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 and which are not.

(Disclaimer: This product was provided to me for review purposes)

What it is: Tarte Park Ave Princess Matte Waterproof Bronzer

Why this should be in your bag: Like I’ve said before, bronzer is a total pale-face lifesaver. A swipe of bronzer can literally make you go from dull to glowing. I myself use bronzer in my makeup routine every day of the year and enjoy testing out different formulas. Tarte (along with a few others) have developed waterproof bronzers, designed for use on the beach and at the pool, but also for those humid summer days. I’ve definitely experienced makeup meltdown, despite the use of heavy-duty primer, so I would find a waterproof bronzer insanely useful. Read More »

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 »

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 »

I have a love/hate relationship with Sephora. I love walking through there and playing with all the makeup, but I hate how there is just so much. How am I supposed to know which brand is best? Which one looks best on my skin? Which mascara is worth $45 and why is that better than my $6 mascara at home?

It’s all quite overwhelming.

And that’s why I choose my friends based on how good their makeup looks. Ok, so that’s not (totally) true, but I do depend on my friends to guide me in the direction of quality products for my face. When they tell me they love a product or brand I trust them, and I haven’t been disappointed yet.

Most recently, a friend of mine started going on and on (and on) about Tarte cosmetics. I knew nothing about them, but after spending an hour with this girl (of which, only 5 minutes were not spent talking about Tarte), I decided to take the brand for a test run myself. I ordered some of their most popular products online (it seems that various beauty editors are quite enamored as well) and tried them out.

And let me just say – I am addicted. Like seriously addicted. Not only are the products super high quality, but they are completely natural, healthy and earth friendly as well! I’m a major recycling dork (I even reuse Ziploc bags….) so that is something that is really important to me.

Anyways, I tried out a bunch of things, but here are my all-time favorite Tarte products: Read More »

So if you live in a normal part of the country, it’s probably starting to get nice and sunny outside (note to Syracuse: please stop snowing). You’ve brightened up your wardrobe and bought some peep toe pumps, so now it’s time to brighten up your face.

In honor of what April is supposed to bring, and as a reminder to Syracuse to get with the program, I decided to research some bright makeup products to create rosy cheeks, stunning eyes and chase out winter gloom. These goodies are sure add a little spring to your step, so pick em up and dare to be bold!

Bare Escentuals: Destination Ensenada: This kit includes four powdered shadows and comes in a lime green case. The colors can come out muted or super bright if you’re feeling extra springy. The kit includes a rose pink, baby blue, bright green, and a gold/tan hue. It’s like spring in a compact.

Dior 5 Color Spring Bouquet: This palette of spring colors is a little more muted, and includes floral pinks, whites and browns. This is perfect for a daytime spring look that is still bright and fresh.

Benefit Poisetint: This little bottle looks like a nail polish but it is for lips and cheeks. It is a liquid see-through tint that stays on all day. It’s easy to apply and create a warm sun-kissed glow. Read More »

If you just got back from spring break and resemble a lobster, don’t  worry, while I was bitter about your tropical vacation I will not mock you.

I actually feel quite sorry for you; sunburns are the worst! They hurt, they peel, and as if the pain isn?t enough, well you also look like someone put you in a frying pan for 5 hours.  (I bet you wish you had listened to your mother and put on some SPF!)

But since that sunscreen will not help you now, here are some tips to take care of your toasted skin and cover it up (as much as possible, anyway!).

Basic Care Tips:

-Take cool showers and apply cool face cloths to your burned areas. This won’t help the healing much, but it will make you feel so. much. better.

-Don’t wear perfumes, or oily makeup/products. These will only irritate your skin more, making you even more uncomfortable.

-Keep yourself covered – loose clothing is best.

-If your burn is more serious or your skin is bubbling, you need to see a doctor to treat the burn!

The best thing for your skin now is aloe vera, a plant with sunburn healing powers.  You can find aloe in gels, toners and lotion.  Here are some aloe products that can help soothe, repair and reduce the redness of your burn. Read More »

Dragons, leprechauns, centaurs, fairies, a lip gloss that’s long lasting without being sticky – they just don’t exist right? It’s a fantasy.

Well, we had Pterodactyls on this earth, is it really such a stretch to think that maybe they could breathe fire? I choose to believe that flying fire breathing lizards once existed, so the lip gloss thing doesn’t seem so far fetched now does it? Yes, I believe the perfect lip gloss exists.

First we have to define what a gloss would need to be perfect.

1. Not Sticky. Who hasn’t had their hair blown into the sticky stuff on your lips? Gag. Now your lips look weird and your hair is sticky. Bad.

2. Long Lasting. What’s the point of spending the money and taking the time to apply if it’s totally gone by the time you get to where you were going? The perfect lip gloss has to survive the commute and the first drink/kiss/cigarette.

3. Look Pretty. This is why you use it. The perfect gloss has to come in beautiful flattering shades that everyone can use.

4. Good for Your Lips. You know what sucks? Putting on a lip gloss that dries out your lips or tears them up with glitter. The perfect gloss would leave your lips feeling amazing.

So is it a myth? Do you have a better chance of finding a Unicorn in your backyard? Well ladies, I am proud to present to you, the PERFECT lip gloss:

Tarte Vitamin Infused Lip Gloss powered by Borba ($21 tartecosmetics.com)

Read More »

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

We play with a lot of beauty products. In any given week, we’re fairly inundated with lipglosses, moisturizers, body washes and the like. But there are a few products that — no matter how many new ones come our way — we simply can’t live without. Here are the ones in our current arsenal. Read More »

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

It’s time to brighten up! Your smile, that is. No one can deny that a fabulous white smile looks great on everyone, but who wants to spend hundreds of dollars to get it? You don’t have to spend a fortune these days; there are so many amazing products on the market right now. Take a look at our five favorite products to help your pearly whites look their brightest. Read More »

I’m a lip gloss junkie.

Guilty as charged.

I’ve tried everything but I’ve found that I always end up returning to my all-time favorites which are usually slightly innovative and super sexy.

Luckily for you, loyal CollegeCandy.com readers, Benefit Cosmetics was nice enough to offer you a FREE gift with purchase of one of MY favorite lip glosses! Make any purchase on their site and receive a FREE Benefit The Gloss in “Chaperone.”

Just enter “CANDYLIP” at purchase (valid through July 7th)

More Favorites: Read More »