Beauty Storage Secret: The Original Pink Box

The Original Pink Box in use!

If you haven't heard of the Original Pink Box, you're not alone. I had absolutely no idea what it was. When I looked it up, it just reminded me of a smaller version of my Dad's old tool box--and rightfully so, since that's basically what it is.

Little did I know that tons of beauty experts have been using this sturdy box to organize their beauty products for years. How was I not aware of this?! It's one of the best ideas ever!

The box is large enough to hold all your beauty loot (even if you have an embarrassingly large collection of 435784954023 different products like I do), yet it doesn't take up a ton of space.

Plus...it's pink. Need I say more?

The Original Pink Box comes with two deep drawers (complete with matching liners--Oooo, fancy!) and a top section so that you can keep your makeup in separate sections. Extra bonus? It also has a lock! Hey, some products can be pricey, so why not keep them safe?

You can also purchase the box in an array of other bright colors and sizes, but trust me when I say that the Original Pink Box is the way to go. It is a little expensive (around $100), but this is definitely something that'll last a long time.

Happy organizing!

Fashion Faux Pas: WHAT is Going on With This Whole Armpit Hair Thing?!

It started innocently enough. A few hippie chicks ditched their razors and opted to go natural. I honestly have no problem with that--do whatever makes you feel good! What upsets me the most is that women having armpit hair is now a "trend". Yes, just like skinny jeans, the long bob, and countless other normal things.

The model in the picture above is actually quite pretty. That said, I just can't stop looking at her pits! To get a man's point of view, I showed the picture to my fiancé, and he immediately said, "That's gross.", with no prompting.

What's even worse (if you can believe that there is anything worse than growing out strands of armpit hair), is that people are actually dyeing their pit hair bright colors! There are even a bunch of actual tutorials on how to do it! If for some reason I went crazy and decided to stop shaving my armpits, the last thing I'd want to do is draw more attention to them by dyeing them various hues (which are readily available to those who want them).

Don't forget to color coordinate!

I've seen countless articles about how the armpit hair trend is "a huge step for women". I'm all for women's rights, but this is ridiculous. If you want to grow it out simply for yourself, great. If you're trying to make a fashion statement, you're an idiot.

That is all.

10 Ways We're Ruining Our Hair Without Even Knowing it

When I was younger, I absolutely hated my hair. It was, and I know I've written this before, a pile of wavy, frizz grossness. I didn't know about products for curly-haired girls, and chances are most of them didn't even exist back then. So, I resorted to flat ironing my hair on a regular basis, coloring the heck out of it, and just being all-around mean to my hair.

Now, I've finally learned to embrace my curls (with a ton of styling products thrown in), and only flat iron it a few times a month. But even I still make mistakes.

Here are the top damaging hair mistakes that most of us don't even realize we're making:

1. Not Cleaning Beauty Tools
Dirty utensils--brushes, combs, straighteners, curling irons--recycle grime into fresh, clean hair, which can irritate your scalp and clog pores on your head. and for the love of god, please get rid of those things when they pass their expiration dates (yes, those exist).

2. Spending Too Much Time in the Sun
I always forget this one. You need to apply SPF something-or-other all over every inch of your body and that includes your hair. Certain sprays and leave-in conditioners are loaded with secret sunscreen, so keep an eye out for those on labels.

3. Drying Hair with a Towel
Another one I still have a hard time avoiding... It's a huge no-no for those with big waves or curls to use a towel to dry your hair. Why? Those types of hair are naturally drier than other hair types. The rough fabrics will agitate the cuticles in your hair, causing unnecessary friction (and frizz). Instead, opt for a microfiber towel or cotton T-shirt.

4. Forcing Knots to Come Out
Ditch the skinny little comb--paddle brushes are where it's at. If you're trying to untangle a knot with a comb, there's no flexibility to the tool, which is a real pain for your hair to deal with and it causes breakage. Paddle brushes have a special cushion so that you can gently work to unravel your hair.

5. Eating Poorly
Okay, I'm not exactly great at when it comes to healthy eating (ex: my many McDonald's trips each month), but it's gotta be said: you really are what you put inside your body. Water and vitamins A, C, and E are are vital for your hair to maintain its glossy texture.

6. Pulling Back Sunglasses
You know when you step indoors and pull your shades over your head because, well, you're not outside? Yeah, you're totally killing your follicles. Not only does that pressure from your glasses stress out the hair, but you also risk plucking strands when you step back into sunlight and pull the glasses over your eyes again. Just avoid it.

7. Overwashing
Though it depends on the hair type, chances are you do not need to wash your hair everyday. I wash mine a couple times a week. Plus, you can even train your hair to go along with this--yes, the first couple weeks suck, but in the long run, your hair will thank you.

8. Dyeing Hair Frequently
Surprise, suprise! Something else I do a bunch, although not in a crazy way. Touching up your roots/highlights every four to six weeks is perfectly normal. If you're going every two weeks, just...no. Hair dye chemicals make your head more delicate and fragile to work with.

9. Going Overboard with Dry Shampoo
Yes, dry shampoo has gotten me out of quite a few jams, especially when I feel like crap and need to be somewhere quickly, but don't want to spend the hour it takes to fully wash and style my hair.  That said, too much of the good stuff can leave your hair dull and can even block your scalp's pores, which can cause pimples or cysts.

10. Wearing Tight Hairstyles
I used to wear my ponytails and buns a bit too tightly, just to keep it in place. But even I notices the severe breakage it was causing! I mean, this about it--styles like that are literally pulling the life out of your follicles.

Now go forth and treat your gorgeous hair with some dignity!

Finally! Shimmer Has Become EXTREME!

Oh lordy. If you even vaguely know me, then you know I'm obsessed with anything containing glitter or shimmer. I even make my own glitter lotion with obscene amounts of loose glitter so I can wear a ton of glitter all over my bod constantly. Honestly? I'd live in glitter, if it was socially acceptable.

So when I saw Physicians Formula had come out with an Extreme Shimmer eye collection, I pretty much has a seizure of delight.

I have to admit, the packaging was what caught my eye first.  I was literally at a drugstore with my fiancé, ran off because I saw something shiny (I know, I know...) in the makeup department, and it was love at first sight.

I've always been a Physicians Formula girl--their products are amazing and though they're on the pricier end of drugstore makeup, they're also quite a bit cheaper than what you'd find at makeup counters in department stores.  The brand really caters to those of us who want great quality in our makeup, but don't want to spend a ridiculous amount of cash on it.

With the new Extreme Shimmer collection (I absolutely love the idea of shimmer somehow being "extreme"), I decided to try out one of the eyeshadow palettes. I went with the nude palette, rather than the smoky one, simply because warmer colors tend to look better on my skin. That said, chances are I'll be purchasing the other one in the very near future.

Since I knew the shimmer was, in fact, probably going to be extreme, I waited to use it for a night out.  Hey, even a shimmer enthusiast like me doesn't bust out too much glitter during the daytime!

I absolutely loved the shadows. The amount of shimmer was perfect--my eyelids didn't look disco ball ish, but they had a distinct shimmery glow to them. Also, since the colors are on the lighter side, it's hard to overdo it. I layered on about four different shades for depth and it still didn't look like I used a ridiculously crazy amount of makeup.

Each fabulous palette is $11.95. You can find it in most drugstores or purchase it online at the Physicians Formula website.

Get your glitter on, gals!

Oh Yeah?! Well, I Told My Therapist About You!

I love a good, bitchy tee. Emi Jay has oodles of them, but my absolute favorite is their I Told My Therapist About You Tee.

To me, it seems like the perfect insult--and a heck of a comeback! Plus, you don't even need to say it. Simply wear this top around people you hate (or people you want to confuse), and see how it plays out. It's the best passive aggressive article of clothing I think I've ever seen!

A cute tee like this is actually great to have on hand, humorous statement aside. This is one of those great shirts that you can simply toss over your sports bra, or make it a little fancy with some bold accessories. Either way, it's a fun top.

It's also crazily soft, as are all Emi Jay's tees, and the fitting is a little bit loose and lightweight. Perfect for the super hot days we've been having.

The top comes in three colors: black, grey, and white. Personally, I like it white, as I think it has the most versatility, but hey--it's your call! They're all fabulous. Each one retails for $38.

Happy shopping, ladies!

(Oh, and you can totally tell your therapist about this post).

Fashion Faux Pas: The Return of the Snuggie--Beach Style

Just when I thought we were finally done with the whole Snuggie thing, I stumbled upon this: the Beach Snuggie. It's "the beach towel with sleeves!"...I'm sorry, but this is utterly ridiculous.

First of all, the original Snuggie is nothing more than a backwards bathrobe. Seriously--go grab your bathrobe and throw it on backwards. The result is exactly the same.

As for the beach aspect...it just seems horribly stupid. I get that some people want to stay covered while beachin' it up. My practically translucent Scottish skin hates the sun and I've got a sunburn even as I'm writing this. But there are just so many better options out there! Get a cute cover-up dress! Anything but this!  Hell, if you really want a "beach towel with sleeves", for some crazy reason, just get a terry cloth robe!

In general, the Snuggie has always been in my top five most hated products.  But this takes it to a whole new, and terrifying, level.

Honestly, if I see someone at the beach wearing one of these, chances are I'll flip out.

But, if you feel like taking the chance, or if you're a crazy person, you can get the Beach Snuggie at a bunch of department stores, as well as on Overstock.com for $15.

That is all.