Is it just me or is there another “revolutionary” new makeup product introduced every freaking day?! Just walking into Ulta or Sephora (or even Walgreens!) sends many chicas into fits of hysteria, reaching for the nearest brown bag to regulate their breathing. It’s all so overwhelming.

So how can you know which product – among the sea of thousands – is the best? Which does what you need it to do? Which ones are worth the extra money?

Let me help. I don’t know every beauty product out there, but I’ve tested a lot of them and I’ll share the best and the worst with you.

What it is: Dior Skinflash Primer- Radiance Boosting Makeup Primer

Why this should be in your bag: This product is pricey at $40, but it is multi-functional.  You can use it as a primer underneath your makeup, then throw it in your bag and apply it during the day to even out your skin and eliminate shine.  It includes Photo-smart pigments.  Okay, I have no idea what that means, but it must be good because it adds light to your face for an instant glow and makes you look refreshed even if you were up super late studying… or partying.  Instant wonderful glow.

How to use it: This primer has a built in brush, which makes it portable.  Just twist the base and the primer will flow into the brush.  Apply the makeup to the back of your hand and swirl the brush in, then apply to your face to make your foundation last or to look instantly refreshed. Read More »

One of my favorite things about fall is not the return of pumpkin everything, but the chance to start fresh with my look: new clothes, new boots and a complete overhaul on my makeup drawer. I love how it feels to have a completely fresh wardrobe and to be excited about getting dressed every day. I love the challenge of incorporating new trends into my look. And I just love any excuse to play with my makeup for a few hours.

One of the trends I’m most excited for this fall is the return of the bright, bold, purple eye. I know it sounds scary and overwhelming, but you you can wear violet hues without looking like Barney. Just look at all the models doin’ their thang during Fashion Week!

Like with all bold makeup, the key to pulling off this look is to keep the rest of your face simple so the purple on your eyes will really pop.  Try out some of the products and techniques below and I promise to get you looking like a chic starlet walking the red carpet… not like a big, scary Purple People Eater. Read More »

Few girls have unlimited time to spend in front of the mirror every morning – most of us are battling for that precious ten minutes of bathroom time with roommates or siblings. But a lack of time is no excuse for tired, puffy eyes and messy hair!

Invest in products that do more than one thing, saving you time, money, and space in your makeup bag. Here are the ones we can’t live without: Read More »

It’s no secret that I love Bare Escentuals Mineral Makeup.  I ban myself from going in the store because I simply can’t control my credit card when in the presence of such amazing makeup. 

When friends need to go in I blab on and on about what they should get, to the point where sales associates consider offering me a job.  Don’t worry though, I don’t actually work for a mineral makeup company so everything I’m telling you is legit; no one is paying me under-the-table (but if you are from B.E and are lookin to throw some dough my way…hit me up). 

Okay, so before you dismiss this as just another article advertising mineral makeup, listen up: I’m going to tell you exactly what the benefits are so you can decide if mineral makeup is right for you. There are so many things you need to know (beyond what those ladies tell you in the 3am infomercial) and you may realize that mineral makeup is the best thing for you and your punim (that’s face.)

- Many types of regular makeup (i.e. certain liquid or compressed powder foundations) contain harsh chemicals or fragrances (synthetic dyes, preservatives, etc..)

- Mineral makeup doesn’t contain these extra chemicals and instead most mineral makeups contain titanium dioxide, which is a natural anti-inflammatory and sunscreen.  This is especially beneficial if your skin has inflammatory issues (like if it gets red easily or you have acne).  The color in mineral makeup is also a natural pigmentation. Read More »

So by now you’ve probably seen the commercials for Latisse, the eyelash enhancing prescription that makes your lashes fuller and longer.  While amazing lashes would be wonderful, the side effects are… umm…scary.  Darkened eyelids and pupils? Potential hair growth wherever this stuff touches?  Yeah, ruining your face is definitely worth some longer, fuller lashes.

Pause.

Not.

And this stuff doesn’t have a long term effect; you have to keep using it to keep your lashes looking good. The pros simply do not outweigh the cons for Latisse.

Luckily there are other things you can do and use to make your lashes looking beautiful that won’t permanently ruin your face. Things like, duh, mascara, false lashes, lash curlers, lash primers, and eyeliner tricks.

The first and easiest option is to curl your lashes using a clamp eyelash curler, like this one from Tarte. (Wait a second, isn’t Tarte on sale through CollegeCandy right now?? Score!) Clamp your lashes down at the base, hold for 3 seconds, repeat in the middle, and then the ends.  It also helps to heat up the curler first for a few seconds with a hairdryer, but do not do this every day, as you will damage your lashes with excessive heat.  It can be helpful to curl your lashes before applying mascara, then clamp once after to add a little extra oomph. Read More »

Although I am a firm believer in leading an environmentally-friendly life,  I am first and foremost a college-aged woman.  And what does that mean?  It means I am absolutely unwilling to look ugly just for the sake of the environment.

After doing a little research, however, I discovered that being green does not mean being heinous.  In fact, it means quite the opposite.

Here are my favorite green tips that also make you hotter.  Read on, pretty lady…

Ditch the dryer: Using a hair dryer for only 5 minutes a day for an entire year uses enough energy to power a basic light bulb for 3,259 hours.  And guess what?  You don’t really need it!  Drying your hair frequently can crack the hair’s cuticle and withdraw moisture, leaving you with dry and brittle strands.  Naturally drying your hair even just a few days a week can save your strands and save the environment.  If you just can’t live without your daily drying, opt for an eco-friendly one.  The Go Green dryer is made from recycled materials, is printed with soy ink, and uses 26% less energy than a normal dryer.

Turn down the scalding shower: Not only do long, hot showers waste water, they are also a huge energy expense.  Cut down your shower time and the temperature, and you can save tons of money on your monthly bill.  Plus, cold water is good for your bod!   Hot water can have very drying properties, both to your skin and your hair.  Taking a colder shower leaves your hair silkier and your skin softer, all while increasing circulation and bumping up your immune system.  Now how’s that for a morning routine? Read More »

Post courtesy of StyleBakery.com. These ladies know their fashion, so check em out.

When you’re in a rush to get to school or work, looking perfect isn’t always your top priority. But halfway through the day, you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror and wish you’d tamed those flyaways and put on a little lip gloss. Fortunately, we’ve found some amazing miniature beauty products that you can carry with you when you’re on the go – just stash them in your bag, locker or car! Read More »

Let me start off by saying that I am a firm believer in spending money on quality makeup.  Oftentimes well-trusted and expensive brands of makeup are more effective, longer lasting and – shocking – a much better product all around.  However, there are times when buying the expensive stuff is just stupid.

Case in point: when new makeup trends come along. It is silly to spend a ton of money on something without knowing if you’re really interested in the product or if it’s just all the hype. This is the perfect time to invest in the cheaper version to see if it’s something you want to incorporate into your makeup routine long-term. If it is, you can fork over the cash for the better stuff later.

Below are some of the major makeup trends happening right now that (if you get inundated with the ads as much as I do) you’re probably dying to test out. I included the expensive version and the cheap(er) version so you can try them on for size without going for broke. Read More »

Decadent beauty doesn’t get much more luxurious than pampering your skin with real 24K gold (unless of course, you want to bathe in diamonds, but this is your face we’re talking about here). And as a modern makeup maven, you deserve the best… and the prettiest, of course!

As a compulsive beauty buyer, I can’t help but notice that products featuring shimmer and sparkle are being upgraded lately to include real gold flakes in addition to mica — both for its glittery shine factor and its role as a skin-aiding mineral. From moisturizing golden hair pomade to solid gold flake sheets for an opaque gilded look, these products certainly give a fresher, much younger connotation to the term “Golden Girl!” Flip through the slideshow for some of my favorite Midas-touched products.

Check out the rest of these gold products on stylehive.com.

[Post courtesy of out friends at StyleBakery.com. For more awesome fashion, style and beauty news, check them out!]

The dog days of summer are quickly approaching and you know what that means; muggy, steamy heat.  Whether you’re on the waterfront or completely landlocked, even those of you in the so-called “dry heat” states can’t avoid the boil of a mid-July day.  Do your best to stay cool, dry and sweat free with these products that bring on the chill.

Earth Therapeutics Clean + Cool Foot Wipes
At the end of the day when our dogs are barking, we kick off our sandals and revive our aching feet with these convenient, portable wipes.  Remove the day’s dirt and grime while tea tree oil and mint provide a pleasant cooling sensation. $7.00, drugstore.com Read More »