Wet N Wild

by

White Lies

Confess. You’ve done it. You’ve stayed up late on a school night. You only got a few hours of shut-eye before an early day at the office. Maybe you drank too much at karaoke night. Or perhaps you were just way too into Twilight to put it down and go to bed. Either way, there’s been a time or two when you woke up looking, well, tired.

Lately I’ve been noticing how pronounced the dark circles under my eyes have become. Overly tired is certainly not a youthful look. No matter how cute an outfit may be, it is definitely overshadowed by purple smudges below bloodshot eyes. So, my mission as of late has been to find a way to look well rested.

Just a little white lie.

Turns out, the trick to this white lie is white liner. Flipping through January magazines, all the beauty looks I liked had one thing in common – bright-eyed models, sporting white liner. It is surprisingly subtle, and instantly makes eyes look brighter and more awake. I bought a cheap Wet N Wild pencil last weekend, and am now officially hooked.

To give yourself some extra help in the no-I’m-not-hungover-and-sleep-deprived department, use your white liner in conjunction with these other eye-brightening tricks, and you’ll be looking more lively in no time.

1. Curl your lashes, curl your lashes, curl your lashes. I know I say it all the time, but it makes a huge difference. Your eyes will look twice as wide, I swear.

2. Dab on some concealer. A little on the yellow side is good for under eyes, as it helps counteract the blue tones. I like L’Oreal True Match Concealer. And be careful not to apply too much – nobody wants that streaky concealer ring around their eyes.

3. Use a highlighter. A light reflecting highlighter on your cheek and brow bones brightens your complexion and makes your eyes look about 1000 times more awake. Right now I can’t get enough of Benefit High Beam. Try the travel size for $10 (available at sephora.com).

by

Cheap Thrills

Hello loyal readers, my apologies for the gap between posts! I’ve been a very busy girl, having just moved into a new house! After lots of planning, weeks of packing, and days of moving, I am sore, exhausted, and sublimely happy to be moved in.

That being said, let’s get down to beauty. I am always on the lookout for great beauty products at every price range. And this time of year, when the Holidays are creeping up on us, I find myself both drawn to the holiday beauty displays (there are so many!) and overwhelmed with guilt if I purchase something for myself. After all, I’m supposed to be doing my holiday shopping! So this week I’ve decided to share a few of my favorite cheapies, so you, too, can buy yourself a little pretty, without a lot of cash (or guilt).

Aquaphor Healing Ointment: This miracle cure-all is as good as everyone says it is. Especially in colder winter months, I keep a tube in my purse, one in my desk, and one on my nightstand. It’s super moisturizing and protective. I use it on chapped lips, dry elbows, and my sore nose after a cold. My boyfriend puts it on his face to avoid windburn before cold weather outdoor activities. It’s a wonder-product, and you can get a two pack of the mini tubes for around five or six bucks. Worth it.

Suave Tropical Coconut Shampoo and Conditioner: Ringing in at about two dollars and fifty cents a bottle, Suave Tropical Coconut Shampoo and Tropical Coconut Conditioner both smell amazing. Imagine the way your hair would smell if you were on a tropical getaway and smothered yourself in sun tan lotion and tropical perfumes, while sipping exotic beverages out of a coconut shell. That is how good this shampoo smells. As an added bonus, it makes hair super soft without becoming greasy.

Wet N Wild Idol Eyes Creme Shadow: For a whopping one dollar and ninety-nine cents, go buy yourself one (or several) of these creamy eyeshadow crayons. They glide on easily, look gorgeous on, and wash or wipe off easy too. My favorite shade is Pixie, and shimmery beige.