How to Give Yourself a French Manicure

Looking for a polish job that can take you from day to night, casual to dressy? Consider a french manicure. From daytime denim to evening elegance, the popular white-tipped look will never leave you wondering whether your polish complements your outfit.

Things You'll Need:

·                     Rubbing Alcohol

·                     Nail Brushes

·                     Nail Files

·                     Manicure Scissors

·                     Nail Buffers

·                     Cotton Swabs

·                     Nail Clippers

·                     French Manicure Guides

·                     Nail Polish - Base/Top Coat

·                     Nail Cleaners

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1.      Hit the drugstore or beauty supply center to pick up your tools. Neutral polishes are very pale, sheer shades with a pink, beige or peach cast. Avon offers base/top coats, as well as NailWear Pro French Tip White and Sheer French Pink.

2.      Clip, file and shape your nails. Tend to your cuticles, then wash and dry your nails completely. Apply the base/top coat and let it dry.

3.      Peel off a guide strip and affix it below the tip of a nail, following its natural curve. The guide will allow you to paint an even white tip with ease and precision.

4.      Decide where to place the guide strips based on the length of your nails. In general, the longer the nail, the longer the white tip should be. Make sure that the arch of the guide is smooth and rounded and that the tip lengths are all relatively consistent.

5.      Paint each nail tip white, extending the brush stroke from the top of the guide to the end of the nail. Take care not to get any white polish on the body of the nail below the guide. Let the tips dry.

6.      Remove all the guides. Dissolve leftover adhesive by rubbing it gently with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.

7.      Apply two coats of the neutral polish, letting the first coat dry before the second application. Finish with a thin layer of base/top coat.

Make-up Shelf Life

It's important to know the shelf life of your cosmetics. 

Keep track of how long you've had your beauty products, for two good reasons:
To be sure they are still effective and to assess their possible contamination with bacteria that can cause rashes or infection.


FOUNDATION: up to 2 years 
- Throw out sooner if the pigment has started to change or the consistency becomes clumpy.

LIPSTICK: 1 1/2 to 2 years 
- When the waxes eventually dry out, you'll feel a loss of the slip that makes application easy.

MASCARA: 3 months 
- Because the process of applying involves moving the wand from lashes to bottle and back, the risk of introducing bacteria is high. A new tube every three months is simply sensible eye hygiene.

EYE SHADOW: 3 years 
- If either power or cream varieties exhibit an odor or a color or texture change, discard sooner.

LIP AND EYE PENCILS: 2 years 
- If the pencil starts to stick and get more difficult to use, it's probably dried out. Time to toss it.

BLUSH: 3 years 
- Despite a long shelf life, be alert to changes in color, smell or consistency.

MOISTURIZERS: 3 years 
- Discard them sooner if you start to smell an off odor or the overall texture seems to have changed.

SUN PROTECTION: 2 years When it's time to discard, you'll notice that the product starts to separate and may have an odor.

SELF -TANNERS: 6 months to 1 year 
- Self-tanners take on a funny smell when they're past their prime. They become less effective and you may get a lighter or inconsistent "tan"

FRAGRANCE: 1 to 4 years 
- Perfume fades in 1 to 2 years: Toilet water: 2 to 4 years. Store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.

DEODORANT: 3 years 
- The active ingredients don't last; forever, and once they're inert, the deodorant isn't effective.

NAIL POLISH: 6 months to 4 years 
- The less it's exposed to air and sunlight, the longer it last. Store in the refrigerator.

mark. Foundation

Here's the mark. brand foundations. 

mark. face xpert FLAWLESS TOUCH MAKEUP 
Hide flaws and diffuse light with this lightweight, oil-free, professional-coverage formula. Sponge-tip applicator helps makeup glide on smoothly and mess-free.

mark. Speedway DO EVERYTHING MAKEUP

Hide under-eye circles, cover skin imperfections and even out skin tone with this oil-free, multitasking mini stick that can be used as a concealer or foundation. Special formula goes on like a lightweight cream and dries to a powder finish.






mark. powder buff NATURAL SKIN FOUNDATION

Cover imperfections with this ultrablendable, oil-free, pressed powder foundation that allows buildable sheer-to-full coverage. Compact has built-in mirror and sponge applicator.









mark. get a tint TINTED MOISTURIZER LOTION SPF 15

A lightweight, oil-free moisturizer with just enough color to even out your skin tone and give the appearance of a healthy glow. The unique skin-balancing formula works to hydrate while preventing shine in those spots prone to excess oil.

Tomorrow: Make up/skin care shelf life.

If you like.....You'll Love (fragrances)

There are many frangrances out there at our department store counters that will cost you quite a bit. Here's some helpful info on how AVON fragrances can help you get the scent you want without paying thise prices you don't want!

If you like Calvin Klein Euphoria, then you'll love:  Tomorrow, Avon Extrordinary, Far Away

If you like DKNY Be Delicious, then you'll love: Crystal Aura and Surreal

If you like Christian Dior J' adore, then you'll love: Today, Dreamlife, Sweet Honesty, Rare Pearls, Rare Gold, Candid, Odyssey, Night Magic, Soft Musk

If you like Este Lauder Pleasures, then you'll love: Always, Haiku, Avon Goddess, Avon Shine, Avon Smile, Blue Rush for Her

If you like Sarah Jessica Parker Lovely, then you'll love: Imari, Timeless

If you like Armani Code, then you'll love: Tomorrow For Men, Mezmorize, Black Suede

If you like Armani Acqua di Gio, then you'll love: RPM

If you like Davidoff Cool Water, then you'll love: Derek Jeeter Driven, Blue Rush, Hisstory, Wild Country

If you love Ralph Lauren Polo, then you'll love: Perceive

Remember when buying fragrances Avon hold a 100% money back promise! If you don't like it you can return it for an exchange or refund!

AVON Foundations

I've heard so many times how hard it is to judge the colors of foundations from the brochures, and it is! The color is almost never the same as in the pictures. 

While I can't get a 100% accurate color, I can give you a summary of the finish and coverage for each of the different lines that AVON carries. I will also add a picture of each one so you can get a bit of an idea about the colors.

IDEAL SHADE LIQUID FOUNDATION SPF 10 ALL-PURPOSE

for continuous balance, adds moisture or absorbs oil wherever needed

featherlight medium coverage
natural satin finish

IDEAL SHADE CREAM-TO-POWDER FOUNDATION SPF 15 

ULTIMATE MULTITASKER foundation, concealer and powder in one; mattifies oily, breakout-prone skin

medium-to-full coverage
natural matte powder finish

PERFECT WEAR EXTRALASTING LIQUID FOUNDATION SPF 15

LONG-WEARING
transfer-proof up to 12 hours; built-in primer for smooth, flawless coverage; waterproof
medium-to-full coverage
natural matte finish

BEYOND COLOR LINE SOFTENING MOUSSE FOUNDATION

MOISTURIZING
enriched with vitamins A, C and E for a fresh look all day
light-to-medium coverage
velvet matte finish

BEYOND COLOR SKIN SMOOTHING COMPACT FOUNDATION FIRMING

smoothing formula with vitamin B complex for enhanced radiance
full coverage
natural radiant powder finish

SMOOTH MINERALS FOUNDATION - Loose

GREAT FOR SENSITIVE SKIN 
contains pure mineral pigments; free of talc, oil and fragrance
medium coverage
natural luminous finish

SMOOTH MINERALS PRESSED FOUNDATION

GREAT FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

contains pure mineral pigments; free of talc, oil and fragrance
medium coverage
natural luminous finish

MAGIX CASHMERE FINISH LIQUID FOUNDATION

BANISHES SHINE ALL DAY
look naturally flawless up to 10 hours…with Optix Light-Diffusing technology; SPF 15
light-to-medium coverage
dewy matte finish

HEALTHY MAKEUP LIQUID FOUNDATION SPF 10

SKIN LOOKS MORE RADIANT…EVEN AFTER YOU TAKE OFF YOUR MAKEUP

Skin appears silky smooth, more even-toned and luminous.

Light-to-medium coverage. 

Satin finish.

 

HEALTHY MAKEUP MOUSSE FOUNDATION FEATHERLIGHT FEEL WITH A MATTE VELVET FINISH

Skin looks smooth, fresh and vibrant… and feels moisturized all day.

Instantly improves tone and texture.

Light-to-medium buildable coverage.

Suitable for sensitive skin.

ANEW AGE-TRANSFORMING FOUNDATION SPF 15

ANTI-AGING MAKEUP

Minimizes wrinkles, fine lines and age spots.

Full coverage.

Natural radiant finish.

Hopefully this will help clear up some of the confusion. Of course, you can ask me for samples; and I will do my best to get them for you. And don't forget AVON 100% Love it or Return it Guarantee!

Hello!

This is my first post here, so please be patient with me.

I have used other blogging sites; but I wanted a blog where I could share my love of AVON, and share what I've learned about various products.

I will also be using this blog as a "library" for articles for my email newsletter, so if you have any questions or suggestions please post them.

Talk to you soon!