November 25, 2015

Top 10 Drugstore Beauty Buys

I am a CVS addict. I fully admit it, but cannot get myself to stop overspending whenever I'm there. There is just so much cool stuff on their shelves that I easily spend 3x as much as I planned. My purchases are most often from the cosmetics aisle and I am a big supporter of drugstore makeup. It's cheap and you can try out as many new colors or products as you want without spending a fortune. After all my tests and trials, here are the beauty products I think are worth buying from drugstores:

1. Maybelline New York Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner - $9.99





I have tried what seems like every drugstore gel eyeliner under the sun and this was by far the best. Very pigmented, doesn't budge, and comes with a handy brush. What else could you ask for?

2. Revlon PhotoReady Airbrush Effect Makeup - $15




My skintone is very fair, so it is hard to find foundation that matches and keeps it from looking cakey. This one from Revlon comes in a wide variety of shades and gives great coverage while feeling very light on your skin. A tad on the expensive side for drugstore foundation, but well worth it!

3. Revlon PhotoReady Powder - $15



Another Revlon face product. I really think that they make the best foundation and powders. I've been using this one for years. It helps set your foundation and keeps your skin looking airbrushed all day long, especially with a Kabuki brush. I use this one from e.l.f.

4. Organix Nourishing Coconut Oil Weightless Hydrating Oil Mist - $8



My hair is frizz city if I don't do something with it. Before any type of styling, I spray this in my damp hair and then finger comb it through. It makes my hair silky and doesn't make it greasy, which is a big plus for me. It also smells like a pina colada so how can you go wrong? Tip: put it your beach bag to combat tangles from the salt water.

5. Maybelline New York Volum' Express Colossal Cat Eyes Mascara - $8


Maybelline, to me, makes the best mascaras and this one takes the top spot. I have at least 3 tubes at any given time, that is how much I love it. It gives my lashes incredible volume and actually curls them a bit, although I highly recommend using an eyelash curler first. This comes in a waterproof formula as well.

6. Maybelline New York The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette - $13.99

Urban Decay's Naked Palette is hailed as the holy grail of nude eyeshadow palettes, but as a poor college student I had to settle for Maybelline's version. While it obviously doesn't compare to one that costs 4x its price, this palette is a really good deal and the shades are great for creating a natural, daytime look. I use it daily and can create many different looks with it.

7. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain - $10

Honestly, I've never been a lipgloss kind of girl and I'm not a fan of lipsticks either. When these lip stains came out, I had to try them since I thought they would be a good middle ground. I was right. They are a good way to add lip color, but not have that sticky gloss feeling or have to keep reapplying like lipstick. There are so many colors to suit any style and super easy to use.

8. NYX Matte Finish Long Lasting Setting Spray - $8

If you're like me and have trouble with keeping your makeup stay on your face all day, then you NEED this spray! This one from NYX sets your makeup and keeps it there until you're ready to take it off. All you have to do is spray it a few times about 12 inches away from your face and let it dry. It feels weird at first, but really works, even throughout an intense gym session.

9. Yes To Grapefruit Correct & Repair Brightening Facial Towelettes - $7

Speaking of removing makeup, I'm super lazy sometimes and don't want to take the time to wash my face at night. I know its bad, but rationalize it by using these towelettes when I can. They aren't listed as makeup remover but work better than the Neutrogena ones and are cheaper. They also smell like the name suggests, grapefruits, and can easily be thrown into a purse or gym bag.

10. e.l.f. Studio Daily Brush Cleaner - $3

First off, if you don't know about e.l.f. products, run to your nearest drugstore and buy as much as you can. They are very inexpensive and are comparable to high-end brands. Second, if you aren't cleaning your makeup brushes, start! I used this e.l.f. cleaner and couldn't believe how much leftover gunk was still in mine. Clean brushes make colored makeup appear more accurate and can even reduce your breakouts. It's a win-win!


What are your favorite drugstore products?



*photos courtesy of Ulta

November 20, 2015

Flannel Friday - Office Hours

With college comes internships and with internships comes a whole new way of dressing. When I started my first internship, I, like many students, struggled trying to develop an office appropriate wardrobe with what was already in my closet and a tiny budget. This week's Flannel Friday gives all you students out there an example of how you can incorporate your flannel shirt into your work style. Office dress-codes vary greatly, so the outfit below can be modified to either be as formal or casual as your employer allows. If you work in a more casual environment, jeans can be worn in place of dress pants. The trick for making flannel work appropriate is to layer your tops and add polished accessories, like great jewelry or a structured tote. Per usual, everything I've featured is under $50! Another plus, many stores, like J. Crew and Loft, offer student discounts. Just bring your student ID and ask at the register.


photo credits: Old Navy, Macy's, LOFT, J. Crew,  Gap, Express, Target, JustFab

flannel - Old Navy $19.97 (reg. $26.94), pumps - Steve Madden $41.65 (reg. $119!), earrings - LOFT $29.50, sweater - J. Crew Factory $34.50, pants - Gap $49.50, bracelet - Express $34.90, belt - Target $12.99, tote - JustFab $19.95 with membership ($49.00 without)



November 13, 2015

Flannel Friday - Dress it Up

Some days you just want to dress up for no reason, although it is pretty hard to do when the weather is cloudy and in the 50s all week. A good way to stay warm without sacrificing style is to layer a flannel over a mini dress. Dresses can easily be a year-long staple in your wardrobe by simply wearing a flannel overtop and knotting it in the front. Knotting it will keep it from looking shapeless or like you woke up in last night’s outfit and had to borrow a guy’s flannel to keep warm. Another must for pulling off this look: wear tights! Seriously, you don’t want to be that girl. Invest in a quality pair of completely opaque, black tights. The ones I listed from HUE make your legs look slimmer and will last you from season to season. Add some great boots and accessories and you’ll look like a million bucks, but for way less!

photo credits: Forever 21, J. Crew, Boohoo, Bloomingdale's, Charlotte Russe

flannel - Forever 21 $17.90, hair bow - Forever 21 $2.90, necklace - J. Crew Factory $32.50, dress - Boo Hoo $16.00, tights - HUE $18.50, boots - Charlotte Russe $25 (reg. $40.99)


November 10, 2015

Red Dress Boutique Review


What college student doesn’t love to shop online? We are either in class, working part-time jobs and internships, or sleeping. Some days it feels like I don’t even have time to scarf down some Hot Pockets, so online shopping is extremely convenient for me. During a recent Shark Tank marathon, I came across my new favorite online shop, Red Dress Boutique. I almost never check out the items or companies featured on the show but, their pitch was flawless and they had the numbers to back it up, so of course I had to check it out. Red Dress Boutique is an amazing online resource for busy college students because their prices are reasonable and the clothes are always on trend. I’ve purchased numerous pieces from them and have never had a problem with the products or service. For those of you who aren’t a fan of watching Mark Cuban and Mr. Wonderful go at each other every week, I’ve broken down everything you need to know. Enjoy!



The Good
  • Navigating the site is easy with clear categories and headings
  • Pictures are fun, timely, and high-quality
  • Products range from a wide variety of clothes for women and children, jewelry, shoes, handbags and even home goods
  • Styles are geared specifically towards college students and young adults
  • 80% of their merchandise is under $50
  • Incredible customer service - everyone I have spoken with is very friendly and helpful and every package includes a hand-written note
  • Free returns within 7 days
  • Sizing guides are accurate and helpful - I have trouble with ordering clothes online since I wear anything from an XS in one brand to a L in another. Each product page includes the models measurements so you can compare them to your own and order the correct size. 

The Bad
  • LOTS of merchandise and sub-categories - it takes hours to go through the entire site and can become overwhelming very fast. 
  • Styles that have numerous color or print options are listed as two different items - this drives me crazy! If I see a dress that I like, I want to see all the colors when I click on it, not have to go through the entire dress selection. See below for example


  • Search feature doesn't produce accurate results - for example, I searched "belt" and received results for belts, dresses, and shoes
  • Free shipping only on orders over $50 - a little steep in my opinion considering most of their merchandise is under $50
  • Sale items are final sale

Overall, a great place to shop for casual clothes and even special occasion pieces. Definitely check it out if you need some clothes for a good price.




photo credits: Red Dress Boutique





November 6, 2015

Flannel Friday – The Classic

Back in 2006, Ugg boots were everywhere and every girl had them in multiple colors. Now it seems like everyone has at least one flannel shirt. Unlike those baby pink Uggs and denim mini skirts, a flannel shirt can be the most versatile thing in your closet. In this new series, Flannel Friday, I’ll feature a new way to wear your cozy flannels. Best of all, each piece costs $50 or less so shop away!


This first week is all about the classic look. I'm talking a flannel, skinny jeans or leggings, and a pair of boots. I see this style every day and it is personally my go-to lazy day outfit. Comfort is key for me, especially with those grueling 8 AM classes, so I find myself wearing this outfit more often than not. Although this is a common look for most undergrads, you can stand out from the crowd with statement pieces. Take a look at how throwing on some flashy accessories or swapping your basic leggings for faux leather ones can take this outfit from simple to chic. 


photo credits: Red Dress Boutique, Forever 21, Boohoo, Bloomingdale's, DSW, Asos, Target


flannel - Red Dress Boutique $30.00, leggings - Forever 21 $19.90, headband - BooHoo $5.00, earrings - Bauble Bar $32.00, boots - Madden Girl $49.94, belt - Asos $14.50, handbag - Target $34.99