Time for a review! Finals are coming up after all, and you know what that means right? There are some awesome parties that you should take a study break for! And where there are parties, there is a need for good makeup. That’s a law of beauty. Cat eyes are my go-to look for eye makeup, and they’re easier to do than you think!

You can rock a cat eye during the day or at night. You can wear it alone or paired with eye shadow. It’s versitile and perfect for when you want to add a little flare to your look. This video is a favorite of yours and mine, so go ahead and brush up on those cat eye skills!

Got something you want me to cover? Post it in the comments below. And don’t forget to follow us on YouTube and check out my other videos right here! And for more beauty related tips, check out my website and follow me on Twitter!

Earth day is coming up on April 22nd, and it’s gotten us thinking about ways that we can shop more responsibly. One major source of waste that’s really easy to overlook is cosmetic bottles and tubes. Just think about the number of mascara tubes you’ve gone through since you starting sneaking makeup in middle school. Or bottles of moisturizer, and compacts of blush, eyeshadow, and powder. That’s a lot of plastic tossed in the garbage.

Origins cosmetic company is offering a cool solution to that problem this Earth Day. On April 22nd, you can trade in any old cosmetics, regardless of brand, at any Origins store. You’ll receive your choice of an Origins moisturizer in return. All of the cosmetic packaging collected will be recycled or converted to energy through the Origins Recycling Program.

And that’s not all. Origins is going to plant a tree for each customer that buys one of their products! Check out this blurb about their Plant-A-Tree Campaign:

In 2009, Origins launched its Plant-A-Tree Campaign in partnership with American Forests’ Global ReLeaf™; an education and action program that helps individuals, agencies and corporations improve the local and global environment by planting and caring for trees. Since the launch of this successful campaign, Origins has aided reforestation projects by helping to plant more than 153,000 trees around the world.  In addition to planting trees on behalf of concert attendees and live streaming viewers of Origins Rocks Earth Month, from April 18-24 Origins will plant a tree through Global ReLeaf™ in honor of each customer who purchases any Origins skin care product.  In addition, customers will receive a FREE “Wish on a Tree” bracelet, so they can further reiterate their commitment to protecting the planet.

Pretty cool, right? Head over to the Origins website for more information.

What It Is: Clarins Gloss Prodige in Grenadine and Papaya

Why This Should Be in Your Bag:

Another Clarins Spring addition, Gloss Prodige promises a “lip-plumping formula [that] delivers intense colour, mirror-like shine and long-lasting hold. Leaves lips soft, smooth and fuller looking.“

Lip gloss is the perfect Spring/Summer handbag essential. Lighter and brighter than lipstick, it gives you an effortless, airy look. I definitely switch over to mainly gloss in the summertime and hopefully this new gloss fits my needs. I tried out two very different shades, Grenadine and Papaya!

(Papaya, Grenadine)

How To Use It:

These glosses come with a foam-tip applicator that allows for easy application. The applicator wasn’t tapered or doe-foot, just cylindrical like the wand, but I liked it. It was on the larger side, which made precise application impossible, but the colors are sheer enough that you don’t need to be super careful. I wore both of these on their own and found them to be quite pigmented and lovely, but I imagine they would look great over a lipstick of a similar shade.

(Papaya)

(Grenadine)

CC Rating: A

I really don’t understand how Clarins keeps hitting it out of the park! These glosses are amazing– moisturizing, not too sticky and come in a gorgeous array of colors.

I would have given the Clarins Gloss Prodige an A+, except they claim to be plumping, and I really didn’t find ANY plumping or tingling at all. I am quite happy about this, as I don’t like plumping glosses or the sensations that usually come along with them, but if you read the description, you would think you’re getting a plumping gloss.

Please don’t be put off by the less-than-perfect score. If you’re looking for an amazing new lipgloss, don’t hesitate over this! The Gloss Prodige line is A+ in my heart. You can pick them up on the Clarins site for $20 a pop.

[Need some new makeup but not sure what to buy? Check out Alex's other beauty reviews here.]

What It Is: Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Stance (from the new Human Fundamentalism collection)

Why This Should Be in Your Bag:

Illamasqua is a super funky brand that stands out with amazing quality products. I’ve never encountered an Illamasqua product that I didn’t love, so I was really excited to try out their new shade of nail varnish. Stance is a bright fuschia-violet with a glossy finish.

How To Use It:

Illamasqua nail varnishes come in square-shaped bottles with a sleek, black cap. I find that the large cap makes application slightly cumbersome; it doesn’t allow for much precision. However, the brush is standard-size.

CC Rating: A

Illamasqua is a wonderful brand; the products are always of stellar quality, featuring unique and fun shades. I love Illasmaqua not only for basics, but for bright, crazy products and colors. Their nail varnish in Stance is no different – it’s an almost neon magenta!

As I mentioned above, I really don’t like the cap of the Illamasqua nail varnishes. Application is a lot more difficult with the large, square cap, and I have to take my time. However, the varnish itself is fabulous and applies opaque with 2 coats. It goes on very smoothly and doesn’t streak at all. The wear-time was about average, and I noticed tip wear within 2-3 days.

Overall, I like the Illasmasqua nail varnishes, but I’m not blown away. If the price point was closer to $10, I think I’d be more likely to add these to my collection. Illamasqua nail varnishes, including Stance, are available on Sephora’s website for $14.

[Need some new makeup but not sure what to buy? Check out Alex's other beauty reviews here.]

Nails are one of the easiest fashion accessories to change. Last week, I introduced you all to Custom Nail Solutions, which are custom acrylic nails. Well, if acrylics aren’t your thing, then a good polish should be! My ever-growing nail polish collection just gained some new favorites: Ciate nail polish.

Ciate is one of the UK’s hottest nail polish brands, and it has made its way across the pond to Sephora. I tested them out for you guys, and I was not disappointed…

On my face: Painted Earth Pore Perfecting Primer, MAC Studiofix powder, NARS Multiple in Orgasm,  Urban Decay Naked palette in Buck and Sidecar, Maybelline One on One Mascara

On my nails: Ciate Budoir, OPI Gift of Gold on right ring finger

In my hair: Victoria’s Secret So Sexy De-Tangler, Hana Shine Shield, Free Your Mane Baobab Brilliant Restorative Hair Oil

Jennifer Lawrence’s best beauty tricks
Make your own mascara
Geometric jewelry
Get Kate Middleton’s look for cheap
Fashion inspired by Star Wars
Layering bracelets for an edgier look
A middle school throwback facial
The best spring trends for your body shape
Makeup setting powders for a flawless face
How to get glowing skin
10 ways to make beauty products last

What his favorite book says about him

Is your favorite show staying on the air?

The best natural remedies

Does this look like the ideal woman to you?

I don’t know who Ricky Whittle is, but he’s hot

6 spring trends to watch out for

Aubrey O’Day dyes her dogs’ hair

New Found Glory still exists

Coolio is now in the same jail as his son

[Lead image via JHershPhoto/Shutterstock]

What It Is: SUPER by Perricone First Blush Brightening Serum

Why This Should Be in Your Bag:

During the winter months, most people’s skin suffers. It goes from bright and glowy to dull, dead and uncomfortable. I spend most winter trying to get my skin back to it’s summer luster and always want to try new products that promise to make me look alive!

SUPER is a fave skincare brand of mine. Not only is the packaging fun and inventive, the products work wonders and are affordable. They offer First Blush, a brightening serum, that sounded like it may sooth my winter skin woes.

How To Use It:

SUPER recommends that you apply this after cleansing but before moisturizing. I try to follow that order, but sometimes forget that I want to add some brightness to my skin and moisturize immediately after cleansing. I’ve added First Blush after and don’t notice a difference if I mix-up the application order (phewf). The bottle comes with an old-school dropper, and I find one to two drops of product is enough to cover my entire face. I don’t use this everyday, just when I need a quick pick-me-up!

CC Rating: B+

Again, SUPER delivers a great product! I can’t say for sure that it makes me skin “brighter”, but after application my skin is noticeably tighter (not uncomfortably so). It feels refreshed and wakes me up, similar to the Ginger mask by the same brand.

The dropper application isn’t my favorite method, and I would probably prefer a pump, like on their acne treatment bottle. It’s a neat idea and definitely different, but a bit unnecessary and difficult to use. First Blush is a also slightly pricey. It retails for $48 for 1 oz, which may be out of many college students’ budgets.

Overall, First Blush definitely tightens my skin up and shrinks pores for a more even appearance. I don’t know if my skin is visibly brighter, but I so enjoy the effect and will keep it in my skincare routine.

[Need some new makeup but not sure what to buy? Check out Alex's other beauty reviews here.]

Finally! A “Mad Men” Relationship Guide!

Beauty tips from women men love

Tyra Banks graduated from Harvard Business School

Reasons to shop at thrift stores

Get Miranda Kerr‘s super cute outfit!

Geek Chic: fashion inspired by Doctor Who

TOMS ballet flats are so cute!

How to “sculpt” your face in three simple steps!

A Rebecca Minkoff Interview