THE EYE SHADOW PALETTE TAG

Today I am excited to bring you a fun collaboration post with my girl Serein of

Dress Yourself Happy

. Serien and I were both contestants in the Allure blogger awards, and now that the craziness of the competition is winding down, we wanted to share a fun post with you all about our favorite (and not-so-favorite) eye shadow palettes.

Connet with Serein on

Instagram

//

Twitter

If you follow any youtube vloggers, you'll often see them creating videos that answer a series of questions, then they TAG another youtuber to create their own video to answer the questions as well... It's like this generations' version of a chain letter- and it's really fun! The eye shadow palette TAG is currently floating around the beauty world, so today I'm answering the questions here on my blog, and you can check out Serein's palette TAG video

here

.

Best Packaging:

Marc Jacobs Eye Con No.7

 I've raved about the MJ packaging before, it's just simply stunning and so high quality. The details are perfection and you feel like you've got a classic piece of makeup jewelry that could be passed down because it will last that long.

Best Color Payoff:

Too Faced Pretty Rebel

 Too Faced shadows are very pigmented, and this palette has been my favorite one I've purchased from the brand. The hot pink is surprisingly wearable, and the midnight blue is my smokey eye go-to color every time. For a more subtle look I love to combine to two peachy colors- but even those are packed with color. Bam!

Most Versatile:

POPS Perfect Palette 

 POPS is a much smaller brand than the others I've listed- in fact it was developed in my home town! But the mineral pigments are my favorite because they can transition into a loose powder shadow or blush, a wet finish (for eyeliner), even a lipstick by adding your favorite gloss to the color. Completely versatile and totally unique!

Best For Travel:

Wet n' Wild Color Icon

 I love the Color Icon shadows anyway- but beyond their amazing consistency and blend-ability, the price on these is too good to be true. Heaven forbid your makeup were to get lost or stolen on a trip, but if it did replacing these palettes would be a snap.

Biggest Regret:

Dior 5 Color Shadow

 Oh, this one is sad...so sad. I've decided that Dior lip products are amazing and never let me down- but this eye shadow was really disappointing to me, and it costs a pretty penny. I'll stick to the lips and ditch the eyes when it comes to Dior.

Best Color Names:

TheBalm Nude'Tude

 This was too easy to pick- TheBalm products all have hilarious names and images with every product. Seriously, I smirk every time I pick one of these guys up. But their products are not only funny, they are awesome to say the least! The Nude'Tude palette speaks my language with sassy shadow names like, 'Stubborn' 'Stand-Offish' and 'Snobby'.

Least Used:

Sephora Academy Blockbuster

 This gargantuan palette was given to me as a gift- and while the thought was lovely (and the shadows are B- quality) the size of the thing is ridiculous and I simply never use it. The case is like a Rubiks cube of drawers and compartments, and I just don't ever think of it until I am cleaning out my collection, and then yep- there it is.

Most Used/ Desert Island Must Have:

Tarte Amazonian Clay Shadow Palette

 Ok, are you sick of me loving on Tarte makeup yet? Sorry. It's just so good- and I haven't been let down ever. This QVC exclusive palette is so pretty, the pigment is soft yet vibrant- and the shimmery shades are just right without looking too disco. I feel like the colors are everyday wearable, and get equal amount of use. To sum up- I use this palette 70% off the time. Yay!

Hope one of these palettes finds its' way into your makeup routine! Thanks for stopping by today, xo And don't forget to

jump over to Serein's TAG video here

, she has some amazing picks!

!function(d,s,id){var e, p = /^http:/.test(d.location) ? 'http' : 'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)) {e = d.createElement(s);e.id = id;e.src = p + '://' + 'd27mzdfpkg2pgg.cloudfront.net' + '/js/shopthepost.js';d.body.appendChild(e);}if(typeof window.__stp === 'object') if(d.readyState === 'complete') {window.__stp.init();}}(document, 'script', 'shopthepost-script');

Turn on your JavaScript to view content

WAHOO! IT'S THE FINAL WEEK OF THE ALLURE BEAUTY BLOGGER CONTEST

I am so beyond thrilled to have made it to the finals of the

Allure Magazine Beauty Blogger Awards

! To be honest I was very surprised to make the top 4, because I have been near the bottom of the pack in rankings each week. But luckily I made a jump in the last round and secured my spot in the finals! What a roller-coaster, I tell you!

In this final challenge, we picked a past Allure cover image, and recreated the look on ourselves. It was so much fun and I love how my

January Jones

look turned out! To see my transformation be sure you

check out my entry here

(along with the other 3 finalists and their amazing covers too!) And don't forget to VOTE once per day until closing at 12pm EST in Friday. The winner is announced on May 20th!

Thank you all for your amazing support! xo

HOW TO: BROW POWDER 101

Today I am super excited to bring you

How-To Video

all about one of my favorite subjects: BROWS! In the last year I have really jumped on the bold-brow-bandwagon, and have loved the way it has changed my look. I have a young looking face (or so I've been told by about 900 people who mistake me for a teenager, ugh!) but I think the bold brow with more defined edges gives me a more mature look. I also love how polished you become when your brows are filled in and shaped up, even without another drop of makeup on- you can still look put together.

I've had lots of questions about my brow products and how to apply them- so rather than just telling you, I thought I'd show you in the

video

below. I've tried lots of products- but my top pick is actually a brow powder, not a pencil. Check it out and be sure you

subscribe to my youtube channel,

so you can get the latest videos.

Products from the video:

Smashbox Angled Brow Brush

Chella Highlighter Pencil

(comes in three shades, mine is Ivory Lace)

NYX Highlighter Pencil

(double sided with a universal taupe pencil)

NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder

(multi colors, mine is Dark Brown/Brown)

Do you have any favorite brow products that I need to try? Let me know in the comments below, and thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend

!function(d,s,id){var e, p = /^http:/.test(d.location) ? 'http' : 'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)) {e = d.createElement(s);e.id = id;e.src = p + '://' + 'd27mzdfpkg2pgg.cloudfront.net' + '/js/shopthepost.js';d.body.appendChild(e);}if(typeof window.__stp === 'object') if(d.readyState === 'complete') {window.__stp.init();}}(document, 'script', 'shopthepost-script');

Turn on your JavaScript to view content

A NEW BREED OF EYELASH CURLER

This little gizmo has been plaguing my conscience for almost 2 years. I have been a fan of the

original Shu Uemura eyelash curler

for many years, but I got wind that they were working on a new version that would be unlike any other curler I'd ever seen. There was a single image floating around the internet, but absolutely no information about it, or when it would be available. That was 2 years ago!

Finally, the

S-Curler

is born and available to purchase! In my excitement I clicked 'buy now' without reading a single comment, review, or even the description by Shu Uemura themselves. I didn't care- I just knew it had to be mine.

So when the box finally arrived at my doorstep- I was a

little

 lot shocked to unwrap the packaging and discover that the

S-Curler is TINY!

Like Barbie sized. Ok not quite that small, but you get the idea.

Next time, I'll read the description. Anywho- I got to work right away experimenting with this new fangled device. And I'll be the first to say- there is a big learning curve with this thing. After all, the lash curler has remained unchanged since forever, so learning how to hold, angle and squeeze something new takes practice. By day 4 I felt pretty confident, and found the right angle and eye position for myself- so if you do try it, give yourself some time to get used to it.

Here is what I've learned. It works! The smaller design means you have to use it on 2-3 spots along the lashes, but it also means more control and the ability to flair the lashes towards different angles. The open design with no side-walls is also great for those ladies who have deep set eyes and often deal with 'pinching' issues while using traditional curlers. And lastly, the flat large pressing surface at the top of the curler allows for you to get very tight to the lash line- which will be a godsend for those ladies with short/straight lashes, that sometimes aren't even long enough to make it into other curlers.

So, if you are looking for any of those things above, the

S-curler

is an awesome find. My only negative on this one are the finger holds. I find them to be too small for my liking (and I have small hands) and I also think they kind of hurt your fingers when you apply pressure. But I can live with it because I love the results of the curl.

What do you think, would you give this gizmo a try? Let me know! xo

!function(d,s,id){var e, p = /^http:/.test(d.location) ? 'http' : 'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)) {e = d.createElement(s);e.id = id;e.src = p + '://' + 'd27mzdfpkg2pgg.cloudfront.net' + '/js/shopthepost.js';d.body.appendChild(e);}if(typeof window.__stp === 'object') if(d.readyState === 'complete') {window.__stp.init();}}(document, 'script', 'shopthepost-script');

Turn on your JavaScript to view content

NOW TRENDING: COBALT BLUE EYE LINER

*This story was originally seen on

FabFitFun.com

Red carpets everywhere have been taken over with blue — blue eyeliner, that is! Style setters like Taylor Swift and January Jones have both worn the look lately, and I can’t help but love the glamorous results. Cobalt is a great alternative to black liner and is perfect when paired with a coordinating blue shade in your ensemble. Taylor opted for a smudged smokey eye, while January went with a bold edgy cat eye. Here is how you can get the look:

For the smokey eye, opt for a pencil or kohl formula in a deep navy or darker shade of cobalt. Trace the upper lash line with a thick line of the color, then sweep a thinner line on the bottom lashes from the outer corner to just past your pupil. Keep the inner corner free from the blue color to avoid any color melting that could make you look sallow. Next take a flat and compact shadow brush and blend out the line using small back-and-forth strokes on both lash lines to create a softer smokey look like T. Swift’s.

Blue Liner

Sapphire

 |  

Pink Lips

Back to the Fuchsia 

To get a sharp cat eye like miss January Jones’, work with a bright blue liquid liner that has a flexible felt tip for precision. With your eye relaxed and just slightly open, trace the flick portion of the cat eye starting at the outermost corner of the eye and then angling up towards the edge of your brow. The longer you make this flick, the more dramatic the overall look will be. Next, trace from the midpoint of the flick back down to the center of the eye running parallel to the lash line. Finally, use the lightest pressure and place the liner tip on the inner corner of the lash line then apply slightly more pressure as you draw back and connect with your previous line in the center of the eye.

What do you guys think of Cobalt Eyes? Too 80's, or just right-for

right now

? I have really loved to see colored liners making a comeback, for more inspo you can revisit my Jewel 

Toned Liners post

here

. 

Hope your week is treating you well! xo

!function(d,s,id){var e, p = /^http:/.test(d.location) ? 'http' : 'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)) {e = d.createElement(s);e.id = id;e.src = p + '://' + 'd27mzdfpkg2pgg.cloudfront.net' + '/js/shopthepost.js';d.body.appendChild(e);}if(typeof window.__stp === 'object') if(d.readyState === 'complete') {window.__stp.init();}}(document, 'script', 'shopthepost-script');

Turn on your JavaScript to view content

MY SPRING LOOK REVEAL! DUN, DUN, DUN...

If you follow me on

instagram

, you got a sneak peek of this look last night... but the real exciting part is HOW this look came to be. I mentioned a few weeks back that I was itching for a hair change, and sure enough the bug finally bit me!

What you may not know (or maybe you do?) is that I cut and color my own hair

. Why? Because I'm too dang busy to sit down at the salon- that's why! Ha, no really- it is just a matter of prioritizing my time, and I choose to support my staff and business while I am at the salon rather than get my own locks done. Although, I totally miss the me-time and have my hair shampooed by someone else!

To see how I made the switch you'll have to head over to this weeks

Allure Magazine Beauty Challenge

and watch the fun video. And don't forget to vote while your there- and everyday this week to keep me in the race. (to be honest, I am just barely scraping by each week, so I need extra votes and social shares. Add the hashtag #teambeautysnoop so I can find you and give you big virtual hugs for your help!)

What look are you going to try this Spring! Let me know in the comments below, and if you need some suggestions send me an email with a pic and I'll help you find the right look.

MATCHING CHEEKS & LIPS TO LUST AFTER: HOW 'BOUT THEM APPLES PALETTE

Lately I have been loving the look of matching lip and cheek color! I just feel girlier sporting this look

for some reason...? It sounds a little silly when I say it out loud, but ha! oh well, it's the truth!

When the weather starts to warm up I opt to switch my blush to a creme formula so that I get a slightly dewey finish that says, 'I do declare...I'm just a little flush from this heat!' [swooning and fanning happens here]

And while there are some other products out there that claim to be for both CHEEKS & LIPS, I always find that the formula is better suited for just

one

area, and doesn't perform equally on both parts of the face. That always leaves me a little disappointed.

Then this happened:

The Balm- How 'Bout Them Apples Cheek & Lip Palette

I don't know how, but the formula is perfect for both CHEEKS & LIPS! Finally, someone figured it out. The blush consistency is really pigmented, spreads nicely and stays on all day. I apply it with a

stipple brush

so I am not too heavy handed, especially on the more pigmented tones like 'cobbler' and 'pie'.

Then using my finger, I apply the same tone to the lips and it goes on creamy and smooth in a satin/matte finish. It stains the lips fairly well, so you may need a touch up after a few hours, but I find that adding a gloss later in the day brings the original pigment back to life.

It is seriously so good! I love the variety in the 6 colors too- you get the palest of peaches all the way to a cherry red & a warm carmel. I've had them on rotation since I got this palette, and I see no end in sight! (the muscular cowboys that accompany each color aren't bad to look at either ;)

Which color is the apple of your eye?

Don't forget to

VOTE

this week once a day for the Allure Beauty Blogger Awards- I need all the help I can get!

Love to your glowing faces-

THE MAGIC OF CC CREAMS // WITH STUDIO5 TV

Hello lovlies! Today I am stopping by Studio5 to dish on all things CC Cream. If you've wondered what all the buzz is about, or what the differences are between a CC and a BB cream- then be sure you check out the

Video

 below, and my top picks for products as well.

Wearing:

Lace Sleeve Top

c/o Oasap

CC creams are similar to BB Creams (essentially tinted moisturizers) but they pack more pigment

and are designed to neutralize redness in the skin

. CC stands for 'color correcting' and the tones in a CC are often pigmented with a yellow or green base to combat the pinkness in your face. In all honesty, I believe that the use of the double letters is just a good marketing gimmick. Tinted moisturizers have been around for years- but it wasn't until all of this alphabet non-sense that they became spotlight products. The benefit of course, is that when a product is suddenly 'hot', brands throw extra money in to creating better formulas.

They are especially great for someone who wants to even out the tone of their skin but doesn't like full coverage foundation. Remember that most brands only offer 3-5 shades in their CC range, so it's very unlikely that you'll get a perfect match with your own skin tone. And that's ok. Because these formulas are based in a moisturizer, they will be more sheer in coverage and let your skin tone show through slightly.

I like to think of it like a basic math problem:

1(your skin tone) + 2(the CC tone) = 3(a combination of the two tones/ somewhere in the middle)

When buying a CC cream, I always recommend opting for a color that is lighter than your skin tone if you can't find an exact match. As a general rule CC creams tend to be darker than traditional foundations in the same range. And you can always add more color to the face with bronzers or blush- but the opposite is not true. If your base color is too dark, there is nothing you can do to lighten it without looking like Edward Scissorhands.

My top picks:

Physicians Formula CC Cream (two formulas:

20 SPF

and 

30SPF

)

Olay Total Effects CC Cream

(Anti-aging properties)

It Cosmetics CC Cream

(50 SPF and the highest coverage of the three)

Double Sided Brush

(only available with the Tarte Founcealer, but totally worth it!)

Chiseled

 Foundation Brush

(only available with the Tarte Cover Creme Foundation, but again amazing!)

Do you have a favorite CC Cream? Let me know in the comments below so I can check it out. To vote for the Allure Beauty Blogger contest this week, head over

here

. xoxo

ASK THE EXPERT: WHAT DO I DO ABOUT DRY PATCHES ON MY FACE? MY FOUNDATION LOOKS SPLOTCHY!

var search_me = '102_12677'; var scriptElems = document.getElementsByTagName('script'), i=scriptElems.length - 1, curLoc; for (; i; --i) { curLoc = scriptElems[i]; if ('innerText' in curLoc) { if (curLoc.innerText.indexOf(search_me)) break; }else if ('textContent' in curLoc) { if (curLoc.textContent.indexOf(search_me)) break; }} addImpression(102,12677);var clkHndlr = function(event) { addListenersForClickAround(102,12677, curLoc); };addEvent(window, 'load', clkHndlr);

It's our final episode of

Ask the Expert

in my Skin & Makeup Series- at least for now. But we are ending the run with a great topic sent in via

instagram

by reader @btrumbo. She asks, '

What are your best tips for foundation and dry skin. My foundation absorbs into my skin making it look splotchy and flaky, help!

'

Well I've got some great advice and product recommendations in the

video

below. Take a look and find the answer. And remember that you don't have to be extremely dry skinned to benefit from these products... I promise your face will glow no matter what complexion you have. mmmm, this one is a good one!

Wearing: 

Lace Sleeve Blouse

c/o Oasap

Products Mentioned in Video:

Beautisol Citrus Face Scrub

(coupon code: 'BOGO2014' for Buy 1, get 1 free!)

Olie Biologique Rejuvenating Oil

(coupon code: 'olieBB05' for 20% off!)

Dermalogica Hydrating Booster

(coupon code: BOOST' for 15% off!)

Thanks for stopping by today, hope I helped any of you looking for some dry skin tips!

Too vote in the Allure Beauty Blogger contest, click

here

xoxo

*Sample products were requested by The Beauty Snoop and provided by iFabbo and Brandbacker

INSIDER STYLIST SECRETS: ROUND BRUSH SECRET WEAPON

Raise your hand if you love BIG hair!?!

I certainly do. In fact my nickname in high school was 'Texas'- due to my love of BIG, BLONDE Hair. And while I don't rock the platinum blonde hair anymore, I still feel a little more girly and bouncy when I am sporting some major volume in the locks department. (Love to any texan ladies out there!)

At the salon, one of the number one complaints I hear from clients is about their lack of volume. It's a problem for a lot of women. I wrote a post about the perfect recipe for major volume

here

, but you can replace the brush and traditional rollers with these all new bad-boys of blowouts: round brush hot rollers.

What are they? 

Round brushes with detachable handles that give you the ability to keep the brush in place while the hair cools

. I picked these up about 5 months ago and took them for a test spin at the salon. They were fab so I snagged a second set for my own use at home. 

You use the brush just as you would any other round brush while blow drying your hair. The center is made of ceramic plating, so it heats up with the hot air put out by your dryer. After the hair is 70% dried, you can roll the brush down to the scalp with a decent amount of tension- then press the release button to disconnect the handle. Now its a hot roller, waalaa! Blast the rollers with additional heat until dry. Keep the rollers in while you finish your makeup, and once cool, remove the rollers for some 'holy-hannah-that's-big-texas-hair!' 

Most sets like this that I've seen come with 5-6 rollers which is enough for a whole head. I tend to just use a couple on my trouble areas like the crown and bangs. Either way the results last much longer because the cooling stage locks in the lift. You can get true blowout results at home, especially after a little practice. My set is made by

Bioionic

which is a professional line sold at salons, but I found virtually the same type of system by

Click n' Curl

here

in two different barrel sizes. (plus there is a handy video to see it in action!)

Who is coming to Texas with me?

xoxo

THE FOUNDATION I CANNOT STOP BUYING!

Well folks, the love affair continues.

I have found another Tarte product that I cannot stop loving on- and who can blame me? This stuff is magic in my eyes. [Cue the swooning here]

The Colored Clay collection from Tarte is brand new technology that harnesses natural sun baked minerals found in the Amazon jungle. The clay is layered in the earth, and is naturally colored in amazing tones that range from green to purple! Mother nature is just showing off I think. Anyways- the clay is finely milled into a dust and then added to the foundations to give a color-correcting blend of goodness.

A few weeks ago I highlighted the 

Tarte Colored Clay Liquid Foundation

 in this

video

. So I won't go into too much detail here- but this option is a high coverage liquid with a silky texture that's a little more dewey when applied to the face. My only negative about this one, is the container that it comes in. It has a mesh filter in the opening which helps you to pick up only the amount of product you actually need, but once the product is running low- it becomes hard to access the last bits. I just end up cutting the mesh out and scooping with my finger. Classy.

Above is a pic of me in my natural bare face. This is scary, and I hate to post it- but I can't just tell you about my acne at some point I have to show you, right? The middle pic is with foundation only (the Tarte Foundcealer in Light) and I think you can see what a good job it does of neutralizing the redness in my skin and giving me a much healthier looking tone. The final pic on the right is with additional concealer on my scars and zits, as well as contour to visually camouflage the bumps. I also added blush to complete the look.

If you like the idea of a mousse-ier type foundation, then the 

Tarte Colored Clay Foundcealer

 option may be right for you. It comes in a tube and gives a more matte finish that looks more like airbrushed powder when dry. I like this version when my complexion more clear and I don't need as much camouflage.

Both are AMAZING products that I cannot stop buying or loving. So I hope that they find a home in your makeup bag too! You can get them both for a better value on QVC in value packs that include brushes!

The

Allure Beauty Blogger

contest kicks off on Monday- be sure you check out all the fun beauty challenges, and P.S. I would love your vote to keep me in the running!

OMG! HUGE EXCITING NEWS!

Eeek! I am freaking out- if only you could see my ridiculous expression as I type this!

Today

Allure Magazine

announced the finalists in this years

Beauty Blogger of the Year Awards

, and guess what!?!

I am one of them!

Holy amazing-ness, I could not be more thrilled, humbled, and terrified all at the same time.

What are the beauty blogging awards, you ask? Well basically it's like the 'Surviver' of the blogging world

. Each week, for the next five weeks, we will be competing in a series of blogging challenges. The challenges are voted on by you guys, as well as judged by a panel of editors at Allure, and one celebrity guest judge each week.

At the end of each challenge, there will be a winner declared- and one or more bloggers will be eliminated. [sad face.] At the end of the five weeks, one blogger is crowned Beauty Blogger of the Year, and she wins a trip to NYC to be photographed and interviewed for the October issue of the magazine. WOWZA!

I'll need all the help I can get to stay in the race- I am up against some awesome fellow bloggers. Be sure you check them all out too, and vote for your favorites each week at

allure.com/go/blogger-awards

 The fun starts on Monday. 

Hugs and thank you's to you all for helping me get this chance!

NOW TRENDING: TICKLED PINK LIDS

*** This article was first seen on

FabFitFun.com

Looking for a fresh makeup trend to kick off your springtime routine? Take a page from this trending book, and add a fresh pop of pink to your lids. The subtle ballet-slipper pink adds a feminine touch that is perfect to pair with your springtime floral and pastel wardrobe. Celebrities like Cate Blanchett have worn the look on the red carpet, and pink lids were a big trend during fashion month on catwalks all over the world. It’s a look that wears beautifully on all skin tones and is perfect for daytime office beauty as well as glammed-up nighttime styles.

To get the look, sweep a creme shadow all over the lid starting just above the crease line and down into the lashes. Cream shadows are ideal for pale colors because they pack more pigment and will give more color in less layers. Or opt for a powder shadow with a shimmer that will reflect the light and give major attention to the color of your eyes. Looking for just a hint of pink? Replace your white highlight with the pink version, and sweep the hue under the eyebrow and on the inner corners of your eyes for an instant eye-brightening effect.

Complement the look with a matching pale cheek and a few coats of black mascara, and your springtime beauty will be updated, feminine, and on-trend. To get the look, try these products

:

1. 

Clinique Chubby Stick in Pink & Plenty

2. 

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow in Ballet Pink

3. 

Make Up For Ever Diamond Shadow in Diamond Pink

4. 

Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadow in Pomegranate Pink

 (In love with every shade of these!)

5. 

L’Oréal Infallible Eyeshadow in Glistening Garnet 

Ok lovlies, it's time to tell me what you think of this trend? Is it one that you'll be trying this Spring- or are you not a fan of the baby pink tone? Tell me in the comments below, and don't forget to come follow along for more fun on

instagram

.

ASK THE EXPERT:HOW DO I FADE DARK SPOTS QUICKLY?

Oooh Wee! This subject is a doo-zie (is that how that's spelled?) Today in my

Ask The Expert

video I am continuing my Makeup & Skincare series and answering another reader question that came through

instagram

. @JessieMariko wants to know how to lighten dark spots and scars quickly.

While

there is no magic cure for lightening up pigmentation on the face

, we can certainly help speed up the process with the use of some good products. Check out the

video

below for my recommendations, and a look at a LIFE CHANGING beauty secret that I use every. single. day.

Products Mentioned:

• DermaBlend Cover Creme

• Paula's Choice Dark Spot Eraser

• Paula's Choice Weekly Resurfacing Treatment

• Murad Rapid Age Spot Lightening Serum

I hope that you aren't suffering from dark spots, but if you or somebody you know is, you can shop my recommended solutions below and I wish you tons of luck with your treatment. Thank you as always for watching and reading- you guys rock my world! If you have your own beauty question, please leave a comment below or send me an email and I will read every single one! Thanks

ACCESSORY CRUSH: THE TURBAND (AND SOME FUN WAYS TO WEAR IT)

Bad hair day? Yeah, me too.

Seriously guys, lately my hair has been giving me grief. I think it's a sign that I need to make a change soon. So while I mull over what the future of my hair is going to look like, I have been covering up my bad hair days with my favorite new accessory; the turband.

A turband is a scarf-like headband that has a bendable wire core running down the length of it. The wire gives you the option to shape the turband for a perfect non-slip, non-squeeze shape- and the option to style the ends into numerous fun designs.

Above you'll find a few ways that I like to style my turbands- but I am sure you can come up with your own unique ways too. That's part of the fun!

Have you worn a turband yet? If you have let me know which ways you like to style yours, I am always looking for more stylish ways to wear mine!

Below you can also shop of few of my favs too- perfect for warmer weather and EASY hair days.

See you soon, xo

P.S. It's April!?! How the crap did that happen?

DOUBLE SIDED MAKEUP BRUSHES THAT RULE THE WORLD

When it comes to makeup application, there is a HUGE deciding factor in the results you'll get: the tools. I think 50% of a good makeup application, comes from the brushes that were used to put on the products, and 50% comes from the actual products themselves. Surprising? Maybe. Especially if you've never paid much attention to the tools you use- but if you have discovered the difference between good and GREAT, then you'll know exactly what I am talking about.

Good brushes are soft at the beginning, then stiffen rapidly over time. Good brushes keep their bristles in tact until their first washing when many bristles come loose and end up sticking to your face. Good brushes wash out, but the makeup never seems to completely leave the bristles.

GREAT brushes walk all over the facts from above- and they last months and years longer because of it. Not to mention the application they give is more precise, and more consistent every time. Yes, they cost more too- but it's worth it... promise.

What's even better than GREAT makeup brushes? Duel sided GREAT makeup brushes, that's what!

Above in the pic are my top picks for quality duel sided brushes- they are the VIP list when everything else is general admission. Get what I'm saying?

It Cosmetics Duel Sided Foundation Brush

- This guy is the Macgyver of foundation and concealer brushes. It works for any type of foundation: cream, liquid or powder. And the compactness of the bristles is a perfect blend of either high coverage application or light weight. The smaller end is perfect for concealer work under the eyes or around the nose. It washes beautifully and bristle shedding is very minimal.

Bare Essentials Double Ended Precision Brush

- This brush will be your new best friend because it eliminates the need for about 10 other shadow brushes. The larger side is soft yet compact and great for applying your lid colors and blending out pigments. The smaller side is for your detail work across the lash line, in the crease, and under the brow. It can be used wet or dry and gives you the control of a liner brush, but the flexibility of a contour brush. Genius!

Tarte Cosmetics Two Sided Contour Brush

- Move over blush-brush... the new kid in town is all about highlight and contour, and this brush is the perfect pairing of both. Tarte has become a new favorite of mine, and their brushes are no exception. On one end you get a chiseled domed brush that's ideal for contouring under the cheekbones and down the sides of the nose for a major slimming effect. The other side hosts a looser angle brush that is made for blending, softening and applying your highlighters to the prominent areas of the face.

Aren't these double-sided work horses just uh-mazing!?! I think you'll be smitten with them as well. Thanks for stopping by today- here's hoping it's a beautiful week.

ASK THE EXPERT: WHAT IS THE BEST UNDER EYE CONCEALER?

Today I am excited to be answering another reader question in my

Makeup & Skincare Series

. The question came in from

instagram

, where @kmortensen6 asked. 'What is the best (reasonably priced) under eye concealer?'

I have two favorites to share with you in the

video

below:

PRODUCTS:

Maybelline Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser

Josie Maran Argan Oil Creamy Concealer

WEARING:

Oasap Polkadot Blouse

 c/o (on sale!)

Thanks for reading- I appreciate you all so much! If you have a question for me, please leave it in the comments below and you may just get a video answer too. xoxo

STYLEWISE: THE LUPITA & THE RETURN OF THE HEADBAND

This years' Oscar red carpet was filled with 'hits' and not too many 'misses'- which is always a treat for celeb-loving people like myself. I honestly love the fashion and beauty in the pre-show much better than the actual award show itself, and I don't think I am alone. 

This year during the red carpet there was one women on everybody's minds: Lupita! She stole the show with her stunning blue plunge-neck ball gown, and her elegant use of a HEADBAND. Wha!?! Headband you say? My instagram feed was blowing up with pics of her simple jeweled band, which paired beautifully with her cropped haircut- which I didn't know was even possible! Since then I have been on the hunt for a version of my own, and now I just need an excuse to get fancy and put it to use.

In the

StyleWise

pic above, I simply placed the stretchy head band around the crown of my head in a halo fashion, with the rhinestones placed about 2 inches behind my hairline. Starting near the temples, I took large 2inch sections of hair and wrapped them from the outside of the band up and over, then under the elastic to form one complete loop around the elastic. Once the tail is wrapped around the elastic and hanging free, incorporate it with the next subsequent 2 inch section, and then wrap them both around once again. Repeat on both sides, until the two tails meet in the back near the nape of your neck. Join them into one final tail and gently tuck it in behind the elastic to form a completed roll. This style is so quick and easy, and it works for shoulder length hair or longer.

You can shop my fav picks for a sparkler-band below. What do you think of Lupita's headband? Let me know in the comments below, and thank you for stopping by today! xoxo

NOW TRENDING: LIQUID GLOW CHEEKS

Clockwise:

Maybelline Master Glaze

  |

Smashbox O-Glow

  |  

NYX Stick Blush

  |  

Tarte Cheek Stain

  |  

Josie Maran Color Stick

[This article was originally seen on

FitFabFun.com

 where I write as a contributing beauty blogger] 

While the weather is still cool, but you're dreaming of warmer months ahead- take a page from these celeb looks, and add some sizzle to your cheeks until the weather catches up. The subtle color and liquid sheen amp up your makeup routine in just the right way, while still pairing perfectly with your neutral winter wardrobe.

To get the look stick with a creamy blush that boasts a hint of shimmer and apply it to the roundest parts of your cheeks. Be sure it's one of the last products you apply so that the sheen isn't matted down by powders or setting sprays. Want to boost the sheen even further? Add a tiny dollop of petroleum jelly to the cheek and work it into the color and back onto the top of the cheekbone ever so slightly. My favorite is the 

Cocoa Butter flavor by Vaseline

, the scent is so yummy and the consistency is perfect for makeup use.

Opt for subtle colors this time of year and leave the brights for Spring and Summer. Fair skinned beauties will look radiant in peach and pale pink tones, while darker complexions look stunning in bronze and rose gold cheeks this winter. 

---

Let's meet up on

Pinterest

shall we!?! 

Be.YOU.tiful link party

3 GREAT THINGS TO DO WITH SALT SPRAY

SachaJuan Ocean Mist

 |  IT Surf Spray (discontinued) Instead

Try Bamboo Ocean Waves

  |  

Pureology Sea Kissed Texturizer

Salt sprays have really found their place amongst the giants of the hair care world, and for good reason. They mimic that 'just-left-the-beach' hair without the sticky and sandy leftovers. And while women with natural curl know the great benefits of salt sprays- there are also a few lesser known uses for the stuff that will leave you wishing you had known sooner.

Add major volume to your blow dry

While the most common use for sea sprays is to scrunch texture into your waves or curls, my favorite way to use salt spray is to spritz it in at the roots prior to my blow dry. The salt formula gives great flexible hold, and unlike gels, they are easily brushed through and never flake. Apply 8-10 sprays to your damp roots then blow dry as normal and use your fingers or a brush to lift and give volume to the crown of the head. *Extra tip for volume- After you've dried the hair completely gather it all onto the top of your head in a high loose bun...secure with a Spin Pin or scrunchy to avoid leaving indents in the hair. The roots will cool in an upward direction, then when you release the bun after 10-15 minutes you'll have great lift from the scalp.

Skip the shower one extra day

You know I love my dry shampoos, but salt sprays also work great to keep roots grease free. Like in the step above, applying the formula to your roots prior to your blow dry not only gives volume, but the salt is also good at soaking up excess moisture in the hair. On day 2-3 of your blowout you can reapply the salt spray to the roots and hit it again with your blowdryer to give the hair a good pick me up and give you one extra day without washing. Scented sea sprays also help deodorize dirty hair.

Create waves you never knew you had

If you have straight or only slightly wavy hair, you can fake it with the help of a salt spray. On dry hair, lightly spritz the lengths with your salt spray (not too much) then use a wide tooth comb to disperse the product evenly. Next take large sections of hair, usually only 2-3 are needed for your whole head, and loosely braid the sections down to the ends. Secure each braid with a hair tie- then break out your blowdryer and apply low warm heat to the braids until the salt spray is dry and the braid is heated through. Wait at least 10 minutes for the braid to cool completely and for the waves to set. Remove the ties and carefully finger through the braids to undo them. Finally scrunch in some hair spray for added hold and you'll look beach worthy in no time.

Just keep in mind that hair that is air dried with salt spray will likely clump into cluster pieces, which is great for natural curl. But to use the spray in the above mentioned techniques you'll need to brush through the hair while applying heat to get a soft clump-free finish.

What is your favorite Salt Spray? Let me know in the comments below and I'll be sure to check it out. My top picks are in the image above, you'll love all of them- just decide which factor is most important to you, then shop accordingly for either most curl/hold, best for volume, or yummiest scent. Thanks for reading, be sure you're signed up for email so you never miss a SNOOP STORY.

!function(d,s,id){var e, p = /^http:/.test(d.location) ? 'http' : 'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)) {e = d.createElement(s);e.id = id;e.src = p + '://' + 'widgets.rewardstyle.com' + '/js/shopthepost.js';d.body.appendChild(e);}if(typeof window.__stp === 'object') if(d.readyState === 'complete') {window.__stp.init();}}(document, 'script', 'shopthepost-script');

JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.