Monday, September 30, 2013

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Sunday, September 29, 2013

Why I can't resist Walgreens, or some of my favorite drugstore beauty buys.

Hi my name is Allison and I'm a Sephoraholic. I can't resist the bright aisles of bright colors, tubes, general sparkle. In fact I cringe a little when I see yearly total spent. As much as I die for Sephora there are a few things that I've never topped that can be found at any drugstore. They're not just cheap, they're AMAZING. Here is a list of some of my drugstore must buys!



 1. My favorite lipstick of all time. Rimmel London Lasting Finish lipstick by Kate Moss in 001
This is the best red I've ever used, it's universally flattering and always the color I recommend when people want that perfect red lip.
The formula is also perfect, it's creamy and can stay on through multiple drinks and enough shots to knock down a full grown man.
 

2. My paleness in addition to my two kids waking up with with the sun means I've got eye bags that carry their own luggage. More like eye steamer trunks.
 I'm incredibly lucky that I haven't needed to think about anti aging products yet. However, I've always dealing with eye bags and have tried everything under the sun spending a small fortune trying to cover them up. 
So when I saw Maybeline's instant age rewind undereye concealer brightener I figured for $7.99 I could give it a shot. I was seriously blown away by the coverage and how natural it looked.  I had previously been using and not really loving Benefit's Oh La Lift and spending a cringe worthy $22 on it. So trust when I say I was beyond excited when I found this and I use it almost everyday. 

3. & 4. I've got a serious case of the Irish kid ruddiness. Red face is not a compliment to red hair. Some days it was bad enough that no amount of foundation would cover it. I actually have two products I'm recommending for this. First Boots Expert Anti Redness serum, I apply this in the morning and at night. As long as I keep up the routine it really does keeps the reds at bay. 
The second product I love for redness is L'Oreal Paris Studio Secrets Color Correcting Anti-Redness primer. It's green tinted and neutralizes the red giving you a nice clean slate to apply makeup to. 
*A little goes a long way and don't be scared off my the tint, it goes away once your other makeup is applied. 




5. The last on my list today is a hair product, Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Sea Salt Texturizing Spray. 
This product rocks the hell out of my naturally wavy hair. It gives that sexy "I had a little too much fun last night" bedhead I love so much. It also has a drool worthy smell I love. 
I spray it on damp or dry hair give it a little scrunch and I'm done, I get texture and a nice hold for way less than Bumble and Bumble's Surf spray!

Sunday, September 22, 2013

I want to marry this skirt, or my working on the weekend outfit.

Hello again!

Today I want to tell you about my love affair with this awesome orange chevron skirt I bought at target over a year ago.
I've always loved skirts, I have a very hourglass figure so having something that nips in at the waist gives me the opportunity to play bombshell for the day.

The Skirt.

I love the the way the vintage shape mixed with the modern pattern look together. The skirt is also bold enough that you don't need a lot of frilly extras. 
I had to work this Saturday so I tamed it a bit with a basic black tee from American Apparel, find it here. 


In the past I've worn it with black or grey tank tops, a button down chambray shirts, and a black and white polka dot sweater. It's actually pretty versatile for such a loud skirt. 

I finished off the look with a pair of forrest green suede wedges I bought at goodwill for $2.

I'll show you a few more angles and how I styled my makeup today, once again I was working so I like to keep it a little on the mild side. 


Here are a few more fun skirts you could try to give basic tops a little something extra. 




Skirt options

Friday, September 20, 2013

A poor girl's guide to basics, and not so basics.

Mix and Match essentials



Dress / Forever 21 brown woven belt / H&M short flare dress, $24 / Forever 21 america shirt / Old Navy top / Cardigan / Forever 21 long sleeve denim shirt / Old Navy jacket / Levi s / Forever 21 safari skirt / H M tight, $11 / H M tight, $9.57 / Product Detail | H&M US


To start this post off I will fully own up to my rather restricted single mom clothing budget. I've been known to scour TJMaxx racks for hours trying to find the hidden gem in the sea of ill fitting see through dresses.
Sometimes my bargain shopping turns out well, (Score Michael Kors sweater at goodwill for $3!) and sometimes I get the turds that trick me in the dressing room.
FYI online shopping at Forever 21 usually results in said turds.

I set out today to put together a foundation for a wardrobe that doesn't include the weird shirt that only goes with one pair of jeans or the dress that can only be worn one season.
Almost everything shown can be mixed and matched to create endless outfits and could be built on when time and money allow.
All of the items in the picture can be obtained for $254.12. That's not a ton and (let me explain later) I feel like most of these pieces are easy and will stand the test of time.

But, what about the leopard print mini skirt, how is that even remotely easy to mix and match? First, I consider leopard a neutral. Second here are a few ideas.

Pair it with black tights, the green tee shirt top and you have a fun lunch date outfit, throw the grey cardigan over that and you have a perfect fall day outfit.
Next tuck in the black tank top throw on the faux leather jacket and you are a badass, you are Michelle Pfeiffer sneering at all the non cool riders.
The Last outfit I'll plead the case of the leopard mini is the blank tank with the chambray shirt knotted at your waist. Another awesome fall outfit with a little sass given by the leopard.

The rest of the outfits are a fun mix of adding a plaid button down knotted over a dress or really anything, be the master of your own mix and realize it doesn't take a lot to make a very versatile wardrobe.

XOXO,
Allison

Thursday, September 19, 2013

What I wore- Mixing Patterns

This is actually a day late, but I wanted to talk about my mixing of patterns and my absolute favorite jeans ever!


To start, here is my outfit.
I'm wearing a plaid button down from Old Navy, this is from last year but a similar one can be found here. Plaid Button down.  
Under the flannel I'm actually wearing a a dolman sleeve navy polka dot shirt I got two years ago at Forever 21. I love the print on the shirt but it's a really awkward length so I can't really wear it on it's on. If I were buying again I would try it with something like this. Polka dot top. I feel like that length would be more versatile and could stand on it's own. 
Moving down to the best jeans ever, totally affordable and the fit like a glove. 
These jeans, goodness girl. They lift your butt and manage to keep even the jiggliest bits in place. I'm also in love with the fact they keep their shape, so many jeans are baggy by lunch but these bad boys stay nice and snug even after a few day's wear. (Shut up we all wear our jeans multiple times without washing!)
My shoes were a mega steal from Ross, I got them for $0.50 no shit. They were on mega clearance. I love the edge they give outfits, they're so dainty and BOOM metal spikes. They make me feel like a tough punk chick. 
I also have on an enamel octopus necklace from Etsy that was a Christmas gift 3 years ago. It's an old favorite for when I want to add interest to an outfit. 

I'm a huge fan of pattern mixing to add a little interest and depth to outfits, I get off on mixing things that shouldn't necessarily go together but in some crazy way do. 
Here's another example of pattern mixing going right. 



Everyday

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

The 5 Minute Face

First off I want to thank everyone for all the visits yesterday! I'm so excited to start this project and I wouldn't be doing it without the support of some awesome ladies.

Remember if you have any questions or suggestions I'll try to stay on top of all comments and emails!


I'm going to be honest with you, I am lazy and I am a procrastinator. My favorite time to get dressed for work is 10 minutes before I need to leave the house.
So, I thought my first tutorial would show you fellow procrastinators or busy moms how to throw on a full face of makeup that only takes 5 minutes to do.
I'll link to all the products I use when I show pictures.


This is my before and after, I'm on 3rd day hair. 

This look is very warm and natural, it's my normal work look because like I mentioned, I'm always running late and this is easy and always looks put together.

Step 1 
Oscar Blandi Powder dry Shampoo
I hate washing my hair, it takes forever to dry and it just dries everything out in general. I usually try to go 3 days between washing, so dry shampoo is one of my most used products.
Oscar Blandi's dry shampoo powder was a game changer for me. I usually sprinkle it on and fluff my hair a bit and let it sit for awhile to really absorb the oil. Then a shot with the hair dryer and I'm left with a lot of volume, clean looking hair, and a nice lemon scent that all the Blandi dry shampoos have.

Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo

Step 2 
BB Cream, I'm usuing Rimmel's 9-in-1 skin perfecting BB cream today because it's a really good price and it works for a quick makeup job. I just apply with my fingers and rub it on almost like a moisturizer sometimes doubling up on areas I need more coverage. I use another that I love but that's another post. 

 

Step 3
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind under eye brightener 

I have mad bags under my eyes, and this product is another game changer. It's perfect. One trick I've learned in hiding my bags and circles is to go down a bit onto my cheeks and not just under my eyes, really blend the product down so you don't have tanning goggle eyes. 
 
Steps 4&5
Bronzer and Blush
 
I use bare mineral's warmth all over my face and neck, it gives me a fantastic glow and well, a warmth that my skin is usually missing. I apply with a big powder brush and trust me a little bit goes a looong way. I've had this little pot over a year and I've barely gone through half of it.
My blush is Tarte's Amazonian Clay in Amused, it's a BRIGHT pink but goes on like a flush from a cold day. I apply to the apples of my cheeks, down the bridge of my nose, and across my forehead.
Make sure you go bronzer and then blush to give yourself a natural glow that looks amazing on anyone. 




Step 6 - Eyes y'all

I am absolutely crazy about my eyemakeup. I don't scrimp on products, I have incredibly sensitive eyes so once I find something that doesn't give me crazy burny eyes I stick with.
The best makeup purchase I've ever made happened a little over a year ago. More than game changing, it was earth shaking. 
Urban Decay's Naked 2 palette is possibly the best $50 ever spent.  I've used it at least 4 days a week the past year and it looks almost new. Trust me run don't walk and invest in this fantastic set.
For my rush job makeup days I wear NYC brown eyeliner, very simple and gives a nice definition. I just line my upper and lower lids, it's smudgy enough that you don't need to be precise. 
Finally my mascara, the light of my life, my desert island beauty product, Bare Mineral's Buxom mascara. Great volume, great staying power, NO CLUMPS!

Eye shadow instructions

I start off with the bisque color foxy all over the lid and brow, it makes a nice base and evens out the skin tone. I then use suspect, a golden beige on my lid, and the add a little Half Baked in the center of the lid to give a pop. I finish by adding a little verve in the inner corners of my eyes to make them appear larger and under my brow bone to give a little highlight.


This all seems like a lot, but it probably take me under five minutes, rush days mean makeup I know, I don't mess with lots of brushes or tricks I aim to look put together and healthy.
Do you have a makeup routine you can do in less time than it takes to make a microwave dinner?






Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Introductions

Hello, I'm Allison and a single mom in my late 20's.
I'm also slightly addicted to beauty products and trying everything under the sun in hopes of finding a new game changer.
I grew up with a single father so I spent hours pouring over various fashion magazines trying to learn how to work all those products I'd been eyeing at the drugstore or my Mecca, the makeup counters at Famous Barr. The various pots, tubes, and brushes sang a siren song that I crashed my ship into as soon as my father finally gave in to my pleading because all the other girls wore makeup.
I saved my allowance for 3 weeks the summer before 8th grade started. With $20 in hand I purchased a clear mascara, the green cover girl powder compact, a mauve blush with the world's tiniest brush, a lovely maroon/silver Jane lipstick, and a set of three silvery frosted eye shadows.
I was set, and that is how the addiction started.

These days I've cast aside the frosted look for what I like to call my Courtney Love meets Rupaul makeup routine. I'm forever and always a champion for lipstick and a good cat eye.

I hope I can help everyone out there feel a little more comfortable with makeup and maybe even catch a little of the passion I have.

Keep reading, it will get better I promise,

Xoxo, Allison
 

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