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 »

When I was growing up, my dad always told me, “Caitlin, be prepared.”

I’m pretty sure he was referring to things like school work and job interviews, but I took that advice to heart….with beauty supplies.

Thanks to my dad I never leave the house without my big bag of beauty essentials. You never know what could happen on your way to class – blisters from your shoes, a sudden monsoon, laughing so hard you cry off all your mascara – so it’s best to bring along a few things to save you from a makeup meltdown. I’ll share with you all of my must-brings that have gotten me through all of my beauty emergencies and then you can customize your portable beauty bag to hold whatever you like (yeah, stacks on deck, Patron on ice…). Read More »

When it comes to beauty there are certain tools that every girl needs in her arsenal. But what are the must-haves and what are the spend-a-lot-of-money-on-stuff-you-don’t-needs?

I know a lot of girls are confused about what brushes to buy and what tools they should have lying around their bathroom counter so I wanted to give you all some insight on what I use regularly. I’m not telling you to go out and buy a $100.00 brush kit full of stuff you’ll never use. Instead, I’m going to explain what everything is and allow you to decide what you need for your daily beauty regime.

"...I just farted."

I am pretty confident in my long-term relationship knowledge. Actually, at this point, I am pretty much an expert, as I am going on 8 years.

Yes, I heard the gasp. Someone just dropped her plate. Someone else is chocking on her Ramen. It isn’t common that you come across a college girl who is one half of a committed relationship, especially one with their high school sweetheart. But here I am. I do exist.

That being said, I know what it means to be a “real” couple. I’ve gone from the butterflies and blushing to knowing what he is thinking without even saying a word. We’ve been at this so long we’ve hit every milestone….more than once. And I’m talking about them all, from the biggies (like the first Valentine’s Day to meeting the parents) to the ones that people often forget, but which are the actual gauges of how serious your relationship really is.

The Fart
Undoubtedly one of the most important markers (and most disgusting, might I add) is farting. Yes, I had a couple excruciating years of holding them in every time we were together, and if one slipped out on accident I immediately blamed the dog. But there comes a point where you are comfortable enough with the other person to just let em’ rip  (of course my boyfriend probably wishes I was not this comfortable, but that’s besides the point). Read More »

Note: This is NOT me and my friend. We're girls.

Last year for Halloween my best friend and I dressed up as Ernie and Bert, complete with yellow and orange face-paint.  Can you say ‘hottest costumes ever’?  The guy I was hooking up with didn’t seem to think so.  I had seen him out earlier in the night and when we texted later to meet-up (read: hook-up) he said, “I’m on my way over. Wash that sh*t off your face before I get there.”

Ouch.

You mean you don’t think I’m hot when I’m wearing bright orange face-paint? Harsh. But I wasn’t ready to end my Halloween night hookup-less, so I proceeded to the bathroom to scrub “that sh*t off my face.”  But it turns out that washing off layers of face-paint that took a half hour to apply was tricky. And when he finally did show up I just looked like Bert…with a melting face.  If only I had been prepared with the right equipment to return to my natural skin color ahead of time.

Whether you are putting on face-paint, false eyelashes, or just regular makeup that is heavier than usual, it’s all gonna need to come off at the end of the night (especially if you want some Hallow-sexin).  So arm yourself ahead of time with these helpful heavy-duty makeup removal products and you’ll have your real face back in no time.

To Remove Face Paint/ Heavy Makeup
Cold cream is your best option. Yes, it’s gonna feel gross, but so does a face full of giant zits in the morning from improper makeup removal or, worse, a face that has been scrubbed raw trying to get that ish off. If you want your skin to be truly clean, cold cream is the way to go.  Just use a cotton ball and apply the cold cream to your entire face (or other painted areas).  Let it sit for a few minutes and soak up that nasty makeup.  Then use a facecloth and warm water to rub off it all off. Follow up with a little rinse with water and you’re face is fresh and ready for bed (or booty).

Another option is to use baby oil applied and removed in the same way.  Even baby wipes are a decent option for face-paint removal.  (All of these products can be found at your local drugstore). Read More »

When your favorite cream blush or powder foundation is empty, do you just toss it in the trash? By recycling your used beauty products, you can help save the planet and get brand new products for free!

Mac’s Back To Mac Program
Return six Mac primary packaging containers to the Mac counter at your local department store or via mail, and you’ll get a free lipstick of your choice! For more information, click here.

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 »

Take off those sweats and put a little effort in! You never know who you're going to meet.

No matter how many times I lecture my friends about how we, as single girls, need to look cute wherever we go, I can’t seem to follow my own advice.

I was sitting on the stationary bike at the gym yesterday, sweating out my scholastic stress to some Drake, when a cute boy sits on the bike next to me. A very cute boy, whom I happened to see around a lot last year, but never talked to that much. Apparently, I should have biked next to him months ago, because we enjoyed a long long, drawn out, get-to-know-you conversation as we pedaled our little hearts out.

I was so excited and in luuuurve, but instead of focusing on engaging in witty banter, batting my eyelashes, and basically just knocking the socks off this kid, I was wondering if my eye makeup from the day had made its way down my face yet, and if sweat could ever be remotely flattering. I was also questioning my decision to wear bright, floral shorts that rep my school (I thought they were so tacky that they were cute…my friends later informed me that sadly, they were just  tacky) with a shirt that completely clashed with them. I was all, “Hell, it’s just the gym, I can go looking crappy and no one will ever be the wiser.”

THAT right there, that sentence, is my problem. Dannia, honey, I feel your pain. I’m here to keep you from having to learn it the hard way: it’s a smart to look adorable no matter where you go.

Read More »

It's OK; she's eating for 2.

And it’s not a food baby.

5 drinks that are better for you than a Pumpkin Spice Latte

Occupy yourself during the recession. For free.

Urban Decay creates the perfect eye liner.

Is Katy Perry kissing Russel Brand? (And does she like it?)

Cute “mittens”…for his junk.

It’s always hard to dump someone.  There are hurt feelings and harsh words, maybe a few tears, definitely some cocktails and desserts smothered in chocolate, caramel, and Oreo cookie crumbles.

Well get out the Edy’s, Sephora.

Everyone knows that Sephora and I (and Sephora.com) have been going steady since I was 15, but we’re currently on the rocks.   There’s a new makeup store in my life, and it’s name is BeautyTicket.com. Yup, although Sephora was the love of my life, I just can’t control my feelings for this much better beauty stop that recently rocked my world.

But it wasn’t just a one night fling; this is serious. I’m falling in love.

This amazing website carries super great brands like YSL, Smashbox, Stila, Tarte, Urban Decay, and Pop, for up to 85% off.  Wow.  I’ll give you a minute to think about how freakin’ amazing that is.  I’m talkin’ Smashbox wooden 4-shadow/blush pallet, originally $45, now $19.00.

These are a few of my favorite current finds, but the merchandise changes so check em’ out quickly:

Smashbox Muse Artist Eye Shadow Pallete: $48 down to $29.99: 10 different colored shadows with a brush!

Yves Saint Laurent “Love Collection” Blush: Was $60, down to $29.99.  This blush is embedded in a foundation so you can use one or the other, or both.  Oh, and its shaped like an adorable pink heart. Read More »