Back to School Series: Fall Trend Day 3

When it comes to accessorizing this fall it is all about
Chain Links

These Chanel-esque accents make this trend classy and perfect for the upcoming holiday seasons.
I know that some of these will be on my Christmas list this year.

MICHAEL Michael Kors Chain Trim Side Tie Blouse - $110 $73.70

Rebecca Minkoff 'Mini M.A.C.' Shoulder Bag in Rose Gold - $195 

(definitely drooling over this)

Rebecca Minkoff 'Affair - Mini' Convertible Crossbody Bag in Sapphire - $195

Tasha Leather Wrap Bracelet in White/Gold - $38

Back to School Series: Fall Trend Day 2

Today's Trend:
Leather

Don't put your leather skater skirt and jacket away just yet.  Leather is here to stay and I am pretty excited about it!
To amp up this style try it with laser cut outs and colored pieces.

Kensie Faux Leather Collar Blouse - $79

Betsy Johnson Laser Cut Faux Leather Fit & Flare Dress - $198 (online only)

Mural 'Tough Girl' Faux Leather Moto Jacket - Pre-order Today!

Back to School Series: Fall Trend Day 1

To make your transition to school and fall easy, I am going to be spotlighting FIVE fall fashion trends.
That means one new trend every day!

Today I am spotlighting:
Chic Pullovers

What says fall more than a cute sweatshirt? They are warm and cozy and easy to pull on when you're just rolling out of bed.  Find one with a fun graphic or classic style to keep this style fashionable, not lazy.

Equiptment 'Shane' Merino Wool Sweater - $318

Halogen Plaid Colorblock Sweater - $68

Zoe Karssen 'Born Lucky' Sweatshirt - $131

Thursday's Three: Back to School Series

This is most likely everyone's last or almost last Thursday before heading back to school.
Because of this I decided to add this Thursday's Three to my Back to School Series.  These are the top makeup, hair, and fashion must haves for school.

M A K E U P 

theBalm cosmetics NUDE 'tude Nude Eyeshadow Palette - $36

   If there is one makeup item a girl needs for life, let alone school, is a nude eyeshadow palette.  You can simple, adventurous, and smokey eye looks for any occasion.  And if you didn't already know theBalm is my favorite makeup brand, well it is, and so of course their palette would be my top pick.  (It also helps that it is drastically cheaper than Urban Decay's Naked palettes which are $50 bucks a pop.)

H A I R

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum - $20 

  Hair was a hard category to narrow down to one product especially since everyone has different hair textures and issues, but after thinking about I was surprised this wasn't the first thing that popped in my head since it is so clearly obvious...SERUM! It is the magic of all hair products.  You can use it on wet or dry hair for added shine, smoothness, and frizz control.  Paul Mitchell's is the best of the best with 5+ beauty awards. 

F A S H I O N 

Charlotte Russe Sueded Cutout Ankle Boot - $40

Report Ayden Bootie - $69.95

   If I had to choose one shoe to wear the rest of my life it would be an ankle boot.  It may not look good with a prom dress or formal occasion but I'd find some way to make it work.  Ankle boots are year round friendly shoes.  The small heel gives femininity and edge while still being comfortable to walk around in all day (seriously I live in mine).  I usually try to only have one item per category for Thursday's Three, but come one, you have to have them in both colors for unlimited styling options. 

These are my top picks, what are yours?

Back to School Series: 1st Day of School Makeup

Whether you are in 8th grade or college this makeup look will start your year off fresh and beautiful.

Step One: Prime 

  Primer may not be an everyday essential to many people but for the first day back you want to be looking your best.  Primer will keep your pores small and your oil contained.  Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional ($30) is a great light weight but effective choice. 

Step Two: Even Your Skin Tone

   Many people think foundation should be able to cover every imperfection, but when it does, that is usually when you look like a cake face.  Foundation should be used to eliminate redness and even our skin tone.  Revlon Color Stay ($9.99) is a good foundation that can be applied lightly for a natural finish or built up for full coverage for those of us with less than perfect skin. 

Step Three: Conceal 

   You know how you always go to bed unusually early before the first day back? But instead of getting a good night's sleep you toss and turn and can't stop thinking about what your'e going to wear or what everyone is going to think of your outfit.  So instead of going to school with bags under your eyes use concealer to brighten up those peepers. Maybelline's Fit Me Concealer ($6.99) has good coverage and comes in a variety of shades so you can definitely find your perfect match. 

Step Four: Bronze Yourself

   You just came from summer so of course you can't come back to school without a tan.  Fake a sun-kissed glow or enhance your tan with some bronzer dusted on your temples, cheeks, nose, and chin.  Jouer's Sunswept Mattifying Powder Bronzer ($28) gives the perfect glow and will also keep your oil controlled with it's mattifying properties.  

Step Five: Natural Flush

   Wet n Wild Color Icon Blusher Color Icon Blusher Powder in Pearlescent Pink ($1.99) (wow, that's quite the mouthful) is a great color that looks great on any skin tone! 

Step Six: Bronze Eye

   To play up your tan even more, add a bronzed eye for that summer beach babe look.  Cream shadows are great because they are easy to apply and blend and they leave the eye looking dewy.  Revlon Illuminance Creme Eye Shadow in Skinlights ($4.94) is a great quad to have.  It also is small enough to fit in your purse or locker for touch ups in the day. 

Step Seven: Define

  If you need eyeliner I recommend Urban Decay 24/7 DOUBLE-ENDED GLIDE-ON PENCIL ($12).  What's so great about it is that you can have black for when you want more definition and drama and brown for more natural and subtle look and you only need one pencil! 

Step Eight: Lashes!

  No makeup look is complete without mascara.  I'm sure you already know my current obsession with Covergirl Clump Crusher Extensions Lashblast Mascara ($8.49) and when you try it you'll understand why. 

Just add your favorite balm or gloss and you are ready for your first day back!

What are your back to school makeup essentials?  

All Natural Style Secrets

I am not an "eco" person on an everyday basis. 

But there are some days when I am feeling particularly "green."

I'm sure I'm not the only one who experiences this.  It's those days where you choose fruit over fruit loops, take the stairs instead of the elevator, drink water rather than your usual Diet Coke,
and decide to stick to your workout routine this week. 

When your "green" phase is inevitably over after 3 days
you can still implement some natural/organic products in your beauty routine.

Here are my favorite

All Natural Style Secrets

(starting left to right)

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Peaceful - $26

  Perfectly peach color that will suit any skin tone! 

bareMinerals MATTE Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15 - $27 

  The most popular all natural foundation that will leave you with the perfect matte and natural finish. 

Seventh Generation Boosts Firming with Baobab  - $9.99

  This is my newest love for all natural skin care.  Seventh Generation, an all natural organic company, has introduced their 6 new Boosts (hydrating, soothing, clearing, firming, revitalizing, protecting).  I have been using the Firming with Baobab daily after I have cleansed my face but while it is still damp.  It absorbs super quickly, doesn't clog my pores or leave my skin feeling heavy, and it is 100% biobased.  The Firming formulation will help with fine lines and lack luster skin.  After using it you will find your skin looking more youthful and tighter in those trouble areas around your eyes and lips. 

Ecotools Bamboo Bronzer Brush - $6.99 

  This natural brush is incredibly soft and will blend products beautifully.  Don't think you can only use this for bronzer, it blends mineral makeup beautifully. 

Burt's Bees Natural Lip Gloss in Rosy Dawn - $9

  I am a loyal customer of all things Burt's Bees, they can do no wrong in my book.  This lip gloss is super smooth and tastes incredible. 

Physicians Formula Organic wear 100% Natural Origin Mascara - $9.95

  Physician Formula is the most popular organic drugstore brand and they build their good reputation with every product.  This mascara is 100% natural, contains lash lengthening minerals, and it's pretty (that's all that really matters, right?). 

SpaRitual Nail Lacquer in Provocateur - $10

  Even your nail polish can be natural! SpaRitual is known for their all natural ingredients.  They have a huge color range that are greatly pigmented and don't leave your nails feeling dry and brittle after taking it off. 

DevaCurl DevaCare - No-Poo™' No-Fade Zero Lather Cleanser and DevaCare - No-Poo™' No-Fade Zero Lather Cleanser - $19 each

  Being a curly girl myself, I swear by DevaCurl! I recently just learned of their natural line which makes me love them even more. 

How do you stay pretty using natural products?

Tell me your all natural style secrets!

I received a free sample of this product from Lucky and Seventh Generation for use in connection with this blog.

7 Melt-Proof Products

I took a quick hiatus this past week from the blog. 

The reason being I had to travel to the wonderful and beautiful city of Phoenix. 

If you can't tell that that statement is dripping in sarcasm, well I am making my opinion of this city clear now.  

108 temps until 10 p.m. with monsoon weather humidity?!

No thank you.

The only positive this trip has brought is a blog post spotlighting 

7 Melt-Proof Products

so you Phoenix and other unbearably hot and humid residers can endure the summer while still looking especially adorable. 

You would assume cream based products would melt right off your face, but it's actually the exact opposite.  Cream based products usually contain silicone which makes products extra long lasting.  Powder products when layered and mixed with sweat make for a cake face, and no one wants that or wants to look at that. 

1. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Stain in Sweetheart - $7.49

    Revlon wins hands down when it comes to drugstore lip products.  Their lip stain balm keeps your lips perfectly pink without the dryness of a marker like stain. They come in 12 different colors but Sweetheart is a universally friendly color. 

2. Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 - $39

    This BB Cream leaves a matte finish while leaving a light feeling on your skin.  Bonus it has SPF and there is no flash back! $39 may seem like a steep price, but they also have travel sized bottles for $19, the perfect amount to last your throughout the summer. 

3. Tarte Cosmetics Cheek Stain in Blissful - $30

    Tarte is famous for their outlasting power, so obviously their cheek stains are the MVP of stains. Blissful is the perfect pinky coral that flatters your summer tan. You can also use it as a lip stain as well!

4. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil - $19 each

    I usually nix the eyeliner when it's sweltering outside but if you can't resist your classic cat eye these liners are the way to go.  They are super smooth and will even withstand the pool and waves.  With their 12 shades you can get even more creative. 

5. Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel Bronzing Makeup Base - $48 

    If you haven't heard about Chanel's Soleil Tan De Chanel, you've clearly been living under a rock the whole summer. These cream bronzer has built the biggest hype for a reason...it's AMAZING! You can put this on under your foundation to give your face a subtle glow or apply as usual bronzer.  $48 is quite the pay out for bronzer but this will last you your whole life, because a little goes a long way. It's worth every sun kissed penny. 

6. Maybelline Color Tattoo 24HR Eyeshadow in Bad to the Bronze and Barely Branded - $5.94 each

    These are must for all seasons.  They work great as both full eyeshadow or eyeshadow base.  These are a almost identical dupes for MAC paint pots formula wise.

7. CoverGirl LashBlast Clump Crusher Water Resistant Mascara - $6.49
    No clumps no matter how many coats your layer on throughout the day! 

What products have proven to be melt-proof for you this summer?