Beauty and the Budget

Best of the Web: Get Miley Cyrus's Black and White Look, Plus More

valeriekw — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:00:00 CDT

Take style notes from the Hottest Woman in the World according to Maxim Magazine- Here's where to buy Miley Cyrus's Black and White Jumpsuit -- Closet Cravings
Visit the Top 100 Shopping Blogs, here's the list! -- LollieShopping
Here's How you can win this Twenty Tees Open Back Crochet Dress -- LiveLoveLA
Totally Obsessed: Try this new trick for lining your eyes -- BargainBex
How to Wear Your Hair This Summer - Tie a Scarf around it! -- Vintage Danielle
Check Out This Friend Makin-Money Q&A -- Couture for Curves
Discover How to Get the Most Out of Your Makeup -- Beauty and the Budget

How to Get the Most Out of Your Makeup

valeriekw — Mon, 13 May 2013 09:00:00 CDT

Don't bid old makeup products goodbye just yet--you can still get some more use for them! If you're like me and hate to see those pricey makeup items go to waste, read on for how you can get the most out of your makeup!

Use a lip brush to scoop out every bit of your favorite product. I used to hate when I could still see lipstick in the bottom of the tube, but I couldn't push the applicator up anymore. It's such a waste of product! Instead, scoop out the remaning makeup by using your lip brush or even a Q-tip.
Don't throw away broken powders. It happens all of the time, you're favorite powder drops and busts all over the counter. (Totally speaking from experience here.) Don't be ashamed to pick up those broken pieces! Put them back into your makeup compact and add a few drops of rubbing alcohol. the powder will set back together in the metal pan!
Remove the lid. If you squeeze the shampoo bottle and nothing comes out but you know there's more product in there--remove the top! It sounds pretty obvious, but you'd be surprised at how many women will just throw a product out even if there are a few more good applications left in the bottle.
Let your lipstick double as blush and vice versa. Here's what I love about blush and lipstick--it's pretty much a dual use product. You can apply one to your cheeks and your lips!
Use what you already have before buying new products. It's easy to get into a makeup rut, find yourself at Walgreens and pick up every shade of Essie nail polish. Instead, take a look in your makeup drawer to see what you already have. You might fall in love with an old product once again!

Best of the Web: The Complete Evolution of Bangs, Plus More!

valeriekw — Fri, 10 May 2013 09:00:00 CDT

The Evolution of Bangs -- Beauty and the Budget

How to Shop for Clothes without Trying Them On -- LollieShopping

Kate Bosworth's Pink Met Gala Gown, Plus More Looks You Can Get Right Now -- Closet Cravings

Try This New Way of Wearing a Scarf -- Couture for Curves
Check Out This Amazing Etsy Find, only $60 -- BargainBex

Shop These Affordable Spring Fashions -- Vintage Danielle

How to Wear This Amazing Leather Sheath Dress -- LiveLoveLA

Style News: Mango Releases a Romantic Summer Lookbook

valeriekw — Thu, 09 May 2013 09:00:00 CDT

Mango's “Romantic Essence” summer lookbook features super soft palettes and pieces with a relaxed fit. It's definitely a very contemporary collection--perfect for the woman in her 20s or 30s who wants something timeless and classic. Since I'm pretty much obsessed with neutrals (I love a good beige and a soft ivory!), this collection speaks absolute volumes to me. I'm thinking this could be my absolute favorite summer lookbook released so far! Props to Mango!

Enjoy the full collection below.

Which outfit do you love the most? Let me know in the comments below!

The Evolution of "Bangs"

valeriekw — Wed, 08 May 2013 09:00:00 CDT

I've had bangs (or fringe) since I was about 15 years old, and I can't even imagine being without them! Inspired by my affection for style, I've researched the evolution of bangs.

1930s: Finger waves were an extremely popular hairstyle during this time, but the most influential bang-wearer of this decade was undoubtedly Louis Brooks with her blunt bangs. It was classic yet edgy.

1950s: A short, curled over bang (much like Katy Perry's today) was super popular during the fifties. Here, Bettie Paige sports the most popular bangs of the time--slightly angular with a little curl for body.

1970s: Jane Birkin was effortlessly cool with brow-length bangs and long straight hair, quite an outstanding contrast from the 1950s.

1980s: Bangs got totally big. In the late 70s and early 80s, Farrah Fawcett's iconic hairdo inspired ladies everywhere to have big poofy hair and super curly bangs.

1990s: Jennifer Anniston's widlly popular hairstyle introduced the side-swept bangs! In the early 90s, bangs were still big and bold but as the decade moved on the popularity of noticeable bangs decreased. A side-swept bang was really the only way to go during that time!

Late 2000s: Kate Moss brought bangs back in 2007! She opted for trendy, straight across bangs with straight hair, and the bang revival began.

Today: There are several popular styles of bangs today, but a popular style is Michelle Obama's classic fringe!

The Look for Less: Hannah Simone's Fiery Dress

valeriekw — Tue, 07 May 2013 09:00:00 CDT

I really adored Hannah Simone's Shoshanna dress at the Verte Grades Of Green's Annual Fundraising Event! The bold color was what originally caught my eye, and then I also loved the scalloped detailing around the shoulders. I knew it would be a fairly simple look to recreate, and I wanted to share it with you all!

The outfit has a fairly simple foundation--a fiery orange/red lace dress that is bold enough to stand out on its own. I'm glad she paired it with just a black belt and black pumps, because she could've gone overboard otherwise. Either way, I still thought the look needed something extra, which is why I added the statement earrings. The outfit, while amazing, was lacking in the accessory department. If you decide to recreate this look on your own, opt for a statment necklace or a bold clutch to give it that extra oomph.

I love that she finished the look with a glam ponytail and a simple beauty look! It makes the whole outfit seem really effortless.

Shop the look below:

Kensie - Dress KS3K9011 (Terracotta) ($99.00$59.99 by Kensie at 6pm.com)
ASOS Gem Drop Earrings ($13.30 at Asos)
Boyntonbeach ($80.00$40.00 at Aldo)
ASOS Bow Belt With Metal Plate Waist Detail ($13.30 at Asos)

How to Get the Great Gatsby Look

valeriekw — Mon, 06 May 2013 09:00:00 CDT

The Great Gatsby was no doubt one of my favorite books from high school. There was something so intriguing about it, and of course, I loved envisioning the fashions as I turned the pages. If I could go back to any decade, it would probably be the roaring 20s. I love the opulence of the Jazz Age, the beaded tops, fringe dresses, and pearls!

I've been highly anticipating the release of the Great Gatsby movie, which was supposed to be out in December (right?) but is now slated for a May 10th release. (And you better believe I'm dragging my husband to see it after seeing all of those Avenger, Iron Man, and other related comic book movies with him.) My anticipation for the upcoming movie inspired me to find some amazing 1920s style fashion all under $100.

And if you decide to recreate your own Great Gatsby inspired look, take note of muted pastels, deep oxblood lips, and beaded detailing are definitely key. Shop the look below.

Will you be going to see the Great Gatsby this weekend? Let me know in the comments below!

Shop these items:

ASOS Rosette Turban($19.95 at Asos)
Pearls Just Wanna Have Fun Necklace ($29.99 at ModCloth)
Seashore Soiree Dress ($99.99 at ModCloth)
Cream beaded shoulder top ($49.00 at Dorothy Perkins)
Apricot Blossom Earrings ($17.99 at ModCloth)
IMoshion Lucille 7768A Clutch ($28.98 by Imoshion at Amazon.com)
MAC 'Mineralize' Rich Lipstick in All Out Gorgeous ($22.00 by M·A·C at Nordstrom)

Style News: H&M Spring Lookbook

valeriekw — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 09:32:34 CDT

H&M's spring looks are here, but unlike most H&M collections I'm not completely obsessed with the whole thing. Model Frida Gustavsson wears pieces from their latest style book, featuring foulard prints, denim and lace along with fringe-adorned and gold jewelry.

There are several looks that I love from the collection, but overall it is just a bit lackluster to me considering what I've seen from H&M in the past. I'm not crazy about the purple tube top that makes two cameos in the lookbook. I love the location, but I think the styling could've been amped up a bit.

See the entire collection below.

My favorite look is above. Which look is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!

The Look for Less: Diane Kruger's High Contrast Look

valeriekw — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:00:00 CDT

Diane Kruger's style shines once again! I can't help but aspire to recreate a Diane Kruger look for less. She's flawless, and I absolutely love her mix of classic yet trendy style. Thankfully, recreating this look is pretty easy if you just select complimentary colors from the trusty old color wheel. In this case, we're using navy as the base color, and red and neon yellow as the complimentary colors. The best part is, you can recreate this look using any colors you'd like since the formula for the color palette is simple. For example, try an emerald green print dress, cobalt blue belt, and neon pumps.

Shop the look below:

Navy cross over stripe dress ($59.00 at Dorothy Perkins)
Leather sash belt ($49.99 at Mango)
Tarnish 'Lizard Chain' Clutch ($48.00 at Nordstrom)
Piped Double Ankle Strap Heeled Sandal ($79.90$55.93 at Express)

How to Celebrate Earth Day!

valeriekw — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:00:00 CDT

It's Earth Day everyone, and it's time to celebrate this beautiful world! Today is meant to raise awareness to how we take care of the earth, and you can do more than plant a tree or use your eco-tote to help out. Take the initiative to shop for more Earth conscious products, too, such as my top recommendations for eco-friendly beauty products.

Super Shiny Shampoo With Mango ($7.99 by Burt's Bees at DERMSTORE
Aloe Water Apricot Perfume ($18 at Caldrea.com)
Organix Moroccan Sea Salt Spray ($7.99 at Ulta)
Sultana of Soap ($6.40 by Sultana at Lush)

How will you celebrate Earth Day? Let me know in the comments below.