Next Steps: Ear Stretch 14 gauge to 12 gauge

Hiiii!

So today my package came in with my materials for my next stretch. This time I decided to order from Minky Monky. On most websites, there are not a lot of cute ear plug options out there for anything smaller than 10 gauge. BodyArtforms has really cute 12 gauge plugs but I could not justify spending $15 on something I would only be wearing for a month until my next stretch so I searched around and found Minky Monky and got a simple Surgical Steel Single Flare Flesh tunnel (basically a hollow plug..you can actually see through the hole in my ear) and a CZ ear plug. Simple and cute and only a couple of bucks each.

12g Blue UV Glow in the dark Taper ($1.99)

12g 316L Surgical Steel Single Flare Flesh Tunnel (far left, $1.92)

12g Clear CZ Black Titanium Plated (over steel) Prong Set Plug ($5.40)

For this stretch I followed the same routine as I did in my stretch from 16 gauge to 14 gauge. I noticed there were two things different:

This time I didn't do my stretch after my shower so I just washed the area with Dial soap and did an ear massage for about 5 minutes (that's why my ear looks a little red in some photos). This may have made a difference.

Also, I chose to purchase an acrylic taper because it was cheap and I didn't think it would make a difference because once I use it for the stretch it doesn't stay in my ear at all. I know acrylic is not good for jewelery for a new stretch because the material is porous and can lead to infection but I thought it would be fine to use as a quick taper.

Boy was I wrong! This made ALL THE DIFFERENCE! First, it didn't slide as smooth as a steel taper. I thought it was just because it's a bigger jump of a stretch but no..it literally got stuck in my ear. When I first put it in, it was just fine..I felt the normal sting and it was good until about halfway there. This thing would NOT budge. I didn't want to force it so I was about to give up and go back to 14 gauge. I just let it sit in my ear for a bit and tried again and it still would not move. I took it out and wanted to see if my steel flesh tunnel would go in at all. I wanted to get a feel for how much I was able to stretch it at all with the acrylic taper. Wouldn't you know my steel flesh tunnel slid right in..no pain no nothing! Hmmmm? I can only chalk it up to this cheap ass taper. It may glow in the dark (who cares?) but it surely did not taper anything. Lesson learned!

Aint it cute? xoxo t.marie

Product Rave: Bodycology Body Cream and Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer

Hi all! So I spotted these products in the travel section at Walmart when I was looking for a new hand cream to leave in my purse. I stumbled upon gold! I loooveeeee these lotions sooo much!

They are so thick and moisturizing and smell awesome. They definitely kept my hands crack and ash free during winter. The slogan is "lasting moisture with a light fragrance" and it describes this product perfectly! They retail for about $1.97 for a 2 ounce tube. You can purchase the large sizes of these lotions in the spa section of Wamart, but I prefer the convenience of the small tubes and I also like to switch up my smells.

My favorite scent is Coconut Lime. It smells like the beach or tropical island and reminds me of margaritas. I've tried Cucumber Melon, Cherry Blossom, and Sweet Petals and haven't found a smelly one yet! I always get compliments from people after I put on the lotion because they smell so yummy!

This is the only hand cream that I continue to buy over and over again. Normally, I will buy a travel tube of regular lotion and lose it part way or get bored with it! This will definitely be a staple product and must have in my purse. The only problem is that a lot of times they are sold out or the choices are limited. So now I make a habit to pass by the travel section whenever I am in Walmart and just stock up on them because they go fast!

As for the hand sanitizer I was looking for a new sanitizer that had a fragrance. I am impressed at how these sanitizers actually moisturize your skin. It must be because it contains aloe vera, even though it is alcohol based. It's a very different feeling than your typical alcohol based sanitizer that dries out your skin.

Overall, I love love love this! Check it out!

Dupe Alert: M by Mariah Eau de Parfum Spray

So I received the M by Mariah perfume set YEEAARRRSSSSS ago and have barely made a dent in the bottle. I do wear it often but perfume just seems to take forever to use up! I got the 3.3 fluid ounce bottle, the Shimmering Powder brush (silver shimmering powder w/ the same scent), and the 3.4 ounce Body Lotion as a Christmas present. My Dad bought it on the military base, so it was discounted but I do not remember the price. A quick scan online and it seems that the 3.3 ounce bottle alone retails for about $35 to $60 (didn't look at shipping costs).

About 6 months ago I was on the hunt for a few different body sprays (not perfumes) because I wanted something a bit more light. I headed to Bath and Body Works and picked up a few of the travel size sprays because I wanted something I could keep in my purse or my car or wherever. Toting around a glass container of perfume (let along a huge 3.3 ounce glass bottle with a giant glass butterfly as a cap) is just not happening! The travel sized sprays are in a plastic container and are great!

One of the Fragrance Mists (formerly knows as Body Splashes), Black Amethyst, smelled familiar but I couldn't put my finger on it. Fast forward several months and it finally dawned on me! Black Amethyst and M by Mariah smell the same! Ha ha! The difference? M by Mariah can cost up to $60. The 3 ounce travel sized Black Amethyst is FIVE BUCKS! Oh, and I also got it on the buy 3 for $10 deal so it was even cheaper! You decide!

xoxo t.marie

Next Steps: Ear Stretch 16 gauge to 14 gauge

Hi all!

As I showed you in one of my last entries, I'm stretching my second hole. Well, today I stretched to 14 gauge and it's so cute!

First things first..I waited about 3 weeks between putting 16 gauge in to stretching to 14 gauge. I got my products from Bodyartforms. I also sanitized my jewelry (the taper, plugs, and o-rings) by soaking it in boiling water and alcohol for about 15 minutes. While my jewelry was soaking, I removed my 16 gauge jewelry and soaped up my ear with the dial soap and rinsed thoroughly with water. I then took a shower and while in the shower I massaged my ear to allow more blood to flow to the ear and maximized circulation (supposedly, this makes the stretch easier). After my shower I rinsed the jewelry with clean water and washed my hands again. I then put a drop of the jojoba oil on my finger and spread it across the taper. I slowly pushed the taper through my ear and it went in smoothly until about the last third of the way. Then I felt a slight tingle (but no resistance!) and continued to slowly push through.

THIS SHOULD NOT HURT YOU! If it hurts, stop, and put your other jewelry back in and wait because your ear is not ready. You should only feel a slight tingle or burning sensation..NO RIPPING, TEARING, TUGGING!

I then let the taper sit for about a minute. I placed the end of my o-ring onto my plug (the star) and then pushed the steel plug through the front of my ear ear while simultaneously removing the taper out of the back end of my ear. I then placed my circle o-ring on the backside of my ear to hold the plug in place and voila! I am now stretched to 14 gauge! I do not feel any major soreness, but I do feel a slight tingle still in my ear. I will be sure to rotate the plug and do my Dial soap washes. So far so good!

When I get to larger gauges there is much cuter jewelry available but for now I will settle for a simple steel plug (which is probably healthiest for my ear anyway) and just jazz it up with different o-rings. I got them in black, red, glitter charcoal, cobalt, flowers, etc and they were super cheap!

STEEL Stretching kit ($7.00) which comes with a taper and two ear plugs.

Dial Antibacterial Soap ($2?) Jojoba Oil ($7 from Sally Beauty)

Right Ear: 14g steel ear plug ($7.00 kit) w/ black silicone star o-ring ($0.50) and top cartilage

Close Up: 14g steel ear plug with black silicone star o-ring

Left Ear: Two 2mm cubic zirconia earrings ($8 pair) and One 3mm Pink Opal Silver earring ($19 pair) in middle cartilage, both from Overstock.com

See...I'm definitely going to keep it girly!

xoxo t.marie

Your are doing WHAT to your ears?!

Hoollaaa!

Sooo, when I was fresh out of high school and in college I had a number of piercings that I adored. Fast forward to age 21 and I decided to take most of them out. Fast forward to having a baby and I decided that even more should come out. Fast forward three years and I'm bored and am looking for a change and creative outlook. I already have fun with my hair, nails, and makeup. So how about I play with my ears?! Lol..

Okay for reals. I am 'gauging' my second hole in my right ear. I have three lower lobe holes in each ear but I RARELY wear anything but earrings in my first hole that I've had since I was a baby. I decided to switch that up. I got a few 2mm (think baby earrings) cubic zirconia earrings that I plan to wear in my left ear holes and I only plan to wear two (inlcuding the stretched hole) in my right ear . Oh yeah, I also have my middle cartilage done on my left ear and the top cartilage done on my top right ear. Confusing? Eh! You will see pics along the way..

I did my research on ear tapering and don't plan on skipping any sizes as I stretch, especially because I rarely ever used my second hole. I'm using all stainless steel products which I purchased from Bodyartforms. I got my Dial soap ready for cleanings along with my salt soaks. If you have questions on ear stretching please do your research because I am NO PROFESSIONAL nor am I promoting a how to guide on how to do this!

I also do NOT plan on stretching very far..maybe an 8 gauge or a 6 gauge. I still want to have very feminine and girly ears. I also don't want to go too far because supposedly the point of 'no return' is about 0 gauge or 00 gauge.

So I am currently at a 16 gauge and have a small eyebrow ring in there now. I just ordered my 14 gauge stuff and plan on 'jazzing it up' with a star or flower o-ring (again..pics will be coming as I go through this!)

So..here is my first pic...ta daaaa! See my third hole. I don't plan on wearing anything in there but on my other ear I will.

ta ta for now! xoxo t.marie

NOTD: Spring Fling!

I was feeling very SPRINGY when I chose these colors. I wanted to do something fun and different. I absolutely adore spring florals, peaches, greens, blues, and pastels! I loooveee it! This look is best when you use polishes of the same family (ie, these are both cream polishes). Keep metallics with metallics, shimmers with shimmers, etc. although a pop of glitter on the ring finger may be cute

FYI: I did my toes in the powder blue color!

PS.I know they aren't perfectly polished but oh well!

PRODUCTS USED:

Nail Magic as a basecoat

Sinful Colors in Innocent ($1.99 from Walgreens)

Eva Supreme nail lacquer in Powder Blue (I think I got this for 99 cents at Walmart!)

Seche Vite Fast Dry Topcoat

LOTD: Purple Champagne

Hi guys!

I meant to post this a loonnnggg time ago but I've been lazy. I really love love love how this look came out. It came out a golden purple look that was awesome! Enjoy!

PRODUCTS USED:

FACE:

Neutrogena Oil Free Moisturizing Face Lotion

MAC Matte as a primer

MAC MSF Natural in Dark

ELF HD Finishing Powder

EYES:

Two Faced Shadow Insurance as Primer

NYX Jumbo Pencil in Purple as a Base (This is a blueish purple)

Loreal Hip Metallic Shadow Duo in Sculpted (light pinky color all over lid; dark purple in the outer v)

Ben Nye Lumiere Grande Color in Luxor (my fav Ben Nye shadow; a quick sweep all over lid to make the color pop and outer lower lash line)

NYX eyeshadow in Eggplant in crease

MAC loose pigment in Rose Gold on lower inner corner lash line

Sonia Kashuk Enhanced Eye Shadow in Burnished (metallic taupe on brow bone)

NYX eyeshadow in Champagne as highlight

Maybelline Line Stiletto eyeliner in Black

Maybelline Volum Express Mascara in Black

CHEEKS:

NYX Pressed Blush in Raisin (mauve)

NYC Bronzer in Terracotta Tan

LIPS:

NYX Jumbo Lip Pencil in Pecan

NYX Round Lipgloss in Real Nude

NOTD: Ode to Theta Nu Xi!

Hello!

These nails were inspired by my lovely sorority, Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. Check us out at www.thetanuxi.org or www.fsuthetawomen.com if you are in the Tallahassee area.

PRODUCTS USED:

Nail Magic as a Base Coat

Confetti brand nail polish in Belle of the Ball as a base color (lavender)

China Glaze crackle glaze in Crushed Candy (Think For Aubrey as a crackle)

Seche Vite dry fast top coat

(Photo taken without flash)

xoxo t.marie

NOTD: Barbie on Crack!

Nail of the Day! Nail of the Day!

Hola,

So I got the China Glaze Crackle polish collection and have been playing around with them. They are nail polishes that you layer on top of a base color and they create a 'cracked' effect. I have all six colors so expect to see future nail of the day photos!

As for the polishes, so far, so good! They aren't extremely difficult to work with, but I am still toying around with color combinations and the application. This is my first time wearing it and this week I decided to go with a black and hot pink look.

Excuse the crappy pic and sorry about the chipping on the index finger. I should have taken it as soon as I finished my manicure but this pic was taken a few days in. Oh well!

PRODUCTS USED:

Nail Magic Nail Hardener as a Base (my secret weapon!)

Milani Nail Lacquer NEON in 507 Pink Hottie (two coats dried completely)

China Glaze Crackle glaze in Black Mesh

China Glaze Fast Forward Top Coat (I like this and am running out. I'm starting to have to scrape out the product which means the application isn't a smooth as I'd like. The polish would come out a lot better with a fresh bottle!)

Back to Black...errr Blue!

Hi lovies!

I decided to switch up my hair color. I've been cutting my own hair for the past couple of months and felt liking spicing up the color routine from the typical dark dark brown. I've put color in my hair in the past and I normally keep it dark. I didn't want it to be boring or one dimensional so I decided on a lovely BLUE BLACK. It's pretty much black but there is a slight tint of blue, more so in the sun. It's work friendly but still fun. I did my research and this is what I ended up with:

All products were purchased at Sally Beauty. I have a Beauty Rewards card so I received a discounted price on all items. I also had a 15% reward coupon that I used. I used a 1:1 ratio for color to developer and left it on for about 25 min. I then rinsed until the water was clear and then conditioned. Left the conditioner on for about 5 minutes, rinsed and then blow dried.

Hair Color:

Ion Color Brilliance Intensive Shine Demi Permanent Creme Hair Color in Blue Black, 2.5 oz tube $3.99 (I used almost two tubes, about 4.5 oz)

Ion Sensitive Scalp Developer, Volume 10, 8 oz bottle on sale for $1.99. Normally the 4oz is the same price (4.5 oz of developer used as well)

Manic Panic After Midnight Blue, $8.49 (this is an extreme dye that typically works best on pre-lightened or bleached hair. Most people will get a bright navy blue color. I didn't lighten my hair at all and just wanted a subtle blueness on my bangs and tips)

Hair Supplies:

X-Large Clear Mixing Bowl by Sally Beauty, on sale for $1.99

Two Clear Tint Brushes by Salley, $.99 each

Hair Care Products:

Ion Color Solutions Color Defense Shampoo, $5.39 -- I haven't used this yet so I have no clue if it's an okay product or not!

Ion Color Solutions Deep Daily Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair, 100% Vegan - Paraben Free, $8.49 -- This stuff is very think and lux. but is still easy to comb through. I like it A LOT!

Okkkaaayyy...so this is what I started with:

(Pretty dark, but kind of Mary Jane boring!)

And this is how it ended!

(This is pre-flat iron. All I did was blow dry and then I took this pic)

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Overall, I really like this color and probably will re-use most of these products. Since it's a demi-permanent it will not last as long as a true permanent so touch ups will be needed to maintain it. I was really impressed that the Ion color had no smell and is ammonia free. It didn't dry my hair out at all, and left it very soft and with great shine. For a hair dye, I found it to be gentler than most. It's a creme so there was no dripping and the product was easily smoothed onto my hair with the tint brush.

The Manic Panic was disappointing because I thought that it was at least show up a tiny bit! I sectioned off my bangs and alternated the Manic Panic and Ion color for this area. Then after every section I put Manic Panic on the tips. I really wanted the blue to hit more in those areas but not have me looking like a giant smurf with blue all over my head. Well, it didn't show up at all! Once again, it's because this product is designed to be used on pre-lightened hair and my hair was pretty dark. In the future I may lighted a few layers on the bottom and throw this on to see how it looks, but I'm in no rush.

Happy Hair Coloring!