Beauty Essentials for Traveling (or Studying!) Abroad

Studying abroad is essentially living out of a suitcase (or in my case three-- whoops!) for an extended period of time. I found myself taking only clothes, make up and a few pens/notebooks so I could travel as light as possible-- which, to be honest, isn't really that light at all.

But while I struggled to decide on fewer than 5 pairs of shoes (no regrets), I was able to pair down my beauty products to just what I needed. Minus the basics like shampoo and conditioner, here are the things I've been reaching for throughout this trip:

1) Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat 

The best under eye concealor that makes even the most tired, travel-worn eyes look awake! I wear the shade vanilla.

2) Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish in Modern Love 

This neutral nail polish is perfect for every day. I have gone through so many since I first discovered it a little over a year ago! The color is also great for hiding chipped nails.

3) Caudalie Beauty Elixir Spray

This spray feels like a spa facial even when you're away from home. So nice! The scent is amazing (and relaxing). Plus, the essential oils in it are great for moisturizing skin after long flights.

4) Jo Malone Peony and Blush Suede Perfume 

(thanks bf for brining me some more!!) 

I love this scent. Lately I have been mixing it up between a few different ones, but this is the perfume I always come back to. It is fresh and powdery and wears very well throughout the day.

5) Kiehl's Creme de Corps Lotion 

This rich body lotion is an amazing treat for dry skin, and will keep legs looking silky smooth as we move into shorts and skirt weather!

6) Drybar Mudslide Hair Mask

I haven't gotten a haircut in... way too long. This deep conditioning hair mask helps a ton with keeping locks smooth, shiny and split-end free.

7) Laura Mercier Radiance Face Primer 

The perfect, dewy primer gives you glowing skin without looking fake or greasy. Obsessed! 

8) EOS Sweet Mint Lip Balm 

My favorite before-bed ritual. This lip balm smells amazing and is so moisturizing. I haven't had chapped lips since I started using it!

9) Silk Eye Mask 

Rest is the most important part of looking good. You can't always fake 8 hours of sleep! My silk eye mask is great for blocking out light and forces me to calm down and get some rest.

10) Christian Dior Healthy Lip Glow

Probably my can't-live-without beauty product. I love how this color adjusts perfectly to my lips to give me a natural shade of pink. It is also full of Vitamin E so it is super-moisturizing and smells like roses. So great!

xoxo

Upgrade with an Updo

I love mixing and matching clothes, jewelry and accessories but there's one thing I rarely change: my hair. I have extremely straight hair with side bangs that I actually really like mainly because it's low maintenance- I wash it daily with shampoo and conditioner, occasionally apply some kind of finishing product (although it isn't necessary unless I want to curl it) and blow dry for about 5-7 minutes and voila- done! This is perfect for me on "normal days," but other times I want to change things up. And by that I don't mean just curling it (although I like how it looks when I do that), I mean I actually want to learn how to make my hair look good in an up do.

Sometimes I'm not sure if this will look good given that I'm 5' 7 and don't want my head to look tiny, but I think a piece-y or loose look that keeps my bangs forward might end up looking really nice. 

Here are the looks I've been loving and tips I've found for achieving the perfect updo:

Ponytails and buns are super easy for every day- especially during finals. However, to take your pony tail to a higher level, add a volumizing mousse to your hair before you blow dry. Then, keeping the natural part in your hair, sweep up the sides. Pull a few pieces forward on both sides (especially important for  gals with side bangs to keep them from looking uneven).

Play with adding curls using a curling iron or straightening your hair if it is naturally curly. In terms of the elastic, I usually prefer to use a neutral color and then wrap a piece of my own hair around it so it is blended in. However here are a few adorable hair ties that I just love:

Jeweled hair accessory / Forever 21 hair accessory / Nicole Miller antique hair pin / American Apparel bow hair accessory / Hair clip accessory / Head wrap hair accessory / Juicy Couture bow hair accessory / Tasha barrette hair clip / J Crew headband hair accessory / Flower hair pin / Hair accessory / Tasha crystal hair pin

L Erickson bow headband / Henri Bendel hair accessory / Tasha glitter headband / Tova hair accessory / Henri Bendel hair accessory / GUESS rhinestone hair accessory / Henri Bendel hair accessory / J Crew hair accessory / Bow hair clip / Forever 21 hair bow

xoxo

Try Out A New Texture

Whenever a special occasion comes up, I find myself wanting to try out a new hairstyle. I usually want to add volume and curls to my extremely straight hair (which, for the record I actually like on the day to day). However, I have pretty fine hair, so getting big bouncy curls isn't always easy. After getting my hair done professionally a few times and helping my friends style their hair, here are the tips and products I use to keep hair looking just how you want it all day (and night) long. 

Curly, frizzy, wavy or thick hair? Try a straight look.

The first step to achieving the look you want is starting in the shower. Begin layering on products that will help you achieve the hair texture you want to end up with. Start with Bumble and Bumble Straight Shampoo and then layer Bumble and BumbleLet It Shine Conditioner to start with a sleek shiny base. After washing and conditioning, rinse your hair a final time with cold water to seal the cuticle. Then wring out your hair with a cotton towel or tee shirt that will absorb moisture better than terrycloth. Massage a quarter size amount of Bumble and Bumble Straight Blow Dry Cream into your scalp and focus on the ends of your hair. Then blow dry with an ionic blowdryer and nozzle, pulling strands taught as you go. Use Drybar's Flatiron to straighten 1 1/2 inch pieces of hair and add shine and moisture with Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil styling product 

Pin straight hair? Go curly

Remove product buildup and get weightless volume with Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo. Then add  Bumble and Bumble Thickening Conditioner. When you get out of the shower, towel (or tee shirt dry) to absorb water and disperse an egg size amount of Bumble and Bumble Thickening Mousse into your hands. Rub the product between your hands until it becomes a rich lotion and evenly disperse through hair, focusing on the roots. Blow dry your hair with an ionic hairdryer and round brush, pointing the nozzle of the brush upward at the roots to get more volume. When hair has cooled, spray  CHI Iron Guard al over your hair and let air dry. Then curl 1/2 inch sections of hair with Drybar's 3 Day Bender Curling Iron. As you curl, spray Bumble and Bumble Classic hairspray on each curl. After you're finished curling, mist your entire head with hairspray.

Straight hair? Lots of curls? Try soft waves.

In the shower, wash your hair with Bumble and Bumble Surf Shampoo and Conditioner. Then apply an egg size amount of Drybar Southern Belle Mousse to your hair after rubbing it between your hands into a lotion. Blow dry hair straight and then set 1 to 1 1/2 inch sections with T3 Hot Rollers. Allow these to sit at least until they are cool (the longer the better) and then undo each curl one by one, starting from the bottom. Mist each curl with Drybar Money Maker Hairspray. After all of the pieces have been released, flip hair over and spray more hairspray to get extra volume.

Happy styling!

xoxo

Make Up Brushes Explained

Growing up, I participated in many kinds of dance. Between recitals and competitions, I learned how to do a variety of makeup looks at a very young age. From applying false eyelashes and rhinestones to smokey eyes and red lips to natural foundation and soft blush, I've tried it all.

At first, this was extremely difficult. One eye always seemed to turn out darker than the other or my blush looked clownish.  However, over the years I've learned that makeup application heavily relies on a few things: practice, products and tools. 

I have quite a few product recommendations and reviews here. As well as some instructional/practice videos here, but in terms of tools I don't have as much information.  

This post will break down what each makeup brush is used for and how to use them. Here we go!

All brushes by Christian Dior

Both the Kabuki and Powder brushes are used for all over face powder or bronzer. The difference is that Kabuki brushes tend to be denser, so they are better for applying loose mineral powders. However, I like to use mine for blending. After I apply my foundation, powder and blush, I go back with a kabuki brush and buff over everything so there are no harsh lines. Powder brushes are much fluffier and are good for picking up pigment from dense compact powders. Blush brushes are great for applying highly pigmented blush or bronzer. The angled shape picks up on your cheekbones to give you the most naturally flattering flush.

For foundation application, brush choice is more straightforward. If you use a full coverage powder type foundation, use a Heavy Powder brush. If you use a cream compact for foundation, use a Cream Foundation brush. And if you use liquid foundation (which is what I use), use a Liquid Foundation brush.

All brushes by Christian Dior, Sponge by Stila

A Lash brush is great for grooming lashes and taming brows or blending out filled-in brows. Before you apply mascara, curl your lashes with an eyelash curler A smudger is great for blending out eyeshadow or winging out liner for smokey eyes. Use a medium shadow brush for applying color on the lid and in the crease. Use a large shadow brush to blend everything together or to add a wash of color across the entire lid. Finally, use a liner brush to apply liquid or powder eyeliner.

Blend all of your makeup together with a blending sponge. This is particularly effective for liquid or cream foundation/blush. However, the drawback of sponges is that they are difficult to clean.

Finally, use a lip brush for applying lipstick either from a bullet or palette and try out a little concealor brush to conceal any imperfections with a heavy cream or liquid formula.

xoxo

Best Eye Shadow for Your Eye Color

With the right color eye shadow, you can really enhance your eye color. For every day or a night out, you can make blue eyes look clearer, brown eyes look deeper and green eyes look brighter by choosing complimenting colors. Add some black or brown liner and lots of mascara to complete the look!

Here are some tips and product ideas:

Blue Eyes

Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow in Allspice | MAC Eyeshadow in Woodwinked

Armani Eyeshadow in Boudoir

For blue eyes, opt for warm tones like coppers or mauves. The closer to orange-y colors you are, the better (orange and blue compliment each other on the color wheel). Pinks and reddish purples look great too. 

Brown Eyes

NARS Matte Eyeshadow in Lulu | BareMinerals Olive Eyeshadow

Dior 5 Couleurs Designer Eyeshadow Palette in Navy Design

Anything cool- purples, greens and dark blues make brown eyes pop. Paired with black liner and mascara, eyes will look deep and defined!

Green Eyes

Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow in Stylish | Stila Jewel Eyeshadow in Amethyst | 

Diorshow Fusion Mono Eyeshadow in Chimere

Pinks and purples are the way to go with green eyes. Use brown eyeliner and black mascara to complete the look.

xoxo

Kate Somerville Skincare Review

via Beauty Truth Serum

Between dry skin and breakouts, my skin needed a major change this winter. Therefore after a lot of research, I switched all of my skincare products over to Kate Somerville's line. 

All I have to say is wow!

My skin had become extremely dry in the winter, leading my to purchase a heavy moisturizer that contained both petroleum and mineral oil. While these ingredients work for some extremely dry skin types, they are also often linked to breakouts- and breakouts there were!

Luckily, my Kate Somerville products had arrived, and over the last week, my skin has started to recover. Here's what I currently use:

Kate Somerville Eye Makeup Remover

Kate Somerville Detox Daily Cleanser

Kate Somerville Toner 

Kate Somerville AntiBac Clearing Lotion

Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizer

Kate Somerville Sunscreen

So far I absolutely love everything, especially the AntiBac Lotion and the Goat Milk Moisturizer. I think the two products work really well together at preventing and clearing break outs while healing scars. 

On top of that, my skin is still moisturized and looks much more even.

Obsessed!

xoxo

5 Videos that Will Change How You Do Your Makeup (by Lisa Eldridge)

While I write and read about makeup application and products, nothing can replace actually seeing how it's done. Rather than going to a makeup counter where a professional will apply my make up, I prefer to watch videos so I can recreate different looks myself at any time. 

I mainly watch professional make up artist Lisa Eldridge's videos when I want to try out a new look. Eldridge has worked with almost every celebrity or model and has created gorgeous cover looks for every major magazine. Her videos are short and easy to follow, teaching viewers how to create a look in about 10 minutes. Here are my favorites:

One: How to Apply Foundation

Two: Smoky Eye Tutorial

Three: Date Night Makeup

Four: "No Makeup" Make Up Look

Five: Ultimate Guide to Red Lips

Happy viewing!

xoxo

Moisture Surge: Moisturizers for The Driest Season

Back in October, I wrote a post touching on cold weather skincare products (and other essentials for winter). However, this winter has been much more severe than I expected (warning: I will continue to complain about the cold until around mid-April). 

Between the wind and the cold and the snow blowing in every which way, my skin feels like it has taken a physical beating. And it isn't looking its best either. It is seriously dry.

For the record, I have pretty sensitive/combination skin (usually on the drier side). Now, I've been doing everything I can to keep my skin hydrated. There's nothing worse than that awful tight feeling after you wash your face when it is dry. 

So here are my moisturizer picks for every skin type and a few ingredients you should be looking for when choosing your own:

Dry

Look for products that contain glycerin. This helps bind water to your skin better. Dimethicone is good for all skin types as it fills in uneven gaps. To lock moisture in, petroleum is a great protectant (yes, the stuff derived from gasoline). The molecules are too big to block pores, so it will simply create a barrier from the drying environment.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer for Drier Skin Types, La Prairie Hydrating Serum, Chanel Hydra Beauty Creme

Oily

For oily skin, look for oil-free or water-based moisturizers and gels, especially steering clear of mineral oil (which is often linked to breakouts). Avoid occlusives like petroleum that are greasy. 

Kate Somerville Oil Free Moisturizer, Clarins Oil Free Serum, Kiehl's Oil Free Ultra Facial Moisturizer

Normal

Make sure your skin doesn't get too oily by avoiding aforementioned occlusives. You'll want to look for humectant-filled products that hold a lot of water and absorb into skin quickly.

Christian Dior Hydra Life, Bobbi Brown Moisturizer, Clinique Dramatically Different Lotion

Combination

A moisturizer that also contains a treatment is the way to go for combination skin. I love Kate Somerville's Goat Milk that has exfoliating lactic acid (gets rid of all the dry skin) in addition to moisturizing ingredients. 

 Kate Somerville Goat Milk, Creme de La Mer, Korres Balancing Face Nourisher

Sensitive

The key here is layering. Avoiding anything with scents (unless naturally calming like camomile) will ensure that your skin doesn't react badly to a product. Furthermore, layering lighter formulas rather than putting a thin layer of a thicker formula will prevent breakouts.

Kate Somerville Nourish Moisturizer, Fresh Soy Moisturizer, Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream

Bonus!

Glam Glow's Thirsty Mud

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you'll know that I really love glam glow products. They're the best and most effective face masks I've ever tried. I love that they really deliver the results they promise. I have used the whole range (judge me), and am totally sold. Clear pores? Check. Bright under eyes? Check. Soft, exfoliated skin? Check.

And now, lots of moisture!

This mask is a totally different texture than the others (not really a clay, more like a clear gel) that smells like honey and vanilla. Amazing! Put it on for 10 minutes (it will start to tingle) and then wipe off the top layer with a Kleenex. Then you can either rub it in and sleep with it on as a moisturizer or wash all of it off. I've tried both and it is certainly effective.

Stay cozy!

xoxo

What's in My Shower Caddy

From shower sandals to sharing a bathroom with an entire floor of people, college makes the whole getting-ready process seem completely unglamorous. I remember freshman year feeling like it was really hard to shower when you have to wear flip flops and awkwardly move around in a tiny stall. However, since adjusting to dorm living, I've found that a well-stocked shower caddy full of my favorite products makes the whole process much more pleasant.  Here's what I'm loving:

Shampoo & Conditioner 

These two are an absolute must for any shower caddy. I love using Pureology's Hydrate shampoo and conditioner for color-treated hair. They have a refreshing mint and eucalyptus smell that really wakes me up in the morning and add a lot of shine while keeping static at bay (a big problem for straight hair).

Claw Clip

After I wash my hair, I put conditioner in and twist it up in a claw clip so the conditioner can absorb without getting everywhere.

Body Wash & Soap 

Unscented soap for sensitive skin is seriously a must (Dove is great). Keep these in a soap container so it doesn't make a mess in the caddy. After I use soap all over, I use a little bit of sweet-smelling body wash. My pick is Soap & Glory's floral Clean on Me.

Body Scrub 

I like to exfoliate my entire body about every other day, especially in the winter when skin gets really dry. Soap & Glory's Flake Away infused with moisturizers and lots of grains for buffing goes really well with my body wash and makes my skin so soft!

Shave Cream, Razor & Gel Lotion

Shaveworks is seriously life changing. The shave cream and gel lotion make for the closest shave ever (especially after using Soap & Glory's Flake Away!). The products smell great too.

Body Lotion

After I dry off, I apply body lotion before I leave the bathroom so that my skin retains the most moisture. This also gives it a couple of minutes to absorb before I change into my outfit for the day.

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo

Make Up Looks for Every Occasion

The right make up can really pull together an outfit. Whether you want to look naturally gorgeous or add a little more drama to your look, having a few fail-safe make up looks will have you out the door and looking fabulous fast. Here are five looks I love:

Red Lips

 Natural Glow

 Glitter

 Smokey Eye

 Cat Eye

xoxo

Post-Holiday Recovery

For the record, I had a truly incredible birthday full of surprises (including a totally unexpected visit from a certain, greatest boyfriend). I feel so loved and am so grateful for all of the wonderful people who made yesterday special. What a day!

Admittedly, I'm also a little exhausted.

The Christmas Eve-Christmas Day-Birthday marathon is so fun while it's happening, but afterward my body always reminds me that 4 or 5 hours of sleep simply aren't enough.

So, what do I do to relax, recover and rejuvenate so I can start off the new year at my best?

Sleep

I look and feel my best when I have had a few good nights of sleep. I'll definitely be hitting the hay earlier these next few days to make sure I get 8-10 hours while I can. If you have trouble falling asleep read this post I wrote over the summer.

Drink More Water

Over the last few years, I have developed a love for Diet Coke. Despite the research that says I'm basically drinking poison, I just love how it tastes. However, I don't love how it has been making me feel. It messes with my appetite and makes me feel tired when I drink too much of it. I will be majorly cutting back on my Diet Coke consumption- I know I'll be feeling better in no time!

Health(ier) Eating

Goodbye, gingerbread cookies. After the holidays, I find that my sweet tooth is simply maxed out. While I don't see myself ever becoming a health nut, there are times when I do reach for natural, healthy foods. After the holidays is certainly one of those times. Here are the foods I'll be reaching for to re-energize.

Exercise

I have not exercised in the longest time (whoops). I'm going to make a huge effort to just get outside and run, walk or hike and to the gym a few times a week. Working out is one of my favorite stress releases and I'm always in a good mood afterward.

Massage

I hold all of my stress in my shoulders and upper back. Getting a massage helps release built up physical and mental tension. 

Spa: Hair, Nails, Facial

Post-holiday pampering is so great. In fact, it's one of the times I think I actually need to get my very chipped nails done at a salon. I've already booked my hair cut and color appointment as well as a mani/pedi and a facial. I am so excited!

I'm excited to start the new year feeling great!

xoxo

drybar.

I had such a busy weekend (sorry for the lack of posting!). It kicked off on Saturday with all day preparations for a black tie event in the evening. I was extra excited about the getting-ready process as I had booked my first ever appointment at drybar, a blowout-only hair salon.

What a treat.

My experience at the salon was phenomenal! Here's how it went:

After checking in at the reception desk, I was led to a room with about 12 sinks and reclining chairs to get my hair washed. My stylist, Alex, washed, conditioned and massaged my hair. After wringing out most of the water with a towel, he led me over to the actual blowout bar and brought me a glass of water (other drinks for 21 and up!). He asked me to select which hairstyle I wanted from drybar's signature menu. I chose the Cosmo-Tai, but here are all options:

Cosmo-Tai

My pick!

The Cosmo

Hot Toddy

Mai Tai

Manhattan

Southern Comfort

Straight Up

After I chose my style, Alex applied volumizing mousse to my hair and turned on the dryer. He styled my hair into big, bouncy curls and then re-curled it with a curling iron so the curls would last all night. Finally, he misted everything with hairspray.

I was so happy with how my hair turned out (bonus: it smelled amazing) that I ended up purchasing a few of the products used: Southern Belle Volumizing Mousse, Money Maker Flexible Hold Hairspray and Detox Dry Shampoo. Here are some of drybar's bestsellers:

Shop them all here.

Anyway, here was my end result- shiny, messy curls that I pinned back on one side:

Cheers!

xoxo

Five Festive Polishes

After all the running around getting ready for the holidays, I'm looking forward to relaxing this weekend with a mani/pedi and a big cup of tea.

Every year, nail polish lines come out with a great line of festive colors for the holiday season. Here are some of my favorites:

Ciate / Christian Dior  / Butter London

Deborah Lippmann / OPI 

Happy holidays!

xoxo

Skincare Update

I'm going to be completely honest: I'm a total princess about skincare products. I like make up and hair products, but skincare has always been the main "beauty thing" I obsess about (as evidenced by my previous in depth post).

This obsession is a little bizarre as I have never had problematic skin or any real "trigger experience" that made me self conscious about my skin. In fact, my skin is pretty good. I think I'm just paranoid that one day my skin will suddenly get bad and I just want to avoid that (does skin karma exist?).

Anyway, I've been sticking to the same skincare routine for about a year, but over the last month or so I felt like my skin wasn't benefitting from the products the way it used to. When I got home for break, I started using a Caudalie face wash and remembered how much I liked that skincare line. 

Since then, I've been slowly replacing some products in my routine, and will describe the changes below. 

Here's my skincare update:

Cleansers
I have used Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser for a really long time and have always loved it. It leaves my face feeling clean, but not dry. I am most certainly not replacing this product! However, I recently purchased Bobbi Brown's Soothing Cleansing Oil which is specifically a make up remover. Honestly, I don't use it that often (I'm seriously lazy about taking off my make up and the Kiehl's cleanser gets my every day stuff off), but when I'm wearing anything waterproof or have a lip/cheek stain on, I use this.

Serums
I used to use Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate at night and Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Treatment in the morning. The Midnight Recovery Concentrate is great and smells delicious. It is hydrating and makes skin glow the next morning. I will continue to use this. However, the Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Treatment has not held up as well long term. I probably never needed to use this-- I initially bought it on impulse as the sales associate helping me said it would wake up/ brighten my skin (I guess lack of sleep is my biggest skin problem). However, I don't have any dark spots so this really doesn't work that well for me. I'm replacing it with Caudalie's Vinoperfect Radiance Serum which I've only tried as a sample (amazing), but will be purchasing the full size ASAP. I also love Caudalie's Beauty Elixir, which is a completely luxurious and unnecessary product, but it feels so refreshing on my skin that I've become addicted to it.

Eye Creams
I like both of my eye creams a lot, although I sometimes (okay, most times) forget to apply them. I will continue to use them, in no particular order. I usually just apply whichever one I see first in my drawer. I use Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye Treatment and Kiehl's Rosa Arctica Eye Cream.

Moisturizers
I have always loved Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer. However, this winter my skin has been extremely dry and the Ultra Facial Moisturizer has not been enough. After hearing many rave reviews about Origins' "A Perfect World" White Tea Moisturizer, I decided to try it out.  So far, so good! It smells great and is very hydrating, absorbing quickly when it is applied to skin. I think this will be a little too heavy in the summer, but for the next 4 or so months, I think it will counteract the drying effects of the cold winter air.

Exfoliating Peel & Scrub
Everyone tells me that manual exfoliation (grainy scrubs) are really bad for my skin. But rules are meant to be broken, right? I love using these. My skin feels so soft after I use Bobbi Brown's Buffing Grains for Face. The grains are actually ground up beans/seeds so they are actually pretty gentle on skin. I also occasionally use an enzyme peel, Caudalie's Vinoperfect Enzyme Peel that is more focused on brightening than exfoliating. It's great for brightening.

Masques
I will always love Glam Glow's Original Face Mask. Nothing makes my skin look better! However, it is a little bit too intense for use more than one or two times a week. So when I want to put on a milder face mask, I use Caudalie's Vinopure Purifying Mask that gently removes impurities and tightens pores.

So, there you have it! Those are my past and present skincare loves.

Happy Tuesday!
xoxo

How to Pull Off Bold Lipstick

I have been really into bold lip colors lately. They're perfect for the girl on the go (me!) since they look best when paired with minimal face and eye make up. Confession: the past three days I've been in such a rush I've skipped foundation altogether and just put on some mascara and lipstick. And I have to say, I've actually received a ton of compliments on my make up. Who knew I would look better on the days I spend less time getting ready? Dark berry and bright red have been my go-to shades. 

Beginners

For those of you starting out, try staying within two shades of your natural lip color (two shades lighter or darker). This will elevate your make up without being too big of a risk. In order to find this shade, apply it to your upper or lower lip and leave the other lip bare. If the color is one or two shades darker, you've found the right color.

Experimenting with Color

Also, take into account the shape of your lips. For girls with thinner lips, stay away from dark colors and go more for bright, fun pops of color (pink looks great). For ladies who have fuller lips, go for darker colors and stay away from light, frosty colors (for the most part, pinks are hard to wear on full lips as they tend to look a little Barbie-esque).

Getting a little more complicated, use your skin's shade to find other perfect color matches. Here are some ideas: 

Fair skin- nude, apricot, light pink, coral

Medium skin- rose, mauve, berry, wine

Dark skin- deep plum, chocolate, caramel, walnut

Now, for the big challenge: red lipstick.

What girl hasn't wanted to try this timeless look out? In order to find the right shade of red, you have to consider your skin tone. Pink undertones? Go for a cherry or pinkish red. Olive skin? Go for a more orangey red (fire engine). Deep skin? Dark reds look great.  

Have fun!

xoxo

Holiday Makeup

I love a good holiday party. From the Christmas music to the warm cider to the general feeling of cheer, holiday parties are simply the best. 

Another aspect of holiday parties I love? 

Dressing up in festive sparkles.

I'll write another post specifically on my favorite holiday dresses (and some ideas for men too!), but this post is dedicated to adding a little bit of glam to your make up and hair.

Often times during the holidays, you see family and friends who you really don't see many other times. So, naturally, you'll want to look your best. Other than getting a lot of sleep, drinking plenty of water and eating healthfully, you can follow this skincare guide so you're glowing from head to toe, even before you apply makeup.

In terms of make up, I think there are three looks that look flattering and classy on everyone during the holidays: bold lips, sparkly eyes or glowy skin.

Red Lips

This look is perfect for when you're running a little late to a party or if you're going straight from work or another event as it really only requires a few quick steps. 

First, make sure your lips are free of any product and then put a little bit of lip balm on. Let that absorb while you touch up your foundation or apply some mascara. Red lipstick looks best when paired with lots of black eyeliner and mascara and minimal eyeshadow (or else you'll look like a pageant queen). 

Next, wipe off any excess lip balm with a tissue and apply red lip liner all over your lips. If you don't have any lip liner or are short on time, apply one coat of red lipstick like Nars' Jungle Red or Chanel's Coromandel. Then blot your lipstick on a tissue. You can apply a little translucent powder like Make Up For Ever's HD Powder here if you want to set the lipstick, but it is not necessary. Then apply a second coat of lipstick and you're set! 

A big trend right now is matching your lipstick to your manicure. I think Chanel's Dragon Nail Polish works really well with most red lipsticks. However, if you want a perfect match, Butter London has a line of lip colors that match their nail polishes perfectly. Check them out here.

Gold Eyes

This look is perfect if you have a little more time to get ready and want something that will last all night. 

Start out by priming your eyelids with an eye shadow primer such as Urban Decay's Primer Potion. This will ensure that your eye make up stays on all night without creasing or running.

Then apply a bronze or gold eyeshadow- I love MAC's Woodwinked or Stila's Foil Finish Eye Shadow- all over your eyelid and blend.

Next, line your eyes with black eyeliner- preferably a gel or liquid. Make sure the line is dark and clean (this isn't a smudgy, smoky eye). Also line your waterline to make your lashes look fuller.

Add some extra sparkle by applying a little bit of cream eyeshadow to the inner corner/area around the tear duct of your eye. This will make eyes appear whiter and bigger. I suggest Dior's Ivory Glow Luminous Eyeshadow. Then add loose glitter all over the eye. My picks are Make Up For Ever's gold glitter or iridescent white glitter (it basically blends into whatever color you have on and adds sparkle).

Then, add lots of black waterproof mascara, pair with light blush and natural lips. Voila, you're set for the night!

Glowy Skin

This is my personal favorite makeup and the look I most often wear. Having all over radiant skin and eye make up is timeless and always photographs well. This look focuses mainly on flawless, glowy skin.

First, I apply lots of foundation primer and eyeshadow primer. Then apply a light-medium coverage foundation such as Chanel's Vitalumiere Aqua all over your face and conceal imperfections with a heavy concealor (I like Bobbi Brown's corrector).

Apply a champagne colored eyeshadow- for example MAC's All That Glitters- all over your eyes. Line eyes with black eyeliner and add lots of mascara.

Then go back to your skin and set your foundation with a translucent powder like Make Up For Ever's HD Powder. Tap a little bit of illuminator on your cheek bones. My favorite is Benefit's Girl Meets Pearl. Also apply some of this on your brow bone and to the center of your lips. 

Apply a shimmery blush like Nars' Orgasm to the apples of your cheeks and blend upwards and outwards. 

Lips should be a natural looking color like a soft red or pinkish shade. 

Happy holidays!

xoxo