The New and Improved Womancave

Ever since my makeup bag bit the dust on the way to Cabo, I've been trying hard to use more of the cosmetics I already have since there is so much to replace. I realized that a huge reason why I don't use half of my palettes is because they're hidden away in drawers, out of sight, out of mind. Y'all know that I'm usually in a bit of a hurry in the morning when I'm trying to get ready and get out the door. (Haha! That's the understatement of the the year!) I tend to just grab what's already out, and vere toward the same palettes all the time. I decided that I really wanted to change up my makeup station and storage situation.

I visited a lot of different blogs and YouTube channels, and found examples that I really liked. I really wanted a dressing room style vanity mirror with lights all around it. I found one that can be ordered online, and it was $399!! I just couldn't bring myself to spend that much money on a mirror, albeit an amazingly cool one! I went to Ikea to check out some of the items I was considering buying, and came across strips of 5 lights each that were arranged into the exact kind of setup I was looking for! The only problem is they were wired to be installed to a wall, not to be plugged in.

I spoke to a fellow customer who explained how I could wire them together and attach them to a wire with a plug so I could just plug the whole thing into a wall outlet that connected to a light switch. I figured with the help of my Dad, who is an electrical engineer, the guy at ACE, and my stubborn, determined mind, I could figure it out and have what I want for a fraction of the price!

I ended up getting everything I needed, desk, drawer unit, and shelving unit included for less than the price of the makeup mirror I found online. The day I got everything from Ikea, I assembled the desk, drawers, and shelving unit. I used my drill/electric screwdriver from Black and Decker with a phillip's head bit and an Allen wrench bit, and I bet you it took me 1/4 of the time it would've taken me without it.

I've found that Ikea items are not hard to put together. Once you understand the basic parts and how they work, it's all the same. Even products that aren't from Ikea use the same parts.

I knew the lighting and mirror installation was going to take another whole evening to do, so I hit the sack after I got these put together.

The next day, I went to ACE to get the wires, wire nuts, shims, and everything else I would need to set up the lights.

So to simply explain how I did it, I wired one light strip to another, and then that one to the third.

Then, I wired the last one to a wire with a plug attached, and plugged it into the wall outlet. When mounting the lights to the wall, I had to tie strap the wires together in multiple places to keep them hidden behind the strips. That was the hardest part!

In the meantime, I got to enjoy the first haboob (AZ term for dust storm) and thunderstorm of the season!

I can't take credit for the photo, I got it off of a friend's Facebook page. I was actually face timing with my Dad when the haboob hit, and I got to show him and my Mom what it looked like! Super cool and crazy perfect timing!

This is what I looked like after I was done. Completely and utterly exhausted, and so proud that I finished it and it turned out so great!

The lights ended up being SO bright!! Unfortunately the LED lights are not able to be used with a dimmer, so I've had to get used to it. It's not as bad as what I thought it was at first. It's great lighting! I just wish the mirror was a little closer. I still have to use a smaller mirror for detailed stuff like eyeliner and false lash application.

Here's the first time I did my makeup at my new station. The before:

And the after:

So my project was a success!! My Dad helped me so so so much! Thank you Dad for your guidance, and for giving me an A++ on the finished product!

Now getting ready is even more fun! And it takes even longer....just what I needed! Haha! It's just so easy to get sucked in and spend way too much time being creative! The more I practice, the better I'll get and the faster I'll be. That's my outlook and I'm sticking to it :-).

I hope you enjoyed this post, and maybe got some inspiration to do your own DIY home improvement project!!

Happy Trails!

Stacey

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