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!

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 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)

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.

It's probably no surprise to you, but women definitely aren't scared to shell out the cash for beauty products. However, you may be surprised at how much the average woman spends on makeup. Curious? According to MintLife, the average woman will spend $15,000 on makeup in her lifetime! And while you may think that's a lot of trips to the MAC counter, a good portion of that money is probably spent on top performing drugstore brands like Olay, L'Oreal, and Neutrogena. 

Personally, I could pay off a huge chunk of my student loan debt if I'd just stop wearing makeup, but four out of five women will agree with me when I say that makeup is a necessity in our culture. I take pride in my appearance, and if I can be totally honest with you, it totally boosts my confidence level when I'm all fixed up with a nice foundation, lip color, and false lashes. 

So while I don't suggest giving up makeup, I can provide a few helpful tips from personal experience that will help you keep a watchful eye on your beauty spending.

• Beauty products will not make you look perfect. Nobody is perfect, remember? That cellulite cream? It probably isn't going to get rid of your cellulite, but rather slightly reduce the appearance. (Trust me, if I find a cream that gets rid of cellulite, I'll be the first to let you know!) Be more cautious when you're shopping for beauty products and discover why you're shopping for those products. Skincare products and beauty products are intended to enhance your appearance, not make you look like the photoshopped celebrity endorsing it. Don't overspend on products just because you're feeling insecure about your looks. 
• Skip those beauty impulse buys. You should always be conscious of impulse buying, but definitely be cautious of impulse beauty buys because they can really rack up. There have been many ocassions when I've been perusing the makeup aisle for skin cream and ended up adding other products into my shopping cart. Women spend an average of $43 per shopping trip on beauty products, which adds up to around $216 per year. If you keep adding impulse buys, you can quickly exceed that amount. 
• Don't overbuy too much of a product. Nail polish and lipstick are super popular beauty products, especially during a recession since they can quickly revamp your look at an affordable price range. But really, how many shades of red lipstick or polish do you need? If you're using them all the way up then great, but (speaking from experience) I have an entire medicine cabinet full of nail polish that I rarely ever use. 

About how much do you think you spend on beauty products? Let me know in the comments below!

The ponytail--it's perfect for those lazy days and super accomodating for when you're running late, but unfortunately it gets a bad rap. Often wearers don't take the energy to really give it that extra TLC it needs, and so the hairstyle becomes something of a lackluster, last minute resort. With the summer quickly approaching, you're probably already scoping out easy hairstyles that will keep your locks off of your neck when it's hot out. And that's exactly where the ponytail comes in. Give it the extra oomph it needs this year before you head out the door. This no fuss hairstyle doesn't have to be drab, it can be glam, too!

Here's how to get a wavy ponytail this summer:

1. Start by adding texture to the hair. You can wrap pieces of your hair around a curling iron to give it extra volume, or if you're in a rush, use hot curlers and let them set while you apply your makeup, brush your teeth, or eat breakfast. Set with hairspray. 
2. Pull your hair into a high ponytail. It's okay to go a little higher than necessary because it's so much easier to bring it down if necessary. You can smooth out bumps in the hair with a comb or your fingers, but keep in mind that it doesn't have to be perfect. I suggest loosening the hair around the band, too, so that it's more voluminous as opposed to lying flat against your head. 
3. Add volume to the ponytail by teasing. I always separate the ponytail into two sections and tease the underneath. This way, you'll have volume on the top and the bottom. Set with hairspray, and you're all finished!

Optional: If you don't like the look of an exposed band, you can wrap a piece of hair around the ponytail holder and secure with a bobby pin. This is my favorite way to make any ponytail look more polished!

A Few Tips:

• Keep in mind that it doesn't have to be perfect--so if there are slight imperfections in your ponytail, don't worry!
• You also don't want to add too much hairspray. You can opt for a lightweight hairspray, although I tend to think those don't hold, or you can go light on an extra hold hairspray. The key to this look is soft, wavy hair--not crispy curls.

Be sure to check out my previous post on other ways to wear a ponytail, too!

What are some of your favorite ways to style a ponytail?

There are many factors that can contribute to an oily scalp, whether it be your hair products or your biology, but that doesn't mean there isn't anything you can do to fix it. Here are some super simple ways to prevent oily hair: 

Do Not Overwash 
It sounds counter productive, but washing your hair every day can actually make it more oily. The more you wash your hair, the more you are stripping your hair of its natural oils. Then your scalp reacts by producing more oil, and thus making your hair more oily. Personally, I prefer to wash my hair at least four to five times a week, but in between washes I also like to use a clarifying shampoo, such as Neutrogena Anti-Residue shampoo ($4.24 at Target). (Be sure to read my drugstore beauty product review on this shampoo!)

Only Condition the Ends
I used to put globs of conditioner in my hair because I loved how silky it felt, until I read once in a magazine that you really only need it on the ends of your hair. Conditioner is used to deliver nutrients and moisture. Then it seals the cuticle to protect hair, but the only time it should be applied to the scalp is if the scalp is extra dry.

Rinse Thoroughly
You may be in a rush to get out of the shower, but if you want to prevent oily hair, make sure you rinse all of the shampoo residue out of your hair. The left over residue can build up and allow the hairline to build up oil more quickly. Plus, it can clog the hair follicles, leaving it you with an itchy scalp. 

Switch Shampoos 
I love trying new shampoos, mostly so I can blog about them, but also because when I switch I get a feeling of freshness. Dermatologist Erin Gilbert recommends rotating different shampoos to prevent buildup. "I suggest using a shampoo with salicylic acid, selenium sulfide or ketoconazole," she says. Dr. Gilbert recommends trying Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo, Scalp Build-up Control ($7.39 by Neutrogena at drugstore.com), which contains 3% salicylic acid, the maximum strength, to reduce oil at the scalp. [source]

If you're scalp is looking greasy as you walk out of the door, you can also try using dry shampoo or (my favorite) baby powder to soak up the oils. Already out of the front door and need a quick fix? You can even use your small compact of face powder! Using a makeup brush, brush your face powder through your scalp until you reach the desired result. 

What products do you use to prevent oily hair? Let me know in the comments below!

One way to really perk up your spring look is with a good manicure--and I'm not talking about going to the salon! These manicures are easy enough to DIY. Below are five of my favorite (and coincidentally the easiest) spring manicures that are perfect for any ocassion you might have this season, whether you're going on Spring Break or to Coachella. And they're so easy to replicate--you won't even need a tutorial!

When replicating any manicure, you can always make it more specific to your taste and style. Mix up the colors for a fresh approach to any DIY manicure. Or, if you still think that some of these manicures are a little bit too much to replicate, you can always go for an accent nail--I think the ring finger is the best! 

If eyes are the window to your soul, you most certainly don't want them to look tired and dull. Concealers can do a quick cover up (currently I'm obsessed with Mally Beauty Cancellation Concealer System $35.00 at Beauty.com) to create brighter eyes, but when that just isn't enough and when you're ready to invest in some serious skincare here's what will really do the trick:

Dark Circles Under the Eyes: When you have hyperpigmentation--or when there is more melanin concentrated under the eyes than on the rest of your face--topical creams are what work best. Find beauty products that have Vitamin C, hydroquinone (a lightening agent), and other lightening ingredients such as kojic acid and arbutin.
Invest in: Vichy ProEven Daily Eye Corrector ($39.50 by Vichy at Ulta)

Crows Feet: Crow's feet are the wrinkles that develop on the outer corners of your eyes, and they tend to develop more as we age. If you're like me and plan on aging gracefully, look for creams that are hydrating. And it's never too early to start thinking about wrinkles!
Invest in: Dr. Brandt Dark Circles Away Collagen Eye Serum ($55.00 at Ulta)--BONUS: This product also helps with dark circles, tired, puffy, hollow eyes, and under eye bags.

Puffiness: The most common cause of puffiness under the eyes is water retention. Sometimes I think this comes from lack of sleep, but it also comes from drinking alcohol or eaty lots of salty foods. 
Invest in: Clarins Advanced Extra-Firming Eye Contour Serum ($60.00 at Dillard's)