Author: Christina

Beauty/

Amazon Gel-X Nail Kit + Supplies | A Review

Painted nails are some of my favorite accessories to wear (nails can count as accessories, right?!). They can add a simple yet elegant touch to any look and of course, they can compliment any arm candy, from jewelry, rings, and watches!

I used to paint my nails ALL the time as a kid, and I continued to do so as a teenager and adult. Of course, I started with regular nail polish, tried acrylics once, moved to gel, and then really committed to dip powder – my favorite!

After years of getting dip powder on my nails (I was waiting on a proposal from my now-husband!), my nails have definitely taken a hit – they’re soft, brittle, and really don’t do well naked. Plus, the constant nail salon visit were also taking a hit on my wallet!

I started hearing about gel-x nails on Instagram and TikTok, and started doing some research on why it’s all the range and if it’s actually better on your nails.

After reading up on the trend, I decided to get my own nail kit and start doing my nails at home. I’m not a nail expert, and I’m not even good at it – I would say I’m average at doing my nails! But I’m hoping this blog post can help someone out. I see a ton of videos of gel-x tutorials on TikTok, and they all look PERFECT. So, my tips are a mix of everything I’ve seen and read up on from TikTok, with some of my own techniques I picked up along the way. I also feel like my YouTube video explaining my kit and my process can be confusing, which is why I’m writing up a set of simple step-by-step instructions. Everything I purchased for my kit came from Amazon – I will link everything down below. I used an old acrylic drawer I originally stored my makeup in, but I linked a few similar options as well.

Gel-x nail steps

1. Clear and clean nails from all polish.

2. Apply the daily nail keratin treatment – soak it in for a few min and massage it in.

3. Find the best-fitting gel extension for each nail and set aside. Buff each extension if not pre-buffed.

4. Apply the nail dehydrator on each nail (I like to fully prep one hand at a time before painting).

5. Apply a thin layer of nail glue over each and cure with full nail lamp.

6. Apply nail glue on gel extension, place on your nail (not flat down, but at an angle starting at the cuticle), and flash cure. Fully cure with larger nail lamp once all gel extensions are on.

7. Trim your nails with the gel-extension trimmer to the length you want and file edges down. Buff all nails after. This will help the gel polish adhere to the gel extensions.

8. Begin painting nails with gel polish and cure with larger nail lamp. I typically do two coats.

9. Apply gel top coat, cure, and you’re done! Unless you want to add the chrome effect – use the sponge that comes with the chrome powder kit, and apply another top coat, and cure.

Clean nails with keratin treatment
gel extensions on
gel extensions trimmed and buffed
second gel-x attempt attempt
gel-x supplies
third gel-x manicure attempt

As you can see from the photos above, the process does get easier with each application. I’m slowly getting a little more precise each time. Practice makes perfect!

I mention some important tips to follow while applying the gel extensions and painting them – hear all about them in my video below!

The nail kit and supplies

Everything I used to build my nail kit can be found on my Amazon Storefront.

Watch my full video:

*Disclaimer: Some affiliate links may be used, which I may earn a small commission from (at no cost to you). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Lifestyle/

What’s in my Car + Car organization

Car organizations are some of my favorite videos to watch on Instagram and TikTok – why are they so satisfying?! This week, I’m showing you how I organize my car, a Ford Mustang.

Mustangs aren’t the most spacious, so I really wanted to make the most with the small storage spaces I do have. For example, my center console is pretty tiny compared to most cars, and my glove box won’t even fit one of those Amazon glove box dividers.

I decided to take everything I learned online, and bring them to life! It’s not the easiest to type out, so I would recommend watching my full YouTube video.

My Amazon Storefront is updated with links to what I use in the video below or similar options. For example, I linked a compact pack of hand sanitizer that I plan on buying once the two packs I currently have in my car run out. I also made sure to include a few other items that I think are helpful to keep in your car, like these jumper cables that is also a battery pack and flashlight.

Let me know your car must-have!

*Disclaimer: Some affiliate links may be used, which I may earn a small commission from (at no cost to you). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Beauty/

Beachwaver Review

Have you tried the Beachwaver yet? I wasn’t sold on it until one of my best friends got one, and said I would really like it – so of course, I bought one at her recommendation.

I got the holiday edition b1 Beachwaver (which is no longer available, but here’s a Pink Sunset version), and have been testing out all three heat settings ever since. Turns out, I prefer the curls from the low heat setting.

One thing I didn’t realize at first is that Beachwaver actually has curling irons of ALL different sizes (my friend didn’t realize this either) – had I known this, I would have initially gone with a bigger size since I prefer bigger and looser waves.

Regardless, the Beachwaver does a great job of curling your hair in the back, which can be challenging to reach sometimes!

One common question I get on my TikToks featuring the Beachwaver was, “how does it compare to the Chi Spin N Curl?” I actually have a YouTube video comparing the two here!

Beachwaver also has some great products, including the Stay Strong Reparative Kit, which I mention in my video below, as well as a Braid Balm (this is amazing btw!) and Volumizing Mousse.

I’m also happy to share that I have a discount code for you to use and save on ANY Beachwaver product! Use code: CHRISTINADWAVE at checkout for 10% off!

Watch my full review:

Let me know your thoughts on the Beachwaver!

*Disclaimer: Some affiliate links may be used, which I may earn a small commission from (at no cost to you). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Beauty/

LTK Spring Sale

Better late than never, right!? I was in the middle of traveling to Bozeman right after work when the LIKEtoKNOWIT Spring Sale kicked off, and I just made it back home yesterday night. For those of you still wanting to shop the sale, I’m making a note of the brands I think you should still look at!

First, here are all the brands participating in the sale, which ends tomorrow – so you still have time! As per usual with LTK sales, you need to shop in the app in order to get the discount code. Follow me on LTK to get the codes!

I’m not looking to do any major shopping during this sale, but if I were, I’d take a closer look at Abercrombie, Aerie, and Stanley.

I don’t have any collages prepped, but I figured it’s better to let you all know about the sale than to waste time creating these collages late in the sale. Happy Shopping! <3

*Disclaimer: Some affiliate links may be used, which I may earn a small commission from (at no cost to you). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Beauty/

Beachwaver Vs. Chi Spin N Curl

A question I received on one of my hair TikToks was how the Chi Spin N Curl is different from the Beachwaver. At the time, I wasn’t sure, but after getting the Beachwaver, I feel they’re very similar!

There are a few minor differences, but I feel like you can see the major difference in the second-day hair. I find this comparison really important because I am someone who will sometimes style my hair the night before, in order to have my hair half ready by the time I get up in the morning – it’s a huge time saver!

I have the B1 Beachwaver. Use code: CHRISTINADWAVE to save!

You can get the Chi Spin N Curl off Amazon.

Watch my full review to see the difference:

Shop the rest of my hair tools on my Amazon Storefront.

*Disclaimer: Some affiliate links may be used, which I may earn a small commission from (at no cost to you). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Beauty/

My Top 5 Hair Tools

I previously shared my top five hair tools in one of my monthly newsletters, but I thought it would be a good idea to have it live permanently on my blog! This list of hair tools includes some that I’ve been using for years, and others that are fairly new to me. So, here are my top five must-have hair tools:

  1. 1 – 1.5 inch – I think this is best for touseled waves – This is by far my favorite curling wand! This gives you the prettiest tousled look – so effortless, yet perfect.
  2. 1 ½ Inch – I’ve had a curling wand in this size for years and forgot about it until I started those hair TikToks. I think it gives you pretty soft waves!
  3. 2-inch – A two-inch curling iron is the perfect way to get a blowout look. I always have a hard time giving myself a real blowout, so why not take the easy route with this? 
  4. Chi Spin N Curl – The Chi Spin N Curl is one I like to use before bed. It gives you tight curls, but they turn into loose waves overnight. So, your hair is already done when you wake up!
  5. NuMe Set- This 5-in-1 set is so useful and gives you a variety of options for hairstyles. My favorite size out of these is the 25mm wand. I love it for relaxed loose waves. The rest of the set includes a 19mm, 32mm, a pearl barrel, and a 25mm cone.

Want to see these hair tools in action?

I’ve shared how I use them all on my TikTok – check it out! I’m also in the process of shooting full hair tutorials for my YouTube channel.

I’ve also been doing some comparison videos like this:

@christinaonair 2 inch curling iron vs. a blowout brush #blowoututorial #blowoutbrushhair #2inchcurlingwand #2inchcurlingiron #wavyhairtips #wavyhairtutorial ♬ Electric Feel – TEEMID

Don’t forget about haircare when using these hot tools! Check out my blog post on my favorite hair products!

Shop the rest of my hair tools on my Amazon Storefront.

*Disclaimer: Some affiliate links may be used, which I may earn a small commission from (at no cost to you). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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