Showing posts with label essentials. Show all posts
Showing posts with label essentials. Show all posts

Become a Savvy Traveler!

*via Google
September has been a pretty quiet month here. This Beauty Bandit has been on-the-go traveling for business and pleasure. But not to worry.. I'm back in action. It's officially fall (this girl's favorite season) and with Halloween right around the corner, expect a lot of fun posts! However, back to the non-stop traveling. My recent trips got me thinking about various must have products I have learned to pack while sitting in countless airports that have helped me become a savvy traveler. If you're ready to become a savvy traveler too, then keep on reading.

We all know travel days are not fun. A lot of times you are up at an ungodly hour and preparing your self to sit in an airport for what feels like forever before even boarding your flight and sitting on a plane for even longer. Here are some of my favorite items to take with me that help me feel fresh and fabulous during long travel days.

These products have been serious life-savers for me! They would also make a fun and personalized present to gift to any of your jet-setter girlfriends. Hope you enjoy! Xoxo

Last but not Least of the Top 5 Fall Trends: Pleated Leather Skirts!

*via How2Girl Instagram
We've come to the end of our top 5 hottest fall trends countdown and there's nothing like going out on a high note. Today I am so excited to share with you a fall trend that is everywhere and that the inner rock chick in me has absolutely been dying over... Pleated leather/ faux leather skirts. Recently, every website I visit during my online shopping sprees has a pleated leather skirt option. It is seriously the perfect transition piece from summer to fall and even into winter. Pair it with a crop top or a tucked in blouse and some knee high boots for an edgy yet chic ensemble. Here are just a few I have come across:

Alice and Olivia Box Pleat Leather Skirt

Forever 21 Pleated Faux Leather Skirt

Material Girl Faux Leather Pleated Skirt

Charlotte Russe Faux Leather Skater Skirt

#3 of the Top 5 Fall Trends: Lace!

My top 5 fall trends countdown continues and today it's all about lace! There is nothing more elegant than lace and this fall it is one of the most popular trends out there. Every fashion magazine I flip through is full of lace. From skirts, to blouses, to crop tops. One of my favorite ways to rock lace is by pairing a white lace blouse with a faux leather skater skirt and over-the-knee boots. So chic! Here are some of my favorite lace scores that will be perfect this fall.

Intermix Alexis Lace Mock Neck Blouse

Express White Lace Insert Trapeze Dress

Zara Midi Skirt

Zara Lace Frill Top

Forever 21 Lace-Paneled Bodycon Dress

Top 5 Fall Trends Number 2: Wool Fedoras!

Ditch those beanies and say hello to the #2 must-have fall trend... Wool fedoras! I have quickly become a huge fan and these bad boys are a staple in my wardrobe. They hide dirty hair, are perfect for travel days, protect your face from the sun, and add a chic touch to any ensemble. Their versatility and practicality are what make them a perfect accessory in my books. And let me tell you, this fall they are going to be red hot! Everyone from Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Courtney Sixx, and Victoria Beckham have been spotted rocking these hats. Here are just a few that will be perfect as the weather starts cooling off.

Urban Outfitters Ecote Scout Panama Hat

Zara Special Edition Hat

Topshop Wide Brim Fedora Hat

Forever 21 The Mirage Fedora

Beauty Bandit's Top 5 Fall Trends You Don't Want to Miss Out On! Number 1: Over the Knee Boots.

As much as I love summer, nothing compares to my love for fall. From the crisp morning air, to the haunted attractions, to the pumpkin scented everything, I cannot get enough of it! And yes, I know it is still August and we have a couple weeks left to enjoy the beach and pool, but the stores are already starting to get their fab fall collections in and I thought there would be no better time than now to start showcasing my top 5 fall trends you don't want to miss out on!

I'm going to kick-off the top 5 trends with one of my all time favorites! Over the knee boots! Fall is the perfect time to break out the boots and this season the taller, the better! Over the knee boots are going to be all the rage. Their versatility will make them a staple in every girl's closet. Try pairing them with jeans, leggings, or a dress. The options are endless! Here are a few options I have been absolutely loving!

Gianvito Rossi Almond Suede Boots

Breckelle's Faux Suede Thigh High Boots

Chinese Laundry Center Stage Over the Knee Boots

BELL Thigh High Boots

My Top 3 Self Tanners Every Girl Needs this Summer!

*via Google
I can't believe it's almost August! The summer is flying by but we still have at least another full month of pool weather ahead of us. I love having a healthy glow to my skin but not at the price of the sun's harmful rays. Instead, I opt for self tanning. I am a religious self-tanner and today I want to share with you my top 3 products that are sure to give you a golden goddess glow in no time!

St. Tropez. This is my tried and true, go-to, cannot live without self tanner. It gives you amazing color after just one use, not to mention the perfect tan you get after 3 consecutive days of use. It doesn't transfer onto clothes or sheets. The mit makes for a full-proof application and no orange hands. Actually, no orange at all to be honest. The only downside (like almost every self tanning product) it can become patchy as it wears off if you don't exfoliate really well daily.

Tarte Brazilliance. This stuff gives you a more gradual tan but oh my goodness is it gorgeous. It's a deeper brown shade but it's subtle and stunning! A few words of caution when using this product: use gloves, the smell may be overpowering but fades with time, and go easy over hands and feet. I find this product wears off much patchier than St. Tropez but if you are looking for a hint of color definitely give it a try.

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs. Looking for a quick tan pick-me-up? Try this instant tanner by Sally Hansen. It's a spray but instead of applying right onto my legs and arms, I first apply on a mit then rub into my skin. The "airbrush" in the title is no joke either! This stuff seriously covers any imperfections. I was weary when I first tried because I applied the tanner than quickly had to get dressed and run out the door. Um, hello? Can you say self tanner all over your clothes? Wrong! I was so pleasantly surprised that it did not transfer onto my clothes, even in 90 degree weather. And it's super easy to wash off in the shower at the end of the day.

Hope you are having a fab summer!

The Best, Inexpensive Curling Iron on the Market!

I have been on a mission to find the perfect, inexpensive curling iron on the market for a long time now. I have aspired to achieve the curls Kate Beckinsale, Courtney Sixx, and Candance Swanepoel rock but I couldn't bring myself to buy a product for over $100. That just seems insane when I think I might not love the product or use it as often to make it worth the money. I have tried countless inexpensive curling irons from Target but honestly, none of them have "wowed" me. It's been a true Goldilocks story... the 1" barrel was too small and the 1 1/2" barrel was too big. Well, in true Goldilocks fashion, I found the one that was just right. In fact, it was beyond "just right," it was perfect! It's the Pro Beauty Tools Professional Gold 1 1/4" Curling Iron. I picked mine up at my local Target. I used this bad boy once and achieved the most perfect curls I have ever had minus professional styling. It was the perfect size and so easy to use. It took about 20 minutes to curl my whole head and it didn't feel like it was tugging on my hair and pulling it out. And ready for the best part? It's under $25. I couldn't be happy with my find and ladies, if you are looking for a holy grail curling iron that won't break the bank, try this one!

#1 of the Top 5 Must Have Products for Concert Goers

We have made it to numero uno! Finally! Today, it's all about moisturizing lipsticks. Girls, we all know no makeup look is complete without a fab lip color to make your pout pop but, at a long concert, there is nothing worse than your lips drying and hurting while you are singing your favorite songs. Especially when the line to the ladies room, if the venue even has a ladies room, are ridiculously long and so not worth the wait to touch up your makeup! That's why every concert going gal should have a hydrating lipstick that keeps you looking gorgeous all day and night. One of my absolute favorite makeup brands for lipsticks is Maybelline. The color selection is endless, the quality is top-notch, and the price is a steal. I seriously reach of these lipsticks over my high end ones on a regular basis. However, if lipstick isn't your thing, I have a solution for you, too. Try the Rosy Lips Vaseline. It's tiny, so it will fit into a small clutch or crossbody, it gives your lips a slight pink tint, and it will hydrate for hours.

I hope this countdown has helped you as your plan for your killer shows this concert season!

#2 of the Top 5 Must Have Products for Concert Goers

*via Pinterest
I only have two more products to share with my concert goers but they are just as important as the other products I have highlighted so far. My #2 must have product every girl needs when attending the countless concerts and festivals is a light perfume or body spray. If you are like me, than you LOVE your perfume! But when you are dancing around at an outdoor concert for hours with hundreds of people, it's safe to say you should steer clear of heavier scents. They can be pretty overpowering. Instead opt for a light, fresh scent. Try an Eau De Toilette version of your favorite perfume or, if you don't want to spend a lot of money on another fragrance, try a Victoria's Secret body spray! They are inexpensive but smell oh-so delicious. There are limitless options so you are sure to find something you love!

#3 of the Top 5 Must Have Products for Concert Goers

The countdown continues and today I want to talk about a product that is going to be a game changer. Say hello to your hair's new best friend, L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray. This stuff is seriously the best! Outdoor concerts and festivals equal heat, humidity, and rain. Well, not much can help hair when you are stuck in a torrential downpour, but L'Oreal Elnett is a life saver when it comes to keeping styles in place while outside dancing around in the heat and humidity all day. Whether you want to go sleek and straight or flirty with big curls, your style is going to stay put all day and night! Because let's be serious, nothing is worse than those stunning curls, that took you so long to perfect, falling out. And the best part... this hairspray keeps your hair soft. Not that you are going to want a lot of people running their fingers through your hair at a concert, but you get the point.

#4 of the Top 5 Must Have Products for Concert Goers

Next up on my list of the top 5 must have products for concert goers is... waterproof mascara! There is nothing worse than the dreaded panda eyes, especially when you don't have a nice bathroom to touch up your makeup in and you end up getting into your room in the early hours of the morning only to be horrified by how much your mascara had smudged while rocking out. To avoid situations like this, opt for a waterproof mascara to ensure your makeup will be looking flawless all day and night. My favorite mascara, and although it is not waterproof, this baby stays on all day without a hitch, is Too Face Better than Sex. Not only will the mascara stay in place, it will lengthen and volumize your lashes to the point you don't need to mess around with faux lashes. This mascara will make you look like you have lashes for days without the worry of your falsies coming off throughout the concert. Hope this tip helps you this summer and keep an eye out for product #3 on the countdown...

Beauty Bandit's Top 5 Must Have Products for Concert Goers this Summer. Number 5!

It's that time of year... Summer concert season! There's nothing I love more than throwing on a pair of shorts and moto boots and enjoying an evening of rock n roll with a cold drink. Whether you bought front row pavilion seats to see your favorite band or you are planning on dancing the day away with your friends and a few drinks on the lawn, there are certain items every girl needs to prepare for a long day of rocking out to live music. I'm going to be counting down my top 5 must have products for concert goers, in no particular order, starting with one of the most important! Especially for those of you that love the lawn seats. Sunscreen!

It goes without saying that sunscreen is one of the most important items you should be reaching for all summer! I love a golden goddess tan as much as the next girl but I opt for faux tanners. The sun is damaging and we need to keep our skin looking and feeling young, healthy, and beautiful. So even if you are in the pavilion, be sure to prep you skin with a coat of your favorite sunscreen. You may be out in the sun a while depending on the number of bands. And throw a little travel sized bottle in your purse to reapply throughout the day so you don't end up lobster red and hurting the next day.

Spring & Summer Style Essential: Hats

With spring finally here, there is no better time to enjoy the outdoors after being cooped up in the house all winter! I am loving the warm days and bright sunshine but, as you probably already know, the sun is not kind to skin. Wrinkles, sunspots, and cancer are just some of the damages sun can do to your skin. That's where my new best friend comes in... large hats! Not only can they add a little something extra to your ensemble but they provide killer protection from the sun's harmful rays. And what better accessory to rock to an outdoor soiree this summer paired with a flirty dress?Today I want to share with you some stylish and affordable hat options that will help your skin stay happy and healthy!

My absolute favorite hat is the Ecote Scout Panama Hat from Urban Outfitters but it's a little pricey. Forever 21, Overstock, and Walmart have fab options that won't break the bank! Check out these links to some killer hats:

Ecote Scout Panama Hat, $39

Chain Accent Floppy Hat, $7.97

Colorblock Straw Fedora, $14.90

White Straw Sun Hat, $18.99

Spring Style Essential: Cat Eye Sunglasses

Rocking a pair of cat eye sunglasses is an easy way to look chic, sexy, and right on trend this spring! I have been loving seeing all the options available from places like Forever 21, Elodie K, Nordstrom, etc. The list is endless. And a girl can never have too many sunglasses in her collection! Here are a few pairs of cat eye sunnies I have been dying over.

Eliza Ombre Frame Sunglasses, $10. These sunglasses are one of my favorites that I have found. I recently discovered boohoo.com and when I saw these killer shades for a mere $10, I knew I had to have them. I love the large, rounded shape with the slight cat eye wing! And the ombre adds an extra, fun touch.

Marina Cat-Eye Shades, $20. Nasty Gal is one of the best places to shop for ultra trendy looks and pieces. These taupe cat eye sunglasses are no exception. They have a modern vintage vibe that is so sleek and will go with so many different looks adding a chic finishing touch.

55mm Metal Rim Cat Eye Sunglasses, $12. Nordstrom is one of my favorite stores to go to when looking for good quality, cute, and affordable sunglasses. Seriously! Check the junior's section. These are the perfect pair of basic black sunglasses that will go with absolutely anything!

Holly Pearl Ombre Sunglasses, $290. Yes, you saw that price correctly. These are definitely a splurge but they are oh-so fabulous! This is the pair that sparked my love affair with cat eye sunnies. They are rounded with the cat eye wing and have mirrored lenses, which I absolutely love. So if you are looking for a splurge present to yourself, I highly recommend this pair!