Shopping 1101: Don't Blow the Budget

We all want a closet like Carrie Bradshaw, but even Carrie wouldn't completely blow her budget. During the holiday season, it gets hard to maintain a budget with the stacks of accumulating stacks of coupons, receipts, and discount emails that seem to be never ending. And, if you're in the same situation as me, you might just be trying to bounce off from low funds due to the holidays. Follow the tips below to save up your cash!

• Never go shopping without a list! A lack of purpose leaves rooms for unnecessary items in your cart. 
• Always set a budget, or spending limit, before going out to shop. Setting shopping guidelines helps you to be more wallet-conscious while shopping. 
• Utilize shopping apps! Apps like Retail Me Not and Shop Savvy help you to find the best deals and coupons, plus they're free!
• Never be afraid to ask about coupons and discounts. Many stores have student discounts, military discounts, and senior citizen discounts. Some store clerks are even willingly to give you a store coupon.

Drop some of your cash-saving shopping tips down below!

Help! My Nail Polish is Ruined!

In the world of manicures and pedicures, there is only one thing worse than a chipped nail...a ruined nail polish color! (especially in your favorite color!) I have probably witnessed hundreds of nail polish bottles become hard and guppy, clumpy, or just "stuck" inside the bottle. However, I have figured out some tips and tricks to making my nail polish last much longer in their bottles! Check out my tips below:

1. Invest in the Best! So let's just start off with the obvious, cheap nail polishes die faster. Nail polish brands such as O.P.I. and Essie are some of the best nail polish brands around because their polishes are made to last in the bottle and on your mani/pedi.
2. Storage is key! I used to throw all my nail polishes into a little basket, some would sit upside down and others on their side. This caused so many of my polishes to clump up on the brush bristles and around the tops caps. Nail polish sits and lasts longer when stored right side up. So, you might want to invest in a nail polish storing kit.
3. It's all about the temperature! Adding on to the storage tip, be sure that your nail polish sits at room temperature. Don't have them in sweltering heat or extremely cold environments, especially since the bottles are typically glass. 
4. Pour on the Acetone! When the polish is starting to get clumpy, try pouring a small amount of acetone based nail polish remover into the bottle. Pour only a tiny droplet into the bottle and the shake it up thoroughly until the polish thins itself out.
5. When all else fails... Sometimes it's just time to throw in the towel and start again with a new bottle of nail polish. But, before you do that, make sure you remember the name of the polish color if you are planning on buying it again!
   

What are your favorite nail polish colors and brand?
Leave your answers in the comments below! 

Beauty 101: How to Find Your Dark Lipstick Shade

Lorde

Transition your red lip to fall by going to the deep side. Trade in the bright red lipsticks, for the darker hued reds for a darker, classic look. For fair skin ladies, try using a lighter red lipliner mixed with the darker lipstick to prevent the color from overpowering the face. For deeper toned ladies, go for a red that leans more to the deep brown shades. 

Rihanna

Rihanna has been rocking dark hued lipsticks for years! Trade in the dark reds and blacks, for a mauve-y, brown color. The color looks fantastic when paired with heavy eye makeup, or even a subtle smokey eye.

Selena Gomez

In need of a new color all togther? Go the Selena Gomez route and opted for a deep purple. Purple lipstick shades do not have to look like crayon marks! Go for lipstains first, then transition to the full on purple shades. 

Have you gone to the dark side of lipstick?

Beauty 101: How I Grew Out My Eyebrows

Before 

After

Like many other girls around the world, I struggled to keep a "strong brow game". My eyebrows endured about 4 years of waxing, brow shape changing, and, of course, over tweezing on my behalf. However, 6 months ago my brow maintenance had to change after my eyebrow were waxed off ultra thin a week before prom! Since that day, I hid my brow tweezers and scissors from myself (Yes, I endured the tiny, stubbly new growth!). For 2-3 months, I relied only on brushing my eyebrows and utilizing brow pencils to perfect the shape. By month 3, I used tweezers to remove hairs that were obviously outside of my natural brow shape. Through removing the out of place hairs, my brows started to form a natural arch, perfecting my brow game. Now, 6 months later, I leave the tweezers alone for at least 3 weeks before removing any out of place hairs.

Quick Tips!

1. Hide tweezers, eyebrow scissors, and wax! Your growing your eyebrows out, not removing them.
2. Brush your eyebrows with an eyebrow brush to keep them neat. 
3. When tweezing, only tweeze hairs outside of the natural brow shape.
4. Place conditioners on your eyebrows to promote growth. 
5. Don't fantasize over everyone else's eyebrows! An eyebrow shape frames an individual's face, so an eyebrow shape is unique to every person. 

How do you maintain your brows?  

Style 101: Rock Those Shades

Katy Perry

Katy Perry is rocking a classic, square frame of sunglasses, perfect for any face shape. These shades work for all face shapes because the square shape frames the eyes leaving out the eyebrows which help to frame the overall face. The shades can be found on both the high-end and low-end and come in an array of colors. 

Rihanna

For a more retro look, try a cat-eye frame similar to Rihanna's sunglasses. Of course, the frames do not have to be as oversized as Rihanna's, but the cat-eye frame helps to add some dramatics to any look. In order to successfully rock a cat-eye frame, be sure to exude confidence in your style and look.

Gwen Stefani

As a fashionista, circular sunglass frames are a known trend. The circular frames give me an eighties cool kid vibe and work with edgy, girly, and even boho styles. And, as you can see above, Gwen Stefani rocks these shades perfectly with a matte red lip and plaid button down. 

What are your favorite sunglass frames? 

Beauty 101: Step Up Your Spring Make-Up

Shay Mitchell

Spring is all about fun, bright, girly colors and there is no where better to try out these cutesy colors besides the lips. Lilacs, pinks, reds, and corals are perfect pout colors that will last all the way through the summer season.

AnnaSophia Robb

Mega lashes and defined brows are major beauty trends this spring and super simple to achieve! Find a great mascara and follow the "T" and "C" method. The method begins by 1-2 coats going up the lashes, then 1-2 sweeps across the top of the lashes. Follow up with a quick coat on the outer lashes in a "C" shape. Define the brows using a shadow and brow brush in short, hair-like strokes.

Becky G

A soft smokey eye is the perfect spring date look. Simple pink and purple shadows on the lid, blended with a darker brown in the crease, topped off with a highlight shadow in the brown bone will create a quick, easy, and cute smokey eye. Make the look pop by adding on a coat of lipgloss and a swipe of blush.

Kat Graham

Summer is not the only bronzer appropriate season! Give your skin a shimmery glow for the spring with a swipe of bronzer on the cheeks and a mix of gold, brown, and nude shadows on the eyes. This look will highlight facial features and make even a simple look super chic.

Beauty 101: Shine through Your Glasses

Zoe Saldana

Glasses, prescription or not, are one of the best practical accessories. However, makeup with glasses can seem a bit difficult. But guess what, it's not! When you wear glasses, you need to focus your makeup on your eyes and lips. Bold eyes shine through a glass lenses and lips always make a statement. Follow these tips below to shine through your glasses!

• Shimmer Shadows! Shimmery shadows accentuate the sparkles in your eye. The shimmer shines through the lenses and lets you see past the frames.
• Neutral Shadow! Neutral shadows look good on everyone. Neutral shades make your eyes pop by playing up your natural eye color.
• Bold Lips! A bold lip pulls a look together and can make it look like you're wearing a full face of makeup when your not. Try a soft lip color or a color that matches your frames.
• Graphic Liner! Graphic liner is totally cool whether it's a classic cat eye or edgy teal liner. Eyeliner is all about fun and will distract from your glasses.
• Mascara! Mascara will make your lashes full and luscious. They will definitely take the attention away from your glasses.
• Defined Brows! Glasses can take up a lot of space on your face. Your brows can even start to blend in your frames if you don't keep them framed. Keep your brows shaped, trimmed, or simply brushed to keep your brows from blending in with your glasses.

Whether you like your glasses or not, remember that good vision is always the most important thing. Plus, glasses are always trendy and can actually pull your look together! Always rock your frames with confidence. 

How do you rock your glasses?

Beauty 101: Moving into Fall

Joan Smalls

Fall is slowly, but surely, approaching which means it's time to start testing new fall looks! Fall inspired make-up  is all about dark lips, bronze skin, bold brows, and smoked out eyes. While the make-up is looking super vamped, fall hair is all about being slicked back in buns and ponytails, or worn back out of the face to show off the make-up. Below are my top five favorite fall 2013 beauty tips:

1. Plum lips! Plum lips are a beautiful shade of purple that have a perfect balance of edge and femininity. Whether you have a dark or pale skin tone, there are tons of plum/purple shades that can fit you perfectly.
2. Slicked back hair! Not only does slick backed hair stay in place, but it also keeps your hair from sticking to your face. Slick backed hair gives off an ultra chic vibe and can be accessorized with headbands and hairclips. There are also a variety of styles that can be incorporated with the slicked back style such as buns and ponytails.
3. Bronze skin! Just because summer is almost over doesn't mean you have to give up glowy skin. You can easily swipe bronzer across your cheeks or any splash of shimmer to keep that glow.
4. Smokey eyes! Smokey eyes create an endearing look and can definitely be made for the daytime. Hold off for dark black smoke for the night and a deeper brown shadow to make a smokey eye look nice for the day.
5. Bold brows! Make your brows thicker and bolder by holding off on the extra waxing and tweezing. Let your brows grow in a bit in between clean up time and fill them in with a matching eye shadow color for a bolder look.

Beauty 101: Tame the Brows

Eyebrows can make or break your look, but your individual brow shape depends on your face. However, you don't need to wax and thread your brows everyday, unless you're desiring sparse brows. The key things to keep your brows looking good include tweezers to take away out of place hairs, an eyebrow brush to put brows in their place, and brow gel to keep the brows in place all day. You may also want to try out a brow pencil or brow powder to fill in you brows and make them more defined.

How do you tame your brows?

Tame the Brows by lyndseycamille featuring a slant tweezer

Fashion 101: Girly Girl Fun

The girly girl look is super fun and especially perfect for the spring and summer. The bright colors, heels, skirt, and occurs the tons of accessories make the girly girl style so great to play around with! Some of my favorite girly girl styles come from celebs like Ariana Gomez, Taylor Swift, and brands like Forever 21. Below are some of my favorite girly girl looks and how you can incorporate them in your wardrobe.

Bella Thorne

This suit is perfect for a classy, chic, girly look that will still keep you looking young and feminine. The nude/ off white color of the suit gives the suit a bit of a different look and helps the silver heels to pop. The clutch always makes a look really chic but the color patterns keep with the girly girl look along with the showing off of the collar bone because of the sweetheart top.

Zendaya

A-line skirts have always been a girly style, but paired with the pastel pink and blue tie dye. The sparkle collar adds a bit of casual glamour to the look while the sky heels complete with the straps are super flirty. Not only does the outfit go with the girly look, but Zendaya's wavy hair is romantic and her pink glossy looks add subtle sweetness.

Taylor Swift

This girly look is perfect for dances and fancy dates because of the flowiness and the cutouts. The cutouts add flirtiness, youthfulness, and fun without going overboard. The pumps are definitely a nod to the most girliest girl of them all, Barbie, and makes the look super cute!

How do you style girly girl looks?

Hair 101: Sleek Chic to Messy Waves

All throughout Fashion Week I saw sleek hair, messy hair, braids, buns, everything! However sleek hair and messy hair have always struck my interest and I love going back and forth between the two styles. Vanessa Hudgens knows exactly how to switch it up and look amazing! Plus Vanessa has the wavy hair down pat for the short/medium length hair girls. Keep on reading for tips on getting sleek and wavy hair.

Sleek hair gives off a look of chicness. The best way to get your hair super straight is with the use of a good flatiron, but make sure you keep the heat low so you don't burn any hair off. Now, to get the ultimate sleek look you do want to use a serum so your hair will all brush in the direction you want while staying together and very sleek. Be sure you don't apply too much to the ends of your hair or else your hair will lose its movement and appear weighed down. The sleek look can also be transformed into a bun or ponytail because the hair is straight and together. 

Messy wavy hair does need a little product to hold the curls which is perfect after wearing your hair in a sleek look. My favorite way to create wavy hair with minimum to know heat is by braiding my hair. The closer to your root you braid, the more hair will be wavy and the smaller and tighter the braid, then wavier and bigger your hair will be. Leave the braids in for a couple hours or overnight for the waves to form and take them out one by one afterwards. Never brush the waves, use your fingers or a very wide tooth comb. If you need to, use a wide barrel curling iron to perfect some of the waves.

Do you prefer sleek or wavy hair?

Fashion 101: Styling the Military Jacket

Military jackets are definitely a trend that will be staying, even throughout spring! Spring is not an entirely hot season which means light weight jackets and cardigans will be needed. A military jacket is a great light weight throw over that can easily go with any outfit despite its very distinct pattern. The black, brown, and dark green colors in camo are all part of neutral color families which mean that they can go with other colors in your outfit easily without clashing. Below are three of my fave celebs sporting military jacket with tips on how you can rock them to.

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez is very casual and cool while wearing dark wash skinny jeans, black booties, and a blue t-shirt paired with a military jacket. The military jacket keeps her casual look from being boring and too simple by adding a trend and visual appeal through the pattern. A military jacket is such a great alternative to a hoodie or everyday jacket.

Kat Graham

Stud and spike detailing has been very popular and is a fun DIY project that you can do at home with a few materials. Kat Graham made her military jacket go from casual to glam with lots of gold detailing throughout the jacket and rolled up sleeves. Her sky high heels, black tights, oversized bag, and accessories add to her chic ensemble giving her a vibe of urban fabulous-ness.

Vanessa Hudgens

Vanessa Hudgens is known for her boho style which she always looks amazing in. Of course Vanessa will still keep with her bohemian look even in a military jacket. I love that Vanessa went for an all green jacket oppose to a camo look in this outfit because it is very subtle while still standing out because of its touch of bagginess. The military jacket is used as an accessory here in Vanessa's wide leg jeans, wide belt, and Wild Fox t-shirt look and it totally makes the look!

Are you liking the military jacket? 

Top Tips To Being Fashionably Quirky

I love a quirky personality and the style that usually comes with it. A quirky style usually involves mixing textures and patterns, oxfords, funky tights, and fun accessories. Celebs like Solange and Corinne Bailey Rae are know for the quirky cool style and rock it perfectly. However, it is very easy to take it from quirky to crazy if your outfit has a little too much color or pattern and is just too much! Below are my top tips to dressing fashionably quirky for both causal and formal occasions.

Corinne Bailey Rae

Casual, everyday occasions call for oxfords, tights, texture, and all your basics. A pair of oxfords are an alternative to flats that work all year round and come in some many different colors. You can also go for the new trend of more masculine shoes with cool cut outs and chunky heels. Barque and other interesting patterns always look unique when they're on your bottom half since they are usually seen only on the top half which makes it stand out. You may want to try to mix patterns, but keep them "connected" with a common color scheme. Also, a mix of texture such as a silk and a wool create a great visual in any outfit. Lastly, a pair of funky tights will keep your legs warm and detailed whenever your wearing a skirt, dress, or even a pair of shorts and still want a quirky look. 

Corinne Bailey Rae

It doesn't take much to advance from a casual quirky look to a more formal attire. A pair of chunky heels will contrast the ordinary pump especially if it comes with straps and buckles. A bag with a pop color is great to go with any style and works best if it goes with a color that is already used in your outfit. A collar makes anything a bit more formal and with the new trend of collar necklaces it is easy to mix and match. 

What is your style?

Spring Beauty Trends: Pastel Eyes, Matte Lip

Spring is bringing back all the color into your beauty look. A bright matte lip and pastel colored lids are the ultimate trend for Spring 2013 whether you're rocking them at the same time or seperately. A splash of color brightens up your entire face and an instant vibe of youthfulness. However, there are a few things to beware of such as color overload and finding your specific color. Below are two lovely ladies, Solange and Katy Perry, who both know how to rock the latest Spring beauty trends.

Solange Knowles

Matte lips are a great alternative to glossy lips. The matte lets the color shine through without taking over your entire beauty look. Using a matte lip color allows you to still add a blush and eyeshadow without overpowering your face. Be sure to find a lip color that goes with your skin tone by swatching and asking to try out colors. Also, to prevent a matte lip color from drying out your lips make sure you apply a moisturizing chapstick first.



Katy Perry

Pastels come in such a variety of colors and shades that allow you to have an entire pallete of pastel eye shadows. Just like any other shadow, you can do so many different looks such as a smokey eye which makes pastel shadows very versatile. Pastel shadows are especially pretty when used as a liner because it can easily make your eyes stand out and pop.

What is your favorite Spring beauty trend?



Beauty 101: Simply Fresh Faced

Nina Dobrev

A fresh face is always perfect for an everyday look. Nina Dobrev knows exactly how to enhance her features with a swirl of a mascara wand and the swipe of gloss. All you need to create a fresh faced look is a light foundation or BB cream, mascara, eyeliner, lip gloss, and blush. Keep on reading to find out how to create your own fresh faced look.

1. Always begin with a clean, moisturized face and apply a BB cream that will give light coverage, moisture, and sun protection. 
2.  Dust a light rosy blush, or your preferred color, to the apples of your cheeks to add color and glow to your face. 
3. Take an eyeliner and line starting at the edge of your upper lash line. A thin or thick line depends on your eye shape and whether you want your eyes to look bigger or smaller. 
4. Apply 2-3 coats of mascara to make your lashes and eyes pop!
5. To add a little oomph to the look add a bit of sparkly flesh tone eye shadow in the inner corner of your eyes and fill in your brows for definition. 
6. Pull your hair back into a sleek ponytail or bun to show off your fresh face look.  

What is your go to beauty product?

Fashion 101: Lady-Like Skirts

Lady-like skirts are on my top trend predictions for the upcoming season. Skirts scream femininity and can work in both warm and cool weathers. A skirt is definitely a needed basic in every girl's closet because it works for both casual and formal events as well as with any particular style. Celebrities such as Taylor Swift and Lea Michele are practically known for rocking cute and girly skirts, but the more you really look at their skirt style you can see just how much the length and pattern impact the entire look. Keep on reading to learn how you can incorporate a ladylike skirt into your wardrobe this upcoming season.

Taylor Swift

The length and fit of a skirt can do so much for a body type. A body con skirt can show off the curves you didn't even know you had, but also need a more loose fitting top that doesn't make the outfit appear too tight. A pencil skirt has officially been deemed the "interview" skirt, however a great pencil skirt will always be a classic and can even be paired with graphic tops to polished button downs. Skirts are a great piece, but you must base their length off of your own personal height and shape so that it will not appear too short, too long, too tight, and definitely not frumpy.

Lea Michele

A great pattern can transform any piece from edgy to girly, girly to boho, whatever style your going for. Not only does the skirt determine the look, but also what you pair it with. Try using a neon colored belt to add some shine to an all black skirt or you can just throw on a killer pair of shoes to make the look stand out. Also, going back to length and shape, don't forget to balance the size of the print to the length and shape of the skirt because no one wants to be weighed down by print.

Kerry Washington

Now for the easiest, although sometimes hardest,  part of wearing a very lady-like skirt is keeping your legs warm. Of course you should shave your leg before showing them off in a skirt, but with the cold weather in these current winter months it's hard to bare it all. Tights can be a quick fix to keeping your legs warm because they are like thermals for your legs. Tights come in so many colors, designs, and even with cut outs that it's difficult not to find the perfect pair that will go great with an skirt, dress, or leg baring outfit in your closet.

Will you be rocking a lady-like skirt?

Beauty 101: Ultimate Brow Tips

Ultimate Brow Tips by lyndseycamille featuring gee beauty

Brows frame your face and can be the decider of your everyday expression. If your brows are too low you may give off a sad look and too high may have you seeming very surprised. Lately I have been obsessed with keeping my brows natural with a natural arch and filling them in a bit for extra definition. However, maintaining eyebrows in general can be considered a pain, one wrong pluck or too much brow powder can be a total disaster! Keep reading to learn the ultimate tips for brows.

• Mirror! Of course you need a mirror when you're applying any type of make-up, but especially when dealing with your brows. You're going to want to invest in a magnifying mirror so you can see each individual hair up close whenever you're plucking or waxing your brows. 
• Shape! I recommend sticking with your own brow shape since it naturally fits you, but if you want to change it up be sure to use good judgement based on your eyes and nose shape.
• Eyebrow Brush and Comb! Whenever you're putting on your make-up or just shaping up your brows, make sure you comb them out. It's similar to brushing your hair before styling, but for your brows.
• Eyebrow pencil and shadow! Pencil and shadow is the best way to fill in sparse areas of your brows. While using a pencil use short strokes that mimic real eyebrow hairs and an angled brush when using shadow in the same way.Brush out your brows after using pencil and/or shadow and never use long harsh lines.
•  Brow Gel! Finish off your brows by using brow gel to keep your brows in place all day long. You can also use a tiny bit of Vaseline as an alternative.

Fashion 101: All Black, Never Boring

All black can seem so boring and one dimensional, but not with these tips and tricks. Demi Lovato is the queen of turning an all black look into a chic, edgy outfit while Kylie Jenner knows exactly how to dress up an LBD. All you need is texture and pattern with your black pieces and if you must, an amazing pop of color as well. Keep on reading to learn how Kylie and Demi keep an all black look fresh and chic.

Kylie Jenner

Kylie takes the black dress look to a whole other level! The sheer maxi length makes the dress accent her legs while keeping it classy because of the short black dress underneath. The belt cinches in her waist and creates shapes preventing the dress from becoming to long and baggy while also adding some shine from its patent detail. The minimal make-up and accessories allow the dress to stand out and the heels make her legs like miles long which is perfect for every girl.

Demi Lovato

A little sparkle, studs, patent, leather, bling, anything can make an all black ensemble so much better. Demi's sparkly black dress makes her shine while the leather studded jacket adds a cool edge along with her sky high booties. All together the look screams edgy glam and doesn't have one dull peice.


Demi Lovato

What could be said as the hardest way to wear black is layering, but it's way easier than you think. All you need is texture, pattern, and of course a good review over your outfit to keep from doing too much. You always want to start with either a basic top or bottom and slowly layer light items such as a scarf, cardigan, or light weight jacket, you definitely don't want to make yourself look bulky. Just remember to look over you're layering to make sure it all flows no matter what colors you're wearing.