A Zipper For Your Hair

It sounds crazy, but zipper accessories are totally in right now. Forever 21 has this adorable Zipper Flower Trim Headband that is the cutest hair accessory I've seen in a long time.

The great thing about it, is that it still has a lot of femininity. The flower accent is girly enough to add some frill, yet the zipper toughens it up a bit. The juxtaposition of these two ideas is wonderful and makes for a fabulous headband.

I wouldn't wear this with my hair down though, if I were you. The zipper could easily get caught. Instead, pull your hair back in a ponytail and wear it to push back any flyaways you may have.

The best part? The headband retails for a mere $3.80.

Smashbox Eyeshadow for $5!

Eeeee! I get so excited about makeup deals!

Right now, Sephora is selling Smashbox eyeshadow duo in Glow/Getter for $5. It usually goes for about $25. Unbelievable.

The shades are great for any skintone. The lighter hue is a peach champagne shimmer while the darker is a dark warm brown sheen. The shades are great for a natural look and should be a staple in your makeup kit.

Yay for makeup sales!!!

Avon's New Teal Nail Enamel: My New BFF

Recently, Avon has really stepped it up a notch. Their Fall collection, Tribal Teals, really tickles my fancy. My fave item in the whole collection is the Nailwear Nail Enamel in Textured Teal.

At first glance, the color looks bright and colorful. That's fun, and that look can be achieved by applying one sheer coat of the polish. The look I prefer however, is achieved by layering on two even coats. The outcome is a dark teal (almost black) that makes people look twice. It's the perfect color for Fall, or anytime really.

Since I constantly pick at my fingernails and can't usually wear polish on 'em, I opted to try the polish on my toes. It looks fab there! The color is so deep that it might actually be a bit much for your fingers, but it works amazingly one your toes with some glitzy sandals or peep-toes.

Here's how my gorgey foot looks with the polish:



Super cute, no?

To locate an Avon Representative call 1-800-FOR-AVON or visit online at www.avon.com.

Twitter!

I'm finally on Twitter...I gave in! Follow me at https://twitter.com/SassyAlana!

Drugstore Beauty: Eyebrow Pencil Bargain

Oh drugstore makeup, how I love thee. My latest find is Wet N Wild's Arch Envy. When I first saw it, it reminded me of a great product I had purchased before, Anastasia's Go Brow.

The difference? Go Brow is $21; Arch Envy is $2.99.

Both products are amazing and practically identical. On one end is a brow-filling pencil that is quite blendable and versatile for any color brow. In fact, the Wet N Wild version comes in your choice of two colors (light or medium brown), whereas Anastasia's only comes in one darker hue.

The other end of the pencil features a great highlighter for under your brows. Admittedly, the pricier pencil has a higher pigmented version, but both work very similarly. The cheapie pencil's highlighter actually doubles as a wax to hold the shape of your brows (only apply under the brow, but you'll be surprised how well it holds up).

Save yourself the cash. Who in the world needs a $21 eyebrow pencil??!

Fashion Faux Pas: The Sack Dress

Much as I love Forever 21, and their fabulous inexpensive dresses, sometimes the store shows complete lack of taste. Their Bubble Empire Dress is a great example of this.

Basically, the dress looks like a sack. And not even a good one. Here's a tip: if the model wearing the dress can't even manage to look decent, there is very little chance that anyone else will be able to pull it off.

Here are my problems with this dress (I use the term dress loosely):

• The basic cut looks too much like a maternity dress. This is not flattering. Empire waists can be great, but if they are too voluminous, you can easily look like you're pregnant.
  
• Bubble skirts that look "tucked in" at the hem confuse me. Mainly, the effect is looking as if you've tucked your dress into your tights/panties when leaving the ladies room.
  
• The bust of the dress looks squished. Not flattering.

The look is so hideous. But if you want to give it a go, it's $26 at Forever21.com.

Pretty Petite Palette

It's always a good idea to have a go-to palette with everything you need for a flawless face. I'm such a makeup fanatic that I usually have at least one in my purse at all times. For normal people, it's just smart to have one for traveling or to keep at the office for little touch-ups.

Pixi's Petite Palette is perfect for this. It's only about the size of a credit card, so it fits virtually anywhere. It's got everything you could possibly want in very flattering shades: four suit-all eye shades, cheek glow, highlighter, lip stain and lip gloss.

Retailing at only $16, the palette is also a good way to try out this great brand's products before buying the full-sized versions.

Moroccan Flair

Compact mirrors are super important to keep with you at all times. I've probably got 10 or so that I rotate through depending on my mood. Unfortunately, most of the prettiest ones are amazingly pricey.

Luckily, Sephora's Moroccan Sunrise Compact Mirror is only $9! It looks like something you might pick up at an antique shop, or while traveling around Europe.

And it's quite handy while applying lipstick.

Pretty In Pearls

First of all, a great pearl necklace will never go out of style. It's a great idea to invest in a good quality pearl necklace and pearl stud earrings because, chances are, you will need them at some point in your life.

Still though, pearls can be fun. They're got a bad rep for being boring and basic (although I consider them classic and timeless). Pearls now come in a variety of colors, with added embellishments, and of varying lengths.

Vera Wang has an amazing collection for Kohl's. The line includes clothing, accessories, handbags...basically everything you could possibly want. I found this beautiful Simply Vera Vera Wang Jet-Tone Pearl Necklace and immediately fell in love with it. The color is just different enough to stand out, and the bow detail adds both glamour and femininity.

Currently, this fab necklace is on sale for $21.60.

Makeup Tutorial: Simple Night Out

I've basically got my "night out" makeup down to a science. I'll usually change up the colors and such, but the basic rules still apply and most work for everyone. So, here's how I do it:



The first thing I do is apply concealer. It makes me look a tiny bit more decent and helps the rest of my makeup stay in place. I do not normally use foundation, as I love my freckles and it tends to look cakey on me. I basically apply concealer to my eyelids, under eye area, and any red spots I may notice.



Next, I apply a shimmery light eyeshadow all over the eyelid. This works as a base for other shadows, highlights my brow area, and simply just brightens up my eyes.



After that, I apply a medium brown shadow from my lash line to the crease, blending upward towards my brow line (try to avoid actually applying this shade to the brow line--the result is looking like you've got bushy eyebrows).



After that, I take a dark brown shade and apply to the outer corner of the eyelid. This makes you look more awake and gives your eyes a cat-like look. Make sure to blend well.



Next, I apply eye liner. Personally, I prefer liquid liner. This is only to be applied to the outer 3/4 of the lash line (or less). Start on the inner side of the lid and work your way out, thickening the line as you go. It's tricky to apply, but I've found that pulling on the outer corner of my eye allows me to draw a straighter line. Once that is completed, you might notice that the line is a little jagged or too sharp. To fix this, I'll usually go over it with a pencil liner to blend. The same pencil liner can be applied to your lower lash line (again, only on the outer 3/4).



To further awaken my eyes, I'll usually apply a bit of the lightest eye shadow I used (under the brow bone) to the inner corners of my lids. The shimmer brightens the whole eye area and has a bit of a "pretend eye lift" effect. It is very important to blend the shimmer. Once applied to the inner corners, blend upwards towards the darker shadows. The result should be seamless.

Next, curl the eyelashes. I'm a fan of the new heated eyelash curlers--they really make the curl stay! Immediatley after curling, apply your fave mascara. Waterproof versions are great because they help hold the curl in your lashes.



Blush is next! Take a big fluffy brush, sweep it over your blush, tap off the excess, and apply to the apples of your cheeks. Follow that by blending upwards towards your temples.



Finally, apply lipstick or gloss. I usually like to choose a shade that looks almost like my own lip color--only better. With a bit of pop.

And that's it! This usually takes me about 5-10 minutes and is simple enough for everyone to do.

Quick side note: I do most of the eye application simply with my fingertips. I've tried tons of eye shadow brushes and have yet to find a better tool.

This is a great look for going out because it looks natural enough to avoid looking like a hooker, yet shimmery and flawless enough to attract attention. Enjoy!

Stylish Suede Shoes

In my opinion, you can wear peep-toe shoes regardless of the season. I'm aware that many style gurus claim that peep-toed pumps simply do not work once the weather drops below 60 degrees and that visible tights are a no-no. I really disagree with this. Opaque black tights (yes, they are actually still in style!) look adorable peeking out of an open-toed pump.

All of that said, Payless has really been a godsend to me. They've got the most stylish shoes for a gal with very little money. Such as myself. For about $25, you can pick up a pair of these gorgeous Koture Ruffle Peep-Toe shoes by Fioni.

The pumps have a suede upper and about a 4-inch heel. I think that they're super cute and look much more expensive than they really are.

The heels come in black for those who like to play it safe, but this muted purple tone is a great color that adds to your wardrobe without stealing the spotlight!

Natural Shine, Gorgeous Lips

Sometimes lip gloss and lipstick can be a bit much. If you're an outdoorsy-type, it can be aggravating to keep pulling out a compact mirror and applying various lip colors.

This is why ChapStick has answered all prayers and created True Shimmer lip balm. It's perfect for any occasion and can easily be applied sans mirror.

The Botanical Berry shade has actually been out for a while, but only recently has it gained respect in the beauty world. With just the right amount of shimmer and a tiny bit of tint, it's a great product to keep with you at all times. It's also flattering for every single skin tone in the world. I promise.

An added bonus? You can pick up one of these bad boys for a mere $2.49!

Beauty Boo-Boo: White Mascara

As I was recently surfing the web for new beauty trends, I stumbled upon countless blogs and articles about white mascara. Apparently, multiple designers have been going with this look on the runway and now various gals are trying it for themselves.

The result is hideous. White mascara simply makes you look sick. No matter how white the whites of your eyes are, white mascara will always be lighter and brighter. This immediately gives your eyes a tired, bloodshot look. Fine for Halloween perhaps, but for heaven's sake don't try this for real life.

Brave ladies, you can purchase white mascara at most goth shops, or try Vincent Longo's Vibrant Eye mascara in Bianco.

Perfect Purple Polish

My latest obsession? Zoya's new nail polish in Zara. The color is a metallic violet with a gold foil finish. This is a color that is seasonless and definitely eye-catching.

Something about the shade just grabs my attention and makes me look twice. I'd love wearing this on my toenails for an unexpected pop of color.

Despite the latest matte polish fad, shimmery shades are always in style. They ultimately make nails look healthier and simply gorgeous.

You can grab this shade for $6--quite a deal for a great quality nail polish in a very unique color.

What's In My Bag: August 09

Just for fun, I've decided to do a monthly "What's In My Bag" posting (makeup-wise, obviously). Basically, I have multiple train cases FULL of makeup. It's pretty ridiculous, I know. Because of this, to save time, I usually go through all my makeup once a month ish and pull out a few recent faves to keep in my actual makeup bag. Sometimes I get ambitious, or remember something that would work really well with a specific outfit, and I'll go through it again. It really all depends.

ANYWAY, here's what's been in my bag for August:

• Essence of Beauty blush brush: this thing works amazingly well and you can grab one at CVS for fairly cheap.
• L'oreal True Match Super Blendable Concealer in fair/light
  
• CoverGirl Clean Makeup in Natural Ivory: despite its cheapness, CoverGirl is really the only brand that carries foundation light enough for me. Only worn if I really need a ton of coverage though, otherwise I stick with concealer only.
• Almay Pure Blends Translucent Shimmer loose powder: enough sparkle to tickle my fancy and it sets all my makeup perfectly (I actually use this last).
• VS Very Sexy Blush in Runway: it's a great shade. actually two shades, one blush and one highlighter; plus it isn't very dark so it works even on my pale skin.
• Milani Glimmer Stripes in Berry Glimmer: just an additional highlighter--sometimes used in lieu of blush.
• Estee Lauder Silky Powder Blush in Pink Kiss: pricey, but great for times when I want a "real" blush.
• Pixi Eye Beauty Kit in Mirage: great palette of eyeshadow. The colors are purple-based, which bring out my green eyes.
• L'oreal HIP Metallic Shadow Duo in Sculpted: flattering purple-y burgundy shades (again, for my green eyes).
• Milani Runway Eyes in Beach Sand: the best shimmery light highlighter/base eyeshadow.
• The Body Shop Eye Colour in Peacock Green: it's great for when I feel like standing out. Really only for the brave gals out there ;).
• Prestige Liquid Eyeliner in Black/Brown: a long-lasting eyeliner in a perfect shade.
• CoverGirl Perfect Point Plus Eye Pencil in Espresso: probably the darkest brown eyeliner out there--black is too harsh for my fair skin for daytime.
  
• Korres Soft Eyeliner Pencil in Black: super blendable liner. Love it!
• L'oreal HIP Color Rich Cream Crayon in Black: great for a smokey eye for night.
• Beauty Rush Mascara in Violight: the purple shade is subtle enough for daytime, and really makes my eyes pop.
• New York Color Lengthening Mascara in Jet Black: this is great because it is natural-looking, yet really adds length and definition to the lashes. Not to mention, it's crazily cheap.
• Pixi Water Blush in Rose Stain: I don't use this as blush--it's too tricky to blend. BUT, it's a perfect lip stain. You can deepen the color by adding more layers, or keep it sheer with a single wash of the stuff.

So, there you have it. I realize that it sounds like a lot of items, but clearly I don't use everything daily. They're my beauty staples...for now.

Drugstore Beauty Queen: Lipgloss Savings

As I've ranted about before, department store makeup can be a tid bit pricey. Most products can be found in drugstores with very similar packaging and formulas. This is true with Estee Lauder's new Pure Color Multi-Gloss and Milani's Lip Mixer. Both glosses create a "three in one" shimmer effect and look absolutely gorgeous on.

The difference? Estee Lauder's gloss retails at $18 whereas Milani's is under $6.

As far as I can tell, the quality is the same and both glosses come in cute packaging. Milani actually offers more color choices.

Lesson for all: do a little investigating before shelling out $20 on the latest makeup. You just might find that you're being ripped off.

Office Ornament: Totally Totable Organizer

OMFG! Knock Knock has come out with this adorable File Totable. I must say that I find it not only amazingly cute, but also quite functional.

The file folder is an accordion-style folder, perfect for toting around papers without the crumpled mess that often ensues when lots of paper is involved. At least in my case.

Plus it's cute. And on sale for $10.50! Who says work accessories have to be boring?

Everything You'd Ever Want...Delivered

Delivery.com is amazing. The site works as a one-step website for all of your delivery needs, not just food (though, you can order from hundreds of takeout businesses). You can actually order from various drugstores, liquor stores, and other fun spots in your area.

Fun fact: you can order champagne, condoms, and strawberries in five minutes.

Pretty exciting, no?

Hideous Home Happenings: Boob Pillows...?

Oh Etsy...everytime I go one that site, I find something more disgusting than the time before.

Today's visit, lead me to these Large Breast Pillows. You read correctly. Someone actually hand sews these knocker pillows for the price of $32.99 (and $8 shipping and handling). You can even customize the set depending on nipple size, skin color, and fullness.

The seamstress even delights in the fact that each pillow is made of soft flannel. Quite comfy, I'm sure.


Thoughts?

ULTA Sale!

Ulta is pretty amazing. I actually only found out about the store a year or so ago and since then, I've been hooked. It's basically a one-stop makeup shop (look, I can rhyme!) that retails both upscale and drugstore brands.

They also have tons of deals going on constantly.

Currently, you can get this lovely Ulta brand Glam & Go! 52 Piece Blockbuster (a $150 value) for $11.49. Simply enter the promo code 24190 for the deal.

This particular set contains:

29 eyeshadows

12 lip colors

4 cheek colors

2 full-size lipsticks

bronzer

translucent powder

eye liner

lip liner

applicators, mirror & travel case in black or pink.

Sets like this are great for experimenting different color combos, or just for traveling. Not a bad deal, eh?