Currently Craving: Splurge-worthy

Hi Everyone! Quick post today featuring an bunch of items that I would absolutely love to have and believe are worth the splurge. Of course I must have some self-control, so I will not be purchasing all of these items - but they sure are pretty to look at together! A girl can dream, right? Enjoy! <3

Find out where you can get everything below!

xox,

                 Meredith

All Winged Out

A friend once introduced me to the wise saying "Don't ever ask a girl with winged liner why she's late". Although this may have been the case the first million times that I attempted to wing out my eyeliner, with years of practice I have been able to master a technique that works for me. If you have never tried this before, please do not get discouraged if you can't figure it out right away. Trust me when I say that I have made plenty of mistakes and messes over the past few years trying to get the perfect wing (that's what Q-tips are for!). Luckily, there are some great products out there that make the process of creating a wing much easier. For beginners, I recommend starting out with a pen eyeliner. This way you can literally draw the line with lots of control. If you want a darker line, definitely try a liquid eyeliner. For a softer line (that can be smudged out if you make a mistake), go with a gel liner. Some of my favorite eyeliners to create a wing are listed below:

Here's how I wing out my eyeliner using MAC's Blacktrack Fluidline and an angled brush:

1.

After dipping my brush in the liner, I like to start in the middle of my lash line and work my way out. I then go in and connect the front to the middle.

2.

After I've lined my eye, I flip the brush in the opposite direction and on an angle connect my wing to the rest of the line.

3.

Your wing should look something like this.

4.

I then go in again starting at the end of the wing and continue to fill in the rest of the line.

           

  Until next time!

xox,

                  Meredith

Make a Statement

If anyone follows me on Instagram, you already know that I have a teeny obsession with statement necklaces. I just think they are so beautiful and can add so much style, color, or drama to anything you're wearing. Statement necklaces have been trending for quite some time now and I plan to keep this trend ongoing in my personal wardrobe. Here are some statement pieces that I've had my eye on - all under $50!

Top Row: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

Middle Row: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

Bottom Row: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

Below are some of my favorite pieces that I have added to my collection over the past year:

 Kohls

shoplately.com (this site is amazing!)

 shoplately.com (similar)

J.Crew Factory (almost exact here)

Groopdealz.com (similar here)

Etsy Shop ShamelesslySparkly





Hope you enjoyed!!

xox,
                    Meredith

Brush Love: Face Edition

Welcome to my first installment of Brush Love! My idea for this series of posts will feature my all time favorite brushes. Today I have for you some of my favorite face brushes. If you haven't heard of the brand Real Techniques, well let me introduce you. This line of fabulous brushes is the creation of London makeup artist and YouTube sensation, Samantha Chapman. These brushes are so incredibly soft and are also extremely affordable - you can find them at Target, Ulta, and Kohls. Great quality and inexpensive? Yes, try for yourself!

1. Stippling Brush
I use this brush to apply my foundation, BB cream, or tinted moisturizer. I lightly press the product onto my face and then buff and blend for a more flawless look.

2. Powder Brush
I always reach for this brush to set my foundation. To ensure my makeup lasts all day, I lightly dust a finishing powder all over my face.

3. Blush Brush
Although this brush is supposed to be used for blush, I tend to use it for bronzer when I need to quickly get my makeup done. It just seems to apply the right amount of product to my face without it looking overdone.

4. Contour Brush
I absolutely love this brush for contouring! I use this to apply my bronzer (when I have a little more time to blend it out) on my cheekbones, hairline, and jawline. This brush helps sculpt my face and blends the product really well.

5. Pointed Foundation Brush
I actually prefer to use this brush to blend in my concealer. It is the perfect shape to blend the concealer into the corners of your eye. I like to use patting motions with this brush to get a brightening effect.



Have a great weekend everyone!! I will be in South Jersey visiting my boyfriend :)

xox,

                    Meredith

Warby Parker Home Try-On

 Ballard - Striped Chestnut                              Welty - Whiskey Tortoise

Walker - Whiskey Tortoise                                 Finch - Violet Magnolia

Seymour - Whiskey Tortoise

It was about that time for my annual eye-checkup. While I usually always wear contacts, I figured why not look for a new pair of glasses since I've had the same old pair for about 3 years now. I have to admit, this is my third Warby Parker home try-on session and I am still unsure. I've searched and searched for images of actual people wearing these glasses before I selected them for a home try-on, but I wasn't able to find much. So that is what I am doing for you here! Even if I do not pick one of the above 5 pairs of glasses, at least you can get a visual of what they look like :)

In case you haven't heard of Warby Parker, they are an online eyeglasses and sunglasses company with the motto of buy a pair, give a pair. For every pair of glasses they sell, they also donate a pair to a person in need. Because of this excellent cause, I don't think I'll stop trying until I find a pair! (I think I'm liking the Welty and Finch - let me know!)

Check them out here: Warby Parker

xox,

                     Meredith

My Go-to Makeup Look

Hi Everyone! Today I have for you one of my favorite makeup looks. This go-to makeup look combines matte eyes, pink cheeks, and pink lips for an effortlessly pretty effect. I also really love to brighten up my under-eye area and sculpt my face with a little bronzer (cheekbone, hairline, and jawline). Many of the products I used are listed in my Spring Makeup post (a few posts below) - I wanted to make sure you can see all of these beautiful products in action!

Face:
Foundation: Revlon Colorstay - 220 Natural Beige
Concealer: NYX HD Photogenic Concealer - Fair
Face Powder: MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural - Medium Plus
Bronzer: Benefit Hoola Bronzer
Blush: MAC Warm Soul & Bobbi Brown Pale Pink

Eyes:
Primer: MAC Paint Pot - Soft Ochre
Lid: Lorac Pro - White & Cream
Crease: Lorac Pro - Taupe & Sable
Liner: MAC Fluidline - Blacktrack, Korres Pencil Liner - Black
Mascara: Loreal Telescopic - Blackest Black
Lashes: All Belle - Princess Leah
Brows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade - Dark Brown

Lips:
MAC Lipstick - Snob

xox,

                   Meredith

Essie Spring Nails

I bet you can't guess my favorite brand of nail polish! Okay, okay, maybe you can because I kind of have a slight obsession with Essie - and by slight I mean HUGE.  I may or may not have an entire drawer full (may) ;)  Yes, I own all of the above colors and they are my go-to nail colors for Spring.  A little tip before I actually purchase a nail polish: I google image search the nail polish name to see how they will look!

Top Row: Fashion Playground, Resort Fling, Butler Please, Under Where

Bottom Row: Romper Room, Find me an Oasis, Full Steam Ahead, Madison Avenue Hue

xox,

                     Meredith