Beauty Chit Chat: Find The Blush For You!

#5

♥What shade of blush is best for my skin tone?
Very pale skins: stick to pale pinks, apricots, and beiges. Anything stronger will overpower your face.
Yellowish skins: counterbalance your natural tones with warmer coral tones.
Pinkish skins: minimize red tones, which will highlight your natural tone; opt instead for a contrasting apricot.
Olive skins: go for pinks or peaches with a gold undertone.

♥How do I know which color blush will best suit me? 
If you are standing in front a display with millions of blush colors that all seem to compliment your skin, choose the color that appears closer to the color when you pinch your cheeks. I know it sounds stupid..but seriously...

♥Do cream or powder blushes give a better effect?
Cream blushes give a wonderfully smooth, dewy effect on normal skin. However, if your skin is oily, it can add to the shine so stick to an oil-free version of a traditional powder.

Tye-Dye x Watercolors!

Hi Fashionistas!

Why wear only one color when you can wear them all? Right? Hehe, okay, I am joking! Please do not think I am advising you all to dress like clowns! However, this tie-dye dress is the perfect balance between colors and sanity, it almost looks like it was watercolored too!

I bought this dress a month ago from Tobi.com ($24 with the first-time 50% off code). Fortunately, they still have it in stock |HERE| along with other tie-dye/ watercolored clothing! Like always, since the dress was bold and loud in so many ways, I accessorized it only with a pair of simple nude heels ($35 Marshalls), for a day-time look, and a blush box clutch (Aldo $25). 

So the next time you see something you like that tie-dyed or watercolored, get it! It is not only for 8th grade summer camps t-shirts anymore... :)

Beauty Chit Chat: Conceal, Don't Feel!

#4

♥What is the perfect consistency for concealer?

Under-eye concealer should be light and creamy. Try it out on the back of the hand and it should smooth out in an even layer. For acne, your concealer should be thick and pasty to stick to the skin, rather than glide along it. Apply the concealer to your acne with a brush for precision and to avoid wasting product. 

♥Should I apply foundation or concealer first?

This depends on the person. In general, I would recommend using concealer (on top of primer) before and after applying foundation. Use it before to conceal darker and pulsing red areas. Apply some after to brighten up areas like the under-eye and the bridge of the nose. 

She Is Green With(out) Envy!

Hi Beauties!

This is my "Hey, let's go for a walk & and grab some lunch, but look presentable" kind of outfit! I wish I could make that the title of this post because that was the honest truth behind this look. I went back to Philadelphia last week and my friend wanted to hang out during the day, before we met up with other friends at night. I was sitting on my bed and watching Netflix before I realized that I only had 35 minutes to take a shower and get ready!

During a crunch time like this, fake it till you make it! Do not spend too much time on things that would only make subtle differences in your OOTD. Instead, my game plan is to ONLY attack the 4 major areas --> feet, legs, torso, and head/neck. If you throw something on each of these areas, you will always be dressed to the fullest!

I assembled my entire outfit around these shorts I got from J. Crew (best purchase, ever)! For the bulk of the torso, I did not have too much time to find a top that was patterned or detailed, so I opted for this bright white top from Marshalls ($13). For the neck, I was certain that a matching necklace with the shorts (Charming Charlie $6) would look help me look "put together".

After throwing on those items and putting on my makeup, I was done! All I had to do was throw on my Sperrys, my go-to gold watch, and a bright small bag (Marshalls $20) before I headed out the door.

When time is of the essence, follow the 4- area game plan! It works everytime. :)

Beauty Chit Chat: Skin Situations!

#3

♥How do I know which exfoliator is right for me?

March the particles in your scrub to the size of your pores. A chunky exfoliator is good for those with large pores while something smaller and more subtle will do for smaller pores.

♥What is the best way to treat my sensitive skin gently?

I have sensitive skin like many of you. The smallest change in my skin care routine will cause a week long breakout! If your skin is sensitive, do not use products with astringents such as menthol and alcohol, never splash very hot water on your face, and avoid facials that include steaming or extraction (squeezing the pores. Also avoid rough scrubs or abrasive cleansing lochs and always pat, rather than rub, your face dry! 

Flirty Florals!

Hi Fashionistas!

Florals and shift dresses scream "SUMMER" to me! I just love that airy feminine feel that the combo delivers. I believe a shift dress could look great on any girl, especially if it is patterned. On a day that you are not feeling your best, it can hide your figure and serve as a statement piece in your look to help you look your best!

I purchased this shift dress |HERE| from Tobi.com ($27) and fell in love with it soon after. A great thing about the Tobi website is the 50% off (for first time customers) & the return policy (free returns)!

The main reason I love this dress, aside from it's pattern and colors, is because I can wear it during the day and into the night by switching out the accessories! It gives you more bang for your buck and saves your time getting dressed.

For this look, I accessorized the dress with a pair of black leather booties (Sears $25) and a navy blue purse (DKNY) to compliment the color of the flowers in the dress. For the other jazz, I toss on a cute brown hat, studs, and a simple watch. As I wanted the dress to do most of the talking, I realized that less was more with this look.

For a night look, I would simply just throw on a pair of black strapped heels, a few bracelets, and small statement earrings...oh yeah, and ditch the hat!

Beauty Chit Chat: Tame That Hair!

#2

♥How can I untangle my unruly hair?

A Tangle Teezer is your best bet! You can purchase a brush from the actual Tangle Teezer brand, or a simple one from your Ross or Marshalls. It claims to be able to undo the trickiest knots in wet or dry hair without causing breakage. I use mine everyday! 

♥How can I blow-dry my flyway hair smooth?

All hairdryers are not the same! Use an ionic dryer, which releases a stream of charged ions to surround the hair and help precent a buildup of static. I have been using the same Conair Ionic hairdryer for 5 years now, it is totally worth the buy! 

♥How can I get a smooth finish on my long hair?

For you ladies (and gents) with long hair this can be a struggle. After blow-drying you hair, use a small amount of smoothing serum on the ends and finish it by brushing with a paddle brush. A little smoothing serum will not make your hair greasy, so don't worry! 

Rainy Day Essentials!

Happy (Rainy) Wednesday!

If you live on the east coast, you know all about the recent downpour that occurred the past few days. I am sure you can agree with me when I say that I absolutely hate the rain! It was out of nowhere! I was shopping at TJ Maxx on a sunny Monday afternoon when all of a sudden I looked outside and saw Mother Nature's anger. 

Yesterday, on my drive home from Philadelphia, I was thinking about my rainy day essentials. I have found these items to be so useful for the rainy days and I wanted to share them with you! 

Bubble Umbrella: Umbrellas and I have a love/hate relationship. Most days they do their job, but some days, they are flipping, breaking, and fighting with me. Bubble umbrellas do not flip at the first sight of wind and do a better job at keeping you dry than the traditional umbrellas.

BEARPAW Peggy Rain Boots |HERE|: I love my Hunter boots, don't get me wrong. However, on a rainy yet warm summer day, I do not wish to squeak around in knee-high rain-boots. BEARPAW's rain boots are the ideal weight, height, and comfort! They are short enough so they do not overpower my legs, yet tall enough where I can splash around in puddles!
The best part is that they are only $59! Check out the different prints and colors. 

Long Socks: Many of us primarily wear ankle socks however, long socks are the best to ensure dry feet and ankles. Gross and damp feet far inside my boot is the worst feeling. If you are out and about, keep an extra pair in your bag to stay clean and fresh!

Body Mist: Rain smells (actually, it stanks!). When the wetness from the rain dries, clothes can start to smell like they visited the swamp. Keep a body mist around to freshen up and mask the rain's odor.

Money/Cash: Look past your credit card for a minute and realize that cash is essential to have on hand at all times, especially in the rain! You never know when you may need an umbrella or a closer parking spot in the city or on a trip (it happened to me, true life).

Water-proof Bag: If you are going to be leaving the house, take a bag that will keep your items dry and not be ruined from the rain. I usually take my Longchamp since it's large enough to carry all my belongings as well as keep them dry.

Baby Wipes: Same deal as the body mist, keep yourself fresh! You can use baby wipes for almost anything, from freshening up your body to wiping your wet and muddy shoes before getting into a car.

Setting Spray: Rain and moisture is a makeup girl's worst enemy! A setting spray will keep your makeup intact, shielding your look from a torrential downpour.

I hope this list helps you prepare for your next rainy day! What are your essentials?