Best Kept Beauty Secrets

I was reading this great book the other day and came upon some beauty secrets that aren’t so well known, so I thought I’d share them with you! You deserve to know these things. Here they are:

How to have a beautiful complexion:

Those who look to him are radiant,

and their faces shall never be ashamed.

Psalm 34:5

How to have beautiful hands:

She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.

Proverbs 31:13-14

How to have beautiful arms:

She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.

Proverbs 31:20

How to have beautiful teeth:

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.

Proverbs 31:25

How to have beautiful lips:

She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

Proverbs 31:26

How to have beautiful eyes:

The precepts of the Lord are right,
    giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
    giving light to the eyes.

Psalm 19:8

Yes, the book I’m sharing from is the Bible! Because if we want to be truly beautiful, we must start from core. No, not cleansing and moisturizing; those are important too, but we must begin even deeper. More important to your beauty than anything else is finding your beauty in Christ.  This will give you a beautiful heart, which will radiate out and make you beautiful no matter what!

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31:30-31

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

1 Peter 3:3-4

There is absolutely nothing wrong with styling your hair, wearing cute clothes, or applying makeup. These are all fun and part of what makes you a girl, but it’s not the only thing and certainly not the most important. Find your femininity in Christ first and foremost, and truly beautiful things will follow.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14

It’s great to look nice, but there’s no need to try to be someone you’re not. Wear what YOU like, do your hair and makeup how YOU like it, because that’s who you are and you are beautiful the way you are!

This will be my last post on Mod Style Lounge. I had a lot of fun and will miss writing for MSL, but the Lord is leading me toward different opportunities at this time in my life. Becca will be taking over this blog for me. Love you all and God Bless!

New Year's Resolution - Get In Shape

Among the top New Year’s Resolutions of last year were “Lose Weight” (#1) and “Staying Fit and Healthy” (#5)*. I’m sure the stats for this year would look very similar. It seems like fitness is a popular resolution to make. It makes sense, since you feel better and look better.

Even if you’re like me and make goals instead of New Year’s resolutions, you may have made goals like this at one time or another. It is GOOD to want to get in shape! It show respect for your body, and therefore, respect to God, since your body is ultimately His. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. You were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.”

The stats also say only 8% of people actually succeed in achieving their resolution. Will you be that 8%? If you said yes, good for you! You’re on the right track. Because the first step to being successful is your mindset.

1)      Make healthiness a lifestyle. The way most people think is, “I’ll exercise and eat right until I reach this weight (or insert other fitness goal). What most people don’t realize is if you want to stay fit, exercising and eating right need to happen for the rest of your life.

2)      Include God in your workout. Use your stretches as a time to pray and bask in the Lord’s presence. If you run, you could pray over each house you pass. Put on some uplifting Christian music as you exercise. God in interested in all the parts of your life, and he wants to give you encouragement and help you become healthy so you can honor Him with your body.

3)      Make working out fun! First, find the best workout for your body and your goals. If you want to lose weight, do cardio. If you want to gain muscle, lift weights. If you want to maintain or improve your body, do a little of both. Then, find a form of exercise you enjoy! Hate running? Try dancing, power walking, or swimming. Hate lifting? Try pilates, trail biking, or kayaking. There are so many ways to get it shape. Try them until you find one that makes you love exercising!

4)      Have a healthy diet. You can’t out run a bad diet. No matter how much you work out, you will not see results if your diet is not right. If you are exercising like you care for your body, why not feed it like you care for it, too?

5)      Enjoy all things in moderation. With most foods, even healthy foods, you should have limits. Ever heard the term, “too much of a good thing”? Especially limit the consumption of unhealthy, processed, or sugary foods. But don’t obsess over details, it’s okay to indulge every once in a while!

If you haven’t started a healthy lifestyle, it’s never too late to start! You can start monthly goal-making at any time of the year! And for those of you who are using healthiness as this year’s resolution, I wish you the best of luck. With God’s help, all things are possible (Matt. 19:26). Be that 8%!

*Source: Statistic Brain

Turning a Summer Outfit into a Fall Outfit

Fall is here in all it's glory! Vibrant blue skies, crisp fall air, the sights and smells of the changing leaves. God's way of showing us the end of something wonderful always marks the beginning of something else wonderful.

The cooler weather also calls for a wardrobe change! If you're not ready to give up your favorite summer dress until next year, you could throw a cardigan over it and call it done. But if you're looking to spice things up a little, here is how I switched my summer dress to a fall dress.

I wore this dress from Old Navy on summer vacation with my family. I love it! It's so comfortable and a great, casual, every day summer dress.

Today, I paired it with some black leggings from Wal-Mart.

Then I added these grey ankle boots also from Wal-Mart.

This sweater from J. Crew gives it a whole new look!

I love the button detailing on the shoulder of this sweater.

Then I belted the sweater with this Ann Taylor belt (I tweeted about this when I got it).

And here is the finished outfit! All ready for the Autumn weather!

In what creative ways do you turn your summer outfits into fall outfits?

Ready or Not...School is Back!

School bells are ringing and summer has ended for most of you. For the rest, it’s creeping up on you, maybe too fast! Whether the thought of school makes you so excited you want to rush into the hall and decorate your locker, or it makes you want to hide in your locker, something we all enjoy is back to school fashion and beauty. What will you wear to your first day of school, and how will you do your makeup and hair? If you’re a high school newbie, this may be daunting! But it doesn’t need to be. Here are some ideas to help you get in the school spirit!

Makeup:

Shown in this video is a nice natural look for school, but far from boring!

Want to recreate the look but don’t have the products she used? You can grab these dupes at your local drugstore.

Eyes

Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Quad in Velvet Crush

Face

NeutrogenaHealthy Skin Custom Glow Blush and Bronzer in Rosy Glow

Lips

NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Perfect

Hair:

Ponytails, low and sleek are in! It’s super easy for when you’re in a hurry. Add some gel and brush in into a hair tie at the nape for a clean-kept look. If you have time, leave a piece of hair out at the nape and wrap it around the hair tie when you’re finished to add a bit of style.

Try a top knot! I’m sure you’ve seen them everywhere. Pull your hair into a sleek ponytail like before, except this time, you’ll want it to be in your crown. Then, loop your hair around just like you’re creating a ballerina bun. Stick a couple pins in and you’re done! Another quick hairstyle for the morning.

Clothes:

Deciding how to dress for school can be a challenge. You want to look cute but still be comfortable since you’re going to be spending all day in these clothes. Here is an outfit idea that is comfy but not frumpy.

Jeggings – these things are awesome! They feel like wearing sweatpants but still look nice. The only downside is they tend to be skin tight (Jeggings = “Jean Leggings”), but I buy a size up and they are perfect.

Big comfy sweaters are so in for fall! They are modest and comfortable. There are so many kinds of sweaters to choose from: lighter material, thick and cozy material, open knit, and more. Be sure to pair these with pants that are more form fitting to keep the look clean.

Autumn means boot season! Knee high boots are very trendy and are a super cute way to finish off this outfit.

What are your favorite ways to be cute but comfy for school? Any quick tips for cutting morning routine times?

Top 10 Makeup $10 and Under

1)      Revlon Color Stay Makeup $10

This is a great foundation for any skin type! They make one for oily/combination and one for normal/dry skin. It gives you a decent amount of coverage without looking cakey. It stays put all day and does not rub off. The only downside to this is they tend to dry quickly, so you have to work in sections to get an even finish.

2)      Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips $9

These are SOOO much fun! Super easy to apply and they look great. I actually prefer these over more expensive, professional brands I’ve tried. They are easier to work with and last longer. Plus, they have a HUGE variety of designs to choose from. I got mine to last 5 days, which is something that does not happen for me with using my hands so much at my job. Tip: They last longest if you apply a tacky base coat before applying the stickers, then use a top coat to seal them in.

3)      Maybelline Eye Studio Color Explosion Shadow $9

These eyeshadows are so pigmented and there is color set for every occasion. From neutral to bright, these have it all, and a nice frosty finish. You can use the colors in the set with each other, or you can mix and match to create your own look.

4)      NYX Slide On Eye Pencil $8

As you may know, I am a Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner girl. I love their eye pencils and have always said there is no pencil quite as good. Well, I think they may have met their match! I’d say these are just as great, but for half the price! These slide on effortlessly and do not budge for the entire day, even on someone with oily eyelids like me.

5)      Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter $8

As you may already know, I love the Revlon Lip Butters. I own them in Strawberry Shortcake, Lollipop, and Peach Parfait.  I cannot get enough of Strawberry Shortcake! It’s a baby-pink, so girly, but not too bright so it’s perfect for everyday. It has become my go to lip shade. It’s the perfect consistency between and cream lipstick and a balm. Moisturizing but still great color payoff.

6)      Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush $7

When this product first came out, I thought it was too gimmicky. But so many people fell in love with the product so I finally jumped on the bandwagon a couple weeks ago. Once I stuck my finger in it, I was hooked! This should be called Dream Squishy Blush! It’s sort of a gel/mouse texture. I can’t explain the feeling; you’ll have to try it yourself! Not only is it fun to play with, but it also has nice pigmentation and glides smoothly across your cheeks and has a nice finish on the skin.

7)      Maybelline Define-A-Lash Mascara $7

I always say the brush is what makes the mascara great. The formula is important too, but that means nothing without a great brush. This mascara has both! Maybelline has the best mascaras in my opinion. Most drugstore mascaras are just as great as high end but for less than half the price. This mascara gives a more natural look, making what you have look a little longer and a little thicker. That’s the way I like it, but if you like very dramatic mascara, I’d recommend their Falsies Drama Mascara.

8)      Maybelline Color Tattoo $6

If you love MAC Paint Pots but hate the price, you will have a heyday with these! You can buy three of these for the price of one paint pot. I would recommend Bad to the Bronze, Tough as Taupe, and Bold Gold. They are neutral colors that are great for every day but can be built up for a smokey eye for evening. They are smooth and creamy, easy to apply (all except for Tough as Taupe, the only matte shade, it can be a little harder to work with than the others but totally worth it for such a unique, lovely color), and have great color payoff. There are also some fun, bright colors to play with if you like a pop of color on your eyes.

9)      Rosebud Perfume Co. Rosebud Salve $6

This is a great product because it is multi purpose. You can use it as an intense lip salve, or on your cuticles, elbows, knees, or any very dry spots on your body. It is also very soothing to irritated skin. It smells great, especially if you like roses. I’m not always huge on rose smells, but I love the way it smells!

10)  eos Lip Balm $3

Not only is this lip balm cute, it also smells great and is very moisturizing! It goes on smooth and comes in a variety of smells to suit your taste. Each smell, the egg shaped case is a different color. They are so fun to collect, and they are all natural and most of the ingredients are even organic, so you can feel great about owning them all!

What is your favorite beauty product that retails for under $10? Know of a good under $10 concealer? Let me know here, or on my personal blog, where I am still searching for the perfect one: sarahattruegold.blogspot.com

Summer Beauty Trends!

I love summertime and all the fresh, relaxed trends that go with it. This summer, I absolutely adore the bohemian style. I like stacking bracelets, wearing flowy dresses and strappy sandals. Today, we are going to focus on makeup and hair trends you can easily adapt to your own summer style, no matter if it's beachy or bohemian or anything in between!

For summer, the most popular looks we are seeing are fresh pastels on the eyes and lips…

...Or bronzed and dewey complexions.

Watch this tutorial for a pastel look like the first one:

And watch this tutorial for a look similar to the second:

Pinky-nude lips will go well with both lips. Sugar Frosting Revlon Lip Butter is light and pastel to go with the first look, and has a frosted finish to go with the glowy-ness of the second look.

I absolutely adore these lip butters by the way!  They have nice color so it’s like wearing lipstick, except they are super moisturizing and have a nice finish, not matte, not glossy, but in the middle. Love it!

For hair, braids are in as ever! You can do so much with them; they are not just pigtails for little girls anymore! Curls or natural texture with volume of course are in, and any other type of boho inspired hair also for the summer, great for those of you who aren’t quite nimble enough with your fingers for braids. ;)

What hair and makeup trends have YOU been loving for the summer?

Want to be skinny?

Okay girls. Summer is coming up. We all know what that means. We begin looking at our bodies after they’ve been covered up all winter, fed with Christmas feast and Easter candy. Wanting to look good in swimsuits in a few months, most of us will begin to hate on our bodies. And for the majority of us, not a little hate, but a lot. We will then do things to our bodies that are less than healthy in order to achieve and “ideal” body, like a flat tummy and skinnier thighs.

This very popular "photograph" is almost all Photoshop. The girl's back, stomach, and most of her ribs were airbrushed out, arms and legs slimmed, legs lengthened by at least ten inches, hair added below the shoulders, etc. The retoucher completely REMOVED her navel and her left arm. She doesn't look like this in real life... this is not attainable by humans.- Julianna Young on Pintrest (excuse the slight nudity)

It’s no wonder we mistreat our body as society’s idea of beauty is unattainable for most human beings. Some of us will never have a completely flat belly, and some of us will always have thighs that touch.

The other day I received in the mail a Land's End swimsuit magazine. I opened it and began to look at the pictures, thinking this woman (pictured below) had a very nice body:

As I flipped through the magazine I came upon the sizes. 1XL, 2XL, 3XL. WHAT?! This is a plus size magazine???!!! I was horrified. If this is plus size, how in the world do they expect women to look like the models in regular sizes without being unhealthy? Here are some more pictures of these beautiful women.

Click to enlarge the picture 

I say these women are not plus size. Just because their thighs touch does not mean they are heavy. These women are curvy and feminine. Their bodies remind me a lot of Marilyn Monroe, who was, by the way, considered one of the most beautiful women of her time and loved by men everywhere.

Now, don’t jump to conclusions. I’m certainly not saying if your stomach is flat, you’re not healthy, and I’m not saying if your thighs touch, you are healthy. Know what is healthy for your own body, not someone else’s, and strive for that, not some photoshopped model’s seemingly perfect figure.

HEALTHY is always better than SKINNY, and a beautiful FACE is nothing without a beautiful HEART.

Here are some pictures and quotes I found various place on the web (thanks to Pintrest and Tumblr!) that I love enough to share with all you gorgeous ladies:

Color in Bloom

For spring 2012, it’s all about color! Especially bright colors and neons. Today, we’ll visit some of the hottest color trends of the season.

Take a look at JCrew’s Spring collection. The focus is definitely on bright, eye-catching colors inspired by all things in bloom for spring. Color blocking is a huge trend, which is pairing solid bright colored pieces with other solid bright pieces of different colors, like in each picture below. Notice the colored skinny jeans, which are a must have this spring!

Next, let’s look at makeup trends in color. On the runway, the biggest trend we saw was bright fuchsia or tangerine lips paired with a neutral eye with dramatic doll lashes and a peach flush on the cheeks.

Want to try this look? On the lips, use Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti for the look on the left, or Lollipop for the look on the right. Then sweep the Covergirl Eye Enhancers trio in Shimmering Sands across your lids. Top off the eyes with Maybelline Illegal Length Fiber Extensions Mascara for those dramatic doll lashes, then use Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Blissful on the apples of your cheeks for a warm glow. Leave your skin dewey, no powdering down. Matte is out, natural is in!

Another hot trend for spring and summer is neon nail polish! It will look great against tan skin and is perfect for the color blocking trend because you can paint your nails a bright color and not need to worry about matching it to the rest of your outfit.

What is your favorite color trend for spring? Will you try color blocking or are you just going to stick with one bright color at a time?

Wardrobe Staples

Now that you’ve Cleaned Out Your Closet for Something Bigger and Better Than Yourself, you have an excuse start replenishing your wardrobe with all new clothes! How exciting is that? Can you say, “weekend shopping trip with the girls”?

But how can you avoid buying clothes that will just sit in your closet again? Below are some staples for every woman’s wardrobe that will never go out of style. These items will stay in your outfit rotation for years and always look classy. Each season, you can add a few trendy pieces you like to spice it up. I would suggest spending more on these items below and less on trendy pieces that will go in and out of style quickly.

Now let’s get started! The first thing you need is a…

Little Black Dress

Had to know that was coming, right? A classic black dress will can be dressed up or dressed down to be fit for any occasion. Buy one that flatters your shape and is either sleeveless or has cap-sleeves, like the picture above. You can wear it alone when it’s warm, or with a cardigan when the weather is cooler. A black dress is a must have in a great wardrobe.

Black Skirt

A black skirt that hits right above the knee and compliments your body shape is another must have. While pencil skirts may look classy, they are not for everyone. If you can pull off a pencil skirt, then go for it! But on most of us, an A-line skirt is the most flattering.

White Blouse

 

A white blouse is an extremely versatile piece. It can be worn un-tucked with jeans for a casual look, or tucked into dress pant or your black skirt for a more professional look. You can wear it under a cardigan or blazer. It easily fits any occasion.

Trenchcoat

This is a perfect, light coat that always looks nice. One that cinches in at the waist will be most flattering. It looks great with jeans or with a dress or skirt. It won’t overpower your outfit or ever look bulky.

Cardigan

A cardigan might turn into one of your most worn items during the fall and winter. You can easily take a top or dress that is intended for summer and layer it under this to wear in the winter. It will look great buttoned with jeans or unbuttoned with a skirt, and is cozy and comfy.

White Tank Top or Camisole for layering

This is an obvious one. You can layer these under anything! Multipurpose and versatility is exactly what to look for when building a wardrobe. Neckline too low? Layer! Top a little see through? Too short? Layer!

Solid Tee and Long sleeve

Adding these to your wardrobe in a timeless and universally flattering color such as navy, eggplant, true red, or peachy-pink will add a pop of color to your outfits. You can layer these, or just as easily wear them on their own.

Blazer

Blazers are very in this season, so what more perfect of a time to purchase one? Not only will they instantly make you look stylish now, but they are a piece to carry with your through the years. Dressed down with jeans and a striped top, like above, gives you a high fashion look, but dressed up with dress pants or a black skirt with your white blouse will instantly give you a professional air.

Striped Top

Black and white stripes add a bit of nautical to an outfit but is always in style, even when nautical is not a current trend. They look great with any color and look chic layered under a blazer with jeans, or tucked into a skirt. Sleeves that hit right above the elbows are flattering on most as it gives the illusion of slimmer arms.

White Summer Dress

For events that take place in the humid summer heat and are a little more casual but still dress-worthy, a sleeveless white dress is good to have. It should be made of a lightweight fabric to keep you cool. You can easily take this into fall or spring with a cardigan and leggings.

Quality Jeans

You most likely already have a pair of jeans you love in your wardrobe. If not, invest in a great quality pair that is comfortable and fit well. Find a cut that Flatters Your Body Shape. I chose straight leg jeans for the photo above because my mom always says this cut is classic and will never go out of style!

Dress Pants

A nice dress pant is perfect for those events that are “in the middle”, too casual for a dress or skirt, but too dressy for jeans. They pair nicely with either a cardigan or a blazer, depending on the type of event.

Flats

Don’t forget the shoes! Basic black flats will go with you through everything! They can dress down skirts or dresses, or dress up jeans or pants.

Heels

And when the occasion calls for something more high-class, keep a pair of black pumps around. They’re great for special events, from dates to ceremonies.

Black Tights or Leggings

At times, it’s not quite appropriate to bare your legs. When this happens, have a pair of black tights or leggings (or both!) Tights can layer under skirt or dresses without heating you up, and leggings can be added to an outfit during the cold weather months so dresses and skirts are still wearable.

What other items do you think are wardrobe staples?