So if you follow my Weekly Palette Challenge then you know this week I’m on my dupe for the Naked Palette, which is the Natural Palette. For the palette information and swatches, click HERE. Anyway, I was out running errand today so I only got to snap a quick picture but man am I loving this palette! Worth so much more than I paid. Also, YES I am looking much tanner. New face tanner review coming soon!!!! Here’s the first look at how well it works!

This was pre-lipstick!

I get asked ALL the time ” You change your nail polish every time I turn around, how can your nails possibly look so healthy!?” These are my steps to not having my nails fall off and keeping natural nails looking healthy.

Do moisturize when you use anti-bacterials: I am big on germs. I don’t like not cleansing my hands pretty often, but sometimes you just can’t. I love my Bath & Body Works anti-bacterial hand lotion. It keeps my hands moisturized unlike alcohol versions. I throw it in my purse and don’t think twice.

Don’t fear cuticle remover: Now, to inform you from the beginning, it is very VERY rare I ever trim my cuticles. I usually only do that when they are severely damaged. Maybe once a year. I am against it because I don’t think its sanitary plus it tends to be bad for my nails. ANYWAYS! I love my cuticle remover. I get a huge bottle of it from Sally’s Beauty Supply and use it when my cuticles start looking a bit ragged. It softens, removes, and moisturizes.

This is my current favorite, and yes, its huge.

Do use nail oil: This is an awesome nail moisturizer and it will keep not just your nails but also your cuticles moisturized. I buy multiple types and switch them out. I like variety. You can also use regular olive oil, which I often do while traveling. Another option is rubbing petroleum jelly into nails before bed. They will be wonderfully moisturized when you awaken.

Hands down my favorite vaseline. Smells good too.

A few oils, not a fan of the Nutra Nail. Love my HaKen one (middle) which is $3.99 and I have it in Peach from Sally’s Beauty Supply.

Don’t file your nails into submission: These are the basics, but they’re still very important. DON’T SAW BACK AND FORTH! File in one direction until your nails are shaped to your liking. If you notice splitting or peeling, take care of it before you continue filing.  Use a nail file correct for the job. Have multiple types, thicker for filing down large amounts and I really like my crystal/glass files for day to day

A random assortment, I have around 50 billion laying around my house.

Do trim them when the time comes: Don’t try to keep your nails long because they’re pretty. Eventually, all beautiful nails become ragged and need to be trimmed. Don’t fight it, just remember they grow back.

Don’t abuse your cuticles: When you push back your cuticles, it should NOT hurt. They need to be healthy, not damaged. If your cuticles are sensitive, start out with a rubber tipped pusher.

Do recognize a problem: Know what your normal nails are like. Are they ridged? Do you get white spots easily? Are they often discolored? Get on a one-on-one basis with your nails so you can recognize an issue.

Don’t overestimate your nails: If you have weak nails, use a hardener. Have discolored nails, use a brightener. Nails that simply don’t grow, use a growth treatment. I switch between all of these and more. These are a part of my drugstore collection. My favorite right now is my Sally Hansen Hard As Wraps with Acrylic Gel and Nylon.

Do know the facts about acetone: This is my opinion. A lot of people say acetone removers are too harsh, but I disagree. If you have stubborn nail polish (glitter, flakes, jeweled) then this is a miracle worker. As long as I moisturize and care for my nails as usual, I have absolutely no issues.

This is an off-the-top-of-my-head list, I’m sure there will be more. I know I have more tips and tricks I’m coming up with for manicures so stay tuned!

Okay, you know that rush you get when you get a new product? Ahhhh. Well how about when you don’t like it? Boo. Normally, I return makeup fails, but sometimes you just can’t. So what do you do with them? Throw away money on them? Leave them in a drawer to never see the light of day again? Give them away to someone else to deal with? Well, here’s what I did:

So here is how I have fixed this! I bought this off Amazon (see below) and was so excited I got to work ASAP! First, I went through my collection. I grabbed colors I didn’t care about, inconveniently packaged colors (ULTA I’m looking at you for putting nice colors in random sets without lids), duplicates, and colors with some kind of issue with the way it was made like it was too dry, too soft, or cracking. Next, I decided on what colors I thought would look good together and divided them up into groups. For instance, I had like 8 different types of blacks that were basically the same shade (OH ULTA!) and grouped those. Then I took so-so colors and added something special to them. Then I got out my sifter. I put the colors i wanted to mix in there and sifted it until it was mixed through and super fine. It usually took 2 sifts. It took awhile to do them all, but it had a great effect. Colors that had been unusable before practically became pigment jars. Here are the products I ended up with from left to right in my case:

So what do you guys think? Do you do anything like this?

So I requested some samples of these bars, curious to see how much I liked them. We travel a lot and sometimes its hard to do that with fresh fruit, especially in the desert heat. So last night I ate pretty unhealthy (mmmm nachos) so I thought this morning would be a wonderful time to try these little babies. They have two ingredients: apple and one other fruit. That’s it, thus the name That’s It. , so I was really excited to throw it into my bag while I ran errands. So far, absolutely loving them, I know I will be buying more. They are vegan, kosher, gluten free, and have a low glycemic index. Honestly, that stuff is awesome, but my main concern was getting in my fruit servings, 100 calories, and 3 grams of fiber. Pretty impressive. The first one I tried this morning and the second as my afternoon snack. Ah-mazing. Nice and soft which I appreciate because then I didn’t have crumbs all over my car. It tasted like the soft apple rings with pear (or apricot or cherry) and I can now officially say I am indeed addicted. Check them out online at www.thatsitfruit.com . Have any of you tried these???

Left to Right: Sinful Colors in Pink Forever, Why Not, & Innocent. Covergirl Boundless Color in White Night.

Marbeling with my tools I recently got off Amazon. See link below.

Here is the way I organize my casual/long necklaces, how do you organize yours?

I bought this at Walmart. It hangs over the door so I can see everything and nothing gets tangled.

I use these little containers (purchased at Walmart or Target) to store my delicate necklaces when I travel. You can also use pill containers, but I find they don’t fit many of my pendants and they tend to open in my bag when I travel.

Here it is, my Tube Lip Gloss Collection! From Lancome to Victorias Secret (AND MORE!)

VS Beauty Rush, Bath & Body Works, Philosophy, Sephora.

ELF Lip Shine, L’oreal Top Coat, Jack Black, Wet n Wild, Iman.

Lancome Juicy Tubes.

 Please let me know if you would like to see any swatches of these or reviews of any line! There are more which are not included: Bath & Body Works Minty Lip Shines, glosses that are in misc. travel bags/purses, and some more from Sephora. Are you as addicted to these as me? Please link me or let me know if you are posting your collection, I’d love to see it!