Ugly, brittle, chipped, uber-thin nails...FIXED!

I have been on a nail polish high lately. Perhaps it's because of the overwhelming number of compliments I receive on any given day that motivates me to switch my nail polish at least once a week.

Flash forward two months and as I remove the two layers of OPI with one layer of Revlon top coat, I reveal the most God-awful set of horribly damaged and yellowed naked nails. Part of me wants to CRY. I could probably conceal this with a dark color of polish, but this will only add to the problem and the next time I use nail polish remover, I will probably wipe away the NAILS.

Friday night, I removed my nails and gently massaged with olive oil, which is supposed to help with nail and cuticle growth. Then I rinsed and dried my nails and began to embark on what I would later deem the most critical treatment for my nails ever.

Introducing Sally Hansen Hard As Nails (not endorsed by SH...this is my own opinion because no girl should have to walk around with egregiously messed up nails). This stuff is AMAZING and probably one of the least expensive beauty products I have ever purchased (less than $3!).

Directions:
Apply 1-2 coats (I needed 2 coats), allowing each coat to dry. Disregard the directions on the bottle and do NOT feel free to apply nail polish over this coat the same day. In order for the treatment to work, you need to allow the product to settle and dry. I tried applying nail polish the same day and it made the SH Hard as Nails stuff melt off.

Hope this helps all you nail polish aficionados out there! You do not need to give up your nail obsession.

apple cider vinegar

Happy new year! Hope everyone had a blast on 12/31/2011. It is now 2012, end of the world, according to the Mayans. We shall see.

This is the year I become super healthy. I mean, SUPER healthy. Eating foods as close to their natural state as possible, such as fruits, vegetables, and barley.

My friends have been trying to convince me to start a cleanse. I have resisted for the longest time, but I finally caved after the new year and have commenced the "apple cider vinegar" cleanse. Read up on the health benefits, which include anti-acne and weight loss. They seem to substantially outweigh the awful taste.

Directions:
I dilute 2 tablespoons of Bragg's organic (it HAS to be Bragg's) in a huge glass of water and drink the whole glass. Use a straw so that the vinegar doesn't erode your teeth (highly acidic). I do this right before bed.

Results:
I've been doing this for over a week now. My skin has completely cleared up--I went from around 6 pimples to zero pimples and no acne scars! People have commented on my bright complexion. I'm never bloated anymore. I feel lighter.

Note: this is just my opinion and not medical advice. Consult a medical expert if you have any health inquiries.

bagged spinach salad recall over salmonella fear

FDA just announced that Taylor Farms Retail has voluntarily recalled salad over concerns of salmonella contamination. No illnesses have been reported.  

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/20/health/bagged-salads-recall/

Deaths from contaminated cantaloupes rise to 15

Be wary of eating cantaloupes if you are don't know where they came from. 

http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/30/health/cantaloupe-deaths/index.html?hpt=he_c1

tips from the trenches: quick fixes for law school-induced (or any other cause of) hideousness

I’m not sure about you guys, but I started looking like hell after the first few months of law school. My body had grown immune to high octane drinks such as coffee, tea, and red bull. Here are some quick tips that SAVED ME from looking like death:

1. Multivitamins

I noticed that I was losing a lot of hair whenever I showered. NOOOO I do not want to be a bald 25 year old! My observations told me that several of my classmates already fell victim to this curse. After I started taking daily multivitamins (according to studies, generic versions are just as effective as brand name), the problem was soon rectified.

 

2. Yogurt and honey mask

 

Scuzzi/publik flickr gallery

Maybe it was the free pizza at lunch, excessive alcohol, lack of sleep, or stress. Likely some lethal combination of all the above. My face broke out into a pepperoni pizza, which made me stress out, which probably made my skin even worse. I tried everything under the sun (including, but not limited to, neutrogena, proactiv, clean & clear). Nothing seemed to fix the problem. I read in a beauty magazine the benefits of a homemade yogurt (yep, regular yogurt from the fridge) and honey mask. Not only were these items already conveniently found in my kitchen, but I also knew they were natural and free of harmful chemicals.
To apply: mix half honey with half yogurt and slathered it on my face. Allow dry for about 30-45 minutes then rinse with warm water. Your skin will glow and your acne will disappear quickly!

3. Baking soda as a facial scrub

After my skin calmed down, I was left with deep unsightly scars around my face. My friend told me about the wonders of baking soda, and I am now spreading the wisdom to you.
To apply: put a fair amount of baking soda on your palm and add a few drops of water to make it into a paste. Gently (emphasis!) rub the paste in circles around your face for about a minute, then rinse. You will notice that your skin complexion looking even and brighter after just a few days! Do not use this everyday and modify the amount according to skin sensitivity because irritation and redness may occur. Otherwise, this is a holy grail!