Audrey Dao » Mani Pedi

Ask Audrey: Vol 23

Audrey Dao — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:23:52 +0000

Question:

I’ve been looking at all your nail polish swatches lately (love them by the way!) and I knew I had to ask you this question: how do you paint your nails? It always looks so smooth, even, and clean. Please share your secret technique!

Truthfully, the way I paint my nails is no secret technique. I paint them the way I was taught when I was a little girl. I call it the the 3-swipe method. Since I suck at taking photos and describing, I found the perfect diagram to explain and show the method I use to paint my nails.

Click on image for larger view.

Photo: lacquerized.com

I hope this helps!

Do you use the same method I do? Or do you paint your nails differently?

Have a question to ask? Don’t be shy. Submit your question(s) here: Ask Audrey

Holiday Beauty Look Inspirations

Audrey Dao — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:34:34 +0000

It’s that time of the year again. Time for the holiday parties!

Photo: inspired-design.tumblr.com and xxaammyysarrahh.tumblr.com

My favorite holiday makeup look is the red lips. It could be soft, bold, glossy, matte, sheer or dark. I love them all. I love the red lip. I love it because if done simple, it can be so classy and glamorous. It’s also the quickest makeup look to put together. You don’t have to worry about eye or face makeup. If I do decide to do a little eye makeup, it’s always the cat eye. I always use liquid liner because it gives a clean and precise finish.

Photo: lovemaegan.com and littlehouseofhappy.tumblr.com

I love, love, LOVE to use glitter nail polish during the holidays. It’s the only time of the year I will sport glittery nails. My go-to glitter shade is gold. I love to layer it or wear it alone. I think it adds a nice warm touch.

Do you have a favorite holiday makeup look?

Fall Nail Colors 2011

Audrey Dao — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:42:08 +0000

I love when Fall rolls around, because I get to bust out my dark nail polish colors. Don’t get me wrong. I love wearing bright fun colors, but I love dark colors even more. My favorite colors to use for fall are dark gray, brown, and burgundy shades. I also like to toss in shimmery copper and rust shades to brighten it up a bit. When I’m feeling girly, I like to use dusty shades of rose and and mauve.

Sonia Kashuk in Mauving It Up
Deborah Lippmann in Brick House
Zoya in Jana
Sonia Kashuk in Stop Whining
L’Oreal Paris in Mystery
NARS in Galion

What shades do you like to use for Fall?

Get Summer Ready Feet

Audrey Dao — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:10:44 +0000

Photo: activerain.com

The lovely summer sandals season is right around the corner. Are your feet ready? Here are some quick tips to help make sure your feet are in tip-top shape all summer long:

Buff and Scrub those calluses away. I like to use a pumice stone after I shower this way the calluses are softer and easier to buff away. You can also soak your feet in warm water for a few minutes before you buff. If pumice stones aren’t your thing, you can use a scrub or foot file to get rid of calluses too.

Moisturize ’till your feet are baby skin soft. Before I go to sleep, I slather my feet with a thick, heavy layer of lotion/cream and then put on a pair of cotton socks. When I wake up, my feet are super soft. Of coarse living in California makes it difficult to go to sleep with socks on since it’s almost always summer here, so sometimes I’ll skip putting on socks and just moisturize.

Pedicures are your toe’s best friend. Don’t forget to show some love to your toes too! File your toe nails so they aren’t ragged. I also like to use bright nail polish to add a pop of color. For me, the brighter and bolder the better!

Do you have any tips you would like to share?

Weekly Feature: China Glaze Four Leaf Clover

Audrey Dao — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:46:30 +0000

This week’s weekly feature is China Glaze’s Four Leaf Clover. Four Leaf Clover is part of China Glaze’s Up and Away Collection. I thought it was a perfect color for this week since St. Patrick’s Day is this Wednesday. Go Green!

32 Colors in 32 Days Conclusion

Audrey Dao — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:40:38 +0000

32 Colors in 32 Days series has officially ended! I hoped you guys enjoyed it. I’m thinking about doing another series to finish off my nail polish collection. Here are all the colors that were featured this series:

Click on each photo for a larger view

32 Colors in 32 Days Day 32

Audrey Dao — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:58:07 +0000

Revlon 900 Sheer Pink

32 Colors in 32 Days Day 31

Audrey Dao — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:55:54 +0000

Revlon 908 Red Hot Tamale

Thanks to B for modeling this color for me.

32 Colors in 32 Days Day 30

Audrey Dao — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:53:00 +0000

Revlon 911 Pink Chiffon

32 Colors in 32 Days Day 29

Audrey Dao — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:50:26 +0000

Revlon 917 Plum Seduction

Thanks to M for modeling the color for me.