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

Make Up (Please) Don'ts

Hello, lovelies! I hope you have all had a wonderful week! I thought it was a good time to do this make up tutorial for your pretty little faces. I've noticed around campus that a lot of girls do not seem really familiar with the purpose of certain make up products or use them incorrectly. I hope maybe I can educate those who use these products improperly*... and maybe make you giggle a bit, too!**

*Disclaimer: If you use these techniques in your daily make up routine, don't be mad at me. I am in no way trying to offend anyone who uses these tactics to achieve a nice make up look. I am just providing my own personal opinion to explain what I, Amanda, think does not look suitable to go out in public.

**Disclaimer: If you hate sarcasm, leave.***

***Disclaimer: Kidding! I just don't want to offend anyone!

Okay, shall we begin?

FOUNDATION

Starting off with the base of your flawless make up look, apply a heap of liquid foundation. Don't use a brush, just use your fingers to glob a thick base all over your face. Make sure to choose a foundation that is 5-10 shades darker than your natural skin tone. It's getting to that time of the year when we're all looking really pale, so we can look a bit more tanned by darkening our face, right? Right. If you don't have a darker shade of foundation, feel free to use Nutella. Also, no need to blend that down your neck; you want people to know you're wearing make up. To make sure there is a distinct line between your jaw and neck, just do the "Double Chin Test".

POWDER

You want your powder to match your foundation, which means you need a dark powder. Don't have it? Go ahead and use your favorite bronzer (I opted for sparkly bronzer to really make it obvious)! Don't have that either? A great substitute is cocoa powder or fresh dirt.

CONCEALER

So y'all have heard the phrase "under eye highlighting", right? Well we are going to do our best to execute this technique with the best of our abilities. In order to accomplish this look, obtain a concealer that is brighter than your glowing smiles. Like, the complete opposite of the shade of foundation you just applied. Apply under the eyes, and also your forehead, down the bridge of your nose, and your chin. Blending is optional. You're trying to show people that you wear make up... you know... to look more sophisticated.

BLUSH

You'll need to use the biggest brush you can possibly find for this step. If you're really committed, feel free to use a toilet bowl brush. Now, find the brightest, Barbie pink blush you can find. Smile to expose the apples of your cheeks, and pack that stuff on! Go ahead, do 4-5 layers to get the full effect of the vivid product! You got it girl, keep going! When you think you have enough, you don't. More, more, more!

HIGHLIGHTER

Similar to the blush, you really want to pack the brightest highlighter you can find. The point of this product is to show people that you glow, you shine! Use a large brush to swipe several layers of this radiance in a box on your cheek bones, forehead, anywhere, really. If you're not seeing the results you want from the brush, go ahead and apply the highlighter straight from the pan. Still not shiny enough? Maybe you should just stop showering and washing your face to get that natural, sweaty, glowing look. HOT DAMN!

EYE BROWS

Now this part is a bit tricky, so don't worry if you don't get the hang of it your first time. There's two ways to go about getting the best eye brows. 1) Shave or pluck both eye brows so nothing is left; not one single hair. Then take a Sharpie and draw your eye brows: two straight lines should suffice. They don't have to be symmetrical either. No worries! OR 2) Not ready for that kind of commitment, leave your eye brows just the way they are. Take a liquid eyeliner pen and do the same thing. Completely disregard the color of your natural hairs and the shape of your brows, and just draw those suckers on with an eyeliner pen that is as black as your soul.

 

EYE SHADOW

Find the brightest, most obnoxious color(s) you can find. Apply whatever you find with your fingers or one of those crappy brushes that come in the packet. It doesn't even matter if the colors look good paired together and don't worry about blending them. You gotta love those harsh lines! Don't just stop in the crease either, apply a cakey amount from the lash line all the way to your brow bone (or further if you'd like). If you have some glitter too, use it, all of it! Sounds easy enough, right?

EYE LINER

Remember that eye liner you used in your eye brows? You should grab that again. Apply a thick line of black above your lash line. Not on the lash line, above it. Got an unsteady hand? Even better. Clean lines aren't necessary for the look you're going for. Still not liking the look? Adding more eye liner always solves the problem. You know what they say, "The more, the merrier!"

MASCARA

This is my favorite! Open your favorite mascara, don't wipe off any of the excess product off the wand, pack that on. Don't worry about spreading out your eyelashes, don't even shimmy the brush when you apply. Just clump it all on. Make it look as chunky and unnatural as possible. You got some on the skin around your eye? No problem, just leave it. It adds that "I worked extra hard to look good" appeal. Put so much mascara on that it almost looks uncomfortable. Yeah, that'll make the boys whistle. 

LIPS

Don't exfoliate. Don't moisturize. The dry lip look is the new trend and looks ultra chic with bright or extreme lipsticks. Trust me, you'll look great. Don't worry about lining either, you won't make mistakes because women are perfect. Just apply straight from the bullet. Make sure to really overdraw those lips to get that luscious, kissable look. After lipstick, use a gloss that matches the lipstick you just applied like a pro. Be extra generous with the gloss. You want to look shiny... and sticky. That's always a good combo.

There you go! You look amazing! If you don't find your soul mate while wearing this look, there's no hope for you. Sorry. Play around with these techniques, make them your own! Be creative! You'll find what you like/don't like.

Let me know in the comments what you think!

xx Amanda

Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore

The #GussyDown Challenge (Part 2): Your Skin Doesn't Define YOU

Quote of the Day
"Once you've accepted your flaws, no one can use them against you."
-Anonymous 
♥
Hello lovelies! Well look at this, I've completed the #GussyDown challenge given to me by Success^S.H.E.. Did you take the pledge and go a week without touching your collection of make up?! I hope so! 

Remember how I said I'd show you all my lovely "naked-faced" selfies? Well, I'm keeping my promise. Here's what Amanda looks like make up-free!
{P.S. You can also see them on Instagram!}

•••
Monday, November 10, 2014

Day 1
Amanda was super excited to show her naked face to the world. 

•••
Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Day 2
Amanda went to go take pictures of the great outdoors and had to show off how "hood" she was.
Bad pun, ignore that...please.

•••
Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Day 3
Amanda was proud of going three days without make up.
Chuckin' up the... treces?
The puns just keep getting better.

•••
Thursday, November 13, 2014

Day 4
Amanda was seriously running out of poses. Taking selfies is tough work.
Amanda needs a water break! Oh dear...

•••
Friday, November 14, 2014

Day 5
Amanda was proud of herself for completing the #GussyDown Challenge!
IT FEELS GOOOOOOOOD!

•••
I honestly didn't think this challenge would be difficult considering I don't wear an innumerable amount of make up products on a day-to-day basis. I was wrong. I think it's because I have the choice to wear (or not wear) make up each day, and the fact that I wasn't allowed to choose bothered me... like, a lot. I also found myself seeing more flaws and blemishes that I probably wouldn't have if I just didn't think about wearing make up. It was just a very psychological experience, I suppose. 

A good friend of mine reminded me of this when he said, "Personality > Appearance". This helped me get through the rest of the week. But seriously, isn't that what this challenge is all about? Women (including myself) need to understand that your skin does NOT define who you are as a person, nor does your hair, your clothes, your marital status, your occupation, NOTHING. 

It's called #GussyDown, not #LookLikeASlob! I'm not telling you to stop caring for your skin or anything else. Please, wash your face, your body, your hair, your clothes, everything. This is not a hygiene problem, this is a "being uncomfortable in your own skin" problem. Don't think this is an excuse to stop caring for yourself. Just know that you don't have to be all "gussied up" 24/7. 

There were so many benefits to doing this challenge! I might make myself do a weekly "gussy down cleanse" every few months. My skin looks cleaner and feels softer from not being drowned in foundation the past week. I've also given my brushes a good cleaning (You don't know how? Look HERE!) and gave them a break, as well. It's very beneficial for my blemishes to breathe and to not be suffocated by loads of face products.

I admire the work Success^S.H.E. has done to help women feel comfortable and beautiful as themselves! If you have a chance, read this article as well concerning #GussyDown.

Let me know how your experience taking the pledge was!

I hope it was worthwhile!

Want the background story? Click HERE!

xx Amanda

Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore