Is makeup worth the splurge?

Everywhere from the drugstore to the department store, we are exposed to various makeup products that are essentially the same except for one crucial detail, the price. While there are instances where the quality of certain products influences the price but is it really worth the hefty price tag?

Drugstore makeup brands have come a long way these past few years and I believe they are really giving higher end makeup brands such as MAC and NARS a run for their money. Brands such as Loreal and Covergirl are producing products of higher quality at reasonable prices while higher end brands are lacking in quality but have hefty price tags.

So, how do you decide when you should splurge or when you should save? Here are some suggestions to help you next time you find yourself in the “splurge or save” dilemma.

1.)    Do your research.
-Find a bronzer that you absolutely love but the $40 price tag is holding you back? I can guarantee you that you will be able to find an exact dupe for the product online and for a cheaper price. However, if it’s the exact color you’re looking for and you can’t find anything that you love quite as much, go for it.

2.)    When it comes to eye shadow, be weary.
If you are looking for higher end eye shadows, invest in a good palette. Normaly, higher end palettes are a better value because you usually get 8-10 colors for $5-$10 per color. If you want to buy singe colors, check out the drugstore first.

3.)    Consider quality.
The whole “well it’s more expensive so it’s better” conundrum is outdated. It just isn’t true anymore. How much are you willing to pay for better quality? You may be able to find a great foundation or powder at the drugstore but find a perfect one at a higher end store that is $30 more. Is the extra “perfectness” of the product worth the extra cheddar? In most cases, it’s not.

Don't sacrifice comfort this fall!

As much as I adore the cool fall weather and the fabulous fashion it brings along with it, I often find myself living in sweats and hoodies for days at a time. I am a sucker for comfort and hoodies provide me with a level of comfort that you have to experience to understand. Ok, maybe I am being a tad bit dramatic but, can you blame me? I love being warm and cozy and sometimes cardigans and leggings just don’t cut it. Now, I know I’m not alone in this. While it may be difficult to fight the urge to slip in to your super comfy PINK sweats and hoodie, you must resist! Do not get stuck in a fashion rut. You may never get out! Ok, being a little dramatic again, but serisouly, don’t do it! Here are a few tips to staying trendy and fashion forward without sacrificing comfort.

1.)    When it comes to pants, look for comfier materials and relaxed fits. It’s ok to ditch the uncomfortable denim and go with something a little more comfortable. I love jeggings and pixi pants for this time of year. They are stretchy and comfortable but they look super cute and sophisticated paired with a trendy sweater or cardigan.

2.)    The baggier the sweater, the comfier it is. Trust me. While I love fitted sweaters and shirts, loose and baggy sweaters and cardigans keep me super warm and comfy while looking super chic at the same time. Win, win for me!

3.)    In case you have not noticed, Ugg’s has been stepping up their fashion game. They have released some hot new boots and they are equally as comfy as their original boots. I can’t stand it when my feet are freezing. It’s the most uncomfortable thing ever. This is why I love my Ugg’s.

4.)    If you’re all about keeping warm, scarves will be your best friend this season. Not gonna lie, I sometimes pair a super hot scarf with some cute yoga pants and a oversized long sleeve for added comfort without looking frumpy. Don’t judge me.

See, I told you that you didn’t have to sacrifice comfort for fashionable. Just listen to me, I will never steer you wrong. Well, I mean I try.

French Braids Can Save Lives

Yes, I said it.... french braids can save lives. Okay, so they may not actually be able to save, save you..., but they can most certainly save your hair life when your hair feels like doing something funky, or downright opposite than what you want it to do. Oh, we've all had those days, haven't we? Where our hair sticks out when we want it to curve in. Or when our hair is determined to stay straight when we're trying everything in our power for it to hold a curl. I can hear all you ladies now, "Ooooh yeah! I've had those days!" Now, I hate to bust your bubble, I don't really have a solution for those days when your hair is determined to have it's own personality. However, I do have a hair style that will tuck your rebelling strands back in a chic, fashionable way that won't have you struggling with it for hours, simply to get perfection. Hey! Bad hair days can be time consuming in the morning when you're trying to get your hair to cooperate, so what's better than a fast quick fix that is über adorable and stylish?

Alright, ladies! To start, you need to know how to do a french braid. Duh, right? Hence the title of this post. If you don't know how, a quick search for a tutorial on your favourite search engine will certainly fix that for you. Or better yet, you can stick around on this blog until I get one up. Now, for the ladies that already know how to do a french braid, you are golden! Let's get started.

The first step is to brush your hair back as if you were putting it in a ponytail. Of course, if your hair is being thoroughly and totally wonky, you may need to use a reputable serum, hair spray, gel.... glue (kidding!) to get your hair to sleek back properly. As a bonus oomph for your luscious locks, you can tease the crown of your head to add a little volume and extra personality.

The second step is to start french braiding. Obviously, right? French braid all of your hair, to the back, right down to the nape of your neck. Don't miss any of those strands at the sides. Again, you may need to work in some of those slick hair products to get your hair to cooperate.

Now, the last step is certainly the best and most important because this is where you can change your hair style up, each day - depending on how often your hair wants to rebel against you. Once you have completed your french braid down the back of your head, you can do a variety of options with the rest of your hair. You can french braid your hair right to the tips, or you can wrap your ponytail up into a bun. Play around with your options to get the appropriate feel and fix that you need from your unruly hair days.

Photo Credit: http://www.headkandy.com/documents/blog.php?entry_id=1337161454