How I Organize My Lipstick // Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink

Not-so-surprising confession: I own a lot of lip products. Like, they make up half of my entire makeup collection. I spent too long keeping them stuffed inside a cabinet, only using a couple of my favorites. Luckily, I've figured out a more efficient system of organizing and storing them.

Surprise! A color-coordinated sheet. Is anyone surprised that I've color-coordinated my lipsticks the same way I've color-coordinated my entire life? I actually just had to remake this sheet to make sure I had enough room for future purchases.

2 of my most recent additions were these Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink, sent to me for free to review from Influenster. This lip product stayed on my lips for 10 hours without needing reapplication. It withstood tacos, ice cream, multiple cups of tea, and a bagel. It felt a little sticky throughout the day, but still didn't come off. For less than $10, I couldn't believe this product worked so well.

I hang my lipstick chart up right next to my vanity, so I can look to it for help when I'm doing my makeup.

Influenster Review: Ole Henriksen Balance // First-Time Face Washer

After having smooth, practically flawless skin for the last couple years, my face has started getting oily and breaking out like crazy. I have several theories as to why this may have happened: 1. I'm aging in reverse and my skin is mimicking that of my teenage self, 2. the pollution in New York is really getting to me, or 3. someone cast a curse on me after I said "I don't need to wash my face" one too many times.
Whatever the cause, I was at a loss for a solution. I haven't cleaned my face routinely since I was in middle school. My grandma bought me a Clinique face wash set and my skin eventually cleared up. Since then, I haven't had to shop for face wash that best suits my face. As a result, when my skin started getting oily again, I had no idea where to start looking for a solution apart from using the one-ply toilet paper in my office as blotting paper.
So, I was lucky when Influenster sent me this Ole Henriksen Balance set for free to try out and review.

The Ole Henriksen Balance set: Find Your Balance Oil Control Cleanser, Balancing Force Oil Control Toner, and Counter Balance Oil Control Hydrator

Some notes:
- The cleanser smells like a literal spa, with notes of both eucalyptus and mint.
- I was worried the hydrator was going make my skin even oilier (especially if I followed the instructions of using it twice a day), but I've been pleasantly surprised by how smooth and clean my skin feels after applying it. I don't know how they made such an oil-less moisturizer (magic, maybe?), but I'm all for it.
- It doesn't take much of each product to complete the routine. I use a pea-size amount of the cleanser and hydrator and it fully covers my face without problem.
- The cleanser takes a bit of scrubbing to foam up, though this doesn't affect how the product works.
- My skin doesn't feel oily until I come home from work (about 22 hours after washing my face).
- I've continued to break out, but I break out less than I did before I started using these products.

I'd recommend the Ole Henriksen Balance set to anyone with combination or oily skin. It's pretty pricey – all three products come to a combined total of $85, and I'd strongly recommend buying them as a set – so I'll be on the look-out for a less expensive product with similar effects.

9 Essential Makeup Products

1. e.l.f. Brightening Eye Liner in "coffee": At only a dollar apiece, this is the perfect everyday eyeliner. I wear it under almost every makeup look. It looks great smudged or applied in a clean line, and lasts forever!
2. e.l.f. Eyebrow Kit in "medium": Another inexpensive product that I completely rely on. It comes in three colors (unfortunately, blond and red are not among them) and is super easy to use. I've only gone through two in the last three years even though I use it every day!
3. Benefit Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain: I've been using this since I was 11 years old and I snuck into my mom's makeup drawer to see what all the fuss was about. It's the perfect red lip tint and even comes with a matching lip balm that makes the color last all day. A little bottle goes a long way because it's so pigmented!
4. Benefit High Beam Complexion Enhancer: I use this on my cheekbones as highlighter. Again, a little bit goes a long way, and a little more creates the perfect translucent sheen. 
5. New York Color City Proof 24 Hr Eye Shadow in Brooklyn Mocha: I've written about this product in the past, and I've only fallen more in love with it. I use it on my eyes almost every day and on my cheeks to better define my cheekbones.
6. New York Color City Proof 24 Hr Eye Shadow in Murray Hill Champagne: This product is $2-$4, so getting more than one was a no brainer. I use this lighter color in the inner corner of my eyes to make my eyes look bigger.
7. Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise Eyeliner in Black: I spent a lot of years using a thicker liquid eyeliner pen, so I was surprised when I loved this thin one so much. It's super easy to use and stays on really well.
8. Benefit Roller Lash Mascara: I've spent a long time trying to find the perfect mascara. This is my favorite so far! Even though it's a little spendy, it's totally worth it. It stays on all day and comes off easily with makeup remover, and is lightweight enough that it makes a very noticeable difference but doesn't clump or smear. Plus, the wand curls your lashes as you apply, eliminating the need for an eyelash curler.
9. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in literally any color available: I own this product in six different colors and I use all of them regularly. It's so soft and goes on so easily, but you don't even feel it once it's been applied. Some colors require reapplication throughout the day, but it's a lot longer lasting than most lipsticks I've worn.

Background photo by Ian Oliver Walsh

Tutorial-Free Contour Video

You heard it here first, folks: Broke & Fabulous is now making videos! My first video features my roommate and good friend, Carolyn, who graciously let me try to contour her face despite never having tried contouring or having seen a tutorial before. Watch the video below and let me know what videos I should make next!

Header photo via Wendy Nguyen.

Confessions of a Dye-Job Mermaid (ONYX by Blair Brown)

In my 21 years on Earth, I've only ever dyed my hair a handful of times. I went red-brown in middle school and rocked turquoise tips for a hot second my sophomore year of high school, but other than that, I've gone au natural most of my life. So, the decision to go surreal was a pretty big one. I've been lusting after pastel mermaid hair for years, and when my friend Coley told me her hair stylist was looking for new clients, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to take the plunge.

The stylist, Blair Brown, had just left a salon to make a name for herself on her own terms. As a young, driven woman, I really admire the hard work that Blair has put into owning her own business (Onyx by Blair Brown), developing her brand, and honing her craft. I love supporting local women-owned businesses, and Blair is certainly worth supporting!

As someone who didn't know what the dye experience would be like, I was super lucky to have Blair as my guide through the process. We initially met about a month ago for a consultation. Even though I was set on colorful hair, Blair was careful to make sure I knew what the look would entail. She got to know my hair history (as minimal as it was) so as to get a better understanding of what she'd need to do to help me get my desired look. She warned me about the bleaching process– it would require much more care than anything I'd done before, and I'd need to be prepared for the work I'd need to put into it. She talked me through purple shampoos, conditioning treatments, and touch-ups. I was initially worried that she thought this was a bad idea, but I soon came to realize that she was doing the best thing possible by preparing me for the entire experience.

So, I prepared for the plunge by investing in some coconut oil, purple shampoo, argon oil, deep conditioner, and dry shampoo. It took a while to finally make the appointment with Blair– after all, she was in the process of developing her own business– but when the day finally came, I felt prepared to make such a big change.

The entire process took about six hours. Blair was really thorough, making sure each strand of hair was coated in bleach, then conditioning treatment, then Olaplex, then shampoo, then dye. As lengthy as it was, I'm really grateful for the care Blair took to make sure I'd get the best look possible. My hair feels so much smoother than I thought it was going to, and the color is super thorough throughout my head. If I had to spend six hours with a stranger, I'm lucky it was Blair: we kept the conversation going, which really contributed to the experience.

I am so thrilled with my hair. I can't stop looking at myself, and I'm addicted to the compliments I keep getting. I'm so grateful that my first big hair experience went so well. If you're in the Seattle area and looking for a stylist, I strongly recommend Blair Brown! She has an amazing student discount that makes her especially perfect for students looking for a stylist. Find her on Facebook, Instagram, and see more of her services and work on her website.

Runway-Inspired Makeup: Jason Wu

Eyebrows | Eyeshadow | Cheeks

How My Brows Have Grown

Eyebrows are kind of having a moment. People are paying more attention to their brows in their beauty routines than ever before. I know I've recently been working to get my eyebrows as on point as possible. Looking back at old pictures of me, the first thing I notice is my minimally-cared for brows. My brows have made quite the transition since I first started plucking them in middle school.

August 2009: I inherited my brows from both sides of my family. The brown color and light density is from my mom, while the insanely long hair is from my dad. I started plucking them when I was in middle school because a cousin of mine had learned how to do it and wanted to gift us all with the gift of manageable brows.

November 2011: I must have taken the thin brow trend seriously long after it's expiration date in the mid-2000's. That, and I have a terrible habit of pulling out my eyebrow hairs when I'm nervous. At least there's a shape there.

November 2012: This was taken during one of the 3 weeks my family was in Bali my senior year of high school. I remember that none of us had remembered a pair of tweezers and my family's brows were consequently out of control. It looks like a break from plucking is just what my brows needed; don't they look much more natural and filled-in than the last picture?

May 2013: Look how little Brendan and I look in this picture from our first prom together! My brows are a little uneven; I didn't have a lot of time (or money) my senior year of high school to get them professionally done or even touched-up.

November 2013: Once I got to college, I had a hard time maintaining my usual beauty routine in my cramped dorm room. These uneven, scraggly brows are brought to you by me trying to grow them out to achieve a more natural eyebrow look.

July 2014: My freshman roommate gave me my first e.l.f. eyebrow palette when we left school, and I did not look at a single tutorial before I started using it regularly. This is evident in the unnatural look of my brows in this picture. I started getting into my brows just a month or two before this picture was taken, which explains the decent shape.

September 2014: This was the thickest my eyebrows have ever been. I wanted a natural shape, which made them a little bushier than I was expecting.

November 2014: A single session at the Benefit Brow Bar at Macy's totally changed my brow game. I asked for "Kardashian brows" and was beyond pleased with the results. This has become the shape that I maintain and I finally learned how to use my eyebrow products correctly. 

July 2015: After 8 months without professional maintenance, I'd say my brows are still looking pretty good. It can be hard to keep the shape up by myself, which is why I use a e.l.f. lifter and treatment to really play up the shape and keep each hair in place.

Looking back, it's strange to see how my brow maintenance routine has so drastically change. I even notice how different my face looks depending on my brow shape. It's taken six years for me to master my eyebrows; I wonder what's next?

OOTD: Summer Uniform

This outfit accurately represents what I've been wearing all summer; my summer uniform, if you will. As a tutor, I try to present myself in an appropriate manner, so I've been wearing high necks and knee-length skirts or dresses. I have 3 dresses in this exact style, and several shirt-skirt combinations that imitate the style. I also like that this style works well in the heat we've been experiencing in Seattle this summer; especially because I walk 2-3 miles every day.

I bought these shoes as my first pair of tennis shoes in five + years and I've found they're particularly useful on days when I have to walk to a tutoring session and then walk dogs immediately after. I'm still working on breaking them in, though.

 I love to wear a statement necklace when I wear a high neck, so I've been wearing lots of statement necklaces this summer. It makes me feel like I'm wearing a look instead of just some clothing.

It's been too hot in Seattle for me to wear a lot of makeup without worrying about sweating it off. So, I've been rocking a cat-eye, well-groomed eyebrows, and lipstick, but skipping the mascara and anything that's not waterproof. I've also been wearing my hair in a bun nearly every day to keep my hair from sticking to my neck.

Say hello to my second Rocksbox! After the last one, I was so excited to see what this one had in store for me. I was so pleased with the statement necklace and bracelet, and the simple stud earrings were so classic that I wore them to an interview I had yesterday. Remember to use my Rocksbox code, hannahgoldxoxo or HANNAHBFF276, to sign up for Rocksbox and receive a free month of the service!

Runway-Inspired Makeup: Zuhair Murad

Eyebrows | Eyeshadow | Inner-eye shimmer | Lips

A Week Without Makeup

I've recently read a couple articles citing Audre Lorde and bell hooks to argue that makeup can never be considered feminist. As a big believer that makeup can be extremely empowering to women, I found this interesting. The basic argument is this: wearing makeup, whether it's to please yourself or to please the public, cannot let you reclaim your body and your beauty as it is still playing into ideals of beauty established in a patriarchal society. I am not going to get into my personal opinion on this argument as this is neither the place nor the time, but these articles did get me thinking about whether or not I could go without wearing makeup.
I don't wear makeup everyday. This isn't a statement or anything. In all honesty, it's just because I'm kind of lazy. However, I do love a good bold lip color and some mascara to make my fine eyelashes a little more proportional. So, I challenged myself to go a full week without makeup of any kind. No tinted lip balm, no concealer, no eye brightener, nothing. I photographed myself each day and wrote a little reflection on how I'd felt that day. I didn't find anything revolutionary in the process, but some of what I found did surprise me.

{photo via Carissa Gallo}

Monday: This is already kind of hard; I wanted to wear lipstick today! I felt kind of self-conscious in situations when I felt under-dressed.

Tuesday: I actually had extra time in my morning routine, so I caught up on some reading instead of spending that time to do my makeup. I felt self-conscious today and didn't want to look at my reflection in the mirror.

Wednesday: I had a bit of a late start, so I felt comfortable going makeup-less because I wouldn't have had time anyways. I've been spending a couple extra minutes on my hair in the mornings. I just want to feel presentable!

Thursday: I wonder if anyone else notices I'm not wearing makeup. My eyes feel tired and I'm worried it shows.

Friday: I used to think I only used makeup to add to my look (i.e. with statement lipstick and winged eyeliner), but I'm starting to figure out a lot of my makeup routine actually focuses on hiding what I'm self-conscious of. Some days I'm particularly self-conscious of my stubby eyelashes, my too-small eyes, and my undefined lips. Wearing makeup really can make me feel better about my appearance sometimes.

Saturday: I didn't recognize myself in the mirror today. I guess I need some of the enhancements of makeup to feel like myself. That seems like a bit of a slippery slope to me. I feel like I need longer eyelashes, bigger lips, bigger eyes, and smoother skin to feel the most comfortable in my own skin. But the more women like me rely on things like serums and extensions and makeup, the more the unrealistic standard of beauty in society is enforced. I don't want my daughter to feel like she has to spend hours on her appearance just to feel comfortable around other women. Maybe hooks and Lorde are right.

Sunday: I think I feel comfortable without makeup, but I don't feel pretty or stylish. I don't know how important it is to me that I find inherent beauty in my naked face, though. The only time that would serve to be convenient is when I don't have time to put on makeup on days that I really wanted to wear makeup.

Well, 7 days without makeup was certainly interesting... But I'm going to have to make up for it in the next 7 days. Stay tuned to see what I do next week!

DIY Review: Get Rid of Blackheads

When I'm not blogging, doing homework, hanging out with my dog, or sleeping, I'm loitering on Pinterest looking for some awesome DIYs to try. Sometimes they work, but sometimes they don't. To contribute to the already expansive collection of tutorials on the internet, I've decided to start documenting my trials of certain DIYs. Sometimes the person who does DIYs on a regular basis is able to DIY something much too difficult for us common folk to accomplish.

This first DIY is from Drop Dead Gorgeous Daily. It's a trick to get easily get rid of blackheads. As a human being with pores in her skin, I happen to have quite a few blackheads. After trying quite a few different methods, I decided to try this out.

The first step was to apply Vaseline to the area that had blackheads: in my case, my nose. I decided to gunk on as much as possible... Just in case.

Then I applied the saran wrap to keep the heat concentrated within that area. I'm assuming this helped catalyze the process of the Vaseline sinking into the pores infected with blackheads, but I'm no science major.

I was meant to hold a hot washcloth to my nose to further heat the area for 5 minutes, but I had a hard time keeping the washcloth hot. So, I held a damp and mostly lukewarm washcloth to my nose.

Remove the saran wrap...

And apply pressure to the area to push the now enlarged (and easier to remove) blackheads out!

Voila! Well, kind of. I didn't actually notice any significant decrease in blackheads on my nose, though I will admit the area was much smoother for several days following this DIY. I had decent results, but nothing I would call home about. To be honest, though, I didn't follow the instructions as well as I could have (specifically with the hot washcloth...), so it might be worth a try again in the future.
Check out some of my favorite DIYs on my Pinterest and try this one out for yourself!

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