HOLIDAY FUN-BUN HAIR STYLE HOW TO

Hello my loves- I hope your December is off to a great start! It's hard to believe we are already at this point in the year, but I am happy to report that I am 80% done with my Christmas shopping! That has never happened this early in the game... winning!

Today I am excited to team up with Nexxus and Target to bring you a fun

Holiday Hair Tutorial.

When brainstorming the look I wanted to create, I decided that I wanted to wear a more casual and playful style, versus something elegant for the Holidays.

I don't have too many chances to wear a sleek updo, but I can rock a

fun-bun

at pretty much any event I have this season. The other great part about this style, is that

it works for almost all hair lengths

. And you'll see in the video that adding a clip-in extension to the look helps if you're lacking thickness or length for creating the perfect messy topknot.

Take a look at the

video

below, and let me know if you are going to try this style for your Holiday parties!

Products Used: (all available at Target // Save 10% with code: SHINE thru 12/5)

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial, and it inspired you to try something fun and new for your Holiday party. 

Be sure you tag me in your pics if you try it out, I'd love to see! And I am now snapping away on Snap Chat, so please come follow along with me: TheBeautySnoop is my handle. xo

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*post sponsored by Lunchbox. all opinions are 100% my own. 

APPLY BLUSH LIKE A PRO WITH THESE QUICK TIPS

Apply blush tutorial

I firmly believe in the power of blush, and that it is a vital part of any makeup routine.

The proper application of blush is like an instant face lift and brings a warmth and brightness to the face that no other type of product can. But if your not sure how to apply blush correctly, it can go south real quick. Here are the things you need to know to apply blush in the most flattering way for your face shape.

The Classic Application- all face shapes

  • Gives and a natural flush of color, works with all blush colors (including brights!)

  • Apply an oval brush stroke over the cheekbone, stopping under the center of the eye

  • Use a loose domed brush for easy blending like the Real Techniques Domed Brush

The Rosy Glow- long, oval or oblong face shapes

  • Visually cuts the face in half, to shorten and widen. Best with light peaches and pinks

  • Apply with a dabbing techniques on the apples of your cheeks

  • Use a stippling brush for tapping and blending like the Real Techniques Instapop Cheek Brush

Highlight Application- oval or heart face shapes

  • Emphasizes the eyes and give an upward lift to the face. Works with lighter shimmer tones

  • Sweep tone on the top of the cheekbones, up towards the temples

  • Use a fan brush to easily work around the eye like the It Cosmetics Fan Brush

Sculpt Technique- round or square face shapes

  • Chisel out cheekbones and create a more angular face. Use brown/ beige based blushes

  • Sweep blush under the cheekbone from the ear forward, stopping below the center of the eye

  • Use an angled brush to help define the cheekbone and make the face appear more narrow, like the Sonia Kashuk Angled Brush

Thanks so much for reading, and let me know in the comments down below if you have any blush secrets to share. And links to the blush in the video are down below. xo

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THE TOP BEAUTY ARTICLES OF 2014 // WHAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

It's hard to believe and a little sad that 2014 is drawing to an end- and yet at the same time I am always so happy for a fresh start on a new year. I was reflecting this last week while I took a short break from the blog, over the amazing year that I have had as a blogger, and what great things happened on these pages, and in real life because of my journey with beauty.

Today I wanted to compile a few of the

Top Beauty Articles 

from this blog in 2014, and share them with you once again. You may have missed a couple, or want to re-read one or two. These are the cream of the crop [if I do say so myself] as well as the posts that had the most views or comments from readers this year. I hope you'll learn something new, and

share

an article with a girlfriend who might learn something too. (shameless plug ;)

Image above is clickable, or links available below:

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HALLOWEEN INSPIRATION // METALLIC GYPSY

Halloween is right around the corner, and it's one of my favorite holidays of the year! I wanted to share with you a fun Halloween tutorial that you can recreate at home if you are in need of some costume inspiration. The look was inspired by this striped dress from Shabby Apple. It's not a 'costume' at all, but it would work for so many outfits like a pirate, a witch and of course, a gypsy. If you have a striped dress at home, all you need is to add a few accessories and makeup, and it can be a quick and easy costume too. Everything else in my costume just came from my own closet, and I didn't have to venture in to a high-priced costume store...winning!

Here's a quick

video

of how I created this gypsy look, let me know what you think.

Wearing:

Purple Striped Dress

 c/o Shabby Apple

Rope Twist Tutorial

Makeup:

Blue Shadow

Pink Shadow

Gold Shadow

Plum Gel Liner

Contour Foundation

Liquid Shimmer

Liquid Blush

Brow Gel

Lip Gloss

Metallic Flake

Happy [early] Halloween! Let me know in the comments below if you liked this video, and what you are gonna dress up as for the holiday. Thanks for stopping by, xo

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THE MAGIC MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANSER YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF

magic makeup brush cleanser, makeup brush cleaning techniques, hot to clean makeup brushes, makeup brush cleaner DIY

Pin Me!

Oh hello friend! You are in for a treat today- I am sharing my

MAGIC technique for cleaning those pesky makeup brushes

. You will never use dish soap or alcohol again, when you see what secret ingredient I discovered that makes makeup JUMP out of your brushes. It's amazing! Check out the quick

video tutorial

below, and let me know what you think.

What you'll need:

Fractionated [liquid] Coconut Oil-

DoTerra

 or

Nature's Way

Liquid Cleanser-

Beauty Blender

or

Method Foaming Hand Wash

Hope you'll try this

new secret method of cleaning makeup brushes

- it really is the most amazing technique, and I'll never go back to anything else. Science rules! xo

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NINA DOBREV VMA LOOK TUTORIAL

Nina Dobrev, Tutorial, How to add clip in extensions into a pony tail

Hi Snoopers! Thanks so much for hanging out with me today!

Over on

instagram

, I asked you

which beauty's look from the VMAs

you wanted me to recreate in a video, and a whopping

majority of you voted for Nina Dobrev

! She rocked a high pony and orange lip like nobody else could on the red carpet, and it was one of my fav looks of the night as well.

Take a look at the

video

below to see my take on her style and makeup... let's do it! *The focus on this video was not so great, so sorry! But, my new office/studio is almost finished so my next video will be much better!

Products Used:

I also mentioned my how-to video for using brow powders, which you can see 

here

. And a look at those cool round brushes can be found 

here

.

I hope this gave you some new ideas, and inspired you to rock an orange lip very soon! Have a great weekend, and see you all soon! xo

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WATERCOLOR NAIL ART

watercolor nails, marble nail art, #sharebeautycontest

Get my easy WATERCOLOR NAIL look, follow these super easy steps:

  • Start with your base color, I used Revlon Gel Envy in the color 'Jokers Wild'

  • After your base dries, top it with a clear coat (this step is to protect it from the use of acetone, see steps below) and let that thoroughly dry before moving on to your art steps

  • Apply a few random dots of your next color, mine is Essie in the color 'Splash of Grenadine'

  • Dip a small art brush into your acetone and gently thin and smudge the dots of polish

  • Next add random dots of your third color, mine is Revlon Parfumerie in 'Pink Pineapple' and repeat with the acetone until your desired marble effect is achieved

  • Finish with a coat of clear top coat, and you're done! I always use Revlon Gel Envy Diamond Top Coat... it's amaze

Thanks for stopping by today, I hope you give this easy nail art a try... it is so easy to do and I seriously love the effect. If you do enter the contest, tag me in your pic too so I can see your mad skills! xo

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INSIDER STYLIST SECRETS: MAKE YOUR HAIR COLOR LAST LONGER AND FADE LESS

Stylist Secrets: rules to preserve your hair color vibrancy

Hey there! Nice to see you 'round these parts. [yup, that was my inner cowgirl talking]

Have you ever had a color on your hair that was glossy and beautifully pigmented, only to have it fade into a brassy, mousy version of it's former self? It happens to the best of us, so don't feel bad- but

there are 4 steps you can take to keep your hair color vibrant longer. And today, I am stopping by Studio5 to dish on my 4 step process and the stylist secrets you've been looking for.

*** Disclaimer. ALL HAIR COLOR FADES! Even natural pigments fade in the right conditions... remember how your child hood hair turned two shades lighter in the Summer months? Yup, that's fading. These steps will slow down the speed at which your color fades, but you'll still need to keep up on your color services on the regular. Ok, let's get started!

1- The first three washes are crucial!

Resist washing your locks for at least 2 days post color job to allow the color to fully oxidize and set into the cuticle (outer shingle-like layer of the hair) Then, for your first 3 shampoos, use the coldest water you can stand without giving yourself a headache. This means you should wash your hair at a different time than your shower. I prefer to bend forward over the edge of the tub and wash under the faucet, but a kitchen sink works too. The cold water closes down the cuticle layer trapping the color molecules inside. Hot water opens the cuticles so pigment can escape- which means cool water is ALWAYS better for color treated hair, but is essential in the early stages of color protection.

2- Soft water = soft hair

The minerals in our water are not hair and skin friendly. Just ask anyone who has eczema and they'll tell you what a problem hard water is when it comes to drying out the skin. If you don't have a built in water softener on your water heater, you can add a filter right to your shower. The T3 Source Shower Head

uses tourmaline, charcoal and other precious medals to remove 95% of the Chlorine in your water. Your skin and hair will be softer then ever before, and your hair will retain those precious color molecules much longer with this god-sent gizmo.

3- Gentle color safe shampoos are required. period

Shampoos are essentially soaps designed to cleanse the hair of oils and buildup, but if you're not careful they can also 'cleanse' the hair of color molecules too. Using a gentle sulfate free formula is the most important step in this series. And yes, higher end products are the best option because they contain more of the ingredients designed to prevent fading. For example, Pureology Strength Cure uses the plant oils found in sunflower seeds that give a natural sunscreen to the plant [and in turn, your hair] A drugstore brand may also use this oil but usually in lesser amounts, say 10% versus 30% in the salon brand option. So both will help, but the Pureology option may help more. That being said, ANY color safe option is better than nothing... so spend what you feel comfortable with as long as it is sulfate free.

4- UV protection isn't just for your skin

Everyone knows the importance of sunscreen for your skin, but don't miss your hair when you are getting sun-ready every day. Adding a UV protection spray into your hair routine will guard against fading due to the environment. This is essential if you spend time outdoors, and if you were prone to sun-bleaching as a child, you're still prone to it as an adult. Living Proof Instant Protection spray gives a weightless coating of UV protectant to your locks for 24hours, and as a bonus it also protects your hair from heat styling tools up to 450F degrees.

Thanks so much for stopping by today, I hope you got a few new ideas for protecting your hair color. Be sure you sign up to get these posts delivered right to your inbox, using the email signup bar on the top right side of the blog. xo

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ASK THE EXPERT: HOW DO YOU ACTUALLY USE DRY SHAMPOO? AND WHICH ARE THE BEST ONES?

I've mentioned my un-dying love for DRY SHAMPOO on this blog before (ok a couple times) but when this reader question came in from @BrianneE, I thought- 'hey, you've never shown them HOW to use it effectively! Duh!'

She asked... 'What are the best dry shampoos, and how do I actually use them? Are there tricks and tips that I am missing?' Well the simple answer is yes! Check out my latest video below and pick up a few of my techniques and favorite dry shampoos out there.

Products mentioned in video:

I sure hope that answered your question Brianne, and that you fall in love with dry shampoos like I have! And if YOU have a question you'd like me to answer in my All About Hair Series- send me an email or leave a comment below. Have a great 4th of July! xo

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HOW TO CONTOUR YOUR FACE WITH SELF TANNER

**Updated 9/27/17 from original post on 6/10/14

Hi friends! Today is a great one- I am so excited to share with you my

signature technique for contouring with fake tanner!

I have been using this technique for about three years now, and I have tried a myriad of products to get the right outcome... let's just say I made the mistakes so you don't have to. The great part of this technique is that you can get all the benefits of contouring, but it's semipermanent and lasts beyond your makeup application.

It's perfect for when you may not be wearing as much makeup, but you still want the look of chiseled cheeks and a defined jawline... even at the pool! To find out how I get the look and the best products for the job, watch the

video

below.

Full Tutorial:

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SUMMER ESSENTIALS: CHUNKY BRAIDS & BEACHY WAVES // WITH STUDIO5 TV

Today on

Summer Essentials

, we are talking all about chunky braids and beachy waves. Two easy styles that scream 'SUMMER!' I stopped by Studio5 TV to share some great tips on creating both looks. Check out those videos (

1

/

2

) below so you can learn how to get

Pinterest

worthy locks with little effort.

Wearing: Purple Leopard Shift Dress

c/o Oasap.com

Products Mentioned in Video:

Clip-in Extensions

 (full set- but for braids I suggest the use of only 2-3 inch wide wefts)

Turkish Towel

Alterna Bamboo Ocean Mist

Bumble & bumble Surf Spray

Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Spray

Which Summer style are you going to try? Let me know in the comments below, and be sure you are signed up to follow The Beauty Snoop by email over in the left top sidebar. Have a great weekend

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HOW TO: BROW POWDER 101

the best brow powder, NYX brow cake powder, Chella Eyebrow Highlight Pencil review

Today I am super excited to bring you

How-To Video

all about one of my favorite subjects: BROWS! In the last year I have really jumped on the bold-brow-bandwagon, and have loved the way it has changed my look. I have a young looking face (or so I've been told by about 900 people who mistake me for a teenager, ugh!) but I think the bold brow with more defined edges gives me a more mature look. I also love how polished you become when your brows are filled in and shaped up, even without another drop of makeup on- you can still look put together.

I've had lots of questions about my brow products and how to apply them- so rather than just telling you, I thought I'd show you in the

video

below. I've tried lots of products- but my top pick is actually a brow powder, not a pencil. Check it out and be sure you

subscribe to my youtube channel,

so you can get the latest videos.

Products from the video:

Smashbox Angled Brow Brush

Chella Highlighter Pencil

(comes in three shades, mine is Ivory Lace)

NYX Highlighter Pencil

(double sided with a universal taupe pencil)

NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder

(multi colors, mine is Dark Brown/Brown)

Do you have any favorite brow products that I need to try? Let me know in the comments below, and thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend

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HOW TO WEAR DARK LIPSTICK WITHOUT LOOKING LIKE THE JOKER

tips to avoid bleeding lipstick

I love wearing dark lipstick, but I've had too many embarrassing moments when I realized that the color had slipped off my lips and on to my face in public. After a few of those 'uh..what the hell!?!' moments, I started looking for a better answer- and after a lot of trial and error, I finally discovered the amazingness of using a physical barrier around the perimeter of my lips to keep the color in place.

It all started when I had tried to use my finger to wipe away some excess lipstick that had snuck passed the perimeter of my lips. I was left with a pink stain on my skin that needed to be covered up ASAP otherwise I would have looked like the joker, and let's be honest- that is NOT a good look.

I would have reached for the concealer, but I feared getting my fingers in to the mix again, would only smear things even greater. So out of shear desperation I reached for my nude eyeliner, and to my surprise it worked perfectly and the rest is history!

Since then I have researched, and found out that others use this technique, so I'm certainly not the only one who's had the idea, but I wanted to share it with you because it has been a life saver for me, and now hopefully for you as well.

Now, before I apply any lipstick I pre-line with a nude liner to create a physical barrier for the color and the clean up the perimeter especially around the corners of my mouth where color can easily wander. In addition to all that goodness, the flesh tone give an optical illusion of fuller lips by highlighting those nice curves!

My two favorites are the Nude

Waterproof Kohl liner from Rimmel London

which also comes in Taupe and Brown for darker skin tones. And even better in my opinion is the

Chella Cosmetics Highlighter Pencil

which comes in Ivory, Cinnamon, and Latte so all your colors are covered! It's an easy fix and makes a world of difference- give it a try I don't think you'll be disappointed!

Love to you all! Let me know in the comments below if you have any other good lipstick techniques to share. xoxo

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STYLEWISE: ROCK STAR WAVES

Bed Head Deep Barrel Waver

Star Necklace

 |  

Orange Lips

It's time to get

StyleWise

! Today I decided to rock a little edgier look- but let's face it... I still look pretty girly wearing sparkles and hot pink. I tried.

beachy waves, rocker waves

For this fun look I used my

Bed Head Deep Barrel Waver

to simply place a single row of waves in the

mid-section of my hair, and left the ends stick straight to finish the look with a 'tougher' vibe. This look works best for shoulder length hair or longer, and I recommend you don't start your wave any higher than cheekbone level.

To start, work with straight hair that is parted near the center (this also key for the rocker look). Next section the hair so you can start waving from the bottom near the nape of your neck, and pin everything else up out of the way.

Place the waver at the base of the hair near the nape, using a large 2-inch horizontal row, and clamp down. Heat through for 6-10 seconds and then release- you'll find a 3-shaped wave has formed and your ready to repeat on all subsequent sections. Make sure you hold the waver with the same orientation on both sides of your head. I like to have the bottom flatter side closest to my face- this way the wave peaks and valleys are the same on both sides.

Remember that you want all the waves to be focused in one visual 'row' around your head, so this means that you may need to place the waver in using visual markers. For example, each strand would be clamped higher on the strand for the underneath pieces or lower on the strand for the top pieces, with the goal to keep the wave line consistent near your cheekbone.

Follow up by running your flat iron across the ends to get a smooth, pin-straight finish. A little fluffing and some hair spray, and your ready to rock! This

deep barrel waver

is really affordable, and comes in handy for lots of styles. You can create faux-finger waves, Victoria Secret volume, and effortless beachy looks in a snap!

Thanks for your love and support! I am so grateful for all of you- seriously.

For more fun please follow along with me on

instagram

! @beautysnoop

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HOW TO NOT GET A BAD HAIRCUT: WHAT YOUR STYLIST WON'T TELL YOU

preventing a bad haircut, rules for a good haircut

So you've been burned before. Figuratively. Maybe literally. Hopefully not. We have all had haircuts thats made us cringe a little, or a lot- but it doesn't have to be that way. There is a method to getting a great cut every time, and I am going to tell you things your stylist may never will.

Ready? Buckle up.

Finding a salon & Stylist

Ask a REAL LIFE HUMAN that is wearing cute hair you like, 'hey, cute stranger- I love your hair. Do you mind if I ask what salon and stylist you see?'...

Real life can't be faked. Online life can be tweaked and altered, and yes sometimes completely faked. So while a great website is part of the picture, its not the whole picture.

Professionally lit photos and fancy graphic design are all fine and dandy, but REAL LIFE HUMANS matter more

If you can't ask a RLH, online research is also a great tool. But be weary of salons that only post photos of statuesque models that would still look beautiful with a bowl-cut. You want to be able to access real paying clients and their pictures so opt for a salon that has a current facebook or instagram account where you can see actual results from the stylists.

Call the salon and give specifics about your hair needs so they can match you with the best fitting stylist.

Saying things like, 'I am looking for a stylist who is great with short edgy cuts and color' or 'I have dense hair that needs extra time for styling'... will go along way for getting what you want. Calling blind with no guidance for the front desk is risky. Don't be annoying, but do be assertive.

The first time

Start with a 'shape-up'. So you’re in the chair with your new stylist that you've never met... Now may not be the time to ask for a brand new pixie cut a-la-Halle Berry. Stick with the basics first. A slight trim, add some layering etc. This will let you gain trust (or not) with that particular stylist, and then next time you'll decide to take the plunge and do the big chop.

If the stylist can't follow directions on the basics, or you just don't click... then you'll avoid a major catastrophe and be on your way.

Six weeks later

Now that you feel good about your stylist and their abilities, you can make a change in a bigger way. But first BE REALISTIC. Now is the time to be completely honest with yourself and your stylist about your ability to style your own hair at home, the amount of time you really spend getting ready, and how often you are going through the procedure. If you're not honest- you'll likely be disappointed with your hair cut.

Why? Because pony tails and short layers don't mix. Because curly hair is cut with a different technique than straight hair. Because wash-and-wear is not the same as blown out hair. And while some people are genetically blessed and look great no matter what, most people have a routine that they stick to, and your cut and expectations should be within those perimeters.

The right cut

Looking through images of celebrities for inspiration is great, but not always helpful. To start, do your best to look for styles were the texture of their hair is similar to yours. Cuts and colors can be altered... but textures are another thing. If your hair is baby fine, you'll never have the thick hair of Sofia Vergara. So don't even look at her! Instead look at images of Claire Danes, Gwyneth Paltrow, or Cameron Diaz for inspiration. Be realistic. You'll be much happier.

Three months later

Don't allow your stylist to get in a rhythm with you. Make it a point to check back in and reevaluate your hair and cut every 3-6 months. Offer new ideas or ask about new ways to style your hair so that you can keep variety in your life. It's great to be comfortable and to have a groove, but getting stuck in a hair rut is a bummer for all parties involved. So check in, and change it up!

The Bottom Line

While your stylist is a professional and should make suggestions & collaborate with you, it should be a conversation that is two sided. Plus, you know your own hair better than anyone, so be honest and communicate before the shears even touch your hair and you'll never get a bad cut again!

Cheers!

HOW TO: MIRACURL/CURL SECRET- VINTAGE WAVES

If you jumped on board with excitement and bought the easy-as-pie

Miracurl

or

Curl Secret

machines- this tutorial is perfect for you. If you've never heard of these gizmos or thought they looked too good to be true, this tutorial will show you one of the many ways that you can use these devices and get beautiful results in less than 10 minutes. I highlighted this beauty bad-boy in a recent appearance on Studio5 and in this post 

here

. I have become a big fan of these tools because they really are fool-proof and speed up style time, and who doesn't want that!?!

Check out the video below to learn how you can use the Miracurl (pro version) or Curl Secret (consumer version) to get an easy vintage waves

look

that is perfect for a night out or an upcoming Holiday party.

Love you all, thanks for stopping by today- see ya over on instagram for more fun-  

@beautysnoop

 Let me know in the comments below if you've tried the Miracurl and what your think about it!

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SURPRISING CAUSES OF ACNE- AND THE EASY FIXES YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

ACNE ON THE HAIRLINE, MOUTH ACNE, JAWLINE ACNE, CHEEK ACNE, NECK ACNE

A-C-N-E is a four letter word. Yes, I know literally...but figuratively too! If you've been a reader of mine for a while, you may have seen my post earlier this year about my

pledge

to quit picking my skin. And while I am doing much better at refraining for popping (and my skin is flourishing because of that) there are other external causes of acne aside from face touching and picking, that I want to share with you so that you can learn from my journey and give your self the gift of healthier skin.

The surprising causes of acne that you might not be aware of- and how to stop them from plaguing you.

If you have acne:

Around your mouth

- Acne around the mouth can be caused by a reaction to your lip products or from traces of toothpaste left of the skin post- brushing. If you notice small blackheads, or white bumps in the corners or edges of your mouth, it could be caused by an irritation from your lip gloss, or from the bacteria that is living on the applicator. Be sure to regularly clean off applicators on your lip products using a baby wipe and a spritz of rubbing alcohol. And follow the guidelines for the life of your lip cosmetics (usually 18 months) and throw them out and replace them often enough. 

Traces of toothpaste can also cause irritation around your mouth- so be sure you thoroughly rinse and dry your mouth area after every brush. And follow up with your lightweight moisturizer in these areas. 

On your cheeks near your ears

- If your acne is concentrated on the cheeks near your ears, a dirty cell phone is often the culprit. The glass surface of your phone can contain thousands of bacteria spores that thrive in the warm environment of a battery-heated surface. Think about what your hands touch throughout the day, then every time you pick up the phone to text or check Instagram- you transfer those germs to the phone screen, then smear

that

all over your face... Gross right!?! 

The fix for this is simple. Pick up a box of

alcohol cleansing pads

next time you're at the pharmacy and keep a stash in your car and purse. Wipe off the phone on all sides at least once a week, but I try and do it 3 times a week and I have noticed a huge change in my zit situation. I do it whenever I'm waiting for something, like a meal to arrive at my table, or when I'm waiting for my daughter at the bus stop... It takes very little time, but is such a good habit to form. 

Along your hairline

- Hairline pimples can be caused by excess soaps and cleansers that aren't rinsed off fully during your cleansing session. I learned this the hard way when I started regularly cleansing at night. I was proud that I was in the habit of nightly cleaning but as I got a little lazier I realized that I was leaving extra product on my skin around the perimeter of my face, and as a result I started getting pimples in my hairline. 

Whiteheads form in the hairline very easily because the pores on your scalp are much larger than the skin on your face. So if you're noticing regular zits just beyond the hairlines border- add an extra rinse to your process. I added a snugly fitting sports-type headband to my washing regimen, to hold the hair firmly out of my face while washing. 

Within your eyebrows

- eyebrow pimples are often caused by irritation after waxing or tweezing. If you often breakout after a visit to the brow spa, try adding an antihistamine to your regimen. Take a low-dose antihistamine (such as kids Benadryl) before you head to the salon for a wax. It will help your skin from breaking out in an allergic type response from the waxing. Or opt for a post wax anti- inflammatory like Advil to keep redness and swelling at bay, and use an astringent to clean the skin such as

witch hazel

.

If your waxing technician applies a soothing oil to the skin after your wax, ask if she can swap it out for

Aloe Vera,

or just bring a small bottle of your own to use instead. And finally avoid lots of makeup on these areas until they've had 2 days to heal and your brow/lip acne will be a thing of the past. 

Only on one or both sides of your face

 on the jawline and neck- If your zits have a home only on the far sides of your face and neck, it could be a sign your not washing your pillowcase often enough. Side-sleepers can struggle with acne along one or both sides of their face, while the forehead, nose, & chin remain blemish free. The pillowcase is another Bactria harboring love-fest and you can understand why; that warm environment breeds skin sabotaging bacteria like nobodies business. 

Channel your inner Martha and make a pledge to wash those sheets at least every other week and you'll see huge dividends in your overall skin luster and health. 

***Remember that I am not a dermatologist, and I do not claim to know the answers to all of your acne problems. But my experience with adult acne and my training in the beauty industry have helped me to understand these causes of my own acne as well as some of my clients. I believe this is sound advise that will help, but beyond these tips genetics and hormones also play a big role- so teaming up with a doctor my still be necessary to fight your acne completely. 

How's my #nopickingpledge going, you ask!?! Come back on Thursday for a full run down of my progress and to learn about the acne products I have been using for the four three months.

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CURRENTLY OBSESSED: NYX MAKEUP

NYX makeup, gotbeauty.com, The Best NYX makeup, cheap makeup brands

You know that rare place where high quality comes together with low cost, all wrapped up in a nice package? Like I said, it's

rare

. So when I find that glimpse of perfect harmony- I like to shout it out from the roof tops. This is

that

kind of post!

* * *

Makeup junkies, celebrities, and every-day divas have all fallen for

NYX cosmetics

. (pronounced like 'Nicks' by the way) This stuff is high grade when it comes to ingredients, performs like the big-dawgs ie. MAC, and has a price point that makes you double take. Literally, I was showing my mom some of the goodies that I use daily, and one of them still had a $9 price tag on it... she was shocked, to say the least.

So if you are a budget shopper, but still want the look and feel of department store brands- NYX is where you should start. Most of the line is priced well under $10, so if there is ever a time to take a risk with a new color or new type of application- THIS IS THE TIME PEOPLE! [roof tops, remember?]

In the

video

below, I am highlighting a handful of my top picks from

NYX

... but pay attention to the applications too. Sometimes you think

a color is too bold for everyday wear

, but that might be because you are applying it incorrectly! Almost every color can be worn during the day if you use it in a light-handed way. So take a second to learn something new, then come back and get excited about adding these affordable rockstars to your makeup bag, plus tons of other goodies beyond just these mentioned in this post. 

NYX cosmetic- review on eyebrow push up bra, cheek stick, eye color pencil, and dewey setting spray

Face Full Of:

NYX Push-Up Bra for EyeBrow

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil Yogurt

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil Rocky Mountain Green

NYX Stick Blush Orchid

NYX Propel My Eyes Mascara

NYW Dewey Finish Setting Spray

Do you have a NYX obsession? Let me know in the comments below- I'd love to hear your thoughts! And be sure to check out one of my fav online beauty shops 

GotBeauty.com

where you can buy these goodies and tons of other great brands too. If you are a Utah gal- you can shop NYX at the Got Beauty location in

Sugar House

Thanks for reading and

sharing

! Enter to win a NYX prize pack worth $50 from Got Beauty using the entry form/link below, and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post was sponsored by Got Beauty- thank you for supporting the companies that support this blog

TARGET BEAUTY: SONIA KASHUK TO GET THE PERFECT GlOW

HIGHLIGHT AND CONTOUR RULES, SONIA KASHUK, FAKE GLOW MAKEUP, BEST CHEAP MAKEUP

Everyone loves a good Summer tan. And while I am all about SAFE sun exposure during the warm months, it doesn't have to end there.

Faux tanning

is part of my beauty

routine

year round... just ask my 'tanning pillowcase' who only gets slept on post tanning application- she knows what's up. But there is another piece to the glowing skin puzzle: SHIMMER!

For some of you shimmer might be a four-letter-word. This usually happens if you have a bad experience when applying shimmer and end up looking like a sweaty pixie-dust covered tween. (that's a real thing, I googled it) 

But when applied correctly, shimmering and illuminating products can transform a face and leave you feeling glowy year round without looking scary. I promise.

When it comes to shimmer... I tend to lean towards the less expensive options. Why? 

  • Because you may not like the results, so don't spend a ton to experiment.

  • Because the ingredients tend to dry out or separate quicker in shimmering makeup (across the board on all brands), so if you have to trash it--- you don't cry tears of remorse!

  • Because it may not be an everyday product depending on your work environment. Spend more on the daily use stuff.

That is where

Sonia Kashuk

comes in. Her illuminating products are spot on, and give awesome results for just pennies people! So do yourself a solid, and pick up a couple of her goodies next time you're at Target- or shop them below then follow my guide to get the perfect hint of sparkle.

HIGHLIGHT

BELOW THE CONTOUR OF THE EYE SOCKET- RIGHT ON THE CURVE OF THE CHEEKBONE

ON THE INNER POCKET OF THE EYE, JUST OUTSIDE THE TEAR DUCT UP TO THE BROW BONE

ON THE TEMPLES IN A 3-SHAPED SWIPE FROM BROW - CORNER OF EYE - CHEEK BONE

IN THE 'CUPIDS BOW' DIVOT ABOVE YOUR UPPER LIP

UNDER YOUR BOTTOM LIP TRACED RIGHT ALONG THE PIGMENT LINE

BLUSH

ON THE APPLES OF THE CHEEKS

BRONZE

IN THE HOLLOWS OF YOUR CHEEKS UNDER THE CURVE OF THE CHEEKBONE

ALONG THE RIDGE OF THE FOREHEAD WHERE IT ROUNDS INTO THE HAIRLINE

DOWN THE CENTER OF THE NOSE TOWARDS THE TIP - NOT BETWEEN BROWS

Face Full Of:

Sonia Kashuk Take Cover Concealer

... so good under eyes!

Sonia Kashuk Luminosity Highlight Stick

| Dupe Alert: 

Benefit Watts Up Highlighter

Sonia Kashuk Beautifying Blush

Sonia Kashuk Illuminating Bronzer

 | Also love her

Cream Bronzer

too

Get your shine on- and let me know how it goes! Take a pic and tag me on

instagram

when you try one of these awesome products, so I can see your results! @beautysnoop

Got a beauty question you've always wanted to ask? Let me answer it in my

Ask The Expert

posts- send me an email to megan@thebeautysnoop.com

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STYLEWISE: ROPE TWIST UPDO

MOD BOD DOUBLE V-NECK

Hello my lovely readers! So glad you've stopped by today to check out the latest edition of StyleWise. Now that my hair is as long as it has ever been (without extensions) I have been wearing a miriad of updo styles to keep myself cool during these hot months. I also love an up style on day-3 hair when it has just enough 'dirt' to hold teasing and bobby pins well.

This hairstyle is a variation on a rope twist braid that starts at the nape of the neck, travels to the crown and wraps around in a bun topper. To achieve this look, I actually lay face down on my bed and hang my head over the edge. Why not let gravity help you out from time-to-time? Once my hair is all draped down towards the floor, I can begin twisting at the neck and work towards the crown. Much like a french braid- I simply incorporate hair from each side along the way until I have finished the twist. Secure the rope with an elastic and then wrap the rope tail into a bun and secure with two spin pins. Fun eh?

Don't know how to rope twist?... keep scrolling for a pin-worthy (hint, hint) illustration!

easy twist hair style

Hope this gives you some inspiration for your next up style. You may get a blood rush to the head if your try my version, but just think of all the other possibilities too. Top knot, low and over-the-shoulder, Princess Leia buns...sans golden prisoner bikini, of course!

See ya soon beautiful friends- and if you've got a minute, please share this blog with a fellow beauty lover, so I can continue to grow and spread the wealth. Thanks!

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