If there’s one thing you should put on before leaving the house, it’s mascara. A few layers can instantly make you look more awake and ready to go. And mascara paired with a fierce lipstick is even better! Seriously though, lashes are a prominent part of your face. They frame your eyeballs, which hopefully is where people are looking. Not everyone has lengthy or full lashes, but that’s okay! Mascara is your friend.

Even though I have really long eyelashes, I still use mascara otherwise my look feels unfinished. It’s just one of those things I gotta have, and it should be in your beauty bag too. But before you go crazy and buy the world’s most expensive tube, watch this video. While I love my Dior mascaras, $24.50 is definitely a splurge especially when I’d rather spend on high end skin care. Drug store mascaras are awesome, so don’t ignore them! Maybelline Falsies and Covergirl Lashblast are two great ones that have my CC Beauty Live Seal of Approval!

Now, go ahead and watch for some tips!

On my face: Smashbox Anti-Shine, Make Up For Ever Primer (Green), Maybelline FIT Powder in 230, MAC Wonder Woman Mighty Aphrodite blush, Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash Mascara

On my nails: Nada! But I am wearing China Glaze Lemon Fizz on my toes

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!

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While many of you love wearing makeup and search your couch cushions and the bottom of all your purses for loose money so you can buy new products, there are a lot of you out there who actually hate wearing makeup. Trust me when I say that I get it; I used to be one of those girls!

Makeup can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you don’t know what products to use or how to use them. Plus, sometimes you just don’t want to stand in front of a mirror and put on your face, dammit. But the honest truth: you don’t have to! Having a polished face doesn’t have to mean 35 products and 30 minutes putting them on.

Contrary to popular belief, I don’t step out of my house looking like I’m headed to a photo shoot every day. I often wear just four products or some variation of them (plus Aquaphor!). These products are a simple way to enhance your features and are perfect for people who want to give makeup a chance or who are just starting out. And while I do recommend investing in higher end versions of these products for quality reasons, you certainly don’t have to! There are plenty of budget-friendly alternatives to all products; just make sure you are aware of what you’re getting.

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 websiteand follow me on Twitter!

As many of us rush to get ready in the morning, we usually don’t give our mascara or blush a second thought. Well, beyond avoiding clumpage and blending it in so we don’t look like we’re getting ready for a dance recital. However, makeup has been around for at least 6,000 years (!!) and has played a role in nearly every society.

Our friends from the Medical Insurance Blog are here to show us where makeup started and how it got to where it is today!

(Disclaimer: This product was purchased by me for review purposes. Because I can never have too much makeup!)

What it is: Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash

Why this should be in your bag: Most girls I know wear mascara every single day, however, that practice can be pretty damaging to your lashes. I’ve noticed that when I use certain brands of mascara, my lashes end up suffering, becoming weak and brittle. This creates a vicious cycle, as I’m applying even more mascara to hide the damaging effects. Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash is made with natural ingredients, leaving out a lot of harmful chemicals. I discovered it by accident and have never looked back! I walked into Sephora one day, and asked about some eyeshadow. The salesgirl asked if she could do a whole eye look for me, but when she pulled out the mascara, I begged her for something that wouldn’t damage my lashes. She whipped up the Buxom Lash and once she was done, I was amazed. This mascara truly transformed my eyes and looked 100% natural.

How to use it: I ALWAYS curl my eyelashes before applying mascara. Curling them creates a beautiful shape and then the mascara holds it all day. Apply the mascara (I use the shade Blackest Black), beginning at the outer corner, using a zig-zag motion while combing through your lashes (move your hand back and forth as you lift all the way up). This deposits lots of product without clumping. Move to the inner corner of the eye. I usually wait for the first coat to dry, then apply a second if necessary. If you apply a second coat of this right after, it will clump up.

(Two coats of Buxom Lash)

Spend the cash or simply pass? Spend, spend, spend away! I wholeheartedly LOVE this mascara and $18 is totally middle of the pack as far as price goes. It hits all the marks: it gives you length and volume without clumping, plus it doesn’t damage your lashes! I use this one literally every day and it lasts me about 6 months, so let’s do the math. $18 divided by 6 months (180 days) = 10 cents a day! Not bad at all! If you’re looking for a great day-time mascara formulated without any harsh ingredients, Buxom Lash is perfect!

I’m not gonna lie – it’s easy to get swept away by brand names and pretty packaging (and pushy sales people) in department stores, but you don’t need to burn a hole in that wallet to get some good makeup. There are a lot of products in drug stores that do nearly the exact same thing as high end products, especially when it comes to mascara. In case no one told you before, you don’t have to use products from MAC or Sephora to look beautiful!

You lookin’ to enhance those lashes without spending all that hard earned (or begged-your-parents-for) money? Just watch:

Got a beauty question? Want to know about a product? A hairstyle? Leave your questions and suggestions below and I’ll try to help you out in future videos!

So if you’re like me, part of the fun of being a girl is getting all beautified and purtied up. I mean, beyond the fun that is playing with makeup, what’s the point of putting together a cute outfit if your skin looks dry, your hair looks flat and you smell like a thrift store?

Obviously, my all-time favorite one-stop-shop for all my beauty needs is Sephora. That place has it all… not to mention you can pop in there while you’re shopping and freshen up with their variety of samples. (Confession: sometimes I’ll make Sephora my last stop so I can use all their expensive makeup to get ready for the night!) The sad fact is, beauty products are muy expensive-o and can quickly add up.

Good thing Sephora has a nice stock of too-good-to-be-true goodies for under $20. Let the beautification begin!

Nothing says winter like peppermint hot cocoa and marshmallows, and this Philosophy set helps ya carry that smell around all day. And considering Philosophy’s usual prices, this is quite a steal! Holiday Bonus: The boys’ll find your scent irresistible.

I bought this set a few weeks ago and it’s totally perfect for beauty on-the-go. It comes with a gorgeous palette of eye shadow colors, a blush and 4 choices of lip gloss.  For under $20, you really can’t go wrong.

If there’s one guy out there who knows hair, it is Frederick Fekkai. He’s got tons of products to get your hair lookin’ its best and this spray is by far the most fun. It adds a nice golden shimmer to your hair that’s perfect for holiday parties and New Year’s Eve. Healthy, shiny hair? Yes please.

Perfume rollerballs are a great way to carry around a fragrance for those long days when you need to re-apply. (Like after that 100 question exam that left you sweatin’.)  I love this Stella McCartney scent, but they have a whole lot of options to choose from if Stella isn’t your girl.

Everyday essentials by Bare Escentuals? That are 100% natural? That will make you look perfect without making you break out? I can’t think of anything more heavenly.

If you’re a big Diet Coke/coffee drinker, these Go Smile Touch Up sticks are for you. You just pop one open and it will freshen your breath (because coffee breath is rank) and prevent stains from forming on those pearly whites (because yellow teeth are ranker…)

Bliss creams are. the. best. OMG. I can’t say it enough. This stuff rocks. It smells good, it absorbs quickly, it keeps your hands soft and it’s small enough to fit in your bag.

And for those days when you’re surrounded by snow, stuck in the library and all you can think about is a tropical vacation, try this lovely scent. It’ll take you to Hawaii…for under $20.

One more thing: If you aren’t already a member, be sure to sign up for the Sephora Insider Pass. It’s a free club that gives you points with every purchase and sends you awesome perks (like free $15 gift cards, birthday gifts and more). Yay, Sephora!

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 let you know which are worth the money (like Dior’s Skinflash Primer) and which are not.

What it is: Covergirl Lashblast Volume

Why this should be in your bag: Cuz Drew Barrymore says so in the commercial.  Okay really though, while this is what initially enticed me to buy it (who doesn’t trust Drew?), homegirl was right.  This mascara is under $10 (awesome), it’s waterproof (fantastic), and the brush is packed with tiny bristles to make sure that every lash is covered (hollaaa!).  Drew called it the most successful mascara launched in recent years, and it’s easy to see why.  It covers completely with great color and volume (I tested the very black option).

How to use it: Curl your lashes with a curler, holding down for several seconds.  Start at the base and wigggle the brush back and forth until you reach the end of the lashes.  I like to use the curler again before applying a second coat.  Then, pointing the wand at your eye, swipe back and forth lightly on your bottom lashes.

Could my money be better spent on a cheeseburger? Nope. This mascara is great and so reasonably priced! Plus, it won’t clog your arteries. I’d definitely pass up a dinner on the town for this stuff; you won’t regret it.

As I was going through the mascara aisle at my local Rite Aid, I saw the same old blacks, dark blacks, super black blacks, and midnight blacks that I usually set my big green eyes on. Then I stumbled upon green mascara for green eyes! I thought it was a little strange, but I was intrigued so I tried it out.

And take my word for it: this mascara is wonderful!

Mascara should bring attention to your eyes and bring out the color. For many of us,  though – especially those of us with lighter eyes – black mascara doesn’t do that. Sure, swiping some ultra black onto those lashes makes your eyes look better, but it doesn’t make that color pop. And why wouldn’t you want those bright blues to pop?!

Well, this mascara does that; it highlights your eye color and your eyes. It’s brilliant and I just had to share!

You already know how I feel about Tarte cosmetics and if you don’t I’ll tell you: I’m obsessed. Their products are high quality and eco-friendly; what more can you ask for?

Well, Tarte has teamed up with Commando underwear to get you covered (from top to [your] bottom) for the upcoming holiday season. They’re giving away up to $750 worth of goodness and all you have to do is enter. And with products like theirs, that is definitely something to be thankful for this season.

Tarte’s Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara is hands down the best mascara I’ve ever tried. Ever. And I’ve tried all of them. Every time a magazine boasted about their favorite mascara, I’d buy it. But they were all the same. I just figured mascara was mascara and started buying whatever was cheapest at Target. But Tarte taught me that there is a difference and not all mascaras are created equal. I honestly don’t know how they do it, but my eyes have never looked better or brighter. Seriously. It’s a miracle product.

Oh, and as long as we’re talking about the best products ever, let me just tell you about The Eraser, a legendary concealer. Not only does this stuff cover up the major black circles under my eyes (tested and approved on a particularly hungover morning), but it has a brush built in so you don’t have to run your greasy fingers across your freshly washed face. Gah! I just love it.

And you know what else I love? Going commando. (True story – I really don’t like panty lines…or doing laundry.) But after Britney and Paris started flashing their lady bits all over town I decided to give undies a try. And they failed me. I thought I was doomed to a life of not-so-stealthily picking wedgies… and then, like a gift from the heavens, I recieved a sample of Commando underwear. This stuff is ridiculous. It has zero seams, meaning it gives you the look of going commando without the fear of accidentally exposing yourself. Plus it comes in all different styles (bikini, thong, girl shorts) and designs (solids, animal print). It still adds to the laundry basket, but when you see how good your bootie looks in those girl shorts you won’t even care.

I seriously loaded up on this stuff (20 pairs to be exact) and am officially a member of the underwear-wearing community. Though you wouldn’t know by looking at me in a pair of leggings. These things are genius!

And you can get a whole slew of them and a ton of Tarte beauty products just by entering. So go! Enter! Win! Everyone gets 20% off their next Tarte or Commando purchase just for entering so, really – with a flawless face and no risk of showing everyone your goodies – we’re all winners.