Mommy Maintenance: 8 Tips for Painting Your Nails at Home

It's been a while since we've had a post in our Mommy Maintenance series, but this is one I've been thinking about a lot recently.  For those of you who might want to check out the other topics we've covered, here you go:

Exercise 

Skincare 

LipSense 

Teeth Whitening 

Ever Make-Up and Skincare 

The Mommy Maintenance department was put on a big hold over the summer because I just didn't have time, but now that they are back in school I'm committing some time to focusing on myself. One thing I just love is to have my nails painted. It makes me feel so much more put together when I have a fun color on my nails.

This has been a hot topic of conversation around my house lately because my girls are obsessed with SNS nails.  They think all of their friends have them (not true) and they are begging me to take them to get there's done (not happening). Now, we do go occasionally to a nail salon and they LOVE getting pedicures and getting their nails done, but it is not something I'm going to pay for them to do regularly.  I told them if they want to pay for it with all of their babysitting money I'm happy to take them, but that was of no interest to my little savers so alas, no SNS nails for them.

When Jen and her family were over for dinner last weekend this got us talking and thinking about tips and tricks she and I have learned along the way to keep our at-home painted nails lasting longer so I thought I'd share my tips for anyone else who doesn't have the time or money to get their nails done at a salon every other week.

8 Tips for Painting Your Nails at Home 

1. Start with clean nails.  This sounds so simple, but it is true. I once read that if you have anything on your nails, especially something like lotion, then the polish won't adhere as well.  So, after you put on your lotion or creams, make sure you wash your hands before painting your nails.

2. Keep them short. The shorter you keep your nails the longer your paint job will last because the tips of your nails are less likely to bump against things like your keyboard, counters, or anything you touch!

3. Paint them in the car. This might be just me, but I can never find time to paint my nails at home. There are always dishes to do, laundry to fold, or someone who needs help with something. But, you know when I have at least 15 minutes of uninterrupted time?  When I'm driving somewhere!  Often I will get in the car a few minutes early and paint my nails there. Then all I have to do is drive with my hands on the steering wheel and they dry while I'm heading to my destination.  The air vents also help!

4. Start with a base coat.  I just recently started doing this and have noticed a big difference in how long my nail polish stays on. I really think it helps. This is the one I use.

5. Paint two coats of color. I also read that painting your nails with two (or even three) really thin coats is better than one thick coat. After the first coat, let it dry completely before painting the next. The waiting is the hardest part, but with very thin coats of polish they actually dry faster!

6. Top it off. I always use this top coat and feel like it is the best. I've tried others and those claiming to give it a gel top coat finish, but this one is my favorite.

7. Wear rubber gloves.  It seems so old fashioned, but if you wear rubber gloves when doing dishes or cleaning it limits the exposure your nails have to water and chemicals that could take the polish off. One day I had recently painted my nails and then I used a bunch of those cleaning wipes to wipe down my kitchen.  Next thing I knew almost half the polish on the hand I was holding them with had rubbed off. Now I wear gloves!

8. Top it off...again. My daughter when to a nail salon with my mother-in-law and the ladies their shared a little tip that I have been using to make my polish job last a bit longer than usual.  If your polish is still on after about 2 days add another layer of top coat to seal the color a bit longer. The top coat is obviously the last thing on and the first to rub off as you go about your everyday business. Adding another layer only helps preserve your color a bit longer.  Also, as the tips of my  nails begin to chip I will trim them just a tad and add another layer of top coat and that will get me at least 2 more days.

Favorite Spring/Summer Colors

In order left to right.

1. Between the Seats 

2. Romper Room 

3. Splash of Grenadine 

4. Peach Daiquiri 

5. Mod Square 

6. Alpine Snow

7. Getting Nadi On My Honeymoon 

Favorite Fall/Winter Colors

In order left to right.
1. For the Twill of It 
2. Wicked 
3. Penny Talk 
4. Chinchilly 
5. Tribal Text-styles 
6. Petal Pushers 
7. Bobbing for Baubles 
8. Mauving to Manitoba

Would love to know if y'all have any other tips to share?!  

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Mommy Maintenance : EVER Skincare and Make-up

It's been a while since we've written a Mommy Maintenance post, but it's one of those topics that is our favorite to discuss.  All of us mamas need a little "me" time once and a while and doing things for ourselves that help us look and feel better is well deserved for all hard working moms.  

Today we're dishing all about EVER, a skincare and make-up line that is made with good-for-you ingredients, but also has the science to back up it's products.  So not only do they work, but they are made without any of the bad stuff.  We both gave a few of their products and try and couldn't wait to share what we thought!  

What Carrie Beth Tried... 

Some of you might have used EVER's skincare products or at least heard of them before, but did y'all know they now have a make-up line also?  We were so excited to learn this because we are lovers of make-up and beauty products, but want to use products that are not harmful or full of chemicals.  

I tried the Color Quickie set that basically includes an eye and check palette, mascara, and lip gloss.



Our friend, Amy, suggested that the Elegant and Empowered Out The Door palette and then I went with the Rose Nude gloss. I must say, these are colors I never would have chosen for myself because I always tend to go more for the pink blush and lips, but I REALLY love it.



The Out The Door palette does just what the name suggests.  It is made up of eye and check colors that are designed to highlight your natural beauty and get you out the door fast!  It comes with a guide that suggests how to wear the various colors together and how to apply, which I really appreciated and learned something from. I really love how natural it all looks, but I still feel put together and made up.



The Flash power plumping gloss does just that...adds a bit of color and shine to you lips and you an literally feel the plumping action when you apply.  The Whiplash volumizing mascara has been great because it really makes your lashes look longer and thicker, without being clumpy or smearing on my eyelids or under my eyes after a long day.



Last, but not least, I tried a sample of this Daylight Tinted Moisturizer and just placed my order for a full size bottle.  I love that it has SPF and I plan on wearing it as a light foundation all spring and summer.  The best part about it is that it smells AMAZING!!!  

What Jen Tried... 
The last few years I've really tried to pay more attention to my skincare routine, and what I need most to keep my skin in the best shape possible.  I tend to lean towards cleaner all natural products, so when Amy asked if we wanted to try a few things from EVER's line I was so excited to learn more about their popular clean beauty line.

After pouring over EVER's website and information I decided to test out some of their most popular skin care items. Both the Reveal Biomimetic Peel Pads and the Lavish Body Butter have rave reviews!

The purpose of the Reveal pads is to help firm, smooth and re-texturize skin without irritating it. For me this is key! As I (ahem) age, I've noticed my skin is beginning to loose it's elasticity. Anything that is willing to help counterbalance all that damage I did to myself in my 20's (here's looking at you baby oil and tanning beds), I'm in. I've tried a few other products that promise similar results, but let's just say my skin was a little sensitive and those didn't go over too well. 

The pads were named part of Allure's Best of Beauty awards in 2015 and 2016. Between that backing and that they have great reviews for all skin types, I was willing to give it a try. 

I'm so glad that I did! Amy warned me that if I have more sensitive skin to use these lightly and no more than 3 times a week to start. I typically have clear skin with a sightly dryer complexion. I've been using them for about two weeks now, and am loving the results so far. 

I do a quick swipe with one of the pads after I wash my face and then follow up with my night serum and a moisturizer. Even after the first use I've noticed my skin feels firmer and smoother. I tested using the pads on back to back nights, but it definitely made my skin feel a little dryer, so I have continued to use them every other day like Amy suggested and I think that is the perfect balance. 

I'm definitely curious now after giving the Reveal Pads a try - and seeing the great results - what it would be like to do EVER's full Pure Results Regimen. The pads are the second step, but they have a whole coordinating line! 

My biggest skincare complaint is dry skin. In the winter, I'm constantly combatting dry itchy skin between battling the elements and the constant hand washing routine that comes with those germy heightened months. In the summer months, between the chlorine and 1,000,000 SPF I now wear that takes a week to scrape off, my skin also tends to need extra moisture. When I read about EVER's Lavish Body Butter I couldn't wait to try it. 

How has this not been in my life earlier?! Holy moly, I was missing out! Not only does it feel ah-mazing, it smells amazing too! 

The tiniest little bit goes a long way, and my skin has never felt more moisturized. I totally agree with Allure magazine and all the reviewers who rated Lavish a top product. I want to roll in it and soak in it's luxuriousness every single day. 

Lavish is definitely one of my favorite new skin care products, and unless someone else can come up with a better magical moisturizing cream one I think this is one I will now use for life! 

Ways To Save...
We really do feel like these products are priced right for what they are, but if you are like us, you want to try to save money anywhere you can and feel like you're getting a good deal.  There are several ways to save on EVER products so we wanted to be sure to fill you in on the details. 

First off, you should subscribe to save. We know you might be kind of weary of subscribing to something that you have never even used before, but you'll immediately save 10% off your order AND get a 10% credit in your account to use for future purchases.  You can select 30, 45, or 60 days for your reorder and push that back as many times as you would like (or even end up canceling if you don't want to reorder the product).  So, you'll get an email before it is ready to ship and you an push it back another 60 days if you would like and do that as many times as you want. If you subscribe you also get a $30 credit in your account on your birthday month!  

Another way to save is by contacting us!  We have unique links that will save you $10 off of your first order of over $50 or more. That's a pretty big savings if you ask us.  Each link is unique, so simply email us at themagnoliamamas@gmail.com and we will send you a link to save! 

Have more questions about EVER?  Want to learn more?  Our friend, Amy, can help! 
Website//Facebook//Instagram

Have you used EVER products before? What are your favorites?! 

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Mommy Maintenance: LipSense

It's been a while since I've had a post in our Mommy Maintenance series, but I'm so excited about what I'm sharing with y'all today!

First up though, here is a look at the other posts in this series so far: 

Exercise 

Skin Care 

Teeth Whitening 

Now onto today's topic of lipstick!  I'm a girly-girl and have always loved make up.  I think it started with me always admiring how beautiful both of my grandmothers always were.  They were true southern belles and it may speak to their generation, but they were always perfectly polished with their hair curled, wearing pearls, and lipstick on.  When I was a little girl I loved playing in their jewelry and accessories, dabbing some of their powder on my nose and begging for some lipstick that they would always share with me on the way to church when I was little.

It is pretty rare for me to be seen without makeup.  Not because I'm self-conscious without it, but because I feel more complete and put together with it on.  When my cousin, Bryn, texted me a while back and asked if I had heard of LipSense I was kind of surprised I hadn't.  Mostly because with social media I see a lot of the trends and new products early, but this was completely new to me. 

LipSense is a long lasting lip color that literally stays on all.day.long. I thought it was too good to be true, but I was excited to try it out for myself.  

I watched THIS VIDEO and was instantly intrigued.  Obviously some of these colors are WAY out there, but there are a lot of regular everyday colors for everyday mamas just like me and I actually had a hard time narrowing it down and picking just one to try.  

I had so many questions, including how in the world does this actually work and how is it possible.   It is waterproof, kiss proof and smudge proof.  Seeing this graphic helped explain a lot. 

The first color I tried was Champagne Beige.  I loved it because it was similar to something I'd wear on an everyday basis.  Whenever I want to give my little Boo-Boo a kiss he makes me pause and then he checks to see if I'm wearing lipstick because he does NOT want any of it on him.  However, with this he doesn't have to worry because it stays put on my lips and does not transfer all over his cheeks!! 

You are supposed to apply this product in three layers to ensure longevity and you put it on in very thin layers. When I first started wearing it I think I missed that step so my color was a lot darker than expected, but that was because I was putting it on thicker.  Basically it should look like you don't have anything on the applicator when you put it on.  

When you first put the lip color on it does feel kind of sticky and weird, but it doesn't transfer.  Then you are supposed to put on the glossy gloss right after the lip color has dried. It kind of helps lock in the color and give you the moisturizing your lips need.  It lasts a while, but when my lips start to feel dry I reapply a few times throughout the day.  I'm obsessed with my lips being moisturized so I love this gloss.  It isn't thick or goopy and I feel like it lasts and stays on a very long time.  

I have LOVED using LipSense and have ordered two more colors from Bryn...Pink Champagne and Lexie Bear-y.  There are so many colors it is hard for me to narrow it down, but if you don't like something you can send it back, no questions asked.  I loved that and it made me stress a lot less when trying to pick out a color!  And not to blow your mind or anything, but because this is worn in layers, you can wear different colors for each layer to create unlimited color possibilities!

I love having my lipstick on and feeling polished and put together, even if I'm just having a regular day.  It has been so great for me because I get ready first thing in the morning and don't have time to reapply, touch-up, or even care about my make up until I'm ready to take it off that night.  It takes me through my workout classes, through running errands, through lunch, afternoon carpool, homework help, sports practices and games, dinner and beyond.  It truly does last all day!

Last Friday we went to a Billy Joel concert at SunTrust park and I knew I didn't want to bring a big purse.  When picking and choosing what to put in my small clutch it was so nice not hot have to bring a bunch of different lipsticks and glosses. I just brought my glossy gloss with me because I knew my lip color would last all night.  Through dinner, drinks, singing, dancing and enjoying the show, it never faded and was perfect all evening.

Another perfect example of why I love LipSense occurred yesterday.  I was being officially inducted as secretary of our PTA.  It was part of a brunch and while I knew a lot of the people in the room I was still kind of dreading getting up in front of them all.  However, I felt confident when I did have to stand in front of the room because I knew that even though I'd eaten my delicious brunch, I didn't have to worry about my lipstick rubbing off or getting all over my face!

After many hours the color does eventually start to wear off or if you want to remove it sooner you just use the Oops Remover and wipe it off.  Easy as that!  I've been so happy with my LipSense and wouldn't recommend anything that I didn't really love. Right now Bryn is offering a special for a first time collection.  

If you are interested in learning more don't hesitate to leave questions in the comments and I will try to answer.  You can also see all sorts of application videos, colors, and other information on Bryn's Facebook page. I'm always learning something new or seeing new fun colors I want to try!

You can also contact her by email (LipsWithB@gmail.com) and she is on Instagram.

I'd love to know what you think!  Have you tried LipSense?  Do you think it is too good to be true?  Leave me a comment and let me know!

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Sharing is Caring: Staying Fresh with Dove Advance Care Deodorant

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One of the reasons we love blogging is being able to share fun new finds, or mom hacks to help you survive...well, motherhood! We love sharing with you guys just as much as we do our close girlfriends. Carrie Beth and I chat all day long about everything, and 99.9% of her mommy maintenance series is something we've chatted about as girlfriends behind the scenes.

So when I gave Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant a try she was the first person I thought of. No, not because she needed it - but because she totally did!

Let me backtrack... I was grabbing essentials one day and needed a new deodorant. Mr. Cute was low too, and uses a Dove Men's Antiperspirant - so I grabbed one for me to give a try. I keep deodorants everywhere - in the bathroom (obviously), in my travel kit, in my gym bag, and even my car.

Yes, my car. Because you never know when you might need to smell good.

In fact, this has saved me on more than one occasion as a mommy because (1) some days you are just so tired you can't remember if you put some on after your shower, or (2) some days you don't even have time to actually shower.

But you get the idea - I like smelling clean. We all do. And when I tried Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant I instantly fell in love. First, it smells amazing! I picked up the Revive scent and it smells kind of fruity with hints of pomegranate and lemon verbena, and lemons always make me think fresh. Second, it feels amazing! With Dove 1/4 moisturizers and NutriumMoisture built in, it makes your skin feel softer and smoother.  Throw in up to 48 hours of odor and wetness protection, and a full on love affair has been born.

(Again, rocking the mom life and we all know that last part is a major bonus!)

Now this is where Carrie Beth comes in. Last week we met for a fun catch up lunch. It had been forever since we had hung out and since my birthday was in a few days she wanted to bring me my gift. Little did she know I had a gift for her too. When I was purchasing one of my many Dove Advanced Care Deodorants to stash everywhere, I grabbed her one too. Then I shared with her all the ways of why she needed this in her life.

Does she think I'm crazy for showing up to a luncheon professing love for a deodorant, and putting a newly purchased one for her very own use right next to her freshly ordered meal? Probably not any crazier than she thought I was before the luncheon. ;) But, here are her thoughts...

Is Jen crazy? Yes - but in a totally good way. ;) But like a good friend, I always listen. I took my newly gifted Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant home and gave it a try. Even after only a few uses I knew I loved it just as much as she claimed I would. She gave me the Dove Advanced Care Cool Essentials Antiperspirant and it has a lighter, refreshing scent made of cucumber and green tea. It feels so good on my skin, and love the silky smooth moisturizing effect it leaves behind. As a busy mom constantly on the go, feeling great and knowing that I will smell great (even after a gym session when I might not have time to shower post workout) is so reassuring. I am so glad she shared her tip with me!

Now just wait until I catch up with my other friends and give them their new Dove Advance Care Antiperspirant presents too. Because sharing is caring, and I love my squad! Give it a try, refer it to your friends too (just maybe not at lunch), and let us know what you think!

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I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Mommy Maintenance: Teeth Whitening Kit {Giveaway}

I'm so excited to share a new topic for my Mommy Maintenance series today!  This is perfect for anyone looking to do something for themselves and it's all about making your smile bright and beautiful...something that has always been important to me!

First up though, if you want to take a look at the other posts in these series so far, here they are: 

Exercise 

Skin Care 

And now onto today's topic of beautiful smiles.  I know people notice different things about others when they first meet them.  For some it's their eyes, for other's it's their hair and for me I always notice people's smiles.  I feel like if someone welcomes me with a smile it makes a lasting impression and immediately helps me to feel at ease.  Because of this I've always been pretty aware of my own smile and wanted it to be as bright and white as possible.  I don't like coffee so I  don't have to worry about coffee stained teeth, but I do love sweat tea and red wine, two other liquids that can stain teeth.

Years and years ago I had dentist teeth whitening trays made, but those are long gone so, when I was contact by Smile Brilliant to ask if I'd like to try their home teeth whitening kit I jumped at the chance.

Everything I needed showed up on my doorstep in one box!  There was a kit for making the molds of my upper and lower teeth, an envelope to send the molds back, the whitening and desensitizing syringes, and detailed instructions to walk me through step-by-step.

The best thing about Smile Brilliant is that I didn't have to leave my house!  Yes, you read that correctly!  The same custom teeth whitening trays that I could have had made at my dentist were available to me at a much more affordable price and in the comfort of my home.  I didn't have to worry about making an appointment, scheduling childcare, getting dressed up or anything!  I know for busy moms, like me, that is a big deal!  After my Barre class one day, I came home and made the molds of my teeth for my custom trays in the comfort of my own home dressed like this with my pup watching me the whole time. :-)

It's important to get this step right and I was a little nervous because there are time limitations before the paste hardens, but I was worried for nothing!  It was so easy to do and actually kind of fun. I felt like I was doing a science experiment.  

There are two small containers that you mix together until you get a solid blue color.  This feels a little like play dough.

Then you push it down into the trays and hold it on your top or bottom teeth until it begins to harden. I've linked a video of this process for anyone that wants to see how it works!

After completing this step for both the top and bottom teeth you place the molds in an envelope and mail it back to Smile Brilliant.  They make your trays and then just a short while later your custom trays arrive back in the mail!

I was so impressed with the fit and comfort of the material used for these trays.  They are not hard and rigid and instead are flexible which makes them comfortable and easy to wear.  It had been quite a while since I had whitened my teeth, but I do remember my teeth being very sensitive after whitening so I eased into it with just wearing the whitening trays for 30-45 minutes at first and then then working my way up to about an hour or two at a time.

The good thing about Smile Brilliant is that they also provide you with a desensitizing gel that is used after the whitening gel to help combat the tooth sensitivity that some people (like me) experience.  I really do feel like it helps because I haven't noticed the sensitivity like I had in the past.  

My teeth were already pretty white and there is only so much stain removing that can be done by this whitening system, but I have loved this for helping to maintain my smile and to combat the stains.  

If some of you are interested in learning more, check out this article about Things To Know Before Buying Teeth Whitening.  It shares a ton of great info and answers some questions you might have.

***GIVEAWAY***

Now for the really exciting part!  We've partnered with Smile Brilliant to give away one teeth whitening kit to one of our readers!  To enter to win, be sure to click HERE to head over to their website for the giveaway.  Also, if you would like to order your own Smile Brilliant teeth whitening kit, be sure to use the code themagnoliamamas5 to receive 5% off your order.

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**I was given a teeth whitening kit for review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.** 

Teeth Whitening