FREE GIVEAWAYS! - ColorMeSoCrazy: Make Me Pretty Giveaways

ColorMeSoCrazy: Make Me Pretty Giveaways: **All photos are provided by giveaway owners. All credit is given to them. **  Today is make my Pretty Giveaways!! You get a compr...

While surfing on this awesome new blog, looking at the pretty Easter Bunny nail art, I noticed a TON of GIVEAWAYS and I know y'all love that! 

Estee Lauder! Tarte Cosmetics! So much! Go have some fun!

http://colormesocrazy.blogspot.com/2015/04/make-me-pretty-giveaways.html

All About That Base.. Coat

Top of the morning to y'all. I take it that if you've read this far, you're pretty interested in dazzling those digits. Polish on, polish off. Let me teach you the way..

The first polish you're going to put on your nail is the base coat. Think of this as your paint primer. Even if you're wearing fake nails, you will get professional quality results when you use a base coat. 

Although the main goal of a base coat is to lay down an even, adhesive-like quality on the nail for polish and take the crown for first line of defense against chipping and bad manicures, base coats do different things. Examples like strengthen the nail, double as a top coat, prevent staining of the nail and of course, moisturizing. It's almost kind of funny how every part of us needs constant moisturizing.. Yet when I think about Winters in the desert I get it. Nails need moisture too. Also, fast-drying nail polish dries up nails. Take your time figuring out what kind of base you need. Read about the products yet don't be fooled by advertising techniques. Unless a polish says to not use a base coat, use one. Gels don't have base coat.

After your nails are clean, start with a base coat. The color polish will stick to your nail easier, your nails will have some protection from the damage and staining effects of nail polish all while giving that nice, canvas-like, even texture.

Base coats usually are clear, sheer or sometimes white. I've included white polish as a base coat due to its ability to bring out colors and make them pop. It doesn't substitute a base coat, yet could be used over before your desired color to really enhance it. Ridge-filling base coats (great for uneven, natural nails) are thicker than regular base coats. They work harder to smooth out the nail.

After the base coat dries, which is usually quick, apply white or your nail color of choice. Step one is done.

Why Men Should Polish Their Nails

Polish It Up, Fellas..

Why you shouldn't have fear..
· Long hair amongst men is common as well as hair coloring. Men with gray hair often seek to cover it for a more youthful, natural appearance. Unfortunately, a lot of jobs discriminate based on age.
· Earrings and other piercings on men are common as well now.
· There are plenty of skin care products for men. Some men shave daily, some multiple times a day and some men don't shave and opt for facial hair. We also have different methods for shaving. This requires different kinds of shaving creams, gels, aftershaves and lotions.
· Cologne! Or man perfume! Everyone likes when we smell good.
· Nail polish actually has been around for thousands of years (in different formulations), however it originally was for royalty or the rich. It didn't matter what gender as long as you had money. In effect, men have always been wearing nail polish. So don't be afraid. You can always wear it with your friends on weekends or at parties! Have fun!

In hindsight, which is said to always be 20/20, I think my attraction to nail polish and nail art stemmed from the look of it under a spotlight, giving a new style and a new avenue for me and my many characters. I had male friends who got manicures (usually the standard male manicure) and some who polished their own nails. Only part of that demographic, a handful, is gay. Society tends to think that when men "spend too much time in the mirror", have long hair, put on a little bronzer or fake tanner or look too nice.. They're metrosexual or gay. Really they want to look good. Or they're rockstars. I've only lived in the world's biggest, most industry dominated cities.. Los Angeles and New York, so please excuse me if I'm not up to date on what hot trend Westboro is protesting now. 

Also, men want to have good hygiene and taking care of one's nails are a huge part of that. A lot of men get a clear coat to protect the natural nail while having a classy shine. Almost like a spit-shine on a pair of fancy, black shoes. Just like women have fashion models, so do men. Check out any fitness magazine, GQ, Rolling Stone, N.Y. Times Men's Fashion and Christian Grey. It's not uncommon for a man to tell his barber or hairdresser that he wants a certain actor's look or telling his personal trainer he wants a body closer to some athlete's physique. Men enjoy the confidence of knowing that they look good, that they are at the top of their game and that they are taking care of themselves and spending time on themselves. Care like this that produces endorphins and creative release raises confidence and self esteem.

Nail polish on men is only going to "look girly" if you do "girly" styles. Yes, if a man is wearing nails with kittens painted on to match his prom date bff, it could look feminine. Yet if he has a metallic color with a black stripe like Steven Tyler, or a matte top coat, it will obviously have a masculine look. The same goes for "guyliner" and piercings, tattoos and long hair. Men can rock it! The nail is your canvas. If you mess up, you can always start again.

Nail polish dates back to 3,000 B.C. It has been used on royalty, certain colors for certain classes, to protect the nail and for men and women. A person's clan or tribe might have all wore the same design.

Some men do want to look feminine, and there's nothing wrong with that and nail polish helps them to express and achieve this femininity. Of course in this instance, it's best to look at trends and shades most popular with women. Some of these trends can include gel polish, tips and acrylics which are usually done in a nail salon and usually last longer. However, with the right tools and resources, one can learn how to do this.

Welcome to my workshop! All these photos are my own. I hope you enjoy my blog and the adventures we share together. The photos are of my current manicure, my nail table, and my war paint and nail art. I hope you enjoy and see you soon!

Drew