Neutral Smokey Eye and Curly Locks for a Night Out

Hello, my lovely readers! I hope you've had a fabulous weekend! For today's post, I'm going to show you how to achieve a very neutral, natural make up look and how to create curly, luscious locks. Let's get started!

(I wrote this in the order I created this look. 

Feel free to change the order if you're more comfortable with a different routine.)

Hair Prep

This is optional, but I washed my hair before I curled my hair because my hair would have looked pretty nasty if I didn't. I used Suave Professionals: Almond + Shea Butter Shampoo and Conditioner. However, if you curl your hair with two-day old hair, you'll still get excellent results. While my hair was still damp, I put some TRESemmé: Volumizing Mousse through my hair, root to tip, to get a little extra volume in my hair.

Face Prep

I washed my face in the shower using Neutrogena Naturals: Acne Cream Cleanser and Neutrogena Naturals: Acne Foaming Scrub. After my shower, I spritzed some LUSH: Tea Tree Water on my face and neck (this helps to even out the discoloration in my face). Then I moisturized my face with Aveeno Active Naturals: Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer. For my lips, I swiped on a layer of LUSH: Mint Julips Lip Scrub to get rid of any dry skin stuck on my lips. Then finish off with Burt's Bees: Beeswax Lip Balm with 

Vitamin E and Peppermint.

Make Up

So... I normally do my hair first, but my hair was still wet so I figured I'd let it dry more while I did my make up. Just as normal, I started off with using Maybelline: Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser on and around my nose and on my forehead. For foundation, I used my True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Foundation {Porcelain/Light Ivory}. If you and the girls are planning on taking pictures, try to avoid foundation that has SPF in it because it may leave an unflattering, shiny effect to your face. For concealer, I applied Maybelline: Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer {Ivory & Buff}. I use Ivory to highlight under my eyes and along the bridge of my nose and I use Buff to cover any blemishes I may have. Finish your face off (for now) with Rimmel: Stay Matte Pressed Powder {001: Transparent}.

Next, I filled in my eye brows with Too Faced Brow Envy Shaping & Defining Kit and applied the brunette shade. Then apply a thin layer of Urban Decay: Eyeshadow Primer Potion {Original} to my eye lids to prep for eyeshadow. If you apply a primer, your shadow is less likely to crease and it will stay in place for much longer. For eyeshadow, I used NYX: The Natural Shadow Palette {TNS 01}. I used the peachy color as a transition color, put the light brown to the right of the peach all over my lid, and put the darkest brown on the outer portion of my lid and in the crease. A tip: you can always apply more of this dark shadow, but it's hard to get rid or hide mistakes. Take your time and don't forget to blend! Finish your eyes with curling your eyelashes and applying mascara. I used Maybelline: The Colossal Cat Eye {Glam Black} on my top lashes and Maybelline: Great Lash BIG {Very Black} on my lower lashes.

Back to the face, I used Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer {Light/Medium} to contour my face (don't forget to brush across your neck too). For blusher, I used a very understated blush to keep this look very natural. I applied Maybelline: Master Hi-Lighting Blush {10: Nude}. To highlight my cheekbones and brow bone, I used Physician's Formula: Powder Palette Mineral Glow Pearls {Translucent Pearl}. To complete the look, swipe on a  bit of Victoria's Secret: Shiny Kiss Flavored Gloss {Mocktail Hour} for a shiny, yet natural finish.

Ta Da! Make up is complete!

Hair
Now that my hair was finally dried, I sprayed TRESemmé: Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray all over my hair to protect it from the heat from my curling iron. I use the Infiniti by Conair Curling Iron {1 inch}. I like 1 inch barrels for my short hair so I can create noticeable curls, but they aren't super tight. If you have longer hair, you may want to try a 1.5-2 inch barrel. 

I begin curling my hair by pulling up the top section of my hair above my head. I work my way from the front of my head to the back of my head. I typically curl away from my face but every few pieces I'll curl towards my face to switch it up. Feel free to do this, just not with the pieces closest to your face. Always curl those parts away from your face. Once you're finished with the bottom section, take another chunk out of your top section and repeat the steps above. Continue to do this until your hair is covered with curls.

Once you've finished curling your hair, don't worry! You won't have to keep the "too perfect" curls in. Let your locks cool for a few minutes, then gently finger comb your hair to separate the curls. I don't recommend using a brush to do this; you might end up with super big, frizzy hair, which is not the look we're going for. Finish this look with a bit of TRESemmé: Tres Two Freeze Hold Hair Spray. To get rid of those frizzy bits close to your part, spray them a bit with your hair spray, then use the bottle to soften them down.

Voila! You're ready to go out with the girls!

 

Where would you wear this look? Let me know in the comments!

xx Amanda
Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore

So You Want To Do Well On Your Finals...

Well... Well... Well... It looks like it's that time of the year. I think a majority of us would say this is not the most wonderful time of the year. Yes, Christmas is approaching and break is almost here, but do you realize what comes before all the fun stuff? FINALS.

I can imagine it's about that time for the stress levels to dramatically increase; the amount of coffee consumed will quadruple; the notes and paperwork will be dispersed across the desk and the floor and the futon; who knows, we'll be curled into the fetal position crying while our moms are trying to calm us down over the phone. Oh, maybe that's just me.

Well I am here today to (hopefully) give you some helpful advice about prepping for your finals. Shall we begin? No? Okay, well I guess I won't write this post then...

Okay, seriously Amanda, don't tease the desperate readers.

BEFORE THE TEST

(1) Go Somewhere Quiet:

     Whether you're studying with a group or going solo, don't go to a noisy location. Libraries, lounges or cozy coffee shops will be your best friend. I don't suggest studying in your room. There will be too many distractions, plus, you don't want to associate your room as a study space, you want your room to be somewhere to relax.

(2) Read Out Loud:

     You are more likely to retain the information you are studying by reading out loud. Repeat important information several times to make it stick. You need to hear information multiple times for it to be instilled. Also, pacing helps you to comprehend information. 

(3) Take Breaks:

     You could listen to some music, watch a bit of Netflix, write a blog post, whatever you find enjoyable. Taking frequent breaks helps the brain to process what you've studied, and will also help you relax. If you study for 4 hours straight, your brain will become tired and it will be unlikely for you to retain anything. 

(4) Physical Activity:

     Doing physical activity, I recently found out, seriously helps with anxiety. It helps to clear the brain temporarily and rids you of your stress. By "physical activity", I don't mean you have to go to the gym and lift 300 pound weights or run a marathon. Go ahead and do that if that's your cup of tea, but I know that's not for everyone. Light exercise such as yoga, walking, or stretching will help with stress too. If you can't brave the cold, just walk in your building: do some lunges, do a round or two of stairs, or just walk up and down the halls.

(5) Drink Water:

     Drinking water will keep you hydrated and awake. Yes, coffee and Red Bull will give you that burst of energy, but you may get the jitters or crash which will distract you from studying.

(6) Stay Organized:

     When you have a lot on your plate, it is best to stay organized and have a well-planned schedule. Keep an agenda with important deadlines and dates and times of tests. Mine is color-coordinated by class so I can keep track of assignments for each course. 

     Writing to do lists are also helpful. If you need to write important tasks just for one day, an agenda can look a bit overwhelming. Just write out what you need to accomplish on a separate piece of paper and check things off as you complete them.

     Post-It Notes are your friends! If you have to keep reminders of papers that need to be printed, people you need to call back, or other random tasks that you need to do, Post-It Notes are nice to just stick on your calendar. Plus, it's super satisfying to rip a Post-It Note off the calendar, crumple it up, and chuck it in the garbage bin.

(7) Keep A Routine:

     Shower, eat, study, relax, study, eat, relax... blah, blah, blah. Whatever you prefer, just keep a routine. You'll be conscious of time and be able to focus on studying when you need to be. 

(8) Skipping Sleep is NOT An Option:

     Yes, there is a lot of memorizing to be done, but that doesn't mean you'll get more accomplished by skipping sleep. Your brain will stop functioning at a certain time in the evening and you need to give it a rest so you can start fresh in the morning.

ON THE DAY OF THE TEST

(1) Wake Up At a Reasonable Time:

     Wake up with enough time to get ready and eat a sufficient meal without having to rush. Rushing will cause unneeded stress and there is no need to feel flustered before an important exam.

(2) Don't Cram:

     I'm sorry, but if you don't know it by now, there's no point.

(3) Actually Get Ready: 

     By no means do you have to look like you're going on the red carpet, but there are studies that prove that if students shower and make themselves look presentable, they will be more awake and focused on the task at hand. So try to put on a pair of jeans and apply some mascara and or even just wash your face. You'll feel ready to dominate that test!

(4) Eat a Sufficient Meal:

     Like I mentioned above, eat a sufficient meal. It doesn't have to be a 5 course breakfast, but don't just eat a granola bar. Fill your stomach so you can focus on your test and not your hunger.

(5) Stay Calm:

     Yes, it's a very stressful time (I have plenty of experience with stress), but you studied hard, you know the material, you can do it! I believe in you! Don't second guess yourself or your capabilities. It may be a tough subject but you will look at the test and say in your head, "I remember this, and that, and that too!"

But let's be real, you're taking tips from a freshman in college who knows NOTHING about prepping for college-level finals. Maybe these will help you with your success for the week ahead of us, but no promises. Maybe I shouldn't even be telling you this...

Good Luck & Happy Studying!

xx Amanda

Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore 

November 2014 Favorites

Hello, lovelies! Oh my goodness! We've made it to December! The year is just flying by, do ya think? It's crazy! But you all know what that means... a new favorites post is about to happen!

Okay... Ready... Set... Go!

Apparel 
American Eagle Socks
On Black Friday, I couldn't resist popping into American Eagle to look at their sales. I went in there hoping to buy a cute sweater or a new pair of earrings, but no. I went a bit crazy when I saw all the socks. Yes, the socks. I bought five pairs of socks, and I don't regret a thing! They are so soft and comfy and look really good with my boots.

Bath
LUSH: Snow Fairy Body Wash
Last time I was at LUSH, I had desperately wanted to try the Snow Fairy Body Wash because I had heard amazing reviews about it. I could concur with these reviews that this products smells phenomenal. If you're not one for strong bubblegummy scents, this may not be for you. However, I find myself randomly sniffing it and making sure to lather up extra because I love it so much. Next time I'm there, I'll have to get a larger bottle. It's limited edition for the Christmas season so if you're interested, get your booty into a LUSH! 

Beauty
Maybelline: The Colassal Volum' Express Cat Eyes {Glam Black}
I featured this mascara in my Target Make Up Haul. The curved wand seriously helps make my eyelashes curled, spread out, lengthened, and actually gives me a slight cat eye look. It gets an A+ in my book.

Almay: Intense I-Color Powder Eye Shadow {401: Smoky-I for Brown Eyes}
To be honest, I've had this stuff for ages and forgot about it. Lucky for me, being in these colder months calls for a darkening of make up (sometimes). This trio of shadow give a sweet and subtle smokey eye on the days I want to mix up my eye look. One thing I should mention though is that I don't apply the shadows how the package intends you to. I apply the pinky tone to my entire lid, place the brown in my crease, and the nude shade goes in my inner corner and brow bone.

Essie: Nail Polish {696: Chinchilly}
Okay, I'll do my best to discover the color because the picture doesn't do the color justice (not that my description will, either). This varnish, I would say, is a muted gray tone with hints of mauve... maybe. It's not gray, but it's not purple... yeah.

Music
Nick Jonas by Nick Jonas
Believe it or not, I did not think I'd like this album when I heard it came out, but I gave it the benefit of the doubt. Now, I'm obsessed. It's on repeat. Nick Jonas' voice is angelic to the point of jealousy. I wish I could hit high notes and carry a tune! The talent is present.

Other
iPhone 6
I finally got it! It was quite the process but I got it and it's my baby. Kidding. Maybe. It's quite a bit different from my iPhone 4, but I like the change. I guess that's all I have to say about that. It's a phone: it does it's job and it looks nice.

What have you been loving throughout the month of November? Anything similar? Let me know in the comments!

xx Amanda
Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore