Quick & Easy Drugstore Makeup Look

before- only wearing moisturizer

after- soft simple eye look

after- glowing pinched cheeks

products used- all from drug store

Hello again everyone! A couple days ago, I featured a before and after look featuring very natural makeup that still covered up all of my redness and blemishes. I had a friend request that I do a similar look featuring only drugstore makeup, which I am a huge fan of! So I decided to share with you a very affordable look, that is yet again very youthful and natural. This look is also very glowy and perfect for any day time occasion. Notice I skipped on eyeliner, and did only a thin coat of mascara this time-- perfect for when you are in a pinch to get out the door in the morning!

In my before picture I am only wearing moisturizer. No hiding of anything! I have been using Dermalogica Active Moist- so that part isn't considered drug store. However, I do love Aveeno's moisturizers!

Products used, in this order:
1. Loreal Magic Perfecting Base- fills pores and fine lines, perfecting the skin for a smooth application of foundation
2. Covergirl Outlast 3-in-1 foundation- 845 Warm Beige- this is an awesome drugstore foundation for those with combination/oily skin wanting medium to full coverage!
3. Maybelline FIT Me Concealer- shade 10 Light- applied under eyes to brighten and hide dark circles
4. Maybelline FIT Me Shine Free foundation stick- I purchased this is a shade 3-4x darker than my skin color to use as a cream contour- 330 Toffee Caramel
5. Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder- 001 Transparent- used to set foundation and concealer
6. Maybelline Dream Bouncy blush- 60 Coffee Cake- applied to apples of cheeks
7. Milani Baked Blush- 05 Luminoso- applied to top of cheek bones for a bit of a highlight and a little more color (sold at Target & CVS)
8. Wet 'n Wild eyeshadow trio- Walking on Eggshells- pink shade all over lid, bronze shade in outer corner
9. Revlon Brow Fantasy- Dark Blonde- lightly filled in brows
10. Maybelline Great Lash- clear- used to set brows in place
11. (not shown) Covergirl Lash Blast mascara- applied a thin coat
12. Revlon Super Lustrous lip gloss- 245 Pango Peach

As always, some of these steps can be skipped if you'd like!

Drugstore makeup is always a great option. While some products are not so great, some really are the equivalent of high-end quality. It all just takes a little time to figure out what works before for you.

Have you used any of these products before? If so, what do you think of them?

Staying Natural

before

after

products used

This before and after transformation is exactly why I have such a love for the world of beauty! Makeup is not to hide yourself, but rather to embrace and enhance the features you love. Even though I take pretty darn good care of my skin by purchasing quality products that are targeted towards my concerns and use them religiously, I still struggle with skin problems. My main skin concerns are oil control, hyper-pigmentation, enlarged pores and of course, post-acne marks. However, I will make mention that my skin has improved tremendously over the last 6-8 months. (I mostly thank my Clarisonic for this!)

THE PLAN: When I'm getting ready, day or night, no matter what make up look I have in mind, I always like to think about what I can do to enhance my features but still leave my house looking natural and not overdone. Pick out what you think are your best features and use products that really make them stand out. I personally like to focus on features that frame my face and give it some structure, such as filling in my brows and then applying a slight contour to enhance my cheek bones. From there, the rest is easy…completing everything else with the right shades. I typically gravitate towards soft neutrals on the eye and a warm blush to make my cheeks pop. And there you have it, a well thought out plan for your look! 

THE APPLICATION: If I can say one thing about makeup, it is that using the right tools is so so so key! Nothing drives me more crazy than when people tell me they refuse to try liquid foundation because they think its messy. Well yes dear, it is, if you use your hands. And don't get me wrong, if you are willing to use your hands with a nice blendable foundation, more power to you! But I personally think the right brush will leave your foundation looking flawless and seamless, which we all want, right? But before I get ahead of myself, here are the steps I take to achieve the look above. 

1. Murad Oil Control Mattifier- I use this on my t-zone to help keep me matte all day

2. Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer- I use this on my cheeks and other places I didn't use the mattifier. (Not a necessary step)

3. Clinique Stay-Matte Oil-Free foundation- applied with Sigma F80, buffed evenly into skin and down neck if you wish. (I am shade 09 Neutral)

4. MAC Prep+Prime Hightlighter in Radiant Rose- used to brighten up the under eye area, blended in with Sigma F86

5. Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder- applied with Sephora 56 brush to set under eye concealer

6. Make Up For Ever HD Powder- patted on with Sigma F30 to set foundation

7. NARS Bronzer in Laguna- applied with Ecotools angled brush on hollows of cheeks and temples

8. Tarte blush in Exposed- applied with Sigma F40 to apples of cheeks (hold brush vertically and away from nose for best results)

9. Urban Decay eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden- blended on to eyelids with ring finger
10. Urban Decay Naked (original) Palette- shade Naked in crease with Sigma E25, shade Sin all over lid with Sigma E55, and shade Hustle in outer corner with same crease brush.
11. Urban Decay Brow Box in Honey Pot- used to fill in brows with tools inside kit, comb out with spooley after
12. Maybelline Great Lash in Clear to set brows in place
13. Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara
14. NARS Satin Lip Pencil gloss in Rikugien
15. MAC Lipglass in Viva Glam VI at center of lips

**all products listed are hyperlinked to where you can purchase them**

Ok, so this list may seem verrrrrry long to some, but as always, many steps are optional! I just wanted to make sure I included everything I used. Many days I don't go through this whole process either, and just will throw on some foundation and mascara.

What I hope you take away from this post is that wearing makeup should be done in such a way to enhance your beautiful features and to not hide behind foundation and bronzer! As you can see in my before picture, I have not a thing on my skin and you can probably tell why I like to leave the house with at least a little something on. However, even in the after picture you can still see some of my freckles! Keeping your skin looking natural even with a full face of makeup on is the best way to let your beauty shine through. There is nothing wrong with loving makeup a little too much in my opinion. It's all about how you utilize it.

Have you used any of these products? If so, what do you think of them? Let me know in the comments below! :) Happy Saturday y'all! Have a good rest of your weekend! 

What I Wore

Hello & happy Monday everyone! Are you all enjoying the extra hour we picked up this weekend with Daylight Savings? I know I am! However, I can't hardly believe its November. Where has the time gone? My mind really is still stuck in summer mode...wishful thinking huh? With that being said, I still am having a hard time wearing boots and scarves. For some reason it just doesn't seem right! But since, it's quite chilly here in the mornings, I have to dress accordingly. So, I thought I would share with you all a fun little outfit that I wore for work today. 

How adorable is this little dog sweater? Last season, I longer for a little fox

print sweater, but found this to be just as cute!

These simple studded flats photographed very brown looking

but are more taupe/grey in person. 

Vest: Old Navy// Sweater: Old Navy// Leggings: J. Crew//

Flats: Target// Necklace: Mint LA Boutique (local)// Watch: Fossil

XO, Carrie

What's in My Makeup Bag

Happy Hump Day ladies! I hope you all have been having a great week. As an avid viewer of many, many blogs and YouTube videos, I have always found myself loving posts that allow us to take a peek inside someones life, so to speak. Closet tours, home decorating ideas, makeup collections, etc. are all things I love seeing. Hey, its fun to see what people have and how they organize it right? Maybe it's because I think we are all a little nosey. ;) But there isn't much wrong with that. Today I thought I would share with you what I typically carry in my makeup bag when I travel on the weekends. I change it up depending on what new products I might have purchased and what I'm loving, but for the most part, items from these categories come with me when I am on the go! 

A fun print makeup bag to store it all! 

Milly for Clinque (was a freebie with a purchase)

Brushes are essential.

Uses: (L-R) Foundation, under-eye concealer, setting powder,

blush, blush/highlighter, bronzer, eye shading, eye blending

A primer and a couple options of foundation.

I like to carry a more full coverage option with me as well as

a more natural coverage option.

(TIP: Soft, plastic bottles of foundation, as opposed to glass, are great for travel.)

Full & medium coverage under-eye concealer

options and blemish concealer...just in case!

Setting powder, bronzer, and two choices of blush

Eyeshadow palettes are best when traveling!

I also always have Stila's Kitten e/s with me. (FAVE status)

A favorite mascara, liquid eyeliner, & brow essentials

ChapStick is a must. I always carry multiple lip colors as well. 

And of course, as most women do, I carry a few hair ties and bobby

pins in my makeup case as well.

So theres what I carry in my makeup bag on a typical weekend or if I am traveling. I try not to overload my case with unnecessary or bulky items. These things fit just perfectly into the size of makeup bag I have. The things that most often get switched out are foundation, eyeshadow and blush due to season or occasion. (And because my collection continues to grow and I need to use everything I have ;)

Look for my "What's in my Traincase" next week! 

XO, Carrie

How to: Second Day Hair

Happy Thursday all! Today I am bringing you what I have found to be the best way to make second hair manageable and fresh. I mean, if you are like me, you will do what you can to make your hair look great for as many days as possible between washes. Usually I go two days and on occasion I can make it 3 days...depending on what things I am up to that week. But when it comes to wearing second and third day hair, there are some important steps you must follow. Unless you have a really dry scalp that produces minimal oil and can get away with doing nothing... I envy you. 

Over the last few years, I have been actively seeking out dry shampoos high and low to see what works best for me. By trial and error, returns and regrets, I think I have found the perfect combination of products that really makes my second day hair look like it was just washed!

I recently have fallen in love with the Bumble and Bumble Tonic Lotion. This stuff is such a universal product. The label says it contains a "rich mix of vitamins, herbs, and Tea Tree Oil- tames tangles, refreshes your head, feeds your hair, and soothes your scalp." I contest it does all of this. And not to mention, it smells fabulous! I always spray this all over when my hair is damp, but when my stylist told me I could use this on second day hair, I knew it was love. For second day hair I lightly spray this on my roots and around my hairline (front and back). What this does is restores the "freshness feel" and activates the products you may have used on your hair the day before. I then take my blow dryer on a low setting and dry it. At this point, my hair honestly looks a bit worse than it did before, but it feels fresh! I then take my FAVORITE and CHEAP Suave Dry Shampoo and spray it where my hair is looking a little oily. Be sure to hold it at least 6 inches away to avoid noticeable white patches. This absorbs oil like no other dry shampoo. (I love Batiste, but Suave is a fraction of the price and works great!) I use my finger tips and massage my roots to really help the product soak up what it can. This also helps blend in the white cast it may have left. After using these two products, my hair looks and feels so fresh! I then style it how I please, and I am ready to go! 

Have you tried either of these products? If not, what are you using to achieve manageable second day hair? I'm always looking for great products!

XO, Carrie 

Check it Out:

Get it here! 

Get it here!

Jewelry Organization

Hello loves! I hope you are all off to a great week! This week is crazy for me. Between finishing my hours observing at the hospital and midterm exams, I can feel myself starting to get a bit overwhelmed. So instead of over-stressing myself, I decided to sit down and share with you all something fun.

I love jewelry. From statement necklaces to classic pearl earrings, I like to keep my collection full of variety. But, when collecting a lot of fun pieces, there comes the issue of figuring out the best way to organize and store what you own. What's great about jewelry is that it makes for a great way to decorate, without going out and buying actual decor! :)

Here is how I am currently organizing and displaying my most worn jewelry!

Displaying your favorite or most valuable pieces on a precious little dish

really showcases those special items!

This DIY earring holder is a great way to store a lot 

of earrings AND double as fun wall art!

A mini mannequin offers great necklace display.

This little dish serves as a great function for 

those most-worn post earrings.

I use an over-the-door rack to hang my larger statement necklaces.

In my bathroom, I often have a pair or two of earrings I take off before bed. 

As of now, this is the best way I have found to store what I have with my space and set up. The pieces I do not wear, I have stored in away in decorative little boxes and such. How do you like to store and display your most worn jewelry? 

XO, Carrie

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all have had another great week! I know I have! This week wasn't my typical week. For my program at school that I hope to be admitted to, we are to complete a certain number of hours of observation in different departments. This week I started that, making for different hours and throwing me out of my normal routine, which is fine by me! Sometimes its nice to have a little change up, yeah?

Fall is such a joyous time of year. Pumpkin everything, blazers & scarves, you know the drill... And nothing is more beautiful than the turn of the leaves and crisp air in the morning. I enjoy this weather MUCH more than a hot summer evening honestly. Unfortunately, this seems to be the season that comes and goes far too quickly! But while its still here, here are things I am really loving this fall (and the last couple weeks)!

Call me your stereotypical young female, but I love me a good pumpkin spice coffee drink. BUT I do not run out to Starbucks and waste fork over nearly $5 for a barely hot latte. DON'T GET ME WRONG: I love SBux quite a lot actually. They have a creative and delicious drink menu, and it makes for a great date with friends. But I personally like to make my own concoctions at home these days, especially when I'm just heading to class in the mornings. I discovered Target's brand, Archer Farms, carries K-Cups for Keurigs and now makes Pumpkin Spice coffee. Add a touch of your favorite creamer (cinnamon, french vanilla, or even almond milk are all great options) a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg on the top, and you have yourself a "homemade" specialty drink ready to take out the door.

Crazy For You Ankle Booties

When it comes to fall attire, I feel that it is all about fashion meets function. In the summer, I think we can kind of get away with a few less-functional clothing items like strappy flat sandals with no support for example. We wear them because they look great with out outfit, and they fit the season. But where fall is concerned, we need to practice a touch of practicality, because the weather is changing and you never know what mother nature might throw at you. For over a month now, I had been on the hunt for the perfect ankle booties. I hoped to find something with a mid-height heel (nothing higher than 3 inches) so I can wear them on a regular day, and also something in that perfect shade of rich cognac leather. I contemplated over a numerous pairs, but believe I have found the ones! Seychelles has always been a brand I have admired (with my eyes of course) and I will be purchasing these babies ASAP!

Blazers are something all women should own at least one of, even if you are not a yuppie! Just because you may not work in the corporate field, its nice to own a piece that adds sophistication to your look. In the last few weeks, I have been loving my Gap Academy blazer again. I have one in navy and really wish I would have purchased a few more colors last fall when I still worked for Gap. I throw mine on over a flowy blouse (cuffs rolled, yes) and pair it with fitted jeans and a slightly pointed toe flat to polish off the look. Easy and effortless. My favorite qualities in an outfit.

Last, but certainly not least, I have really been enjoying MAC's blush in Mocha. How could I go a post without mentioning a beauty product? ;) But in all seriousness, I think this is the perfect fall shade for the cheeks. I mentioned it in my fall beauty trends post (See it here!) and I have been wearing it every day! What's great about it is that while it delivers a beautiful color, it doesn't scream "I'm wearing blush!" like some coral, summer colored blushes can tend to do. I think fall is a great time to switch up your blush. You could leave the rest of your makeup routine the same, but a change in cheek color will really transition you into the new seasons ahead. I like to think cool undertones for the cheeks this time of year versus warm in the spring and summer.

I hope you all are enjoying the beautiful weather and really taking advantage of the season change. What things have you been loving?

XO, Carrie

Healthy Skin

Since I started working at a salon and spa, my view on hair and skincare products has changed tremendously. I used to think that any products from a drugstore or counter could work someway for the right person. But while they may "work" to fix whatever it is you might be seeing on your face, you might not always be benefitting your skin which is really what skin care is all about.

The salon I work at carries the brand Dermalogica and I have grown to love it! While I would love to sit here and talk about all the amazing products they carry and encourage you to try them, I'd rather tell you what makes them different that other skincare brands that I never knew before. Yes, you could go the top lines like Dior, Chanel, Estee Lauder and get a cleanser and moisturizer suited to your skin type, but what's important to know is that these brands are targets towards your skins BEAUTY (heavily emphasizing on cosmetic appearance). Dermalogica is a line completely devoted to executing your skins HEALTH. See the difference? At first it didn't make sense to me, but with a few questions asked to one of the specialists at the salon, I learned more in 5 minutes than I knew about skincare in my 20 years of life.

Beauty brand products can be decent products and may work for certain target zones, but they often contain alcohols, mineral oil, artificial colors and fragrances which are common irritants to the skin. Dermalogica products are clean (however, not organic) and are simply created to promote and enhance your personal skins health....which in my opinion is BEAUTIFUL skin!

Something I would recommend for your skincare routine is to possibly seek out getting a facial or another kind of skincare service at a spa or dermatologist clinic to have your skin diagnosed. It's crucial that you are aware of what is going on with your skin so you can use the correct products to see the best results. I personally can contest to this because I went in for a facial about 2 weeks ago and learned that I had some congestion and enlarged pores around my nose that could become troublesome if I didn't clean and exfoliate them properly!

To find out more about Dermalogica products you can read more on their website and find a retailer near you!

Have you tried out any products from Dermalogica? If so, which ones?!

XO, Carrie

Brows on Deck

Hey ladies, happy Friday! I hope that you all have good things in store for the weekend! And if you don't have any plans, then I hope you find yourself a very relaxing weekend! This weekend, my best friend who moved to Tennessee, is home for a visit, and I am beyond excited to see her! My other best friend will be home as well, and I can't wait to be reunited with the girls I consider family.

But today, I want to share with you a little more in depth on a feature that I included in my fall trends. If you didn't catch that, you can see it here. :) If you didn't know, basically I am in love with all things eyebrows. Bold and beautiful brows are in and brow products are filling the shelves at Sephora. While I do think you can find some great options at the drug store (Revlon Brow Fantasy), I really have found that if you spend just a little more, you get AMAZING results!

Here is my must-have brow combo!

Anastasia Brow Wiz

What I love about the brow wiz pencil is that its SO tiny and lets you make very precise marks to perfectly fill in sparse areas, as well as lining the shape of your natural brow for definition. The brow wiz has a spooley on the end as well to comb out your brows before and after filling them in. Brow wiz comes in 6 shades and can be bought here!

Benefit Gimme Brow

When I first saw this product, I just thought it was a tinted brow gel, which to me isn't normally worth paying the extra price. BUT what's genius about this product is that it has little fibers inside (think mascara) that attach on to your brow hairs and help fill in areas that might need a little fuller look, but may not need the extreme of being penciled in. I've only had this for a few days and I am in love! This is a must have if you are brow lover like me! Gimme Brow comes in 2 shades and can be bought here!

Benefit High Brow

I like to think of High Brow as a push-up bra for the eyebrows. Silly, I know, but with the pink undertone, just a little of this pencil lined under the brow and blended in creates not only a super defined and clean look, but it also puts an emphasis on your arch (which really helps out those who have a very small natural arch). I bought this pencil years ago, and have kind of rediscovered it in my makeup collection. Now, I can't get enough. This product is essentially the same formula as the Benefit Eye Bright. You can also use this in your inner corner and on your water line to brighten up your eye look! 

I can almost assure you that these three products combined will leave you with bold & fabulous looking brows! Over plucking is a thing of the past! 

What brow products do you love?

XO, Carrie

Fall Beauty Trends

Hello lovlies! I hope you all are having a great week and have been enjoying this beautiful 'transition-into-fall' weather we've been having-- at least here in Des Moines, IA! It seems like lately for me I have been going in spurts where I am either in love & obsessed with new products that have come out or else content with what I have and feel motivated to use up some old things. Well, as of late, I am really really loving new trends for fall as well as trying out some new products I normally wouldn't gravitate towards.

Here are the products I consider to fall into the "fall trends" category that I think you should go out and grab!

NAILS: Rich, ox blood and bordeaux colors are very appropriate for fall. Other colors that are well suited for nails in autumn are deep jewel tone colors; purples, emerald greens, and beautiful navys.

Shown here left to right: OPI's Mrs. O'Leary's BBQ and Honk If You Love OPI (darker in person)

LIPS: Deep berry and warm raisin colors are all the hype this fall. These shades here might look a bit scary to those of you who don't wear a lot of color on your lips, but what's great is that these two shades are very sheer and give you that perfect amount of depth to the lips. 

Shown here left to right: Smashbox Black Cherry and Clinique Black Honey (I'm sure you've heard of this cult shade already!)

CHEEKS: Muted rose blushes add the perfect natural glow to ALL skin tones. These shades are perfect for fall as we transition away from peachy & coral pinched cheeks.

Shown here top to bottom: MAC Mocha and Benefit Rockateur 

BROWS: Attention ladies, bold brows are in! Even if your brows are very light, remember they play a very important role in framing your face. Companies continue to create new brow products so that any shade can get the perfect shape and look!

Shown here: Anastasia Brow Wiz (I am shade Caramel)

What fall beauty trends are you loving?

XO, Carrie

"No Makeup" Makeup Look

Step 1: cover any blemishes, discoloration, or previous acne marks with MAC Studio Finish concealer and a small concealer brush or your finger

Step 2: take small amounts of the Smashbox BB Cream on your finger and dab on it around on your face, then blend in with a synthetic brush for a seamless look

Step 3: finish by setting your makeup with a light powder like Covergirl Oil Control and a large powder brush

Whats great about this look is that your natural skin features, such as freckles, can still show through, making it almost appear as if you aren't even wearing makeup. Sometimes full coverage makeup can feel heavy throughout the day and other times, you might not want to apply your full routine just to step out for a few errands. This 3 step face look is perfect for when you are in a pinch too! 

Finish the look with a warm blush, a touch of mascara, and clear gloss to polish it off. 

What products do you use to achieve that 'no-makeup' look?

XO, Carrie

A Rose & it's 'Thorne'

Happy Friday y'all! :)

In honor of the upcoming season premiere of Revenge, I am sharing with you all my love for the show. If you aren't a Revenge-r, then I highly suggest you think about becoming one! (Season 1 & 2 are on Netflix!) From season one, I have loved the manipulative and twisted plot based on Amanda Clark, now known as Emily Thorne, avenging her fathers death. I love Emily's character, sweet but oh so cunning, and more importantly, I love her style. I can sum it up in just a few words. Classic meets relaxed. I have found that her TV style somewhat reflects her personal style. No matter what, Emily (Emily van Camp in real life) looks effortless and stunning. Here are some street style shots of her that I love, especially the fedora and oversized denim shirt!

Season 3 premieres this Sunday on ABC! I can't even contain my excitement!

Which stars do you love on and off the big screen?

XO, Carrie

Apple Pucker

Sweater// This sweater is perfect to throw on for a chilly afternoon. The elbow patches add an extra "prep-school" touch, but still says casual. 

Scarf// Plaid screams fall. Drape this around your neck with a boyfriend cardigan and cognac riding boots to complete the look.

Doesn't that hot cider make you want to sit by the fire and indulge in piece of pumpkin pie?? :)

Ankle boots// Short boots are all the hype this fall. Paired with your live-in skinny jeans, you can't go wrong.

Polish// Mrs. O'Leary's BBQ by OPI is a popular burgundy shade perfect for autumn. This shade reflects fall activities AND colors. 

Flannel// While you might feel a touch lumberjack-like, this plaid will get you through the fall and winter both. Accessorize with a bold necklace to make the ensemble a bit more girly.

Fall Do's

Yes, its true. Fall is officially here! Pools are closed, bikinis and cut offs are put away, and the crispness in the air has arrived. Which, I am not really complaining about. Cool mornings and a sweet spiced latte on the way to class is what I have been waiting for.  Summer is over, so bring on all the goodness of Autumn! 

As seasons change, I think we all kind of make mental goals or lists of things we want to do. A new season can represent a clean slate and a new approach to things going on in your every day life! Here are the things on my to-do list related to the change of season!

1. Make crockpot applesauce & apple cider

2. Enjoy a Sunday afternoon decorating pumpkins with a few close friends

3. Cozy up on the couch with a good read

4. Watch a few classic Halloween movies

5. Find the perfect pair of black boots 

6. Enjoy a nature walk outside as the leaves are turning

7. Cheer on the Cyclones; Go State! :)

Do you make a fun list of things to do as seasons change? What things are you hoping to accomplish?

XO, Carrie

picture via Honey We're Home

MAC Palette Alternative

Good morning & happy Tuesday! I hope everyones week is off to a great start. Mine has had a nice slow start, which I am not complaining about. This morning, I am enjoying the smell of rain and the cool fresh air seep in the windows while I get things organized for the day. 

Today I thought I would share with you ladies what I consider to be the best alternative to a custom MAC eyeshadow palette. When it comes to putting together your own pans with colors of your choice, you have to be aware its going to cost you some $$$. I really don't understand why...but anything with the word "custom" costs extra. While I am a avid lover of MAC products, I can't get myself to pay $15 for a SINGLE eyeshadow. Nope. Just can't do it. So I have taken it upon myself to find similar quality shadows for a not so pretty penny. This leads me to... *drum roll please* Makeup Geek!! Yes, I did a whole blog post about Marlena and her products a while back. See it here. But today I am giving you to the logistics.

MAC

4 shadows @ $10-15 each = $40-60

(range depends on pan vs. compact)

MAC quad compact = $8

Total: $48-$68 

Makeup Geek

4 shadows @ $5.99 each = $23.96

Elf custom compact (Target) = $1

Total: $24.96

Ladies, this is essentially a 50% savings. Need I say more?

If you are curious about the quality of MUG, there really isn't a better way to find out other than to order a few shadows and see for your self. Or you can read reviews online like I did! :) (There are no MUG stores.)

Below is my custom palette that I have put together. I am loving it!

Top left to right: Peach Smoothie, Creme Brûlée. Bottom left to right: Shimma Shimma, Prom Night

These are all MAC dupes!

Peach Smoothie--> Samoa Silk

Creme Brûlée--> Tete a Tint

Shimma Shimma--> Shroom

Prom Night--> Satin Taupe

Have you tried out MUG yet? If so, what shadows are you loving?

XO, Carrie

Lab & Fab Approved OOTD

If you don't personally know me or haven't followed my blog the last few months, then you might not know that I am at a completely new school for an entirely new career path. But because thats not what this post is about, I won't babble too much. This past summer, I started a new program and couldn't be happier with my choice. However, when it comes to long lectures and 2+ hour labs, things can get a little...'drab'. But to keep from feeling AND looking that way, I make it my goal to arrive at school feeling fresh and happy to start the day. Sometimes this requires a laaaaarge cup of coffee. ;) When it comes to attire, on lab days, due to federal law, students are not allowed to wear shorts or any sort of open toed shoes. Just more rules. So that basically knocks out about 60% of my wardrobe. But over the course of the summer, I have found what works for me. Cute and casual. This outfit below is a great example of what to wear to class when you have to meet requirements for lab. 

Outfit details:

Top- Forever 21

Distressed jeans- AE

Royal blue flats- Gap

Earrings- my tahitian black pearls from a vacation

Nail color- OPI's Wooden Shoes Like to Know (shellac)

Lip color- MAC's Viva Glam V (hard to see it in this picture, but it is a gorgeous 'better than your lips' color, and I have been wearing it every day!)

Not only is this outfit approved for lab and super cute, but its also WAY affordable. (Less than $50!)

I hope you all are having a good week!

XO, Carrie