Beauty Trends that Need to End

 

I've been mulling over this post for a while.  At first I was afraid to post it because I didn't want to lose readership.  However, as a fashion & style blogger I feel it's a part of my duty to keep y'all looking your best.  I'm looking at this as tough love.  But seriously, these trends need to go.  Your time is up, it's been great knowing you, we'll probably see you later.

I can't say which one needs to go first.  They have their own quirks about them and like a mother trying to choose her favorite child, I just can't do it.  So I'll just start in the upper right-hand corner and go counter-clockwise.

Cat's Eye Liner: I'm just tired of seeing this.  At first it started off cute and a little bit edgy, now I see it on 60 year old women and 12 year olds.  It's also not a classic look, we went several decades without it being popular and makeup honestly looked a lot better.  You'll see me make this statement often, but it's time to move on and get innovative with eyeliner looks.

Glittery Cosmetics: A little glitter never hurt anyone, and I think glitter is fine in moderation.  It's in everything now, blush, lip gloss, highlighter, etc.  I can take sparkle on your eyes, and a hint on the cheeks, but anywhere --lips especially--looks like a young child did your makeup and is that really attractive?

Ombre Hair: Or ombre anything.  I can't get on Pinterest without seeing ombre anything and it's just getting over saturated.

Nail Art: To be fair, I do like simple nail art.  Polka dots, maybe some chevrons or stripes.  If I'm eating in downtown Huntington and my waitress has an MU logo on her nails, that's fine.  Nail art has really taken over and it's just getting insane and utterly ridiculous.  If you work in a professional setting, I can't take you seriously when you have bumblebees painted on your fingers. It surprises me that these women don't know any better.

I feel like I'm going through a style change, which may have to do with my attitudes towards some trends.  I'm in a more professional job (for the construction industry that means clean clothes), I'm working more with clients and have to present myself more professionally.  I can see those changes starting to reflect in my wardrobe.  I'm no longer reaching for jeans and tees at Old Navy anymore, I'm looking for skirts and blazers. Granted I can do most of my meetings in a company polo and khakis, but why not go above that?

If I'm trying to sell you $100k+ in construction materials and labor, would you trust me if I have leopard print nails and enough glitter on my face to compete on Toddlers & Tiaras?  Probably not.

What do you think?  Still in love with ombre hair, or are you as tired of glitter gloss as I am?  Did I miss any other trends that need to die?

 

SkinnyGirl Makeup? Really?

I was tromping through Walmart the other day to pick up some dog food when I came across a display for Bethenny Frankel's Skinnygirl line.  It wasn't the cosmo or margarita mixers we've all heard about it, it was a display for makeup.  While I'm trying to wrap my head around why the Skinnygirl brand needs to add cosmetics and skincare (it's a drink brand for heaven's sake), who would actually want to buy this?  Might someone actually suppose that wearing Skinnygirl foundation may lead to being a skinny girl? 

Anywho, the SkinnyGirl line is being produced by a manufacturer called Lotta Luv, Inc.  The same purveyors who bring you other goods such as these:

That's right, the same people who make the Dr. Pepper flavored lip balm is also producing the SkinnyGirl line.  While they do make other products, I'm not sure how you get from Hannah Montana bubble bath to a skincare line aimed at adult women.  Going on what I know about the company's bonafides, I can't say I'm going to try this line. 

However, I could be wrong.  It may be a decent line, but I'm not expecting any major miracles or sales.

The SkinnyGirl cosmetics and skincare line can be found at finer Walmarts everywhere.  Products range from lip gloss to foundation, and facial masks to skin creams.  Everything is $20 and under. 

I'm a Sucker for Value Beauty Kits

One of the things I love most in this life are makeup palettes and value kits.  Like nail polish, I really don't finish too many of my cosmetics for various reasons.  This is why I like most palettes and value sets: the sizes are smaller than the full-size products thus I don't feel as bad when I don't fully use them. 

Due to my desire to get my student loans under control, I have cut back massively on my shopping.  I'm also in desperate need to sort through my makeup collection so the fear of having duplicates has really controlled my spending habits.  Despite my efforts, I responded to the Siren's call that is QVC. 

So apparently QVC has moved (mostly) beyond the massive jeweled brooches and some fitness guru's juicer of yesteryear.  Now they're selling some of my favorite cosmetics brands such as Stila and Tarte.  Now, Tarte isn't as well-known as MAC or even Stila, but the products are great.  Tarte also produces some of the best value kits out there.  I bought this set Monday:

Tarte 8th World Wonder Best of the Amazon Collect, $52, QVC.com

This collection is from Tarte's new Amazonian Clay collection.  You can read the backstory about Amazonian Clay at the Tarte website.  Supposedly it can detect your skin type (oily, dry, etc.), and act accordingly.  Since I haven't gotten this yet (it gets delivered Monday!), I can't say for sure if this Amazonian Clay really works as told.  However, I checked out the reviews on some of the other products that have the clay in them, such as the blush, on Sephora.  The reviews are overwhelmingly positive for the blush, so I'm hoping the rest of the products are just as amazing.  I own other Tarte products, and I've always been thrilled with them.  In fact, my favorite mascara EVER is Tarte's Lights! Cameras! Lashes!  unfortunately, it's $19 a pop, which I find too expensive to replace every month, so I only wear it every other day. 

Full report to come next week!