Beauty and Style Hacks I Swear By

Beauty Hacks

Allergy eye drops… but not in your eyes.

I do!  My eyelids always get dry, wrinkly, and puffy during allergy season, and it makes me look seriously dreadful.  This hack always does the trick in a jiffy:  I dab allergy eye drops ON my eyelids instead of in my eyes, and it totally deflates and smooths my irritated skin.

Never forget the highlighter.

I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I never used it up until a year or two ago.  Now I won’t leave the house without it if I can help it.  It sculpts and defines my cheekbones by highlighting the high points of my face.  Here’s what I use: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Opal. They also have a mini size, so you can give it a try and see if you like it as much as I do!

Eyeliner without the mess.

Use a dark shade in your fave eyeshadow palette (I love Naked3) to line the top of your lids.  So much quicker and more foolproof than any eyeliner, and it really opens up the eye.

Perk up tired eyes.

Dab a very light shadow in the center of each lid for contrast (Layer it over a slightly darker hue).  It makes your eyes look more multi-dimensional and awake! (I use the first color of Naked3.)

Get Glowing.

Use a damp beauty sponge for foundation.  My faves are the Original Beauty Blender and Morphe Highlight & Contour.  They give me a flawless, non-cakey finish.

Moisturize in a pinch.

Dry skin but no time to rub in the damn lotion?  Same here!  Curél Wet Skin Moisturizer glides onto wet skin without a hitch and gets the job done. Plus, it absorbs quickly, so you aren’t left with a greasy mess.

Fix Flat Hair

Use dry shampoo for instant volume.  My favorite is Oribe Texturizing Spray.  I absolutely cannot live without it.  It smells so fresh, all I have to do is spray it into my roots to make it look like I have more hair.  Plus, it doesn’t leave any white residue.  I will be buying this one for life.

Style Hacks

Give yourself some shape.

Tuck in the front of your shirt, blouse, or top.  So much more chic, hip, and happenin’, not to mention super flattering!

Aim High.

Stick to high-waisted bottoms.  I like to have my pants hit at the slimmest part of my body, not a wider part closer to my hips.  So 9 times out of 10, when I’m browsing a pair of jeans that don’t say high-waisted, I do not purchase them.  Also, I don’t mind spending extra on quality denim that looks amazing.  Some fave brands: J Brand, Treasure & Bond, FRAME

Cover all your bases.

Stock up on pretty lacy bralettes. They have so many uses it’s not even funny.  They keep you covered and looking stylish.  They are great for wearing under tops that can be too revealing when you bend over, as well as open-back and off-the-shoulder tops. What more can you want?!

Dress for your shape.

Find what works for you, and stick to it.  If you have a large chest, try to steer clear of tight high crew neck tees and tops.  They will make you look bigger all around.

Finish the look.

Add a belt.  I only recently began doing this, and it really makes the look feel more polished.  The belt always ties my outfit together!

Accessorize wisely.

Pile on the wrist-candy.  You’ll totally look like you know what you’re doing style-wise, even if you don’t! Plus, you can show off some personality.

Stay chic, yet functional.

Invest in a great leather backpack for day-to-day errands.  I have 2 that I switch between.  They are so much easier than a crossbody-  less bulky, usually hold more stuff, and don’t hang and slide and strangle you while you’re bending over to browse at the store, help your child, tie your shoe…

I hope these hacks help you out as much as they help me!  Thanks so much for being a loyal subscriber!