back at it

I don't have a good excuse for my two-month hiatus from blogging, but I have vowed to myself to not take any more breaks. I have too many tips, looks, products and beauty thoughts to keep them all to myself! 

The inspiration behind my blog

short hair, don't care

Everyone thinks that girls with short hair can't pull their hair up, which is problematic especially during a workout and the Summer. Except it isn't true! With a good great hair elastic and some bobby pins, short-haired girls can pull their hair up into a pony tail or messy bun that is great for any occasion.

Let a few hairs hang loose

I don't like to wash my hair every day during Summer, so on the second day I usually pull it up. I used a Kitsch hair tie, and 3-4 bobby pins to pin back loose hairs (but keep some hairs loose to make it look relaxed). 

Perfectly messy after work

Casual but cute

This hairstyle is awesome because you can wear it dressed up or dressed down! 

brushes need loving, too

Ever thought about taking care of your makeup brushes? I usually forget to because my brushes don't ever look that dirty, but there is actually a TON of gross stuff that builds up and they need to be cleaned. I clean my brushes once every couple of weeks months, which isn't often enough but at least I'm doing it...right? 

Cleaning makeup brushes is always a lot easier and less time consuming than I think of it to be. All it takes is a mild soap/cleanser, warm water, and overnight drying.

I use Philosophy Purity cleanser because that's what I use to wash my face and it's super gentle but effective. Use a pea-sized glob of cleanser and "massage" the brush with warm water.

Let the drying process begin

You want to really use your fingers to shampoo all of the gunk out from your brushes (note: it is very satisfying to watch all the brown/pink water come out of the brush from your makeup). Once the water runs clear, squeeze all of the water out and lay down FLAT to dry overnight. 

That's it! It feels amazingly good to use a clean brush on your face even if you can't always see the difference.

p.s. All of my super soft brushes are from The Body Shop and liner brush from MAC.

something blue

I'm not new to wearing colored liner, but electric blue has always intimidated me even though I've been wanting to try it for...ever. Being the poor college student that I am, when I saw a SALE sign in the cosmetics section of Duane Reade the other day I was naturally drawn toward it. Turns out the sale was for a blue liner, so I bought it because it was actually only $2.

I. Am. Obsessed.

I haven't gone all out and lined all around my eyes with it, but I've been wearing it on my bottom lash line recently and it's amazing. The blue really makes my green eyes pop and adds a unique touch to my usual, go-to makeup routine. 

Now I am inspired to splurge on more bright eyeliners! 

beachy waves (without the beach)

I have heard so many girls say they are scared to cut their hair because then they won't be able to put it up or do anything cool with it. Definitely not true! I have had short hair (an angled bob, to be exact) for almost five years now and I have experimented with more hairstyles than when I had long hair.

Recently, I've been inspired by Julianne Hough. Not only is she super-talented, but she is g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s. She has been sporting a shorter 'do for a while now and I am totally obsessed.

Her barely-there waves look effortlessly cool.

If you always sometimes wake up feeling too lazy to get ready like me, try this! I let my hair air dry while getting ready, eating breakfast, etc. then rubbed a tiny bit of volumizing mousse in my hair and blow-dried what was still wet. I made barely-there waves by using my straightener and twisting it around a piece of hair. That's it!

Around lunchtime, when my waves had fallen out slightly

Perfectly messy

Pulled back 

It took all of five minutes, looked great, and is perfect for Summer!

P.S. beachy waves make for the perfect texture for the post-work/happy hour ponytail!

NC meets NYC

I haven't used this blog in a long time and have been feeling nostalgic for my blogging days so....I'M BACK!

I recently moved to New York City a few weeks ago for a summer internship in fashion at a public relations firm. I've already fallen head over heels with this city. I love everything about it, especially the daily fashion and beauty inspiration that is a constant here. I've always been a beauty addict, but am learning more about fashion and life every day.

Taken during a walk on the East River at dusk

I've always been eclectic in my fashion style, I'm constantly switching things up, but don't have an in-depth knowledge of fashion like I do beauty. Join me on my journey to discover my fashion style, experiment with beauty, and love life!

New York City at night. Have I mentioned that I'm in love?

Documenting my experiences and looks with an iPhone because, why not?

xoxo Chandler

Fall into Autumn

Fall is definitely my favorite season. From pumpkin spice latte's to a crisp in the air on a sunny day, I love everything about it.

One of the things I am most excited for this Fall, in addition to pumpkin ice cream and pulling out my riding boots, is the exceptional range of beauty looks.

The three beauty looks I'm lovin' for fall are:
1. Rosy cheeks and full brows: this look is perfect for lounging around in leggings and a chunky sweater on the weekend. Get the look by using a cream blush or gel cheek stain that is easy to blend and will give you a natural look. You want the color to be similar to the color your cheeks naturally turn when you're flushed after a good workout. If you don't have full brows, fill them in lightly with an eyebrow pencil one shade lighter than your eyebrows.

Perfectly rosy.

2. Plum lips: I just love this look because I think almost anyone can pull it off-- it is so strikingly gorgeous. If you're a lipstick-phobe like me, try a stain (my fave) or tinted gloss/balm with a dark plum color. Make sure to go easy on your eye make up so there isn't too much going on at once. Wear this to a fun event, such as a cocktail or even just dinner with your friends.

Kate Bosworth always gets it right. Photo from http://magazine.amiclubwear.com/rock-those-plum-lips-this-fall/

3. Black winged liner- I'm so glad the classic cat-eye is making a comeback, but it always has been and always will be a "go-to" for me regardless of the trends. Draw a thin black line as close to your lash line as possible; slightly wing out the end by angling it towards an invisible line that connects the outer corner of your eye to your eyebrow then fill in the line to make it one smooth line. Go neutral on the rest of your make up. To make it more dramatic for night, make the line thicker-- otherwise you could do a thin line and totally rock this during the day!

A little more dramatic than what I'm going for, but still super-cool.  Photo from http://www.qcmakeupacademy.com/news/article.php?article_id=22

What are your favorite beauty looks for Fall?