My Current Beauty Babes- September Must Haves

September Must Haves featuring lips makeup

Tarte lips makeup
sephora.com

Urban Decay beauty product
$33 - debenhams.com

EMERGENCY KIT 

Ever since I traded in my social life for the cruel beast that is law school, I  haven't slept well, I only eat foods that can survive hours in a beaten leather bag, and water comes second to caffeine. So, to further fight the circles and crackling skin that has become indigenous to the study of legalism, I dab on a little of Ole Henriksen's Truth Serum. This little collagen booster freshens up my skin with its vitamin infused serum, brightening and hydrating my face. It's oil-free, made with natural ingredients and is perfect for sensitive skin (like mine). I can definitely notice the difference after a use and it really helps me to maintain a glow in the midst of the library's arctic tundra. Urban Decay's B6 Prep Spray is a prefect pal to play with Truth Serum. As the name says--the spray is enriched with vitamin B enhancements to keep your skin refreshed throughout the day. This baby absorbs oil, hydrates skin, reduces pores and keeps you makeup spot on the entire day.  Im a sucker for anything I can throw in a bag and nourishes my skin. The fact that this also helps reduce the appearance of my pores and that keeps my makeup intact throughout the day is a major bonus. 

NAILS

I love the seasonal transition months. For one, I can incorporate summer and fall fashions and two, colors can fall right in the average lane--theres no wrong choice. Hence,  i've been wearing the hell out of OPI's "Miami Beet" color this September. The middle ranged red has hues of berry, noir, plum and a perfectly interchangeable color for the coming seasons. 

POUT

I have a picky pout--most brands dry out my lips leaving behind a leather like texture. Lip colors are a personal and preferential thing. But something that is a "most people's thing" is hydration. Tarte's Lip Surgence in Pouty leaves a cool minty sensation while providing a girlish yet subtle color behind. The color doesn't last all day, it gets all over my water bottles, but the tingling sensation is well worth the money. Plus, the line doesnt leave a mark of scaly and pealing lips. 

Apply Your Foundation with Perfection

Does your foundation ever flake? Become uneven? Melt away? Slip and Slide throughout the day? 

Taking the necessary steps when applying foundation in KEY to maintaining that flawless appearance. 

For me, I absolutely hate foundation. This hate is injected from several reasons, most stemming from the fact that absolutely no color blends into my pale skin. 

However, beyond color corrections, I have found bare minerals + tinted moisturizer gives me the blended coverage I need. Which, is somewhat a powder foundation. 

So, for ladies who yearn for Day-Long foundation coverage, check out the tips below to maintain perfect foundation throughout your haphazard days. Never suffer a day with a flaky face again!

1. CLEANSE prior to your application. 

Why is cleansing important? Well, cleansing prior to your foundation application is crucial to maintain clear skin. Cleansing helps remove any dirt on your face that with otherwise be trapped between your skin and foundation. 

2. TONE
toning removes excess dirt and cleanser left from over from Step one. Toning also tightens pores and smoothes skin to prepare it for foundation application. 

3. MOISTURIZE
This step is probably the most important of all three. If you do this correctly, you really will get a flawless finish. Moisturizer actually allows the foundation to cling on to something, resulting in smoother, longer wearing makeup. Let your moisturizer sit for AT LEAST five minutes prior to applying your foundation. Foundation often slips, slides and flakes when you applied it to a moisturized face too quickly. Be patient. 

This is one of my key ingredients: USE THE RIGHT MOISTURIZER. That seems obvious to most, however, what many forget is that your moisturizer must correlate with your foundation. In other words, a water based moisturizer goes with a water based foundation. Likewise, an oil based moisturizer goes with an oil based foundation. Do NOT mix and match, this is a recipe for disaster. 

How can you tell whether you are using oil or water? Check the ingredients. Normally, the first ingredient is water in a water-based lotion or foundation. 

My Bag of Tricks- Product 1

Skin Care maintenance is probably one of the most sought after advices. Whether it be eye lashes, lips, makeup or cheeks, I try to maintain my glow by beginning at the root of the problem: the workings within. 

Lately, I have had a few co-coworkers ask me about my skin care routine, my preferences, and how I maintain what they believe to be 'remarkable skin.' I am well aware of my own flaws so I invert a thank you and yield what I believe has been one of my top secrets. 

Now, I have an entire bag of tricks. One product, one day aint gonna get chu anywhere. Most products take a month to make a difference, and what a difference it can make. Before we proceed, remember this-- EVERYTHING works from the inside out. A combination of things encompass great skin. However, there are a few things I do here and there and rev up results. Today we will go over product #1.

Jojoba Oil. 

With these late bloomed snow storms, cold fronts and wind blown storms, it may seem like very little will pacify your harshened skin. 

When it gets cold, crank up the hydration. Double up on your water, vitamins and take care of that wind burnt baby--your face. Many products claim hydration over night, anti-aging miracles, and even reduced lines. Maybe some do, but temporarily. My advice, LOOK what is in those ingredients. I try to stay all natural as much as possible to avoid harsh chemicals on my face. 

Lather Up- Oils

Most oils on the street WILL make your face feel great, it may hydrate the skin temporarily. But what you dont know is what they contain. Many oil based products sold at your local drug store contain MINERAL OIL. Something I do my best to steer COMPLETELY clear of (which is hard with small pockets). Mineral Oil is a mass produced product made of distilled gasoline and crude oil. Yummy. It is clear, scentless and wildly produced. It acts as a thin layer on the skin and is actually quite difficult for the skin to absorb and in turn CLOGS THE PORES, which slows the skin's ability to eliminate toxins. REMEMBER, the skin is the body's largest organ and plays a vital role in maintaining overall health. SO although mineral oil based products may give you short term relief, think again about long term benefits. Be careful and ALWAYS research what you put on your face! That it probably my most valuable advice.

So, if you love oils like I do, go natural. Yes, you do have the risk of getting clogged pores, but it may be less likely than smothering toxic chemicals on your skin (we hope.). SO, back to Jojoba oil. You've seen this ingredient in many high end products, conditioners, lotions and more... 

Here are the pros: 
1. Non Greasy, I wear it on my forehead daily without looking like a grease monkey. It definitely soothes away my dry skin. 
2. All natural
3. Great cleanser- I put jojoba on my face and then add cleanser so I feel that hydrated soothing silk.
4. Great eye makeup remover. 
5.fantastic for eczema and Stretch marks
6. Good for locking moisture in and keeping bacteria out
7. Its actually a wax (just a fun fact)

Cons
1. You have to go to a whole foods to find an all natural bottle
2. It may not be as thick and hydrating as mineral oil and will be more expensive 

I havent experienced any clogged pores or negative affects and I have been using this product for nearly two years. To learn more about the benefits of jojoba oil, see the link below. 

I put this on my skin all over at night for extra absorption when I know my skin is starting to feel rough, I use it as a cleanser a few days a week and even put some in my conditioner and soap to help alleviate razor burn. Give it a try. 

 Youll find that when you finally hydrate your skin, many of your problems will fade away. 

Again, trick one of many plus tons of water, exercise, eating clean and vitamins combined. 

Excuse the awkward, I tried getting loads of close up pictures of my skin--flaws and all so you can see the affects of JOJOBA. (FYI my skin was dry and flaky yesterday, hydrated today after a night and cleanse with jojoba).

I am wearing Murad's Dewey Tinted Primer paired with bare mineral's mineral veil and a pop of Mac's pigment pink blush. 

**Education yourself, before you apply, thats what Google is for, right?**
Quick jojoba Facts
A Great Jojoba Read
jojoba for acne

The more you know, the better skin you will have! 

Stay Put Travelers

For Christmas, or any occasion for that matter, there is no better gift than a Sephora gift card. 

I am always searching for the next best product to help rejuvenate my skin and infuse a mini miracle muse on my face. To be honest, I do a fair amount of research before purchasing a product to avoid any guilt or buyers disappointment.  I had been eyeing Benefit collections for quiet some time now and originally went in for Porefessional, which youtube showed definitely did its job. And, it does. Youtube scores once again for credibility. 

I purchased these products over a month ago, but prolonged the review to make sure I still loved the products just as much as the day I bought them. As you know, these reviews are obviously outcome determinative. 

Instead of just picking up a $30 bottle of porefessional, I decided to go with a holiday kit that included a handful of travel-sized goods, that I promise you, will never leave my bag. 

1. Porefessional- If you haven't heard about this product already, this really does make a difference. It will not make your pores completely disappear but promotes enough flawless to make your skin look twice as better. The primer is silky, think and spreads fairly easy. A little goes a long way. This product is definitely in my top 10 cant live with-outs. 

2. Its Potent under eye cream- I brought with me on my ski trip, and it really helped to hydrate under my eyes in the -22 degree tundra. I wouldn't say its a miracle worker, but its soothing, hydrating and it does its job. My eyes look less puffy in the morning after using it. 

3. Hoola golden bronzer- Let's face it, im a far cry away from bronzer-friendly. Im very, very fair and Im not sure that Ive ever even attempted to use bronzer. However, i did test this on  my golden beauty of a friend, and it really helped her skin to glow. It was not extraordinary but it looked really natural and went on with ease. 

4. That Gal face illuminator- WATCH OUT! This really does illuminate your face, no lie. I wouldnt recommend to use this primer all over your face but its really awesome on your cheeks and helps you to maintain a natural looking glow. I also noticed this prime helps flaws and fine lines disappear. 

5. Belle Bamba blush- Have you ever heard of a scratch and sniff blush? Well, here's your chance. Bella Bamba Blush smells peachy and goes on as a beautiful coral color. Its great for cheek bone areas. If you have large pores on your cheeks closer to your nose, Id say to use this product with ease because it does have a bit of metallic and shine to it that can have a habit of brining out pores and wrinkles. Overall, its a great fresh-up product. Great for purse pick outs. 

6. Bad Gal Lash- The wand is huge which I love, the mascara goes on very light yet dark. This is great for natural eyes with bold lashes. It was smudge-free and layer perfect. Throw on a few coats and call it a day. 

7. Cha Cha Tint Cheek and Lip Stain- LIke Bamba, this is a beautiful coral color. Im usually not a fan of cheek stains because they tend to go on too bright on my skin no matter how much blending I do. This product did go on lighter but i prefer it on my lips. It was thin, creamy and is such a pretty natural color. 

8. OHH la la lift- Ok, take note, another fantastic product by benefit. La La lift is the perfect primer/concealer for under eye circles. It instantly enhances your eyes and denounces dark colors underneath them. Its really thin, non cakey and one coat will cover your problematic area. 

9. Sun Beam- Hi, Im pale..again. I tend to steer away from bronzer-highlighters. HOWEVER, this product blends really easily and give you a very nice, natural glow. Blend on your temples and tops of cheeks, it wont peel away your foundation and it lays on really nicely. 

10. Stay dont Stray primer- this MIGHT be a cant live without. The primer goes on without hassel, is creamy, thin and makes my skin just feel nicer. I wore this out on NYE and my makeup was still perfectly layered on my face the following morning. 

me wearing Cha Cha lip stain, belle bamba blush, ohh la la lift, and bad gal lash (one coat), with porefessional underneath.  (Terrible attempt at self portrait, no touch ups.) 

I am a self-indulged POSER

Yes, I am a complete poser. Literally, well,  maybe a little.

Lately, I have become mind obsessed with the App, Pose. Here, like pinterest, you can have a feed of your fav fashion-forward fits. Whats the point? Well, its super user friendly (bonus), you can categorize your styles, and....the outfit pictures come with dotted icons on each piece of clothing that allows you to purchase it right then and there. Research free! Inspirational perfection.

The Best part of Pose? You have access to see and purchase everything that Catt Sadler wears! Genius.

          

Click on the dots to see where each piece is from, then select the purchase shopping bag icon. Love. 

Stylin' Specs

Welp, Lauren has become a four-eyed, domesticated mother. 

After a few impaired vision exams, it was best decided that she seek aid in finding a facial friend that would guide her to the light. 

Finding suitable everyday lenses isn't always the easiest thing to do, especially when we are novice lens shoppers at best. But what we did know, was thrift and deals.  

Upon our research to find some iris gems, we put together our inspiration picture (shown above). With no regard to budget or face shape, we diversified our love for lenses. Now, most of what is pictured above are Tom Fords, which range anywhere from 200-500+ dollar bills. Clearly, out of the price range. So, Lauren came across a pair of Jonathan Cate for half the price (Success!), pictured below. With a sassy and sophisticated mixture of brown and black, we figured these lenses would be perfectly interchangeable with each new outfit. 

Jonathan Crate Eyeglasses

Lauren has a rounder/oval shaped face* 

Of course we structured in face shape and design but I decided not to bore you with the details and instead provided you with a picture chart, because well, those are way more fun. 

Whichever pair you choose, develop and refine your own style of specs. Plus, one corollary to a new pair of eye ware...is an instant makeover!

Get your GLOW

Happy Holidays, Hippies!

I hope you all partied your way in the hippiest New Year yet. With cheers and better years ahead, I couldn't wait to share my newest favorite product with you all. 

MAC SUPERB! 

I have been reaching for the golden hue of a glow all season, and this Christmas I snatched myself a wonder of a highlighter. 

MAC's Superb's soft, dry texture has an elegant champagne infused rose color that pronounces your inner glow without bringing attention to fine lines or larger pores. What I loved about this highlighter is that it is not only a universal shade for all skin colors, but you can also use this baby as an eye color as well. 

At 29 bucks, Id say this product is definitely worth trading in for some dewey and glowing cheeks. 

MAC Superb on my cheek and on my eyes pictured below

Check out this ''stud''





I would first like to say how happy I am to be a part of DHH now!!! When Teresa informed me she wanted me to join in on this fab page, I thought.. well I am not wasting any time. I have to express whats on my mind right now!!! so im going to get right to the point! STUDS and SPIKES!!! while many of you may have already noticed this trend, it has got to be said. My love for these little guys is unhealthy. This is the best comback since the mustache! I want to stud everything I walk by, clothing, shoes, furniture,lamps,jewelry, headbands, seriously EVERYTHING!

For those of you who are a tad bit shy, here is a beginners item for you to ease on in to my world! You can chose, studs or spikes. (a bag at hot topic is like 6 bucks! ) and one super sassy collared top, sheer or not! most studs are easy to apply yourself and the spikes now screw on! WHAT?



DHH- Welcomes Lauren!

Maybe it was turning 26 or maybe it was just a result of the evolution of law school.. for whatever reason, the importance of family has never been so imminent. And for that, it has been decided that DHH has become a FAMILY AFFAIR! 

WELCOME, LAUREN!

Lauren is my niece (yes, we are the same age..long story..) and she is one of the most adorable people I know. She constantly inspires me with her west coast style and gypsy ideologies. She is a beautiful mother and im sure you will fall in love with her spirit as I do on a daily basis. 

Here's to Lauren! We cant wait to share her blog posts :) 

December Wish List

For the purpose of day dreaming and brain storming of ways I can revert my closet back into wearable, I started pulling out inspirational and wish list picks. 

Here are just a few of my favs. 

For whatever reason, I feel completely classic (and maybe even sophisticated) when wearing bold blacks and white. From stripes to accessories, b & dubs are all over my wish lists. 

Ive been stalking leather for a few years now. 

spikes & Sunnies, cant ask for more!

Study Style

8 more days until I embark on my first law exam. 

Basking in distress while slumber partying in the library from dusk until dawn.. Here is my totally awesome study style. 

Shoes: Urban Thread, Scarf: Thrifted, Lips: Too Faced in Full Bloom lip & Cheek Color

eight hours later...went for the bun bow.  

Hair Inspo

Everyone has a style inspiration.  My hair inspirations come far and wide when determining what sort of style and mood I am seeking. 

However, little miss Julianne Hough has completely stolen my heart with her audacious hair styles lately. She is smokingly adorable and never fears changing up her look! 

Here are a few of my J-Hough favs. 

she has the ability to make updos look remarkably effortless and romantic. 

LOVE braided updos. 

Julianne at the Twilight Premier. This one of my FAVORITE looks of hers. Daring, gorgeous and completely stunning. 

Im sure in these upcoming weeks I will be learning how to recreate these looks. Hopefully this goes well so I can teach  my fellow Dhh-ers! 

DirtyHippieHouse

My boyfriend and I have been living in our home now for just about a year. We took advantage of the housing upheaval and unpacked our belongings in a foreclosed home. 

We definitely knew there were specific things we did and did not like about the house. However, what was important to us was the unbelievable deal we were able to receive. So, here we are, the two of us and our pups in a 3,600 square foot home... 

..and after a year of pulling out old carpets, installing wood floors, cleaning ceilings and painting walls, and remodeling a kitchen, its finally time to start decorating. 

Fortunately, my boyfriend and I have very similar taste when it comes to decor. His tends to be a bit more masculine "rustic"-he calls is, than mine...but we've managed to comparably compromise and settle on an 'eclectic' style. 

Being in such a large house is definitely overwhelming when it comes to decor. What I found, is starting with bigger pieces that can make a difference was best; a pice of art, curtains and an area rug. We decided to keep our palette neutral since we lacked a definitive style. We could pull color through accent pieces (frames, art, pillows). I started my search my looking at different styles to see what my preference always came down to. Sure enough, eclectic it was. 

Here is the Start. Before & after pics will come soon. 

Here's our kitchen! minus the built in microwave, we are almost done! 

We've removed the television chords since taking this picture. This is a snap shot of our living room and kitchen. My lovely pal Megan, who has been my savior throughout this process, thought of the brilliant idea to make our television into a wall of art. 

This is another picture of the living room. I absolutely love our chevron area rug I picked up from Urban Outfitters in the living room. 

we havent really started our dining room (pictured top left) other than picking out the table and mason jar lights from pottery barn. It was also decided to go with Navy curtains (although they look black in the picture) to bring out contrast and warmth. We havent had a chance to paint this room yet. 

When we first moved in, our front yard looked like a dirt lot. Here is a not so good picture of the landscape we just put in! We also painted our front door black from an odd beige color that it came with. 

There is so much more work to be done, but this is our start. Welcome to Suburbia. 

What We Wore

Fashion is bigger, wallets are smaller. Check out what we wore from our local (and cheaper) favorite store stoppers- TARGET & H&M. 

Pair feminine pieces with a rocker's edge. 

Here's where you can hunt for these gems. 

Sister-Ween

As Ive said in numerous posts, my amazing sister is a mother of three boys. Yes, as I said, she is simply amazing. 

Growing up, Halloween has always been a trivial celebration between my mom, my sister and myself. It is only fair that we carry on the tradition through my nephews. 

My nephews asked that my sister and I dress for the occasion. So, naturally in just a few minutes time, we raged my closet and here is what we came up with. 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 

I think this is my boyfriends FIRST appearance on DHH! He has become the candy man over the last few years and definitely enjoys it..dont be fooled. 

Above and below is my youngest nephew, as toad stool. My sister made the costume. Her boys were Mario, Luigi and Toad. 

Baby Toad patiently waiting at Auntie T's house to start the T-or-T madness! 

and what would this post be without makeup? 

I used MAC's lip fusion infatuation in Screen Siren to brighten up my drawn on kitty whiskers. This is literally the BEST way to wear red. It goes on like gloss, it sticks to your lips like a stain, and it plumps your pout while stinging your lips with a cooling sensation. Uh-May-Zing! 

DirtyHippieHealth

With the Fall season, it only seems fitting to delight our dishes with an October treat: Chocolate & White Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins! 

We all know I am no chef, and I will proudly admit that my skills belong else where. So, here is this awesome recipe courtesy of my sister! Enjoy! 

This Recipe makes 24 Muffins
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
Spray Pam or grease in your cupcake/muffin pan.

Here's what you'll need. 

1 3/4 cups flour 
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup plain applesauce or 1/2 cup vegetable oil(applesauce is healthier)
1/3 cup water
2 eggs
Chocolate and white chocolate chips to your liking

Mix all of the dry ingredients in one bowl and all of the wet ingredients together in another bowl. Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mixture. Only add a little at a time of flour will be flying everywhere. 

Once it's allowed together add in your chocolate chips and mix by hand. 

Pour the batter into your muffin pans. Fill each section about 3/4 of the way full. 

Bake for 30 min. Make sure a toothpick comes out clean. Enjoy because they are dangerously delicious!