Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone! Instead of doing your typical “green” makeup tutorial today, I wanted to cover a more figurative type of “green” beauty – as in organic and eco-friendly products.

You may be wondering: what are the benefits of using organic beauty products over all the rest? Well, the ingredients in organic beauty products are mainly fruits, leaves, minerals, herbs, and roots, as opposed to the harsh (and sometimes dangerous) chemicals found in normal products. Furthermore, in Certified Organic products, these natural ingredients have not been exposed to harmful pesticides, making these products both better for you and the environment. Whether you want to protect your health and the environment or you just have sensitive skin that easily reacts to harsh chemicals, organic beauty products are the perfect choice.

Here are some amazing eco-chic products that will have you looking beautiful and saving the environment at the same time.

Beauty Tools

Sonia Kashuk Out of the Woods 6 Piece Brush Set – $19.99

Sonia Kashuk has an amazing cosmetics line for Target and this eco-chic brush set is one of the line’s standout products.

While the brushes themselves are fabulous, I can’t help but obsess over the cool cork cosmetic case that they come in. It definitely yells “I’m environmentally fabulous.” Each brush is made of organic materials and the brush handles are composed of a mixture of bamboo, cork, and wood. In my opinion, Sonia Kashuk makes the best quality makeup brushes for those of us on a budget. So with this brush set, you don’t have to compromise on quality to be green.

Makeup

Aveda Petal Essence Color Duo in Copper-Riverbed – $16.00

These gorgeous eye shadow duos come in eight different shades, for a myriad of possible combintations! But most importantly, these shadows are eco-friendly. Instead of being full of talc and mineral oil, these shadows are infused with flower-wax, giving them a silky texture reminiscent of a flower petal. In addition, the eyeshadow is packaged in 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) clamshell and paper sleeve – no plastic packaging here! Aveda is one of my favorite brands for all types of products because they always feel, smell, and look amazing, and these eye shadows are no exception.

Physicians Formula Organic Wear 2-in-1 Bronzer/Blush – $13.95

Physician’s Formula makes the best drugstore bronzers that are always pigmented and smooth-  you can never go wrong with these products. To my utter delight, they recently added a line of eco-friendly 100% organic products to the already amazing brand.

I always love products that make me feel like I’m getting the most bang for my buck, which is exactly what this bronzer/blush combo offers. The gorgeous bronze and pink shades will help your skin look both flushed and sun-kissed in one swoop. Even better, the product claims to be 100% free of harsh chemicals, synthetic preservatives, and is also cruelty free. Eco-friendly and amazing quality-can’t argue with that!

Cleansers

Avalon Organic Facial Cleansing Gel in Lavender Renewal and Vitality – $11.99

The organic ingredients in this product include licorice root, organic lavender, white tea, and arnica, which are great for sensitive skin. These natural ingredients will sooth and calm you skin rather than irritating it, as synthetic chemicals often can. I love this cleanser because after using it, my skin stills feels hydrated and not as if I just stripped my skin of healthy oils. If you’re looking for an organic, gentle cleanser, I highly recommend this product.

Yes to Cucumbers Calming Facial Cleansing Gel – $9.99

I absolutely love cucumber facial cleansers because when I think of my ideal DIY home spa, cucumbers always come to mind. The product boasts that cucumbers are one of the most effective ingredients to calm, cool and hydrate the skin, and I have to agree – this cleanser makes my skin feel extremely cool and refreshed. In general, Yes to Cucumbers is a great line, because all the ingredients used come from certified organic farms, so you can’t go wrong with any of their products.

Your thoughts?

Do you prefer organic over non-organic products? What are your favorite organic beauty products?I know that tons of my readers asked me to cover organic beauty products so I helped this helped you guys out! Let me know what you think!

They say good skin is the base of every good makeup routine, and it’s true: no matter how much foundation or powder you cake on, makeup will never completely disguise unhealthy skin. When your skin is healthy and glowing, any makeup you apply will automatically look 100% better.

Most of my posts have been about makeup, but this week I really want to emphasize the importance of using good skincare products. Contrary to what some believe, good skincare isn’t just about what you wash your face with—there are other incredibly important products that you need to use as well. In this post, I will list the top products I think every girl should have as part of her skincare regime.

1. Sunscreen

Aveeno’s Positively Ageless Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 – $20.49

I mention sunscreen first because I think regardless of her skin type, every girl MUST wear sunscreen daily. Why? Sun exposure is the number one cause of aging and damage to the skin. I’m sure many of you aren’t too worried about wrinkles yet, but it is absolutely crucial that you start wearing sunscreen now, while your skin is young, to prevent them. UV ways can do some mega damage to your skin.

Aveeno Positively Ageless Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30 is one of my must-have products. It’s great because it acts as both a moisturizer and a sunscreen. It doesn’t feel oily after application and it leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated. Most importantly, it contains SPF 30, which I think should be the minimum SPF that you wear on a daily basis. I use this on my face and neck right after I cleanse every morning.

2. Makeup Remover

Neutrogena Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover – $7.99

Washing your face alone is not enough to remove eye makeup residue. That’s why I strongly urge you to use eye makeup remover to ensure that you get all of it off. For me, makeup remover is incredibly helpful after I’ve gone out to a party with my friends: a few quick swipes and I’m done. After all, leaving eye makeup on overnight can damage your eyes.

I am always amazed at how well Neutrogena’s Eye Makeup Remover works. When I use this product, my makeup, including waterproof mascara, just glides off my face. I also love how it doesn’t feel harsh on my skin, which is doubly important because the eye area is incredibly sensitive. In addition, it’s incredibly easy to use: just cover the top of the bottle with a tissue or cotton ball and flip it upside down to get the perfect amount of product.

3. Moisturizer

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel – $24.00

I’m sure you guys all know about this one: hydration is crucial to healthy, glowing skin. Whether you have dry or oily skin, facial moisturizer is a must-use product.

Clinique’s Dramatically Different moisturizers are some of the best around, and they make two formulas for both normal/oily and dry skin users. If you’re like me and have oily skin, I recommend using the gel rather than lotion formula.

Hands down, Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel is the best moisturizer I have ever used. I was incredibly hesitant to buy this product because it cost $24, but it is definitely worth the splurge. During the winter time I always suffer from dry patches, but this product completely solved that problem. After applying this moisturizer, my skin always feels super soft. However, I only use this at night because during the day I need my SPF.

4. Exfoliator

St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub in Gentle – $4.29

Exfoliating your skin helps remove dead skin cells that make your face look dull. I recommend exfoliating at least once a week to help brighten up your face.

I used to love St. Ives original Apricot Scrub, but I recently found that the “Gentle” version was a better option because it did not irritate my skin as much. You do want to be careful when choosing an exfoliating product because some of them can actually cause skin damage. This gentle formula has more of a creamy texture so it is not as harsh as their normal formula. I absolutely love the way my skin feels after using this product: it instantly looks brighter and healthier. Best of all, this product contains 100% natural extracts so you don’t feel like you’re smothering your face with harsh chemicals.

Your thoughts?

What are your must-have skin care products? Is there anything else you’d recommend every girl have as part of her routine? I’d love to know your recommendations!

Although I still have a few more weeks until Spring Break, the latest spring beauty trends allow me to daydream of a relaxing day at the pool and pretty spring flowers. I absolutely love spring beauty trends because they are always so fresh and fun – a definite change from the stark, moody looks we all rocked this winter.

In this post, I will break down the four hottest spring beauty trends and what products you can use. But most importantly, I will show you how to get each look with products that every college student, regardless of their skin type or skin tone, can wear. Trends are never exclusive if you find the right products.

Enough of the winter blues, let’s transition into the warm spring!

Trend #1: Tangerine Lips

Prada Spring 2010 – Photo Credit

Shocking orange lipstick covered the models’ lips at the Spring 2010 Prada runway. While this look is bold, daring, and fun, it may be difficult for the everyday college student to pull this look off without looking clownish. But don’t worry, there are several ways you can rock this look without going full-on neon tangerine.

The Products

Cover Girl Shine Blast Lipgloss in Fire, Neutrogena LipSheers in Peach Sorbet, MAC Lipstick in Lady Danger

Cover Girl Shine Blast Lipgloss in Fire – $7.49
Renowned makeup artist Pat McGrath is a major contributor to the Cover Girl cosmetics line. Instead of choosing a bold orange lipstick for spring, she recommended this gorgeous orange lip gloss. This product would be great for those of you who want a lighter version of this bold trend. This new line of lip glosses is absolutely amazing and they have great colors for the spring and summer seasons.

Neutrogena MoistureShine Soothing LipSheers in Peach Sorbet – $8.99
Neutrogena’s LipSheers are great because they offer a pop of color without the opaqueness of lipstick or the stickiness of a gloss. LipSheers is the perfect in-between lip product, which I think is great for college students. The peach color will add a great splash of color to your look without looking too daring. In addition, unlike most colored lip products I use, LipSheers actually feels like it is moisturizing my lips.

MAC Matte Lipstick in Lady Danger – $14
If you really want to take the plunge, I recommend this lipstick, which was the actual shade used in several Spring 2010 runway shows! This is the perfect lipstick for the bold red-orange trend. In addition, you can never go wrong with MAC lipsticks because they always have great color payoff and a smooth finish. If you’re looking for a funky alternative to the classic red, this lipstick is the one for you!

Trend #2: Lilac Eyes

Dior Spring 2010 – Photo Credit

My favorite color is purple so you can imagine my excitement when I saw that lilac eye shadow was a top beauty trend this spring. What I love most about this trend is that anyone with any skin tone or eye color can pull it off! I think the best trends are the ones that every girl can try, regardless of their coloring. Plus, eye shadow is so versatile that you can control how heavy or sheer you want your look to be.

The Products

MAC Eyeshadow in Crystal, NYX Eyeshadow in Frosted Lilac, and Milani Runway Eyes Fashion Shadows in Couture in Purples

MAC Eye Shadow in Crystal – $14.50
This gorgeous shade of lilac looks amazing on brown-eyed girls like myself. It is a beautiful light purple with hints of silver. You can wear it alone for a flattering everyday look or play it up with gunmetal hues for smokey eyes. If you want to wear this trend without going too crazy, this shade is the perfect choice.

NYX Eye Shadow in Frosted Lilac – $3.50
This eye shadow hits the lilac trend spot on. It is the perfect shade of purple that will help you achieve the gorgeous looks seen on the Christian Dior Spring 2010 runway (photo above). In addition, you would be surprised how pigmented these eye shadows are for their price. In fact, they are often compared to MAC eye shadows for their color selection and pigmentation! Frosted Lilac is an amazing shade that doesn’t look cheap and flatters all skin tones.

Milani Runway Eye Fashion Shadows in Couture in Purples – $8.99
Can’t decide which shade of purple is right for you? With six different shades of purple, these Milani eyeshadows will help you find the right color for your skin tone or eye color. If you have a passion for purples like me, this is your dream eye shadow palette. The colors are also highly pigmented; you won’t even know they are a drugstore brand!

Trend #3: Fresh, Glowing Skin

Chanel Spring 2010 – Photo Credit

When I think of spring, I think of fresh, healthy-looking skin. Enough of that dull winter skin business, let your skin shine this season!

As seen on the Chanel Spring 2010 runways, the fresh, bare-skinned look is my absolute favorite look because natural, healthy-looking skin is flattering on everyone. However, pulling off this look will vary depending on your skin type. That’s why I included a variety of products that will help everyone achieve this look.

The Products

Stila’s Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer, Benefit SugarBomb Blush, Revlon Colorstay Mineralized Finishing Powders

Stila’s Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer – $32
This tinted moisturizer is great because it contains small amounts of shimmer that will blur imperfections and help you achieve that fresh look. It’s a great spring product because since it is a tinted moisturizer, it will feel lighter on your skin than foundation. This product is best for normal/dry skin types because it will hydrate your skin and add a bit of shine. If you have oily skin, use setting powder on top to reduce the appearance of shine. You can also just dab this product on your cheekbones and brow bone for a similar look.

Benefit’s Sugarbomb Blush – $28
This blush is great because it contains a mixture of different shades that combine to make a gorgeous hue that will flatter any skin tone. The shades of rose, shimmering pink, soft plum, and peach blend together perfectly for a delicious “sugar rush flush.” It will definitely give you a unique, glowly finish that no other blush can give you.

Revlon Colorstay Mineral Finishing Powders – $13.99
If you enjoyed my post on the Top 5 Cult Beauty Product Substitutes, you will love these powders. They are the best drugstore dupe for MAC’s Mineralized Skin Finishes. They come in three different shades that are versatile enough to flatter almost any skin tone. If you have oily skin but still want that dewy look, dust some of this powder on your cheekbones to give you that healthy glow. It is not an all-over face product, though, so you do not have to worry about looking too shiny.

Trend #4:  Nice Girl Nudes

Stella McCartney Spring 2010 – Photo Credit

If vibrant, orange-red lipstick and lilac eye shadow are not necessarily your things, don’t worry: basic nude shades are also extremely popular this season!

The Products

Maybelline Lipstick in Nude Blush, Chanel Nail Colour in Particuliere, and Cover Girl Eye Enhancers in Shimmering Sands

Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipstick in Nude Blush – $4.49
This nude lipstick is fabulous. First of all, Maybelline lipsticks always have a smooth application. Second, this is a perfect pink-nude shade. I’ve always struggled to the find the right nude color, but this was the answer to my prayers. It gives you an incredibly natural-looking nude lip without washing you out. You can wear it alone as a lipstick or spice it up with a bit of clear gloss.

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Particuliere – $23
This nail polish is not what would be considered your typical “nude” color: it’s a beautiful taupe mushroom color that is unlike any nail polish shade I’ve seen before. However, despite being a “nude”, this color is not necessarily universally flattering – it can tend to look a bit dirty on some girls (like myself). But overall I think it is a gorgeous color and is definitely super trendy for spring. Being Chanel, it is expensive for a nail polish at $23; however, I am positive there will be some drugstore substitutes to come!

Covergirl Eye Enhancers in Shimmering Sands – $4.69
Shimmering Sands eyeshadow is perfect for an everyday school look. The color palette contains universally-flattering colors with a hint of shimmer. If you’re just starting out in makeup, this is the best palette to start off with because it’s practically foolproof. I absolutely love neutral shades, so these colors are some of my favorites.

Your thoughts?

What are your favorite spring beauty trends this season? Which trends will you be wearing? Also, if you know of a product that fits this season’s beauty trends–please share!

Have you ever watched those “What’s In Her Purse” videos on Youtube? They highlight an almost universal obsession – we women love finding out what’s in each other’s purses. That’s where the inspiration for this article came from – it’s my version of “What’s in Your Schoolbag”. Except instead of listing everything, I want to focus on the beauty products every busy girl should bring with her. So here’s the lowdown on my favorite practical beauty products to carry with you all day.

1. Eyelash Curler

Revlon Eyelash Curler – $3.99

I am obsessed with my eyelash curler; it’s actually quite embarrassing. After hours of lecture, I sometimes notice that my eyelashes become droopy, so I always use my eyelash curler on breaks between classes. Eyelash curlers are great because they make a huge difference in how you look. My current favorite is Revlon’s Eyelash Curler ($3.99) because it grabs all my eyelashes and gives them an amazing curl.

Another reason I love eyelash curlers is because they’re great to bring with you to class since, unlike other makeup products, there’s no risk of spillage in your purse. One word of warning, however: watch where you put your eyelash curler in your bag. I once put my eyelash curler in the front pocket and it broke when I dropped my bag on the floor. So be careful!

2. Lip Gloss/ Lip Balm

Lip Gloss

Covergirl Wetslicks Fruit Spritzers in Watermelon Splash – $5.49

I often bring the lip balm or lip gloss that I’m wearing for the day with me to class. If I notice that my lip gloss is smudged, I just reapply it.

Right now I absolutely love Covergirl’s Wetslicks Fruit Spritzers in Watermelon Splash ($5.49). It reminds me of the grown-up version of those cute Bonnebell lipglosses we all used as kids. What girl didn’t love those? Although the color looks hot pink, it comes off as a more sheer tinted pink. It’s a versatile shade that’s sheer enough to work on any skin tone. But the real reason why I love this lipgloss so much is because it tastes amazing – I always want to lick my lips because it tastes so good! It doesn’t have that overly artificial fruit taste; instead, it has more of a watermelon bubblegum pop flavor.

ChapStick

ChapStick Lip Moisturizer SPF 15 – $1.59

If I don’t want to fuss with using a mirror during the day, I make sure to bring lip balm with me. I actually prefer lip balm over lip gloss because it requires less maintenance. But more importantly, it keeps my lips moisturized and soft.

ChapStick is an all-time classic. I’ve been using it for as long as I can remember. Although it’s only a couple of dollars, the quality is superior to anything else I’ve ever tried. I could never understand why certain girls would spend so much money on expensive lip balm when this works so well! I always use the Lip Moisturizer SPF 15 ($1.59), but many of my friends like the cherry flavored one as well.

Burt’s Bees Lip Balm

Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm – $2.69

I was introduced to Burt’s Bees lip balm in high school. Once I felt the minty, tingly sensation, I was hooked. This product will make your lips feel fresh and hydrated. It is slightly more expensive than ChapStick, but the classic Beeswax- Lip Tube Balm is still incredibly affordable at $2.69. Unlike the ChapStick brand, Burt’s Bees offers an array of lip products from tinted lip balms to lip glosses. However, for an everyday school product I prefer to use the regular lip balm.

3. Translucent Powder

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder – $6.59

Calling all oily skinned ladies: if you hate how your T-zone gets shiny during the day but hate caking on heavy face powder, I have found your golden ticket. Although I use MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural in the morning, I use Maybelline’s Dream Matte Powder ($7-8) to touch up during school hours. This is a translucent powder, meaning it is incredibly sheer and doesn’t contain much color. So you can pile it on and your skin won’t look cakey. But best of all, this product works wonders to reduce the appearance of oily skin. Totally a must-try.

4. Hand Sanitizer

Bath and Body Works Anti-bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Gel – $1.50

While hand sanitizer is not really a beauty product, it’s an essential for me during the day, and is too important to leave off the list! Throughout the day, you’re constantly touching dirty doorknobs and germ-filled desks. Just attending class is practically a recipe for catching a cold. Fortunately, hand sanitizer will help keep your hands clean and free of most germs.

Hand sanitizer is actually great for your complexion, too, if you’re like me and rest your chin on your hand during class. Think about it: your hands are usually covered in dirt, oil, and germs. When you touch your face, all that dirt comes into direct contact with your pores, providing a perfect breeding ground for breakouts. So using hand sanitizer is crucial.

My personal favorite is Bath and Body’s Works Anti-bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Gel in Coconut Lime Verbena ($1.50) because it doesn’t have that harsh chemical smell.

Your thoughts?

What beauty products do you guys carry around in your school bag? I would love to know! Leave a comment and tell us “what’s in your school bag”!

Finding a great foundation can be a difficult and even overwhelming experience. Your friend raved about one foundation, but maybe another one didn’t like it. You read tons of rave reviews about a different foundation online, but when you bought it yourself, it didn’t work for you. Sound familiar?

In general, there are a lot of amazing drugstore foundations out there, but it certainly takes some digging to find them. And the key to finding the one that’s perfect for you? Skin type. It’s the reason one foundation may look amazing on one person but horrible on another. That’s why it is crucial that you assess your skin type before purchasing the product in order to have the most flattering look.

Below, I’ve broken down each of the four most common skin types, and a great drugstore foundation for each (with the exception of “normal” skin, which can wear all three foundations).

Skin Types

In general, there are four main skin types: normal, oily, combination, and dry.

• Normal: Luckily for you, your skin appears evenly toned and you suffer from few breakouts. Your skin is not overly dry or oily. You can pretty much wear whatever foundation you want – they will all work for you, more or less.
• Oily: If you notice that your face tends to get shiny after a short period of time, then you probably have oily skin. This is more obvious in the T-Zone area, which is across your forehead and down the bridge of your nose. Oily skin types typically don’t have many dry areas.
• Dry: Your skin often feels tight and looks flaky. You may get dry patches especially around the nose and chin area. This usually gets worse in the winter.
• Combination: Your skin displays characteristics of both oily and dry skin. You likely have an oily t-zone (nose, forehead, and chin), but dry patches on the rest of your face.

Now that you have an idea of your skin type, on to the foundations!

Oily Skin – Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Foundation – $11.99

Neutrogena foundations are one of the best drugstore options for girls with oily skin. Their foundations will not clog your pores or add grease to already-oily skin. In addition, Neutrogena is known for their acne-fighting skincare products, so it makes sense that their foundations would work for problem skin. If you have a history of breaking out due to your foundation, you should definitely consider Neutrogena.

Foundation rundown:

• Coverage: The coverage of this foundation is moderate to medium. It blends in with your skin beautifully and most importantly looks natural.
• Biggest Pro: This foundation contains lots of great ingredients and is actually proven to help improve the quality of your skin.
• Biggest Con: Application can be a pain with the screwtop cap – spilling is usually unavoidable, and don’t even try to get all the product out of the bottle. It’s not going to happen.

Dry Skin – Revlon Colorstay Foundation

Revlon’s Colorstay Foundation – $12.99

Although the package says “for combination and oily skin”, I’ve found Colorstay to work well on dry skin. Foundations for dry skin typically contain more moisturizing ingredients, and Colorstay fits the bill. In general, if you have dry skin, look for foundations that emphasize their hydrating ingredients. Also, girls with dry skin should always exfoliate before applying foundation. This will help get rid of some of the dry, dead skin cells so the foundation can go on more smoothly.

If you are looking for something a bit lighter than a full-coverage foundation, I also recommend tinted moisturizers for a hint of color minus the heavy look. For example, Covergirl’s CG Smoothers SPF 15 has the perfect ingredients for dry skin users.

Foundation rundown:

• Coverage: The reason why I recommend Revlon Colorstay over CG Smoothers is because Revlon has much better coverage. Tinted moisturizers for the most part have sheer coverage, while foundations have medium to full.
• Biggest Pro: The great thing about the Colorstay line is that they have a great variety of colors for all skin types. The coverage is also amazing. I used it on my friend’s sunburned skin once and you could not tell she was sunburned afterwards.
• Biggest Con: This foundation can feel heavy on your face and sometimes looks too cakey if applied with a heavy hand.

Combination Skin – Revlon PhotoReady Foundation

Revlon’s PhotoReady Foundation – $13.99

Combination skin can be tricky to work with. I have combination skin myself and I find that the seasons largely dictate what foundation I wear. For example, during winter, my skin can get really dry so I need a more hydrating foundation, while during the summer, my skin gets shiny the second I walk out into the heat.

If you have combination skin, you may need two foundations – one for winter, and one for summer. That said, Revlon PhotoReady is a great general option that works well year-round: wear over moisturizer in winter and under powder in summer.

Foundation rundown:

• Coverage: Photoready Foundation has beautiful coverage that helps even out your skin tone. The coverage is more moderate than Colorstay.
• Biggest Pro: This foundation blends in beautifully with your skin tone and doesn’t look unnatural or too cakey.
• Biggest Con: It does contain shimmer, which may be a problem for ladies with skin on the oilier side. Shimmery foundations can have a tendency to highlight open pores and oily areas, so be sure to use a powder on top if you’re worried about it.

Your thoughts?

I know a bunch of you requested this post so I hope it fit your expectations! Now I want to know what you think – what foundations do you guys enjoy using? Feel free to recommend any other products in the comments section, and be sure to note your skin type.

For me, shopping for makeup is like a bargain scavenger hunt. Whether I’m using coupons or waiting for a Friends & Family sale, I’ll do whatever it takes to save money. To be honest, I often hesitate to buy high-end products because I know I can usually find a substitute from a drugstore brand.

You know you have discovered gold when you find a great drugstore substitute for a cult product. Over the years of scouring the aisles at Target and CVS, I’ve learned that there are some amazing high-end product replacements out there – you just have to seek them out! Here are 5 of my favorites.

1. Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil and L’OREAL’s Hip Color Chrome Eyeliner

It easily understandable why people cherish UD’s eyeliners; they have a great color selection and their color payoff is amazing. If you haven’t heard of these eyeliners before, know that they are not your normal black and brown eyeliners; they have colors ranging from vibrant blue to golden yellow.

Don’t get me wrong: UD’s eyeliners are great, but at $16 dollars, I question whether they’re really worth the price. Although their color variety is not as great, L’Oreal’s Hip Color Chrome Eyeliner is a great $9 substitute for UD’s 24/7 liner. In general, I think L’Oreal Hip makes a lot of great substitutes for brands like Urban Decay and MAC because of their funky color variety and amazing pigmentation.

2. Diorshow Mascara

Diorshow Mascara and Maybelline Colossal Volume

I remember being so excited as a mascara lover to purchase my first tube of Diorshow. Some people go as far to say that it is the “holy grail” of mascaras. However, after a couple uses, I was extremely disappointed. For $23, I expected va-va-VOOM eyelashes but instead all I could think was “my drugstore mascara is better than this”.

Leave it up to the drugstore mascara maven, Maybelline, to one-up the high-end brand with their version, Colossal Volume Mascara. My former roommate had this so I tried hers out and fell in love with it. It definitely helps give your lashes volume, but be forewarned: it does contain a strong floral scent. Overall, though, at $8 compared to Dior’s $23 price tag, Colossal Volume is definitely worth it.

3. MAC’s Blacktrack Fluidline Eye Liner

MAC’s Blacktrack and Jane’s Be Pure Mineral Eyeliner

Gel eyeliners can vary a lot in quality, and finding the right one proved to be quite a challenge for me. After a bit of research, I decided to splurge on MAC’s Blacktrack, which didn’t disappoint with its creamy, smooth application.

I thought I had found my perfect eyeliner until one of my closest friends told me that Jane Be Pure Mineral Gel Eyeliner was a great dupe for Blacktrack at a quarter of the price. I almost didn’t believe her – could a drugstore brand really challenge the quality of a MAC product? Yet after I bought it, I was surprised to find that instead of some hard sheer formula, it was incredibly pigmented and smooth. So if you want to buy great gel eyeliner but don’t want to shell out $16 for one, I would definitely recommend this product.

* Note: The Jane eyeliner depicted above is in Dark Brown; however, it does come in Black as well as Navy and Eggplant.

4. Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks

Bobbi Brown’s Shimmer Brick and Physician’s Formula Shimmer Strips

Bobbi Brown’s Shimmer Brick was one of the first makeup products to catch my eye when I was younger – the shimmery gradient effect made it look irresistible. However, at 13, what girl can afford to spend $38 dollars on a beauty product?

On the hunt, I went to my nearest drugstore to find a match and it didn’t take too long to discover Physician’s Formula Shimmer Strips. At first glance, you cannot deny the physical resemblance between the two products. I was beyond happy that I could get my little hands on this treasure for $12. Even today, I really love this product because it has multiple uses: it works equally well as a gorgeous highlighter/blush and an eye shadow. But most importantly, the quality of the Physician’s Formula product is absolutely amazing – just as good as Bobbi Brown.

5. Urban Decay’s Primer Potion

Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion and ELF’s Mineral Eye Shadow Primer

Eyeshadow primer is quite the handy tool when you want to prepare for a long day at school or a night out. Their main purpose is to help your makeup last longer and keep your eye makeup from creasing. One of the most well known primers is Urban Decay’s Primer Potion (one of our cult beauty products worth the hype).

However, if you’re hesitant about spending $17 on UDPP, then I recommend E.L.F. Mineral Eyeshadow Primer. Even though it is only $3, the staying power and quality is easily comparable to Urban Decay’s. In general, for any girl who wants to keep their eye makeup lasting longer, primer is a must-have, and E.L.F.’s is just as good as the high-end brand in this case.

Any other thoughts?

I absolutely love looking around for little drugstore treasures. For me, that’s half the fun of makeup! Now I want to know – what awesome drugstore substitutes have you guys found? I think it would be amazing if we all share this information so next time we know what to look for!

Although Valentines Day is a few weeks away, I know girls like to prepare for events like these way in advance.

However, every girl is going to have a different Valentines Day experience so I thought it would be a fun idea to make makeup suggestions based on two types of girls: The Romantic Date and The Heartbreaker. Valentine’s Day shouldn’t only be celebrated by those who have that special someone – it is Single’s Awareness Day after all and that doesn’t necessarily have to carry a negative connotation!

Here are two makeup looks depending on how you’ll be celebrating February 14th, including key products I think every girl should include in their Valentine’s Day makeup arsenal. Enjoy!

The Romantic Date

Photo Credit

So maybe you’re one of the few lucky girls who has a cute guy taking you out to a special dinner on V-Day. Whether it’s your long-time boyfriend or someone new, you obviously want to look gorgeous. For this occasion, I think it is best to keep your makeup soft and elegant.

Face

• Revlon PhotoReady Foundation: This is my absolute favorite foundation. It’s perfect for a romantic date because it contains miniscule specks of shimmer, which will help you achieve that glowy look. I love it because it feels light on my skin yet gives great coverage. Plus if you’re on a last minute dash to buy makeup, you can grab this at your closest drugstore!
• Benefit’s High Beam: This liquid highlighter will make you look absolutely stunning. Always place highlighter on the upper cheekbones, down your nose and right below the eyebrow. You want to highlight the points on your face that are highest. However, if you have oily skin like me, use it sparingly. I’d only put it on your cheekbones and eyebrows to avoid looking too oily.

Revlon’s PhotoReady Foundation and Benefit’s High Beam

Eyes

• MAC’s Retrospeck: This gorgeous gold shimmery eye shadow definitely has that romantic tone. I would apply this eye shadow all over the lid as the base color for the look.
• L’Oreal Hip Duo in Sassy: Put the shimmery brown eye shadow on the outer-V of your eyelid to help the dark brown eye shadow look softer and less harsh.
• NYX’s Dark Brown: Using a dark matte color on the outer-V of your eyelid will help give your eye more dimension. You don’t want all shimmer or all matte; it’s best to blend the two together. Although this brand is a drugstore brand, I find that many of their shadows have department store quality pigmentation.

MAC Retrospeck, L’OREAL Hip Duo in Sassy and NYX’s Dark Brown

Nails

• Essie Nail Polish in Ballet Slippers: Try to avoid dark nail polishes when going out on a romantic date.  Clean, simple nails are always attractive. This nail polish epitomizes elegance and happens to be one of the brand’s most famous polishes.

Essie “Ballet Slippers”

The Heartbreaker

Photo Credit

Valentine’s Day isn’t only about romance; it can be fun and flirty as well! This look is for the girls who don’t mind breaking a couple hearts along the way. With a bit of sass and attitude, you can have boys falling after your footsteps.

Even when you don’t have that special someone, you should still look fabulous on V-Day anyway. Ideally, you want to look seductive without looking too overdone. I recommend all the same face products as above but with a few tweaks to the eye products.

Eyes

• MAC’s Satin Taupe: Instead of Retrospeck, gently apply Satin Taupe all over the lid.
• Use NYX’s Dark Brown in replace of L’Oreal Hip Duo in Sassy as your Outer-V blending shadow.
• NYX’s Black: Instead of the dark brown, which creates a softer look, don’t fear going a little darker if you’re not out on a date. This will give you more of a smoky, seductive look.
• Maybelline’s XXL Pro Volume: Dramatic lashes are the key to a flirty look. The primer in this mascara preps your lashes by adding an extra volume boost then the mascara end finishes it off. The entire line of XXL mascaras are great for any night out whether you want your eyelashes to look longer, plumper, or more curled.

MAC’s Satin Taupe, NYX’s Black, and Maybelline XXL Pro Volume

Nails

• Revlon Nail Polish in Revlon Red: Red nails add an instant hint of seduction and sexiness to your look. This nail polish is the perfect siren red without looking too vampy. Say hello to bombshell nails!

Revlon Nail Polish in Revlon Red

Your thoughts?

Are you going to be the Romantic Date or Heartbreaker this year? I have to confess that I am one of those girls who lacks that special someone to share my Valentine’s Day this year. However, I am not going to allow that to prevent me from having fun and neither should you!

What are you going to do on Valentine’s Day? Are you going to do a special look to try to attract that cute boy in your writing class? Let me know! I’d love to hear what you guys are all doing!

I am not a morning person. Never have been, never will be. And it shows on my face in the form of dark circles and tired eyes.

Even though I always want to crawl back into my comfy bed and get more rest, I know that with a touch of the right makeup I can instantly fix that problem. As a girl, I know that no matter how tired I am, I always want to look my best. Therefore, here is a tutorial on how to achieve that bright-eyed, wide-awake look. Even if you received zero hours of sleep, with these steps, nobody will be able to tell!

1. Dab concealer underneath your eyes. Make sure to blend well!

Dark circles under the eyes are probably the most obvious sign of a tired student. By concealing those problem areas, you will be amazed how much more awake you look.

A good concealer will brighten up the undereye area and cover any darkness. I personally love any of Maybelline’s liquid concealers but several of my friends swear by MAC’s Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer as well.

Maybelline’s Mineral Power and MAC’s Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer

2. Apply a shimmery skin toned eye shadow all over the eyelid area.

Adding eye shadow that reflects light will instantly help you achieve that wide-awake look. Lack of sleep will leave your eyes looking gray and dull, so brighten them up with a flattering shimmery eye shadow.

There are so many gorgeous eye shadows to choose from so variety should not be a problem. Some great eye shadows that fit the bill include Stila’s Kitten Eyeshadow, which is one of their most famous products and my personal all-time favorite. Also, you could use MAC’s Naked Lunch or Covergirl’s Champagne for a similar look.

Stila’s Kitten, MAC’s Naked Lunch, and Covergirl’s Champagne

3. Line your bottom eyelid with white or cream-colored eyeliner.

By adding white eyeliner to your bottom water line, your eyes will instantly look brighter and larger. However, some people think that white liner looks too unnatural, so try applying a cream-colored liner instead.

For your bottom lashline, you want an eyeliner that is smooth and soft since that area is incredibly sensitive. So if you’re browsing the drugstore aisles, look for kohl eyeliners because these often have a softer application than regular eyeliners. Some of my personal favorites are Rimmel’s Soft Kohl Kajal Eyelinder pencil in Pure White and Stila’s Kajal Eyeliner in Topaz. Both products have an amazing creamy finish and will definitely help your eyes look brighter.

Stila’s Kajal Eye Pencil in Topaz

4. Apply a creamy white shadow to your inner tear duct.

White shadow, applied to the inner corners of your eyes, will reflect light in that area. Combined with the shimmery eye shadow and white cream base, your eyes will instantly look brighter. My personal favorite is Revlon’s Illuminance Crème Eyeshadow in Seashells for its budget-friendly cost and superb quality.

Revlon Illuminance Creme Eyeshadow in Seashells

 5. Curl your eyelashes and apply mascara. You’re finished.

My eyelash curler is one of my most prized makeup tools. With one small squeeze, my eyes instantly look more open and awake. Trust me ladies, I know these tools can look quite frightening but they’re quite useful.

Try using the cult favorite Shu Umuera Eyelash Curler, or if you’re on a budget Revlon’s Eyelash Curler produces similar results. Then swipe on your favorite black mascara and you’re good to go!

Shu Uemura and Revlon Eyelash Curlers

Your thoughts?

Do you struggle to wake up in the morning like me? What is your typical morning makeup routine to help yourself look more awake? I could always use some extra tips!

Also, for those of you who read my last post, I recently got a pedicure with OPI’s Mad as a Hatter on the tips. It actually looks pretty cool! It is definitely something new so you all should try it sometime!

Growing up, I always wanted to be a Disney princess. When I would go to Disneyland with my family, I would always stare in awe as the beautiful princesses would stream down Main Street in the parade. Call me immature but thirteen years later that desire still lingers.

So you can imagine that as a product geek, when I heard two of my favorite cosmetic brands, OPI and Urban Decay, were coming out with Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland-inspired lines, I turned into that giddy six-year old again.

Urban Decay’s Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows

Urban Decay’s Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows

Urban Decay’s Book of Shadows is one of their most popular products. In fact many makeup brands include Tarte and Smashbox have produced similar products in hopes of having equal success. I have the original one and I use it for pretty much everything.

But leave it up to the funky creators of Urban Decay to put their twist on a classic, which they did recently when they released a special Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland edition on January 15th. With Alice in Wonderland inspired names, this palette will instantly bring some creativity to your look. It contains a wide selection of funky, vibrant colors that will instantly give any look a pop of color. When you first open the palette, you are instantly taken into an Alice in Wonderland fantasy world. The movie inspired popup book reminds of me of those cute popup jewelry boxes I had when I was a little girl.

If you have a fetish for fantasy, you will love this palette. You can transform yourself into a Disneyland princess but with an Urban Decay edge.

OPI Alice in Wonderland Nail Polish Collection

From left to right: Off with Her Red! , Absolutely Alice, Mad as a Hatter, Thanks So Muchness! – all OPI

I love anything that sparkles- glitter, sequins, you name it. The amazing nail polish gods at OPI have created this Alice in Wonderland inspired collection that speaks to sparkle addicts like me. The collection includes the following colors: Absolutely Alice, Mad as a Hatter, Off with Her Red! And Thanks so Muchness!. My personal favorite is Mad as a Hatter because it contains flecks of multicolored sparkles, which would add a spice to any outfit.

If you’re going to a night on the town with your friends these sparkly, funky nail polishes will help you glimmer in the dark. But if you’re not someone who likes to put glitter on your nails, then Off with Her Red and Thanks so Muchness! may be the perfect red shades for you. It is really difficult to not be tempted by this amazing OPI Collection with the cheeky names and fun colors.

Personal Inspiration

I drew my own personal inspiration from some of the promotional pictures from the film (and the amazing trailer). For Johnny Depp’s Mad Hatter character, I instantly thought of Covergirl’s Tropical Fusion Eyeshadow Quad. Although the colors may be a bit frightening for some people, the pigmentation is not that heavy so it will show up more sheer. I love Covergirl for funky party looks because I can buy an eyeshadow without having to worry about wasting too much money on something I may only use once.

Also, this gorgeous picture of Anne Hathaway as the White Queen could instantly have women running to beauty stores for tubes of red lipstick. To try to achieve her seductive, enchanting look, try Maybelline’s ColorSensational Lipstick in Red Revival. Statement lips are definitely a trend on the runways this season. I love this trend because it’s a great way to look classically glamorous and requires little makeup aside from the lipstick. When you wear a statement lip color like this one, always make sure your eye makeup is light. I’d pair this lipstick with a bit of shimmery eye shadow and a couple swipes of mascara.

Your thoughts?

Are you going to go out and buy any of the Alice in Wonderland inspired makeup collections? I’m extremely tempted to buy Mad as a Hatter myself. What character inspires you the most? Do you like funky, unique looks like Mad Hatter or do you prefer classical looks like Anne Hathaway? Let me know what you guys think!

One word of warning: some readers found some of CollegeCandy’s ads and content to be NSFW – thought we’d let you know beforehand to avoid any surprises!

Believe it or not, what you eat actually influences how you feel on the inside and look on the outside.  I’m not just talking about your weight here – I’m talking about your skin.  Feeding your body tons of nutritious foods leads to happy skin and in turn, a happier you. 

So what should you eat?  Check out the list below for some of the top recommended “skin foods” from the specialists at WebMD.

Water – Water is probably the most important thing you ever put in your body throughout a given day.  Having enough water in your system helps everything run smoothly, including your digestion, thought processes, and alertness.  Plus, it helps flush (read: pee pee) out all of the toxic byproducts of your normal body processes.  This is the part that makes your skin glow, look fresh, and appear more rested.  While how much water you drink is constantly in dispute, my general rule of thumb is to drink enough water to keep your pee light yellow.

Omega-3 Rich Foods – This includes foods like salmon, flax seeds, walnuts, and certain types of beans.  Eating these foods on a normal basis increases your intake of essential fatty acids, which help your skin remain plump and fresh by holding water into your skin cells.  Omega-3s also act was an anti-inflammatory agent, which can improve the blood flow to your face, making you glow.

Selenium-Rich Foods – Studies have shown the power of this mineral in preventing damage to the skin cells.  Foods high in selenium include whole grains, turkey, and tuna.  Selenium can help prevent oxidative damage, which can age and roughen skin cells.  Pour yourself a bowl of whole wheat cereal in the morning to get closer to your daily selenium needs.

Read the rest at CollegeCandy!