Transition from Summer Beauty to Fall Fierceness in No Time

Summer beauty and makeup is all about less is more. You spend most of your time out in the sun and by the pool (if you're lucky!) where you don't need to wear a lot of makeup. We've all seen that girl that has a caked on face in 90 degree weather.... it ain't pretty. But what happens when the weather starts to cool and the leaves start to fall? You've got to change up your beauty routine.

1. For most of us, the fall and winter months cause dry skin havoc on our faces. Upgrade to a different, more heavy duty moisturizer to help combat dry patches on your face. Bonus points if it has SPF! A good idea for those with really dry skin: use a moisturizer after washing your face as well as a tinted moisturizer for covering up.

2. Brighten up tired eyes from late night studying sessions with a white or lilac eye pencil. Putting a little by your inner eye crease or your lower lid can make you look less... zombie.

3. Fall is the perfect time to retire your bright, bold nail colors (for now) and bring out the darker, more sophisticated hues. Paint your nails with a deep burgundy or red to match with the changing leaves.

4. Transition your eyes and lips to more appropriate tones for the weather. Trade bright pink or coral lips for deep red and dark pink. Swap bright and sunny shades on your eyes to the next big trend, metallics.

Tell me, what are your favorite ways to transition your makeup from summer to fall?

Guest Post/Blog Swap: First Few Days In A Strange Country

“Francesca, I’m trying to call my mom, it’s not working”.

I’m starting to panic.

I just arrived at my host family’s house and I am just trying to call my mom and tell her I’m okay. My school-issued international cell phone is not working! I am half a world away, seven hours ahead of my home town and I just want to tell my mom that I made it safe and sound. I know I’m starting to tear up and I am desperately trying to blink them back-this is so embarrassing, way to prove how dumb Americans are on your first day.

“Okay,” she tells me-I know she knows… “dial this country code first, try that”.

Oh.My.God.

Now I am even more embarrassed, I forgot all about using the country code! I KNEW THAT!
“gratzi, gratzi mil” I tell her and practically run back to my closet-sized room before she really sees me cry.

I have been in Florence for approximately 90 minutes and I am already crying for my mommy. Whose idea was this? Oh, right, mine. Independence, freedom, art, history, ITALY- that’s why I came. The phone’s ringing and I hear my mom pickup.

“Mom?” And now I’m sobbing….

She keeps asking me what’s wrong, am I okay? I know now that she is starting to really worry because all she can hear is me crying. I eventually manage to choke out that I was okay and I just wanted to tell her that I made it and everything was fine. Then I explain about the stupid country code fiasco. Now it’s funny.

Phone calls home will cost me a dollar a minute so we make it a quick phone call and I promise to email.

After I hang up, there’s a knock on my door- it’s Francesca, followed closely by Camilla, the giant German Shepard that lives in this tiny apartment. Francesca offers me a plate of biscotti and says she thought I might need a snack. I know that Camilla is silently offering her services should I not want this snack. I take it from her and she leaves me again, calling Camilla behind her.

There’s one window in my room. The scent that wafts through it from the flowers outside is heavenly. This is when I know I’m okay. I take a bite of biscotti. It is, of course, everything real Italian biscotti ought to be, and I stare out my window directly to at Brunelleschi’s dome.

I am calm. As I take my last crunch of sweet Italian cookie, I turn to my suitcase and begin to unpack. For the next five weeks, Florence Italy is my home.

*Hi, I'm Susan from Adventures in my Kitchen! It's been such a pleasure swappin' blogs with Lauren! I normally write about food, fitness & nutrition on my blog but decided to share some of my memories from my summer in Italy for this swap! I hope you'll come visit my blog to read more, posting my memories for this swap has inspired me to keep writing them. Thanks to Lauren for having me & thanks to you for reading! You can check out Lauren's post on my blog today as well!

The Lowdown on Epilators

I'm always looking for cost-effective ways to cut down on shaving time. Shaving gel and razors really add up and let's be honest - they aren't that effective. This becomes glaringly obvious in the summertime when you need to shave every day in order to maintain a perfectly hair-free existence. The daily shave-routine in various areas of your body is time-consuming, annoying, and sure to irritate your glowing skin.

I've tried it all: electric razors, at-home waxing strips, and that disgusting chemical cream you leave on 3-5 minutes then scrape off. None of it really worked for me, and left me feeling defeated and discouraged; ultimately forcing me to pick up my razor again.

Flash forward to last week when going through the latest Ulta catalog: I discovered they had epilators on sale…color me intrigued. I wasn’t really sure what an epilator was, other than it promised to “leave you smooth for four to six weeks” and that one costs around $50. Being constantly on the prowl for new and long-lasting hair removal methods as I was, I decided to do a little further research. Here’s what I found: An epilator is a device that looks very similar to an electric razor, but is basically lots of tiny tweezers that plucks the hairs out, giving you a similar effect to waxing.

With the incentive of a sale (who doesn’t love a sale?), I decided to try it out, knowing if it doesn't work for me, I could return it. I got the Remington Smooth & Silky Epilator Kit for $47.99 at Ulta, and so far I'd give it about a 7/10. It does do what it says: pluck the hairs out, and I really had minimal pain even though I am not used to waxing or a similar sensation. Sounds great right? Well before you all run out and buy your own epilator kits, here’s the downside: the time it takes.

That said, I am hoping some of the slow process was due to the fact that it was my first time using it, and next time will be a bit speedier. I found that I spent a lot of time going over the same sections and it kept missing the same hairs. My plan for the next attempt at epilating is to get as much as I can with the kit, and then shave over the problem areas later to ensure prime smoothness. Other downfalls were the noise (my parents both coming in my room..."What is THAT?") and the small red bumps of irritation that came afterwards (but luckily the red bumps go away fairly quickly. I found that the trick is to use it at night so any lingering irritation is gone by morning.) Despite these reasons, for once I don’t feel hopelessly pushed back to my razor! I plan to stick with it in the hope that it will practice what it preaches: smooth skin for up to six weeks with the added benefit of lightening and thinning hair growth over time.

As summer quickly approaches (fingers crossed!) with promises of sun-soaked and pool-filled days, I will keep testing this product and hopefully I’ll be able to ditch my razor once and for all! To give you full discretion: I haven't been brave enough to test it on any other area besides my legs yet, but I have faith it will produce similar results.

Tell me about your experiences with epilators and any tips or tricks you may have!

Get Ready For Summer With Fun Makeup!

First of all, don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY!

As it snows and rains outside my window the past few days, I long for summer. For longer and warmer days spent by the pool, walking to get ice cream, or simply being able to work on my laptop outdoors instead of freezing inside. Is your beauty regimen prepared for humidity after a long dry winter? Here are some fabulous makeup tips to get you ready for the sun!

1. Use a makeup primer to keep your face oil-free and fabulous. I've tried Too Faced Primed & Poreless and Urban Decay Primer Potion. If you like a makeup setting spray, try Urban Decay's line of setting sprays for oily or dry skin. While these don't always work perfectly in the heat and humidity, they definitely can help keep your makeup looking flawless. Get an invisible powder for touch-ups too!

2. Get glowing with bronzers and blushes. I love using combo packs that come with a bronzer and a blush in the same package - you can use one or the other or combine them for a beautiful glow. I also like the new Physician's Formula Happy Booster blush and bronzers for a cute, summery look.

3. Break out the bright polishes! You've been using nude or dark colors all winter long, now is the time for fun nails. Start using bright and bold colors like pink, orange, blue, yellow, and even neon shades. Try new nail stickers in the brightest color or pattern you can: anything that screams "summer fun"!

4. Make sure you have light foundation or even better, tinted moisturizer that matches your skin now... and when you get a little color. This is one of the biggest mistakes girls often make. They only have one color of foundation or powder and the second they get a tan, they look washed out with makeup on. Try to always keep on hand a few shades for when you're lighter and darker. Tinted moisturizer is the best for summer because it isn't heavy (you probably don't need a lot of cover-up in the summer!) and stays put.

5. Invest in some waterproof mascara and cream eye shadow. You'll be happy you did on that spontaneous pool adventure when all your friends have dripping black eyes and you still look fresh.

Remember that makeup in the summer doesn't have to be caked on and is more about fun than about coverage. Keep it natural and let your glowing beauty shine through!

See the original post I wrote for Love Twenty!

Summer Saving Fun Tips

$$$. Money. Bucks. Bills. Cash. However you name it... you need it. Finding myself spending too much and not saving enough I am here to write down ways to have fun without spending a lot of dough. Summer is right around the corner which makes it easier than ever to have fun with your friends and also save a little more.

1. Bike Ride. Walk. Run. Play tennis at the park. Play basketball. Whatever sport gets you moving, head outside and do it... you can do all of it for free if you have the equipment needed. Even if you don't, chances are you can borrow it from someone you know.

2. Find out where you can take a free class. Most exercise or art classes cost money but some offer the first week for free. I started taking classes at a local yoga studio and you could go no strings attached for free for your first week, trying out as many classes as you want.

3. As the weather gets warmer and you start sweating... hit the pool! I bet you know someone with a pool that would love to invite you over or know someone with a local pool membership. Even if you can't go swimming, fill some balloons or squirt guns with water or turn on the sprinkler. You'll have fun and feel cooler at the same time.

4. Love feeling girly and pampered but feeling the downside of the recession? Instead of getting a mani/pedi, grab a friend and do each other's nails instead. Love the feeling of tanning? It is going to get warmer, so sit outside for a while with a magazine. If your muscles are aching and you need a massage, grab a loved one and ask them to rub you down.

5. Pack a lunch from your house and head to the park. Not only will you have a nice picnic, but you can walk around and enjoy nature. Bring your camera and make a photo shoot out of it.

6. Feeling tired and lazy? Watch a movie with a friend or play some video games. You or your friend already owns these. If you feel like watching a new movie, call around and see who just bought the latest movie.

7. Dying to shop? If you have enough self control, head to a new city nearby and window shop. Afraid you'll buy something? Find a friend who is a similar size to you and grab some clothes you no longer wear. Swap it up! You both will have smiles finding some new clothes for free.

8. Go play with your pet! If you don't have one, head to a pet store and play with the pets for a while. It doesn't cost anything to look.

9. Trying to save money on your car? Wash it yourself. Instead of driving everywhere, ride your bike a save a few dollars on gas money.

10. Watch a local sports game. I enjoy watching my boyfriend play hockey and softball right now and it doesn't cost anything to head over to the park or the ice arena and watch a game. Who cares if you don't know anyone playing? It's still a fun way to relax.

Now, what are your ideas to save money this summer and still have a blast?

What I'm Lovin' Today!

When the weather gets nice, one of the things I most want to do (besides bust out my flip flops and head to the park) is drive around with a friend, radio playing, windows down, sunglasses on to wherever the road takes us.