Fashions and Me

Friday, December 28, 2012

QUICK TIP: HOW TO PACK YOUR MAKEUP FOR TRAVEL

Hi everyone,

Now that you’re prepared to KEEP YOUR SKIN FRESH AND PAMPERED WHILE TRAVELING, it’s time to turn your attention to your makeup. How many times have you packed your makeup bag before jetting off somewhere only to have your products break and crumble or to have the contents spill everywhere the moment you pull the zipper? Luckily, there’s an easy way to put a stop to this irritating travel roadblock. I like to use one big makeup big that doesn’t have any pouches or zipped areas to hold everything. Although it might be tempting to use a beautiful makeup bag that you can’t take your eyes off of, it’s better to use something that’s washable or at least something that you won’t mind getting a bit dirty.

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Before diving into the packing process, it’s best to think long and hard about which products you’ll want to use while you’re on your trip. Think about your makeup the same way you think about the clothes you’ll be packing. What are you really going to use? Which products are necessities and which are the fluffy items? Bring the makeup that you know you’ll use, stick to the essentials, and bring one or two fun items to add some sparkle to your look.

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Once you have your products picked out, the key to packing your makeup for travel is to compartmentalize everything in separate bags. My favorite way to organize everything is to put all of my brushes in a pencil-sized cased and then to have several Ziplock bags: one each for eye shadows, eyeliner and mascara, liquid foundation and primer, and blush and powder. That way, if something leaks or shatters, the problem is contained and your actual makeup bag won’t be ruined. To prevent powder products from cracking, insert a thin, round makeup sponge inside. That way, if your bag gets knocked around there’s an extra layer to absorb the shock. Make sure everything is packed in the big bag as tightly as possible so that it’s harder for everything to get knocked around.

If you’re traveling by plane, be careful about the 3.4 fluid ounces limit! You don’t want to have your foundation, primer, or tinted moisturizer taken away because it’s too big. Cosmetics stores and places like Bed, Bath & Beyond and Target sell empty travel sized cosmetics containers. Department stores often have sample-sized products that are useful for travel too.

What are your must-have makeup products that you bring wherever you go? Tell me in the comments section!

Love, Mindy.

DIY: EMPTY CANDLE BRUSH HOLDER

Hi everyone,

Those last few moments when your favorite candle has reached its end, and you realize that not only do you have to buy a new candle, but you have to get rid of the beautiful jar is never a happy one. But luckily, there’s a way to recycle the old candle jars: turn them into makeup brush holders. Candles are the perfect size for holding brushes, tweezers, and eyelash curlers, and the jars will add a pretty decorative flair to any boudoir.

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Wait for the candle jar to cool down. Once there’s little to no wax left, use a pair of tweezers to remove the wick and discard it. If there’s still wax leftover, heat up the jar by placing it in a bowl of hot water to melt the wax.
Wash out the candle jar with warm water and dish detergent. You’ll want to get all the soot off. Be careful if there’s a sticker on the exterior of the jar that you want to keep—avoid getting it wet, or it might fall off.
Dry the jar, and arrange your items however you’d like. Et voila! Soak in the glory of your new and beautiful organization method.

Have you ever turned a candle jar into a makeup brush holder? Let me know in the comments section!

STYLE GUIDE: HOW TO PAIR SKIRTS & BOOTS

Hi everyone,

A look that I’ve always loved but have found difficult to pull off is to wear a skirt and a pair of boots. Wearing boots with a dress is a pretty standard and chic out. A skirt with boots sometimes looks effortlessly stylish on the runway, but on the street it can look a little reminiscent of a school uniform. But I think that there are definitely chic and stylish ways to rock an awesome pair of boots with a beautiful skirt. For a more classic look, pair an A-line skirt with equestrian boots. If you have an edgier style, try wearing a flouncy mini-skirt with biker boots. To get the elegant bohemian vibe, throw on a pair of cute ANKLE BOOTIES with a maxi skirt.

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Here’s my guide to wearing skirts and boots together:

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Would you ever try out this look? Put together an outfit with skirts and boots, and post links to your photos in the comments section below!

BEAUTY ADVICE: ON-THE-GO HOLIDAY BEAUTY

Hi everyone, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL! Hohoho. I'm very excited about this holiday. Becausee it was lovey-dovey week for me <3 K, just forget it.-_-

December is one long month of hustle and bustle. From work to holiday shopping to parties, sometimes it feels like we're constantly on the go. And, of course, we all want to look our best amidst the chaos. One beauty and style dilemma that remains high on the list of priorities is what to do when you're going from work or school straight to a holiday cocktail soirée. Often there's little to no time to go home, shower, change, and primp, which is enough to give even the most confident beauty lovers anxiety. Here are my favorite ways to ensure that I look my best upon arrival at a holiday party, even in a time crunch:

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Bring a travel-sized bottle of dry shampoo with you so that you can touch up your hair right before you head out to the party. This will work well for hair that’s being left down or being worked into an up-do because it will get rid of excess grease and provide extra texture.
Apply your face makeup products before heading to school or work. For long-lasting coverage, use a primer or makeup setting spray. Keep the eye makeup light and simple during the day so that you can build it up before the party. I like to bring blotting papers with me to get rid of oil and shine throughout the day—it’s so much better than having to use five papers at once when you’re trying to touch up your makeup.
Put your outfit on a hanger along with the bag you plan to wear. Hang it up in your car or on the back of a door so that the clothes don’t get wrinkled.
If you're wearing tights with your dress or skirt for the party, DON'T wear those tights to work. You may think that you're saving time, but if by chance a run tears down your leg you'll be in a very tight spot come party time. Place your tights in a plastic bag and check for runs before you leave for the day.
Go to a beauty department and ask for samples of your favorite perfume. That way, you can still wear perfume in the morning and then spritz yourself right before going to the party without having to lug around your full bottle.

What are your timesaving beauty tricks for getting to a holiday party in a pinch? Let me know in the comments section!