Tuesday, June 11, 2013

The Eyelash Trick

long voluminous lashes without falsies 



This is my super easy trick to make your real lashes look long, thick, and curled! 

You don't have to have this exact curler or mascara - but it's truly the best curler in all the land. It's sooo worth buying and you can get it in a duo pack with this mascara - although any mascara you prefer will work fine. Tarte makes great mascara so this is worth a try if you're in the market for a new one. 

My trick is as simple as this:

Step 1: Apply one super LIGHT coat of mascara to lashes

Step 2: Allow to dry COMPLETELY (finish the rest of your makeup or fix hair - whatever you do just let it dry all the way) 

Step 3: Time to curl! I personally get the curler as close to the base of my lashes as possible and hold for about 5 seconds then open and close the curler a few times

(I do one eye at a time so the curl really lasts - so I would do Steps 3 & 4 on one eye and then move to the other eye)

Step 4: Apply mascara as you normally would. I like to do at least 2 good coats. Make sure you start at the base and wiggle up! Then, I like to really concentrate on the tips and make sure they're nice and seperated.

Voilà! You now have gorgeous flirty lashes with a curl that will last and last. 





Sunday, May 12, 2013

My secret to white teeth

it's as simple as this! 



This post is a request from one of my closest friends who noticed how white my teeth have been lately. I was so glad to hear that because sometimes it's hard to tell if your own teeth are white! I'm currently 7 months pregnant - so I haven't been able to professionally bleach my teeth and have even stayed away from my trusty Crest White Strips. I'm not sure that it's bad to use them - I have just chosen the better safe than sorry route! All I have been using is this Arm & Hammer Advance White Extreme Whitening toothpaste and that alone has really done wonders! Randomly, if I can remember, I will add the Arm & Hammer Whitening Booster directly on top of my toothpaste. It's as simple as that!! If I really get a wild hair I will mix a little baking soda & peroxide and brush with that - it's basically the same thing as the toothpaste though. If you're lazy like me with whitening - this is the best fix and it will make your teeth noticeably whiter.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Perfect Pale Pink/ Nude Lip Combo

Spring Lips! 



This is the PERFECT combo when you want that nude lip with a touch of pink. It's all I'm wearing right now - I'm obsessed! Super sexy and goes with any makeup look! 

First line with Kevyn Aucoin 'The Flesh Tone' Lip Pencil in Neutral. Find it here!

Then apply MAC Lipstick in Angel. Find it here!

Finish the look with Chanel Glossimer in Sweet Beige. Find it here! 


Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Best Drugstore Hair Products

I keep goin back for more!




I could spend hours roaming the beauty product aisles of Target and CVS. There are sooo many different shampoos, leave-in treatments, and hairsprays galore - how do you pick?! Fortunately for you - I have probably tried them all! These are some of my favorite buys for hair products. I use most of these on a daily basis and buy them over and over again. 

Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Shampoo/Conditioner - I'm starting with this because it's my FAVORITE! I go through these like crazy! I usually buy the Total Care or Strong Lengths. One of the main reasons I love it so much is because the smell is the best of any shampoo you can buy at the drugstore or anywhere. I get compliments on the way my hair smells ALL the time. That usually never happens to me! It smells kind of like the original Herbal Essences on steroids. I really like the way my hair looks and feels when I use this - so it smells great and your hair looks great. Enough said!! 

L'oreal Elnett - This hairspray has a cult following. Used by countless celebs and there's a reason why! It's the BEST hairspray ever created! It goes on with a baby soft mist, holds your style like nobody's business, you can brush right through it with ease, you can layer it and layer it and layer it and it never builds up or looks like you have helmet head....it's just perfection in a can. Buy it. 

John Frieda Full Repair Touch-Up Flyaway Tamer - You know those little tiny hairs that stick up all over the place on the top of your head? So annoying right?! I'm so obsessed with this little product. It looks like a tube of clear mascara and you use the wand the smooth down all those little hairs. I keep one in my purse - especially in the summer - and tame those little suckers with ease! Amazing.

Pantene Pro-V Silky Moisture Whip - I love this because it's a leave-in conditioner, styler, and heat protector all in one. If I don't have time to use a million products I like to use this. I love the texture of this product! It comes out like a mousse, but it's much creamier and silky. It's great to use on the days I curl my hair because it helps hold the curl and I know its protecting it from the heat. Great all in one product!

It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product - OMG I just love this stuff. It smells insane and I'm a sucker for leave-in conditioners - especially spray ones. I use a leave-in conditioner every time I wash my hair, no matter what. This is hands down my favorite one ever. It's a bit pricey for the drugstore (around $18 for the small bottle) but so worth every penny. Here's the long list (10 of course) of what it does: repairs dry damaged hair, adds shine, smoothes and controls frizz, seals and protects hair color, flat iron spray and thermal protector, detangles, stops hair breakage, creates silkiness, enhances natural body, and prevents split ends. Whoa! And it truly does all of those things! It's a 10 in my book! 

Infusium 23 Repair and Renew - I don't always get highlights, but when I do I always use this! I had a hairstylist once tell me to buy this when my hair was looking a little damaged. She said it worked better than any product they had (this salon carried Bumble & Bumble). Yet again - I also love the way this smells. I use to be obsessed with Infusium 23 Shampoo/Conditioner because of the smell, then they changed the scent (ugh!) - but this is still the original smell I use to love so much. It really does make my hair feel shiny and healthy. I use a ton of it though - it comes out like water pretty much - so make sure you buy the spray bottle! 

Friday, March 29, 2013

Spring Favsies!

new bath, body, and makeup obsessions 


Let's start with my favorite time...BATH TIME! These make me look forward to my bubble bath even more than I already do! 


Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Milk Honey Bath & Souffle Body Creme: I wish I could send the smell of this through your screen!! It's seriously the most heavenly smell of ANY product I've ever smelled in the history of smells. I would normally never shell out this much for bubble bath & lotion - but after getting a sample of this it was like crack. I was thinking about it day and night - I had to get a fix of this smell again!! It also looks really pretty in my bathroom :) So, if you're in the mood to indulge yourself...I think you should! Picture yourself taking a long, hot bubble bath with this sweet smell all around you...aaaah...now wrap yourself in the most luxurious body cream you can imagine...double aaaah. What are you waiting for?! Go ahead and click here for the body creme or here for the honey bath...then thank me later!!




Hourglass Solar Tan Self Tanning Primer - You read that right! A self tanning primer OMG?! Is this even real?! It exists people! It goes on with the velvety smoothness of a primer - hiding all your pores and wrinkles - then it leaves you with a little surprise - a TAN! Genius I tell you! I could see a little bronze glow the first day I used it - after a few days using it the color got even more bronzier. Just gorgeous! I let it sit for a bit before I put my foundation/bb cream/tinted moisturizer/whatever I chose that day- just to make sure it settled in. I am beyond excited I found this. Yippee! Get it here

Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation - Let me start by saying this foundation is: Paraben Free, Oil Free, Fragrance Free, Nanoparticle Free, Phthalate Free, Synthetic Dye Free, Gluten Free, Vegan, and Water-Resistant. WOW! WOW! WOW! I don't even know what some of those are?! But I'm glad it's free of them! If you're an oily girl like me you will love this! It's formulated for oily and blemish prone skin. It feels so silky and lightweight, it glides into pores, and kept my skin looking great ALL day. This really eliminates the need for touch ups throughout the day. I really like this for daytime or if I don't need heavy coverage. I can foresee this being a summer favorite. Being in the South - it gets super humid and hot! This will be a must for me! I can't say enough great things about the Hourglass line of products. Pop into Sephora for a sample or order here!




Benefit Erase Paste - I hate that I cheated on my Cle de Peau Concealer...but I really love this stuff! Honestly, nothing can compare to my precious Cle de Peau - it simply is the best - but my skin has been a little dry around my eyes lately and sometimes it can look flakey. The Erase Paste is in a pot and has more of a thick foundation consistency. The more liquid texture is great when your skin is a bit dry. I like that it has brighteners in it as well. The concealer is really thick and has great coverage. For night I layer a bit of it over my Cle de Peau - now we're talkin! The only issue I had with this was the color range. The No.1 Fair was super light and the No.2 Medium seemed dark - I bought both so I could mix them as needed. The No.1 is fine for me now (I'm super pale) but warm weather is approaching, so I think mixing will be in my near future. I was torn between their Boi-ing concealer and this - but liked the brightness/texture/consistency of this much better. Click here to order!




Miracle Skin Transformer SPF 20 Face - I'm always on the lookout for an all in one product to wear to work. In the mornings I'm always in a hurry - so the fact that this is a moisturizer, primer, foundation and SPF all in one is a life saver! It's basically another BB Cream...and I'm a HUGE fan of BB Creams. I like that this one mattifies, so I don't need to put any kind of powder over it. I put my morning serum on - then go straight to this. It's that simple! I definitely have to do a bit of concealing afterwards - its a very sheer coverage - but I really like the overall feel. If I don't like the way a product feels on my face or if the consistency isn't right - forget about it - I will never use it again! The reviews on Sephora are also great for this one - that goes a long way for me. Click here to see for yourself and make your mornings a little easier! 




Lancome Color Fever Gloss in Candied Coral - It's Spring! Therefore I'm ready for coral lipgloss galore! I've said it before and I'll say it again...I'm a sucker for peachy coral glosses! Lancome makes the best textured gloss ever - and I love their wide tipped sponge applicator. This color layered over a pale peach lipstick is just too much gorgeousness to handle!! Get it here





Thanks for checking out my Spring Favsies!!! 

Peace, Love, and Lipgloss XOXO

Thursday, March 14, 2013

What's In Emily Maynard's Makeup Bag

Exclusive to The Gloss Guide


Ever wanted to peek inside this gal's makeup bag? Well, now here's your chance! My sweet friend was kind enough to share with us some of the makeup she totes around on a daily basis! 


Jao Hand Refresher (Sanitizer) get it here!
Deborah Lippmann 'Rich Girl' Hand Cream SPF 25 get it here!
Benefit Dandelion Ultra Plush Lip Gloss - Soft Pearly Pink get it here!
Benefit They're Real Mascara get it here!
Benefit boi-ing Industrial Strength Concealer get it here!
Benefit Blush/Powder Brush get it here!
YSL Rouge Volupté Shine: 15 Coral Intuitive get it here!
YSL Volupté Sheer Candy Color: 04 Succulent Pomegranate get it here!
YSL Rouge Pur Couture Color: 27 Pêche Cerra-Cola here!
Dior Addict Lip Glow get it here!
MAC Pressed Blot Powder get it here!
Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm in Quenched get it here!
Mophie iPhone Charger get it here!

Hope you enjoyed this! Many thanks to Em for letting us sneak a peek into her little bag of tricks. We clearly both have an unhealthy lip gloss addiction! When in doubt - pack them all! I remember one of the first glosses she got me HOOKED on was Too Faced - Girls On Film. What a gem that was! Oh the things girls bond over.


Emily now has her very own blog to share more of her beauty secrets with you, as well as fashion and lifestyle. Let me tell you - you will LOVE it! Please go visit
HERE now and show her tons of love. 

xoxo


Sunday, March 3, 2013

That's Incredi-‘Peel’! Spa-Strength Glycolic Resurfacing Pads

Need a miracle??




I'm hooked on another product! Who would have thunk it?! I was on the search for an at home Glycolic peel and came across this on the Sephora website. As always - I read through every page of reviews. They all gave "glowing" reports...literally! I had to try for myself!

Why Glycolic???  If you have a skin problem Glycolic solves it! 
reduces fine lines and wrinkles
lightens dark spots and acne marks
helps clear and prevent acne
sloughs dead skin to help with dryness 
at the same time helps combat oiliness 
reduces rosacea 
shrinks pores

How it works:
This naturally occurring alpha-hydroxy acid (made from sugarcane) helps to slough off the top layer of dead skin cells. This promotes new cell turnover - resulting in a glowing, smooth, youthful complexion.

My thoughts:
I'm in love!!! I want to use this every night for the rest of my life! My skin was soooo much clearer after one week. After two weeks my dark spots from the sun and past blemishes were noticeably fading. Now on week three my face is staying clear and my overall complexion is just...BETTER! The pads are quite large and have a lot of product on them so I use them on my chest as well - I can tell it's lightening some of the freckles I get there in the summer and who wants a wrinkly chest- eww! Prevention people! 

Now let me warn you...this stuff burns and tingles like nobody's business! You have to wait 3 minutes after application until the sweet relief of moisturizer...and trust me it's the slowest 3 minutes of my life! You can do it though - it's worth it for that glowing skin!!!