Best in Beauty: 2016

Aloha Friends!  2016 is FINALLY coming to an end, THANK GOD.  It was a crazy year and there were so many amazing beauty products that I got to try out so to close out a great year on thecaitlynlee, I want to share with you what I think are the best products I've tried in 2016!

This Best in Beauty post is in place of my Year in Review 2016 because unlike for the rest of the world, this year was actually quite uneventful for me.  Before I begin, I just want to say a quick lil THANK YOU to you, for reading my blog.  Whether you're a new or returning Friend, it makes me so so so so so happy that you're here and I hope you stick around next year!

So without further ado... Here are my Best in Beauty: 2016 picks!

MAKEUP:
L'oreal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation

Believe it or not, this was my first cushion foundation, and this cushion is the reason why I love love looooooove cushion foundations more than anything now.  This foundation was perfect because not only was it convenient, but it was exactly the amount of lumi I look for in a foundation.  Not to forget to mention that the packaging is super pretty!  If you're in the market for a cushion, but aren't sure what you really want, I really recommend starting with this one!

Etude House Drawing Eye Brow

I think my search for the perfect brow pencil has ended.  The Etude House Drawing Eye Brow pencil is definitely a winner in my book.  Since I like to change up the darkness of my brows, this pencil is perfect because it's easy to work with and easy to blend and also SUPER AFFORDABLE.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector

How many times have I talked about this highlighter on here?? Like 10000 times right???  It's because it gets better and better everytime you use it.  I've tried other highlighters and they all pail in comparison.  It's easy to control how light or how heavy you want it to be and never looks overdone. I really recommend this highlighter to makeup beginners and experts because it's literally perfect for everyone.

Benefit Gimme Brow

Out of all the products I tried in 2016, this is definitely in the top 5.  I got a deluxe sample of it when I redeemed rewards for it at Sephora and it was the best 100 points I've ever spent.  Even though I have pretty full brows, I love how it makes my brows looks natural and full.  I can even use it without a pencil or pomade which makes it perfect for lazy makeup days!  If you try at least one thing from this list, MAKE IT THIS ONE!

Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain

I discovered the Sephora cream lip stains about three years ago when I was on the hunt for a liquid lipstick version of a lip gloss and boy did I hit the jackpot.  It was the first and only cream lip stain that I purchased until my birthday this year, when I went to Sephora and found that they FINALLY had Marvelous Mauve in stock, so I absolutely had to snatch it up and since then, it has been my go-to lippie.  The formula matte, but super soft and comfortable to wear as well as SUPER long lasting!

Colourpop Cosmetics Lippie Pencil

I raved about Colourpop products in an earlier Monthly Obsessions, but through all of their products I've tried, the one I cannot stop using is their lippie pencils.  They're so different from the other pencils I've tried in that their not drying, so I can wear it on its own, and are pigmented enough to pass a an actual lipstick.  They're amazingly longwearing, no matter what you're eating.  My favorites are Lumiere and Grunge!

Cover FX Illuminating Primer

I'm thanking the Sephora PLAY! Box gods for bringing this product into my life.  I have fairly good skin so I never really felt the need to use primer before applying foundation, but after trying this primer, I'm changed.  Like I mentioned earlier, I love the luminous glowy skin look and this primer is perfect for that.  You can mix it into your foundation or apply it before and it makes your skin look so beautiful and healthy.

TONYMOLY Cats Wink Clear Pact

I've been on the hunt for a good powder for a long time because most were too heavy or too light for what I wanted, but this pact is EVERYTHING.  Not only is the packaging super cute, but the powder itself is so silky and never looks like you over-powdered.  I even baked my face with this powder once and the result was AMAZING.  This pact is also super affordable and will look super cute on your vanity or in your purse!

SKINCARE:
Laniege Power Essential Skin Toner

Ya girl is Asian so of course I love skincare and I'm so happy that I found this toner!  After I stopped using toner a while ago, I never realized how much makeup and grubby stuff was still on my skin even after I cleansed but this toner helped me see the light.  It doesn't dry out my skin and has a really nice light scent.  It is however, a bit on the pricey side, but you definitely get what you pay for!

TONYMOLY Pocket Bunny Mist

During the colder months my skin gets super dry, it practically begs me fore moisture, and the Pocket Bunny mist provides just what it's asking for.  I spray it on after I apply moisturizer as an extra layer of moisture and then spray a few more times throughout the day just to quench my face's thirst.  It smells amazing and the packaging is the cutest I've ever seen, which makes me want to carry it around even more!

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

I mentioned before that I have fairly good skin, but I'm not perfect and my face does get those painful little red monsters every now and then, but it's nothing that my drying lotion cannot fix!  I first heard about it from Jen FrmHeadToToe YEARS ago and actually bought it like last year, but didn't really use it until this year.  It literally makes your zits disappear overnight and leaves your skin looking like it was never even there.  I really really really recommend this magic potion because I cannot live without it!

TONYMOLY I'm Real Mask Sheet

TONYMOLY is one of my favorite K-Beauty brands (obviously because half this list is just their products lol) and their sheet masks are the real MVP.  They come in different varieties so you can choose which is best for you based on your skin concerns and I haven't tried one that I haven't loved. They're super affordable and since TONYMOLY is becoming more and more popular, they're available outside of K-Beauty stores like Ulta and Urban Outfitters.

GLAMGLOW Supermud Clearing Treatment

OH MY GOD. This mask is everything.  Again, thanking the Sephora PLAY! Box gods because I never would've fallen in love with this without them.  It's a really mainstream products and it's super hyped up, but try it once and you'll understand what the hype is all about.  This mask cleared my skin in one use and I'm definitely going to purchase the full size (even though it's sooooo expensive) because it's honestly one of the best masks I've ever used.

BODY:
The Face Shop Lovely Mix Mini Pet Perfume Hand Cream

Again, like I mentioned before, my skin gets really dry during the colder months, especially the back of my hands, so it's so important for me to have a good hand cream.  My auntie visited Korea last year and brought this super cute pot of hand cream back for me and it's seriously the best hand cream ever.  I have the cute lil pink cat in Sweet/#4 Fruity Floral and not only is it moisturizing but it smells AMAZING.  It absorbs quickly and doesn't feel oily so it's perfect!

Victoria's Secret Love Addict Fragrance Mist and Lotion

I'm practically an adult, but I still love Victoria's Secrets body sprays and lotions, but I particularly love Love Addict.  The scent is light and a fruity floral which, if you haven't noticed, is the kind of scents I'm drawn to, making it perfect for me.  I've used the lotion so much that I'm almost completely out, and I always get compliments on the scent, even my mom loves it!

Olay Fresh Outlast Cooling White Strawberry and Mint Body Wash

Why am I writing about a body wash??? Because it's the best dang body wash I've used in my entire life.  Not only is the scent refreshing and long lasting, but the formula is amazingly moisturizing.  I love this body wash so much that I bought a bottle for my dorm too.  The strawberry scent is not your typical childish, Lip Smackers strawberry, but a really really refreshing mature strawberry (???).  I'm pretty sure I'm on like my third bottle of this stuff.

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sea Salt Body Scrub

We all know the importance of exfoliation, whether it's your face or your lips or your body.  I'm still on the hunt for good face and lip scrubs, but my search has ended for a body scrub.  This body scrubs contains huge pieces of sea salt, which can be abrasive if you have sensitive skin, but is also really moisturizing since it's mixed in with amazing smelling oils.  I use this scrubs once a week before I shave and it always makes my shave smoother and longer lasting!

Aaaaaaand those are my picks for Best in Beauty: 2016!  I hope you get to try out these products if you haven't already and let me know what you think, as well as what products you've loved in 2016! I hope your year was fantastic and that 2017 is even better!

See you next year!

All the Love,
Cat <3

12 Days of Catmas: Day 12 - MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ALOHA FRIENDS!!!! It’s DAY TWELVE of the 12 Days of Catmas aka CHRISTMAS DAY!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Okay, I’ll stop with the caps now, but seriously, I’m so happy that it’s finally Christmas.  I’ve literally been waiting for this day since 12 AM of December 26, 2015.  

I’ll keep this post short since you really should be spending the day wrapped up in the Christmas excitement and festivities.  I just want to thank you all for reading and supporting this blog.  It means a lot to me and is seriously such an amazing Christmas gift!  I hope your Christmas’s are the absolute BEST and that you got everything you asked for and more!  

Thanks so much for joining me for the 12 Days of Catmas and I hope I provided you with some quality content that you actually enjoyed.  Maybe I should do the 25 Days of Catmas next year???  We’ll sleep on it.  ANYWAYS, go open some presents and drink some eggnog cause IT’S CHRISTMAS BABY.  

Merry Christmas & All the Love,

Cat <3

12 Days of Catmas: Day 11 - My Top 5 Favorite Christmas Movies

Aloha Friends, welcome to DAY ELEVEN of the 12 Days of Catmas, and HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!  Tomorrow is the BIG DAY and I am oozing with excitement!  It’s Christmas Eve and you might be cleaning your home because your mom is forcing you to, maybe you’re prepping the big holiday feast, or maybe you’re doing nothing at all, and if this is you, then it is the perfect day to BINGE WATCH CHRISTMAS MOVIES!  The following is a list of my top 5 favorite Christmas movies that if you haven’t watched yet, what have you been doing???  Anyways… Let’s begin!

1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the live action version!)

So this is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE Christmas movie, not only because Dr. Seuss is a genius, but because this movie is downright hilarious and executed so well.  Again, I’m not a film expert…  As I am definitely a child at heart, this movie makes me feel like I’m in elementary school again.  It’s the perfect movie to watch with your family while wrapped in warm blankets, peppermint hot chocolate in hand.  If anything, WATCH THIS ONE FIRST!  Look out for my rendition of “Where Are You Christmas?” coming to you live! (Just kidding, not gunna do that, don’t worry.)

2. ELF

So DUH.  ELF has always been my favorite Christmas movie since I read the book in like the second grade.  This movie is purely hilarious and makes you feel just like a child again.  I definitely recommend this movie is you haven’t seen it yet, which is extremely unlikely… Pop this movie in your DVD player (is that still a thing…?) ASAP!

3. The Santa Clause

Another of my must-see movies!  Tim Allen is so great in the film and the plot is very well written (I think… idk I’m not a film expert or anything).  There are also two (?) other movies after this one, but the original is the best!

4. Love Actually

For all you saps out there, here is my favorite holiday romcom.  I honestly only watched this movie at first because Liam Neeson is in it, and if you didn’t know, he’s the LOML lol.  It’s sad and sweet all at the same time, so if you’re in the mood to get your emotions all riled up, watch this film!  (And not just for Liam Neeson or Hugh Grant or even for Mr. Bean lol)

5. Home Alone

A cult favorite, which is also my last favorite!  Home Alone makes everyone laugh and gets everyone into the Christmas spirit.  Even though I do have some issues with the plot, that of which I will not discuss here, this movie is a Christmas classic and I actually doubt you’ve never seen it, but there’s no shame in watching it 100 times in a row!

And there are all my favorite Christmas movies!  By now I've probably watched them all about 100000 times, but they get better every time!  What are you favorite Christmas movies?  Let me know in the comments or send me a message!  ONE MORE DAY!!!!!!

All the Love,

Cat <3

12 Days of Catmas: Day 10 - The Holly Jolly Christmas Tag (Part 2)

Aloha Friends and welcome to DAY TEN of the 12 Days of Catmas!  We’re so close to Christmas now and I’m seriously dying of anticipation.  Today I want to do the Holly Jolly Christmas tag for you, and as you may recall, I did this tag last year, but I found a part two!  So without further ado… Let’s begin!

1. Do you start your Christmas shopping on Black Friday or wait until the last minute?

I would rather die than do my Christmas shopping last minute, although this year that may be the case for me since I’ve been really busy with school… But I generally start on Black Friday because what’s better than getting things done a month in advance??!!

2. If you could be in any Christmas movie, what would it be?

DEFINITELY ELF.  How fun would it be to hang out with Buddy the ELF!?

3. Which do you like better? Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Christmas Day by a mile.  It’s the day I’ve been looking forward to since the last Christmas Day.  

4. When does your family put up your Christmas tree and who decorates it?

My family never puts it up at the same time every year.  Sometimes I have to pester my parents to put it up and sometimes they do it early.  One year we even got a tree on Christmas Eve…

5. White lights or colored lights?

White lights!  Personally, colored lights seem a little tacky and ugly, so I just like white lights, but if your lights are colored, good for you!

6. Are you guilty of peeking at your presents or do you like the surprise?

I’m probably one of my hardest people to shop for in my family because even though I love shopping, I’m pretty picky. That being said, I pick out most of my gifts so I already know what it is, but if I don’t, I always peek.  I’m also very good at shaking boxes and guesses what’s in it, correctly.

7. Would you rather live in a gingerbread ouse or in Santa’s Workshop?

Santa’s Workshop, of course!  How fun would it be to be around all those toys?  And I’d imagine that it’s Christmasy year-round there.

8. Tell us your Christmas Eve traditions.

I don’t really have any.  Most Christmas Eves consist of me begging my parents to let my open at least one present and then putting out milk and cookies for Santa before I go to bed!

9. If you could be under the mistletoe with anyone who would it be?

If this isn’t the first post you’ve read, you could probably answer this question for me lol.  I’d be under the mistletoe wit Yoon Dujun or Niall Horan before you could even blink.

10. What tops your tree?

My parents’ tree doesn’t have a topper because we finally got rid of that scary angel thing that used to sit on top, so we’re in the midst of a new topper.  My mini tree has a cute lil silver star!

11. Can you name the 12 days of Christmas?

Do you mean the 12 Days of Catmas? If yes, then so far we’ve got the {1} intro to the 12 Days of Catmas, {2} The Christmas Tag, {3} My Christmas Dorm Decor, {4} Shows to Binge Watch During Your Break, {5} Give This, Not That, {6} Christmas Nails, {7} Christmas in San Francisco, {8} Hopes for 2017, {9} Christmas Outfits, {10} The Holly Jolly Holiday Tag, and you’ll have to wait and see what days 11 and 12 have in store!

12. Have you ever gone Christmas caroling?

Around my own house?  Yes.  Outside of my own house? No. 

13. Do you countdown to Christmas?

OF COURSE I DO.  THERE’S ONLY 2 DAYS LEFT.

14. What are some foods and treats you can count on having every holiday season?

My mom and I have a Christmas tea tradition, where we get dressed up and go to a place that does holiday tea.  Also, every year my aunt makes this Christmas bread that’s SO BOMB and my brother and devour it before it even gets to our house.

15. How has Christmas kept its magic for you as you’ve grown up?

I definitely owe it to my mom.  She loves Christmas almost as much as I do, but every year she works really hard to make Christmas special for our family.  That definitely has a huge impact on why Christmas is so special now and will continue to be special forever.

And that, my Friends, is the Holly Jolly Christmas Tag Part 2!  Are you looking forward to Christmas too??  I CANNOT WAIT ANY LONGER.  

As always, thanks for reading!  See you tomorrow!

All the Love,

Cat <3

Read the Holly Jolly Christmas Tag Part 1!

12 Days of Catmas: Day 9 - Steal My (Christmas) Look

ALOHA FRIENDS and welcome to DAY NINE of the 12 Days of Catmas!  For a while I've been thinking about how I want to do my makeup for Christmas Day and after many trials and errors, I finally came up with the bestest makeup look!

I actually wore this look for my brother's birthday dinner because I just got my Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance palette in the mail.  I was super super super excited for it because I'd been waiting literally FOREVER for it to go back in stock but FINALLY it was here.  Anyways... so obviously this look features the ABH Modern Renaissance palette, as well as some other new makeup that I got!  So without further ado... Let's get started!

STARTING WITH MY FACE, as always... I prepped my skin for makeup with Clinique Moisture Surge moisturizer and TONYMOLY Pocket Bunny Moisture Mist.

PRIMER TIME!  I prime my face with COVER FX Illuminating Primer and move onto foundation.  I love the glowy skin look so on the back of my hand I like to mix a little of my BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector (the liquid kind) in Opal with my fave foundation, Urban Decay Naked Skin.  Then I dot it all over my face and blend it out with a BeautyBlender.

TIME TO CONCEAL.  Ya girl is in college aka she gets no sleep so I use the Maybelline Better Skin concealer under my eyes and set it with TONYMOLY Cats Wink Clear Pact.  I don't like to powder the rest of my face because I want the glowy look, ya feel?

MOVING ON ALONG TO THE EYES.  I apply NARS Pro-Prime eyeshadow base on both my eyelids and on my bottom lashline then move to the brows.  I use Etude House Drawing Eyebrow pencil in #1 Black Brown to give my natural brows a more defined shape and fill then top them off with Benefit Gimme Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel to make the front of my brows a little wispier and fuller.

ONTO SHADOW!  Using my brand new Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance palette, I first apply (1) Antique Bronze all over my lids with a fluffy brush.  Then using the fluffy brush that came with the palette, I apply (2) Buon Fresco in the crease.  Using the other end of the brush, I applied (3) Red Ochre in the outer corner, then using my finger, I tap on a little of (4) Vermeer onto the center of my lids and in my inner (top and bottom) corner to brighten up the look.  Then I take a flat eyeshadow brush with a little of bit of (5) Tempura and brush in on my browbone for a lil highlight.

LINER TIME!  The day I did this look it was pouring rain so I decided it was safer to go for a cream liner rather than a liquid, so I used my fave Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel liner in Blackest Black to create wings so on point, you cold fly away.  Then I use Rimmel Kohl Kajal Waterproof liner in Brown on the very outer corner of my bottom lashline and take a really thin, flat brush with a little bit of Antique Bronze to smoke it out.  Then again with the Rimmel liner but this time in Nude, I line my bottom waterline so I don't look scary lol.

LASHES LASHES LASHES!  I grab my Shiseido lash curler and give my lashes a tiny bit of a curl to prep them for falsies (which are optional for anyone, of course) and use my HG Loreal Voluminous Butterfly mascara on my bottom lashes.  Then I grab my fave pair of falsies, Kiss Looks So Natural lashes in Shy and stick em close to my lashline.  In the photo I'm actually wearing a different pair of lashes from Daiso Japan, but for Christmas I plan on wearing the Kiss lashes.  After the lash glue is all dried, I take my lash curler again and give my lashes a lil clampy clamp then finish of with my mascara to adhere my natural lashes with my falsies.  Be careful not to apply mascara on the tips of your falsies, unless of course you like that look... And the eyes are done.

GHOST NO MORE.  Contouring is not my strong point, so I just use my Too Faced Chocolate Soleil bronzer and Benefit Rockateur blush to give my face some color.  Highlight is the best part, of course, so I use Becca Shimmer Skin Perfector Pressed in Opal on my cheekbones, cupids bow, nose tippy tip and bridge, and a tiny bit on my chin.

LIPS!!!!!  In the photo, I'm wearing Lime Crime Velvetine Matte Lipstick in Cindy, but for Christmas, I'll probably wear a more holiday color like Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip Saturday, NYX Cosmetics Soft Matte Lip Cream in Copenhagen, or Kylie Cosmetics in Leo.  I want to definitely go for a burgundy/wine color for Christmas but I feel like any lip color will go well with this look.

FINALLY I set my entire face with a few spritzes of Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray and you're ready to go!

Here's a fun little quick-torial that you can save/pin/download for later!

I love love LOVE this look so much and I hope you do too!  Christmas is almost here friends and I'm SO EXCITED I CANNOT CONTAIN MYSELF.  As always, thank you for reading and I'll see your beautiful faces tomorrow!

All the Love,
Cat <3

12 Days of Catmas: Day 8 - Hopes for 2017

Hi Friends and welcome to DAY FIVE of the 12 Days of Catmas!  As we’ve all experienced, 2016 was a pretty crappy year, but that just makes looking forward to 2017 all the more exciting!  Today I wanted to share with you all my hopes and goals for 2017, emphasis on the word GOALS because I don’t do resolutions as you may already know…

My first hope for 2017 is that I do a better job of saving and spending money.  I LOOOOOVE shopping and have little to no self control when it comes to it so I really want to work on being more frugal and only spending money on what I need.

Next, I really want to try to keep up more with this blog!  For a while I wasn’t really posting but after getting back into it, I remembered how much I love blogging.  This blog has become my baby and I want to do my best to take care of it and bring good content for all my wonderful Friends!

My next hope for 2017 is that my spring semester of school is not too intense.  I really loved my professors and classes this past semester so Spring 2017 has to find a way to top it!  I’m definitely looking forward to meeting new professors and learning new things from them!

A goal for 2017 is to finally learn Korean.  I know tons of words and phrases, but I can’t put together sentences or really hold a conversation.  I’ve loved K-Pop and Korean culture since I was in middle school and it’s time that I actually learn how to read and speak Korean lol.  If I really want to marry Yoon Dujun I really gotta get on that.

Another goal for 2017 is to pick up piano again!  I took a couple years of piano lessons when I was younger and kind of stopped playing since then.  I remember chords but I can’t play songs except for “Falling Slowly” by Glen Hansard so I really want to learn again so I can incorporate it more into my singing videos!

My last goal for 2017 will probably seem so dumb to many of you, but I want to finally get my drivers license lol.  You’re probably thinking, “WHAAAAT?? You’re 19 but you don’t have a driver’s license????” And no I don’t!  When I was younger, I had no sense of urgency to drive because it’s such a huge responsibility, but I think I’m finally ready to get behind the wheel.  I do have a permit so it’s not that I can’t drive at all, I just can’t drive myself places without my parents, so I really, really want to work on that.

What are your hopes and goals for 2017?  Let me know in the comments!  Thanks for reading!  Christmas is coming sooooooo soon!!!

All the Love,

Cat <3

Read Last Year's Hopes for 2016!

12 Days of Catmas: Day 7 - Christmas In San Francisco

Wassup Friends.  Happy DAY SEVEN of the 12 Days of Catmas!  Apologies in advance for the upcoming over-use of Yay Area slang, but I'm hella excited to share this post with you because it contains all the bomb things to do in the Bay around Christmas time!  Even though we don't get a white Christmas here in San Francisco, there's still so many fun things to do and see during Christmas, so if you're in the Bay during late November through December, here are some things you can check out!  Also, sorry that this post went up so close to Christmas, but if you get the chance to squeeze these few things in before Christmas, I promise they won't disappoint!

1. Macy's Union Square Window Shopping and Tree

Union Square is known for it's abundant shopping, but there's nothing like a good window shopping stroll and Macy's in Union Square is perfect!  Every year, the windows in Macy's are specially designed and put together to celebrate the holiday season, so if you're around, check the beautiful window displays!  There is also a GIANT Christmas tree in the middle of Union Square that is already lit (lol), but if you're there when night falls, then is the perfect time to enjoy the beautiful tree!

2. Holiday Ice Rink at Union Square

Ya girl isn't a fan of ice skating, but if you are, you HAVE TO go to this ice rink!  It's an outdoor ice rink so you skate under the stars!  It's open until January 16, 2017, so get there while you can!

3. San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker

When I was little, my mom surprised me with tickets to see the Nutcracker ballet put on by the San Francisco Ballet and it was something that I still remember more than ten years later!  It's a San Francisco tradition, so get your tickets because it's honestly such a beautiful and magical performance!

4. The Fairmont San Francisco's Gingerbread House

I've never actually seen this one myself, but I've heard it's BEAUTIFUL.  Every year The Fairmont Hotel displays a HUGE gingerbread house that you, unfortunately, cannot eat, but just to look at and enjoy!  If you go, let me know know what you thought of it!

5. Holiday Tea at The Palace Hotel

This last one is a personal favorite and a holiday tradition for my mom and I.  Every year we go to The Palace and enjoy their holiday tea at their historic Garden Court.  If you love getting dressed up and sticking your pinky in the air while sipping tea and munching on delicious treats, check out The Palace Hotel's holiday tea!  Maybe you'll see me there!

There are just a handful of things you can do if you're in San Francisco during the holidays.  If you try any of these, I hope you find them enjoyable!

All the Love,
Cat <3

12 Days of Catmas: Day 6 / Mani Mondays - Christmas Nails

ALOHA FRIENDS and Welcome to DAY SIX of the 12 Days of Catmas!  I'm really excited to share this post with you because it's sort of a holiday tradition that I do for myself.  It's a Monday today, aka Mani Monday, aka Mani Monday, Christmas Edition!  Every year I do these cute penguin nails on myself, because I hate the normal Christmas nails you see on Pinterest, and and they've evolved and gotten so much better, so I want to share with you a step by step of how you can achieve these cute nails!  It's a really easy design to do and requires no special nail tools or any nail skills, although a steady hand is always helpful!

Follow these simple steps and you too can have super cute cute CUTE pengy nails!

WHAT YOU NEED:

• Any color polish for the base color (but try not to use the colors I've listed below!).  I used a baby blue.
• Black, opaque white, red, and orange polish (shimmer, creme, glitter, go nuts!)
• Base and top coat
• Dotting tool, bobby pins, pens, pencils, needles, or whatever tool you want to use as a dotting tool!

Helpful Hint: Make sure your polishes are opaque polishes, or one coat wonders.  This will help with avoiding super thick layers of polish which would lead to a higher risk of messing up your mani!

LET'S MAKE SOME PENGYS!

1.  Start with a base coat, I use INM Clear Bond, then follow with one to two coats of your base color.  I used two coats of Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear in Babe Blue.  (Ignore my lumpy lookin middle nail, I broke it so it's a lil off :(... )

2. Once your base color is COMPLETELY dry, take your black polish, I used Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear in Black Out, and paint the pengy body!  I just used the polish brush and painted about 2/3 of the way up my nails in the same way I would if I were painting my entire nail.  Let the black COMPLETELY DRY before moving on!

3. After your black is dry, take the white polish, I used KleanColor Nail Lacquer in White, and do the same thing but over the black polish.  Paint about 1/3 of the way up your nail and let dry.  At this point, you can also take your dotting tool or dotting tool-substitute, and dip it in a little bit of the white polish.  On each nail, place two little white dots on the black to create the base for the eyes. Let both the white part of the body and the eyes dry.

4. While your white is drying, you can use your dotting tool or dotting tool-substitute and your red polish, I used Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear in Red Carpet, to draw little triangle Santa hats on your pengys.  This part doesn't have to be perfect at all.  As you can tell, I placed my hats in random places on their heads to give it character lol.  Let your pengy hats dry completely before moving on.

5. Are your pengy's hats dry?  GOOD.  Now you can take your dotting tool again and take a some of your white polish to place a little pompom on top of the hats, then make super small dots along the bottom of the hats to give em that cute Santa feel.

6.  Then take your orange polish, I used Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear in Hot Tamale, and a pen or pencil.  Dip your pen/pencil in a little bit of the orange polish and right draw a beak right where the white part of the body meets the black part.  To draw a beak, place a dot of orange then GENTLY drag to one side.

7. Grab your dotting tool and your black polish again!  Dip the dotting tool to grab a little bit of black polish then place the black dot into the center of the eyes.  Be careful of placing the dot too far up/down/to the sides.  You can make the black part of the eyes as little or as big as you'd like, you can even make then wonk-eyed or cross-eyed as I've done (on accident) in the past.  It is SO IMPORTANT that you let your nails COMPLETELY dry before moving onto the top coat step.

(this is my right hand!!!!)

8. TOP COAT TIME!  Once your mani has COMPLETELY DRIED, get yourself a good amount of top coat on your brush and gently brush it over your nails.  It's super important that your nails are dry and that you use a thick amount of top coat because if your nails aren't dry, you risk the colors running into one another when you apply the top coat, and if you don't use enough top coat, you risk the brush dragging on your nail and dragging the colors together.  

AND YOU'RE DONE! 8 steps isn't that bad right?  I was going to find a place for holo glitter, but alas, it did not work out.  You don't really even need to be ambidextrous to paint your other hand, but I know tis a struggle for many, so ask someone to paint your other hand, or just do an accent nail!  I hope this lil tutorial was simple enough to follow and I hope your pengy nails turned out BEAUTIFUL!  

ENJOY and see you tomorrow!

All the (pengy) Love,

Cat <3