PINTEREST AND ME // AN INTERVIEW WITH KSL NEWS

This week I had the great opportunity to be interviewed by a local news station, KSL 5- about Pinterest and how I use it in my business both at the salon and here on the blog.

I am a huge lover [and addict] of Pinterest and consider it a huge part of my success as a blogger. So I was honored to talk about it with some other great women who also use it in their businesses too.

I wanted to share the video with you here in case you were interested in learning more about it. Thank you all so much for reading this blog and supporting me the way you do! xo

MAKE YOUR OWN BATH MELTS JUST IN TIME FOR VALENTINE'S DAY- AN EASY DIY RECIPE

I have always been a 'bath person'. I think you either

are

, or you

aren't

... but this time of year when it's cold outside I find myself using my bath at least three times per week. I just love a good soak, and I know I am not alone, so today I am sharing a few of my most preferred bath products. Plus my

recipe for a DIY bath melt that is perfect for Valentine's Day

. You can get extra details in the video with Studio5 TV,  

plus enter to win my favs over on instagram

(details below) 

Best Bath Bubbles

• Salt of the Earth Bubbling Salts- This product combines the goodness of natural sea salt and the luxury of froth bubbles into one amazing experience. You can customize the scent from more than 50 different options, and every product boasts 72 trace minerals from The Great Salt Lake. (My home town, yo!) I love the 'Strawberry Champagne' flavor.

• Lush Bubble Bar- You've probably tried one of these, but in case you haven't- it's a must do. Crumble a small piece under running water and watch as the bubbles form and the color of your bath turns into a pastel haven. Try the orange and chocolate flavored 'Yuzu & Cocoa' Bubbleroon.

Best Bath Fizz

• Salt of the Earth Bath Fizz- I love the effervescent experience of this product and the way it fills the air with the scent... my fav is the 'Eucalyptus Grapefruit'. Your skin is left silky smooth and moisturized. Win-win!

• Lush Bath Bomb- The one that started it all! Watch and listen as your bomb moves, fizzes and changes colors in the bath water. They are just too fun not to splurge on every now and then. And yes, the 'Sex Bomb' is my top choice! ;)

DIY Bath Melt Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2oz Organic Cocoa Butter [the solid type]

• 1/2oz Almond Oil /or alternative 1oz Organic Shea Butter

• 2-5 Drops Essential Oil per Melt; Lavender, Rose, Orange, Vanilla, Eucalyptus etc.

• Optional Dry Ad-ins; Rose Petals, Chamomile Tea, Dried Orange Zest, Dried Lavender etc.

Process:

• Use a knife and carefully break apart the Cocoa Butter into small chunks, then measure out approx 2oz.

• Add the Cocoa butter to a crockpot (I use a slow cooker liner for easy cleanup) or to a double boiler [A shallow pan with 1 inch of water in the bottom, then a glass bowl inside the water will also work as a makeshift double boiler]

• Next, add your Almond Oil or Shea Butter and heat over medium heat stirring every now and then until the mixture is melted and all of the chucks have disappeared

• Carefully pour the mixture into molds (I recommend silicone baking cups, but cupcake tins work too) keeping the mixture less than 1/2 inch thick

• Drop 2-5 drops off your Essential Oils into each mold, depending on how strong you like the scent to be

• Add your optional Dry Ingredients to each mold

• Allow the molds to cool in the fridge for about 1 hour until they've hardened and become opaque. Then pop the melts out of the molds and store them in a cool dry place until use

Only one melt is needed per bath, and remember they can make the tub slippery so use caution when getting in and out. Yield: about 5 medium sized melts

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you'll take a little time to relax and pamper your self with a nice bath sometime soon. Now for the

GIVEAWAY!!!

I'm giving away these amazing Lush bath products and

Salt of the Earth

is giving away some awesome goodies too. The fun is happening over on

Instagram

- so don't miss it! xo

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THINKING ABOUT EXTENSIONS? CHECK OUT MY WINTER LOOK REVEAL

Heyo! It's time for another episode of

Stylewise

, and this time I'm switching things up in the length department! I wanted to throw in some

tape-in extensions

while the weather was still cool because they act like your own personal space heater for your head, and I want nothing to do with them once the temps outside reach 60 degrees or higher. I also opted to

add a 'Sombre' effect to my extensions

,

aka Subtle-Ombre

if you haven't heard of that made-up word floating around the beauty world...

Take a look at the

video

below to see the process of how I achieved this look!

Tools Mentioned in Video:

Harry Josh Dryer

Nume Flat Iron

(Save 40% with code: WINTERSNOW)

What do you think? Let me know in the comments down below- and tell me if you have any plans for a new look yourself this New Year? xo

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MY JOURNEY WITH ACNE // AN UPDATE AND RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS FOR HORMONAL ACNE

If you've followed my blog for a while, you may have heard me mention

my ongoing battle with acne

in the past. It still part of every day of my life- and I honestly hate sharing it with you because it is a sore spot of embarrassment and raw feelings. Being a 30 year old mother, with the zits of a 14 year old pubescent-boy, is frustrating to say the least!

I wanted to give you a quick update as to my progress (which is significant, yay!) and

hopefully encourage any readers out there that struggle with hormonal adult acne as well

. Here's a little

video

for you, and some of my current product recommendations.

Products Mentioned:

• Sonya Dakar Flash Facial

• Murad Transforming Powder

• Sheseido Ultimune Concentrate

• Image Skincare The Max Stem Cell Serum (spa locator to purchase)

Past Posts Mentioned:

• No-Picking Pledge

• Sheseido Ultimune Review

Thanks so much for reading and good luck with the rest of your Christmas planning this week! xo

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THE SECRET HAIR TOOL YOU'VE GOT TO SEE // 5 MINUTES TO MAJOR VOLUME

About 80% of women that come into my salon are looking for more volume in their hair

. That's a pretty large majority, especially in todays world where the numbers are almost never that straight forward. And I am always looking for more volume in my own hair- in fact I've written about volume on this blog more than any other topic. And while I do have some favorite products for achieving volume on the wet-side of your style, that is only half of the battle. 

Once the hair is dry, you can achieve even more volume with the use of a Volumizing Iron.  

I have used a few other irons designed for volume in the past, but the Voloom iron immediately caught my eye as being different because it uses a waffle iron pattern in the plates to create volume instead of a crimp or wave. I scooped it up ASAP so I could bring you a first look at the Voloom and I captured my first use with the iron on video for you to see down below. Check it out!

I am completely impressed with this bad-boy and can't wait to use it more to find the perfect amount of volume for me. I think it may be easy to go a little too big with this guy, so I would encourage anyone who buys it to reign in their inner 'Dolly' and find a happy medium. The waffle pattern really seems to make a big improvement in the the visual density of your hair and gives an ample cushion to the roots, which provides great volume payoff.

It also maintains the volume for 2-3 days after the initial use, so you get a lot of wear out of those extra 5 minutes in the morning on day one

. Genius!

LAST MINUTE FESTIVE TOUCHES FOR YOUR HOLIDAY PARTIES // WITH STUDIO 5 TV

The final countdown to Christmas is on- but there are still lots of family parties and events scheduled in the next two weeks, plus ample opportunity for photos to capture it all. These

5 easy festive touches are my go-to when it comes time to glam up for a Holiday party

. They are quick & simple, but scream out 'merriment', all while making the party and this time of year, extra special. I stopped by Studio 5 TV to share them, plus you can get more details below.

Wearing- Ali Dress c/o Shabby Apple

1- Standout Nails

Nail wraps and press on nails are the quickest way to add some sparkle to your digits. It fast and glamorous- and you can do it at home in under 15 minutes. I like the 'accent-nail' option, but you can dazzle up how ever you'd like. Try Sally Hansen Glitz Blitz or Impress Nails

2- Lengthen Your Lashes

Add the WOW factor with a fuller looking eyelash in a snap. Tip: Trim the lashes down to a more wearable and easy-to-apply size. There is no rule that says you have to wear the full strip. Try Benefit Pinup Lashes or Khroma by Kardashian Lashes in Wink

3- Amp Up Your Accessories

Now is the time of year to get a little wild with your hair accessories and add some feminine sparkle with headbands, clips or bows. A little goes a long way, and you are sure to make a statement. Try Pewter Rhinestone Headband or Pearl & Rhinestone Bow Clip

4- Go For Bold Lipstick

Nothing says 'Holiday' like a bold lipstick, but this season, skip the fire-engine red and opt for a deeper berry tone instead. It's a flattering color that's easier to wear and right on trend with the latest announced

Color of the Year: Marsala Try Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in Hexagram, Buxom Lip Polish in Isabella or Revlon Ultimate Suede Lipstick in Fashionista

5- Spice Up Your Scent

The sense of smell is too often forgotten when it comes to beauty, don't let be the case this year. Pick up a body spray or lotion in a seasonal scent that will help you feel festive and make memories that you'll love every year. Try Philosophy Holiday Handbook or Philosophy Iced Cookie Wash Duo

Hope your parties are filled with memories and a little something extra from this list. Have a great Tuesday! xo

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WINTER 2014 BEAUTY FAVORITES // HIGH END (THE STUFF YOU SHOULD SAVE UP YOUR DOUGH FOR!)

If you are anything like me, you'll happily spend money on a high end beauty product IF it proves worthy of it's price tag. And once it does prove worthy, you'll be a repeat buyer and happily spread the love and tell everyone you know it! Well, this is a video that is packed with FIVE of those

high end favorite products

. I narrowed it down to a hand full for this edition, but they are all so so good. Though your budget may be tight this time of year, these are a few goodies that I think are worth the splurge if you have a beauty ailment that these products can cure. And who knows... maybe Granny will send a Christmas check in the mail just in time for a much needed makeup haul!?!

Check out the

video

and links below to see my top picks this season, and as always- thanks so much for reading, commenting and supporting this blog!

If you missed my

Drugstore Favorites

video, you can see that

here

.

Products mentioned in video:

Mark. Touch & Glow Shimmer Cubes

Alterna Bamboo Volume Trio

Bare Minerals Blemish Remedy Foundation

Make Up For Ever Face & Body Liquid

Kerastase Carre Lissant Smoothing Sheets

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DRUGSTORE FAVORITES // WINTER 2014

Happy Cyber Monday lovlies! Thanks for taking a minute out of your day to stop by and say hello- I am sure happy you did. Today I wanted to share my

current beauty favorites for the Winter 2014 season

, and you're in luck because these goodies are all

budget friendly

and can be scooped up at the drugstore. Watch the

video

down below to see what I have been loving, and saving money on. Later this week I'll share my high end favorites, so be sure to come back for that one.

And, I'm keeping my eye on all the Cyber Monday deals- so if anything good comes along I'll be sharing it over on

facebook

and

instagram

if your interested in shopping along with me.

Products mentioned in video:

Milani Gel Powder Eye Shadows

Garnier Moisture Rescue Gel

 and

Dry Skin Gel

Coastal Scents Paris Palette

NYX Pore Filler

NYX Butter Gloss

Covergirl Lash Blast Length

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REPEAT OFFENDERS // EMPTIES WINTER 2014

Howdy lovlies! Today I am stopping by my fav Studio5 TV to dish on the bottles that always find themselves to be empty in my collection way too quickly! Some of these things you may recognize if you've been a reader of mine for a while- I just can't give up on a good thang that ain't broke. But, there are some new loves in the collection as well, that I have been buying and re-buying because they are simply good to the last drop!

Check out the video (available after 2pm MST) and the list of my repeat offenders below:

NYX Brow Cake Powder

- Super affordable brow powder that stay put all day and adds great volume to the brow hairs. Available in 4 collections too, so every gal is covered.

Philosophy Hope in Jar Foundation

- Light weight velvet finish that mimics skins texture so perfectly and is very hydrating. Works like a charm with my

Beauty Blender

and is my latest obsession in foundation! 

Wearing:

Texture Flare Dress

  |  

Tie Front Blouse

St Tropez Bronzing Mousse

- I use this year round and swear by it! It's the easiest to apply without streaks or spots, and it's green base color ensures no orangey tone to the skin. Use with the

application mitt

for best results.

Shiseido Ultimune

- Skin care concentrate that is designed to build the immunity of the skin and build its' defense to environmental stressors. It hydrates, soothes and retextures the skin on contact. See my full review

here

.

Alterna 48 Hour Sustainable Volume Spray

- GAME CHANGER for hair... my favorite volume discovery to date! 

Carol's Daughter Monoi Split End Sealer

- Seals split ends back together and leaves hair smooth instantly, and smells like heaven. Mmm, so yummy

Thanks so much for stopping by,  I have the best readers- and I am so grateful for you all! Truth.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FACE MASKS AND WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU // MASK CLASS 101

There are about a million and one different kinds of facial masks out there in the world of beauty, and it can be overwhelming to find the one that is right for you. I compiled this little

guide to give you a rundown of the basic types of skincare masques, so that you know what is best for your type of skin. I also stopped by Studio5 TV today to have a little fun with the holiday- after all, there's no better day than Halloween to talk about masks, am I right!?!

Why use a face mask at all?

Well masks are typically power-packed with super concentrated ingredients that deliver more to your skin than daily use products. They are designed to treat, balance, and correct skin issues more thoroughly, and they are also fun to use for a relaxation session about once per week.

Clay Masks-Freeman Chocolate & Strawberry Clay Mask or Mint & Lemon Clay Mask

Clay masques are designed to remove impurities from the skin, dry up oil, and leave the skin tightened and resurfaced. They are best for oily skin or those with large pores, and can also be spot treated in trouble areas such as the nose, forehead or chin.

Sheet Mask/Fiber Masks- Renew You Fruit Enzyme Sleep Bamboo Mask

 The latest craze in skincare, has to be the introduction of the sheet mask! They have been popular in Asia for many years, but have now made it big in the US as well. The fiber sheet (often made of bamboo) is soaked in potent ingredients that are designed to hydrate or resurface the skin. The masks' cut outs for the eyes, mouth and nose- often resemble that of a 'Jason' hockey mask, but if you can stand looking silly for 20 minutes you'll love the way these masks deliver. Good for all skin types.

Fresh Food Masks- Lush Lettuce Love Fresh Mask

 Fresh ingredient masks use the vitamins and minerals found in fruits and vegetables to nourish the skin without the use of preservatives or other chemical ingredients. Often these masks are made from things like blueberries, seaweed, honey, bananas, and oatmeal. They have a short shelf life, about two weeks, and are great for those looking for a natural remedy. Be sure you are cautious with any food allergies when using these.

Peel Off Masks- Boscia Luminizing Black Mask

 Peeling masques are designed to exfoliate the skin and remove impurities by peeling them away with the mask to be discarded. These masks are fun to use, and offer the most visual change to the skin after use. A thin coating of the product on the skin dries for about 20 minutes, then is peeled away to reveal a fresh layer of skin. I don't recommend these for people who have lots of redness, broken capillaries, or loose mature skin.

Cream/ Serum Masks- Charlotte Tilbury Multi- Miracle Balm Mask

 Cream or Serum masques are designed to rehydrate the skin, calm redness, and reduce the appearance of fine lines. They are power-packed with ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, that draws moisture from the air into the skin. These are best for normal to dry skin, and can be used often for treatment of dry patches.

Gel Masks- Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio Repair Mask

 Gels are usually designed for anti-aging, and help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They are great for evening out skin tone, and for moisturizing- using ingredients such as rose water or cucumber extracts. Gels can often be refrigerated as well to give a cooling and inflammation-reducing effect to the skin. They are meant for all skin types, and are also good for use on the neck area and decollate.

Hope you have a better idea of which mask is right for you. Let me know if you have a favorite mask that I should try in the comments down below. See you all next week- and have a Happy and Safe Halloween! xo

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FALL HAIR REVEAL // SLEEK AUBURN LOB

Howdy Snoopers! Happy Monday- can you believe how fast the month has gone by?!

With every changing season I love to switch up my locks, and bring you along for the ride while I do it. Fall 2014 is the season for sleek and blunt-edged haircuts, and celebrities like Halle Berry and Whitney Port have both opted for blunt LOB haircuts too.

Take a look at the

video

below to see how I took my hair from Summer to Fall, and let me know in the comments below if you have any plans to switch up your hair this season as well.

Products & Tools used:

Sam Villa Blow Dryer

(save 20% with code: '20FORUT')

GHD Coral Flat Iron

Body Up Brushes

Unite Hair Oil

The Gnarly Whale Detangler Spray

Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget to enter my Beauty Blender giveaway

here

 if you haven't already. xo

HALLOWEEN INSPIRATION // METALLIC GYPSY

Halloween is right around the corner, and it's one of my favorite holidays of the year! I wanted to share with you a fun Halloween tutorial that you can recreate at home if you are in need of some costume inspiration. The look was inspired by this striped dress from Shabby Apple. It's not a 'costume' at all, but it would work for so many outfits like a pirate, a witch and of course, a gypsy. If you have a striped dress at home, all you need is to add a few accessories and makeup, and it can be a quick and easy costume too. Everything else in my costume just came from my own closet, and I didn't have to venture in to a high-priced costume store...winning!

Here's a quick

video

of how I created this gypsy look, let me know what you think.

Wearing:

Purple Striped Dress

 c/o Shabby Apple

Rope Twist Tutorial

Makeup:

Blue Shadow

Pink Shadow

Gold Shadow

Plum Gel Liner

Contour Foundation

Liquid Shimmer

Liquid Blush

Brow Gel

Lip Gloss

Metallic Flake

Happy [early] Halloween! Let me know in the comments below if you liked this video, and what you are gonna dress up as for the holiday. Thanks for stopping by, xo

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THE MAGIC MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANSER YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF

Pin Me!

Oh hello friend! You are in for a treat today- I am sharing my

MAGIC technique for cleaning those pesky makeup brushes

. You will never use dish soap or alcohol again, when you see what secret ingredient I discovered that makes makeup JUMP out of your brushes. It's amazing! Check out the quick

video tutorial

below, and let me know what you think.

What you'll need:

Fractionated [liquid] Coconut Oil-

DoTerra

 or

Nature's Way

Liquid Cleanser-

Beauty Blender

or

Method Foaming Hand Wash

Hope you'll try this

new secret method of cleaning makeup brushes

- it really is the most amazing technique, and I'll never go back to anything else. Science rules! xo

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SECRETS FROM MY GARBAGE CAN // THE PRODUCTS I USE TO THE BITTER END

You know that ONE product that you have been a relationship with longer than your husband? The one that you use on repeat, and always need a spare bottle of? Yup, those are the best kind of beauty products- the ones that you use to the bitter last drop!

I call these my EMPTIES because they always seem to be empty, and I am always looking for a refill on them

.

Check out my

Fall 2014 edition of empties

, and see what goodies I have used up recently. Maybe there will be a new discovery here, that will soon become one of your empty-loves too!

Wearing:

Scarlet Ali Dress

c/o Shabby Apple

Products mentioned in video:

Batiste Hint of Color Dry Shampoo

Philosophy Hope in a Jar Foundation

Swim Spray

Josie Maran Creamy Concealer Crayon

ESQIDO mink eyelashes

Guerlain Mascara

Kate Somerville Anti-Bac Lotion

Urban Decay De-Slick Powder

Past videos mentioned:

Best Under Eye Concealers

Contour with Fake Tanner

Thanks so much for reading, I genuinely appreciate it so much, to be a part of your lives! xo

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MASCARA WANDS 101 // WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOUR NEXT PURCHASE

Find this helpful? Share it on

Pinterest

Ever wondered

what the crap all of those different mascara wands are for? Why are they shaped differently, and what will the results be?

It can be more than a little confusing at times- and really overwhelming when you are strolling down the makeup isle.

Wearing:

Can't Hold Me Down Dress

c/o White Plum

Well, rest easy my friends- today I am putting you through my

Mascara Wands 101

course, and by the end of it you'll be a pro! Here is what you need to know about the different mascara wand types, and don't miss the video from Studio5 TV with more info (available after 2pm MST) and the GIVEAWAY down below. Although there are variations out there that I haven't included, these are the 7 basic types of wands and the rest all fit under one of these categories as well.

Oversized Wand- Maximum VOLUME

These full bristle wands are designed for amplified volume all around. They will thicken the lashes as well as give length and are designed to POP the eye open with their effect. These types of wands are better for advanced makeup junkies who aren't 'flinchy' with eye makeup. If you have small or deep set eyes however, this guy is not the best pick. Try

Maybelline Mega Plush

 or

Too Faced Better than Sex

(dumb name, amazing mascara)

Cone Taper Wand- Winged Out Corners

Cone shapes will help direct the lashes toward the outer corners and accentuate the cat-eye look. The bristles that are longer will distribute more product on the lashes, so those will be the ones that are elongated. This mascara is great to pair with a cat-eye liner to really finish off the total look. Try

Maybelline Lots of Lashes

 or

Lorac Pro Mascara

Curved Wand- Fanned Out Curl

Curved wands are designed to fan out the lashes from the inner corner all the way to the outer corner. The wand shape mimics the curve of the eye, so the wand is the same distance from the eye all the way across. This gives more curl to the lashes located at the two corners of your eye. Try Cover Girl

Flamed Up Mega Curl

 or

Dior Over Curl

Balled Tip- Detailed Corners

The balled tip is a favorite of mine because it allows you get very near the root at the corners to thoroughly coat the base of the lashes, without the risk of poking yourself with a sharp point. You can also turn the wand vertically and sweep the ball end across the lower lashes with lots of precision. You can use the ball tip to direct the outer corners as well, so you have the exact shape you are looking for. Try

Rimmel Scandaleyes Show Off

or

ELF 3-in-1 Mascara

Micro Wand- Tinted & Natural

The micro wand is again a huge favorite of mine because I love the simplicity of it and the natural looking results it gives. Great for your 'no-makeup' days, a micro wand will deliver a dark pigment to your lashes but won't build volume or much length. I also love that a micro wand can get all the way down to the root of your lashes (without poking your eyeball) which is so helpful if you have naturally light eye lashes like blondes and redheads often do. Oh, and it's a dream on those lower lashes too! Try

IT Cosmetics Tight Line Primer

or

Maybelline Lash Discovery

Rubber Shorty- Defined Length

If length is your primary focus, a short bristled rubber wand is the right pick for you. The formula is most evenly applied with this type of brush so you'll have less clumps and be able to build up a longer length with more coats. The short bristles also work as a comb of sorts, keeping lashes extended straight, aiding in the length yet again. Try

Wet n Wild Mega Length

or

Covergirl Lash Blast Length

Flat Comb- Separated & Dark

Definition is the name of the game with lash combs, so if you love to see a separation between every lash then this wand is the one you need. The comb pushes through the lashes and forces each one into a designated path way in the comb. The result is a very uniform lineup of lashes that are equally spaced from one another and coated in lots of pigment. Try

Napoleon Perdis MesmerEyes

or

Mirenesse Cougar Mascara 

Thanks so much for stopping by today, I hope you found this guide to mascara wands helpful! If you want to win a HUGE goody bag of my fav mascaras for yourself, be sure you enter the giveaway down below using the rafflecopter entry. The first two entries are mandatory to play, and the rest are optional but additional entries into the running. Good luck! And check out my cute dress from

White Plum

today, it's only $39 and I LOVE it! 

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THE BEST BEAUTY FROM BACKSTAGE AT NYFW

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to share with you my backstage coverage from New York Fashion Week. It was such a thrill to be backstage at a handful of shows this year- the energy and excitement is like nothing I have felt before.

Imagine

15 gorgeous models, 30 makeup artists and hairstylists, and 5 manicurists... all doing their jobs at once,

 plus about 20 members of the press (that's me... 'press' :) trying to photograph and video ALL AT THE SAME TIME! In a tiny backstage area, I might add! It is chaos at its' finest.

In the

video

below, I put together some of the beauty looks that I was able to witness first hand, as well as some of my other favorites from shows I wasn't able to attend this season. It gives you just a glimpse of the beauty you can expect to see trending come Spring 2015. The majority of the designers all opted for sleek/wet hair looks on their models, and mostly natural looking makeup. But, there were of course a few outliers that went for bold lips, crazy nail art, and even pierced eyebrows! Take a look:

Featuring looks from:

• Rodarte (pierced eyebrows)

• Degen (rainbow/water color nails)

• The Blonds

• Zac Posen (red lips)

• Georgine (hair wrapped in scarves)

• Libertine (letters/tassels on the fingernails)

• Thakoon

• Suno

• Rebecca Minkoff

• Jason Wu

I hope you find some beauty inspiration in these looks! I know I did, and I'll be bringing you some '

Inspired By'

posts over the next couple months, where I'll showcase some of my favorite looks, and how I would achieve them at home. Stay tuned for those, and be sure you come back later this week for a recap of what I wore while in NY, and for my

Mascara Wands 101

class with Studio5 TV. xo

NOT SO SNOOP-TASTIC | THE PRODUCTS THAT DIDN'T MAKE THE CUT

I try to keep this blog a

mostly positive place

... Aside from my few rants here and there, I choose to only feature brands and products that I have positive experiences with and genuinely love! Not only because the world has enough negativity in it already, but also because as a

business owner

, I understand that negative reviews hurt and aren't always the fault of the company. So my usual approach is: 'if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all'.

That being said, SO MANY of you have requested videos or posts that talk about

products I don't recommend

. I am not sure why this is exactly, but I imagine its part human-curiosity and part research before you spend money on products that you could avoid disappointment with.?.

I get it. I always research before I buy too. So in an effort to give you guys what you want, I'll make a

NOT SO SNOOP-TASTIC

 video every now and then, and run down the things that didn't make the cut. Just keep in mind that these are only MY opinions, and there may be people out there that have better experiences with these products then I did. In fact I hope that's the case! Please let me know if you have different results.

Wearing:

Polka Dot Blouse

c/o Oasap

Thanks so much for reading and watching friends! Right now I am knee-deep in fashion goodness during NYFW Spring/Summer 2015. It's been a whirlwind, and I can't wait to share everything with you soon. For a peek at what is coming, head over to my instagram. xo

NINA DOBREV VMA LOOK TUTORIAL

Hi Snoopers! Thanks so much for hanging out with me today!

Over on

instagram

, I asked you

which beauty's look from the VMAs

you wanted me to recreate in a video, and a whopping

majority of you voted for Nina Dobrev

! She rocked a high pony and orange lip like nobody else could on the red carpet, and it was one of my fav looks of the night as well.

Take a look at the

video

below to see my take on her style and makeup... let's do it! *The focus on this video was not so great, so sorry! But, my new office/studio is almost finished so my next video will be much better!

Products Used:

• Kerastase Discipline

• Unite Hair Oil

• Round Brushes

• Philosophy Hope in a Jar Foundation- Shade 4

• It Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye- Shade Fair

• Dermablend Cover Creme- Shade Rose Beige

• It Cosmetics Illumination Powder- Shade Light/ Medium

• Urban Decay De-Slick Powder

• Ofra Bronzer

• NYX Brow Powder- Shade Brunette

• NARS Eye Primer

• Too Faced Cat Eye Palette

• Covergirl Bombshell Mascara

• Revlon Laquer Balm- Color Tease

• Chella Highlighter Pencil- Shade Ivory Lace

• Bellami Hair Extensions- Color 4

• Nume 32mm Curling Wand

I also mentioned my how-to video for using brow powders, which you can see 

here

. And a look at those cool round brushes can be found 

here

.

I hope this gave you some new ideas, and inspired you to rock an orange lip very soon! Have a great weekend, and see you all soon! xo

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MAKEUP SPLURGE OR SAVE

Hello loves! Today is a great day on the blog- I am so happy you are here, so thank you!

I stopped by Studio5 TV today to dish on my makeup must haves, and the best part is I included two budget options in each category so you can SAVE or SPLURGE! Check out the video and then shop your picks using the links below. PLUS, one lucky reader will be scooping up a care package full of my must-haves, so be sure you enter to win using the rafflecopter entry below. There's also a BONUS VIDEO today, where I answer the question, 'Can a women over 30 wear a headband without looking like a wanna-be teenager?' Check out my answer below.

SPLURGE:

• Nude Toned Eye Palette- Urban Decay Naked Palette

• Highlighting Cheek Stick- Nars The Multiple Stick

• Peach Toned Under Eye Concealer- Bobbi Brown Corrector

• Automatic Brow Pencil-Anastasia Brow Wiz

• Translucent Finishing Powder- Urban Decay De-Slick Mattifying Powder

SAVE:

• Nude Toned Eye Palette-Maybelline The Nudes Palette

• Highlighting Cheek Stick- Sonia Kashuk Luminosity Stick

• Peach Toned Under Eye Concealer- NYX Dark Circle Concealer

• Automatic Brow Pencil- NYX Automatic Brow Pencil

• Translucent Finishing Powder- Neutrogena Shine Control Powder

Hope some of these goodies solve an issue for you! Thanks again for stopping by, don't forget the giveaway below- the first two entry options are required, the rest are optional but each one you complete adds your name into the drawing an additional time. Good luck!

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FIRST LOOK: ONE DIRECTION MAKEUP COLLECTION

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Hello lovlies! Thanks so much for stopping by today. If you've been a reader of mine for a while you may know about my fascination with celebrity endorsed or designed products... I am always drawn to them, even though I usually am very skeptical about the amount of involvement the famous faces

actually

have with the creation of these products. (Although sometimes I am wrong, 

click this post

 to see when that happens)

'One Direction: They are cute. They can sing. They wear really tight pants. And now they sell makeup. Ok.'

This line is no different. I highly doubt that the 5 members of One Direction actually had much to say or do with the development of their new makeup collection, after all- they most likely have a lot of things on their plates... and don't wear hot pink lipstick too often themselves. But I still wanted to check it out and give you a first look at their

Up All Night

collection that launches on August 11th at Macys.

Take a look at the

video

below to see what you get in each box, and to see my first impression on the makeup itself.

To get more info on the makeup collection by One Direction, you can follow along over on this

facebook page

, and read up on each collection and its' contents

here

. If you are ready to join in the fun, you can shop the makeup starting on August 11th at

Macys

.

Adios!

PR samples were provided to the beauty snoop by brandbacker