The Best: Mascara

Mascara is one of the, if not THE, most important beauty product in a girl's everyday routine. 

The difference one swipe of mascara can make is astounding.

You can go from a half-dead zombie to a classic beauty in matter of seconds.

But with hundreds of different brands, wands, and formulas, it can be hard to find your lash-mate in heaven (see what I did there?).

No need to scour the beauty aisles any long because here are 

"The Best" five mascaras ever.

Benefit BADgal Lash - $19 (you can get a mini version for $10)

    BADgal Lash is a cult classic mascara with its XXL wand and furry bristles that will make your lashes look incredibly soft, feathery, and flirty.  The formula is also top notch.  It will hold your curl all day and keep your lashes looking full and long. 

If you are looking for: soft and full lashes 

Cover Girl Clump Crusher - $8.99

   Cover Girl's Lash Blast has been a hit for many years, but it has been quickly moved to the side of makeup drawers for this brand new line.  The Clump Crusher, one of my all time favorites, gives length and separates easier than any mascara I have tried.  It also is the perfect mascara to layer over others, even throughout the day.  The tiny bristles really get into the root to crush those clumps. 

If you are looking for: long and defined lashes

Benefit They're Real - $23 (you can get a mini version for $10)

    This was my very first "high end" mascara I ever purchased and I don't regret it.  Like the Clump Crusher it has rubber bristles that really get into the roots.  But unlike the Clump Crusher, the bristles are long and the tip of the wand has a unique spiky ball(?) that helps you get those lashes near the corner of your eyes.  

If you are looking for: long, defined, and full lashes

Rimmel Sexy Curves - $6.47 

    Rimmel Sexy Curves has a very unique wand with a double hourglass shape.  It may look a little funny but the added curves keep your curl and enhance it.  It also helps to fan out your lashes for the wide eye look. 

If you are looking for: curly lashes

Clinque Bottom Lash - $10

    Now I know this mascara is only for the bottom lashes but I just had to include it, so just hear me out.  Don't you feel like the bottom lashes get neglected?  Big, thick wands with huge bristles smudge easily and always seem to poke you in the eye no matter how hard you try.  This Clinique Bottom Lash mascara has become a bestseller with it's small precise wand that accentuates even the smallest of lashes AND leaves no smudges or flaking! Seriously you have to give it a try, and for only ten dollars? You don't really have a choice not to. 

If you are looking for: long and smudge and flake proof

What are your favorite mascaras? 

Let me know in the comments below!

Emmy's 2013

As an avid TV watcher the Primetime Emmy's Award Show is one of my favorite specials on TV.

While I only disliked a handful of looks on the red carpet (Julianne Hough anyone?), everyone else seemed to be on point.

This made it rather hard to narrow down my favorites, but there were four ladies who have raised the bar for this award season. 

(photo from Huffington Post)

Kaley Cuoco wearing Vera Wang

I have always been a fan of Kaley ever since my favorite role of her's Bridgette on 8 Simple Rules.

She has been one to be daring on the red carpet, but sometimes can mesh too many trends.

This year she nailed it!

Beautiful and elegant gown in a gorgeous burgundy color, simple hair, and makeup that perfectly compliments and pulls together the whole look.

(photo from Huffington Post)

Kerry Washington wearing Marchesa

If you aren't sure who this woman is then you have clearly been living in exile the past year.  

Kerry Washington has been an Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Emmy nominee this year and on top of that was named People's Best Dressed of 2013.  This gorgeous and romantic gown in this blush shade contrasts her skin perfectly.

(photo from Huffington Post)

Claire Danes wearing Armani

I love the pure elegance this Armani dress has.  Claire looks simple enough but the pop of red lipstick keeps it from being boring. And can we talk about the detail? Amazing.

(photo from Huffington Post)

Julie Bowen wearing Zac Posen

If you haven't noticed I have been crushing on this blush/nude color on the red carpet.

It's soft and romantic and Julie looks stunning in this gown.  The architecture of it is stunning and proof of a masterpiece.

If you watched the Emmy's or if you just love TV as much as I do let me know your best (and worst) dressed and shows!

The Best: Neutral Palettes

Welcome to a brand new series on Zeal! 

This series is going to be called "The Best," each Tuesday for the next couple of weeks I am going to show you five "The Best" neutral palettes, mascara, eyeliner, and so on.

These are going to range between both high end and drugstore, so hopefully it will help you find the best of the best for your life and budget.

Urban Decay Naked Palette - $50

   This product is a no brainer when talking about neutral palettes. Urban Decay's Naked palettes are known for their versatile colors that allow hundreds of different looks.  You will get 10 shimmery and 2 matte highly pigmented shadows, included brush, and an Urban Decay Primer Potion. The only downside to this palette is that the shimmery shadows are very shimmery so if you don't like lots of shimmer I would stray away from this palette.  

Lorac Pro Palette - $42

    Lorac's Pro palette is a makeup kit staple for makeup artists.  The shadows are very creamy which makes for easy blending.  It contains 18 shadows and also an eye primer, making it a better value than the Naked.  Unlike the Naked Palette, these shadows have the perfect amount of glitter that give your lids an iridescent glow. 

theBalm 'Nude'tude' Eyeshadow Palette - $36

    Ever since I got this palette I have been in love! The packaging for one is super cute and the colors are absolutely beautiful.  I grab this palette on almost a daily basis.  The only negatives I can say about this one is the shadows do create a lot of fallout, so tap your brush off before starting your look. You get 12 shadows and a brush (which unfortunately is useless).

Stila In the Light Natural Eye Shadow Palette - $39

    This is a much loved palette for it's perfect combination of both cool and warm shadows that will suit any skin color.  It also holds the cult favorite, Kitten.  Don't be surprised if you hit pan on this one the quickest. In this palette you get 10 shadows and Stila's famous waterproof smudge-able eyeliner. 

Too Faced Natural Eye Neutral Eye Shadow Collection - $36

    Too Faced is most known for their great packaging.  Their boxed eyeshadow palettes come with 9 shadows and also three look how-to's to help beginners and inspire the pros.  The shadows are organized in each row for 3 different occasions: Day, Classic, and Fashion, so this palette will suit any girl's style.  The only downside is the shadows are really shimmery like the Naked.  

What are your favorite neutral palettes?

Thursday's Three

M A K E U P 

L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Iced Latte - $6.64

  Whenever I am in a rush (which was almost everyday this week) this eyeshadow is the first thing I grab.  I don't place it all over the lid because it's a bit too sparkly for my liking but wake up my look I put it in the inner corner and blend out on both top and bottom lash lines. 

H A I R 

Paul Mitchell 427 Paddle Brush - price varies

   If I had one brush for the rest of my life I would choose this paddle brush.  It glides through my wet or dry hair seamlessly and is really sturdy. 

F A S H I O N 

Ily Couture Bloom Necklace - $68

   I used to not be one for big statement pieces but in the past year I have quickly grown from one piece to about twenty.  They make any outfit so much more interesting and put together.  Ily Couture is one of my favorite jewelry sites to visit and they give great sales.  This Bloom necklace is perfect transition piece for the seasons because orange is going to be a hit for fall just as it was for summer. 

Fool-Proof

Situation:

You hit the snooze button a few too many times, open your closet bursting with clothes, and utter the phrase

"I have nothing to wear."

I know we all face this situation far too many times, maybe even this morning.

But our agonizing mornings have come to an end with this fool proof solution.

 3.1 Philip Lim Overlap Seam Tank - $250

   A white tank with a high-low hem is flattering even when you are feeling your worst.  The billowy fabric is comfortable so you can move easily and if you get chilly just grab any cardigan or jacket to throw over.  With white you can't go wrong. 

Tory Burch Cropped Skinny Jean - $185

   Skinnies are a must.  They flatter any body type and are easy to pair with anything.  Darker washes add to the slimming effect and like white tops, they go with anything. 

Haute of Doors Flat in Clay - $32.99

   If you saw my fall trends posts a couple weeks ago you would have seen that laser cut designs are very "in" for fall. These flats utilize that trend that are perfect for everyday use.  The neutral color will also compliment any outfit. 

And to tailor this solution to any season just remember three things:

1. white top

2. dark wash

and

3. neutral shoes

Thursday's Three

M A K E U P

Stila In the Garden Palette - $39

   Stila's In the Light palette is a best seller and makeup essential when it comes to palettes. When I came to the Stila counter at Ulta the other day I was about to grab the In the Night palette by obvious obligation until I saw these beautiful green hues taking the spotlight.  I love the way green makes the gold undertones of my brown eyes shine.  Any brown eyed babes out there need this immediately. 

F A S H I O N 

Xhilaration® All Over PU Hat in Black - $12.99

    Ever since I watched the Fall/Winter BCBGMaxAzria collection during New York Fashion Week last spring I have been dying to find the perfect leather cap. Target has done it again and exceeded my expectations.  This hat is going to get a lot of game time this season. 

H A I R 

Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Shine Spray - $15

    I don't like to use hair spray because it seems to weigh my limp hair down so I turn to shine spray to semi hold the style but smooth fly aways.  This shine spray is super light but makes a serious impact to any hair routine.