5 Summer Outfits Under $50

Hi guys! I thought I would do something different today, and something a little more fun. I’m going attempt a challenge to share with you guys 5 summer daytime outfits, all $50 or under. Here we go!

Shirt: 22.90, Skirt: 17.90, Shoes: 12.00

 

 

Two Piece: 26.00, Shoes: 22.00

Romper: 28.00, Shoes: 10.00, Bag: 9.90

Dress: 19.00, Shoes: 22.90

Dress: 22.90, Shoes: 25.00

Let me know what you guys think in the comments below!

Updated: Jaclyn Hill's Wikipedia

See my previous post here
See the Wikipedia page here

Hi guys! I just thought I would update you regarding the Wikipedia post I revised. It's been almost a week so I figured that was enough time to update you that it hasn't been changed. I really don't think it will get changed considering what was there before I revised it was incorrect. I hope you guys checked out my previous post on why I changed it, and what the page said before I revised the it! Let me know in the comment section if you would like me to update you guys again on the page in a couple weeks! 

Talking Trends: Embroidery

Hi guys. Today I'm going to be sharing with you another post of Talking Trends! Today I will be talking about embroidery. Personally I love embroidery. I think it can transform any basic into a truly unique piece. Gingham (which was mentioned in my last post) was something I think will quickly be out of style so I mentioned that I would only be picking up one or two pieces of the print. 

Embroidery is something I'm already seeing popular in fall collections, which means it's going to stick around for a while. I received some feedback on some of my previous posts asking to link cheaper items, so that's what I will be doing today, especially because the only downside to this adorable trend is the pricing. It tends to get more expensive because of the work that goes into embroidering each piece of clothing. Embroidery can make your outfit really come to life. Designers are adding it to practically everything like denim, leather, dresses, and even sweatshirts and sweatpants.  Accessories of course haven’t escaped the trend either, it's huge in every department. Handbags, shoes and belts that have embroidered embellishments to add something extra to your outfit. 

As I said in the last Talking Trends, simply buying a cheap embroidered handbag and adding it to a basic outfit could make a huge change to your style. Gucci has recently taken over when it comes to embroidery. When you see high end designers gushing over a trend you can usually guess that it's going to stick for a while. Mentioning the last episode again, gingham, you can see that no designers are incorporating this. This clearly shows it's a fad instead of a trend. The nice thing about adding embroidery to your outfit is that it has no limits when it comes to your style. Whether your super edgy or very preppy, there's something out there for you. I will make sure to link all different options for every style. If you like more preppy pieces, but want to start changing up your style a bit mixing in some embroidery would be a good way to start.
 
Here are my top preppy/girly picks: 

Floral Embroidered Choker: $5.90

Flower Embroidered Sneakers: $27.90

Embroidered Peasant Dress: $27.90

Embroidered Slip-On Sandals: $18.00

Embroidered Ruffle Shirt: $35.00

 Here are my more edgier picks:

Faux Suede Embroidered Boots: $34.90

Floral Embroidered Top: $28.00

Embroidered Skinny Jeans: $43.00

Embroidered Denim Choker: $20.00

Black Boho Embroidered Dress: $35.00

I hope you enjoyed this episode of Talking Trends! Comment below which item is your favorite and leave me feedback!

Story time!

Hi guys! I thought this Sunday I would share with you a little story. The story will be about my makeup journey, from learning it, applying it on others, to working for a makeup boutique. 

It all started when I was little, my favorite thing to do was watch my mom get ready for dinner or an occasion. Before she would start her makeup she always knew to call me in to see if I wanted to watch and the answer was always yes. When I was around 14 and 15 I was finally allowed to wear light makeup on myself. I’ll never forget the day my mom took me to Sephora and let me buy a mascara and a lipstick only. I chose a bright red lipstick with an orange tint to it and wore it practically every day until I ran out, I probably looked crazy. As the years past I was able to buy and wear more and more makeup, and at age 16 I was introduced to YouTube makeup tutorials. Once I started watching these tutorials I couldn’t stop, and I wanted to learn more and more. Once I learned enough to feel confident applying it the best that I could on myself, I started applying it to others. Friends, family, acquaintances, anyone that I could find. Once I was comfortable enough doing it on others, I walked in a local makeup boutique and asked if they were hiring.
 

Now comes the part of the story that wasn’t for me. All those years I taught myself the best products, the best ways to apply them, and every tip and technique there is to get the most flawless makeup application. The second I started working for someone else everything changed. I no longer could apply makeup the way I learned was the best way, but everything had to be done in the way our boss wanted it done. At first I thought I could get used to it, but the small changes I had to make along with using products I didn’t believe in made me feel less passionate about being a makeup artist. The entire time I was working for the boutique, I was thinking of ways I could start my own gig. Time passed and I decided to quit and buy my own makeup kit to start my own freelance business. I called it margsmakeup, and started pushing it on all social media platforms. I found two friends who have the same passion as me to work with and we went from there. I didn’t realize what I was getting myself into during the time, and what started as a summer job ended up taking over my life. We were constantly booking weddings and would travel anywhere the clients needed us to go. It was a summer to remember, but as school approached I knew I couldn’t keep up with what I was doing. I posted to all social media as the school year arrived and apologized. I said I would be available for small freelance jobs on the weekends and that was that. I got a handful of calls throughout the school year but that was it. As the next summer approached we started it back up. We were in full swing again, but we quickly realized the job was a weekend gig. No one needed their makeup done during the week, so we decided the next summer we would apply for internships and just keep it running on the weekends.
 

This summer, my two friends went to a summer study abroad, and I got an internship in the city. Ever since last summer, I temporarily disabled my Instagram account and have only been taking a few clients from time to time. I couldn’t keep my Instagram up because I felt so guilty getting calls and not being able to pursue them. For now, I mostly stick to my regular clients whom I continuously see every weekend. I wanted to tell this story if you are interested in getting in the makeup business. It’s definitely a roller coaster, but it was an amazing learning experience and I’m so glad I got to be a part of this. 

Even though I might not ever open back up and pursue this as a career, it taught me so many valuable life lessons along the way and I will forever be grateful for that. Not only did it teach me countless lessons, but it got me to my internship I have today. Without starting margsmakeup I wouldn’t be where I am today. Overall I hope this story inspires you to go after what you want, don’t give up, and don’t let anyone else tell you that you can’t do something.  

Talking Trends: Gingham

Hi everyone! I thought I would start a new series on my blog called Talking Trends. I follow everything I possibly can to be up to date with the latest trends. Trends are something that come and go quickly, so in this series I'll share my opinions on whether or not I think it will last, if I think it's worth purchasing the items, or if you can get away with just skipping it. This summer it’s all about gingham. I have been seeing it everywhere recently. It’s such an easy, fresh print to add to your wardrobe. It’s also a great alternative to florals and stripes that will give your outfit an edgier, more refined look. I've added some links below of some great gingham pieces to give a shot. Although I do think this trend is cute, fall is slowly creeping up on us and it's definitely a summer obsession. I honestly don't think it will be around in the fall, or come next summer. If you still want to get your hands on an item I've listed some below of different price ranges. If you aren't sure if you want to splurge on something when it might go out of style soon, I suggest choosing an item from my list that's reasonably priced.

Gold tone circle gingham choker: $6.00

Women's Sonya Wedge Espadrille Ballet Flats: $17.48

Gingham Cami Jumpsuit: $22.90

PETITE Gingham Embroidered Gypsy Crop Top: $35.00

Ruffled Gingham Mini Skirt: $88.00 

 

  

If you don't want to go full force and buy the jumpsuit or a clothing piece, but you still like the print, accessorizing is for you. It will just give you that pop of print that you want from the trend, without being overbearing in gingham. I always use this trick with trends. By simply adding a reasonably priced choker, shoe, bag, or bandana, you get the look of the trend for less. Accessorizing is something that's so easy and makes a huge difference when it comes to your outfits. 

I hope you guys enjoyed my top picks for the gingham pattern! Of course there is so much more out there, so if you're not happy with my choices simply google gingham into the search bar of your favorite store and I guarantee they will have something!

Interviewing a Sephora Manager!

Hi guys! I thought it would be interesting for you makeup lovers if I interviewed a Sephora Manager. Sephora is the largest cosmetic retailer and I know it’s a lot of young makeup lover’s dream to work there. I know it was one of my dreams. I thought it would be helpful to get some advice, tips, and overall to learn more about the work environment in a Sephora store. I wrote up a couple questions and emailed them to Phylis Delana. I got her contact information by going to one of my local Sephora stores and asking for the manager. She agreed to answer some of the questions I had via email, and responded with her answers. Below I shared with you the questions and her responses, and I hope you can learn something from them! Enjoy!

1. What’s the work atmosphere like?                 
   If I were to describe our work atmosphere in one word, it would be fun. We love to just have fun with the clients that come in, and our motto is ‘let’s beauty together'!
2. How many years have you been in the field?             
   I’ve been in the industry for 29 years now! I always had a love for makeup but I actually went to school for Accounting. I got a part-time job in Bloomingdales in the Expresso Bar, and the cosmetic girls in Bloomingdales would always be bugging me telling me that I should work with them. Back in the day to get a job in the beauty field you needed a lot of experience and I didn’t have any. It took me a while to finally get one, at first they didn't hire me but I kept trying. I finally got offered a part-time position at the Chanel counter and within a few months I became the manager there.  
3. Do you have any advice on how you worked your way up to manager?
   My advice would be not to take no for an answer, because I sure didn’t! Even though I didn’t have experience I knew it was what I was passionate about so I fought for it. Persevere!
4. Did you always know this was what you wanted to do?
   No, I thought I would go into accounting until my part-time job at the expresso bar made me want to work for a cosmetic counter. Once I got the job I knew it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
5. What’s your favorite and least favorite thing about working in a Sephora?
   My favorite thing about working in Sephora is helping clients find the right products for their skin tone and type since it can be a difficult task. I love making clients feel beautiful and comfortable in their own skin when they leave the store. My least favorite part is standing on my feet all day!
6. What advice do you have for younger boys and girls trying to follow the same path as you?
   Be creative it will set you apart from the others. I know the field is becoming so much more competitive than it used to be but don’t give up on your dream! Success will come to you if you keep at it.
7. What’s your best beauty tip?
   Moisturizer and SPF every day!
8. Who are your competitors?
   We have a lot of competitors such as Ulta and Blue mercury. We focus on giving great client services and that sets us apart from the others. Our return policy is something that keeps our customers loyal to Sephora stores. Our teams are very generous and understanding when it comes to returns, because we understand that sometimes products don't work for everyone.
9. Has the industry changed your view on the beauty world?
   Not as much as you would think. I’m more up to date with trends, and working in the industry has overall made me more aware on the importance of skincare.
10. Sephora's return policy is very laid back. What do you do with all the returned products?
    We can’t resell them unfortunately unless they are completely sealed. Everything gets thrown away.

Let me know what you guys think about the questions and responses! If you have any other questions, comment them below and I can reach out to her again and try and answer them for you! I always wondered if they can resell the returned products, so I had to ask. It's good to know they can't although it seems a bit wasteful!

How-to: Bridal Makeup

How-to: Bridal Makeup

Hi guys! So I recently was a part of my cousins wedding, and I actually got to do her make up on her special day. I’ve freelanced a little bit from time to time, but this was a totally different experience. Not only was it for someone I cared about, but also on her big day as well. I made sure to get to know her skin, and take every extra step there is to create the most beautiful bridal makeup. I’m going to show you step by step, how to create this bridal look.

 

1. Prep your skin! If you want your makeup to last all day and go on as smooth as can be, make sure you prep your skin. First wash your face, then moisturize, then wait 15 minutes before the actual application.
2.  Start with eyes. I went with a natural smokey eye (as seen in the picture) and will teach you just how to get it. Any eye-shadow palette will work, drugstore or high-end, as long as you have neutral shades in it. Pick up any light colored shade and apply it to the crease. This will give you a base for the darker colors and is an important step to make sure your eye-shadow looks blended. With a smaller blending brush, choose a slightly darker shade and apply it to the outer half of the eye, but make sure not to bring it in too close to the inner corner. Keeping dark shades on the outer corners help open your eyes up. If you bring them a little too far in, it could give an opposite effect. If you don't want to add a shimmer, you can stop there. If you like shimmers, you can add one to the inner half of your eye. I added a a light shimmer on my cousin, which I think really made her eyes pop.
3. Eyeliner is up to you. Some people don't feel comfortable without a thick black line on the top and bottom of their eye. Apply your eyeliner like you always do, and if you don't wear eyeliner simply skip this step. 
4. Next step is mascara. Mascara really finishes off any eye look. Add as much as you feel comfortable with. My cousin wanted a more dramatic look, so I added fake eyelashes on her. If you want to keep it more natural, I would stick with just mascara. But of course it's up to you!
5. You should be done with the eyes at this point. Next step is primer. I would choose a primer that is oil-free and one that you know works for you and your skin. Make sure you wash your hands first, and then pat your primer into your skin gently. 
6. Apply your foundation however works best for you. I like to use a beauty sponge, because it gives me the most natural looking finish. Simply apply your foundation to your hand and pat it on with the beauty sponge, making sure to hit all areas of the face.
7. Concealer is something that is an important step for me, but you can skip this step if you don't have any discoloration under your eyes. I tend to get a blue/purple tint when I'm tired, and when that happens I need my concealer. Don't go too heavy with this, concealer is designed to be very full coverage so keep it on the lighter hand. Blend it out with whatever you used for your foundation or stick to using your fingers. Always be gentle when working with your face. 
8. Next step is contour. If you want a more natural contour, bronze instead. My method with contouring is the "three" method. simply turn to the side and move your brush in a three motion. on your forehead, under your cheek bones, and on your jawline. This makes for the most natural looking bronze. If you just apply it to the cheekbones, sometimes it can look a little unrealistic.
9. Next choose whichever blush you think best suits your skin color. Apply it with a light hand to the apples of the cheeks. 
10. Highlight time! Highlighting is one of my favorite steps. It really pulls together your whole base in my opinion. Apply it just above where you put your contour, and a little under the brow bone. 
11. Add your finishing touches, if you want to apply some powder or more mascara do it now. The last step is setting spray, and once you spray your face you shouldn't add any more makeup or it can tend to look cakey. When you're all finished with touch-ups, you can spray your face with whatever setting spray works for you. 

I hope you guys enjoyed my step-to-step tutorial of what I did for my cousin on her wedding day! When it comes to a special day like your wedding, or any special occasion for that matter, I suggest sticking with what products you know work the best for you. Every skin type is different, so sometimes what works for me won't work for you.  Let me know what you think of my how-to bridal makeup in the comment section below!

Summer Makeup Inspired by Sazan

Hey guys! I thought I would share with you a blogger that always inspired me to want to create my very own blog. Her name is Sazan Hendrix and her blog is here. Today, I'm going to be doing an inspired post by one of Sazan's recent make-up related posts. Before you check out my summer must haves, give hers a look! 

I wanted to recreate this post with my own twist because I know every skin type is different, and I love to share any products that I feel really work for me, for the hopes that it works for you as well. Some of the products Sazan posted about have worked for me in the past, bu none of them have ever been a "holy grail" for me. I thought since our lists were diverse I would share with you my holy grail products for summer. I prefer minimal summer makeup, like Sazan, mostly because on those hot summer days it doesn't feel great to have layers of makeup on your face. I'm going to share with you some summer make up tips, and list my favorite products below to achieve a natural summer glow without looking too done-up or cakey!

I hope you enjoy!

SOME TIPS:

1. Stay moisturized, and take care of your skin. If you aren't taking care of your skin, chances are you might feel the need to add more makeup to cover up any blemishes you might have, I know I get that urge but I encourage you to fight it. If you really focus on skincare first, you will have such an easier time when it comes to applying a natural flawless face of make up for the hot and humid weather. Oils and moisturizers are key, and really help your skin to look it's best during the hot months. 
2. Remember to match your foundation. Change up your shades. It's never fun to have to purchase a new foundation shade just because you've gotten a summer glow from the sun but chances are you may need a different shade of foundation and concealer to accommodate changes between your winter and summer coloring. You can even opt for a tinted moisturizer a shade darker than you’d wear in winter. Match the foundation shade to your skin on your face, or even right below the neck but not on your body, because those tend to be darker than the rest of your body.
3. Sunscreen is a must have. Try to look out for non-comedogenic products. Non-comedogenic beauty products are designed not to clog pores (which can lead to irritation and blemishes) which is especially important in the summer. If you've realized your sunscreen clogging your pores, it's probably not non-comedogenic. Hot and humid weather leads to sweat, which takes a longer time to evaporate off your skin, and combining that with oily products isn’t the best for your pores. I would look for the words "oil-free" as well.   

Now, onto my favorite products I tend to use during these hot couple months! Whether I'm going to work, the beach, or out to dinner I'm always using the products listed below.

PRIMER WITH SPF

TINTED MOISTURIZER WITH SPF

HYDRATING CONCEALER
BRONZER
HIGHLIGHTER

WATERPROOF MASCARA

EYEBROW PENCIL

 Let me know below what your go-to products for summer is! Comment below and tag Sazan to show her my post that was inspired by her!

In Depth Skin Care

Before reading this In Depth skin care routine, check out my previous post to learn the basics of skin care beforehand. It's linked here, I hope you enjoy!

IN DEPTH SKIN CARE 

I thought since I did a skin care routine, I would follow up on some more advanced tips and tricks I have regarding skin care. There really is so much to learn and figure out when it comes to skin and what to do in order to get the perfect base. I assume that you've read my previous post regarding my basic routine. There are a couple extra steps I take when I feel like my skin needs a little more care and attention. The first extra step I take is face masks. If I'm breaking out I'll choose a clearing face mask, if I just want a smooth make-up application I'll use a firming or smoothing one, and so on. I've created a list of my top face masks for each purpose.

MASKS

• Glow Recipe Watermelon Face Mask: I use this before bed when I want to wake up and feel refreshed and glowing.
• Glam Glow SUPERMUD Clearing Treatment: I use this when I have a break out. It's the only mask I've found works the fastest when clearing up your skin.
• Shiseido White Powder Brightening Mask: Whenever I use this I feel refreshed, bright, and even in skin tone.
• Roloxin LIFT: If wrinkles is your main skin issue, this is the mask for you.  

SPOT TREATMENTS

 

If break outs are your problem, investing in a good spot treatment is a good plan. Unlike other skin care products, spot treatments are made to only be placed on pimples or blemishes. They are not designed to put all over your face, so make sure you read the directions first before using one. They contain intense ingredients so make sure you don't use them more than three times a week. I made a list below of my favorites that don't dry out or irritate my skin. 

• Origins Super Spot 
• Peter Thomas Roth Acne Spot
• MURAD Post-Acne Spot Gel

If you are still struggling after trying all of my tips I recommend seeing a dermatologist and getting frequent facials at a reputable spa. Although facials can get pricey, purchasing high end skin care with quality ingredients can as well. I hope I helped some of you with these skin care posts!

Skin Care Routine

Hi guys! Today I'm going to share with you my current skin care routine and some of my favorite products to get that fresh glowing skin everyone wants during the summer.  

MORNING:

Every morning it's important to wash your face from any bacteria or dirt that built up overnight. I use the CeraVe Foaming Face Wash for normal to oily skin. I recommend choosing a face wash that suits your skin type, whether you are dry or oily.
After I wash my face, I moisturize. Moisturizing is key, I used to skip this step because I have oily skin and thought it wasn't needed because of that. Once I started moisturizing it really made a noticeable difference in my overall skin appearance. I like to use a moisturizer specifically for the morning to help wake my skin up and prep my skin for my make up. Here is the one I use.
If I'm doing my make up that day, I put on an under eye cream to help de-puff any redness or puffiness I have under my eyes. I stick to a morning eye cream as well like this one.

EVENING:

Firstly, I take off any make up I might have on with Neutrogena make up remover wipes. I like to really make sure all my make up is off before washing my face so that my cleanser can really cleanse my skin and not just take off my make up. Second, I wash my face with that same face wash.
Then, I take my toner and apply that to wipe away any other dirt that could be left on my face. I then apply a night eye and face cream.

TIPS:

• Only wash your face twice a day, especially if you have dry skin.
• If you can, buy a morning moisturizer and a night time moisturizer. Each do very different jobs when it comes to what your skin needs in the morning vs the night.
• Know your skin! See a dermatologist to help you choice what products are right for you. Decide your goal for your skin. Are you fighting breakouts? Do you want brighter or firmer skin? These are questions to ask yourself when buying the products that will make the change you're looking for.
• If you can, buy a morning eye cream and a night eye cream. Some eye creams are only meant for the night time so you need to make sure if you're only purchasing one and using it in the morning and at night, it says to do so in the instructions. Putting any skincare on that's labelled "night" before applying make up will mess up your application.
• SPF is your best friend. Protect yourself from the sun. 
• After washing your face never rub it dry, always pat and treat your skin gently.
• Eating and stress have a huge toll on your skin, so make sure you're eating a balanced diet and you're managing your stress as best as you can!

I hope you enjoyed learning what I use to feel good about my skin!

Eye Make-Up Tutorial

Hey guys! I hope you enjoy this eye make-up tutorial I filmed using one of my favorite eye shadow pallets. The palette is the Morphe 350, and it's one of my favorites for neutral shades! Let me know if you like videos like these!

My Current Obsession

My current obsession is one of my favorite watches to add to any of my summer outfits. As seen in the picture above, it's from Movado's Edge Collection. It's brown leather strap and white face really make it versatile to any summer outfit, male or female. It practically goes with anything. Even though it's technically a men's watch, that never stops me from trying something out! As you can see it looks perfectly fitted to my particularly small wrist, even for it being labeled as a men's watch. In the picture I'm wearing just a blue and white striped dress, and you can see it really can make your outfit pop that easily.  Here is a link in case you want to shop this particular watch, or their Edge collection. The "Edge" collection was made inspired by Movado's classic Museum dial, but with a new look. I personally love the Edge watches because I really enjoy their classic Museum dial look. The Edge gives you that same look but with a little extra something. Let me know if you like this watch or any of their other Edge pieces!