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the Rite of Aging…early

~ Navigating Rheumatoid Arthritis through Beauty and Nail Art

the Rite of Aging…early

Tag Archives: Milani

Easy Glitter Gradient || Nail Art

19 Friday May 2017

Posted by MonicawithRA in Nail Art

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Tags

glitter gradient, Milani, OPI, Revlon

Sometimes all you want is simple glitter nails and nothing is easier or more arthritis friendly than applying glitter to just the tips of your nails. All you do is take a foam eye shadow applicator, load up the polish and dab away. Stress even less with a peel off base product. You don’t have to rub at your fingers with drying acetone just peel the polish right off!

For this look, I dug into my collection and pulled out an old (very old) Milani polish that still works well. Even though it is a glitter topper it stains my nails every time I use it! I don’t mind though because it’s so freaking pretty. For a little extra flair (because why not) I added some holographic nail topper goodness as well.

Enjoy!

Scroll down to see simple glitter gradient tutorial!

 

Simple and Easy Glitter Gradient with Milani Hot Pink, Revlon Holographic Pearls and OPI Freedom to PeachSimple and Easy Glitter Gradient with Milani Hot Pink, Revlon Holographic Pearls and OPI Freedom to PeachSimple and Easy Glitter Gradient with Milani Hot Pink, Revlon Holographic Pearls and OPI Freedom to PeachSimple and Easy Glitter Gradient with Milani Hot Pink, Revlon Holographic Pearls and OPI Freedom to PeachSimple and Easy Glitter Gradient with Milani Hot Pink, Revlon Holographic Pearls and OPI Freedom to PeachBase: OPI Freedom to Peach

Gradient: Revlon Holographic Pearls, Milani Hot Pink (old formula)


ready for take off       holographic pearls      opifreedomtopeach

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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Blue, Blue and Blue Dots | Nail Art

09 Monday May 2016

Posted by MonicawithRA in Nail Art

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Tags

China Glaze, dotticure, Glitter Gal, Milani, Nail Art, SinfulColors

Asymmetrical dotticures are my second favorite look (after sugar-spins). I like that there is no pattern so I do not have to painstakingly measure the area between dots. They do not have to be perfectly sized to their neighbors and the eye plays tricks so the nail always looks the same as the others.

I hope you like it!

 

IMG_1580

 

dots2

 

dots3Base: Glitter Gal Australia Bluemerang

Dots: SinfulColors Why Not, Midnight Blue, Milani Power Periwinkle, Blue Print, China Glaze Purple Panic

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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Orencia – Month Seven | Rheumatoid Arthritis & Nail Art

01 Monday Feb 2016

Posted by MonicawithRA in Nail Art, Rheumatoid Arthritis

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

China Glaze, dotticure, Essie, Glitter Gal, infusion, matte, Milani, Nail Art, Orencia, Pop Beauty, rheumatoid arthritis, Zoya

I have been on Orencia Abatacept for seven months. This is around the time we see the effects plateau. I took Orencia three times previously, both in subcutaneous and interveneous forms and each time I saw a dip in its effectiveness.

Orencia always works better than the other biologic medications. I feel less fatigued, painful and swollen. I also do not have any reactions to it which is a huge bonus.

And, even though this medication works best, the effects only last a couple of weeks. When I feel well, I wake up early and only need a short nap during the day but as the Orencia wears off I sleep later in the mornings and pass out for hours at a time during the afternoons. Sleeping is the best. I love napping but if I look back on the past five years I realize I spent more than half of it not awake! That’s a lot of time wasted…

When I go in for my infusion I am down for the count for a couple of days. I am not necessarily lethargic or painful, just a little out of it. Once the following week rolls around I snap back to attention, I have a bounce in my step and I feel “better”.

As the Orencia builds up in my system I do not think I will feel “better” immediately after each infusion but I shouldn’t feel worse. I still crave sleep and feel a noticeable dip in energy toward 3 or 4 pm. I am not sure if this is normal for seven months into this medication.

I sometimes feel like climbing after work but more often than not I just feel tired. The farther I have to drive (for work) the less likely I can do anything afterwards. I am usually too exhausted to even do my nails!

 

Regardless of my grievances, I prefer Orencia more than the other biologics but I wish it worked even better. But, I guess, beggars can’t be choosers!

Below, is the nail art I made for this month’s Orencia post. I hope you like it!

1-orenciadotsBase: Milani Power Periwinkle (old formula)

Dots: Zoya Crystal (un-matte), China Glaze UV Meant to Be, Pop Beauty Pacific Hoot, Glitter Gal Australia Bluemerang, Milani Blue Print (new formula)

Matte Top Coat: Essie Matte About You

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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Splodge and Squish | Nail Art

25 Monday Jan 2016

Posted by MonicawithRA in Nail Art, Video

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Tags

Born Pretty Store, China Glaze, Formula X Nails, marbling, metallic nail foils, Milani, Nail Art, Picture Polish, SinfulColors, video tutorial, Wet n Wild

Some items provided for review.

Oh Winter Storm Jonas, how you have flared my rheumatoid arthritis. I am going to be all over the RA-friendly nail art techniques because of the aftermath (read: shoveling ourselves out of our houses) of the freak blizzard we had on the East Coast. As of now, we are still stranded on our street and just finished shoveling our driveways. Tomorrow we tackle the walkway to the mailbox!

One of the most RA-friendly nail art techniques is plastic bag marbling in which I place dots of polish on my nail then squish it around with a plastic baggie. I saw stamper-made marbling all over Instagram recently and gave it a go. It was interesting and fun but I liked the former technique better. When I used the stamper, the polish applied sheer and it took three “attempts” to build up the opacity; once it dried on the stamper I had to start the process all over again. Placing the polish directly to the nail was quicker, easier and just way more convenient.

Regardless, I will continue to play around with the stamper and see if I can come to enjoy it more!

Please check out my video tutorial for this look! I also demonstrate how to use the new design foils from the Born Pretty Store.

 

Bases: SinfulColors Whiteboard, Wet n Wild Black Creme

Details: Milani Vivid Violet, China Glaze UV Meant to Be, Picture Polish Serenity, Formula X Nails Platinum Prime

Foils: Born Pretty Store ($1.42/roll here)

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

10% off code

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Purple Dotticure | Nail Art

13 Friday Nov 2015

Posted by MonicawithRA in Community, Nail Art

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Tags

Barry M, challenge, dotticure, Formula X, Milani, Nail Art, Sephora, Sephora by OPI

Yesterday, I was at a complete loss for the ClaireStelle8 challenge on Instagram. “Purple Nails” opened the floor to absolutely anything and I had multiple ideas floating around in my head. I tried a couple out and they didn’t turn out the way I wanted; at least, not what I wanted for “purple nails”.

Eventually, I leaned back on an old favorite: a dotticure. The bright lights gleamed around my nails. Finally, after literally staring at my nails for a few hours I had a design I was proud of.

I hope you like it!

 

Purple Dotticure | The Rite of AgingBase: Milani Cosmetics Vivid Violet (I’ve had this old formula for years and it still rocks!)

Dots: dotting tools, Barry M Plum, Formula X for Sephora Thrilling, Sephora by OPI Domestic Goddess

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

@Clairestelle8challenge/#clairestelle8nov

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Monthly Favorites | September 2015

29 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by MonicawithRA in Beauty, Reviews

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Tags

Chanel, Clinique, Hourglass, makeup, Milani, monthly favorites

Some links may be affiliate ones.

I decided to re-start my monthly favorites posts because even though they do not get a lot of traffic I love making them! I also really enjoy reading and viewing other people’s favorites. They are a great way to keep track of fun trends and products!

SEPTFAVES

The first items are actually all part of a new eye makeup look I have really been enjoying.

 

Chanel Imitation

(Chanel Illusion d’Ombre Long Wearing Luminous Eyeshadow)

I love shimmer so I have no qualms about applying this glittery number all over my eyelids. These eyeshadows do not have a lot of base pigmentation but they build up pretty well. The glitter is prominent but chic. Initiation is the perfect neutral color for me. It is a cool-toned bronze similar to my skin color. The texture is spongy but slippery so I always apply this over primer. As with most glitter it travels during application but once the shadow sets it does not budge. Initiation was discontinued but the more gold Mirage is very similar.

 

Milani Cosmetics - Bella Copper Gel Powder Eyeshadow | The Rite of Aging

(Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow)

I apply Bella Copper on the outer half of my lid. This shadow is spongy but dense and extremely pigmented. It is a deep warm gold that looks a little brighter once applied. There is no fall out and wears well without fading. These new “gel” shadows are a definitely step up from the old Milani eyeshadows. Bella Caffe and Bella Espresso are next on my list to purchase.

While the product is fantastic I have a serious issue with the packaging. It feels cheap and flimsy. I don’t know if it is just mine but the plastic lid popped out the first time I opened it. I pushed it back in so the product wouldn’t dry out but it falls out with every use. I know packaging can make or break people’s decisions to buy a product so I just wanted to make a note of it.

 

Clinique 'All About Shadow' Super Shimmer Eyeshadow - Black Honey | The Rite of Aging

(Clinique ‘All About Shadow’ Super Shimmer Eyeshadow)

To finish the look, I apply Black Honey on the outer V of my eye. The good quality of this shadow surprises me as I don’t typically associate Clinique with good cosmetics. I guess there is a reason why the Black Honey line is a cult favorite. The color compliments the skin well, ranging from a deep burgundy to cranberry color. The shadow, itself, is soft and blend-able. While it is not particularly pigmented, over primer the intensity builds up nicely. I noticed it doesn’t crease but it does fade after a few hours, a side effect of low pigmentation! This is not a huge deal for me as I have extremely oily eyelids. I am used to touching up eye makeup frequently during the day.

 

Hourglass - 'Ambient' Lighting Palette | The Rite of Aging

(Hourglass – ‘Ambient’ Lighting Palette)

I gave into the hype! I held out for a good while but in the end, couldn’t help myself to a new highlighter. I considered purchasing the single pan of Radiant Light but it was more expensive for not that much more product. I could not see myself hitting pan on either in my own lifetime and figured the palette was a better bang for my buck.

Even on my no-makeup days I find myself dusting all three shades over my face. Dim Light provides a matte brightening and blurring effect for my entire skin, Incandescent Light highlights my brow bone and inner corner of the eyes while Radiant Light lends a glow to the top of my nose, cheekbones and forehead. There is a slight shimmer in the second two powders but it is barely visible on the skin. These powders provide a subtle radiance to the entire face for healthy-looking skin but do not build up to a high intensity highlight.

 

Have you tried any of these products? Do you like them? Let me know in the comments!

And, if you purchase online and haven’t already, sign up with Ebates! Many sites like Nordstrom, Sephora and Macy’s have great cashback options! (I am not affiliated with Ebates but have a referral code that everyone who has an account gets).

Ebates

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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#31DC2015 – Inspired by a Flag

28 Monday Sep 2015

Posted by MonicawithRA in Community, Nail Art

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Tags

31DC2015, 4th of July, Barry M, blogging community, dotillism, dotticure, Formula X Nails, Milani, Nail Art

On the Fourth of July I was in the middle of a bad flare and only managed a simple red, white and blue glitter gradient. I used today’s 31-Day Challenge to try out the design I actually wanted to do and I really dig it! I wish I had the dexterity and energy for it…maybe next year!

I hope you like it too!

 

#31DC2015 - Patriotic Dotticure Nail Art | The Rite of AgingBases: Barry M Gelly Chili, Milani Blue Print

Details: Formula X Nails White Matter

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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