How to paint your nails yourself, and make it last 10+ days!

I love all things spa, including mani-pedis, but in this tight economy, not all of us can afford to keep up with regular nail appointments. I've painted my nails myself off and on but always did it the lazy way with just one or two coats of polish and no base or top coat. Without fail, I have chips within days (thanks to doing the dishes!), but I finally tried things the right way, and it worked!

I'm going to skip over all of the cutting, filing, cuticle oil, buffing stuff because it's nice to do but some of us just don't have tons of time to spare. Here's what I've been doing that has gotten me nearly 2 weeks of chipless nails without the cost of a manicure:

• Start out with a clear base coat (I use Sally Hansen Maximum Growth as base & top coat for good shine AND nail strengthening qualities), apply one coat to nails and also lightly cover tip of nails (do this with every coat, it helps prevent those tip chips!) Let dry completely. At this point I'll catch up on some e-mails  or something, it'll dry fast.
• Using a fairly NEW nail color (I'm in love with Sephora by OPI in Metro Chic!), apply one coat to nails again also covering the tips. Let dry completely. I sometimes will do these 2 steps in the AM then finish up at lunch or the end of the day, just to make absolutely sure the first 2 coats are dry and because I don't have time to sit around and watch my nails dry! =)
• Apply a second coat of nail color, again covering tips, and allow to dry.
• Apply a clear top coat (I will again use Sally Hansen Maximum Growth), cover tips once more. Once dry, voila! You have a pretty new manicure that will last! Clean up any goofs with a q-tip dipped in acetone.

Let me know if these tips work for you!

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Another Note on Olay Products...

I've had the pleasure of testing out two different Olay Products recently (a moisturizer & a serum), as you can read below in my blog. I submitted my feedback to Glamour for both products after using them for a week or so and had definitely noticed results in both cases. We were given full-size products to test, so I've continued to use them both in conjunction for probably about a month now and I'm IN LOVE! I can't tell you how many people have told me recently that I look different! A lot of people can't peg quite what it is that's different, but a few have said my skin looks radiant, that I look younger, someone asked if I had botox even (which I haven't and may not need to now)! I can see and feel the difference even more so than I could at the 1-week point and I am now going to be an Olay addict for life! I have spent countless amounts of money on high end skincare products, many of which I have liked and bought repeatedly, but I have never had results close to this, especially for so little money! My next mission is to try out one of their facial cleansers and eye creams once my current products run out. I'll keep you all posted! Have a glamorous Halloween! ~J

I'm a new fan of Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum!

Get results in just 5 days! Check out Glamalert.com to see what myself and my fellow Glambassadors had to say about Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum. Great results at a great price! After my 2 recent Olay test drives, I must say I'm an Olay convert, no more expensive skin care products for me! Click the picture below to see more!

Amazing Discounts from Beyond the Rack

Check out Beyond the Rack for great sales and discounts on clothing, accessories, home goods and more! Click on the picture for your personal invitation to join this exclusive site!

Happy Birthday Jetsetter! Get $25 for joining!

It's Jetsetter's 1st Birthday! This week only, get $25 just for joining this exclusive travel discount website! Happy Birthday Jetsetter!!

Click the picture to join now!

My Dooney & Bourke prize has arrived!!

Look what I came home to today!! The Large Grommet Sac from the new Dooney & Bourke Portofino Collection! Thanks Glamour!!

Glambassador New Balance Test Drive

Several of us Glambassadors recently tried out New Balance TrueBalance toning shoes and I was chosen to be featured on the Glamalert site with my feedback and pics! Click below to check it out!

Here's a private invitation to join Shop it to Me! I love this site! You can set up customized email alerts at whatever frequency you want that will tell you when the brands you like in your size are on sale, it's awesome! Click the pic for more details!

Have an event coming up that you need invitations for? Try Paperless Post, it's so much classier looking than evite and really simple to use!

Lookbook for Lauren by Ralph Lauren Handbags

Check out this lookbook for Lauren by Ralph Lauren Handbags! Gorgeous!

Check out my Olay Total Effects Testimonial on Glamalert.com!

As part of my awesome gig as a Glambassador for Glamour Magazine, I often get to test drive new beauty products and this past month I was able to try Olay Total Effects Anti-Aging Moisturizer. My picture and testimonial were selected to be posted on Glamour's website, Glamalert.com...check it out!

Have a fab weekend everyone!!

TGIF! When I get free time on the weekends, which is rare, I always like to dream up new vacation ideas...many of which I'll probably never actually be able to do (like the overwater bungalows in Moorea & Tahiti!) I have been lucky enough to visit Greece, Jamaica and the Mayan Riviera as well as several domestic vacation spots, but I'm curious, what has been YOUR favorite vacation and why? What is your dream vacation and who would you want there with you?

Here's a pic I took in Jamaica in 2006 =)

I won a Dooney & Bourke Bag!! YES!

As part of my awesome Glambassador gig, we are occasionally asked to post things on FB, Twitter, blogs, etc such as this announcement below about the new Dooney & Bourke Portofino collection for fall. In return, Glamour will select Glambassadors (in this case 4 of us) to win things (in this case a D&B bag)...and guess what?! I WON! Sweet! I'll post a pic once I receive it! Love and Glamour to you all!