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Thursday, April 26, 2018

Three ways to style that LBD

Who doesn't love a good little black dress! This one is a great staple piece, perfect for Spring or Summer. Although the dress is plain, it can never be boring as there are many ways to style it! Below are three ways I've styled this LBD.

Style 1: Add some accessories!




Theres no simpler way to dress up a simple dress then by adding some pretty accessories! Here I've styled the dress with two necklaces of different lengths and styles to make a statement. I have also paired the look with these nude wedges, if you want a fancier look you can switch them out for a strappy heel. 

Style 2: Add a kimono!



Dress // Kimono (similar) // Sandals 

Another way to add flair to a LBD is to add a pretty kimono over it! I added this pretty lace one from American Eagle. You could also go with something a little more colorful like the ones here and here. P.S how funny is my dog in the background, she loves being a part of the action!

Style 3: Add a Denim Jacket!




Last but certainly not least! I added this denim jacket for a more casual look. I actually got this one at Nordstrom Rack for under 50$! This is a perfect outfit for a BBQ or a lunch date. Denim jackets are a great closet staple as well and can be paired with so many things! 

There are so many ways to style this dress! Which style is your favorite?

-Nicole 

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Ruffles and Stripes

White and blue has to be one of my favorite combinations for Spring and Summer, and this top is no exception especially with the adorable ruffles! 






Striped Crop Top // White Jeans (Similar) // Wedges // Monogram // Hat (similar)

When I saw this top in Nordstrom I knew I had to have it! Between the ruffles and color combo I was smitten. This top is perfect for summer and would look adorable with a pair of white shorts and sandals as well. Here I paired it with my favorite jeans from Abercrombie, these cute wedges from DSW, and hat I found last season at Target. Being petite I have difficulty finding pants I like that fit well or are short enough. I bought these last season at Abercrombie and honestly wish I stocked up on a few pairs! They fit perfectly and hug me in all the right places. These wedges are super comfortable and go with pretty much everything! This would make a great outfit for those Memorial day BBQ's coming up or an early Summer party. This weekend we were finally able to put our patio furniture out! Anyone else as excited as me for Spring and Summer weather?

-Nicole
Sunday, April 22, 2018

Sweet Wink Magnetic Lashes Review

I am back with another magnetic lash review and these have totally blown me away! Let me introduce you to Sweet Wink by Bare your Hart!




Pictured: Princess Diana Lash (pink box) Queen Elizabeth Lash (black box), applicator, tweezers, and Magnetic palette

Quality and Packaging:

These are hands down the best magnetic lashes I have tried! These have the look of regular strip lashes without the glue and mess. Unlike the other ones I have tried, these curve perfectly to the eye and have a great curl to them. Brittany has really out done herself with these! The lashes look very high quality and the packaging is beautiful. You can store your lashes back in their case when they are done or there is a magnetic palette you can buy separately in order to keep your whole collection together. She also sells a special applicator for these that can double as an eyelash curler. 

Styles: 

There are 3 styles: Eve, Princess Diana, and Queen Elizabeth. Currently only the Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth are available, however the Eve lashes will be in soon. The Princess Diana lashes are perfect for every day wear, they add length and volume without looking too dramatic. In my opinion they make it look like I have lash extensions! These so far are my favorite, however I am looking forward to trying the Eve Lash as well for everyday wear. Below is a close up of the Princess Diana Lashes. 

Princess Diana Lash

The Queen Elizabeth lashes are more bold, perfect for a night out! If you're looking for a lash that stands out you will love these! I can't wait to do a glam look with these. These have a ton of volume and curl but maintain a light weight on your eyes. Here's a close up below!

Queen Elizabeth Lash

Application: 

** Before Starting application, use your mascara of choice and let it dry fully**

Method One:

1. Take your top lash and place it on the applicator facing in.
2. Take the 3 bottom strips line them up on the bottom of the applicator also facing in.
3. Line the applicator up as close to the lash line as possible and close (then release)
4. If any aren't lined up properly slide it off and use tweezers to readjust.

Here is a picture from Bare Your Harts Instagram page to demonstrate placement:


Method two (I use this method):

1. With your fingers place the top lash on your natural lashes.
2. Hold down the outer corner as close as you can to the lash line. With lash tweezers (find the ones I use here) take the bottom lash and place underneath your lashes and connect.
3. Follow the same process for the middle and inner corner pieces.
4. Re-adjust if necessary

Both application methods will work, it's just a matter of what you find works best for you! Definitely take the time to play with them. I had absolutely no difficulty with these and got them on the first try, but don't be discouraged if you don't. There is also a tutorial on the instagram page @bareyourhart you can watch as well. You may even find a different method that works for you!

Removal:

To remove just slide each individual magnet in opposite directions. After taking each piece off re-attach them to the corresponding top magnet to store them, this ensures they don't get lost. Each set of lashes has bottom pieces that are custom to that style lash so its best to just keep them with the assigned lash. You can put them back in the box or the magnetic palette if you choose to purchase it.

Final Thoughts:

These are hands down the best magnetic lashes I own, if not my favorite lashes I own period. I personally don't like to spend a ton of money on strip lashes that get junky after a few uses. These if taken care of properly will last months before needing replacement. I will definitely be stocking up on these lashes because I can't live without them! If you have been curious about magnetic lashes these are the ones to try. They are very affordable and well made. If you would like to purchase you can head over to www.bareyourhart.com/discount/NIKKI10 to receive 10% off your orders of 35$ or more! What has your experience been with magnetic lashes? Have you tried them or do you prefer traditional false lashes?  If you have any questions about these lashes or application please drop them below in the comments!

-Nicole

*Products were sent to me for my honest review, all opinions are my own*

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

One-Two Cosmetics: Magnetic Lash Review


Magnetic lashes are newer to the beauty world and are starting to gain more popularity, but which ones are the ones to try? When I heard Ardell came out with some that I could easily pick up at my local Rite Aide or Walmart I was instantly intrigued. I spent the 14.99 on them and thought they would be life changing. Well, they weren't. I could not for the life of me get them on, and when I did they looked so unnatural and fake. I was disappointed because I thought they would be so easy for everyday use.  Then I came across One-Two Cosmetics! 






I did a ton of research on this brand when I came across it on Instagram. These lashes are pretty pricey so I wanted to make sure I wasn't going to relive the experience I had with the last ones. I read tons of reviews, both good and bad. The bad reviews mostly consisted of people saying they had difficulty getting them on or could not get them on. I ignored these and splurged anyway because I really wanted these to work, and they did! I am going to do a break down below including the quality, style, and application process I used. 

Quality & Packaging: 

I found the quality of these to be great. They are cruelty free so they are not Mink hairs but synthetic fibers. The packaging is gorgeous and feels glamorous! The compact that the lashes come in has a magnetic base so that you can travel with the lashes without worry of them falling loose.  The lashes come with an applicator which honestly, I didn't love per-se but its worth experimenting with! I only use it to get the outer corner on. I feel like it would need to be a little more curved to the eye to work. 

Styles:

The lashes come in a variety of styles, both in full coverage as well as half. I bought the full coverage Enhanced lash. The half lashes are for those who just want a little drama and flair at the end of their lashes. I wanted total lash enhancement so I went with the full coverage. The website notes that if you want really subtle natural looking ones to go with the original. The enhanced (which I bought) still have a natural look but are a little fuller. Then they have bold, and extra bold which are a more dramatic lash. I figured as a beginner I would start with the enhanced. I can't wait to try some of the other styles. 

Application: 

As stated previously, the lashes do come with a special applicator designed just for these lashes. You have to mess with them and see which method works best for you. Below is how I applied them
 (I apologize if it doesn't make much sense, eventually I'll do a video or pictorial if anyone is interested!):

** Before Starting application, use your mascara of choice and let it dry fully**
1. Start by placing the full lash on the applicator and line the outer corner piece with the upper lash.
2. Get as close as you can to the lash line and connect. 
3. Now use your fingers to hold down the inner corner of the upper lash.
4. With lash tweezers pick up the inner corner piece and connect as close as you can to the lash line. 
5.  Re-ajust if necessary. 

I found the inner corner to be harder to apply then the outer. 

Removal: 

Slide the magnets away from each other and gently remove. Place back in the compact for safe keeping. They offer a cleaning solution if needed. 

Final Thoughts: 

I am going to be honest the first time it took me 10-15 minutes of playing around before I was happy with how they were placed. This is normal, just like when you start using strip lashes it takes practice. The more you practice the better you will get. With that being said, there are a few cons: it does take practice, if not placed correctly you can see the magnet on the inner corners of your eye, and the bottom lashes are very delicate and small. Definitely work over a table so that if one drops you can find it right away. I would also say just be gentle with these, they are fragile but can last a few months if you take good care of them. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions in the comments, I will do my best to answer! Have you tried magnetic lashes? What did you think? 

-Nicole 



Tuesday, April 17, 2018

The Prettiest Spring Dress

Do you have any Spring weddings or special events coming up? Not sure what to wear? If the answer is yes, this could be the dress for you! 






 Dress // Shoes (similar) 

I found this dress while shopping in Nordstrom a few weeks back and immediately fell in love. This dress is so different then anything I own and comes in 8 colors! It even comes in white for the spring/summer brides who have their showers coming up! I am 5'1 and petite but I found this dress to be the perfect length and true to size (wearing an xs).  The material is on the thicker side but really high quality and will definitely hold up better than if it was a thinner lace. I know I will be wearing this through the summer!

-Nicole
Saturday, April 7, 2018

Spring Casual


With the weather being so crazy lately I jumped at the chance to wear this casual number while we finally had a warmer day. What I love most about t-shirts like this is they can be paired with fun accessories to make for a really cute look. 






T-shirt (Similar here and here) // Bralette // Shoes Designer here

Let me start by talking about my shoes. I am completely obsessed with them, they are cute, comfortable, and an incredible dupe for the designer ones. The best part is they were under 40$! That is hundreds of dollars cheaper then the designer ones, and they look equally as nice. Don't get me wrong, I love my designer items but its also great to find a nice dupe. I got them online at lulu's, they have amazing clothes as well. 

I could not link my exact t-shirt because I got it for a steal at Nordstrom Rack, I believe it was under 15$ and is incredibly soft and comfy. I did link two similar ones, one v-neck the other scoop neck. Nordstrom Rack always has the best staple pieces for really cheap. They had a ton of great t-shirts and tanks when I went last week. 

Last but not least, my favorite bralatte! I own this in two colors and honestly I want every color! This bralette looks adorable under tees and tanks; the lace detail is so dainty and pretty. I will mention, it is delicate (the straps are thin) but I have not had an issue. This is made by Free People and comes in a variety of colors. I personally own it in white (pictured) and the rose, which is so pretty as well.  

Feel free to leave any questions or comments below, I would be more than happy to answer!

-Nicole 

Monday, April 2, 2018

Blush Bliss

Blush is one of my absolute favorite Spring colors! This color is flattering on everyone and it is so girly! For Easter I wore this beautiful Topshop blouse. 








The best thing about this top is that it is very versatile, you can dress it up with a pair of slacks for work ( although with the open back I would put a cami underneath), or dress it down with jeans. This top can very easily go from work to play. Here I paired it with my favorite white jeans and these sparkly Christian Louboutin's for a dressed up look. I am so excited to start wearing more Spring outfits! 

-Nicole 

Aruba: Where to stay, What to do, and What to eat!

 Hi Friends!  It has been a while since my last blog post but I wanted to share all of the details of our recent trip to Aruba. After visiti...