Recent Beauty Favs

It's been awhile since I've rounded up my favorite beauty products and I’ve been using some new (to me) products in my daily routine lately. I’m not sure I’ll rebuy all of these when they hit empty – I’ll explain why below – but I have discovered a few holy grail products that I know I’ll be rebuying again and again. My makeup artists for my wedding (who I loved!) swore by BareMinerals so I’ve added a few of their products into my routine since then.

beauty products i've been loving lately

It's no secret I'm a bit of a product junkie. It's a trait I absolutely get from my mother. Every time I'm home, I look through every medicine cabinet, bathroom drawer, and her vanity table to check out all the new products she has been trying. Her vanity has every type of skin care product you can imagine -- hence why her skin looks so great.  We always exchange make up tips and she gives me all the products she's picked up but doesn't feel like returning to Ulta. Her loss is my gain!

Sharing our favorite new beauty finds is one of my favorite things about being home. And while I don't expect that to change, there is no reason I can't share some of those updates here in the mean time!

1. Eylure Lengthening Eyelashes

I bought these on a whim knowing that I wanted to get better at applying false lashes. I'm so glad I did! These are light to wear, give good length, and are natural looking so you don't feel like a Kardashian. At less than $10, you don't have much to lose trying them out. If you're not sure how to apply lashes, watch this tutorial. I found it really helpful. I prefer these lashes to the ones she uses but the Duo glue is great.

2. Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hairspray

I got this in my Birchbox (before I cancelled my subscription. It's just not as good as it used to be, right) and plan to reorder it in full size once I run out. I have naturally really fine, flat hair and need all the help I can get to get any sort of oomph. It takes a miracle product to give me the oomph desired without the stickiness and feeling of product build up. My fine hair sisters, you know what I'm talking about. I spray this at my roots when my hair is damp, brush it through and then blow dry. It gives good lift and you can still run your hands through your hair!

3. Maybelline FaceStudio Master Contour

This is another product on a whim. I was on business travel and forgot bronzer so I popped into one of the 1084910 million Duane Reade's in New York. I had seen the product advertised but hadn't read any non sponsored reviews so I figured I would try it out. Duane Reade has a really good return policy so I figured I could return it if I really hated it or I could leave it in my travel bag for touch ups on the road. I was really pleasantly surprised by this product. You have to build the color but its a really buildable formula and the shades are really flattering for my light skin tone. The highlight is a pretty shade that I used on my eyelids on the weekends when I want a little color but not to be done up. If you're new to or intimidated by contouring, check this out!

4. Essie Gel Setter

I got my first ever gel manicure before heading to California a few weeks ago. I loved the look, didn't love the price tag and especially didn't love the damage it did to my nails. My mom recommended this polish and I'm still testing it out. I'm really hard on my nails so I have low expectations for polish. This top coat sets my polish for 4-5 days and I usually add another coat so that it lasts a few more days. I'm used to nails chipping after a day (or even the same evening!) so 4-5 days if fine by me. The product is thick which I love but FYI, it takes a steady hand to apply.

5. Living Proof Dry Shampoo

This is worth every.single.penny. I use dry shampoo more than any other product I own so I've always been hesitant to try an expensive product knowing how quickly I go through cans. This one also came in my Birchbox and I plan to rebuy after I finish this can. I use my drugstore favorites throughout the week but use this one around my crown on second day hair during the work week. I use it sparingly and let the cheap stuff do the hard work. 

6. Sports Research Biotin Softgels

I've been using this biotin supplements for 3 months now and I can see a noticeable difference in my hair as can my hair dresser. I was using the Nature's Bounty supplements for awhile, which I really liked, but I've seen faster growth with the Sports Research softgels. And since its crunch time for  the wedding grow out (less than three months to go!), the difference in price is worth the money.

7. Jose Marin Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter in Vanilla Apricot

Oh. My. God. you guys. This is hands down and praise a higher being the best body butter I have ever tried. It smells delicious, leaves my skin silky smooth, is quick to absorb and doesn't leave my feeling oily. It is everything you could want in an argan oil and absolutely worth the price tag. A little (and I mean a little) goes a really long way.

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What products are you loving right now? Anything I should check out?

5 tips to maintain healthy hair

Before we get into today's post, I will ask that we have a moment of silence for my beloved hot tools 1 1/4 curling iron. She served me tirelessly for four years and she passed on Monday morning after curling half of my hair.  R.I.P., mi amor.

I get asked a lot about hair care and how I style my hair. My hair is naturally very straight, very fine, and subsequently falls very flat. If I let my hair air dry, it dries straight but I also look like I belong in a Nirvana cover band.  And because grunge chic (fortunately) isn’t at thing, I have to make it a point to style my hair.

5 beauty hacks to try ASAP

You guys, I could (do) spend hours perusing Pinterest, reading Real Simple, watching Youtube, and testing out beauty hacks. I'm not sure where I find the time but I imagine it's the time I should be spending studying or doing homework. I just look at it as a different kind of research so let my research be your benefit. Check out these hacks because they are tried and true. And if you don't, my research is for not. How about that little guilt trip for ya....

Happy Thursday! XO

DIY sugar lip scrub

I don't know about you but this winter has done a number of my skin and lips, in addition to my soul. Winter never ends here! While there is nothing I can do to about the soul crushing length of winter, I can do something about my dry lips. The only good thing about winter is the opportunity to rock a bold dark lip so keeping my lips smooth is critical. && the only thing worse than winter is Sephora charging $24 for a sugar lip scrub. 

What the what?

Yes, $24 for a sugar lip scrub. Seriously, peep the ingredients. Sugar is the first listed ingredient. Well, you know I love a good wallet friendly alternative and I was up to the challenge opportunity to DIY something myself. Luckily, I already had sugar cubes in my pantry.

So, get ready for this earth shattering DIY!

// WHAT YOU WILL NEED //

• Sugar cubes ( I like to use sugar cubes rather than loose sugar because the ground cubes leave a coarse grain for exfoliating)
• Coconut oil
• A muddling tool
• A jewelry tray for good measure. You can use this tray when staging a humblebrag Instagram picture.

// STEP(S)//

• Muddle sugar cubes with coconut oil.

Yep, that's it! After you've muddled the oil and sugar cubes, scrub the paste on your lips and rinse off after a few seconds. Your lips should be smooth and moisturized, and prime for a bold beautiful pout.

( I know this is a ridiculously simple DIY but consider it a PSA on how not to spend $20+ on sugar from Sephora.)

The Best Drug Store Dry Shampoo

I recently asked a friend what she does when she runs out of dry shampoo and she replied, "I wash my hair more," and I gasped. I always have at least two cans so that never happens to me. 

Which led me to the realization....

I have an unhealthy obsession with dry shampoo.

I've seen a meme going around that reads, "by Friday, may hair is practically all dry shampoo" and this couldn't be more true for me and my Friday locks. I use dry shampoo almost daily. I like to use it after a fresh blow dry to give my fine tresses some oomph and to prevent it from getting it oily throughout the day. I also like to use some before I go to bed so that I can proactively absorb overnight oils. I find that if I use it on clean hair and before bed, I don't need much (if any) on day 2 hair. Because I use so my dry shampoo, I can't bother with the designer bottles so I stick with brands you can find at your local drug store. 

Let me obsession be your resource. I've rounded up the best (and the ones to avoid) for you below.

Psssst! Instant Dry Shampoo Spray | Suave Professionals Keratin Dry Shampoo | Batiste Dry Shampoo | Dove Invigorating Dry Shampoo | Pantene Pro-V Blowout Extend Dry Shampoo | Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Dry Shampoo

the best mascaras (for every budget)

If you remember, a few weeks ago I shared that I am a bona fide make up hoarder. Despite my public announcement and admittance, the problem habit hasn't tempered but I have stayed organized. Using these acrylic organizers makes it easy to see what I have on hand, and has made getting ready in the  morning so.much.easier. Funny how much easier your morning is when you're organized. Note to self: tackle your closet this weekend.

I chatted about my favorite (and not so favorite foundations) last month -- you can check out that recap here. Today, we're talking mascara.

MAYBELLINE GREAT LASH // $3.79

Great Lash has been around for 40 years so you know it's good. It's a tried and true beauty classic. That being said, I need a mascara with some oomph. I have long lashes but they are fine and blonde tipped so I look for mascaras that will make my lashes fuller and more voluminous. Great Lash mascara is a wet formula so its gives great color and has great staying power. It doesn't, however, give great volume. I leave a tube in my make up bag for touch ups during the day.

MAC SUPER SCULPT LASH // 17.00

I love this mascara and was pleasantly surprised when I picked it up on a whim when I was in Arizona for a wedding last year. I forgot to pack mascara but luckily we were staying across the street from a mall with a MAC store. I don't dislike MAC products but I was never a MAC junkie (aside from high school) so I didn't have high expectations. That being said, I was blown away with this mascara. First of all, its $17.00 -- a steal for a name brand mascara. The brush is like a comb and gets in between each and every lash to evenly coat all of your lashes. The result is dark thick lashes -- just how I like it!

TWO FACED BETTER THAN SEX // $24.00

With a name like this, this mascara has better be good. And while I won't confirm or deny the name, I can confirm it is really freaking fantastic. Since discovering this (thanks, Mom!), it has been my daily mascara when I want full, voluminous, long lashes. Its buildable so one swipe is perfect on the weekend and a few swipes when I'm looking for a more dramatic look. Be careful though -- too many coats will leave you with some serous tarantula lashes so stick to 2 or 3. If it does start to clump, I run the MAC Super Sculpt Lash comb through to break up the lashes. I love, love, love this mascara.

BENEFIT THEY'RE REAL // $24.00

This used to be my favorite mascara until I found Two Faced Better Than Sex. It gives great volume and length and is super easy to apply. It falls short because it dries out super easily (both on your lashes and in the tube). I found that it flakes after a long day and the product in the tube dries out after 6-8 weeks of use. The wand is more of a comb and not your typical mascara wand so when the product dries, you can almost feel the needles of the comb on your lid. It doesn't feel great. So for the first month or so, I love this product but given that it is the same price as the Two Faced tube, I've stopped buying it.

What are your favorite mascaras?? Will you leave them in the comments? I'm always looking to try new brands!

how to wash your makeup brushes

How often do you wash your makeup brushes? Before you answer, I invite you can enter the trust circle.

Truthfully, I try to wash mine once a month with try being the operative word here.  No judging, okay? We’re in the trust circle! 

Whenever I’m home I always use my mom’s brushes because they are soft and apply make up so well. I was under the impression that was because she just had nicer brushes than I did (isn’t all mom stuff nicer than your own?) but she just takes better care of her brushes than I do. In fact, we have many of the same exact brushes! 

Her secret? She washes them once a week! Aint no body got time for that.

Oh wait, but I do. Most Sundays, I try to wrap up the weekend with a face mask or some sort of hair treatment and a cup of tea to wind down before the work week starts. And those 20 minutes are the perfect time to wash my make up brushes, too!

It is so darn easy to wash your brushes, too. You could use a proper brush cleaner or a gentle baby shampoo also does the trick. I’ve also heard Dove soaps or even Dawn dish soap work really well, too. For that tough to scrub concealer or super built up product, try olive oil.

For my preferred method of baby shampoo I….

• Rinse the brush under warm water
• Place a dime sized amount of baby shampoo on the palm of my hand
• Swirl the brush around until I’ve built up a lather (you’ll really be able to tell how dirty that brush really is!)
• Run under warm water again until the water runs clear. 
• Repeat if necessary!

And that's it! Easy, right? It takes less than 20 minutes which is the perfect amount of time for a face mask and a cup of tea. And trust me, it makes all the difference in your makeup application and will extend the lifetime of your brushes. Good care is worth it!

A note about drying the brushes: I try to leave my brushes flat or faced downwards to dry. You don't want to leave them upright to dry or the moisture may get into the ferrule which will loosen the bristles.

Check out some of my favorite brushes below:

everyday foundations

Hey! Happy Monday! How was your weekend?

I spent my weekend cleaning and getting organized before school starts all while simultaneously re-watching Desperate Housewives on Hulu. What a throwback, right? I’ve been putting off cleaning out my makeup drawers for quite some time now. The task itself isn’t daunting; it is the realization that I’m a make-up hoarder that I’ve been trying to avoid. But I could no longer keep ordering acrylic organizational boxes to hide that fact. I had to admit the truth -- I am a make-up junkie and I no longer care who knows it. With this new found acceptance of who I am, I didn’t purge too much but reorganized so that I could easily access all of my favorite products while still being able to see what I have in stock for the days I feel like being creative. Now that I have everything organized, I figured I ought to be sharing some of my thoughts on all my products somewhere productive.  Not surprising, Aaron couldn’t care less about my makeup. So, there’s no better spot to share than here.

Similar to my closet, my make-up is a mix of high and low products.  I shared here that I’m trying to steer clear of just "popping into Sephora" (also known as where paychecks go to die) by finding good drugstore product substitutions.  The great thing about buying make up at places like Target or Ulta is they accept returns on open products so you can do at home research of products without fear of wasting money. Or you can just assume that I did that I already did that homework for you. Spoiler alert: I did.

Over a few posts, I’ll share with you some of my favorite mascaras, bronzers, eyebrow pencils, and lipsticks all at a range of prices.  Up first, foundation. I think it is worth noting here that my ease of finding drugstore foundations to match my cool/neutral toned skin is a clear indication of my privilege as a white woman. I've reviewed the products formula and wear but will highlight the the products with the widest range of colors for anyone with a warmer, deeper complexion.  

NO7 BEAUTIFULLY MATTE FOUNDATION // $14.99

If not already evident by how little is left in the picture above, this is my go-to every day foundation. I use the the shade "cool vanilla" 

PROS: truly matte (even on my oily t-zone), long lasting full coverage, a little goes a long way, feels light on your skin but offers full coverage. CONS: can be challenging to find, not super blendable, pump can get clogged (which can be alleviated by running the base under warm water).

L'OREAL TRUE MATCH SUPER BLENDABLE MAKEUP // $9.99

I just tried this after hearing tons of reviews on youtube. This seems to be every youtube guru's go-to drugstore foundation so when I was looking for something more blendable than No7, I figured I would give it a whirl. I returned it after using it for only a week. Color me disappointed. 

PROS: light to wear, blendable, easy to find (is carried almost everywhere), comes in a super wide range of colors in warm, neutral and cool tones (wider than any other brand I reviewed). CONS: wears off easily, very little coverage, made me break out (a personal problem, I know), no pump.

BAREMINERALS BARESKIN // $29.00

I use BareMinerals powder foundation regularly and have been since I was in high school. I haven't found anything since that I love nearly as much. I was really looking forward to their liquid foundation since I prefer liquid to powder, but was really let down by this product. Such a bummer! Some people love this stuff, but I couldn't get past how oily it made my skin feel!

PROS: comes in a wide range of colors CONS: very runny, very oily, not long lasting, very light coverage, does not settle in skin well, dispenser is designed for a specific bare minerals brush making it so that you waste a lot of product if you don't use that particular brush.

MAYBELLINE SUPERSTAY BETTER SKIN FOUNDATION // $11.99

I received this product in an VoxBox from Influenster (not signed up for Influenster yet? Sign up now and they will send you loads of products to review!) so I was excited to give it a shot. It is not necessarily

pro or con but the feel and coverage of this product more closely resembled a tinted moisturizer than a foundation. I also didn't see any beneficial effects to my skin.

PROS: a decent range of shades ( I was happy to have received a shade that matched my skin tone well), full  and light coverage. CONS: is easy to apply too much product which appears cakey, the pump dispenses more product than you would need making the product wasteful. 

NYC COSMETICS BB CREAM // $12.99

This isn't really a foundation, but I wanted to include it anyhow. This is my go-to weekend or running errands make up. I use foundation during the work week but when I'm looking for a lighter look, I reach for BB cream. I was really excited to find this option for NYX last time I was at Ulta because I'm a big fan of NYC products. 

PROS: silky formula, blendable, matches skin well CONS: not as long lasting as I would like (but that is alleviated by applying a light layer of powder), can be challenging to find. 

the perfect cat eye

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

I have a pretty shameless lady crush on Lauren Conrad. Even back in her Laguna Beach days, I was team LC. Were people actually team Kristen? And remember when they all went to Cancun on spring break and were clearly wasted? Who lets their 17 year old go to Mexico on spring break? I guess the same people that let their teenagers go on a reality show in the first place. But I MAJORLY digress...

Conrad has emerged as major fashion icon of our generation so I love that a part of her iconic look is a retro cat eye. Feeling inspired, I dove head first into the world of eyeliner so I too could master the look.

What I learned was:
Liquid eyeliner is not my friend

What Aaron learned was:
When the liquid eyeliner is out, don’t both asking if I’m going to be ready on time.

Through much trial and error, I’ve settled on a few products that work: gel and felt tip eyeliners. The Stila and L’Oreal products have a felt tip so you can easily control the line which I find the hardest part of using a standard liquid eyeliner brush. My hands are too shaky and I could never get a fine line with a brush. The felt tip dispenses the product easily but also allows for a sharp line. I find the Stila liner has a little more staying power but that comes with the price. The L’Oreal liner is a very suitable drugstore alternative.

The Maybelline pot and Benefit are both gel liners which give you even more control than the felt tip liner. Gel glides really easily so it’s hard to mess up. It’s also really buildable so you can start with a small line and build it out or up. If you use the Maybelline pot, ditch the brush it comes with ASAP. It’s worthless. Try a pointer liner brush (this is the one I use) or an angled brush. The Benefit liner takes some getting used to but once you get the hang of it, you’ll love how easy it is. You have to squeeze the tip (just for a second, just to see how it feels) to get the product to come out evenly but once it does, it is pretty fool proof. My only qualm with gel liners is they are more matte that I like. I like a shiny cat eye. But for days that I’m looking for something more subtle, the gel liners are great.

drugstore products worth checking out, volume 1

Maybelline Define-A-Brow Eyebrow Pencil | Revlon Super Lustrous Lipcolor | Maybelline Dream Lumi Tough Highlighting Concealer | NYX Studio Perfect Primer | Boots No.7 Beautifully Matte Foundation | L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow | NYX Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator

I read an article once, that I can unfortunately can't find right now, about how a woman saved hundreds of dollars one year by making small changes to her budget. Nothing extraordinary that compromised her quality of life but things like eating out once a week instead of twice, or having happy hour at home once a week instead of going out. She stopped going to places like Sephora to get make up but instead started shopping exclusively at drugstores for beauty products. I took this to heart and started thinking about how much I spend annually on beauty products and really to what end. Could I possibly find drugstore products I liked as much as my beloved departments store brands? The answer is yes and no. Aside from mascara, I've found quality substations for almost all my brand name beauty products the biggest exception being mascara. I just can't find one I love better than MAC Super Sculpt.

So I've really cut back on trips to the Nordstrom beauty counter since I have found some really fantastic alternatives I can find at a drugstore or Ulta. Which is convenient because there is a CVS on what feels like every corner in DC. The key is knowing the return policy which at CVS and Target is that you can return opened products with a receipt. So there is no harm done to your wallet if you try a product and decide you don't love it which was my biggest fear when I committed myself to the world of drugstore beauty.

I've also found there are a ton of resources for mixing high and low make up. Kathleen Lights, But First Coffee and Claire Ashley are some of my favorite youtubers that use high end and budget friendly alternatives in their videos. You can also find reviews on almost anything on MakeupAlley if you want to get some feedback on products.

Do you use drugstore makeup? Have you found any products you love? 

the best three mascaras

[click on the + above to shop  the mascaras]

Maybelline Great Lash Lots Of Lashes Mascara | YSL 'Volume Effet Faux Cils' Mascara | MAC 'Studio Sculpt' Superblack Lash Mascara

I know I've told y'all before but without mascara, I look like I don't have any lashes. Despite the natural length of my lashes, the tips of my lashes are blonde so without mascara my lashes look stubby which, if you were wondering, is not a cute look. I could also use some serious help in the volume department so I'm always on the lookout for new mascaras to add to my arsenal. Right now, I'm loving the three above. I keep the Maybelline tube in my purse for mid day touch ups and use both the YSL and MAC tubs in the morning. I start with YSL and use the MAC comb to comb through all my lashes and add just a smidge more length. The combo really packs a 1-2 punch.

What are your favorite mascaras? Do you like to switch it up or have you used the same mascara for years? Leave your recommendations in the comments or tweet me!

//

*I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. As always, opinions are always my own.

five minute make up

I'm admittedly a major beauty product junkie which is a genetic trait undoubtedly passed through my mother. If you ever "just popped into" Sephora or Ulta with her, you would know my love for beauty products is quite literally hereditary. I’m always finding and testing new products and adapting my make up routine but as a result, it can take me awhile to get ready in the morning. I love a good contouring palette (this one is my favorite) and a subtle smoky eye but sometimes I just want to keep it simple need get out the door in 5 minutes because I’m already late. Since I’m an expert in being late (not proud—it’s just an unfortunately reality) I’ve narrowed down my routine to five products in five minutes brush free. 

• Step 1: Lumene CC Cream
  I use my fingers to apply this this cc cream all over my face. I tried a few BB and CC creams before settling on this Lumene tube. It is long lasting, moisturizing without looking oily (think dewy) and provides a medium coverage that is perfect for the weekend. It’s less than $12 and a little goes a long way. Add this to your make up bag soon.

• Step 2: NYX Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator in Gleam
  I use my pointer and middle fingers to apply the product on my cheekbones. A little goes a really long way so starting at the apple of my cheek, I lightly pat two fingers drawing the product up in an angle to almost my hair line. I then go back down  the line with the same two fingers  lightly drawing little circles to blend the product.

• Step 3:  Maybelline Define-A-Brow Eyebrow Pencil
  No matter how little time I have, I always make time to fill in my brows. My brows are light and sparse so I need a good pencil to fill them in. A few quick, light strokes to give them shape and I’m off.

• Step 4: MAC Studio Sculpt' Superblack Lash Mascara
  I wrote about this mascara on Friday too, but I really love it. It give me full long lashes with just a few quick strokes. I start at the lash line and pull my lashes up in a small zig zag motion.

• Step 5: MAC Clear Lipglass
  A few swipes of lip gloss and I’m out the door. This stuff is a little sticky, but long lasting and gives a pretty sheen. Also, another product that lasts forever since a little goes a long way.

Tell me-- do you have any favorite on the go products? I'd love to hear about them and add them to my routine!

Happy Monday! Have a great week!

drugstore dupe: oribe texturizing spray

Once upon a time, I found the holy grail of hair products. It arrived in a sample size in a Birchbox and I swear I heard the faint singing of angels when I opened the box. It was love at first spray and I even convinced myself the $42.00 price tag was worth every penny. It was the Oribe Dry Texturizing spray and it gave my fine hair lift like I've never had before. You know what they say, the higher the hair, the closer to God. I was practically his next door neighbor.

But that price tag....$42.00.... I was addicted to the stuff so I was going through the cans so fast. I started stealing from my family so that I could afford my Oribe habit. Kidding. I knew I had to find a reasonable alternative.

Enter: Gariner Fructis De-Constructed Texture Tease Spray. I found it Duane Reade in NYC and I was hooked. A drugstore dupe for Oribe that costs less than $4.00? Give me ALL DA CANS! Since then, it has been a regular in my Target shopping cart and I'm back to being inches away from the man upstairs. And just in time for Lent. Thanks, hair :)

save or splurge: volumizing hair powder

Psssst Volumuzing Powder - $6.99 vs Big Sexy Hair - $16.95

You know what they say, the higher the hair the closer to God. If that’s true, I’m doomed. My fine hair falls flat so quickly that I’m always on the hunt for a new volumizing anything just to be saved. (Kidding, this good Catholic girl knows I need to go to church for that.)

After reading great reviews about Big Sexy Hair Powder Play, I figured I would give it a shot despite its $16.95 price tag*. It is pretty darn good; a little sticky but long lasting and easy to use. I wasn’t in lurve but it did the trick. Fast forward a few months to a recent trip to NY when I was at a Duane Reade (the best drug store on earth) for Swedish fish and an US Weekly to read on the train, naturally. I found this Psssst Volumizing Powder for $6.99. Psssst is hands down the best drug store dry shampoo and assumed (rightly so) their volumizing powder was no different. The powder is so light you can hardly feel it and it is so easy to use. Just sprinkle a bit out on your hands and run your hands through your roots. If you need extra umph, like on day 2 without washing, sprinkle it directly on your roots. It’s not as long lasting as the Big Sexy Hair alternative but it’s so light you can carry it with you in your purse for touch ups if need be. The only downside is that it’s not readily available at local drugstores. Thank goodness for online shopping :)


*Don’t want to pay 16.95? Check out your local TJ Maxx or Nordstrom Rack— the sometimes carry the Big Sexy Hair line at a discounted price.

the scoop on pore refiners

We’re diving right in today, folks.

I’ve never really had unruly skin per say but have always had some rather unsightly pores. It is not a cute look and during the summer, its worse.  There, now I’ve said it. It has been quite the quest to find a pore minimizer that actually works but is reasonably priced and I'm still looking for that holy grail. Until then, take a look at some of my very scientific research below. 

Have a pore product you love? Let me know!

L'oreal Pore Vanisher  24.99 | Benefit Porefessional31.00 | Dr. Brandt pores no more 45.00 | NYX Pore Filler13.99 

a beginners guide to eyeliner

Much to my dismay, I was not blessed with Kim K lashes. My lashes are pretty much the opposite-- sparse and blonde. I've been on a quest to find the perfect mascara/liner combo that packs a one-two punch since forever and have done my fair share of testing. While I can confidently say Benefit's They're Real mascara is one of the best (if not the best) mascaras on the market and my personal favorite, I'm still searching for a favorite eyeliner but have been playing around with a few different types.

Pencil//
Pencils are great for beginners or anyone who has a hard time holding a steady line. I use Mally's waterproof eyeliner which goes on really smoothly and the point is a bit dull. If you're looking for a really fine line, try a kohl pencil.

Liquid//
The pros of liquid eyeliner are that it glides on smoothly and gives you a dark lash line which makes your lashes look fuller. The con? It is not very forgiving so you have to be sure to have a steady hand and/or q-tips on hand to correct any mistakes Want perfect Lauren Conrad cat eyes? Liquid eyeliner is your best bet. New to cat eyes? This is a helpful tutorial. I use this liquid liner from Sephora.

Gel//
Gel liner is great for faking a liquid cat eye and for getting really close to the lash line. It is easy to use, incredibly forgiving and very long lasting. The downside is that you need a brush to apply it which may mean having to buy a new brush. My go to is Maybelline Eye Studio which I use almost daily. Benefit just released They're Real Push Up Liner which is a gel liner pen which I very reasonably assume means the all mighty Goddess of Lashes has finally heard my cat-eyed prayers. I'll test it out and let ya know what I think.

Loose Powder//
Don't overlook using loose powder as a liner. I use Bare Minerals Liner Shadow in black to create a soft smokey look. I also use my brush wet to make a darker, sharper line. Be careful not to load your brush up too much or the excess might sprinkle off onto your cheeks!

What are your favorite eyeliners?

game changer: nexxus pro-mend split end binding leave-in treatment creme

I recently stopped into Bed, Bath and Beyond for hangers but once I was inside, I remembered how wonderful of a health and beauty product selection they have. 30 minutes later, I was out the door without hangers but new cleansers, cremes and hair products to try. Its like Target 2.0. My wallet is not happy.

This Nexxus Pro Mend Split End Binding Targeted Leave-In Treatment Creme was on sale for $7 and since my ends were a disaster, I figured I had  little to lose in trying it out. This product is a game changer folks. I saw a noticeable difference in the appearance of my split ends after just one use. After a week of using the product consistently, I saw a difference in the appearance of my split ends even when I wasn't using the creme before blow drying. A little goes a long way here too. It is a bit heavy and anything more than one pump of creme leaves my fine hair too heavy. I can't imagine that anyone would need more than two pumps for their hair though.

And just in case my hair stylist is reading this, YES I will still be at next weeks appointment for a trim. It is still very much needed :)

an eyebrow resource guide

image source

Let me first say, I am no eyebrow expert. I've overplucked, overfilled, under filled and gone too long without a wax. I've done it all in terms of bad eyebrow maintenance. But I also know that well groomed brows can make any look more polished so its important to know what you're doing! I thought it might be helpful to round up some of the webs best resources for you to help you with your brows. Hope you find these tips as helpful as I did :)

First things first, decide if you should wax, pluck or thread and have a professional shape your brows. I have my brows waxed (not as often as I should) to give my brows a natural shape that I can maintain between waxes. Not sure what shape you want your brows? Use this guide as a resource. Your eyebrow arch should compliment your face shape. 

After your brows are shaped professionally, you can fill them in to maintain the shape. Covergirl explains how your brow should begin, arch and end. The inner edge of your brow should line up with the outside of your nose; the highest point of the arch should be a diagonal line extending from the edge of your nostril to the outside of your pupil; and the end of your brow should be a diagonal extending from the edge of your nostril to the outside corner of your eye.

Cara from Mascara recommends using an angled brush and shadow to fill in your brows. The Beauty Department does a great job explaining the different types of brow shadows. I personally prefer to use a pencil. I use the Sumita Brow Pencil which is light, forgiving and great for beginners. Beautizine has rounded up a few other great options for ya.

If bold and defined brows are your thing, Hello Giggles explains step by step how to highlight and fade to make your brows stand out,

Don't be intimidated by eyebrow maintenance. Invest in your brows, I promise it will make a huge difference!

drugstore favorites as of late

It should not be earth shattering news to anyone that I'm a drugstore products junkie. There is a CVS on almost every corner here and I live just half a block from Target; drugstore products are both dangerously and conveniently accessible. I consider my drugstore spending habit to be research for all of you. Or at least that is what I'm telling myself.

Organix Cocnut Milk Shampoo & Organix Coconut Milk Conditioner
Between all the coloring, bleaching, curling and blow drying, my hair has been screaming for some tender love and care. These Organix products leave my hair super shiny and soft and don't weigh down my fine hair. It is true love.

EOS Lotion
If you've ever tried the EOS lipbalm, you need to know that their lotion is better. If you haven't tried their lip balm, get to it! And try this lotion while you're at it. You can find both in the checkout line of your local Target....but only if you put down the trashy magazine you're reading while you wait in line. It is no wonder it took me so long to discover this product.

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Creme Brulee
The perfect nude lipstick for spring and summer! And super moisturizing. What else could you ask for?

Band Aid  Friction Block
This product is a LIFE SAVER especially as I break in new heels in warmer weather. I'm telling you, this is a miracle product and will make breaking in new heels infinitely easier. You can thank me later.