For the first month of fall, I've gravitated towards a really fresh-looking face with a pop of color on the lips and bold lashes. Even though I've definitely rocked other makeup looks during that time, I just keep coming back to this simple yet stunning look, which is why I consider it my "face of the season." Aside from bronzey-eyes and neutral/pink lips, I'm sure this will be my go-to look for the rest of the season.

I always look so mean in these photos. My lipstick is called "Rebel" but I don't have to be a rebel without a cause.

Face:

CoverGirl Queen Collection All Day Flawless Foundation in Q825 Golden Honey

MAC Prolongwear Concealer in NC45

Ben Nye Banana Powder

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Dark

MAC Blush in Blunt
Dior Amber Diamond Highlighter

Urban Decay De-slick Makeup Setting Spray

Eyes:

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner in Intense Black

L'Oreal Paris Telescopic Mascara in Blackest Black

House of Lashes "Au Naturale" Lashes (not pictured)

Lips:

Jordana Lipliner in Plush Plum

MAC Lipstick in Rebel (ultimate fall favorite! ❤)

Please, forgive the view up my nose. How attractive :\

What makeup look have you been rocking this fall? 

Wedding Guest Glam: Purple Smokey Eyes & Pouty Neutral Lips

Rule #1: NEVER outshine the bride! Although the bride of the wedding I attended this weekend is far too beautiful to be outshined by any mere mortal woman, it shouldn't even be attempted and this still remains the most important rule of wedding etiquette. Well, except of course, the age old restriction of leaving white to the bride (but that kinda fits into the whole "never outshine" thing, right?). Notwithstanding these rules that every wedding guest should know, a wedding guest should always look fabulous in her own right and so that's the inspiration for this post.

For the wedding, I donned a black dress with lots of lace detailing at the top with black strappy Zara sandals, so I figured I'd amp up the makeup look to bring some glam into my outfit! I contemplated going for the ever-appropriate red lip and basic smokey eye, but as slicking on some red lipstick is usually my go-to makeup fix, I wanted to go with something a little different (Plus, red lips and a smokey eye can also come across a bit sexy - see Rule #1). It's a night wedding so a deep purple eye is fun yet subtle, in my opinion, and I balanced the heavy eye with a nude/neutral lip.

Face: 

Smashbox Photofinish Primer (not pictured) 

YSL Le Teint Foundation in B70

MAC Prolongwear Concealer in NC45 (under eye)
Ben Nye Banana Powder (under eye)

Laura Mercier Camouflage (spot concealer)

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Dark 

Dior Amber Diamond Highlighter 

MAC Blunt Blush (contour)
NYX Cinnamon Blush

Urban Decay DeSlick Spray

Eyes:

MAC Handwritten (blend out color)

MAC Nocturnelle (lid)

BH Day & Night Palette Deep Purple (outer corner) and Sparkly Purple (lower lash line)

MAC Carbon (outer corner)

Stila liquid liner

Benefit They're Real Mascara & Ardell #301 accent lashes (not pictured) 

Lips:

Jordana Baby Berry Lipliner

Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Naturally Chic
Khroma Beauty Au Natural In the Flesh lipgloss

Have you got any tips or looks for wedding guest makeup and style? Comment below!

xoxo,

Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Exam Day Outfit

I survived!

It may sound absolutely ridiculous, but when I feel like I look good, I always perform so much better. Every time I take an exam (and I mean every time since my SATs in my senior year of high school) I have this… routine, I suppose.

First off, I stop studying at around 7pm the night before a morning exam. So long as I've truly been preparing for the exam, I don't feel like studying later than that gives me any particular advantage, so I don't do it. I just trust in my abilities and preparation and believe in myself. After eating dinner, I take a nice long, soothing shower and then prepare my things for the exam, including everything I need to take the exam as well as my "exam-taking" outfit.

An "exam-taking" outfit has to be comfortable, most importantly. This might seem very obvious, but you'd be surprised how many pieces of clothing that we deem comfty in real life are actually not-so-comfty while taking an exam. Like jeans, for instance. Whether they are shorts or skinnes, they can be the most uncomfortable pants to take an exam in (I mean, shorts can cut into your thighs and jeans can press against you waist while you sit for hours). Also, don't wear shoes that pinch your feet!

Wear layers or bring them with you. You have no control over the temperature of the test center, and most centers tend to air on the cooler side (because, really, who wants to be burning up answering 100 multiple choice questions?). So try to carry some sort of over-sized sweater with you, just in case. A lightweight jacket would be a good choice too.

Your outfit includes hair and makeup, too. Of course, I'm not talking full face of makeup and extravagant hair. But take a moment to brush your hair out (or in my case, take the curlers out), and throw on some concealer, mascara and lipstick. It takes about 10 minutes and makes you feel so much better about yourself.

My Bar Exam Outfit. 

Outfit:

Love Culture Pencil Striped Maxi Dress;
Abercrombie & Fitch White Flip Flops (not shown);

Jewelry: Michael Kors Round Gold Watch, Gold/White Owl Earrings

No bag because we can only have a gallon plastic bag when taking the Bar :( But if I could've, I would've carried a bag similar to this one. 

Face:

Sephora Collection Primer; MAC Prolongwear Concealer in NC45; L'Oreal Powder in Creme Cafe W8

Dior Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum; L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara in Black; Benefit "They're Real" Mascara

Kardashian Beauty Au Natural Lip Set in In the Flesh; MAC lip pencil in Chestnut

Do I look wiser? ;)

And these little studs are my good luck owl earrings, mentioned above! Hopefully, my obsession with owls will bring me good results!


xoxo,