Living in the Moment :)

Good Morning All!

Today I learned an extremely valuable lesson. As I write this, I am enjoying coffee in the dining hall on my campus. As I enjoy my second cup of coffee (a rarity because I typically only have one) I have a perfect view of the beautiful day outside. I am completely at peace and stress-free, how life should be. The best part of it all is that I have a very important exam in less than an hour, and it is one of those exams that could make-or-break my course grade. I have studied endlessly this week, and worked extremely hard to prepare myself, and now that I feel like I have done all that I can do, I am calm and relaxed.
When I woke up this morning, I had only slept a little more than three hours. People on my campus tend to be a little rowdy on Thursday nights, so even though I got into bed at midnight, the noise kept me awake and I didn't fall asleep until after two. This morning when I woke up, it was a little bit before five thirty (I typically wake up between 8:30 and 10). I was determined to wake up in time to watch the royal wedding on television in the lounge of my dorm with some friends. I felt exhausted, I had no clue of how I was going to stay awake, and I started to worry because I need to be completely alert and focused for my exam. Instead of stressing over these things, I sat back and watched the beautiful fairytale wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton (my style icon!) unfold. Now, almost four hours later, I sit in the dining hall sipping my coffee and realizing that things are not always perfect, but that is perfectly fine. If we spend the valuable moments of our day stressing out and worrying about things that are out of our control, then we will exhaust ourselves and take away from the beauty of the moment that we are in. I am certain that if I can feel completely at peace and calm (this was an epiphany moment for me, might I add) then you surely can too in your everyday lives. I hope you feel inspired by this post, because I feel very inspired writing it. Enjoy! xoxo, Kyla

Subtle Ways You May Be Sabotaging Your Skin

Hi everyone! It's that time of year when most of us are 'coming out of hibernation' and spending more time outside enjoying the beautifully warm weather, whether it be taking walks with friends or hanging by the pool. I don't know about you, but for me I really don't like the really of having a lot of makeup on my face when it's warm outside, I like to let my skin b-r-e-a-t-h-e. This can be a difficult thing to do if you are battling acne, rosacea, or an uneven skin tone. Foundation becomes a comfort blanket for many women, a simple fix that makes them feel more confident by hiding their imperfections. However, what many of us fail to realize is that foundation can melt deep into our pores when it comes in contact with the hot, sticky weather of summer. Luckily, there are things that you can do to make your skin look beautiful without the mask of makeup covering up your beautiful face! Below I have listed some tips and reminders of simple ways to prevent your skin from looking blotchy, while also saving it from harmful habits that many of us don't even realize we are doing. Enjoy!

1. There's nothing wrong with wearing a little bit of coverage on your face in the summer. I personally think that the best way to do this is to wear a light-coverage foundation or tinted moisturizer with SPF. I have used Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Sheers, and Benefit You Rebel Tinted Moisturizer. I find the Benefit formula to be a little bit greasy feeling, but this can be easily corrected with some setting powder, which also doubles as a way to keep your skin looking matte. While I have not tried the next three, I have heard excellent reviews about them and I would love to try them myself: Aveeno's new tinted moisurizer, MAC Studio Moisture Tint, and Physicians Formula Tinted Moisturizer.

2. PROTECT your face from the sun! While you may not realize it now, every day that you expose your sun to the skin, whether it be through intentional tanning or simply spending a day at an outdoor event without even realizing, you are harming your beautiful complexion. Over time, this will cause your skin to lose elasticity, while also creating sun spots and making blemishes and acne scars more visible. For those of you with very fair skin, it is critical that you wear a daily moisturizer with SPF in it. For those with acne, be careful about the acne treatments that you apply in the morning (or even at night) because many of them contain ingredients that increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight.

3. If possible, avoid putting regular sunblock on your face. This is usually thicker and contains ingredients that can clog pores. Rather, find a moisturizer with a relatively high SPF content. However, if you typically don't break out from applying sunblock to your face, and it works effectively for you, then go right ahead!

4. Stay hydrated in the summer! Take your weight in pounds, divide in half, and then by 8. That is how many cups of water you should have per day. (Example: 128lbs/2=64/8=8 cups per day minimum). When you spend time in the heat, or working out, that number increases. There are tools on websites such as www.weather.com that can help you to find the ideal water recommendation for your specific geographical location and activity of choice.

5. Take extra care to cleanse your face in the evening (body too!) because the summer months typically cause people to naturally perspire more. This is our body's natural defense against heat, because as the sweat evaporated off of our skin it helps to cool our bodies. This sweat (especially combined with sunblock/dirt/etc blocks pores and can cause acne on not only the face but also the body (especially the back!). Cleanse your skin at the end of each day, and towel off fully and put on clean, dry clothes.

I hope you all enjoyed these tips, and remember to keep your skin protected and safe while you are enjoying the fun that summer brings along :) xoxo, Kyla

Prom Makeup Tips

Hey girlies! For some of you, it's that time of year again... prom! I know that this is a much-anticipated event for many people, and as a high school graduate, I want to pass my tips and tricks onto you so that you can look and feel beautiful for your prom! Last year I attended my senior prom, and in an effort to save money I decided to do my hair, makeup, and nails! I also did the makeup and nails of several of my friends, and we had a really fun time practicing our different looks in the weeks leading up to prom. (I inserted a photo here of me doing my friend Amanda's makeup for prom). Check out my youtube channel: ilovemypinkflipflops for tutorials to inspire you to do your own makeup for prom, too!

Enjoy!

1. Use a powder to set your makeup. This will help it to stay put throughout the entire evening while you're dancing and having fun, and it will keep you shine-free for photos! I recommend a loose powder, particularly Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P61004&categoryId=B70. While it is a bit pricey for a setting powder ($19), the product is the best that I have ever used (I have had quite an experience with oily skin in my past) and it lasts for what seems like forever. One 0.3 ounce jar typically lasts about a year with daily use. A light dusting of this will keep you looking beautifully matte all night long!

2. Contour, using a matte bronzer and a highlight with a subtle shimmer. This will create beautiful, subtle angles in your face to achieve a look of grace and joy, perfect for your special night! I recommend Bare Escentuals Warmth http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P61005&categoryId=B70. However, if you don't mind a bit of shimmer, NARS Laguna gives a beautiful glow, too! On the less expensive side, I have heard great things about the Milani Baked blushes (available at CVS), but I have not personally tried them for myself. As for a highlight, any shimmery off-white eye shadow will do the trick as long as it is not chalky. For my friends and myself, I used a loose shimmer powder from Victoria's Secret in Silverdust.

3. Invest in a high-quality liquid or gel liner for your top lashes that will stay put all night. For my prom, I used Loreal Lineur Intense Felt-tipped liner in Black. A good way to test whether or not a liner will stay put all night long is to test it on the back of your hand by applying a short line of it. Allow it to dry, and then try to rub it off. If it doesn't budge, then you have a good liner!

4. Don't be afraid to layer mascaras. This is a great alternative to using false lashes, especially if you are afraid of them falling off during the night. I recommend layering a lengthening mascara beneath a volumizing mascara to achieve the illusion of the fullest lashes possible. I recommend Clinique High Lengths mascara layered beneath Maybelline Falsies mascara.

5. Most likely, you will be taking a lot of pictures on your prom night. The flash of a camera can often wash you out and make you look ghostly. This can be fixed by using a little bit extra color on your face. I cannot stress the importance of making this adjustment GRADUAL and small, because otherwise you will look like you have too much makeup on, or as if you picked the wrong shades for your face. A good way to ensure that you apply the proper amount of makeup without looking overdone is to apply your makeup in natural lighting, and then check to make sure that it appears natural and well-blended, especially at your hairline, jawline, and t-zone area (between brows especially!) Then, apply your bronzer and blush as usual, but carefully apply an extra layer of each. It is also good to check with a friend to make sure that you don't look as if you have too much on!

6. Unless you really have your heart set on using bright colors for prom, I recommend keeping your makeup simple and classic, because you don't want to look back and think 'That blue eye shadow used to be in style...', but rather have photos that will remain timeless.

7. Using a powder puff with a bit of shimmer along your collarbone will give you a beautiful, ethereal look, while also absorbing any perspiration that may occur from dancing. I've had mine for years, so I do not remember where I purchased it, however you can definitely check your local drugstores or google it!

8. You do not need to go tanning in order to look beautiful for prom! A lot of people spend lots of money to either get a spray tan or go to a tanning booth before prom. If you really want to achieve an all-over glow for prom, you can experiment with self-tanners (such as Jergen's Natural Glow). I suggest doing this about a month or so before your prom, in order to allow you adequate time to figure out the proper amount that is right for you.

9. Many lip products can be drying, so use vaseline as a base beneath them. This will keep your lips from chapping, and help them to look supple and moisturized throughout the evening.

10. If you don't typically use a primer (for both face and eyelids) then tonight is the night to do so! Revlon Beyond Naturals Primer is an excellent, inexpensive primer to keep your makeup in place, and Loreal Decrease has been said to be a wonderful drugstore eye primer.

Most importantly of all: Remember to have fun! Prom is a special event and remember to not get too caught up in the small details of the event but rather to enjoy it as a special time to feel like a princess and have fun with friends. Use smart choices on prom night, and make sure that you are responsible and completely comfortable with everything, especially post-prom. A lot of kids get themselves into trouble by not thinking before they act on prom night, and you don't want to have to suffer the consequences! Use your judgement and make sure the enjoy this special night in your life :)

xoxo - Kyla

My friends and I before our Senior Prom ~ 2010

Sunshine At Your Fingertips, A Step By Step

Springtime is around the corner and the fresh change of weather has inspired me to add some sunshine to my style. With an amazing season ahead of us, what better time than now to try something new? This look draws inspiration from the sunny days of springtime and the elated feeling that the warm weathing brings! Using three inexpensive yet high-quality products, use the steps below to create sunshine at your fingertips, blue sky and puffy clouds included :) Happy Spring!

To view video instruction, click here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4glEwLoapJA

Products:

-China Glaze Nail Polish in For Audrey

-China Glaze Nail Polish in Lemon Fizz

-Milani Nail Art in White Canvas

Step By Step:

1. Clip and file nails to desired length and shape.

2. Apply one coat of For Audrey nail polish, let dry for about 5 minutes.

3. Apply a second coat of For Audrey nail polish, to create a vibrant sky-blue background.

4. Using China Glaze Nail Polish in Lemon Fizz, create a sun on each ring finger (refer to photo for size suggestion.)

5. Draw clouds with Milani Nail Art in White Canvas, using a patting motion. Be sure to tap/wipe the brush on the edge of the bottle to ensure neat applications without dripping. *To watch the video instruction, click here:

A $1 Eye Primer? No Way!!!

Finally an affordable eye primer that works!

So the other day I was at Target (love!) because I wanted to check out the new line of E.L.F. products that were released for Spring 2011. As I was perusing the display, one product in particular caught my eye... an eyelid primer for ONE DOLLAR! I did not know that such a product existed! While I was a tad bit skeptical of the quality of the product because of the inexpensive price, but I figured that the worst case scenerio would only put me out a dollar, so it was worth a try. I got home and swatched it on the back of my hand first, and noticed that it was not watery, but rather a decent consistency (similar to Benefit Stay Don't Stray, but thinner than Urban Decay Primer Potion). I swatched the three products on the back of my hand, the photo on the right shows them in this order: Benefit Stay Don't Stray, UD Primer Potion in Eden, E.L.F. Eyelid Primer. As you can see, the E.L.F. Eyelid Primer has a nice neutral undertone, so it should work on everyone from the fair skinned to the darker skinned beauties. It blends in beautifully and dries rather quickly, allowing for quick and easy shadow application. The tube contains half of the amount of product of Urban Decay Primer Potion (1.7fl oz as opposed to 3.4fl oz), however, it costs $8 less per ounce, which in my opinion is phenomenal! Another perk of the product is that there is absolutely no animal testing, which allows you to use the product with a peace of mind. This is an excellent everyday eye primer and I recommend it to anybody, whether your eyelids are dry or a bit oily, this will keep those shadows in place and creaseless all day long! Good job E.L.F!!!

Anti-Puff Eye Roller... Does It Work?

Garnier Anti-Puff Eye Roller ... Does It Work??

My thoughts:

If you're a student, a working woman, or a mother of young children then you know what it feels like to wake up feeling sleep-deprived with puffy bags beneath your eyes. It happens to the best of us, and it seems that it's always then night before an important event when you want to look and feel your best. Imagine being handed a new invention that can diminish the appearance of the puffiness in just a matter of seconds... Well, I'm not sure if the Garnier Anti-Puff Eye Roller works that well, but they are definitely onto something! Pictured at the right, the roller comes in a green tube about 5 inches long and 3/4 inch in diameter at it's fullest point. On the end is a small metal ball (imagine the end of a ball point pen except a lot larger). It costs $13.49 on drugstore.com, however I purchased mine on sale for about $8 at RiteAid in January. I decided to give it a try, after hearing good reviews about it from various YouTube videos. It seems like a great concept when you think about it, especially to somebody like me who has tried everything to get rid of her under-eye puffiness, from teabags to ice to cold compresses to chilled spoons (yes, some of them were quite unpleasant, especially first thing in the morning!) I purchased it during an afternoon trip to RiteAid, so I waited until the next morning to use it with my facial regimine. I washed my face, applied my moisturizer, and then gently rolled it from the inner corner to the other corner of my eye about three times (until I could feel a thin layer of the product beneath my eyes). I was worried that it might irritate my eyes a bit, but it was a very gentle formula and I did not experience any discomfort. However, unless the tube is tilted properly during application (adjust your hold to find the perfect position for you) then the black plastic that is surrounding the metal ball can feel as though it is scratching your skin, which is unpleasant. The first time that I felt that scratching feeling, I checked and made sure that it hadn't actually created a scratch on my skin but rather it only felt that way for a moment. Once I figured out how to hold it properly, I experienced a nice smooth application. The product that is dispensed from the ball is like a serum that is packed with ingredients that giving it a cooling effect, plus caffiene that helps with deflating those sleepy balloons that can develop beneath your eyes while sleeping. Upon application, I noticed that the serum provides a very pleasant, refreshing feeling and and really made my eyes feel more awake and alert. I waited a few moments to see if the puffiness dimished, and I did notice a difference, however it was not a significant one. So is it worth the full price? I don't think so. However, if you can find one on sale like I did, then I suggest purchasing it and trying it out for yourself. I feel good having one on hand in my makeup bag for those mornings when my sleepy eyes are hardly the picture of beauty. If you do purchase one, my suggestion is to store it in your refrigerator. I think that storing it in this cool place would give the refreshing factor an extra boost! If you give it a try, let me know what you think, and have a great day!

- Kyla

Major Mascara Review!

Listed below are all of the mascaras that I have tried over the years. I know that it can be difficult to find the perfect formulation for you, so hopefully this will help you to narrow down the options that are available! I have listed nine below, beginning with some drugstore options and ending with some high-end choices. Enjoy!

Maybelline Full N'Soft ($6.59 at drugstore.com)
Good for: natural, buildable volume
Not so good for: lengthening
My thoughts: This is my ultimate favorite mascara. Not only can you find it at just about any drugstore, but it is inexpensive and truly high-quality. I purchased my first tube of this in October and it's still going strong after daily use! The brush allows for neat application; Thin enough to reach the base of lashes, while full enough to add volume and deliver plenty of product to each individual lash.

Maybelline Great Lash ($4.99 at drugstore.com)
Good for: precise application, a natural everyday look, value
Not so good for: buildable volume, lengthening
My thoughts: This pink and green tube is a classic in the world of cosmetics. It can be found in the collections of many makeup artists and has been praised and adored by women for over a decade. The tiny brush allows for the utmost clean and precise application, while the formula hardly ever clumps and thickens. This is good for achieving a quick and natural look, because it adds a little something extra to the lashes without making it obvious that you're even wearing it. In my opinion, this is the younger sibling of Full N' Soft because it is similar in formulation but it does not create the buildable volume of Full N' Soft.

Maybelline Colossal Volum' Express ($5.99 at drugstore.com)
Good for: creating thick massive lashes
Not so good for: neat application (clumpy), avoiding flakes and smudges
My thoughts: I purchased this mascara in May of 2009 after seeing it featured in the cover look of Glamour Magazine. It comes in a bright yellow tube and I bought the color "Glam Black" which immediately made me feel like it would have stunning results. Unfortunately I found it to be a very clumpy and smudgy, creating a collection of product around the outer corner of my eyes after only a few hours of wear.

Maybelline Classic Volum' Express ($6.59 at drugstore.com)
Good for: --------
Not so good for: unfortunately, pretty much everything (poor odor, very thick and clumpy)
This was an all-around disappointment for me. The product had a very poor odor that was pretty overwhelming, meanwhile displaying all of the flaws that were found with the Colossal formulation. Maybe it was a poor batch of it, but from what I experienced, it was not a product worth re-purchasing.

Maybelline The Falsies ($7.99 at drugstore.com)
Good for: extreme volume, achieving the look of false lashes
Not so good for: neat application (abnormal applicator, clumpy, thick consistency), long-term wear (flakes and smudging)
After hearing a lot of positive reviews about this product on YouTube, I decided to go out and purchase it for myself. My first impression with it was the unique spoon-shaped applicator, and the collection of product at the tip of it. The formulation was very goopy and thick, which I suppose is a payoff for achieving the false-lash effect. Last week I applied it around 9am and then later in the day, around 4pm, found that I had a lot of flakes beneath my eyes. I gently touched the outer corner of my eye to find a clump of the the product come off onto my fingers and then gently touched my lashes to find that they felt very sticky and goopy. I am going to give this another chance because it sounds like such an innovative idea, however, my first experience was a disappointment.

Clinique Lash Doubling ($14.50 at sephora.com)
Good for: clean, buildable volume
Not so good for: cost, availability
My thoughts: This product is incredible! It comes with a cone-shaped applicator which is incredbily convenient for reaching the inner-corner lashes, while also building lots of nice volume for the outer lashes as well. I did not find this to be clumpy at all, and the only difference that I noticed with it in comparison to the High Impact formulation was that it was much more subtle and natural while still making a beautiful eye-opening difference.

Clinique High Impact ($14.50 at sephora.com)
Good for: building thick, luscious lashes
Not so good for: cost, availability
My thoughts:This is a quality mascara that delivers beautiful volume with a few simple swipes. It is a great alternative to Lash Doubling for nighttime.

Clinique High Lengths ($14.50 at sephora.com)
Good for: stretching lashes to a long, pretty length
Not so good for: flaking, cost, availability
My thoughts: This product has a very unique applicator (picture a thin, curved piece of lime green rubber with little tiny spikes on it). It truly gives the impression that you are stretching out your lashes and it can make even the shortest lashes seem long and beautiful. I recommend this to those short-lashed girls who want to create the illusion of longer lashes. The only flaw that I can notice with this product is that it can be a bit flaky if you touch your lashes a lot throughout the day, because the product creates little tubes on the tips of the lashes (this is how it makes them appear longer) but other than that, thumbs up!

Tarte Lights,Camera,Lashes! ($19 at sephora.com)
Good for: cute packaging, but that's about it
Not so good for: unpleasant odor, thick and clumpy, cost, availability
My thoughts: This product has adorable packaging (the tube appears to be in a purple patent-leather case). The product is similar to Maybelline's Colossal Volum' Express, however, it comes with a much heavier price tag. Overall, this product is a disappointment because of the cost.

I hope that this review is helpful to you! Hopefully it will help you to find the perfect mascara without needing the spend the money and time to do the trial-and-error that so many of us have to do to find our favorite!