Summer's Last Hurrah!

Hi everyone,

It is Labor Day so you know what that means... the unofficial end of Summer.  I have been wearing a lot of dresses this past season.  I am adding one more to my collection and hopefully I get a chance to wear it before it becomes frigid out!

Here is a little collection of Summer dresses... to inspire you for next year I guess.  Go ahead and break the rules though wear your Summer dresses into the fall by pairing them with boots or a jean/leather jacket.

Here is a dress that I am adding to my collection from Daily Dazzle Deals.

Beach Beauty

Hi everyone,

If you didn't know, I love the beach!  Do you?  I can't understand why people don't like the beach... but to each their own I guess.  Everyone knows what to bring to the beach but here is a little list of beauty products you might want to toss into your beach bag.  Don't forget these essentials.

1. Hair ties.  Don't forget them!  Bring more than one because one usually is lost at sea.
2. lip balm.  Nothing dries out your lips like sea water except maybe sucking on a lemon.
3. Pressed powder.  I never bring this to the beach but if you aren't planning on setting foot in the water, you can bring this.  If you want to take some pictures and don't want to look shiny, bring this little guy with you.  To be completely honest, you really shouldn't worry about shine at the beach...everyone is shiny.
4. Reapply sun screen.  (Duh)
5. Hair products.  Although I don't bother with any sort of makeup I may bring along some type of hair product.  Sea salt can be so drying and a moisturizing conditioner may be just what you need.  If you are going to go rinse your hair out immediately this may not be necessary but if you are planning a long day you might want to bring this.   Bonus: you can put some conditioner (more than you would usually put) in your hair before going out into the sun to give yourself a deep conditioning treatment.

Where is your favorite beach?

Simple vs. Statement

Hi everyone,

Here are two necklace types that are very popular this season:

Although these necklaces are quite different you can actually wear either of them on many of the same occasions.  Here are some ways to wear the two types of necklaces:

• Jeans and tee (both)
• Patterned dress (simple only)
• Bright clothing (both)
• A simple dress for example an LBD or a white dress (both)
• Special occasion (both).

Which do you prefer?

Summer Hair Tips: Frizz

Hi everyone,

For many Summer means a new hair cut an possibly a change in hair color.   Summer also can mean humidity.  Humidity doesn't only make your skin skin sticky but it can frizz out your hair.  Personally in hot weather I can't bear to have my hair down (because really curly hair can be like an instant sweater).  I do wear my hair down in the Summer but I am far less particular and worried about frizz. If you have thick or textured hair humidity may not be your friend and there is no use fighting it much-- I'm not saying don't care about you hair; I am saying fight frizz but don't freak out if your hair is a little frizzy, relax. :).     

But if you are going to be an absolute perfectionist about your hair, even in the summer *sigh*, now is the perfect time for you to showcase some of your favorite updos or even a simple side braid (one of my personal favorites).

Although I mentioned not to worry to much about frizz, here are some tips to keep your hair somewhat intact during this humidity:

• Before I get down to the tips I'd like to say this:  Healthy hair consists of strands where the hair cuticle lays flat.  I know you have probably seen on the back of some hair product or even on a commercial hair under a microscope.  They usually show you a strand or two that looks kind of like a Christmas tree; that strand is screaming "MOISTURE!" Next to it they show you the after pic where the cuticles lay flat.  Back to that Christmas tree strand, this strand is reaching out and looking for moisture so if it reaches out to moisture in the air (humidity) it will rise up and create frizz.  I hope that makes sense.
• When washing your hair give your hair one last rinse of cold water.  I'm not saying to take a freezing cold shower but at the end of the shower quickly rinse your hair in cold water.  Doing this seals the cuticle of your hair.
• Use moisturizing products.  Remember if your hair can't find enough moisture anywhere it will grab some from that humid air!
• Use an oil.  If your hair is oily usually you might want to use a teeny amount but if your hair is dry or curly you can be a bit more generous.  Of course you know oil repels water, in this case it repels humidity.
• Embrace the messy look.  Summer was made for messy hair (well not really); think of all of the styles that can work with a little more texture to it (e.g. messy bun, beachy waves).

I hope you are having fun with your hair.

Nailed it!

Hi everyone,

Personally I think Summer time is the best season for nails.  During the Summer you get to try out fun colors and designs.  Although I am usually quite reserved with the colors I prefer on my own nails I am trying to break out of my comfort zone a bit  at least for a little while.  I have also changed up my nail shape from soft square to round.  I have been itching for a bit of a change and even a small change in nail shape makes me smile.

One unpleasant thing about painting your nails often is that they may become stained.  Nails usually are quickly stained as a result of using red bright pink and especially orange and yellow.  Blush tone and neutral colors rarely stain ( if they do it is barely noticeable).  This shouldn't make you run with fear as you chuck your favorite red polish out of the window, just be more careful.  It is no big deal really!

• You can prevent staining (without buying extra products) by painting a thin layer of clear underneath the nail color of your choosing.
• If your nails are stained you may try lightly filing or buffing the top layer (stained layer) of nail off.  Don't go overboard with the filing--you are thinning out your nail a bit.  

Here is some nail inspiration for ya:

What is your favorite nail color/design?

Summer Makeup Look

Hi everyone,

Remember that post I did about summer makeup (here).  Here is an example.

Do you wear makeup in the Summer?  What is your summer makeup look?  

Coral Lips!

Hi everyone,

I'm really happy you enjoyed my last post.  Almost everyone who commented expressed their love for the Tory Burch lipstick.  Because of all of your comments you have inspired me to make a post focusing on a shade of a very versatile variety- say that five times fast (I'm feeling kind of silly today so just bear with me).  And that shade is... coral!  Ok I'm pretty sure that you have heard of coral colored things before and I have mentioned it a couple times on my blog.  But what on earth is a coral shade anyway?  The words coral lipstick are almost as ambiguous as nude lipstick, in the sense that everyone has their own definition.  Well I am going to show you the two shades that come to my mind when I think of coral:  The mild kind and the hot kind (kind of like hot sauce).  I guess that is the best way to describe it because after all, there is a mild shade (less orange and a bit more pink)  and and intense (orange-red) shade.

Coral is perfect for Summer and it can be worn by all skin tones.

Here is how to wear the shade:
If you are planning on going for an intense lip try to keep your eye makeup on the more subdued side unless you are going to a party.

Below are inspiration for Light, Olive, Medium, and Dark skin tones:

Which shade do you prefer mild or intense?

Thanks everyone who inspired me to make this post!

That reminds me.  If you have any suggestions or post ideas don't hesitate to share!

Summer Makeup Ideas

Hi everyone,

The weather is heating up and pretty soon it is going to be hot hot!  Summer is not a very encouraging time to wear makeup.  Your eyeliner travels giving you an unintentional smokey eye.  If you wear foundation you may feel like your wearing a mask and you need to breathe (this is not advisable by the way)!  Also don't get me started on the oiliness!  Well since summer is soon approaching to dash all of your makeup dreams, be ready.  This summer keep it simple-ish, you'll see what I mean in a second.

Here are some tips:

1. If you are afraid of your eyeshadow getting wild go for soft natural colors ( because when it messes up it is not as exaggerated).  Or go for a high quality (most likely expensive) brand that lives up to it's promises and won't crease.
2. Easy on the foundation.  I know a flawless face is something that we all dream about  (if you don't already have it), but it is worth skipping a full face of makeup for the sake of your skin.  If you do want to wear foundation focus on problem areas only.  Or go for a powder kind.
3. Since you aren't wearing that much foundation this summer (if you heed my warning) you can still add a bit of color to your cheeks with a bronzer or blush.
4. Eyeliner... I've already mentioned what a pain this usual favorite can be in the formula.  For it to beat the heat (and not melt away), try a waterproof formula or liquid liner.  Also you can try fun summer colors like the ones above!
5. Lips... now it the time to bring out the fun colors!  :)

You don't have to follow all of these tips at once especially if you aren't planning on wearing much makeup or any at all (good for you).  I know these are basic tips but sometimes we need a reminder!

Lets Chat #16: Make the Most this Summer!

Hi everyone,

Well it is basically Summer (not officially but whatever).  Hopefully you like Summer.  If you've been following my blog you must know that I couldn't wait for it to get warmer outside!  

The warmth and sun has finally arrived.  This also means that if you are a student you are probably done with school.  It's ok if you aren't, I have spend most of my Summers doing various activities from SAT prep *shutters* to internships.  Hopefully you won't be as tied down as you are during the school year.  Summer is also that time of year where people make resolutions; think New Years resolutions with a stricter time constraint.  You've probably made one without  realizing it.  You might have said this summer I will read 25 books.  Or this summer I will spend loads more time outside.  Hopefully you lived up to them, but it is likely that you haven't.  But this Summer it's all going to change for the better because you are going to be strict with yourself.  

(pic credit)

Instead of having a strict studying schedule you are going to have a strict fun schedule!  

Here are some tips (I'll try to follow them this summer along with you):

• Make a list (and check it twice ;).  Make a list of the things you want to do.  Can't think of anything?  How about the things you wished you were doing instead of studying this school year?  
• Be realistic (yes this deserves it's own bullet point).
• Track your progress.  I don't mean write everything down (if that helps sure).  I mean more like keep track of your goals and the projects you set yourself up for.
• Get off the computer!  Well... try not to spend so much time on it (unless that is one of the things you want to do this summer).  The computer is time consuming.  You can start off just checking your emails and BAM 3 hours go by.

Well those are my tips (that I will be following as well).  What do you have in store for this summer? Do you have any goals?  Comment below :)