D.I.Y. Blood Drip Nails

Hey guuyyys!!!

So I just wanted to share with you this snap of these fun D.I.Y. blood dripping nails that I did yesterday! I LOVE Halloween && now that I have kids.. I'm SUPER into it! Anywho.. I think these nails are fun && with a different color they can translate to *Paint Drip Nails* that you could wear any day!

I used a tutorial from Youtube by the hilarious and super fun AndreasChoice! I just looove her videos!! And if you like these nails & want to try it out... here's the tutorial I used...

xxo

How to NOTD: Chevron Nails!!! :)

Okay so Lucy has some explaining to do! I know.. I know!! 

I have been M.I.A. for a while but soooo much has transpired in the past few months that it's CRAY! If you follow me on instagram and twitter (( @WithLoveCrissa )) then you already know two things... 

One.. I was recently accepted into graduate school... YAAAY!! && let me tell y'all.. it keeps me super busy!! And the other thing is.... I'm expecting my first baby girl!!! SUPER YAAAY 2x's!!! SO YES... I'm very excited, but very busy and all over the place! 

Anywho... I really missed blogging and makeup and everything!!! So here I am again && this post was inspired by nguerriero19. She's a gorgeous YouTube beauty guru that I just discovered!! Once I saw her nail tut.. Ugh.. I just had to try!

Here's a few things you will need:

3 polishes of your choice

base coat & top coat (preferably a fast dry top coat)

tape

scissors

My standard base & top coats are O.P.I. Natural Base Coat & Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat.

And here's a step-by-step...

1. Apply your base coat & two coats of your base color. Then to increase dry time in between each chevron layer, apply your top coat.

For this step I used two golds just to achieve my desired gold tone. Milani Nail Lacquer in Gold Lame & Pure Ice in Jaguar. 

2. Next I took a strip of tape, make sure to cut the little jagged end of the tape off, turn it on it's corner and place it on your nail to make a little triangle. Like so...

&& add your second chevron polish color & top coat for fast dry time. I used Wet n Wild Megalast in 2% Milk.

3. Repeat the step with the tape && add your last chevron polish color && top coat. This time I used two colors Sinful Colors Professional in Savage && N.Y.C. in a New York Minute Quick Dry Nail Polish in East Village. I did this mainly cause the Sinful Colors polish is a bad batch and comes off very streaky and matte, so I layered it with the N.Y.C.

And the finished product..

without flash

flash on

 Overall.. I surprised myself!! This will take some time.. and patience.. ((off which I have a short supply of LOL))!! But I had fun trying it out && I've gotten lots of compliments these past few days on these nails!! Definitely try it out && if you do send me a picture or link.. I'd love to see what you guys come up with!! :)

Here's my inspiration... nguerriero19's nail tutorial video...

Hope you guys enjoyed this post!! Until next time...

xxo

Makeup Essentials... Summertime Face

Whenever there is a season change, my makeup routine has to change with it!

Being an oily skin girl.. this is just inevitable!

So here is a peek at the summer products that I use for my face in my makeup routine!

Primer:

Black Radiance Complexion Perfection: Shine Control Primer

Foundation/ Tinted Moisturizer:

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 Sunscreen in Polynesia

Concealer:

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW40

The BR primer insures that I don't turn into a shiny greaseball as the summer heat abuses me! LOL! It really does its job! I stay basically matte all day && it doesn't irritate my skin at all! 

I opt for a tinted moisturizer during the summer because its a lot lighter than a foundation, but still gives me the light/medium coverage that I like! I actually tried the Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer before I tried and purchased the NARS version && I found that the LM left me with a slimy feeling on my cheeks and forehead as the day went on GROSS!! However, the NARS version had staying power, didn't turn greasy as the day progressed and generally just fit my skin better! The SPF 30 is a major plus! Gotta protect our skin from that harsh summer sun! 

Finally the MAC Pro Longwear Concealer is a year round staple in my routine! Ahh! It's just perfect! The End! LOL!

Setting Powder:

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Deep Dark

This product works well in the summer to set and keep the tinted moisturizer in place. Also since the NARS TM in Polynesia is actually a bit too dark for me.. this skinfinish helps to slightly lighten and blend it well to match my skin tone!

Contour:

CoverGirl Queen Natural Hue Bronzer in Ebony Bronze

I absolutely love this contour color! It perfectly contours my cheekbones! My only issue... && it's a slight issue... is that its not matte! It has a small amount of gold shimmer to it! But that's not enough to make me stop using it! It blends nicely into my highlight, and speaking of....

Excuse the brokeness.. I have the worst butterfingers! SMH!

Highlight:

Mary Kay Mineral Bronzing Powder in Canyon Gold

This is my favorite highlighter and it lasts FOREVER!!! I've had this waayy longer than a responsible amount of time LOL! Shame I know! But it gives my skin the perfect bronzey summer glow! It has two stripes, the top one darker than the bottom stripe.. I just swirl them together and give myself a nice soft swipe at the highest points of my cheekbones!

And Wah Lah! That's how my summer glow is made! Hope you all enjoyed! What are some of your summer staples? Let me know how you acheive your summer glow! :)

xxo

Obessed.. STILL Inspired!!!

It's so odd how things come together! Today one of my best friends took a MAJOR dive into healthy natural hair... She BIG CHOPPED!!! And AAHH.. I love her hair! I mean it's on HER head && I'm totally loving it and inspired by it! I didn't know at the time that I'd be so moved by it.. but it has caused lots of thought into the idea of starting anew. Why haven't I big chopped yet? What am I afraid of.. What's stopping me? 

I'll admit that having long chemically straightened hair the majority of my life has caused some attachment issues. What's going to happen once my long hair is short? And the big "No No!" of all thoughts... What will my friends and family think? Will I still be as attractive? Oh Boy... sigh.

Anyway.. as I contemplate this and a prospective Big Chop date.. I ran across two videos that put a big happy smile on my face. Not only are they simply fueling my obsession with knowledge about my natural hair.. but they are also inspiring me in such an amazing way. The first is a video that I ran across on Facebook from the New York Times called "Transition."

Transition

The filmmaker Zina Saro-Wiwa presents an Op-Doc on black women’s decision to embrace their naturally kinky hair, rather than use chemical straighteners.

This second video is from a Youtuber I subscribe to, Destiny Godley. Her video is about how diverse the natural coloring of hair can be among people of color! The dark skin and strikingly BLONDE hair among the Solomon Islanders east of Papua New Guinea.. is just so AMAZING && sure to put a big smile on your face! All I can say about this is.. Wow! God is so awesome in his works! Enjoy!! :)

Those kids are so darn adorable!! I hope I've passed along a few smiles && some inspiration!!

Sound off in the comments below!

xxo

Sources: NYTimes && Destiny Godley

BEY ONLINE!!

If you're a Beyonce fan like moi.. You will be uber pumped about her new site!

I for one.. LOVE the more personal tumblr portion of her site "I Am" ... it's filled with more photos and videos of Bey that give a closer look at who she really is!! Check out a few pics && links to the official site & the tumblr below!!

www.beyonce.tumblr.com

www.beyonce.com

xxo

FLOTUS... WEERRKK!!!

Just.. WOW!!!

[the end]

xxo

Blast from the past!

Box Braids!!!

Ugh.. I Love.. && I want.. Soon!!!

Peep the Inspo..

As Seen On : iLoveBoxBraids

xxo

Don't Call It A Comeback! ^.^

OMG my lovies... I'm baaackk!!!! Yaaay!!! It's been far far too long!! This is just a quick update post to get the ball back rolling && let you all know what I've been up to the past months + what's to come!!!

1. I WILL be updating the layout & look of this blog! ... I mean it 2012.. it's only right!

1.5. Did you notice... we have our own domain now!! Yaaay!!! LoveTwentyThree dot blogspot is now Withlovecrissa dot com!!! Yeee.. Movin On Up!! LOL!

2. Oh Yeeeaah!! I'm back transitioning again!! I'm so excited about this too! My last relaxer was January & I'm already in LOVE with my new growth!! I'm so antsy about growing it out.. && SOO OVER my relaxed ends.. I just want to cut them off already!! (Patience.. Patience! I know..) Anywho.. here's some photos:

I've mostly rocked curly styles.. via my curling wand! Jan 12 

The last time I let any direct heating tools touch my tresses was when I saw DRIZZY in concert!! So. Much. Fun! Feb.12

The Amaze-Balls braid out that I rocked for baby's birthday festivities!! Which has become my signature transitioning style! March 12

3. Other than that life has been GLOORIOUS (sings) LoL! Motherhood.. is becoming even more of an adventure as my kids are getting older lol! I promise I need a Kids Say && Do The Craziest Things recurring post HA! My health/fitness journey is still a journey lol! I've lost and gained and lost again.. sigh! But I have since incorporated running + P90x to the list of workouts.. Yessir!! RESULTS!! >_<

* Music.. Beauty.. Hair... Life... Love & Random posts will resume!! Yaaay!!! I missed you guys!! *

MUAHS!

xxo

CHoPPiN iT uP

As you guys know.. back around February I started my hair journey! I was really excited & my hair was indeed growing! I started at armpit length & until a few days ago was just barely bra strap length...

HOWEVER...

One part of the process was really NOT working for me... BUNNING!!

For most it is a protective style.. for me it was quite the opposite! I started to notice that my hair was getting really thin! The middle was very long but the outer part had broken off, right around where my ponytail holder goes, from all the buns! There was a lot of see-through when I wore my hair straight!!! *GASPS* O_O

Something had to be done & sooooo......

Here I am minus over 6 inches!! My hair is layered and just barely touches my shoulders! Decided to start my journey from scratch.. without all the previous damage!!

Yes I said I would never Big Chop but I did & I've never felt better about it!!! :]

xxo

R.I.P. Our R&B Angel

Today marks the 10th year anniversary of the day the beautiful songstress Aaliyah Dana Haugton was called home! She had a lovely voice and spirit that just passed along an amazing energy to me through the airwaves & tv screens! When I was a little girl she was my biggest influence & still is! I wanted to be her.. be like her! I loved her like I knew her, as I imagine loads of other little girls did as well! She is forever missed!

Rest In Peace

xxo

Point Em Out!!! : NOTD x 8.22

This week I dumped the creamy colors I've been so in love with & opted for some frosty tones! I painted most of the nails an iridescent hot pink with purple & blue undertones, and the pointer fingers a frosty white. I used 2 different polishes to achieve the frosted white, I painted a base coat of creamy white (SCP in Snow Me White) & topped it off with a frosted white (Pure Ice in Platinum). I wanted them to stand out and the stark white I found is very shocking!

SCP in Shining Hearts.. Meijer $2
SCP in Snow Me White.. Meijer $2
Pure Ice in Platinum.. Wal-Mart $1

As promised I stuck to my cheapy brands! Sinful Colors Professional can be found at Meijers, and Pure Ice polishes can be found at Wal-Mart... ALL at $2 or LESS!!! :)

in low light

in brighter light

No need to stick to the same old blah monotone mani or to go off the deep end with nail designs on every finger!!! Amp it up & keep in fresh with a color.. or two... on random nails!!

xxo

Shopping with the Beau 8.19.11

So on day dos of my experimental pioneer hair.. Me, the beau & our boys went shopping! Since I felt cute & funky I snapped some fotos! :)

xxo

NOTD.. YAAAY!!!

Okay so I have been wanting to do these posts for.. like... FOREVERRRR!!! LOL! I literally paint my nails like every 3 days! I'm totally OCD about it! Once it chips.. it HAS to come off! & I also buy a new nail polish each time I do this! Now.. I know what you're thinking.. ridiculous right?! Weellll... not quite! While I love my OPI's & Essie's & China Glazes.. I am not the $8 a bottle buying type of chick! I am CHEAP when it comes to that! I opt for about $2-3 at the most!

Annnyyywho.. so from now on.. whenever I repaint my nails I'm going to snap a photo & post! That way we can share our fav colors & nail trends, tips, tricks & such! Oooww!!

Lately I've been all about the red polish because.. well honestly.. S/O to My Babe LOL.. he loves red nails on me & well.. I aim to please! HAAA!!! :) So my nails have been mostly red these last few mani/pedis!
**Quick Tip: PAMPER YOURSELF DIVAS!!!** Ever since my mom would let me have polish (mostly clear & pinks) I have been giving myself mani & pedi's! If you're not sporting minx or acrylics there's just no reason to give your good money to the nail shop when you can do just as good a job for $FREE.99!!!

Here are a few NOTD's from the past weeks...

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Red Carpet
Drugstore.. about $3!

Red Carpet close up

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Red Cherry
Drugstore.. about $3

Essie in After Sex
Ulta for 60% off.. $3.20 ish!

S/O to Chioma over at Chocolatte's Box ... here's a few RED nail options for ya lovely!!! :)

xxo

You A Bad Chick & Ya Friends Bad Too!!

Bey & Kelly got together to shoot the upcoming video for PARTY off of Beyonce's album 4!! This is a fun song.. gets me dancing but I cringe (literally) at the word "swag goo or swaggu!" *winces*

Aaannywho! I love these two together! Their lifelong friendship is very beautiful! RESPECT!! :)

Here are some shots from the set!

xxo

Source: TheYBF