November Favorites!

Hey girlies! I cannot believe that November is almost over! Honestly, to me it seems like August was just last week. Today it's sunny out and freezing, so I figured it would be the perfect day to post my November Favorites... let's get started!

                     

Beauty Favorites

To start of my favorites, I would have to start off with my Maybelline Dream Touch Lumi Concealer. I realize i was late on the bandwagon with this product, but long story short, I ran out of my Laura Mercier concealer, Sephora is at the far mall (and I did not want to buy the concealer with out getting bonus points), and I was at Target! I heard many great reviews on this concealer so I figured I would try it out. Does it give amazing coverage? No, but I think it does great for only being $7.

Secondly, I have been absolutely in love with my 'Covergirl Eye Enhancers' Eyeshadow in Tapestry Taupe. I think it is a stunning color, and it would look great against any skin tone/eye color. I got this shadow a while back (which explains the outdated packaging) but for only being a few dollars at the drugstore it is totally worth it! It is a soft, shimmery tan with darker hints of taupe as opposed to a dark shadow with light hints. It is super wearable and pigmented! This is a product I definitely recommend.

The last makeup product I have been loving is my L'Oreal HIP Jelly Balm. As some of you know, these have been discontinued but you can find them occasionally at Target, and you can purchase them online! I purchased mine a while ago, but I have honestly fell in love with this lipgloss! I have mine in 'Succulent-520' which is a gorgeous rosey/berry color. They smell like vanilla and go on sheer so you can build up the pigmentation. If you are able to pick up one, definitely grab it! They are so worth it!

Scarves have been my life savers on days when I am running late and need a cute outfit! They are so universal and you can wear them with literally anything. They completely transform your plain t-shirt and pair of jeans into a fashionable outfit! Now that the weather is colder, I am able to wear my faux Burberry one that I am in love with. I really like how this one is white with tan, black, and red lines because it is different from what you usually see! I purchased this one in NYC. :)

Non-Beauty Favorites

Ok, I may have a tiny obsession with The Hills. I am being completely honest when I tell you that currently the only show on my DVR is The Hills. I absolutely love LC and everyone else on the show! I got Audrey and another friend hooked on it and we have been re-watching the series starting from season one!

One of my favorite songs of the month of course tie in with The Hills ;). "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield is an amazing song and I think it is super catchy... let's face it Audrey and I may have a jam sesh here and there rocking out to this song! But honestly, who doesn't love this song?! It is absolutely amazing and the fact that it was the theme song for The Hills makes it 10000000x better! The second song that I have been absolutely in love with would have to be the deconstructed version of "Die Young" by Ke$ha. Audrey showed me this song a few weeks ago and I fell in love! You can really hear her actual voice and none of the fake auto-tune. Lastly, the "RED" album by Taylor Swift has been my favorite for all of November. I honestly cannot pick out one song that I dislike! Some of my favorites have been "22", "Starlight", and "Everything has Changed"! I also love Ed Sheeran, so that song was definitely a win-win for me!

Candles. I just love candles. My favorite winter candles are from Bath & Body Works in the scents 'Vanilla Snowflake' and 'Twisted Peppermint'. I am actually obsessed with both of these scents and one of them are always burning in my room at all times!

The next favorite I have is gum. I know random, right?? Well every time I am in target I always pick up a pack of the Shaun White Mintacular gum.... it is easily my favorite gum and I always have a pack with me at all times :)

The last non-beauty favorite I have it my winter mug! Every year at Target I try to get myself a new wintery/Christmasy mug to drink my tea, coffee, and hot chocolate! This one might be one of my favorite mugs ever! I love how its a wider cup and shorter... it's just something different! Also the horizontal stripes are perfection. You guys know I love anything with stripes!

Well that concludes my November favorites! I am seriously so sorry for slacking, but with all of the homework and tests my teachers are trying to get us to finish before the break is insane! I pinky promise I will be so much better with posting! Thanks for staying with us lovies <3 Don't forget, stay classy! xoxo

-Landon

Fall Shoe Staples

Hello everyone, and happy fall! Fall is easily my favorite season, I love the weather, the smell, the fashion and most importantly Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks. As mentioned, fall fashion is my favorite fashion ever.  Because of my little obsession, I wanted to share with y'all my top four fall shoe selections! From casual to dressy, I am basically living in these shoes everyday in the autumn. 

First shoe staple would have to be riding boots! I absolutely love the elegance of these boots. They are extremely practical, you can wear them with a pair of skinny jeans and your favorite crewneck sweatshirt, or a pair of black jeggings, button up shirt and some pearls! The pair of riding boots I own were made by Audrey Brookes, and I purchased them at DSW last year for about $150. Riding boots can get pricey, but for a super cute pair of boots that are all leather is totally worth every penny!

The next pair of shoes I wear all the time would be my Uggs. I have them in the 'Classic Tall' style in gray. I think every girl has a pair of shoes like these! They are super comfortable, and you can throw them on with anything and it will look perfectly fine! Uggs can be found at Nordstrom, Zappos, and most likely, any local shoe store!

The next pair/style of shoes I will be talking about will be ballet flats! I think these are super cute and you can put these on with jeans, a skirt, or a dress.... definitely a multi-purpose shoe! I recently got a new pair of flats from Lucky Brand Jeans, and they are a raspberry-colored leather pair. I am so excited to wear these in the fall with a pair of skinny jeans and an oversized oxford top. I think flats are perfect for fall because the weather is still fluctuating a bit, and you don't want to show up to school one day in Uggs, and the next day in sandals. I purchased my pair at Nordstrom's at the end of August, but I'm sure they have similar styles (or maybe the same shoe!!)

The last pair of shoes I will be talking about will be rain boots. I love rain boots. End of story. I absolutely love the look of rain boots and I always jump on the chance to wear them! I have a pair of the Hunter rain boots in the classic style. They were my moms (she purchased them on Zappos.com) but they were too small, but the perfect size for me! They are in a eggplant purple color, and they go with practically everything! I have more of a preppier style, and one of my favorite outfits is a pair of darkwash skinny jeans, my rain boots, and a striped navy blue sweater with a bigger statement gold ring! I feel like I'm walking out in Nantucket :).

So there you have it, my fall shoe staples! I literally wear these shoes everyday in the fall, and you can wear them with any outfit. What are your fall shoe staples? Leave them in the comments below or tweet them to us @SparklySecret. Don't forget, stay classy everyone!

-Landon

*****I want to make a huuuuuuuuge apology for the lack of posts! I have been really busy with schoolwork (lame excuse, I know) and I have started dance again, so I am at the studio 3+ days a week! Please forgive me :) Love you ladies! 

Polished Picture Day Look

Hello all you lovely ladies! It's back to school season, and one particular day is coming up that some of us dread...picture day. I thought that I would dedicate todays post to giving you some cute outfit ideas, and makeup to ace your picture! Without further ado, let's get started!

Makeup
Your school picture usually follows you through the rest of the school year, so it is important to make it look as good as it possibly can! I am going to start by applying my 'bareMinerals Oil-Control' primer. I have oily skin and this product really helps keep my face makeup on all day... you do not want to go to take your picture and have your makeup sliding all over your face! I am then going to apply my 'Laura Mercier Secret Concealer' for under my eyes and any other problematic areas, and my 'Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream' which gives your face a flawless finish. Contour your cheeks using your favorite bronzer, and apply a mid-tone pink blush, like 'Dame' by MAC to your cheeks.

For eyes, I am going to take my 'Stay Don't Stray' primer from Benefit and apply an even layer all over my eyelid. Then, take a champagne/gold shimmer color (like 'All That Glitters' by MAC) to your lid, and a soft matte brown ('Charcoal Brown' by MAC) to the crease. I am also taking a brown one shade darker ('Drama' by bareEssentials) to place in the outer v. Line your tightline and lower lashline, and apply 2-3 coats of your favorite mascara!

For lips, put on a sparkly peachy-toned nude gloss like 'Opal' by Laura Mercier. Now your face is ready for closeups! :) 

Hair
I like to keep my hair straightened for my pictures. My hair can get frizzy when curled, so to reduce any chance of having a frizzy picture, I straighten it. Although pin-straight hair is my personal choice, style your hair so you feel comfortable. You absolutely love your curly locks? Then curl it! Go into picture day feeling super confident with your hair!

Outfit
As for an outfit, you want to keep it simple but elegant. This year I am going to be wearing an oversized black shirt that I purchased at Nordstrom, and a cream colored lace bandeau underneath it that I bought at Francesca's Collections. I linked you to the exact clothing pieces, but they currently do not have the bandeau in the ivory, but they they do have them in some really cute colors! Even though my picture is only going to be the upper half of my body, I am going to wear denim shorts and some sandals. For jewlery, I am going to wear my pearl stud earrings, and my 'Return to Tiffany' silver heart necklace.

I hoped this helped you get a better idea on what to wear for picture day! I've had my share with bad pictures, so I'm hoping this year's will be good! :)  Leave any requests/comments down below and make sure to follow us on twitter. Stay classy everyone!

-Landon

Tune in to Tan Skin!

In the summer, nothing is better than lying out in the sun, and tanning with your best friends. But once that summer sun and heat dies down, your faced with pale skin only a month into the school year! Today’s post is going to tell y’all some tips and tricks to extend the life of your tan, especially so you don’t have to go back to school with dull skin. I realize I should have put this post up a lot sooner, but I just came up with the idea recently… and besides, who wouldn’t want tips on extending your tan?! Put your favorite sunglasses on and get readin’ :).

Use SPF. I can’t stress this enough. Some think that if you use a sunscreen instead of tanning oil you won’t get any sun! We all know that tanning oils typically have an SPF of 8 or 15. Using an SPF of anything lower than 30 can put you at a risk for getting seriously burned! When you first get out in the sun PUT ON SUNSCREEN, wait 5 to 10 minutes then put on your tanning oil! The key is to wait until your sunscreen has soaked in and then go all out with your oil. You still get the same results- but you know that your skin is being kept safe!

MOISTURIZE. Moisturizer is going to be your best friend when it comes to maintaining your tan. In my opinion the best moisturizer for the summer is “Banana Boat Aloe Vera Moisturizer”. This leaves your skin feeling soft and silky, and the aloe vera in the lotion is going to help preserve your tan. If you don’t want to go out and buy a lotion that has aloe in it- just use aloe! I find that Aloe is super moisturizing on my skin, and it will still help you preserve your radiant glow!

Exfoliate! I like to exfoliate my skin once a week. I know that some people like to exfoliate every other day, or even every day but I find with my skin once a week is all I need. You want to have radiant tan skin, but if you exfoliate multiple times a week it can take off the tan skin. Audrey’s DIY: Body Scrub is amazing! You all seriously need to try this out, it makes your skin perfect!

Self Tan. Don’t be afraid of this little phrase. I like to use the Jergen’s Natural Glow line because it doesn’t make you insta-orange. The key for self tanners is to use one that gives you a gradual glow. With the Jergen’s you will not see an instant result, but after a week you will see your tan start to darken! If you aren’t afraid of a quick self tanner, take a look into the St.Tropez line. I have never used this line before, but my mom and cousin have. They absolutely love it, and it doesn’t leave you streaky! You can watch a bunch of reviews on the St.Tropez here!

NEVER GO TO A TANNING BED. Ever. This is completely terrible for you, and you can get cancer extremely easily from going into a tanning salon. So many teenagers are obsessed with having tan skin- and then they get deadly skin cancer. Besides, it’s totally obvious when you use a tanning bed…your skin just doesn’t look natural and it the color does not always seem to be the right shade. I’d rather be pale then have cancer!

Hydrate your skin. In the summer, your body is loosing essential vitamins because of the heat. You need to replenish your body by drinking A LOT of water. I try to drink about 2 ½ bottles a day in the summer, but if I feel dizzy or headache-y, I grab a Gatorade or something like that to replenish my body. Radiant skin doesn’t come in a bottle- you need to be hydrated!

These are all of my sparkly little secrets to help y’all maintain your tan! I find that all of these play a key role in keeping your color for a while. It’s never too late to grab a bottle of a gradual tanning lotion and aloe vera…it can work wonders! I hope you guys enjoyed todays post! Don’t forget ladies, stay classy!

-Landon

Target Haul!

Hello girlies! I went to Target on Friday night with my older sister, and I thought I would share with you all the things that I purchased. Also, a lot of products mentioned are from Neutrogena which is my favorite skincare line. Neutrogena is not sponsoring this post in any way. Most of the items are skin-care related, and after 2 days of using these products I figured I could add my two cents about these products! 

First thing that I picked up was the Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner. This is my absolute favorite toner, and I believe this is my third or fourth bottle of it! When picking out a toner/astrigent you don't want to get one that has alcohol in it as it can strip your natural oils and add unnecessary ones! This smells fruity and fresh and feels really good on your skin. I highly recommend this product to anyone and especially those who have oily skin!

The next item I added to my basket was the Up&Up brand Makeup Removing Wipes. These are exactly the same as the Neutrogena ones, but they are $2 less! I prefer the makeup removing wipes as opposed to the liquid because it makes much less of a mess and you can throw these in any bag if needed! Another reason I opt for the wipes is because some nights when I feel really lazy (we all have those days :)...) I will just use a makeup wipe to take off my makeup, brush my teeth and hop into bed. I know that's probably one of the weirdest/gross things you have read, but some nights I just don't feel like washing my face and I figure it's best to take off the day's worth of makeup. 

I picked up two face washes from Neutrogena as well... I LOVE their products, they really work well for me! The first one is the 'Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleanser+Makeup Remover'. I love using this at night because it is a 2-in-1 product. It smells fresh and really takes off all of my makeup from the day....definitely a must have! The next face wash that I purchased is the 'Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Acne Scrub'. The acne wash is amazing, but I was in need of a new face scrub so I figured I would pick this one up! I used it this morning and it is really gentle on your face so you can use this scrub 2-3 times a week. This was worth the $7 and I will probably be repurchasing this product!

Target had a deal going on (and I love love love any type of deal) where if you purchased two of the selected Neutrogena face washes or treatments you would get a free tote! I love totes, and I always seem to put something or other in them so getting a free one was perfect! I would have bought the two face washes anyway; but knowing I could get a free tote made it even better!


I ran out of tanning oil, so I had to pick up a new one! I really like the Banana Boat Protective Tanning Oil because it has a much higher SPF. I am aware of the dangers of tanning oil, but my dermatologist said that if I use this with a SPF sunscreen it's alright. Speaking of tanning oil, I have a really great post coming up if I do say so myself :). 

The last item that I purchased is 100% my favorite purchase of the trip! It is the  Lauren Conrad Style book. I absolutely adore LC and I finally purchased one of her many books! I love her style, and the way she writes is amazing. (I already finished 4 chapters...) To me, LC is a really great role model and I love everything she has done! If you are a Lauren fan like myself and don't have this book you seriously need to pick it up. Love you LC!

That concludes everything I bought! I love watching hauls on YouTube, so I figured it was only appropriate that I shared the things I bought with all of you. Made any new purchases lately? Tell me in the comments below! Stay classy everyone! 

-Landon

P.S. Have a twitter? Make sure to follow us @SparklySecret

Favorite Summer Drugstore Lip Products

Hello everyone! I wanted to share with you my lip products that I have been loving for summer. In the summer, I like to go for a lip that is either sparkly or brightly colored so it pops on my tan skin. Let’s go take a look at these products!

Maybelline BabyLips- I can’t stress enough how important it is to have and use a lip product that contains an SPF. BabyLips have an SPF of 20, which is really great for a chapstick! I have two BabyLips in “Quenched” which is the standard clear, and my other one is in the shade “Pink Punch” which is a bright pink. If I know I am going to be out in the sun, I always make sure to apply these because it makes it pretty much impossible for me to get a sunburn on my lips. Also, they smell like their name! Pink Punch honestly smells like fruit punch, and I think that it is so cool! What’s great about these is that they have them in tinted colors (like Pink Punch) so you can play up your lip color if you wanted while still getting an SPF.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss- This is my ultimate go-to summer lipgloss! These glosses also have an SPF of 15, so they are really great for the summer sun. Unfortunately, these don’t have a yummy smell, but these lipglosses come in a wide range of stunning colors so you can choose a color that is perfect for you! I have my gloss in the shade “Coral Reef”. This coral looks like a bright color in the tube, but when you put it on your lips it’s a bit more muted which makes it super wearable! I’ve been able to wear this gloss to school without getting “What the heck is she wearing on her lips?” stare. These glosses are rather inexpensive, and you can find them in any drugstore that sells Revlon!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain- I’ve raved about this product in my June Favorites… you guys know how much I love them! In all seriousness though, this is a perfect summer lip stain. They are super moisturizing, and the color really does last a long time. Another thing about this product that I love is that there is SO much product! They are going to last you for a while. Not to mention they have a perfect minty smell! I have mine in “Sweetheart Valentine” which is your typical bright pink. This is awesome for the summer because it doesn’t melt off of your lips and gives your lips a color as opposed to other glosses/lipsticks, which paint your lips with color. These are relatively newer to Revlon, but I do know that they are sold at CVS for $6-$9.

These have been the lip products that I have been wearing for majority of the summer! I realize that this post only included three different products, but I don’t like to put on layers of glosses and lipsticks in the heat. In the comments below, tell me what your favorite summer lip products are and if you guys have any requests! Don’t forget…. Stay classy girlies!

-Landon

Crushing on Coral

Hello ladies! Summer 2012 is filled with bright colors, and to me one color that stands out is coral! There are so many coral beauty products this year, as well as statement jewelry, and clothing pieces. Coral is such a gorgeous color, and I am really glad that this summer coral has its time to shine! This post is going to explain to y'all how easy it is to incorporate this super shade into your everyday look. In this post, you will find some great Sparkly Little Secrets too. (:


Makeup/Beauty Products:
Don't believe me that there is a plethora of coral beauty products this summer? Go to Sephora.com and type in "coral" into the search box.... I dare you! As I am writing this post there are 156 beauty products that relate to coral. From lipsticks, to blushes, to glosses, nail polishes and even eyeshadows, there has to be some shade of coral that works for you. Sephora's Color of the Year for 2012 was tangerine- a more vibrant shade of coral!


If you are more daring, I would recommend a highly pigmented lipstick. Smashbox made a lipstick in the shade "Melondrama" that Kristen has and it is stunning! It's super super pigmented, so if you are "afraid" of color I wouldn't recommend this color for you. However; if you want to go for a lighter flush of the shade yet have the color last for a long time, I would absolutely recommend the Revlon Kissable Lip Balm Stain in Rendevous. I've mentioned this product in my June favorites and if you are looking for a lip product that gives you color with shine and lasts all day, this is totally for you!

MAC's "Something Special"

Coral cheeks to me is the definition of summer. A tan face with a coral flush of color is ah-mazing! If you want a lovely drugstore color I would check out any of the Nyx Cosmetics Blushes. I have a blush in Angel which is a more peachy-toned shade of coral, but it's absolutely perfect and I wear this every day in the summer. If you want to invest a bit more into a higher quality blush I would look at MAC blushes especially in the shades "Melba" (powder blush) and "Something Special" (cream blush). Also, I would take a look into Nars Cosmetics' blush in "Cactus Flower".  The last blush I am going to talk about is going to be Benefit's "Coralista". This blush is a cult favorite and so many people (except for me.... :/) have this blush in their collection! All of these blushes are on my wishlist, except for Angel, but I have swatched them all and I can tell you that all of these blushes will look great on anybody's skin tone!

If you are looking into a coral nailpolish, I have a few suggestions for you! Essie's "Camera", "Cute as a Button" and "California Coral" are the perfect coral colors. I own "Camera" and "Cute as a Button" and am looking to buy "California Coral"! I had my nails done in "California Coral" and absolutely loved it. These are all true shades of coral although they have different undertones.


Fashion/Accessories:
Nothing screams "summer" than whipping out your favorite coral wallet or wristlet! For Easter this year, I received a coral Nine West wallet that I absolutely adore. I was eyeing the wallet for a little time and kept fantasizing how amazing it would look for the summer. The silver details really makes the coral pop, and I love this! Kate Spade makes gorgeous bright colored wristlets and wallets so make sure to check those out. Sparkly Little Secret: look at designer items for inspiration and then take a look on to a website like Forever 21; you can't always buy the high priced product, but you can always get a close dupe!


Fashion wise, I think you can totally make coral work! Something like a coral blazer, or even a skirt can make your outfit look super summer-y. At first, I thought coral blazers would have way to much color to wear anywhere, but I found a super cute one on Forever21.com. Click here if you want to see it! It's a lighter shade of coral, so you can pair it with any fun, or neutral top. Sparkly Little Secret: With brighter colors like coral, you don't always know if they are going to be in style for a while. For me, if I want to get a clothing piece for a trend I always look at stores like Forever 21. I usually only splurge on fun basics rather then spring or fall trends, but I always, always, always start off my trend shopping at stores like Forever 21.

Who doesn't love a fun cocktail ring or a statement necklace? Coral jewelry is perfect for the summer! A necklace like this from Francesca's Collection is absolutely stunning, and will make a simple outfit pop.




Sundresses are one of my staples for the summer. I love a sundress that has coral in it because it gives the dress a fun feel. The picture of my sundress on the right is from J.Crew, which was about $40 or so... I don;t remember the exact price, sorry! This is my favorite coral dress! it hits mid-thigh and the ruffle detailing at the top is adorable! I did get this dress in March, so I would look around if you want to get a dress similar to this!


This concludes my post on coral! I really do love this color for the summer, it's just so bright and fun! I hope you've learned how easy it is to incorporate this color into your everyday look. Follow us on twitter @SparklySecret for updates on any new posts. Stay classy!


-Landon

Get Your Sugar Fix!

Hello ladies! I apologize for the lack of posts, and this time school is not my excuse! My family and I have recently moved into our new home, and without cable, and the Internet going off and on for 7+ days…. I was going insane AND couldn’t write any posts. Anyways, I am back and I wanted to share with you a review on one of the most gorgeous blushes you could ever own… Sugarbomb by Benefit.

To start off, this packaging completely caught my eye. A gorgeous metallic pink-boxed blush! It simply couldn’t get any better! I love how it looks like a piece of candy and the font that spells out “Sugarbomb” looks perfect on this product. This little number looks stunning against all of my other packaging in my collection.

I never had owned any Benefit products prior to this blush, but I heard so many great reviews on this blush and I knew I had to have it in my collection!

The blush is made up of four individual colors, which makes this blush stand out from all of the other blushes on the market. It has a perfect peach, a perky plum, a radiant rose, and a punchy pink. When you swirl all of these colors together you get such a beautiful blush color! One thing that is absolutely fantastic about this blush is that it looks great on all skin tones! I have light skin and I love the color on my cheeks, and my older sister who is darker and more olive toned used this last week and loved it! She thought the color was so amazing she went out and bought it herself! This blush definitely pleases a wide variety of skin tones and almost converts itself to the perfect color.

I wanted to swatch this color for you,
but my camera didn't pick up
the true color! 

Unfortunately for myself, this blush breaks me out*. When I first started using it, I noticed a small breakout on the apples of my cheeks. The only thing I had changed in my face routine was the blush, and as soon as I stopped using it the breakout cleared. This color is so gorgeous that I use it only on special occasions when I don’t care as much if it breaks me out later. Obviously, this is a product that I love if I am risking to have a small breakout for the next day. Francesca has more sensitive skin and the Benefit boxed blushes/powders don’t break her out, so I think it’s just my skin. 

“Sugarbomb” retails for $28, and you can purchase this on Benefit.com, Ulta, and Sephora (as well as both Ulta.com and Sephora.com). This blush also comes with its own brush. I have never used this brush, but it is a denser brush and is nicely made.  Overall, this is a product that I would totally recommend. In the future, I would like to try more of the Benefit Boxed powders because I think they are absolutely gorgeous! If I can only wear them on special occasions… so be it. They are nicely made and have a fresh scent to them. The quality of this blush is literally amazing. The pigmentation and texture of “Sugarbomb” is something that stands out from all of my other blushes!

Hopefully this post has persuaded you to purchase “Sugarbomb”. For myself, I had experienced some of the “cons” of this blush but I am excited to try out another one! If you have any questions, comments, or requests leave them in the comments below or tweet them to us @SparklySecret. Don’t forget.. Stay classy!

-Landon

*I don’t want you guys to get the wrong impression of my breakout. It wasn’t hard-core acne or anything, but there were noticeable bumps on my cheeks.

P.S make sure to follow us on twitter! xoxo

Summer Outfit of the Day!

Hello! Today I wanted to do a quick post on what I wore today, July 11. It was about 88 degrees today, so I figured it would be a perfect time to wear the new summer scarf that I picked up for myself last week!

I wanted to keep this outfit super simple, yet have it make my tan pop! Wearing white and brighter/neon colors really shows off your tan. My sparkly little secret for back to school is to always try to wear white! It definitely makes it look like you are a lot more tan than you really are!

My white tank top is from Forever 21, and was $2.80 (such a steal, right??). The neon pink scarf (which is super light weight by the way!) is from a local shop in my mall and was around $10. The denim shorts I am wearing are from Abercrombie & Fitch which were about $39.50 or so. To finish the outfit off I added a brown leather belt from the Gap, but I received this for Christmas so I don't know the price... sorry! 

For my accessories, I am wearing four bracelets that I typically wear everyday. The two light pink pearl bracelets are from Forever 21, the teal string-pearl bracelet was from a local boutique, and the silver one was designed by my older sister who gave it to me as my birthday gift! I am also wearing my "Return to Tiffany" heart necklace, pearl/diamond earrings (first and second hole) and my silver bean ring. The ring is the same one that was featured in Kristin's recent post!

I left my hair natural, and wore my neutral colored sandals from Target. 

Hope you enjoyed today's quick little post. Please leave in the comments any requests you guys have and remember, stay classy!

-Landon

June Favorites

Hey everyone! During the month of June, I bought and tried out a lot of new products! June was also my birthday month and some lovely ladies from this blog gave me some really cute (beauty related) gifts that i fell in love with!

BEAUTY FAVORITES

Essie's "Camera" Nail Polish- Perfect bright coral color for the summer! Currently, I have this polish on my toes, and it looks amazing! I even received a complement on the color while I was shopping! This is definitely going to be my "go-to" bright nail polish. It gives the preppy feel because it's a gorgeous coral, yet it is such a fun color for summer. I would definitely purchase this color if you see it! Also, a big thanks to Francesca for getting me this polish for my birthday!


Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stain- I was on the hunt for this product as soon as I heard about it! I was at the drugstore and I saw them and HAD to get one! The color I have is in "Sweetheart/Valentine" and it is gorgeous. It's a bright, mid-toned pink with a beautiful shine. There are so many things I love about this product! Firstly, it gives you a shine when you first apply it, but as the shine fades it still stains your lips with the color! That is such a win I can't even begin to tell you. A perfect pink lip product that stains your lips for a sufficient amount of time! Secondly, this product is super moisturizing. I've been applying this product every day and I am always reaching for it because it almost acts like a chapstick. It's definitely not drying at all, and makes your lips feel great. Thirdly, the smell is amazing. Amazing. It is a light minty smell and I ADORE mint, so it's pretty much a perfect product!


Maybelline's Volum' Express Mega Plush Mascara- I adore trying out new mascaras, and after watching some beauty guru's hauls on youtube featuring this product, I knew I had to try it! I heard mixed reviews about it, but let me tell you-- I LOVE IT. The formula of this mascara is great and the amount of volume it gives your lashes is priceless! Haha, but seriously if you are accessible to this mascara I would definitely get it! If you would like a longer review leave a comment down below.


Bath & Body Works Triple Moisture Body Cream- Audrey gave this to me as part of my birthday present in the scent 'Sweet Pea"- a cult favorite! This body cream leaves your skin feeling silky, soft, and smooth. I think it's important to moisturize your skin all year round, but especially in the winter and summer. While you are laying out soaking in all of that vitamin D, your skin can become a bit dry because it is so dehydrated. As soon as I get out of the shower, I apply this body cream all over and it rehydrates my skin! Definitely a product I will be repurchasing.


Deborah Lippmann's "Sweet Dreams" Nail Polish- A beautiful glittery hot pink! I had this on my nails about a week ago and I really loved it! It looks really nice on in the summertime with tan skin (I know because of my sister....I am not tan yet! :/ ) The glitters reflect the light really nicely and I cannot wait to wear it again....maybe next time I will use it as an accent nail color with the rest of the nails being a light pink?? Hmmm....tell me in the comments what you guys think I should do! Thanks a bunch to Kristin for this polish!

Hawaiian Tropics Sheer Touch Clear Spray Sunscreen- I am a huge sun protection freak! Even though I love getting a gorgeous tan, I know that it's waaaaaay more important to protect your skin for the harmful rays! This particular sunscreen is available in SPF 30 and 50, and I have mine in SPF 50, but honestly as long as you have at least SPF 30 you will be fine! This sunscreen has an amazing smell-- think of coconut and tropical fruity air. It's wonderful! One thing that I absolutely love about this product is that it is a clear spray that sprays evenly!! So many spray sunscreens distribute unevenly leaving you with weird burn lines, but this one doesn't. It keeps me protected perfectly whether I am at the pool, lake, or the beach!

NON-BEAUTY FAVORITES

Favorite Song- I've really been loving ""Both of Us" by B.O.B and Taylor Swift, "The Fighter" by Gym Class Heroes ft. Ryan Tedder, "Good Girl" by Carrie Underwood and "Drops of Jupiter" by Train. "Both of Us" is a super up beat song and in my opinion is perfect to listen to while you are tanning! "The Fighter" has definitely been on my top played songs. I listen to this song all the time, and it is always playing on my iPod. "Good Girl" is just one of those songs you fall in love with! It's perfect for going on a run or laying out by the pool....clearly a summer song! Finally, "Drops of Jupiter" an oldie but a goodie! This song has always been one of my most loved songs, but I've really been playing it during the month of June! ".....best soy latte that you ever had and me" will never get old!

TV Show- I'm obsessed with TV now I swear. School is out and I have had so much more time to catch up on my TV shows. Dance Moms will always be one of my favorites, as well as Pretty Little Liars! (You guys don't know how much I have missed that show!) Also, I just started watching The Bachelorette. I know, I am super late on that trend but I LOVE IT!! I am so glad that i started watching this show and I love Sean. #TeamSean all the way.


Snack- Gala Apples. I love them! They taste the best to me, and are super refreshing. I could seriously eat like 5 a day!


These are all of my favorites for the month of June! Leave in the comments below what your favorite products from the month of June have been, and don't forget... stay classy!

-Landon

Sparkling Summer Makeup and Summer Makeup Tips!

Hello everyone! Just wanted to get it out there now, our school had finals last week, so we didn't have a lot of time to manage studying, other school work, and the blog! Summer  is here for most of y'all, so I figured I would do a makeup tutorial that was perfect for going out in the summer day or night! This look is minimal, but the ending result is gorgeous! Keep on reading to find out how you can achieve this gorgeous look. By the way, I apologize in advanced for the pictures....they're not the best!


When it's 87 degrees out, it feels absolutely disgusting to be wearing a high coverage foundation. I personally do not reccomend it at all (as it can clog your pores!!!) and if you really feel that you need some kind of coverage, go with a tinted moisturizer. If you don't want to spend a lot, the Covergirl AquaSmoother Tinted Moisturizer is fantastic! Anyway, back to the tutorial (: .  I am going to apply my Laura Mercier secret Concealer under my eyes, and on any other problematic areas. After my concealer has been applied, I am going to put a dusting of my Maybelline Dream Matte Powder. As I have mentioned before, I tend to have super oily skin during the summer months, so this powder keeps me matte and evens out my skin tone.


Whether you are super tan or not, it's always great to add some bronzer to give a bit of a glow. I am using my FAVORITE Nars Laguna Bronzer and applying it to my face using the 3-E trick. Also, I am going to contour my face by making a fish face and putting the bronzer in the hollows of my cheeks. Now for blush- if you have dry skin I would go ahead and put on your favorite cream blush. This gives you a much more radiant glow to your skin, and make it seem like your skin isn't as dry as it is!  If you have oily skin like me, I would play it safe using a powder blush. Powder blush is not going to slide off of your face unlike the cream blush. Use your favorite setting spray or setting powder, and your face is good to go! Make sure you are using a blush that goes nicely with your skin tone.


I love a simple, sparkly eye in the summer! Eyeshadows that are neutral toned look great on your skin in the summer, and won't give the effect of wearing cakey products. I am going to start off by applying an eye primer. I use benefit's "Stay Don't Stray", but use which ever one works best for you! Blend the product from your lid to your browbone, and any extra on your lashline/inner corner with your finger. Using your finger helps melt the product into your skin so it blends beautifully! Next, I am going to take Mac's paintpot in "Bare Study". I absolutely LOVE this product and it's perfect for the summer. Blend that all over your lid using your index finger. Keep in mind that any champagne cream shadow will work for this. Then, taking a pencil brush put a shadow that is one shade lighter than your cream shadow. I am using Lancome's "Honeymoon" for this step. Apply the shadow in your inner corner and on your lower lashline. Using the same brush dip it into a matte brown. I love Lancome's "Mochaccino", and you are going to apply the brown color on your outer half of the lower lashline.


Curl your lashes and apply your favorite waterproof mascara. If you want to amp this up for a summer night out, take Maybelline's Line Stiletto or your favorite liquid liner and create a thick line with a wing. This turns this into a night look but still allows the "summer simplicity" look we are going for.


Finish off with a pink gloss and you are good to go!

Write in the comments below what type of blog you guys would like to see next! Hope you guys are having a great summer, and don't forget...stay classy!


-Landon