I've been tagged!

The lovely Lynda tagged me, and although participation was optional, I thought I'd go ahead and do it.

The Rules
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves on their blog.
2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you plus eleven questions for the people you have tagged to answer.
3. Choose eleven people and link them in your tag.
4. Email the person to let them know that they’ve been tagged.
5. No tag backs.
6. You legitimately have to tag

1. If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
Disney Paris

2. What Chinese astrology animal sign are you?
I'm a tiger, rawr! Here is what the webpage says about the tiger year:

Tigers may not be the king of the jungle, but these striped cats are no softies! Magnetic and self-possessed, Tigers are born leaders. They have an air of authority that prompts others to fall in line, which is exactly how they like it. Although they are magnetically charming and fun to be around, Tigers like to go it alone sometimes too. A Tiger's main interest is in following its ambitions -- and maintaining control. Tigers are courageous beyond compare and generally come out ahead in battle, be it in the boardroom or the bedroom. Seduction is one area where the Tiger is definitely king! Noble and warm-hearted, Tigers have a natural, raw appeal that's extremely attractive to other Signs. They're not just about attraction, though; ever on the side of right, Tigers will fight the good fight to the bitter end if the cause is worthy. Opponents are wise to fear this feline. A bit of caution is a good thing around Tigers, since they can pounce without warning. They experience mood swings and often feel things more intensely than others, the latter quality being both good and bad. They can react poorly under stress and are prone to emotional outbursts. This Sign's bristling sensitivity can send friend and foe running for cover. A lesson that Tigers would be well-served to learn is moderation in all things. Once these cats can find their center and direct their considerable energies toward worthwhile endeavors (as opposed to racing through life), they will accomplish much.

3. Do you have any concerns about the Mayan calender ending on Dec 24th, 2012?
Nope, none at all.

4. If you enjoy reading, who is your all time favorite author?
I don't read books much, but my favorite message board to read is MakeUpAlley

5. How many blogs do you follow on a regular basis?
None regularly, but I pop in once in a while to three or four blogs.

6. American Idol or The Voice (or neither)
What are those? -giggle- Sorry, I don't watch either one.

7. Are you an early riser or night owl?
Night owl

8. Do you have a skin care regiment you follow each night before bed?
Nope, not at all. Sometimes I put lotion on my legs but that's about it.

9. What magazines do you subscribe to?
None, Intarwebs has all the info I need, no need to pay for a subscription. :)

10. One beauty product you can not live without.
Lotion, I get dry itchy skin and must have lotion. :)

11. Ever been skinny dipping?
Once in my backyard pool when I was about 5 years old. My best friend and I would climb the pool ladder, holler at the neighbor (grandpa aged man) and jump in real fast before he could see. Mom came to see what we were yelling about and caught us in the act!

If you want to be tagged, consider yourself tagged! Use the questions above, or tell whatever you'd like!
(I know I'm not following instruction, but I don't want anyone feeling obligated in the least.)

What is cuticle?

Please see image near bottom of Doug Schoon's website.
Salon Life's cuticle explanation video
This is the best image and video I could find online that is accurate, and I don't want to publish them here and take traffic from them, so please visit the links. :) Thanks!

See the Proximal Nail Fold (PNF)? That is what most people confuse with the cuticle and they end up doing damage to it. PNF should never be cut, poked or prodded aggressively on purpose. It works as a seal to protect you from bacteria and infection and needs to be allowed to do its thang. :)

The cuticle is an epidermal layer of skin that is virtually invisible. It grows out in a thin layer attached to the top of the natural nail plate from the underside of the PNF.
What most people call the cuticle is actually the PNF. Cutting, picking, or any other attempt to remove the PNF should be avoided at all costs. Doing so greatly increases the risk of paronychia (a nasty painful bacterial infection). On top of the dreaded infection, the body replaces the cut/torn/eradicated skin with scar tissue and/or calloused and hardened PNF so it will be even worse (bigger/tougher) when it regrows.

If you or someone you love cuts their PNF, get them to stop. Have them use softening and exfoliating products like Alpha Hydroxy creams, CND Cuticle Eraser, and pure lanolin to soften and exfoliate the hardened skin. They can even use a gel or creamy cuticle remover, which will help to remove the dead cuticle from the nail plate and detach the PNF from it with very gentle pushing. My favorite remover is Blue Cross from Sally Beauty or KBShimmer Clean Start gel cuticle remover, and I used to use Sally Hansen's Instant Cuticle Remover in the blue bottle which is also really good.


I took the below photo of my own nail to demonstrate the part of the cuticle that can safely be removed weekly or bi-weekly to keep your nails pretty and your polish on. :)
The purple arrows shows the stuff you will want to remove, the red arrow is what you want to leave be (PNF) except to detach it from the dead cuticle so that it will retreat back where it should be. When PNF gets pulled down the plate by the growing cuticle, it will stretch the PNF out and make it look bigger than it is. Detaching it will let it 'spring' back and after a day it will look like it should. To see how this is done please visit The Salon Life on youtube, she has dozens of videos of natural nail manicures that teach how to do this gently.

Usually, the purple arrow portion is not visible but thanks to acetone it showed so I could photograph it for you!

The red arrow is the PNF which seals out bacteria to prevent infection, and is the part you'll want to moisturize daily and let it do its thang.

Go forth and treat your PNF well!

Green Thumb

PR Sample

This week's mani is called Green Thumb and is made by an indie polish shop called Whimsical Ideas by Pam

Gold and green micro glitter, green bar glitter, and lime green shreds swim in a sea of green shimmer filled jelly. Absolutely stunning in the bottle, take a look!




Even more stunning on the nail!


I first tried Green Thumb on its own, but at three coats I thought it was a little thick so I removed and tried it with underwear. Photo shows one coat Nina Salsa for underwear, two coats Green Thumb, Gelous and SV.