giving into highlights

Most people don't chose to lighten their hair with highlights for winter, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

I've been growing my hair out for a few months now, so not only does my hair already look "blah" because of the awkward growing-out-a-bob-phase but the color looked super flat. Up until a few days ago, my hair color completely lacked depth and dimension so I decided to get a trim to liven up my locks and add a few highlights as well. I have given myself highlights out of the box once a year for the past few years in anticipation of summer, but have never gotten them done professionally. I decided it was time to splurge and have my stylist add in a few highlights to add dimension to my hair while I grow it out.

Since the goal wasn't to lighten up my hair (which I will do in the spring), I didn't want many highlighted pieces or super blonde ones. I had heard of balayage (French for "hair painting") highlights before and wanted to give it a try since they look so natural. The balayage technique, basically randomly placing highlights without foils, really appealed to me since I'm growing my hair out and don't want to go to the salon often for touch-ups.

Randomly selected pieces for a natural look 

Jen has been cutting my hair for years so I knew I trusted her to do my color as well. I showed her pictures and explained to her the look I was going for, which was to not change my natural color just enhance it. She painted lightener on my strands randomly all over, being careful to not go all the way to the roots which would defeat the purpose of "natural" looking. It was important to me to not go too light, but to keep the same color with a little more dimension. 

Jen and me! Please ignore the rat's nest that is my hair after a two-day bun...

After enjoying a glass of wine (is there any other way to get your hair done?!) she washed and trimmed my hair per usual. The end result of the highlights and a much-needed trim was just what I wanted! I think the balayage highlights will keep my in-between-length hair looking fresh and interesting for a while.

Right after my appointment. You can really see the dimension the highlights added! If only my hair would look this shiny and smooth all the time...

Different lighting at work the next day.

Still in the "awkward" growing out phase, but I actually like how my hair looks now!

What are your thoughts on highlighting? 

Kendall Jenner is the new face of Estee Lauder

What a savvy move for Estee Lauder!

While I have always liked wearing Estee Lauder products, it's definitely been perceived as an older brand. Kendall will definitely attract a younger consumer, and may be able to help shift the aging perception of the brand in millennials' minds. I'm excited to see where this goes!

http://www.esteelauder.com/kendall 

image from esteelauder.com

adult acne

If you thought you would retire from acne around the same time you retired from being a teenager but are still dealing with it, join the club. It can be frustrating to deal with acne when you feel like you've finally grown up in most areas of your life but your skin is lagging behind. I had multiple people ask for this post so if you're struggling with this issue, you're definitely not alone! 

As someone who has struggled with acne on and off for years, I have tried countless acne remedies and treatments. I feel like I've finally found what works for me, but that's the catch: everyone's skin is different so everyone's solution is different. 

Personally, my best acne skincare routine is all about prevention instead of treatment. My acne tends to be more hormonal - a few under-the-skin cysts versus many little pimples. This means that drying acne treatments (i.e. products containing salycilic acid) don't do much for me and I'm better off keeping my skin clean and calm.

I didn't start this routine all at once, but gradually increased use of products so my skin didn't freak out and even now I only use my acne products sparingly. 

Every day I:

• Wash my face using an acne cleanser once a day at night. I just rinse my face with water in the mornings instead of using cleanser because I find my skin becomes dry if I wash too often.
• Moisturize with a gel-based moisturizer (any light moisturizer will do). A common mistake people with acne-prone skin make is not moisturizing because their skin is oily and they think moisturizer will make it worse, when actually, your skin will produce even more oil if it isn't moisturized because it's trying to make up for a lack of hydration. Don't believe me? Try using a moisturizing serum before joining the moisturizer club.
• Avoid touching my face or picking at possible zits. This never turns out well (it will most likely leave the area inflammed or even scarred). Just don't do it!

Two-three times a week I:

• Use a tea-tree toner post-cleansing and pre-moisturizing. Tea tree is a natural acne-fighting ingredient and makes your skin feel ah-mazing.
• Use a glycoloic-acid based treatment Glycolic acid speeds up your skin's cell turnover rate, decreasing the chance your pores will get clogged with oil and produce pimples. Exfoliating can be tricky with acne because sometimes the harshness can make a pimple problem worse instead of better, but glycolic acid gently and effectively exfoliates. 
• Go to sleep with a thin layer of retinol on my face. You can find tons of drugstore products containing retinol these days because its an ingredient found in a lot of anti-aging products. Retinol will definitely make your face worse instead of better initially, so if you're thinking about stealing your mom's wrinkle cream and giving it a try I recommend sticking to it for at least six weeks to see results. (Tip: also apply moisturizer or facial oil over it if your skin becomes dry)

As needed I:

• Use a spot treatment. If a zit pops up out of nowhere I'll dab a tiny bit of blemish-clearing gel on it. Look for spot treatments containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
• Take a prescription pill. I'm in the process of weaning myself off this right now, but it helped me tremendously when I was suffering from moderate acne.

A big part of preventing acne is lifestyle. I believe that drinking a ton of water and exercising regularly helps my skin more than anything else; just make sure you wash your face or use a face cleansing wipes post-workout so the sweat doesn't clog your pores. Also, I know that my cystic acne tends to flare up after consuming a lot of dairy due to the hormones in cow's milk, so I try to limit it as much as possible (except for cheese, duh). Not sure if cutting down on dairy could help you? Try eliminating it from your diet for a couple weeks and see if your skin improves at all.

Keep in mind that it is possible to overdo it. If you get a bad breakout, do not panic and slather every acne product you own on your face because you may do more harm than good. Be gentle with your skin and have patience! In the meantime you can try switching up your foundation/concealer to a higher coverage.

If you still feel like your acne is making you self-conscious I really recommend considering a dermatologist. I found a great skincare routine incorporating a prescription cream, pill and birth control when I was really struggling with my skin a couple years ago.

And the friend you have who never washes her face or even owns concealer? No, it's not fair, but move on! Stressing and being upset about your skin definitely doesn't help the issue.

I hope my skincare routine gave you some inspiration! What do you do to prevent or deal with breakouts?

splurge vs. save: makeup

When it comes to makeup, I can be a bit of a snob. I prefer pricey cosmetics. Nothing makes me feel quite as pretty as using makeup that’s encased in beautiful packaging that makes me look forward to using it, or even simply looking at it. Putting on your makeup shouldn’t always be a mundane chore you’re required to do every day; the process of “getting pretty” should be an experience you look forward to (at least every once in a while).

While I think that some pricey makeup is all about the pleasure in owning it, such as my $33 lip balm a.k.a. Dior Lip Glow, I truly believe that some expensive cosmetic products are worth the splurge because they perform better. It’s important to differentiate between splurging on makeup because it’s better than its drugstore counterpart, and splurging on makeup to treat yourself every once in a while because it makes you feel good (I’m looking at you, Benefit Hoola).

Splurge-worthy products perform better – meaning they look better and last longer. Think makeup you get at Sephora or department stores. This makeup isn't that expensive when you get down to it because it's more pigmented = less product to get the desired result = product lasts longer. 

My personal opinion on which products are worth the money:

• Foundation/BB cream: You don’t have to spend a fortune on it, but I believe in spending a little more when it comes to makeup that goes on your face for two reasons. First, your skin is your body’s largest organ so you should treat it well and be considerate when it comes to slathering chemicals on it. Second, I am acne-prone and have found that drugstore BB creams clog my pores and make my face produce more oil. In face makeup I look for an oil-free, multitasking formula that I don’t feel guilty about layering on my skin. I like Tarte and Pur Minerals. 
• Eyeliner: I know a lot of people will disagree with me on this one but I’m sticking to it. Eyeliner is my favorite cosmetic product; I have owned just about every color and kind you can imagine. I find that drugstore eyeliner is less pigmented, which means I have to use more of it and press hard when applying it in order to get the color I want, and tugging at your eyelid (the thinnest skin on your face) is definitely not helping to prevent wrinkles or irritation. Also, I find that drugstore eyeliners I’ve tried don't stay on for long and are more prone to traveling around my eyes throughout the day. I like Bobbi Brown (gel), Estee Lauder (pencil) and Stila (liquid).
•  Blush: Again with the putting-chemicals-on-your-skin thing. I prefer cream/gel blush because it lasts longer than powder and looks more natural, and I haven’t found a drugstore version that doesn’t turn my cheeks into an oil zone yet. I like Josie Maran.
• Cream Eye Shadow: This was a no-brainer splurge for me because I’m lazy when it comes to eye shadow. I dip my finger in a neutral shade, swipe it across my eyelid, and count on it staying there all day without moving. I like Make Up For Ever.
• Makeup Brushes: Pricier ones won’t shed, are nicer to your skin, and will last longer if you clean them regularly. I like The Body Shop.

 In my opinion, these products are not worth the splurge:

• Mascara: Let me tell you a secret...The only difference how mascara makes your lashes look lies in the brush, not the formula. While I’m obsessed with my Benefit They’re Real mascara, it’s definitely one of those products that just makes me feel good to own (that’s what Christmas is for, amirite?!). I love how L’Oreal Voluminous makes my lashes look just as much, with a cheaper price tag.
•  Bronzer: I love matte bronzer because it looks more natural compared to shimmer, but my recent purchase of Benefit Hoola left me underwhelmed. I like how it looks in my makeup bag, but it doesn’t look any better or last longer than my favorite Physician’s Formula bronzer.
• Lip Balm: I can’t speak to lip stick because I haven’t experimented enough to have an opinion on it (though I'm dying to try Bite Beauty). Lip Balm on the other hand, is not splurge-worthy to me. I love how my cheap Baby Lips balm looks, as well as my fave balm Dior Lip Glow. 

Toss Ups:

• Concealer: I recently splurged on a Nars concealer, which I am a proud owner of, but I honestly don’t think it performs any better than my favorite $11 Body Shop concealer. I’m inclined to say splurge on concealer since it goes on areas you don’t want to draw attention to so it needs to look good and last long. I’m still searching for “the One.”
• Powder Eye Shadow: With a good, splurge-worthy eye shadow primer I think the less-pigmented drugstore shadows would be okay. However, I like Too Faced best.

Not sure if you should splurge or save? MAC and The Body Shop’s cosmetic products are usually priced in between the splurge-y Sephora stuff and the cheap Walgreens stuff, and both have great quality without a hefty price tag. If you're thinking about taking the plunge and splurging on a product, see if you can get a sample or buy a travel-sized version first to try before you buy.

Which products do you splurge and steal on?

p.s. Stay tuned for skincare and hair editions!

DIY manicure

We all paint our nails, but how many times do we just lazily slap some polish on then pick it off a couple days later? I'm definitely guilty.

Now that I've started working I realize I can't sport my classic chipped, blue nails anymore since it's not professional-looking. While going polish-less is the easiest and most realistic option, sometimes you just gotta put in a little time and effort to groom your nails. Even if you don't want paint color on your nails, it's still a good idea to regularly trim your cuticles and file your nails down so they look clean. Not only will it save you time and money by not going to a nail salon, it can be something you look forward to!

the only supplies you need

First, take off any existing nail polish with nail polish remover and wash your hands with soap after to ensure nail polish will really adhere to your nails. Then clip nails if needed, but definitely file your nails regardless so whichever shape you choose (oval or squared) all nails look uniform in shape.

Next, clean up cuticles with a cuticle trimmer. This is one of the most underrated nail products ever! You can get one for super cheap from the nail section of the drugstore - mine is Revlon. You use the pointed end to push your cuticles down, then the metal end to get the dead skin off (I realize these are horrible instructions but I can't really explain it - I promise it's intuitive!).

Here's the time-consuming part. Take the time to paint your nails with a clear base coat, two coats of color (allowing plenty of time to dry in between), then finally a clear top coat. If you're the type of person who hastily paints a couple coats of color on your nails and that's it, you're better off having bare nails because the polish is going to look bad and chip in no time. It can be frustrating to sit and wait for your nails to dry, but try to pass the time by reading or Pinteresting and if you're really rushed just run your hands underneath cold water and they'll dry faster.

Make sure you're keeping your hands and cuticles hydrated by using hand cream daily, and keep up a manicure by reapplying top coat every other day to prevent chipping and dullness.

If you turn grooming your nails into a mini spa night with a face mask and a magazine, it'll be something you actually look forward to every week, and who doesn't feel prettier with manicured nails?

get your game face on

Football season has officially started with the NFL opening game last night, and I couldn't be happier (Go Marshall and  go Panthers!). Football and all-pumpkin-everything combined with the perfect weather, easily make Fall my favorite season.

For some, football season means wearing your favorite jersey and heading out to a tailgate and game every weekend. For others, it means yummy food and beer in front of a TV. Regardless of your preference to watch the game you want to be focused on the game and having fun, not worried about how you look.

Football games often mean spending all day outside in the sun drinking, and the last thing you want is to head somewhere after the game with a face full of smudged makeup. You know the girls who wear a ton of makeup to sporting events and look silly? Don't be that girl. You aren't there to make a statement with your bold lip or smokey eye, you're there to have fun and cheer on your team (or at least pretend like it).

In order to ensure you go from tailgate to game to post-game festivities looking flawless, stick to minimal, neutral makeup with staying power. This way, you can feel good about spending all day (and night) supporting your team and beer-drinking habits and leave all cosmetic products at home.

game face necessities

My favorite long-lasting products for game time are:

1. Tarte BB Tinted Primer: I've said it before and I'll say it again: this stuff is amaze balls. It's lightweight (read: doesn't look like you're wearing makeup on your face), but covers extremely well. A little bit goes a long way and the best way to apply is to put a small amount on your fingers, rub your fingers of both hands together, then smear all over your face and blend.

2. The Body Shop Concealer Stick: It's no secret that this is my favorite concealer. The reason I like it so much is because it covers under-eye circles and blemishes well, so I don't need two different concealers. Apply this under eyes and on blemishes where needed, but don't worry too much about covering every little spot.

3. Josie Maran Waterproof Cheek Gelee: Waterproof blush means this stuff doesn't budge. It'll stay on until you take it off, even through the hottest day for a game. Apply lightly to get a healthy flush; once again, don't go overboard.

4. Benefit Hooola Bronzer: This is a recent purchase of mine from the #FlyBenefit vending machine at the airport, and I'm already obsessed! This bronzer is perfect for game day because there's no shimmer in it (matte=natural). Dust a little on your forehead, sides of nose, chin and hollows of your cheeks for a natural-looking glow.

5. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner in Black: Stila isn't lying when they say "Stay All Day" because this stuff doesn't budge. If you haven't mastered using liquid eyeliner (yet), not to worry. Draw small dashes as close to your lash line as possible then connect them and you'll have a straight line! Since I have small eyes I like to add a small flick to the outer corners of my eyes, think mini cat-eye, but it's still appropriate for game day.

Tip: if you have lighter eyes or hair, stick to brown instead of black - it looks much more natural.

6. Make Up Forever Aqua Cream for Eyes in Warm Beige: I definitely don't recommend wearing eye shadow to sporting events, especially if it's outside in the heat, because you're basically asking your shadow to crease and look horrible within a few hours. However, I do like to put a tiny bit of this on my brow bone and at the inner corner of my eye.

7. L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara: No need to get waterproof mascara for football season, unless your favorite team loses a lot and it makes you sad.

These are my favorite picks to create a minimal game face that will last all day long!

is everyone bobbing without me?

It's no secret that everyone in Hollywood is chopping their locks into chic bobs lately, but Emma Stone's recent bob-formation automatically amped up the short-hair game.

image from refinery29.com

I've had a bob haircut for six years and decided I would grow it out after college, but Emma is making me question my existence without short hair.

Victoria Beckham, the original bobster of the early 2000s, sparked a trend in short, stacked bobs that was quickly adopted by soccer moms (See: Kate Gosselin).

A few years later, Gwenyth and Jen kinda made the lob (long-bob) cool, but it didn't pick up too much speed.

 Karlie Kloss hit the bob scene hard in 2012 and really set a fire to the trend, causing celebrities and mere normals alike to chop off their hair...

And so it begins: the bob/lob is the "it" cut. For now.

Are you going to hop on the bob train?

 *all images from Google Images

Makeup Genius by L'oreal

It's Monday. Mondays are slow. Mondays I am bored.

Naturally, the answer is to try on makeup.

I've been hearing buzz around L'Oreal's new beauty app, Makeup Genius, for quite some time but haven't gotten around to downloading it until I reached the point of extreme Monday-ness today.

Upon opening the app, your camera quickly scans your face to get a good idea of your features. You can then try on various products in eyeliner, eyeshadow, lipstick, lip gloss, lip liner (wtf?) and blush categories. Some eyeliners, such as the gel one, are drawn on as a cat eye and some (like pencil) are drawn on smoky. 

Even though I was trying SO hard not to bust out laughing in my cubicle, I am so impressed with how real the products look. It looked like I was actually wearing the products! Not only does the color look real, but the texture was even there - my lip gloss was shiny. As if this isn't advanced enough, the products move with your face! I moved all around and made different poses, opening and closing my mouth/eyes and the products stayed on the entire time. Unbelievable. 

Besides being able to switch color swatches and from product to product easily, you can share your looks on social media or save them for easy product reference next time you're at Walgreens and remember the awesome lipstick you tried on at work without actually trying it on.

Besides a couple of the eyeliners being drawn onto my eyeball(s) at times, this app is freakishly accurate and awesome. I'm not going to lie it has definitely convinced me to go out and buy a couple of L'Oreal products I tried on now...

Now photos, for your viewing pleasure:

As you can see I am new to this and wondering what is going on while trying not to laugh. But I do like this lipstick!

Things are getting fun. Always wanted to try blue eyeliner, but I'm not sure I would apply it this heavily...

Love this look. It's the most symmetrical cat eye I've ever had. If only my eyeliner could look like this in real life...

Things turned ghetto for a hot sec

My favorite look: clear gloss, light pink blush and brown eyeliner applied with a heavier hand than I usually do.

Next time you're bored and have some time to kill, play around with L'Oreal's Makeup Genius app and send me some pics!

summer skincare

Summer is a time filled with cold drinks, cookouts and zits. Between the killer trio of sunscreen, heat and sweat, breakouts are almost synonymous with summer - no matter who you are.

Since I'm not willing to give up pool days and can't control my body sweat, I've altered my skincare routine to ensure I'm not a greasy mess. 

the good summer trio

• Once a day (should be twice a day, but who's counting?) I use acne wash on my face and chest/back. While this would be a little harsh for my skin in cooler months, it's perfect for Summer because it has salicylic acid in it a.k.a. prevents breakouts. Psst - when washing your chest and back make sure to leave the cleanser on for a few minutes so it can get into your pores since the skin in these areas is thicker than the face.
• A few times a week I use Tea Tree Toner post face-washing and pre-moisturizing. Toner is an important step most people neglect in their skincare routines: it gets all the leftover grime and residue out of your pores that cleanser didn't grab. Tea tree is a natural acne fighter, but the best part is it makes your skin feel amazing.

• Lastly, I switch to a gel moisturizer during warmer months because my skin isn't as dry and doesn't need thick moisturizer combined with the North Carolina humidity. No thanks. It is still really important to use a light moisturizer in the Summer, even if you have oily skin, because it prevents your pores from over-producing oil (and preventing more pimples) - which is more prone to happen if you cleanse but don't moisturize. A gel moisturizer gives the perfect amount of moisture and makes for a great makeup base.

If you want to be super fancy and feel an amazing zingy-ness when you apply your skincare products, store them in the refrigerator. Not only does this prolong the product's life, but makes it feel super refreshing. Make room for actual groceries in there.

How do you change your skincare routine during Summer?

summer in a lipstick

Famous last words: "I walked into Wal-Mart for a six-pack of beer, and came out with that plus a lipstick."

But it happened! Yes, it did.

A few months ago, I was on a hunt for the *perfect* matte, orange/red lipstick and it was a hard time in my life. It consumed all of my thoughts, this perfect lipstick, yet after countless hours spent in Sephora and Ulta I still couldn't find it so I gave up. I thought all hope was lost until I stumbled into Wal-Mart seeking the beer fridge until I saw IT. 

Don't let it's humble packaging fool you

Wet 'N Wild MegaLast Lip Color in Purty Persimmon. I know you're not supposed to do this but I had to swatch the color on my hand to believe what I was seeing (I bought it so it's okay), and it was everything I've been looking for and more! I would have paid a disgusting amount of money for this lipstick but it was less than $2. TWO DOLLARS! 

This lipstick is perfect because:

• It's matte - Matte is younger, fresher, and better for bright colors.
• It stays on forever - I've tried some expensive "long-lasting" lipsticks and they don't come close to this one. 
• The color - This perfect blend of red and orange is what I think of when I think of Summer, and is usually flattering on all skin tones.

Awesomeness

Even though Wal-Mart doesn't have this particular Wet 'N Wild lip color on their website you can find it at Walgreens, and for $2 what do you have to lose? 

don't tan and drive

I have read multiple times that a woman's age can most accurately be revealed by her hands and neck. 

This is because women often neglect these areas when applying skin care products, especially anti-aging ones. Despite the number of wrinkle creams a woman slabs on her face to keep herself looking young, if she ignores her neck and hands then there is no appearing "younger." The reason why a woman's hands and neck tend to show age is because the skin in these areas (as well as one's face) is thinner and therefore more prone to damage.

Since your hands are often exposed and are an area of skin that is seen often, it is important to keep them looking beautiful. Whether you're handing money to the Starbucks barrista, instagramming your new manicure or shaking an interviewer's hand, your hands are constantly out in the open for anyone to notice.

I have been starting to pay more attention to my hands and religiously applying hand cream in the winter in order to keep them well-moisturized and taken care of. Whenever I'm in the sun I also apply sunscreen to them. 

Protect your skin during long periods of driving to avoid aged hands.

Lately, I have also been applying sunscreen on my hands while I'm in the car. It's a bit ironic to be preaching about protecting your hands from sun damage since I am a self-proclaimed sun worshipper, but I am trying to be smarter about it. If I'm going to be driving more than 20 minutes, such as a 4-hour drive back from the beach, it's so important to apply sunscreen because you don't realize the damage sun can do to your hands while you're in the car! I keep a little tube of non-greasy sunscreen in my car so I can apply a thin layer to the tops of my hands and fingers. If you choose a non-scented and non-greasy sunscreen you won't even be able to tell you have sunscreen on your hands but your older self will thank you.

I'm sure plenty of people think this is super weird, but I'll be the one laughing in 40 years when my hands don't look as old!

travel favorites

I have an obsession with any product that is travel-sized. Not only are the miniature-sized products cute, they are ideal for any trip!

Whether you're celebrating Memorial day with a "staycation" or flying somewhere with a carry-on, these TSA-approved products are my go-to's for traveling:

Herbal Essences Shampoo- I'm lucky and can get away without conditioner, but this shampoo leaves your hair feeling soft and is so much better than hotel shampoos!

Tarte BB Primer- Even though it's a primer, I always wear this BB cream by itself. It feels absolutely amazing on my skin (like silk), and provides the perfect amount of coverage! It also contains SPF 30 Sunscreen and lasts for 12-hours (no, really) so it's ideal for day-long Memorial weekend festivities. Can you say cookout?

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel- I like to switch up my moisturizer in Summer because my skin is oily and doesn't need as thick of a moisturizer. This one is perfect because it mattifies shine AND works as a primer.

The Body Shop Body Butter- I currently have this travel-sized body butter in 6 different scents - this one is Mango. I love it because it's more moisturizing than a lotion (perfect for after-sun) and won't melt in your bag. And it smells delicious!

Aquage Sea Salt Texturizing Spray- I don't like to travel with a blowdryer or straightener to warm destinations because they take up extra space in my bag, and not to mention fry your hair! I use this spray after the shower without brushing my hair, then scrunch and let it air dry. It gives a natural, beachy look and will make your boyfriend happy when it cuts your getting ready time down in half ;)

These are my favorite travel-sized products! Blush, bronzer, eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara tend to be small anyway so I always bring my regular ones but limit the amount. I stick to neutral shades - a black or brown eyeliner, plus gold and bronze eyeshadows and one lip color. Whether you're staying at home or going somewhere fun for Memorial Day Weekend, these are great products to have!

glitter is for adults

Anyone who knows me well knows I am completely obsessed with glitter. I tend to leave it out of my beauty routine to avoid looking like a 90's tween with glitter eyeshadow, but when it comes to nails I think it's fabulous!

fun!

My mom understands my girly love of glitter and gave me this Sally Hansen nail polish in 'Rockstar Pink'. Needless to say I'm in love!

You can layer glitter polish on top of regular polish, but I prefer to do 2 coats of just the glitter. If you're shy about glitter, try just one coat because it will be super subtle.

'Rockstar Pink' won't be coming off my nails any time soon...

the sunless tanning industry boom

splurge vs. steal: mascara

As much as I love buying expensive beauty products because of the luxury associated with them, there are some amazing, cheap drugstore options.

The one thing that deters me from trying a new product at a drugstore is that you can't test out the product before purchasing because everything is sealed in its package. However, Walgreens will allow you to return a used cosmetic product if you're unsatisfied with it. 

Some times I stumble upon amazing drugstore products when I'm traveling and forget to pack something important, like eyeliner or concealer. Most of the time when I purchase a drugstore cosmetic it's because it was recommended to me personally, was mentioned on a blog or mentioned in an article.

I have two favorite mascaras: one is They're Real by Benefit and the other is L'Oreal Voluminous. They both make my eyelashes look longer and thicker, but L'Oreal is less than half the price (and maybe even better). I don't usually purchase They're Real - it's given to me as a gift about once a year but I wouldn't buy it myself because it's not better than some drugstore options.

battle of the wands

It's more difficult to justify buying expensive mascara because mascara is something that you should throw out about every three months, so it doesn't last long. For now I'm loyal to my drugstore L'Oreal mascara, but then again, I haven't tried DiorShow yet.

dior lip glow

I had been lusting after Dior Addict Lip Glow for months years. A couple of my friends had the original pink color, and the classy-looking balm seemed like something Audrey Hepburn would wear so naturally I had to have it.

According to Sephora, Dior Lip Glow is "formulated with color reviver technology" which basically means it's magic (no, really). The color of this sheer balm turns into a unique shade based on the chemistry of your lips so it looks slightly different on everyone.

The balm has SPF 10 and feels incredible - like finely crushed pearls (if that's the smoothest thing ever).

so damn *chic*

I got the Coral Lip Glow instead of pink because it was supposedly a limited edition version at Sephora when I went, which was perfect because I gravitate toward corals over pinks with regards to blush and lip colors. The color is super sheer and delivers the perfect amount of color that looks so natural and pretty - other people will probably think you're wearing a clear balm and your lips are just that good.

The only downside to this balm is that it costs $32. I'm embarrassed to admit I spent that much on a lip balm because I know it's absurd. But, treat yoself? 

bronzing for beginners

I bit the bullet and decided to try a beauty video. It's my first one, so it can only get better from here (right?)! Hopefully this video is helpful - let me know if you have any feedback!

the great outdoors

Spring has officially sprung and I cannot get enough of it. When the weather is nice, I'll find any excuse to be outdoors and soaking up the sun - against my dermatologist's wishes. 

It's time for baseball and lacrosse games, music festivals, outside beer drinking, golf, porch-sitting and cookouts. This means it's also finally time to breakout creamy, lightweight makeup and put away the heavy winter makeup.

This weekend, I am going to The Masters in Augusta, Georgia. Not only will I be outside from sun up to sun down watching golf (so pumped!), it is going to be sunny, hot and humid. Whenever I go to a sporting event, especially one outside, I try to do minimal makeup. How silly would it look to show up to a golf tournament or any of the activities above wearing a full face of makeup? There is no sense in going all out with your makeup if you'll be outside for a few hours or more because you're going to be sweating, eating and drinking so it'll most likely melt or smudge - not cute.

In order to make sure you look naturally pretty all day and night long when spending time outside, pick products that are light and creamy; waterproof and products that contain SPF don't hurt either. This way even if you're sweating in the hot humidity your makeup will stay in tact without reapplication.

These are the beauty products I'll be wearing at The Masters:

All of these are creamy and lightweight, which means they won't leave my face too much

Stila Stay All Day HD Illuminating Beauty Balm - I'm bringing this because it's super light but provides a thin layer of coverage to blur imperfections. Plus it has SPF 30 which is a major plus. No one will be able to tell I'm wearing anything on my face but it will even out my skin tone while providing a dewey look.

Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee - I've raved about it before, but I'm obsessed with this cheek color. It provides a sheer pop of natural-looking color and stays on literally all day long.

The Body Shop Concealer - I've used this thing down to a nub, but no worries I have two more waiting to be opened! I've been using this creamy concealer for a couple of years because it works on my under-eye bags as well as blemishes. You'll have to pry this from my cold, dead hands in order for me to stop using it.

Benefit They're Real! Mascara - It's not waterproof, but it stays on pretty dang well. I never have to worry about this mascara melting transferring to my eyelids and it gives my stubby eyelashes some serious length.

Tarte EmphasEYES Waterproof Clay Eyeliner - I am a HUGE fan of gel liners because they don't come off unless you want them to. It's also easier to get gel liner closer to your lash line compared to a pencil, which looks more natural. This one is a gorgeous bronze color I use often.

Estee Lauder Cream Shadow - I think I might have cried when I saw this cream shadow in Golden Sands was discontinued because it is the absolute best. It stays on all day and I use it as a base for other shadow, or on it's own and it looks awesome either way. It's the only light gold cream shadow I have found and liked because there aren't any pink tones. This Estee Lauder Shadow Paint might be the closest thing.

Spring is the perfect excuse to stock up on some creamy, long-lasting products you'll use throughout the Summer. Have a light hand when applying your makeup to ensure as natural of a look as possible, especially if the event is during the day. Now go have fun!

weekend beauty detox

The Sunday Scaries are real and I hate them. I am extremely jealous of people who often have "Sunday Funday" because I feel like it isn't possible. Between sleeping off one too many drinks from Saturday night coupled with the anticipation of a busy week makes Sunday almost worse than Monday to me, and all I want to do is hide in my bed with a box of Cheez-Its. 

As much as I hate Sundays, laying around and being lazy after going out all weekend is the perfect time to detox. Every Sunday I wake up to my skin not looking especially fresh since it's dehydrated and neglected from Friday and Saturday. The combination of beer, junk food and not taking off my makeup before bed doesn't exactly make my skin glow.

I always start Sunday by washing my face and taking my multi-vitamin/fish oil vitamin. I take these every day except usually forget to on Friday and Saturday because there are too many fun activities, especially when it's Spring outside! Even if these vitamins aren't actually making a difference with my skin I don't care because it makes me feel better; placebo affect, anyone? 

Lazy Sundays are a great time for doing a face mask as well. I personally like The Body Shop Tea Tree Mask because the tea tree oil makes my skin feel zingy and refreshed. Most face masks only need to be on your face for 20 minutes but somehow it's difficult to prioritize a mask during busy week days, so save it for Sunday! 

My personal hangover cure is Mexican food. Not only does it taste good, but spicy foods will get you to drink more water than you usually would. Water, a.k.a. the "elixir of life," is never a bad thing to chug especially if you're feeling/looking less than great. A shower never hurts either.

If you're one of those lucky people who doesn't dread Sundays because you're always having fun, good for you. For the rest of us, slap on some face cream before bed and you'll be right back on the beauty track come Monday morning. 

event prep

Senior year is quickly coming to a close which means, among the many emotions that accompany the end of "the best four years of your life," there are many events to attend. Between cocktails, senior nights and graduation parties there is a lot to be excited about! 

In order to feel your best at an event it is important to "prepare" throughout the week so you aren't rushing around last minute trying to get pretty.

A few of my favorite preparation products

These are a few things I try to do the week leading up to a big event:

1. Drink a ton of water. Drinking more water than usual throughout the week is a natural and easy fix for making your skin look more radiant. Make a goal for yourself each day - it is easier if you always carry a water bottle!  Drinking more water also means cutting down on sugary and alcoholic drinks because they make your skin appear dull and exaggerate imperfections due to dehydration.

2. Get enough sleep. A lack of sleep also makes your skin look more dull and causes under-eye puffiness and darkness. If you don't have time to get the doctor's recommended 8 hours a night, consider investing in de-puffing eye cream and a creamy under-eye concealer.

3. Exfoliate. I am a huge fan of exfoliating because it makes your skin glow. Exfoliate your face, lips (especially if you're trying a bold lipstick) and body two days before an event. Exfoliating is also super important if you're planning on sunless tanning, which is best to do the day before an event so you have time to fix tan streaks if needed.

4. Do the big stuff the day before. Do not wait until the day of the event to do a face mask, hair treatment, tan, nails, shave, etc. Sometimes you may not have as much time to get ready as you planned so get the time-consuming, important things over with the day before so you don't have to worry about packing it in right before the event, which can be stressful.

5. Get inspired. An event is the perfect excuse to switch up your normal makeup routine and try something new! If you have always wanted to try a bold lip, smoky eyes or a cool updo but don't want to show up to class or work looking way overdone, this is your chance. However if you're trying a new beauty look for an event, try it out before to make sure you like it. Pick a night that you have some free time and try different makeup/hair looks so you know exactly how to do it the day of the event and feel rushed. (Hint: The Beauty Department and magazines always have great beauty inspiration!)

It's so much fun to get dressed up and ready for an event, so make the most of it - turn on some music and squeeze in front of the mirror with your friends!

How do you prepare for an event in terms of beauty?