Today I tried out Zoya's Blu for the first time, and surprisingly I love it! I was worried it would be too light of a shade for my fair skin, but the robin's egg blue adds just enough color to pull it off effortlessly.
Don't be mistaken - this is NOT a dupe for Essie's Mint Candy Apple or any other mint polish. This is not mint-colored! It's a beeee-youtiful sky blue (or robin's egg blue, whatever you prefer to call it).
It's a shade whiter in person than in the picture, but I wanted to snap a pic the second I put it on! :) Definitely a must-have polish for any beauty bee.
...
Did I just say beauty bee?
Okay, clearly I need to stop staring at my tiny phone screen and catch a breath of fresh air.
My nail inspiration - nailspo for short - is Chelsea King from ChelseasGetNailed.
She recently posted a tutorial for a Sally Hansen nail contest involved "textured" nails, nails that you can touch and feel a texture on. The tutorial is so simple: Make an X-shape with two pieces of Scotch tape, and use that as a template to make shapes on your nails (Stay tuned for a tutorial!)
Here's Chelsea's nails..
And here are my nails. I wanted a bolder look, so I used a bright yellow as the base color and accented it with lavender, glittery gold and neon pink.
[Please excuse my colorful cuticles; I took this picture before I cleaned the edges up!]
It looks so chic, and only took me an hour to do! It would take even less time if I didn't have to wait for each layer of color to dry.
I apologize for going MIA.. I went through one of those mini moments where I doubted myself and if I could ever succeed greatly with RaiseYourGloss.
Don't worry, however. I'm back, and more motivated than EVER!
To ease y'all back into my craziness, here's a look at my latest CVS/Target haul.
CVS
These cream shadows have been raved about since the day they premiered. The appeal? They are said to last all day without fading or creasing.
Here's what I've discovered:
1. They last about 12 hours without crease or fade, depending on the wear environment.
2. They can also act as excellent shadow bases!
The first color I chose was Bold Gold. In the jar, it looks similar to Urban Decay's Chase, but a shade lighter.
You can tell by my swatch that, in fact, Bold Gold is not that bold. It's a very sheer gold shimmer - lighter than it appears in the photo. Personally, I was slightly bummed - I was hoping that this would be a good dupe for Chase - but it does work well as an eyeshadow base. I don't plan on buying this again, but I don't think it's a waste of money.
Painted Purple caught my eye from the minute I saw it on the rack. I first heard about it from MacBarbie07, who used it in her Drugstore Waterproof Makeup video.
I am in love with Painted Purple. It looks gorgeous on the eye, and the pigment is absolutely divine. If you want to add a pop of color to your look without going overboard, this is the perfect choice for you. Try lining your bottom lash line with it, like Bethany did in her video!
I'm a sucker for any hair product that claims to erase damage, so it's no surprise that I pounced when I saw the commercial for L'Oreal's Total Repair 5 Damage-Erasing Balm. The claim? "Repairs up to 1 year of damage in 1 use"
I've used it twice now (once a week), and my hair definitely looks and feels healthier. I can't determine how much damage it repaired, but it was worth the money!
MissGlamorazzi mentioned this in one of her videos - I can't find which one, I'm sorry! I've been on the hunt for a good drugstore bronzer to use as a dupe for NARS' Laguna bronzer.
This bronzer gets an 8/10. The color is a true terra-cotta, and a little goes a long way on your face (one swipe of my brush is enough for me). However, it looks slightly orange on my skin tone and doesn't last all day like I'd hoped. Laguna is still a staple for me.
I've been obsessed with this color for months. It's a gorgeous, shimmery Barbie pink - an obvious must-have for a ex-Barbie fiend like myself.
I knew it was meant to be when CVS put it on sale.. for 50% OFF!
I wear it all the time. It is the perfect summer color, shimmering when I lay out in the sun. This is truly a one-of-a-kind polish; Major props to Orly!
I knew they made BB cream for your face, but for your hair?
I had my doubts. Clearly, someone needed to test this out, and I decided to assign myself to that job.
I'm in the process of reviewing this product, but so far, it has my approval. I mainly use it on wet hair - that's when it works its full magic on your locks - but I've also applied it in dime-sized amounts to style my dry hair.
I will have a complete review in two weeks.
Target
Okay, so I got two basic objects that don't even need a description paragraph.. Kleenex (the designs did me in) and a Thanks stamp from the dollar section.
I snagged these beautiful Target earrings the minute I saw them. They are a gorgeous pink with gold framing/wiring.
I wear these as often as possible. They are totally trendy because of the geometric gem shape, and they add a nice pop of color to any outfit.
I needed some cute, colorful summer wedges, and these red Merona wedges fit the bill.
They are decently comfortable and were a steal at $25!
I'm so excited to have found these, because they are perfect for the Fourth of July.
Another Target-brand jewelry item has made its way into my closet..
I'm starting to think that this is going to become a habit of mine.
I love the sunset colors of this chunky beaded necklace. It gives a slight ombre effect - a hot trend - and the small rhinestones add a pop of glamour.
Finally, I got this blue and white ikat scarf.
Don't judge me, but I catch myself petting this scarf on a frequent basis when I wear it. It's justso incredibly soft!
I've never been a scarf person, but this one caused a fashion transformation for me. I usually pair it with a fitted white tee, as pictured.
So, that's it for my CVS/Target haul.
If you've tried any of these beauty products or have comments/opinions, don't hesitate to leave a comment in the down bar!
Hope everyone's summer is going great, RaiseYourGloss
Here's the look I put together for the TSwift concert about two weeks ago! It took forever to download them from my camera, for some odd reason.
First of all, my outfit. I wanted to draw focus to my ah-mazing top from Hope's 319, an online store that I am completely in love with! It miraculously came in the mail two days beforehand. Isn't the bow precious?
Next, the hair. Oh, the hair. I am not the best at braiding and styling my crazy mane - I usually just let it air dry. My sweet mother assisted me with this elegant waterfall braid, inspired by the braid trend this summer. I swept my hair over my right shoulder so that it wouldn't be covering my bow up.
Shorts: American Eagle
Cowboy Boots: Cavender's
Accessory-wise, I'm wearing my signature ring combo and a gorgeous silver bangle set from James Avery. Both of my earrings were gifts, and I'm not quite sure where they came from. If I were to guess, I'd say that the silver hoops are from Claire's.
I had so much fun creating this purple smokey eye. Stay tuned for a tutorial!
It only made sense to paint my nails red for the RED tour. Using my skinny nail art brush, I drew a white 13 on each of my thumbnails (just in case you didn't already know, Taylor's favorite number is 13).
She's infamous for her tattoos, and now she's conquering the beauty world as well with her new makeup line (Named Kat von D, of course).
Rather than having one superstar product that stands out from the rest, Kat von D's entire cosmetic line has proven itself to be a necessity for even the most distinguished of makeup artists. This has been an unexpected success for von D, who originally intended on a temporary partnership with Sephora.
Why the success? It's simple: her product quality is incredible. The concealers provide full coverage, the lipsticks last all day without drying up.. each and every creation of von D's is fabulous. It's almost impossible for me to narrow it down, but here are two of my favorites:
Kat von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation
If you want full coverage without looking cakey, this is the foundation for you. I am in love with how smooth it feels on my face, not to mention that a dime-sized pump covers my entire face! Definitely worth the money.
Kat von D Everlasting Love Liquid Lipstick
I am so OCD about keeping my lips moisturized, so I go insane when my lip color dries them up. It's so rare to find long-lasting color that doesn't turn your pout into the Sahara Desert! Luckily, Kat von D is - once again - my savior. I carry this lipstick in my purse at all times.
I dare you to go to your local Sephora and try some of these products out for yourself. Trust me, you won't be sorry.
It came as no surprise to me that Kate Upton was mentioned on the news this morning. She's at the top of her game as a supermodel, famous for her - erm, well-endowed - figure, flaunting it on the latest cover of Vogue.
What surprises me is the criticism she is getting. It's not the kind of feedback one expects about a magazine cover - usually, people display opinions about the appeal of the cover itself (the outfit, the pose, the photoshopping, etc.). This time, Vogue is taking fierce blows from the model community for featuring Upton on the cover.
"She looks like a squishy brick," complains online blogger Skinny Gurl.
This disappoints me beyond compare. I thought we were past this as a beauty community, building a support system for women of all sizes. Clearly the old catch phrase "thin is in" has yet to leave the size-zero model industry. I, for one, support Kate Upton and commend her for the dignified way in which she is handling the situation.
"I really just live my life," she shared. "I love my body. It’s what God gave me! I feel confident with myself, and if that inspires other women to feel confident with their bodies, great. It’s kind of funny to think, 'Oh, wow, the news is talking about whether I’m fat or not.'”
News flash: Kate Upton is NOT FAT. Just because you're not a size zero doesn't mean that you're unhealthy. Everyone's body is unique. She loves to exercise and is a huge advocate for healthy eating, so clearly she is not the "lazy couch potato" that miss Skinny Gurl claims she is. If anything, she is healthier than the majority of the women in her industry.
I'm going to take the high road here and try to understand this from the haters' point of view. Perhaps, they are so accustomed to living under the "thin" norm that anything else comes as a shock to them. I imagine that scene in Zoolander where a brainwashed Derek Zoolander is trained to respond violently upon hearing a specific song; These poor critics, brainwashed by the industry, see a curvy woman and are innately triggered to attack her!
I give props to Kate for staying true to herself. She has become a role model in her own right, setting a new standard for the model industry as a woman who embraces her natural figure.
Comment with your reaction/opinion in the downbar.
Emerald is HUGE this season, and boy, am I obsessed!
Today, I'm emerald all over..
Nails, bag, shoes, eyes.. I feel like a fashionable version of Kermit.
Yes, even my drink is green. Love me some Peace Tea. <3
The title pretty much sums it up: I am OBSESSED with this mani. It's so simple, yet chic! Took me less than an hour to do - which, in nail art terms, is quite rare.
(Please excuse the lighting; I had to post about this immediately after finishing which, unfortunately, was at the late hours of the night)
I know the lines aren't perfect, but you can't tell unless you're up close and personal. For sharper lines, use striping tape.
I used a nail art brush to dot the center of the top of my nail, then connected each side of my nail to that dot with angled lines. After that, I simply filled the space in with green polish! It's as easy as that.
Colors Used: Jasper by Butter London First Timer by Essie
Ah, summer. A time to relax, drink fruity drinks and soak up the sun - unless you're a vampire like me and eternally cursed to remain pale no matter how long you lay out.
No time to be bitter. I am here because I want to help save the lives of those who do tan, whether it be in tanning beds or in the sun. You've heard it time and time again: Unhealthy UV exposure can lead to dangerous cancer. It's gotten to be such a common warning that most tanners pay no mind to it..
"It won't happen to me. It's not like I tan all day every day!"
That's just it, though. You don't tan all day every day. Your skin isn't prepared to suddenly be exposed to intense UV rays on a daily basis. Think about it this way: If you haven't touched a dumbbell in months and try to lift 200 pounds, you'll most likely hurt yourself.
The majority of tanners are guilty of "binge tanning," or tanning frequently over a short period of time (summer, for example). Cancers such as melanoma are known for showing up in lifetime tanners, but dermatologists are now reporting an increasing number of cases in ages 18 to 39. The reason why?
"When you get sporadic yet very intense UV exposure, it causes an extreme insult to DNA, which is believed to initiate the malignant changes in cells that can lead to melanoma," says Susan Swetter, MD, professor of dermatology at the Stanford Cancer Institute. "Once those DNA mutations occur, your cells are even more susceptible to the long-term carcinogenic effects of UV light over the course of your life. The damage accumulates."
But, tanners, there is hope. You can achieve a healthy golden glow, but it might take a bit of sacrifice. First, shorten the amount of time you spend tanning. Your skin will be very happy with you, and much less stressed. Next, try switching over to self-tanners. You can get as dark as you want, plus you'll have extra time to kill during the day (the time you used to spend tanning)! To make the search easier, here's three of the best products on the market.
Everyone wants a tan, but no one wants cancer. Don't put your life in danger; Make the switch to a healthier tanning regimen. Self-tanners are the way to go, especially for vampires like me.
First, Toddlers and Tiaras introduced us to a world where children wear false lashes and fake tans. Now, cosmetic entrepreneurs such as Lisa Grigg-Campbell are taking on the youngest generation possible: Babies.
Grigg-Campbell recently released a product called Baby Bangs, a headband with fake hair sewn in. The catch phrase? "For the girl that has everything - except hair!"
If your baby is still feeling the pressure of adult beauty standards with a full head of fake hair, there's also a new line of infant perfumes from Dolce & Gabbana.
I'm just so relieved to know that my future child can be as beautiful as society apparently requires her to be. I mean, it's not like children are naturally a beautiful thing....
You've had a rough day, and your face definitely shows it. Puffy eyes, droopy cheeks.. you've got that look that says "Stay away." Everyone has their go-to "OMG, I look amazing" outfit to boost their confidence, but what about your face? Here are some makeup tricks that will also help you feel your best.
Winged liner. After lining your upper lid, flick your hand at the outer corner. This draws the eye upward and lengthens the appearance of the face.
Mascara x 10. Mascara makes your eyes look bigger, drawing attention to the center of your face and away from its round shape.
Contour. If you don't already include this in your beauty routine, do it now. Contouring by itself makes the face appear much more defined. Don't know how to contour? Check my YouTube channel starting on Wednesday, May 1st for "Contouring 101."
Earthy Tones. Wear neutral, natural shades on your eyes, cheeks and lips. Opt for browns, greens, and tans. Not only does this make you look effortlessly gorgeous, but it also keeps the eye from focusing on any specific part of your face.
Structured brows. Just like a structured blazer defines the body, a structured brow defines the face. To learn how to define your brows, click here.
The next time you're crying over spilt milk, don't fret. You can still look (and feel) beautiful in the aftermath.
As any nutritionist will tell you, there are goodand bad types of sugar. I've always steered clear of "bad" sugars - sugar substitutes such as Equal, for example - because it causes my super-sensitive skin to break out. However, my body needs a little bit of sugar to balance out its food pyramid, so I rely on the natural sugars from apples and other fruits to get me by.
Fresh has introduced the "good" sugar concept to the beauty community through their line of sugar polishes. A must-have cult product, this line is about as good as a sugar-based beauty product can get. As the name implies, each product is designed to "polish" a specific area - lips, face or body - by scrubbing away dead skin cells and revealing a natural, smooth glow.
In my opinion, all of these products are well worth the money. A little goes a long way with these scrubs! However, if you want a cheaper alternative, try scouting Pinterest for DIY recipes. Here's one for a brown sugar lip scrub.
A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down, but it can also enhance skincare efforts.
This season, the focus is on your eyebrows. Say farewell to over-plucked, pencil-thin lines above your eyes and hola to thick, eye-catching caterpillars of love! Of course, keeping your brows tame is still a must - there needs to be a distinguishable shape to them- but now it won't be as time-consuming. Being a lady with thick-haired genes, I feel honored to be considered "trendy" in the brow area.
Like I previously mentioned, maintaining eyebrow definition is absolutely, 100% necessary. Waxing and plucking may do the trick, but unless you have jet-black hair (and even if you do), filling your brows in might also be on your to-do list. Here's my advice to having the boldest brows around:
1. DO NOT OVERPLUCK. 2. Use a brow brush rather than a pencil to fill in. 3. When using a brow brush, dampen it before dipping it in shadow in order to get a clean line.
What is your eyebrow routine?
Be sure to browse around my blog and check out my other recent posts. :)
After seeing fellow bloggers MeghanRosette and MissGlamorazzi rave about Essie's new polish, First Timer, I knew I had to try it out for myself..
Please excuse the poor lighting in the pictures. It does not do this ravishing color ANY justice. I am in love with this shade; It's the perfect spring green! Plus, it perfectly matches my new shoes..
This must have been nail polish destiny.
Mint Candy Apple still holds a place in my heart, but now it shares the space with First Timer. I highly recommend this!
Sincerely, RaiseYourGloss
P.S. Shoutout to Priscilla from Ulta! Without her help, I wouldn't have been able to find this in the store! You rock.
Ombré hair was a huge trend this past year. Whether they were bold or natural, everyones tips were the highlight - irony intentional - of their look. I, for one, tried a fun pastel look using pink and purple chalk on the ends of my hair.
What I want to know is this: Is ombré slowly becoming a passing trend, or is it here to stay?
"Hi, my name is Paige and I am a nail polish addict." "Hi, Paige!"
... Alright, so maybe there isn't a real Nail Polish-aholics Anonymous, but the idea always flashes in my mind when I'm doing my weekly dance down the nail polish aisle.
As time goes on, you will see many articles from me about nails: reviews, tutorials, etc.
Today, my loves, could be considered a hallmark in the RaiseYourGloss archives - this, right here, is my first-ever nail polish post!
Raise Your Polish: OPI Bond Girls Liquid Sand Collection (Note: Mini collection did NOT include Honey Ryder or Tiffany Case)
Jinx I AM IN LOVE.. this is by FAR my favorite out of the group! It's an absolutely stunning red-orange with gold glitter mixed throughout. Pictures can't bring this color to justice. Trust me, you want to grab this now - I have a feeling it will sell out quickly.
Vesper Vesper gets second place in my 007 polish rankings. Pay no mind to how it looks in the bottle - as you can see, its true dark purple color comes to life when applied to the nails. WARNING: The tiny black sparkles tend to hang around on your hands after you remove the polish. A slight setback, but nothing too bad.
Pussy Galore Meh. That name makes me so uncomfortable. Ironically, this polish is about as comfortable of a color as it gets: a soft, shimmery baby pink. This color is perfect if you want a more natural look.
Solitaire Solitaire is my least favorite out of the bunch - when it comes to being worn alone, at least. The color is nothing special, just a sheer white shimmer. If I wear it, I will be layering it excessively in order to achieve a more opaque color. However, it has the potential to be an excellent glitter topcoat. (I apologize for the black dots - Vesper is a stubborn one!)
Overall, this mini collection was definitely worth the purchase. Three out of the four colors immediately impressed me - especially Jinx - and the latter shade, Solitaire, is still a decent polish. I don't know when I'll be able to bring myself to take Jinx off of my nails... stay tuned to find out if I ever cave in!
Hi, I'm Paige. I go by the username RaiseYourGloss. My goal is to inspire others to feel beautiful both inside and out. Cosmetics are fun to play with, and I definitely take advantage of that on a daily basis, but I also want my followers to realize that these products were made to enhance your already-existing beauty. You were born unique and outstanding. Being your best self doesn't mean fitting the status quo; Being your best self means being the best YOU that YOU can be.
