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!

That’s why I get really excited when brands like Maybelline try to imitate those big makeup brands.  You’ve probably seen those TV ads for their new FIT ME collection of foundations and powders.  They’re a little annoying, but the product is good.  Really good!  I was very impressed with how similar the quality was to my high-end products. Plus, it has SPF 18 in the foundation!

My only real qualm was that I couldn’t test the shade in the store.  They have a wide spectrum of 18 shades said to fit all skintones, but it’s still a necessity for me to test a shade in the store before I buy it.  Also, I recommend using a primer (here’s how it’s done!) with the foundation to help it last.  If you’re looking for something that feels like a high-end brand but is extremely affordable, then check this collection out! But first, get my full rundown here:

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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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!

While everyone is fabulous in their own right, we thought we should celebrate the campus fashionistas of the world for their continued excellence in not looking like a hot mess for class. So, we started stalking those girls on campus to get a few pics and get some tips on their personal style. And maybe a restraining order or two. But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in.

Enter Sarah.

Even though she isn’t in college anymore, Sarah still exudes the typical college girl enthusiasm for new clothes and the word “sale.” When I approached her and begged to take a picture of her look, she agreed… but only if I took a picture of the back of her skirt. She wanted to show off the best parts of her look: the pretty metallic details and ruffles next to the rich color of her scarf.  She’s also got this very Nicole Richie, I-didn’t-try-too-hard twisted pin-up braid going on that’s super cute and complements the entire look perfectly.

As a recent college grad, Sarah is always busy running to and from interviews and meetings. She doesn’t have a lot of time to spend on makeup and hair, which she doesn’t mind. Her style philosophy: a cute outfit to match her bag and long, flirty eyelashes. Sweet and simple. I love it.

Name: Sarah F.
Year: 2008 alumnus
Major: Public Policy
Sarah in 3 words: girly, bohemian, au naturale

1) Describe your personal style.
Simple is always better. Too many girls nowadays are getting plastic surgery and putting on heavy makeup when they’re only 10 years old! I don’t really try to stand out; I just pick something cute to wear, grab my favorite bag and heels, put on some mascara and sunscreen, and head out the door.

2) You can’t leave the house without your ____.
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara. It makes my lashes look amazingly long and thick, and my eyes don’t look so tired afterwards.

3) Name your favorite place to shop.
Forever 21! Cheap is a must for a recent college graduate.

4) What/who is the biggest influence on your style?
I really like Natalie Portman; she always looks flawless in her complexion and dress but doesn’t seem like she spends an unnecessary amount of time on looking good. She’s a great role model too; she took an acting hiatus to go to Harvard! And for psychology, too, like me.

5) What’s your favorite trend, past or present?

I love scarves, I have an entire box full of them! You can wear them in so many ways, and they make your outfit your own unique creation. Sometimes I even tie them on my bag to add another little flair to my outfit.

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.

Vibrating Mascara
Things that vibrate are good, but does that apply to makeup?  Vibrating mascara is the new thing, but I’m pretty skeptical about it being as effective as ads claim.  Lancome makes a vibrating mascara that retails for $34 (if I’m spending that much on something that vibrates it better do more than lengthen my lashes).  But if you just want to test out the pulsating mascara trend without breaking the bank, you could also check out Maybelline’s vibrating mascara for only $14.99.  Much better idea for a product that you aren’t totally sure of.
Savings: $19.

Foundation Finish
Foundation veils are a great way to add a matte finish to your look, but they don’t work wonders for everyone. Why spend money if you aren’t sure it will make a drastic difference on your skin?  As much as I love Bare Escentuals (trust me, it’s a lot), $19 is kind of a lot to spend on a product that may not make a huge difference.  So if you want to test out a foundation finish, try e.l.f’s mineral booster for only $5! Yes, the price of a Subway footlong!
Savings: $14.

Lip Boosters
If you wanna plump your lips without the aid of collagen, lip boosters are the cheap alternative.  But if you aren’t sure how your lips will react, or how great the change will be, you probably don’t wanna shell out a lot of money.  Laura Mercier’s Lip Plumper is $30.  Yikes! But, our ladies at Victoria’s Secret created a lip plumper for only $18.  Much better option if you want to test out this type of product.
Savings: $12.

In this weekly series, actress / model and fabulous CC blogger, Jen, will be using her make-up know how to teach us all how to look flawless in class, out at a party, or grabbing coffee with that cutie from Psych 101.]

Everyone is always talking about long, luxurious lashes, but how do we get em without getting clumps? And do we really have to spend $40 on a tube of mascara to get that sexy lash we covet? This week Jen gives her expert advice on the best mascaras on the market (in all price ranges) that are sure to get you lookin’ like a Cover Girl.

Even if you are trolling through a college town filled with kids who fully support and expect it, walking home with last night’s hair, makeup and footwear is never your proudest moment (though mastering the Wheelbarrow drunk the night before came pretty close).

Unfortunately, for many college coeds, the Walk of Shame is inevitable, especially when you combine Dollar Pitcher night at the local bar and a whole lot of good looking boys. But just because you are walking home from some dude’s house early in the morning doesn’t mean you have to look that way.

I am a strong believer in preparing for everything, and the Walk of Shame is no exception. Pack a few things before you go and no one will have any idea where you were last night.

First things first, avoid that “going out bag” and opt for something bigger. You probably already have one, but in case you want an excuse to buy something new, I love this new Tycoon Dome Satchel from Juicy. Cute enough for a night on the town, but big enough to pack all of the essentials.

Makeup Remover: The biggest giveaway on a Walk-of-Shamer besides traipsing through campus at 8am is the black eyeliner smudged under her bloodshot eyes. Get rid of that shiz. Toss a travel size bottle of makeup remover (or those handy little pads) into your bag before you go.

Pressed Powder: The morning after a heavy night of drinking leaves your face feeling and looking…less than fresh. And let’s be honest: you don’t want anyone (including that boy) seeing those stress related zits that popped up all over your chin.

Mascara: Bring it along to finish off the “I’m up early to go to the library!” look. This combined with the powder and removal of last night’s makeup will leave you lookin’ so fresh and so clean, clean.

Headband: Even if you didn’t get much sleep last night (you dawg), your hair is gonna be lookin’ a little ruffled in the AM. If you have a pony tail holder with you, use that. If your hair is short, though, throwing on a headband will pull it off your face and give off more of a “I am far too busy/lazy to wash it” look than the obvious “I totally just had morning sex and he didn’t drive me home” style.

Breath Strips: Easier to transport than a toothbrush (and don’t require you to get out of bed to freshen that morning breath!) these little guys are a must-have. You never know who you are going to run into on the street and cigarette/stale beer breath is a huge Walk of Shame red flag.

A Fresh Pair of Undies: You may have just spent the evening doin’ the dirty, dirty, but that doesn’t mean you have to be dirty. Bring along a fresh pair. Also good if things get a little wild and your underwear ends up on the top of a dresser, in the woods or…where the hell did those things go!?

If the weather is warm, tossing in a pair of flip flops and a casual t-shirt is a good idea. Seeing a girl walk arond in a tube top and heels is obviously a clear giveaway of what she was doin’ the night before. (If it is cold out, a simple jacket can cover up the evidence.) You can also take advantage of the more casual looks that are big right now and just opt for a deep-V t-shirt (the American Apparel ones are the bomb diggity) and a pair of skinny jeans for your going-out ensemble.

[Walk of Shame photo courtesy of Owen Yeo on Flickr.]

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My name is Diana, and I’m a mascara junkie. In addition to touching up my Almay retractable eyeliner numerous times a day, my purse always holds an eyelash curler and a tube of my mascara-of-the-month.

I am not one of those classic Maybelline Great Lash girls. When I shop for a new mascara, I pick up whichever package has the most exciting adjectives (Volum’ Express Turbo Boost!) and lofty promises (“Visibly lengthens by 40% Volumizes up to …

My name is Diana, and I’m a mascara junkie. In addition to touching up my Almay retractable eyeliner numerous times a day, my purse always holds an eyelash curler and a tube of my mascara-of-the-month.

I am not one of those classic Maybelline Great Lash girls. When I shop for a new mascara, I pick up whichever package has the most exciting adjectives (Volum’ Express Turbo Boost!) and lofty promises (“Visibly lengthens by 40% Volumizes up to 4X!).

And yet, despite all my efforts and the naturally thick, dark lashes I start with, I can never quite achieve that flirty, heavy eyelash fringe I was seeking. I don’t envy celebrity bodies—I envy their lashes.

But here’s a secret: there’s no celebrity eyelash gene that gives them those fat lashes with not a trace of mascara gunk in sight. So, what do celebrities have that we don’t? Well, among other things—money to burn. And sometimes, that money goes into eyelash extensions.

Often made of real human hair or silk, eyelash extensions are quickly becoming a staple in salons across the country. And these are hardly the drugstore fakes that you pick up for your sexy librarian/nurse/elf/whatever Halloween costume.

Each individual lash is applied one by one to your real lashes, avoiding that “I have a small spider resting on top of my eyelid” look that fake eyelash strips give you. The lashes come in a variety of lengths, so you can choose to look sex-kittenish or just impossibly fresh-faced.

The initial set will cost at least a few hundred dollars, and touch-ups every two weeks will run you up to $100. And since the fake lashes will fall out naturally over the course of 4-6 weeks, you may be shelling out up to $800 every six weeks—a bit steep if your idea of splurging is blowing $23 on Lancome’s High Definition Mascara.

But really–isn’t that a small price to pay to look refreshed and doe-eyed on your walk of shame, free of mascara smudged down to your chin?

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