Gel Manicure

Do you get manicures?  Have you tried a gel (shellac) manicure?


I've been wanting one for a while and it seems like every time I see someone with beautiful shiny nails, they have a gel manicure.


I want a gel manicure!  I want a gel manicure NOW!  (said in my best Veruca Salt voice)

photo source

So I went and got one on Friday.


Because I cook for work and I have OCD when it comes to cleaning my house, my nails are never nice.  Never.  I've only gotten a professional manicure twice and both times they lasted until the end of the day before they started chipping. I kid you not.


So, like I said, I got a gel manicure on Friday.  And I have a couple of things to say.

1. It was supposed to cost $25.
2. I was charged $35 because my hands needed so much work.
3. This kind of irritated me because I only had $37 on me and you know I pay cash for everything because I'm still going all Dave Ramsey.
4. I picked a color out and the manicurist told me a different one would look better.  I let her choose.  She's a professional, so I figured she would know.
5. My nails look awesome.
6. I don't love the color she chose, but I prefer very sheer, barely there colors and this one falls into that category, so it's okay.
7. My nails look awesome.

There's a chance I could have pretty nails for the rest of my life, people!!


I'm totally doing this next time: 

photo source

Ha haaaaa....just kidding.  Holy daggers!


Have you ever had a gel manicure?

Once Upon A Time....

....there was a girl at work named Stephanie.

Stephanie had hair like mine - finely textured (and not in a good way, girls). But she also had hair that stayed-put but didn't look stiff.

So one day, I asked Stephanie what kind of hairspray she used.

And then I held my breath.

Because I was thinking Stephanie was going to tell me she used the La Mer of hairsprays. .



But she didn't!
She didn't tell me she used the La Mer of hairsprays! She told me she used this:


So I tried it!! And I liked it BETTER than what I was currently using:





Then I felt courageous.

I tell you - courage, bubbling out of my every clogged pore.

You see - months later? I ran out of my shampoo:



I had been using the same brand and formula of shampoo and conditioner for 15 years.

And I needed to buy more. And it was gonna cost me $60.

But I didn't have that much money leftover from my puny weekly budget after my pre-scheduled-every-six- weeks haircut and two-process color.

And - Ladies? What's more important? Fresh cut and color or expensive shampoo?



I know.
It's a toughie, isn't it? I'll give you a couple more seconds to think.............................................................................................................................................................................






THE COLOR! It's the COLOR, ladies. Sheesh! GAH!.




So I went to Target and bought some of this:

For about $3.
And I liked it as well as my regular shampoo and conditioner that I'd been using for 15 years!

And I am living happily ever after.
(Except I miss the scent and pretty packaging of the Aveda. I'm not gonna lie. It's all about the packaging, people.)

The End.


What are you using?


PS....update from Liz: Acne Free is her new lov-ah. She's been zit-free for 6 days now. However, it's drying out her skin a little bit.
I bought the Neutrogena acne stuff. I'm going to continue to use it 'til it's gone, but I don't like it as well as the Proactiv. It's working okay, but I like the way the Proactiv makes my skin feel. I'll ask Lynnie what she thinks.....