Aronda the M.U.A.Hair and Makeup Artist with a fetish for Nail Polish :)

Today I’m showing you all another of my braid creations! This is a 2 layer large sized braid style with extensions modeled by my lovely client and family member, my Aunt Deb!

I used about 4.5 packs of Kanakelon braiding hair in 4/30 mix color and this style took just about 2.5 hours to complete.It can be worn straight or braided up as shown, or even permanately curled at the ends. The finishing options are truly endless. 

With proper at home maintenance this style can last 4-6 weeks making it perfect for summer. I took these pics with a real camera so they turned out much better than my other one! Gotta stay on point..LOL. Enjoy!

Keep Bouncing and Behaving,

Aronda MUA

I told you guys I scored some nail polish, and I didn’t want to delay in showing it to you guys! I messed up my manicure putting lashes on someone so I had to change it anyway. That darn eyelash glue does NOT come off of nails easily like hair glue!

These two shades are from Orly’s Fall 2009 Once Upon A Time Collection which is why I decided to show them this way. I’m not actually going to wear them right now because frankly they are very dark and Fall like, hence the Fall collection status..lol. Prince Charming is a really nice milk chocolate creme shade, and the Enchanted Forest is an intense emerald green creme that looks amazing with my skin tone I think.

I just wanted to give you guys a preview based on what I was able to get my hands on. The collection contains 6 shades with a Fairy tale theme. I absolutely love the colors I’m showing you today.Each bottle came with a cute little charm attached that kinda fit the theme of the color.

Prince Charming has a crown charm, and Enchanted Forest has a butterfly charm. Very cute though I can’t imagine that I’ll actually use them. I can’t wait for some cold weather so I can actually rock these colors!

Aronda MUA

In class this evening, we actually were treated to an impromptu cap weaving instruction given by a representative from Sensationnel. Sensationnel is a hair weaving company, and I’m sure their main purpose in coming to our school was to promote their hair products, but I won’t knock their hustle..lol.

They provided us with enough hair to actually complete full weave looks either on our mannequins or on each other. Because not many of us were adequately prepared to get new weaves (We weren’t informed of the class in advance), we pretty much just watched, took notes, or did weaves on our mannequins.

I think I learned something from the class, and it was a nice break from all the theory on haircutting we’ve been getting all week. I managed to snap one picture from the hair weaving class, my friend Confession who didn’t want to show her face until her weave was all the way in! The joke was on her because my phone died before it was finished, so all we have is this pic!

Keep Bouncing and Behaving,

Aronda MUA

A few months back, I entered a contest given by Essie brand nail polish to win a bottle of nail polish that was part of a special 2 color collection only available through the contest. Essie had partnered up with Jello for their Jello RedHaute Flavors of Summer contest. To enter, you had to come up with a new flavor of Jello and enter a UPC from a Jello box.

I tried my luck and quickly forgot all about it as I do with just about every contest I enter. I never expect to actually win. However, when I checked my mail today there was a little package waiting for me from Essie with a bottle of the Strawberry Acai (described as a rich, juicy berry shade) special edition nail polish!I was one of 2,000 winners, so shout out to all the other winners of the contest! Actually the nail polish was first prize. The grand prize was a years worth of manicures and like a years worth of Jello. I am very happy I won first prize, and will be showing you guys a swatch of the polish very soon. Until then…

Keep Bouncing and Behaving,

Aronda MUA

The first display of my work is of a basic braid up. I wish this photo would have came out clearer so you could really see it, but I think it’s still a pretty good shot. That’s what you get when you forget to take pictures then have to make do with your camera phone!

This is Ike, one of my long time braid clients. He’s been coming to me for about 3 years or so, and he kindly posed for my impromptu photo shoot..lol. Enjoy!

Keep Bouncing and Behaving

Aronda MUA

Mint Mojito is from Orly’s Summer 2009 Tiki Time Collection which included 4 bright creme shades. This is the only one I have from this collection and judging by how much I love this, I probably need to check out the other 3 shades!

I have been wearing this color for about 2 days now, and I fall more in love with it each time I look at my hands! It’s the prettiest almost “Kermit the Frog” bright green creme shade and I absolutely adore it. These types of colors are right up my alley. I love it bright and sassy on my nails in the summer!

 I always bring my own nail polish to the salon when I get my feet or hands done, and I picked this shade while wearing a green shirt. Everyone kept asking me if green was my favorite color! That cracked me up all day…anyone who knows me knows my favorite color is pink!

Since I got this polished at the salon when I got my pedicure, (I used the Mint Mojito on my toesies also!) I have no clue which base and topcoat was used. You know how they act all secretive with stuff in those unmarked bottles! Next time I’ll probably bring my Seche Clear and Vite so I can be assured of what goes on my digits next time! Until then…

Keep Bouncing and Behaving,

Aronda MUA

I was supposed to be doing my hair over yesterday, but I never quite got around to it. I did manage to get it together today and here are the results! I did a quick weave using Batik Synthetic Loose Body wave hair.

 This is a good product to use if you’re looking for something short term because it will tangle in about 10 days no matter what you do to it! I actually use a weave detangler to make it last the whole 10 days (ok, I usually take it out by the 8th day, but I have kept it in for 10 before..lol) that is made by Soft Sheen Carson called WeaveCare Featherlight Detangler. It’s a great product, and is also good for human hair as well.

I like to alternate between Indian Remy hair which is very expensive and Batik or Outre Synthetic hair which is very economical. A girl has to be savvy in these days and times or the wallet will get really thin really quick!

Keep Bouncing and Behaving,

Aronda MUA

Can I start by saying that I love Vistaprint.com! Every time I go there I wind up with lots of free stuff and discounts galore off their already low prices. It’s just the heaven of printing!

Anywho, I decided that I needed to order some business cards because I ran out a few months back and never reordered. I wanted the cards to be something I could use now and also grow into because I ordered 500 of those babies. Here’s what they look like:

They are adorable, right? I just love them. I ordered 500 of these, 50 business card magnets, 10 note cards and 10 pieces of letterhead. I’m not quite sure what I’ll do with the note cards or letterhead, but they pretty much threw it in so I said what the heck! All that stuff only came to around $35, including shipping. That’s pretty amazing. I can’t wait till they arrive and I can start passing them out!

Keep Bouncing and Behaving,

Aronda MUA

So, I have to tell you a little bit about how school works so you can follow along with me. It’s broken down into 2 semesters pretty much, Freshman and Senior. You’re a Freshman until you’re about half way finished with the course. Each semester is broken down into 6 week curriculums, which are sometimes further broken down into 2 and 4 weeks sessions.

Whew! That sounds like a lot, but you’re quick, you’ll catch on fast..lol. Ok. So right now I’m in the Haircutting curriculum which consists of 2 weeks of Hair and Scalp Treatment and 4 weeks of Principles of Haircutting. We just finished the 2 weeks of Hair and Scalp Treatment, and I got a 100 on my final! Our final exam consisted of a written portion and a practical portion, where we work on our mannequins.

Everyone in my class, including myself, is looking forward to cutting some hair next week! We finally get to tame, or at least attempt to tame those darn dolls. Their hair is just begging for a trim and I can’t wait to give it to them.

Keep Bouncing and Behaving,

Aronda MUA

My name is Aronda, and I am a hairstylist and makeup artist currently in training in Philadelphia.

I started this blog to document the goings on of cosmotology school, and also as a way to show off my work! This blog will be chock full of pictures, from my nail polish, to reviews of products and services that I may receive along the way (I’m dying to get a brazilian..I’m sure you’d love to hear about that right? LOL). I love hair, makeup, nails and fashion (and of course shoes!), and I’ll be sharing it all with you right here.

I hope you enjoy this new venture, and be sure to check my personal blog to learn more about me!

Keep Bouncing and Behaving,

Aronda MUA