Question of the week!

So I want to do a question every week that everyone can give their opinion or expertise, so this week's question is What is your favorite summertime hairstyle? Share videos or comments! I have a video on youtube concerning this where I state my favorite. Check it out!

Bargain!

I recently purchased some lipsticks at the drugstore that completely shocked me with regards to price and quality. They are the NYC and Wet and Wild lipsticks. If you're looking at the sections for each of these brands, they're usually at the very bottom, because of course the stores want you to look straight ahead or upward, so you buy the more expensive items. That's beside the point. These lipsticks are perfect, they are LESS than a dollar, I think 93 and 98 cents, and they have SO many different shades, some are matte and some are shimmery. Also what I like about these shades is that they have see through caps, so you see what color you're picking out to wear, instead of having to open up the product. Also, the sticker on the bottom matches the color, so you can pretty much pick how you want to store them. The only thing I could complain about is that the Wet and Wild ones didn't have color names, they only had numbers on the product. But that's not a problem. I got so many of them! They have so many shades and I think this is great for those of us who want to experiment with colors we wouldn't normally wear, without spending 5 bucks on a shade we might not even like. Also, the smoothness of the lipstick is just as good as some more expensive lipsticks I have. They also have great staying power. So go ahead! Buy a ton of lipsticks next time you're at Walmart or CVS or wherever, because they're only a buck! Why not try a deep red shade you wouldn't normally wear, or a mauve color! Happy Shopping ladies!

Favorite Nail Polishes for Summer!

So I know I'm not the only girl who gets super excited to paint my nails during the summertime. During the winter, it is fun, but summer has just such a different mood to it, and the colors are just different. You get to show off your toes and use bright colors you wouldn't normally use! For me, summer is when I paint my nails, pretty much every week. Just because I have so many fun colors that I only use during the summer, I want to keep it different! So I'm going to share my favorite nail polishes for this beautiful season. Feel free to comment with your own faves! Most of these are very inexpensive as well.

1. ELF Nail Polish in Gum Pink. For only a buck, I don't know how someone could pass ANY of this website's nail polishes. They are so inexpensive, and actually have quite good quality. Depending on the color, you might have to do 2 or 3 coats, but it just depends. This color is a lovely pink color that definitely reminds me of bubble gum. It's a light pink that isn't too light, but isn't too bright either. It's a very girly color, which is perfect for those outfits that have a lot of frilly, lacy, or ruffly details to them. And did I mention it's a dollar?!
2. Caribongo Sun Activated Color Change Nail Polish. This polish is genius! I love it love it love it! I bought this when I was in Florida, but they have polishes like this almost everywhere during the summer. Basically, the idea is that the nail polish is one color when you apply it, and then when you go out into the sun, it changes color! I love that! This particular color, which doesn't have a name, I'm sorry :( goes from a light, peachy pink to a cute, fun orange creamsicle color when you're in the sunlight. The bottle says to apply two coats. I know there are many brands that offer polishes like this, and they come in so many variations, you're bound to find a color combo you like!
3. Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color in Fast Lane Fuchsia 03. This is probably my number 1 nail polish for summer. It is a very bright shimmery pink color, and it is definitely eye catching. I also think that it makes my summer glow kind of pop a little more, especially when I apply it to my toes. It's such a gorgeous color, depending on what you wear with it, it could be considered a girly feminine pink, or a bold, wild pink color. Also, the brushes on these polishes are genius, they make it so much more easy to apply the polish because they are flatter instead of a round brush. And they definitely dry a lot faster, too!
4. ELF Nail Polish in Lilac. This very pretty lavender color is perfect for summer. It is so girly and flattering on ANY skin tone, and also only a dollar, I'm surprised it wasn't sold out when I bought it. It definitely brings out tan skin, and is so flattering and pretty I think it is a must have for any girl. Like I said, these polishes are great quality for only a buck, what more do you want?
5. Sephora by OPI Nail Colour in IM Beauty 271. Sephora was having a sale when I bought this, it was only a couple bucks, and I'm not too big on orange or yellow polishes so this was a risk for me, and I'm so glad I bought it! This color is a buttercup yellow, and it goes on perfectly smooth, with maybe 2 coats. The yellow isn't too bright like a neon yellow, but it isn't too washed out either. It's a perfect bright color for summer, and I think it's a color that is better used in summer than other seasons. This is another color that I think flatters any skin tone and also brings out the tan glow we love to get in the summertime. I definitely recommend checking this out on Sephora's website.
6. Last but not least, Essie Nail Lacquer in Meet Me At Sunset. I won this in a contest on facebook, and let me tell you I was so happy when I received this. This is one of the polishes in the Braziliant collection by Essie, and it is a perfect summer color. It's a bright red/orange/pink mix of colors, and it comes out perfectly. I love this very tropical shade for summer, and I love it on my toes. This color is eye catching and gorgeous, and I do realize Essie is kind of expensive (at least for me) but these colors are too gorgeous to pass up. If you are in love with one of the colors, I would spend that extra money for it. Some nail polishes are just too cute to pass up. If anyone has a dupe for this color please share!

So those are my faves! I hope everyone is having an awesome summer, and please share any thoughts you have about summer nail colors or brands! Love you all!

Reviews in Store!

So I have received my VoxBox for the June Beauty special thing that Influenster has going for this month, and I must say I am super excited to try these products and tell everyone how I feel about them! If you are unaware with Influenster, it's a website where when you register, you unlock different "badges" for your profile, for example I have a Beauty badge, a Blogger badge, and others that pertain to my interests. Influenster sent me a box of different beauty products that I am to try and incorporate into my routine, and then in a few weeks they will ask me what I think! I also wanted to share my opinions with you guys though! So if you're interested in doing this yourself, visit Influenster and sign up! It's free!

So here is a list of the products I received, and I will review them in a week or so.
1. Garden Botanika Anti-aging Lip Treatment
2. Green Tea Peel Off Mask from Montagne Jennesse
3. Diamancel Hand File
4. SoftSoap Pampered Hands Foaming Soap
5. Pure Silk Raspberry Shaving Cream
6. Meaningful Beauty from Cindy Crawford Skincare Kit with a Skin Softening Cleanser, Antioxidant Day Creme, Anti Aging Night Creme, Lifting Eye Creme, and Firming Chest and Neck Creme.

I also got some bonus samples! Leave comments if you have any questions :)

A Few Bathing Suit Shopping Tips

Get ready girls, that time we all dread has finally arrived: bathing suit shopping. I'll be the first to admit that a lot of the time, shopping for bikinis for me usually ends in a few tears, and I actually am pretty confident and I love my body. However, nothing is worse than trying on tons of suits and not finding a single one that you're in love with. No matter how you feel about yourself, that always feels like a punch in the stomach. I feel like if some of us learn a few tips, we won't pick out the suits that we know won't work, and we'll avoid that awful feeling. I've read so many magazines and articles about choosing the right bikini for your body type, and I still never seem to find the right one, and it's because even the body types they describe in those articles are unrealistic, no matter how much the magazine thinks they're being helpful. Saying that the only types of bodies are either "petite," "curvy," "big chested," or "small butt" is so ridiculous. I can tell you that I fit at least 3 of the different body types described in most of the magazines. I never know which one to follow! So I have my own type of system, and it seems to work for me!

1. I always make sure the top has full coverage, enough for me to be able to run around and have fun on the beach or by the pool. Because of my figure, I avoid those teeny little triangle string bikinis at all costs. Even if it looks supportive, I know it wouldn't be very useful when I want to throw a football around or hit the ocean for a little. I like to choose halter tops that have that band along the bottom that covers any spillage I might encounter. Also, I'm sure to buy a top that covers my chest as much as physically possible. If I see any "side boob" going on, I pass on it. Why bother buying a bikini that I'm falling out of, no matter how cute it is?
2. I always choose cute patterns or colors. When you like the suit that you're wearing, it's going to add confidence! If you picked a boring brown bikini just because you could not find anything else, you're going to feel just like that bikini, boring. It's worth the hunt, trust me. You want to absolutely LOVE the suit you wear, and love being in it. So don't skimp on suits, spend the few extra bucks you might have to on the cute floral suit, if that's what makes you feel pretty. It'll make a big difference in the end.
3. A little tip for those of us who don't like our thighs (I know I'm not alone out there) pick a darker colored bottom (doesn't have to be black!just darker) and a bright, eye catching top. The top will draw attention upward, taking attention away from your lower half without you having to wear a sarong or shorts. It also might even add a little fake height to you!
4. I know we all want to look like models when we have suits on, and the big concern for some girls is cleavage. We all want to be noticed and as sad as it is, girls with larger chests are in almost every swimsuit ad. However, I read in a magazine a few tips from one of the Victoria's Secret models, and one of them stuck out to me and actually works. When putting on a bikini top, flip your head down like you're going to blowdry your hair upside down, and tie the top that way. For some reason it makes your chest look more filled out and lifts it up as well. If that's one of your concerns, try it out!
5. Avoid buying suits online unless you've bought from the store many times before and you're sure of your size. Clothes always look different online from what you really get, and size is no different. On those tall, skinny models, of course the bikini is going to look a certain way, and when it comes in the mail it might not look so great because you had such great expectations for it. This happened to me recently. I had purchased two bikini tops from VS and I followed the chart that explains sizes and what you should buy.  When they arrived, they were too small, and of course my confidence was shot. I had been so excited to look like the girl in the magazine and feel great, and instead I just sulked as I sent back the package and had to pay an extra 6 bucks just to get the correct size. It was the worst feeling and I never want to go back. So as much as it stinks, try on the bikinis in stores before buying.
6. When shopping for bikinis, two rules should apply. When you have one on, if you're not in love with it, do not buy it. I repeat, DO NOT BUY IT. If you're not falling over it, you won't be too excited to wear it when there are a ton of people around. That should be true for shopping for anything. Also, bring someone along that you trust is going to tell you the truth without hurting your feelings. Or, bring someone who's opinion you cherish but you won't get angry if the truth isn't what you were expecting. I always take my mom, because I know if a suit is too skimpy she will tell me. Or if it is too tight or not covering enough, she'll tell me. I value that a lot.

So share any other tips you may think of, and happy shopping! Remember that you don't need to be 6'5" and 110 pounds to be gorgeous in a swimsuit. Confidence is beautiful, and I think people notice the girl with a glowing smile laughing and having fun before they notice the size 00 eating celery by the pool. Love you guys!

My New Makeup Obsession - Cheek Stains!

So summertime is the perfect season for experimenting with makeup and different looks or colors, and this is usually the time when I feel confident trying new products. It goes pretty much the same with clothes, which is why I adore this season so much. I have recently discovered a type of product that I never really knew too much about before but now I am addicted to. Cheek stains are so easy to use and are perfect for the summertime, because they blend so easily into the skin, and they won't rub off so easily like powder blushes do when you sweat a little from the heat. Also, I tend to like the colors offered in cheek stains more than powder blushes, you can see a difference in my opinion. I have just recently purchased a few different ones I wanted to share with you all and see what you think, as well!
1. Victoria's Secret Cheek and Face Highlighter - It says highlighter, but I got this in "Sea Shells" and it is a lovely light pinky shade, so it works so perfectly as a blush. It makes you look flushed in the most gorgeous way - so feminine and pretty, which is my go-to summer look no matter what. It is also on sale for $6.99! For such a good quality item at a very good size, I think it'd be foolish to pass it up! It is also a limited edition product, so it won't be here for long! Just dab onto cheeks and blend, or apply with fingers.
2. NYX Tango with Bronzing Stix - This product, which can also be found for a less expensive price on Cherry Culture's Website and Beauty Joint is a great product to use as a blush or as a highlighter, whichever you prefer, but for me, I love the shade called "Merengue Flush" which is the perfect blush shade. It's the perfect summery balance of pink and peach. I don't like to use shades that are too bronze or peachy during the summer because it gives off a fake tan type of look, so I prefer pinks and pinky-peaches. This color is gorgeous! For such a low price, and also such a high quality item, I couldn't pass it up. I probably will buy the other shades when winter rolls around. Love it!
3. ELF's All Over Color Stick - A great, cheap alternative to the high end cheek stains you might see, this $1 product is  perfect if you wanted to try out this type of product without committing. The shade "Pink Lemonade" is perfect for summer because it's such a bright pop of pink, and yet if you blend it correctly, it blends into a lighter, softer pink that compliments any skin tone. For a dollar, you truly can't beat it. They have so many gorgeous colors, as well. I have a peachy color, also, that I love to wear during spring and fall. It is definitely worth a quick visit to their site.

If you ladies have any other cheek products you'd like to share, please do! I'm always curious to see what others have and hear any tips or reviews! And please keep me posted on any future videos or blogs you would like me to do. Thanks for reading!