Jeans 101

Everybody wears jeans, but jeans are the hardest things to shop for.  Here are some tips that should help you out so that trip to the mall isn't a waste.

If you have wider hips, love handles or higher set hips, try on mid rise/high waisted jeans because it will suck everything in and prevent muffin tops and butt cracks from showing.

Boot cut jeans will suit everyone's shape.  If you don't have wide hips or large thighs, the skinny fit is great.  If you are curvy, flare jeans or trouser jeans will fit you great.  The 70's flare leg has also come back, full force!

If you would like to look slimmer, dark wash jeans will do great for you.  Lighter wash jeans will fill you in.

If you have a large behind, stay clear of back pocket embellishments/button pockets.  If you have a smaller behind, look for those things.  Smaller, higher set pockets will make your butt look bigger while larger, lower set back pockets will make your butt look more understated.

Jeans should end at your ankle; when trying on jeans, keep in mind what height of a shoe you will most likely wear with them.  I wear short for skinnys and regular length for boot cuts and flare even though I wear heels with all cuts; the opening of a skinny jean does not allow it to go over the shoe so that is why they still need to end at my ankle.

If you are petite like me, you know that short length jeans are so hard to find.  If you don't know, the inseam for petite/short jeans are around 31", 34" for regular, 36" for long.  A lot of stores don't carry short length jeans so hemming is the way to go.  I suggest original hem because it looks more authentic.

When trying on jeans, try on everything.  You never know if something will fit.  Keep in mind to buy jeans that take a little bit to get into.  Jeans will always stretch out so don't be like me and have a gazillion pairs of jeans that are too big.

Also, expensive jeans don't mean quality 100% of the time.  Most of the time, you're just paying for the name. The most expensive pair I own ripped 5x in one day.   I highly recommend Gap 1969 jeans and Levi's Curve ID for the fit and quality.

You should always, always, always wash your jeans inside out.  It keeps the dye from fading so your money doesn't go to waste.

Free: Dior Diary

If you plan on purchasing anything from Dior, wait till Tuesday, 4/19/11 because any purchases made at a Dior Beauty counter or Dior.com will make you eligible to receive a $25 Dior Diary.  The last day to make a purchase is 8/4/11 and forms must be submitted by 8/19/11.   The first 500 respondents will receive the diary.  You will need to take a picture of your receipt and upload it.

Free: Jordana lip gloss

On Tuesday, 4/19/11, Seventeen.com will be giving away 10,000 Jordana Lip Out Loud Super Shiny Glosses.  This is a first come first serve promotion.  Seventeen.com runs by Eastern Time so staying up to midnight would be a smart thing to do since people go nuts for these giveaways.  Remember to go here and submit; the code for this will be glossy.

These lip glosses retail for $2, but they are actually really nice lip glosses.  They have a watermelon fragrance/taste, non-sticky, long wearing and they are pigmented which is a hard thing to find with lip glosses.

How to not have a muffin top

People of all sizes can get muffin tops.  The reason being: they are wearing the wrong rise.

When you have love handles and/or wide hips, the last thing you want to do is wear a low rise jean/pant.  Just because they are popular doesn't mean they will look good on you.  Now what you should be wearing are mid rise jeans.  Mid rise jeans are cut higher so they cover your love handles instead of spilling them out.  The higher the rise, the more "meat" it will take in/hold in.  Nobody wants to see muffin tops or butt cracks so just wear a higher rise jean for everybody's benefit.

FYI, Gap and Victoria's Secret carries really nice mid rise jeans

And if you can't wear higher rise jeans because it cuts off your torso, wear a longer shirt.  I personally have a short torso in proportion to my legs so I have to wear longer shirts anyways.  If you have a long torso, higher rise jeans with shorter length shirts will make your legs look longer as well.

Bras 101

Believe it or not, most woman don't wear the right bra size.  They either get one that is too big on the band and too tight in the cups or something wrong all together.  Wearing the wrong bra size can put on extra pounds and a bad posture.  The correct bra size should lift your boobs up with maximum cleavage.   Keep reading to insure you are wearing the correct bra size.

1. To insure that you are wearing the correct bra size, take a measuring tape and measure around your body right under the arm pits.  In inches, that is your band size.  
2. Now take the tape and measure around the biggest part of your chest, should be right at nipples. You should be wearing a non padded bra because boobs are droopy naturally.
3. Subtract your band size from your bust size.  If it is a 0" difference, you are an AA.  1" = A, 2" = B, 3" = C, 4" = D, and etc.
4. Victoria's Secret stores offer measuring, but they told me I was 2 cup sizes smaller than I actually was so do it based on your own judgement.

Now you want to try on bras in that size.  Keep in mind that when trying on bras, you should hook it on to the loosest hook because bras stretch out over time.  If the store doesn't have your size, you can go up a band size and down a cup size to get the same general size. Bras are sized proportionally, not completely by the size of your boobs.

To ensure that you are purchasing the right band size, take your hand and pull on the back of the band when you have the bra on.  If the band stretches out more than 2 fingers' worth, the band is too big.  If it doesn't, it is too small.  Boobs are meant to be supported mostly by the band, not the straps.  Your straps should never dig into your shoulders.

If you have large boobs, buy a bra with 3 hooks instead of 2 in the back for more support and opt for thicker straps.

Your boobs should not be bulging out or falling out when wearing a bra.  When that happens, go up a cup size.  If you are between sizes, take the bigger size in push up version.  If it isn't a push up, add silicone padding or something.

FYI: Victoria's Secret bras run a bit small compared to other brands, especially the Pink line.

When in doubt, buy a nude bra.  Nude bras won't show under any color of fabric unlike reds, blacks, whites, and bright colors.

You should always wash your bras in a laundry bag to ensure they will keep their shape for as long as possible.

Beauty Routine Products

I tend to use the same thing for years on end so this is just what I have been using for the past 5 or 6 months.  I know this looks like a crazy list; I've collected a crap load of products over the years so that is why I alternate so much.

Makeup Remover: Pond's Cold Cream, $9 - non-stripping makeup remover. You have to wipe it off with tissues so I go through boxes like crazy. It also leaves a film which I wash off with cleanser. A tub of this lasts a year when used 5x a week. If I am lazy, I will just wash my face 2x with my night cleanser. If I am wearing a very long wear foundation, I will use cleansing oil instead.  I like Mac Cleanse off Oil $24 and DHC Deep Cleansing oil $26.
Cleanser: L'oreal Skin Genesis Pore Minimizing Gel Cleanser, $8 - foams up really nice, cleans well, but can be drying. There is salicylic acid in this but very minimal. This is just a standard cleanser, nothing special. Also tastes bitter. If I didn't wear makeup that day, did not use cold cream, or in the morning, I cleanse with Clarisonic Gentle Hydro cleanser, $25. I always cleanse my face using a Clarisonic Mia, $149.

Exfoliator: Since I use a Clarisonic Mia, $149, it lightly exfoliates my skin every day. The products containing AHA that I use chemically exfoliates my skin. However in the shower I put a thin layer of St. Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub, $3. I really shouldn't be using this scrub because walnut shell bits microscopically scrape the skin but since I have full tube of this, I didn't want to waste it. I try not to scrub my skin when I have this on and I leave it on for 5-10 minutes so the 2% salicylic acid can do its job.

Mask: Boscia Luminating Black Mask $34, doesn't actually pull out visible gunk out of pores, only hairs, but I like the idea of pulling everything out. Queen Helene Mint Julepe Masque, $4 - cheap, sulfur helps clear face, drying if left on longer than 7 minutes, Kate Somerville Exfloliakate, $85 - enzymes dissolve gunk in pores, love the idea, love the "irritation" from the products because I know it is working.  Great for clogged pores.

Toner: Kose Sekkisei Lotion, $48 - daily night toner; has many skin brightening ingredients. Proactiv Revitalizing Toner, $10 - daily morning toner; weak AHA. DIY Apple Cider Vinegar Toner, $2 - used when skin is clogged or needs extra exfoliation; strong AHA. Joya Duchess Marden Damascena Pure Rose Water, $25 - used when skin is dry.

Acne Treatment: Proactiv Repairing Lotion, $23 - Not a favorite because it has silicones, but I still use because it is only 2.5% BP. I used this as an all over preventional treatment. For spot treatment I use Clearasil 10% BP treatment, $10. I sometimes top it off with Bye Bye Blemish Drying Lotion, $10 - 10% sulfur, 2% salicylic acid. After the alcohol got used up, I just pored in Biore Triple Action Astrigent, $9 because it has 2% salicylic acid and witch hazel.
Moisturizer: Amala Soothing Moisture Cream $72- expensive but amazing. It is jam packed with oils but my skin NEVER gets greasy afterwards. It is super moisturizing and reduces inflammation and redness like crazy. I use the Equate version of Cetaphil moisturizer on days when I am not inflammed. I also use the Equate version of the Aveeno Positively Radiant lotion in the morning because it has SPF and is a light lotion.
Eye cream:  Agera Phospolipid eye gel $32 - stings eyes.


Foundation: Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream #23, $30- I use a BB cream because it has skin benefiting ingredients and has Arbutin which lightens dark marks left by acne. This also changes to my skin tone so I don't have to change foundations often. This BB cream changes my undertone a bit grey. For reference I am a Mac NC 20-25.

Face Concealer: Mac Studio Finish SPF 35 concealer in NW25, $17- I use on my face because the NW matches the grey from the BB cream better than anything yellow based. NW concealers should be used under the eyes because it counter acts the bruise like colors but this color is too dark for me right now for use under the eyes. When my skin is lighter or darker, I use Benefit Boing concealers in #1 or #2, $18.

Under-eye Concealer: Physicians Formula Conceal RX in Natural Light $8- covers very well, not cakey. You only need a tiny tiny spot to cover everything up. This is a dupe of Amazing Concealer, $42. If my circles are not severe, I use Benefit Erase Paste in Medium $26.

Eyelash Curler: The old e.l.f. one that they designed $1. This is my favorite curler of all time. I have bought 5 others and none of them compare to this. It is such a shame that I broke it but it still works.

Lash Primer: Maybelline Intense XXL Microfiber mascara in waterproof , $7- I only use the white end as a waterproof lash primer that holds up my curl and keeps my mascara longer lasting.  If my eyelids are extra droopy or if I might cry or have cried, I use Max Factor 2000 Calorie mascara in waterproof, $8because it holds a curl amazingly but it smudges and is hard to remove.

Mascara: Covergirl Lash Blast Volume- this does everything a mascara is suppose to do; it lengthens, separates, and volumizes.  Sadly I just ran out of this. Maybelline Great Lash mascara in Royal Blue, $5 - the color of this is amazing, I get compliments on my lashes everytime I wear this. The formula is wet and the brush does not separate clumps. Covergirl Lash Blast Length, $8 - sucks compared to the volume version. The brush is smaller so application is slower and the formula is more wet and it straightens out my lashes. Bare Escentuals Buxom mascara, 18 - great mascara, exactly like Covergirl Lash Blast Volume, $9 but it costs 2x as much and the formula smudges easier.

Powder: Maybelline Dream Matte Powder $8- I like this because it is pressed and also delivers a bit of coverage. The formula is smooth and does not cake up. I also use a DIY silica powder of 80% silica spheres and 20% magnesium myristate. This is a dupe of the MUFE HD powder $30 but cheaper and safer because of the magnesium myristate that gives the powder more weight. Silica powder is very finely milled and gives a flawless effect.

Brow Gel: Sephora Collection Lash and Eyebrow mascara in Brown $8- This is a pigmented brow gel that helps my eye brows match my hair color. Sadly, the color is discontinued and I am completely out.

Blush: Stila Custom Color Blush $20 - great bright pink that I looked very hard for. The formula is pigmented and the color is suppose to change and customize to your skin's pH to be your perfect match.  If my outfit calls for a peach/coral, I use e.l.f. Natural Radiance Blusher in Glow $1- great sheen, nice color, lasts 8 hours.

Highlighter - e.l.f. Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder in Luminance, $1 - great highlighter, great sheen, easy to use. Easily breakable, not good for travel, cheap packaging but great product for $1

I don't wear lipstick, face primer, eye shadow nor eye liner on a daily basis, if at all so that is why they are not on my list.

Shampoo: Mane n' Tail shampoo, $9 and Herbal Essences Dangerously Straight shampoo, $3 for degunking if I haven't washed my hair in days.  I use Avalon Organics Olive and Grape Seed Extra Moisturizing shampoo, $10 or L'oreal Eversleek shampoo, $6 if I'm washing my hair everyday or cleaning my ends up without drying them.  
Conditioner: I don't stick to one conditioner, I switch every time I wash my hair.  On my roots I use regular conditioner; on my ends I use treatments/repairing conditioner.  Currently, I am on a rotation of Aussie Opposites Attract conditioner, $3, Dove Intensive Repair Conditioner $5, Avalon Organics Olive and Grape Seed Extra Moisturizing conditioner $10 and Mane n' Tail conditioner , $9 for my roots.  For my ends I use either Dove Daily Intensive Repair Treatment $5, Renpure Amazing Miracle $7, Generic Value Hair Reconstructor $6, or Generic Value Conditioning Balm $6
Leave-in conditioner: Nexxus Pro-mend leave in treatment creme $10
Heat protectant: Tresumme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray $3 or Got2be Guardian Angel Heat Protect N' Flatten Flat Iron Balm and Gloss Finish $7
Blow Dryer: Conair Infiniti iSeries $29 
Flat Iron: Herstyler Pink Tourmaline iron $250
Curling Iron: Helen of Troy Gold Series Spring Curling Iron 1/2" $26
Hot Rollers: Remington Protect & Shine Soft Protection Flocked Setter $30
Glossing serum: Generic Value Silk Treatment $8, Citre Shine Anti Frizz Serum $8, Garnier Fructis Weightless Leave in Anti Frizz Serum $6
Hair dye: Revlon Colorsilk in either dark ash blonde, medium ash blonde, dark brown or dark mohagony brown $3
Dry Shampoo: Rene Furterer Naturia $24.


I style my hair like 10 times a year.  I don't like to use heat on my hair.  I like to just dry it straight or curly if I'm not lazy.  I don't use hair spray, mousse, wax, nor clay when I do my hair usually.  On top of that, I have too many styling products so I don't stick to one.  I tend to wash my hair 1-3x a week, between washes I use dry shampoo after the 2nd day of no washing.  


FTC:  I received Rene Furterer Naturia Dry Shampoo, Remington Hot Rollers, and Amala Soothing Moisture Cream from Allure Giveaways.  I received both Avalon Organics products from a blog giveaway.  The Covergirl Lash Blast Length was from a company giveaway.  The Citre shine and Garnier Fructis serums, and both heat protectants were gifts from friends/family.      

Sleep to lose weight

A lot of people don't know this, but if you sleep at least 8 hours a night, you will have less food cravings during the day.  Even though you burn minimum calories when you are sleeping, it is a key factor in losing weight.  This is scientifically proven and I promise it works.

When you sleep, you produce more leptin and less ghrelin.  Leptin and ghrelin are both hormons that regulate your appetite.  An increased amount of leptin will send more signals to your brain, telling you that you are full.  A decreased amount of ghrelin stimulates your appetite, making you feel more hungry than you actually are.

So the next time you feel that your body is gaining weight, evaluate your sleeping habits as well.  If you are not sleeping as much as you should, start.  Sleep is so beneficial to your body.

Steal: 15% off at Sephora

As you all probably know, makeup very rarely goes on sale which is why the 15% off at Sephora valid 4/15/11 to 4/21/11 is so precious.  All beauty insiders can check their email for the coupon.  I would give you mine, but my account # is on it and you can spend my points.

If you are shopping online, use the code CHIC when checking out.

Steal: $10 off $25 at Macy's

There is a $10 off $25 Macy's coupon available for 4/16/11 until 1PM, so get up early!  There are exclusions, details are listed on coupon.

Free: Gucci Guilty for men cologne sample

Like Gucci on facebook and request your sample of Gucci Guilty for men here.  I'm pretty sure they will be paper samples.