This year I’m trying something a bit different. I will match each look with something RA-related. I am not sure I can for every single color but I will try my darn-dest!
For the first day, I went with a simple ombre red with some sort of abstract design. Yes, specific, aren’t I?? This look represents every single blood draw I sit through for my Rheumatoid Arthritis. Techs prick me at least twice a month, sometimes more. They are so consistent that the vein in my left arm is permanently inflamed. You know how after you exercise your veins pop out and you feel “pumped”. That’s what the vein on my inner elbow looks like all the time.
Funny story: My blood has bled these four shades before depending on my health and hydration levels…Have you experienced the same thing?
Anyways, check out the Inlinkz below to see all the other cool designs and don’t forget to use the social media tag: #31dc2017!
Wow, how time flies…It feels like just yesterday I participated in the last 31 day challenge!
This is arguably the biggest challenge of the year. Nail artists across the globe participate and share their gorgeous looks on blogs, Instagram and Twitter. Use the nail art social media hashtag: #31dc2017 to ensure everyone sees your designs!
Every day in September we tackle a open-ended prompt and create looks to our heart’s content. Of course, in true Monica with RA fashion, I stick to primarily arthritis friendly looks because that is a lot of small motor function for a month!
Here is the badge I will use on my blog but there are four more here. Save it, share it, use it and participate! The more the merrier, always!
I am attempting a more vlog-style video and this is my first one. I would like to do weekly videos showcasing my Rheumatoid Arthritis and my beauty hobby!
In this first video, I talk about Prednisone and review the skincare products I use to repair hyper pigmentation in my skin. I hope you enjoy!!
…Ever wonder why I disclose when I am on a higher dose of steroid? Here it is. It is a seriously effective drug which reduces inflammation in the body within days but it comes with massive side effects. I can blame almost every symptom I have on Prednisone and I usually do!
Maybelline is one of the large, global makeup brands we all talk about but few people actually use more than one or two cult products from the line. It has just so many products standing in front of the display can be overwhelming but, below, I review a few of my all time favorite Maybelline products. And, of course, because it’s me, this makeup look is arthritis-friendly, fast and easy to apply.
Maybelline is one of the top drugstore/high street brands in the world so it has endless resources to follow trends, create catchy new products and market them properly. It can be overwhelming and confusing but more products mean more chances for everyone to find something they like, at a reasonable price.
I, like so many others, have limited time to get ready in the mornings. I don’t want to use multiple products with lots of brushes. I just want a few that create an easy, chic makeup look that stays put no matter what.
Cue Maybelline.
Its long-lasting products do just that. Once they set, they don’t budge. I don’t worry about shadow fading or mascara flaking, which is one less headache on my list.
For my everyday makeup look, I only use one brush (that comes with the product) to apply my eyeliner; I apply everything else with my fingers and it doesn’t take me more than 10 minutes!
What more can I ask for?
I hope you enjoy this look. It is fast, simple and effortless.
Enjoy!
Maybelline Age Rewind – Dark Circle Eraser is my holy grail concealer. I apply it directly from the applicator and blend it in with my fingers to warm up the product. It does not exaggerate fine lines and hides my genetically dark under eyes.
The 24H Color Tattoo shadows are close to magic. They have a silky texture which makes them easy to work with. I blend them out with my finger but can use a brush to pack on pigment. These shadows don’t set too quickly but, once dry, they won’t budge. They make a great base for powder shadows eliminating the need for primer.
The brown shades are perfect for a subtle wash of color while the brighter shades add intensity to any look.
I am first and foremost a liquid liner girl but when I want a softer look I reach for gel. The 24H Lasting Drama Gel Liner is very similar to its Tattoo counterpart. I go in with a first line, let it dry, apply my shadow and smudge the edge out. I apply one more swipe to darken and set the eyeliner. I have enough time, before it sets, to perfect the line.
The brush is soft but dense and easy to manipulate. Do you like a thicker line, maybe a thinner one? This brush can do both.
We have all heard of the iconic Great Lash, Maybelline’s best-selling mascara. Well, there are a multitude of others and my favorite is the Rocket Volum’ Express. It makes my lashes look naturally thicker. I wiggle the wand through the bottom of my lashes then bring the brush straight up. I look like I’m wearing nothing at all.
Have oily eyelids like me? Don’t worry. Powder your lashes before application, it’ll help the mascara stay on and not flake. Keep in mind Maybelline mascaras have a wet formula so they take a little longer to dry.
Don’t want it to transfer to your upper or lower lids? Look down, eyes open, until the mascara becomes tacky.
Have you tried these products? Would you wear this look? Let me know!
Items provided for review. All opinions remain my own.
A while ago I reviewed a Born Pretty Store holographic polish called Shine in the Dark. You can see my short live swatch video here. It was a gorgeous gunmetal grey that had a great linear holo in it. I quite enjoyed the polish except for it’s brush. It was too thick and hard to maneuver on my tiny nails. Because I liked the polish I decided to give the brand’s new Metal Series polish a try as well. I don’t know what I expected but I didn’t realize “metal” meant “foiled”! Scroll through to check out my thoughts and photos on this beautiful pastel purple. P.S. The brush is exactly the same!
Heroine (USD$3.59 here) is a very pretty lilac color. As foiled polishes go, this one is pretty good. It covers well in two coats and is not as streaky as others. Of course, if you are familiar with foils you know all this is taken with a grain of salt. After all, foils magnify imperfections like you’re looking at them through a looking glass. Is this the best foiled polish on the market? Maybe. It certainly cheaper and works better than some more expensive foiled polishes. I would highly recommend it so scroll down to the end for my simple tricks for perfect application!
To Top Coat or Not to Top Coat?
Personally, I don’t like using top coats with foil polishes because bumps, lumps and streaks look worse; not to mention, it can dull the shine. The finished manicure will not last as long but will look way better. Ultimately, it’s up to you and what you need: time? or beauty? Having a flare? Foiled polishes are the best because you can eliminate one step: top coat!!
How do I apply foiled polishes, Monica??
Start with a proper ridge-filling base coat. OPI’s Ridge Filler and Essie’s Ridge Filling Base Coat are great options to minimize imperfections and streaking.
Stay the heavy hand. Apply thin, light and even layers from cuticle to tip. Take care not to re-apply over the same area twice.
Seal off the tips (meaning apply a little polish to the tips and underside of the nail) between the first and second coat so you can’t see the line of demarcation.
Let each coat dry completely before applying the next.
So, what do you think of this color? Born Pretty Store has other “metal” polishes and a whole slew of nail art goodies for very competitive prices. Make sure you check out their website here and if you do place an order don’t forget to apply my 10% off discount!
OMG. I saw Wonder Woman this past week and this movie surpassed every single one of my expectations. I have not really been feeling the recent major blockbuster superhero movies which just rely on effects and just sheer volume so I was pleasantly surprised when Wonder Woman had that but also a great deal more compassion and human spirit. Gal Gadot blended bad-ass warrior princess and warmhearted benevolence perfectly without making either feel forced. This movie was successful not just because of it’s grandeur and special effects but also because people could relate to it on a very human level. I know many Wonder Women in real life!
On another note, Chris Pine nailed his role as Steve Trevor. While he was certainly not the main focus of this movie, he played the sidekick to a tee without disappearing into the background. Of course, I may be a bit biased as I think he has done a superb job in every movie I’ve seen him in but what can I say? I am a Chris Pine fan! And, now, I am a Gal Gadot fan as well!
I think this one of the better movies I’ve seen in a while so I created a fun, arthritis friendly Wonder Woman nail art in honor of all the Spoonie superheroes I know. I used the colors from her amazing live-action costume which empowered her but was not too sexual.
Spoonies have so much to deal with every second of every day. They have to wake up, get ready, eat breakfast, go to work, come home, make dinner, and repeat; all the while pretending their bodies are not trying to destroy itself. Take it a step further and most of these lovely chronic illness sufferers have families and children whom they take care of. That is a lot for anyone to handle even more so for those who don’t have the same physical or mental ability as other people. Wonder Woman is a true hero but Spoonies are superheroes in their own right.
And, with all that said….I hope you enjoy this Wonder Woman movie inspired nail art!
Check out the tutorial below on how to re-create these dots!
Base: SinfulColors VIPeach
Dots: OPI Guys & Galaxies (red), SinfulColors Midnight Blue (blue), All About You (gold)
Heroine (USD$3.59 
Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.
the Rite of Aging...early 