Twenty Something Plus

March 27, 2014

Select Your Shade, But Not Mine

Benefit Cosmetics is one of my top five makeup/beauty brands. I’d been wanting to sample their new Big Easy multi-balancing complexion perfector (think BB/CC cream), and when one of the three free sample options from Sephora happened to be all the shades, I thought, PERFECT!

Then I got it and read, ‘find your shade,’ but none of the options looked even remotely close to my complexion.

I have darker skin, but would be typically considered ‘dark’ more so than ‘deep’. Shade 06-deep/beige, the darkest shade, looked like I could maybe get away with it, maybe…

But, no, not unless I wanted to look really, really washed out. So, instead I will continue using my current go-to BB cream and call it a day. While I was a little disappointed, I was extremely grateful that I hadn’t shelled out the $40 like I’d wanted to, and encourage you to find sample sizes when trying new products so you don’t invest in something that may not work for you. I came up with a list of other products that are good alternatives for dark skin.

Alternatives for Dark Skin:
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
Becca Ultimate Coverage Complexion Creme
bareMinerals Foundation
Maybelline BB Cream
Smashbox BB Kit

What do you use?

March 26, 2014

Eyeliner

The two beauty products that I wear most regularly are mascara and eyeliner. I go through black eyeliner like it’s nobody else’s business!

I really like the Sephora Collection Define Yourself Black Eyeliner Set. It comes with five different types of eyeliners and the entire set is less than an eyeliner pencil from some other brands. Plus, it’s waterproof and, in my opinion, just works really well.

The set comes with :
1) A retractable eyeliner
2) A contour eye pencil
3) A jumbo 12 hour wear liner
4) A long-lasting 12 hour wear eye liner
5) A smoky cream liner (My personal favorite for wings!)

In high school I used to only wear eyeliner on my bottom lash line, but that is a huge NO-NO. I’d share pictures, but I’m pretty sure I’ve already burned them all. Now, I’ve learned that when I want my eyes to really POP, I can line them all the way around, instead of just my upper lash line.

Whether you are a makeup pro or novice (clearly I am a novice), I highly recommend Bobbi Brown’s Makeup Manual!

Thoughts? Do you have any eyeliner tips? I would love to hear, please share!

March 25, 2014

Travel Lite

I recently stayed at the Killington Grand Resort and everything was picturesque. And I mean, everything, from the marvelous mountain view to the makeup removing wipes in the bathroom!

Yes, even the makeup removing wipes in the bathroom!

I had heard of La Fresh, and seen it around the internet, but never gotten the chance to try anything from their line…until my stay. Of course I had packed my own makeup removing product but I HAD to try the Travel Lite Makeup Remover Wipes, and after a great late night yoga sesh, the last thing I wanted to do was wash my face before bed.

No smudging or smearing, just gone. I am without a doubt switching to these! That’s not to say that I won’t use anything else, but when traveling or just on the go in general, I will need to make sure to have these on me for sure!

Do you have a favorite makeup remover? Have you tried La Fresh? Share your thoughts!

March 24, 2014

Mani and a Magazine: One Shade of Grey

Confession: I have read and own the Fifty Shades trilogy. They are one of my guilty pleasures.

When I learned that there was going to be a movie I went completely mental. I mean, I absolutely lost my mind. And when the casting was announced, my heart shattered. Then the recasting, it soared. Dakota Johnson got a dye job and all was right with the world.

Yes, I’m one of those fans.

Johnson was this month’s Elle cover star so of course I felt the need to do a grey mani.

How excited are you for the movie to debut next Valentine’s Day?!

March 22, 2014

“Support a cause, Support your legs”

I have an obsession with cute socks, and when I got the opportunity to share about SoxxyAir, I knew I couldn’t pass it up!

SoxxyAir – Support a Cause, Support Your Legs from sarah stabile on Vimeo.

Not only are SoxxyAir socks super adorbs, but they provide support for both your legs and really good causes.

Just for reading Twenty Something Plus, you get a 20% off Reader Discount with the Reader Discount Code: SoxxyAirs. I am originally from Connecticut, so Sandy Hook really hit close to home for me and I plan to buy the Jesse Lewis Choose Love socks when the SoxxyAir Charity socks become available at the end of April.

Please visit the SoxxyAir Indiegogo page, share the video and contribute what you can to the campaign.

This post was a sponsored post, powered by BrandBacker.

March 22, 2014

A Week Plus: Bold Dress

Not sure if it was obvious or not, but I’ve been trying to do somewhat of a fashion Friday by consistently posting outfits ideas via A Week Plus. That being said, I know I’m a little late, but it’s still Friday somewhere!

This dress was a personal challenge for me, I could only think to wear it with blue shoes. I have two pairs of blue shoes, but I still wanted to try to think more outside the box.

When I really focused on it, I came up with a ton of different ways to wear it and felt silly for limiting myself in the first place.

How would you have styled a dress like this?

March 20, 2014

Something New: Women’s Leadership Conference

I had great first day at the Vermont Women in Higher Education Women’s Leadership Conference. The keynote was empowering, the session was inspiring, the clothing swap was a major win for me and yoga was the perfect way to end the day!

This is not my first conference by any means, but this is my first time attending one geared towards women, and creating opportunity.

Can’t wait for tomorrow and to share my experience with you all…but for now, check out this video of the keynote speaker from another talk she gave.

And check out the tweed blazer I scored at the clothing swap!

Have you ever attended a conference? What was you favorite thing about it? Did anything really hit close to home and stick with you? If so, comment!

March 19, 2014

DIY: Two-Tone Chairs

This week I decided to tackle another DIY project from Pinterest. I have two old wooden chairs that were strictly for function, rather than aesthetics. I felt rather indifferent towards them, but after an Alt Summit and Better Homes and Gardens webinar session on color, I really wanted to take on something to make my apartment feel more like a reflection of me.

One thing of the many fabulous things that I took away from the session was that pink can be used as a neutral.

I had some left over paint from a Pinterest fail, so after exploring my Pinterest boards, I decided that these chairs had to happen.

I am happy with how they turned out, the only thing I’d change is the paint finish (I wish I’d had a glossier paint). But all things considering, for a $0 project, not half bad!

March 18, 2014

Blog Cards

To quote myself, “If you give a girl a blog, she’s gonna want business cards to go with it.”

I am very excited to share with you my BRAND NEW blog cards…I designed them on using Moo, and am so happy with the results!

I decided to order blog cards (business cards for your blog), after reading Blog, Inc. by Joy Cho.

Do you have a blog? Do you have blog cards? Please share!

March 17, 2014

Mani and a Magazine: Green & Gold

Top of the morning to you!

Obviously, I painted my nails for today…St. Patrick’s Day mani, YAY! I love being festive and getting into the holiday spirit for just about any holiday.

This time, instead of a magazine I opted for a book. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.

This winter has been very cold and very long, and this book is a reminder to find happiness in everyday life.

I used Julep in Oscar and Love & Beauty by Forever 21 in Green (which is not longer available online, sorry!).

Anything green or festive about your day today? Shares in the comments!