 minutes and leave your friends surprised and awestruck.

Watch this hair tutorial by MakeupWearables Hairstyles and learn how to do this fancy pony-braid hairstyle.

September 23, 2015
DIY: Colour Stain nail art

Try this fabulous colour stain nail art at home using your old nail paints and be ready to flaunt your nails in style. Take a look at this video to find out how.

You will need: Plain white nail paint, two coloured nail paints of your choice & a top coat paint.

Take a look at the steps:

Start off by applying two coats of white nail paint on to your nails.

Let it dry completely.

Now take any coloured paint and before applying it on to your nails, wipe off all the paint from the brush like this.

Gently apply these stain-like strokes to your nails and repeat the step with another colour.

Apply top coat to finish.

September 22, 2015
DIY: How to fold a pocket square

Here’s a quick tutorial that would help you in completing your dapper look with these simple yet awesome ways to fold a pocket square! Take a look!

Here are the three ways to fold your pocket square

#1 Straight fold

#2 Poof fold

#3 One point fold

September 18, 2015
How to dry your nails in a New York minute

There are no two ways about the fact that women love to multitask. Getting two or more things done at the same time gives them a sense of accomplishment and rightly so. However, slowing down is something they don’t like even for very important things like waiting for their nail paint to dry. The important thing to understand here is that while your beautiful manicure will make you stand out in a good way, your smudged nails will surely grab some unwanted attention.

Flapping your hands sometimes becomes really irritating and annoying. So, avoid that little irritation with these tips that will help you dry your nails at a quicker pace. There’s no need to sit around and wait anymore, here are 5 ways that will help you dry your nails in a New York minute by cutepolish.

September 2, 2015
DIY: Turn your plain white canvas into wall art

Have a plain white painting canvas sitting at home? Here’s how you can turn it into a piece of art for your plain wall at home.

Things you need: Plain white canvas, a pair of scissors or a paper cutter, a brush, mod podge and an empty tissue paper rolls

Take the paper roll and press it firmly to flatten it. Now cut the paper roll into small strips like shown in the picture.

You will see them forming a leaf-like shape.

Start placing the cut-outs on the canvas in any layout according to your preference. Once you’re happy with the layout start gluing it.

Let it sit for 15 minutes and you’re done

July 22, 2015
DIY: Get soft curls in 5 minutes!

No woman can ever go wrong with untied hair with any kind of an outfit! And believe us, it is the simplest kind of hair style that has ever existed (provided you style yourself well)!

If you are running late to work or a dinner date with your significant other and can’t figure out how to do your hair at such short notice, try out this quick hair tutorial that is not just simple & effortless but it goes perfectly with every look especially when you are on a time crunch (since it only takes 5 minutes!).

Take a look at the steps below:

*Start off by combing your hair so that its perfectly untangled

*Tie your hair in a high ponytail

*Take little sections from your ponytail and start curling them using your curling rod

*After curling all your hair, use some hair spray to keep the curls intact

*Now, untie your hair and run your fingers through your hair to add more volume

*And you’re done!

Images sourced from Source1 and Source2

July 17, 2015
DIY: Clean your makeup brushes at home with this simple hack!

Tired of buying new makeup brushes again and again. Use this simple hack to wash your makeup brushes at home and save that money for other makeup products.

Things you need: Dirty makeup brushes, two plain bowls, baby oil, mild soap and some tissues.

Step 1: Fill one bowl with lukewarm water and the other with water kept at room temperature

Step 2: Pour two pumps of the hand wash soap into lukewarm water

Step 3: Add a few drops of baby oil to it

Step 4: Take the makeup brush and immerse it into the mix

Step 5: Move the brush in circular motion to clean them. Make sure that all the product is out of the brush (change the water, if required)

Step 6: Dip the brush into the other bowl with clean water once you feel they are absolutely clean. Wiggle to get the residue out.

Step 7: Squeeze out all the excess water from the brush and dab it on the tissue.

Repeat the process to clean all the brushes. Let them dry for at least an hour.

Voila! your brushes are now ready to use!

July 16, 2015
Essential wine hacks for everyone who loves vino more than people

Wine is a way of life for most people, especially for us! And although we love what every drop of vino does to our senses, we have to admit that it isn’t the easiest of beverages to consume. Not only is it difficult to open without the right tools at hand, it doesn’t even come with an obvious printed expiration date. Here are a few wine hacks that’ll help you drink it right. Thank you Appliance City UK!

1) It is possible to open wine without a corkscrew only recommended when one isn’t available around you!

There are many ways to open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew like with a nail and a plier, a shoe and your house keys. Try these hacks with the utmost care and only use them when there isn’t a corkscrew around.

2) It is possible to enhance the taste of your cheap wine

Add chunks of pineapple to your wine to enhance its sweetness. You may also add your favourite berries to it.

3) Chill your favourite bottle of white in less than five minutes

Wrap your bottle of wine in a frozen towel or immerse it in a bucket full of salt and ice.

Need more wine hacks?

Check out this info-graphic by Appliance City UK and impress your guests.

Banner and featured images source1 and source2

All GIFs sourced from www.giphy.com

July 14, 2015
One minute styling hack: make your ponytail appear longer

Want to add more volume to your ponytail? Try this small hack that makes a big difference. Take a look

This easy hack takes less than a minute to execute and makes a huge difference to your overall look.

July 10, 2015