Posts Tagged ‘RCL1415’

Kylie Jenner Lips

Kylie Jenner’s lips are old news to everyone who doesn’t live under a rock. She claims it is all makeup, and I hope it is, as she is way too young for plastic surgery in my opinion. Personally I am not a fan of this look. In fact, I don’t even wear a lot of normal lipstick to begin with. However, as I know some people do like this whole huge lip trend, this is how to do it with lipstick.

The trick to her full lips lies in over lining your lips. First, you need to take a lip liner that is very close to your natural shade, and fill in your entire upper and bottom lip (not line your lips like normal). You do this in order to achieve a Kylie Jenner inspired matte look. Basically, you are using this as you would a lipstick. Next you take another lip liner to actually line your lip. To achieve the big lip took you should over draw your upper lip. The trick is to stay on your natural lip line and start to over draw the closer you get to your cupid’s bow. For the bottom lip, you should not overdraw. Instead, follow the natural line of your lip. Near the corners of your mouth, you should fill in the liner a little more to create a shadow. This is comparable to contouring your cheekbones, but instead, it’s your lips. In the center of your lips, to create some dimension, you should dab some light (but still natural) lipstick. This gives some color, but also stays true to Kylie’s look. This is pretty much it, but if you want to be super accurate, you can take some power foundation and VERY lightly dab it on top of your lips to create a super matte look.

kyliebanda[1]

Now, I’ll say this again. I would not wear this look daily. This is mostly because I like to keep my makeup more natural looking. However, this could be a fun look to try once in a while.

Going Out?

Dressing to go out at Penn State is a real challenge. Not only do you have to make sure you aren’t crossing the “cute to vulgar” line, but you also have to worry about the weather. I recently went to San Diego State University and was shocked to see people going out at night in regular shorts and tops (something I would wear to the beach). Although I am envious of how simple choosing outfits there must be, I am also glad that going out attire here is largely not as casual. I feel like here, even though girls tend to wear skimpy outfits, it at least looks like they are going somewhere other than class or to the beach.
k3et85-l-610x610-tank-top-shorts-sexy-lovely-belt-cute-outfit-outwear-pretty-white-jeans-brown-country-western-modern-trend-bag-shirt-tumblr-hair-weheartit-fashion-teens-topshop-[1]SDSU night attire
089fcb0a0c71fa61e6d6aa442f969d91[1]PSU night attire (minus the purse)
Although the night attire was the most blaring difference, the clothes that were worn during the day also differed. Granted, a lot of that can be explained by obvious weather differences, but people at SDSU seemed to be more put-together during the day. I don’t know if I’m just speaking for myself, but I enjoy being able to come to class looking like I just rolled out of bed (usually I have) and fitting in with the countless other students who have clearly done the same thing. At SDSU girls were walking around in dresses and outfits that seemed like they took hours to put together. This confused me a little, because going to school here taught me to be casual during the day and dress up at night, whereas there, it seems to be flipped.
This might not have been the most riveting of topics, but it was fascinating to me and I would love to hear your thoughts 🙂

Eyebrows on Fleek?

 

It seems like eyebrows have been extremely highlighted recently. Anyone on twitter has seen those “eyebrows on fleek” posts (and yes, I agree they are incredibly annoying). However, that does not mean that I don’t care about what my eyebrows look like, it’s just that I don’t see a need to post questionable eyebrows on twitter.
unnamed[1]
Anyway, what constitutes “on fleek” eyebrows, and how do you achieve them? I may not be an expert, but this is what I do.
Step 1) pluck and/or wax your eyebrows
a) Choose the right tweezers: I would recommend using sharp and slanted tweezers. Unlike pointy versions, they grab hair more quickly and painlessly, as they are less likely to pinch your skin.
b) Pluck after a shower: Warm water will help open the hair follicles, making it easier to remove the hair
c) Don’t use a magnifying mirror: Magnifying mirrors make it look like there is more hair than there really is. This can lead to over plucking which is a look that no one wants (especially since thick eyebrows seem to be a trend). Instead, use a normal mirror in a well lit room. In addition, every few minute step back to get the bigger picture.
d) Define your arch: according to eyebrow experts, “Your brows should begin directly above your tear duct, peak in line with the outer side of your iris, and end at a point that falls 45 degrees from the outer corner of your eye.” Be sure not to arch your brows too high or they’ll look unnatural. I also recommend using a pencil for guidance.
Plucking-Eyebrows-–-How-to-Tips-and-Ways-to-Reduce-Pain-Before-and-After[1]
Step 2) shape your eyebrows (and don’t look like you did it with a sharpie).
a) Define the front and end of your eyebrow: In general, the front of the eyebrow should line up with the inside corner of the eye and edge of your nostril. To find the end of your eyebrow, you can hold a pencil up so that one end lines up with the edge of your nostril and the other lines up with the outside corner of your eye. The extension of this line into your brow is where your eyebrow should end.
b) Find your arch: To find your arch you can align a pencil from the edge of your nostril to the very center of your eye. The extension is where the arch should be.
c) Shape your brows: connect the three points you’ve made to create the perfect shape for the top of your brows. For the bottom, Use your filler to draw a soft line across the entire bottom of your brow. Stay inside of your natural brow hairline rather than going outside of it. d) Brush through your brows: I am guilty of always forgetting this step, but it is an important one. Use a clear brow gel to brush through your eyebrows. This will pick up excess color and distribute it evenly as you put your hairs in line.
Brows-Bonnie-Brows-STACKED-2113-1024x673[1]
Done!

 

Confessions of a Shopoholic

If anyone has been following this blog, you probably already know that I have a scarily real online shopping problem. This month especially, I have gone a little crazy with the retail therapy, so I will do this blog post haul-style. (Also it gives me a good excuse to look through all my purchases and try to justify why I thought I “must have it.”)

Lets start with the Urban Outfitters purchases, shall we?
I decided I had to have a pair of high-waisted shorts. (yes…I am fully aware that it is February…in Pennsylvania…) Okay, in my defense, I got caught up in thinking about spring break, so I think it should count as planning ahead.
33468844_091_b[1]
The next UO product I bought isn’t even something I can give you a somewhat valid explanation for…I am embarrassed. For some reason, at 2 AM I decided buying a selfie stick would be a good idea. No need for judgment…I am already judging myself.
34125765_001_b[3]
Next we have my Tobi purchases
Again, I must have been thinking about spring break because none of these things can be worn anytime soon. So enjoy some pictures of unnecessary rompers, dresses and tops that I  feel stupid for buying.
600x900[3]600x900[2]600x900[1]
Finally (so far) we will move on to American Eagle
Honesty, I will just spare you the explanation, and just have you refer back to what I said about my previous purchases.
http://www.ae.com/web/browse/product_details.jsp?productId=0395_9666_020

Okay, now I am done. I am going to go reassess my life now.

Lets get Proactiv?

Okay, we’ve all had our awkward “early high school braces/weird hair/bad skin” phase. Somehow I was spared the bad skin, and when I graduated, I took it as a symbolic sign that I had dodged that bullet. However, upon arriving to college, I started noticing a few problems with my skin that I never really had previously. I like to think I am pretty proficient at makeup, so it was never really a huge concern. As the year has progressed, however, I seem to have less and less time to put on a full face of makeup (especially not to class). In fact, most of the time I like to be able to wake up 15 minutes before my first class and book it there from East Halls with no delay. I decided it was finally time do something about my skin. I had always loathed the celebrity promoted brand Proactiv, but I thought id give it a shot on recommendation of my friend who has had success with their products. Granted, it is only my second day using their system, but so far I am pretty impressed.

I got the Proactiv+ package, which included a Skin Smoothing Exfoliator, Pore Targeting Treatment, Complexion Perfecting Hydrator, Dark Spot Corrector, and Eye Brightening Serum. The company also includes the free gift of a Skin Purifying Mask, and Mark correcting pads (which I have not tried yet, as they are to be used once a week). So far this is what I think:
Skin Smoothing Exfoliator- I really like this as a daily face wash. I have always used drug store brands when it comes exfoliators, and it is clear that the quality of this stuff is far superior. There are little beads in the solution that really scrub the face, but they are soft so they are not too abrasive. So far, the only problem I have run into is that unless it is washed of thoroughly, it dries into little flakes on the skin (but, honestly, its probably my fault for not washing it off correctly).
Pore Targeting Treatment- This product claims to “kill bacteria deep in the pore” when used as part of the daily routine. It is too early to tell if this works yet, but I will cover that in my follow-up blog.
Complexion Perfecting Hydrator- I have VERY dry skin, and I have to say this is the best product I have ever used to combat the problem. The moisturizer is so smooth! I read about it in the reviews online, but I didn’t really understand what people meant. I mean how much different can it really be from my Aveeno daily moisturizer? All I can say is it feels like I’m putting silk on my face.
Dark Spot Corrector- I think dark spots and marks are my biggest problem with my skin, so I am really hoping for the best with this product! I think I have reason to be optimistic. After one day of use, my marks are a little bit lighter, so I am excited to see what a month of use will do.
Eye Brightening Serum- Under eye circles is another skin problem I have been cursed with. Granted, it’s mostly my fault for refusing to sleep at a decent hour. Hopefully this product helps to improve this, although there will be no way for me to tell if it actually did, as I plan to fix my sleeping habits as well.

Okay…brace yourselves…this is me on Day 1 of testing the products with no makeup. I will post a follow-up picture in three weeks, along with updated information on the effectiveness of the products.
unnamedunnamed-1

Spring Break 2015

Spring break is in 36 more days! That means its time to hit the gym and start online shopping for warm weather clothes (Unless you are anything like me, in which case, you would’ve started your online binge shopping weeks ago). I am especially excited for the upcoming break because I am taking my best friend from PSU home with me, to California. I am not from the warmest part of the state, as I live near San Francisco; however, we will be staying with one of my good friends in San Diego for half of the time. Long story short, the clothes I brought to Penn State with me to brave the snow will not suffice. So after a ridiculous amount of time (and money) spent scouring the Internet, I bring to you: The Spring Break Essentials List.

The first item you should be sure to pack is a beach bag equipped with the following items: Leave in hair conditioner, a beach towel, and disposable camera.

I included leave in hair conditioner for a few reasons. Trust me, after a long day by the ocean your hair will feel like straw without it. A quick spritz of this stuff will prevent that gross feeling, and additionally, will protect your hair from breakage when you go to brush it later. I personally use “It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Plus Keratin” and that stuff really does wonders.

The beach towel really goes without saying. I would recommend bringing a couple of these, as throughout the week they will get sandy. Another thing to include in this category might be a sarong, or high-waisted shorts. They always look cute accompanied by your favorite swimsuit and can be used to cover and areas one might be self conscious about.

Disposable cameras are always a great thing to bring on vacation. I bet your phone has an awesome camera; however, if you can get a hold of a water proof disposable you could get some awesome action pictures by the beach or the pool. A more expensive, but better quality, option is the GoPro.

Now, of course, clothes tend to be the most challenging thing to pack because unless you have a solid itinerary (which I never do) you could need clothes to fit a variety of events and activities. For most college spring break trips (to warm places) I would recommend bringing your favorite swimsuits, flip flops, shopping attire, dinner clothes, and lets not forget clothes to go out in at night. As of now my favorite websites to order clothes from are pretty standard, and I would love to hear any suggestions 🙂

Happy 36 days until spring break!

Leggings and Skinny Jeans

Leggings and Skinny Jeans:
These super-fitted pants are the most prevalent trend in young adult fashion for a reason. They can be worn up or down depending on the outfit and accessories one pairs them with. Leggings are also a great way to show off ones legs without showing skin, which makes them ideal for colder weather.
1969 always skinny jeans - medium washmatte-legging

Keep them if:
Unfortunately, these pants will inevitably go out of style one day. You should keep them regardless if you have invested in high-quality leggings such as Lululemon’s or Athletica. They are charging more and more each season for leggings and one day you will be happy you kept these nice pants. As for jeans, it is best to keep them if they are classic denim because they will rarely be out of style.
reg_1024.2lulu.ls.31913

Toss them if:
There are details that date them back to a specific era. This can be a specific wash, or anything meant to decorate the pants. Bright colors that work now, might not be in style in a few years.
Unknown

 

Skin Care

The key to perfect makeup is having a clean slate to start with. Foundation is a magical thing that can cover a huge number of flaws, but having nice, smooth, and unblemished skin definitely makes the process faster and easier. One’s skin care routine can make all the difference.

One simple thing, that actually isn’t as easily done as said, is to resist touching your face.
Although this seems like a small thing, in reality it can make all the difference. One’s hands (yes yours in included) are covered in bacteria that can be transferred to one’s face if one touches it. Dirt can get trapped in one’s pores and may lead to an unsightly cluster of pimples. It may seem unrealistic to not touch your face, and it is certainly difficult. If you must, it is best to wash your hand thoroughly before doing so, or to use oil-absorbent blotting paper instead.

The next step is to determine your skin type.
This is very important because it allows one to pick and use the appropriate skin care products.

  • Normal skin- Normal skin is ideal and it does not get too oily or too dry. It is generally smooth and only gets the rare blemish.
  • Dry skin- Dry skin (something I am plagued with) usually feels quite firm, especially right after a shower or washing your face. Sometimes skin can become try enough that is becomes flaky, but for the most part this can be fixed with a deep moisturizer.
  • Oily skin- This is perhaps the easiest of all skin types to spot. Some people will notice that their skin feels slightly wet to touch or looks shiny (especially in the sun). This skin type is the most prone to blemishes; however, this can be solved or eased by toning and exfoliating.
    skin_type_check

This is pretty self explanatory, but NEVER pick, or squeeze pimples.
Everyone does it, but in the long run it will just hurt and leave a scar. Most of the time, it even looks worse than before you did it.

Use gentle products.

As someone with relatively non-sensitive skin, I have never had a problem with skin care products. However, it is always best to use products that are not harsh on the face regardless. The best products do not use excess chemicals. A good way to tell if a product is too strong is if your skin feels too tight or dry after cleansing.

Stick to a routine

Your skin takes time to adjust to new products. Switching products excessively can lead to bad results, as well as giving up on a product after one or two tries.

Halloween NO’s

It’s officially Halloween!

Personally, I absolutely love Halloween and seeing everyone get creative with their outfits. However, there are definitely a few costumes that should be avoided.

First, the “Sexy Ebola” costume:
Screen Shot 2014-10-31 at 2.00.53 AMI honestly don’t understand why this even became a thing, but I have seen this all too much so far (even at PSU). Ebola is a dangerous and tragic epidemic that, unfortunately, is being exploited for Halloween costume in bad taste.

Ray Rice:
21-ray-rice-reddit-costume.w245.h368.2xOkay sure, lets dress up as a guy who abused his wife and dragged her out of an elevator. This topic has been all over the internet and social media, therefore it is a given that people (who lack decency) will follow suit by imitation. I can’t imagine that this costume will be going away any time soon.

Sexy ISIS:
mainAlong with the Ebola costume, many different variations of ISIS costumes are taking over social media. CNN says “ISIS is known for killing dozens of people of people at a time and carrying out public executions, crucifixions, and other acts.” I think the fact that people are sexualizing something like this is truly disgusting.

Robin Williams:
mrs_doubtfire_2_by_arcitenens-d54s8xeBecause suicide, is not, and will never be funny. It’s one thing to dress up as Marilyn Monroe, but this is just simply “too soon”.

People complain a lot about “basic” halloween costumes, but I would much rather see one more bunny, nerd, or nurse than any of these highly insensitive costumes. Halloween is a fun holiday that should not be ruined by people who, for lack of a better word, enjoy being assholes.

Do’s and Please Don’ts

Do use mascara:
Mascara completes a look by making lashes look fuller and darker. Without it, it is very possible that your makeup will look incomplete or sloppy. In addition, when used correctly, it can make one look more alert and less tired.
Tips-for-removing-your-mascara_360_590129_1_14097046_300

Don’t apply a fresh coat over an already dried coat:
You do not want to be that girl who either has a super clumpy mess of mascara, or has the scary spider-lashes. Both of these things tend to happen when girls apply fresh coats over previously dried coats. I would recommend, instead, to apply multiple coats of mascara while still wet.
thumbDo highlight and contour:
This is perhaps my favorite beauty trick. No one will ever know if you have a naturally round face if you master the art of contouring; you will always look perfectly chiseled. As I mentioned in a previous blog, I prefer cream stick foundation, as powder can make one look muddy or dirty.
19129495081259475579Don’t forget to blend:
Contouring and highlighting can be tricky because it involves the use of shades of foundation that are lighter or darker than one’s natural skin. This can be problematic if it is not blended properly. Some common mistakes are the “drag queen cheekbones” and the “reverse raccoon” under eye.
Eva+Longoria+Parker+QoFQHFqXhVmmDo fill/shape in your eyebrows:
We have all seen those photoshopped pictures of celebrities without eyebrows…and lets be honest, if Anne Hathaway can’t pull it off, none of us can. Eyebrows frame your eyes and help set the structure of your face. Therefore, it is very important not to neglect them. Filling in your eyebrows allows you to get rid of any natural gaps or scarceness.
brow-Don’t OVER-fill in your eyebrows:
This isn’t anyone’s goal…enough said.
really-bad-eyebrows-283x300

1 2