Go for the Gold: Top Trending Gold Makeup.

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In the spirit of the Olympic games, the trend in makeup at the moment is metallic and nothing is hotter than gold. Gold is a very natural makeup color to add into your makeup routine. Whether you only add a little gold nail polish to your accent nail, apply a layer of shimmering gold lip gloss to your lips or go for it with a sweep of gold shadow on your lids, now is the perfect time to go for the gold with these hot metallic makeup products. I wrote about the top trending gold makeup products here: Go for the Gold with These Metallic Makeup Products.

Some of the products include favorites from Make Up For Ever, NARS, and Essie. Check out the guide I wrote to hear all about the products, how to use them and more then let me know if you'll be rocking gold makeup this summer into fall.

This post was sponsored by eBay. As always, all opinions are my own. Please see disclosure policy for complete information.

10 Back to School Beauty Must-Haves.

In just a few short weeks I will be heading back to college along with millions of others. I am heading into my junior year of college and have definitely learned a few things over my last two years as far as getting up and ready for class early in the morning. Long gone are the days of spending an hour getting ready in front of a mirror by myself and having time to put on a full face of makeup. If I'm lucky, I have 20 minutes to get my hair and face looking presentable before I have to run out of the bathroom and give someone else space. I've pared down my basket of beauty products since my first year in school and only bring with me the essentials that get me through the day. These are my top 10 back to school beauty must-haves that will be coming to college with me.

1. The Estée Edit Beam Team Hydrate + Glow
This is a double-duty illuminating lightweight daily moisturizer that I'm obsessed with! It takes care of hydrating my skin plus it gives me a bit of a golden glow at the same time. PLUS, hidden in the cap is a little shimmer balm that I smooth on the top of my cheekbones. $42 at Sephora.

2. Urban Decay Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid
I have so many flaws - too many to count and I depend on color correcting products to hide them. My favorite color correcting product is this one because it's super easy to apply with its concealer-like wand and fluid consistency. It comes in five different shades, so no matter your issue, blemish, dark circle, etc., you can fix it in a flash! $28 at Nordstrom, Sephora and Ulta. 

3. Urban Decay All Nighter Liquid Foundation
Well, there are times that I need a full coverage foundation that will last all day (or night) and this is my new favorite foundation. This long wearing foundation has the most beautiful, natural matte finish to it that covers every flaw but still looks natural on my skin. I LOVE that it is waterproof so no matter how pressured I might feel for an exam, interview or at my internship, I know I will look fresh and flawless. There is a full range of 24 shades to choose from. $40 at urbandecay.com, Sephora, Nordstrom and Ulta. 

4. Benefit Cheekathon Blush & Bronzer Palette
I don't want to look like death walking around campus and this palette contains five of Benefit's best-selling box of powders which include bronzers, highlighters and blush shades in various shades. I love that there is an option for any occasion. It's basically all I need for day or night! $58 at Sephora or Ulta. 

5. L'Oréal Paris Pocket Palette
Space is limited in my little beauty basket, so I don't tote a large eye palette with me. I can get the same look with the new portable Pocket Palette from L'Oréal. This little palette contains four greatly pigmented shades in coordinated colors (one is made to be used as a liner) that blend to create a natural eye. There are eight color combinations available with an infinite number of possibilities. My faves are Boudoir Charme and French Biscuit. $9.99 at drugstores/mass retailers.

6. Max Factor Masterpiece MAX Mascara
Mascara is a given in my beauty basket, and I change mine often (I'm lucky that my Mom gives me all of the mascara to test). Right now I am testing this Max Fator mascara, and I just repurchased a tube because WOW, WOW, WOW what it does to add volume, definition, and length to my lashes is incredible. This one is out for a limited time only. $9.99 at drugstores/mass retailers.

7. Nude Lipstick/Lipgloss/Lip Balm
I almost always keep it natural on my lips and most days just swipe on Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment or Vaseline Lip Therapy, but because I have an internship I will be applying a nude colored lipstick or gloss a few days a week. A few of my favorite nude lipsticks/glosses include Tarte Park Ave Princess Amazonian Butter Lipstick, Kylie Poppin' Gloss, Max Factor Simply Nude Lipstick, The Estée Edit Cocobalm in Coco Peach. 

8. Simple Micellar Make-Up Remover Wipes
Makeup remover wipes are essential and I stock up when I can. I love these micellar wipes for how effective they are in removing makeup without leaving any film or residue on my skin. These also remove every last trace of long-wearing makeup too. They are perfect for in between class when I'm not wearing makeup, after the gym to refresh skin or when I am just feeling gross which can happen being stuck inside class all day. $7.99 at Target, Ulta or drugstores. 

9. Dry Shampoo
Dry Shampoo is another one of those products that I just can't live without. I don't know what college student washes their hair more than 3 - 4 times a week and this essential product helps keep hair smelling and looking fab in between. While I love it when my Mom splurges on my favorite Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo, I most often use Dove Style + Care Dry Shampoo. It not only refreshes my hair, it gives it added volume. 

10. invisibobble ORIGINAL the traceless hair ring
If you know what an old fashioned phone cord looks like, well, that's what this unique hair tie looks like and it's genius. It holds hair super tight without feeling tight and what's really great is that this doesn't leave any marks in the hair so re-styling up or down is a breeze. There are many colors to choose from. $8 for a pack of three at Sephora. 

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A press sample of the products featured have been provided for editorial consideration. All opinions are my own. Affiliate links have been used in the post. Please see disclosure policy for complete information.

3 Power Peels to Smooth & Brighten Skin.

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As summer comes to a close, you may notice that your skin is dull, lackluster or has taken on some sun damage. Now is the perfect time to smooth and brighten the skin by using resurfacing skin peels on a regular basis. Using skin peels on a regular basis is an excellent way to not only smooth and brighten the skin's appearance, but it will also help to reverse sun damage, get rid of dead skin cells, plump up collagen and turn over the skin to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Overall, using resurfacing skin peels on a regular basis will make skin look more smooth, bright and youthful. I wrote about my favorites over in a guide on eBay: Smooth & Brighten Skin with One of these Skin Peels.

I perform resurfacing skin peels two to three times a week, but my skin is used to them. When first starting to use at home resurfacing skin peels, start by performing them once a week until well tolerated, then move to twice a week, then three times per week if you are not experiencing any sensitivity. There is no need to perform a resurfacing skin peel any more than three times per week. 

To see my favorite retexturing skin peels, read my guide here.

This post was sponsored by eBay. As always, all opinions are my own. Please see disclosure policy for complete information.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Water Blend Foundation.

MAKE UP FOR EVER took one of pro makeup artist's favorite foundations, their previous Face & Body Foundation, and reformulated into this brand new Water Blend Foundation. If you are looking for a lightweight, buildable water-based foundation that doesn't budge throughout the day, take a look at this new high-performance makeup. 

Water Blend Foundation is unconventional in the fact that it feels so lightweight on the skin as it is made up of 80% purified water with vitamin b5 to provide extra hydration. It does so as it looks flawless, though, and offers coverage (which is buildable) leaving skin with a real, natural light dewy finish. Coated microfine pigments improve color payoff making it give you coverage where you need it while it is 100% waterproof and transfer-proof making this the perfect foundation for summer.

I'm astonished at how naturally beautiful my skin looks while wearing and how it feels as if I am not wearing any foundation. I prefer wearing lighter BB Creams in the summer months, and this foundation feels just as good as a BB Cream, but even better because it offers more coverage and it simply does not budge. As Water Blend Foundation consists of so much water, you need to dampen your sponge before you apply if that is your preferred application method. I suggest applying with a foundation brush and found that using this one was the best one to give me a sheer, even finish. 

There are 20 shades in the MAKE UP FOR EVER Water Blend Foundation line up. It sells for $43 at MAKEUPFOREVER.com MAKE UP FOR EVER boutiques and Sephora.

A press sample of the products featured have been provided for editorial consideration. All opinions are my own. Affiliate links have been used in the post. Please see disclosure policy for complete information.

Smooth + Brighten Skin with Murad Rapid Resurfacing Peel.

I've talked about how much I love Vitamin C and the good it does for aging skin. Glycolic Acid is another such powerful ingredient that you should regularly incorporate into your skin care regimen. Glycolic Acid helps to resurface and retexturize the skin by gently removing dead skin cells. I use it regularly in different products and you've probably noticed it in a lot of your skin care products too. Glycolic Acid is very useful in peels as it is in the new Murad Rapid Resurfacing Peel where it is paired with Vitamin C to make for an extra-strength, professional peel at home. 

Murad Rapid Resurfacing Peel is made with 10% Glycolic Acid to resurface dull skin rapidly to give skin a softer, more smooth texture. It combines that with the potent antioxidant Vitamin C to enhance skin's radiance while helping to protect skin from environmental aggressors (think pollution). It also contains ingredients to boost skin brightness further while soothing the skin. 

This peel is simple to use as it comes in an easy-to-use pre-moistened towelette. You simply open the towelette and wipe it over your clean face and neck and allow at least three minutes for the product to work before applying other skin care products. There is no need to rinse. I have been using it three times a week because I regularly use AHAs, but if you are a not a regular user of alpha hydroxy acids, start out by using once or twice a week. I didn't experience any tingling or irritation when using, all I noticed with smoother, more refreshed skin overnight.

It's important to note that when using any product with Glycolic Acid like the Murad Resurfacing Peel, you should use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater. I recommend this one which not only protects skin but helps to brighten it further with Vitamin C too.

Murad Rapid Resurfacing Peel sells for $44 and is available at Ulta and murad.com.

A press sample of the products featured have been provided for editorial consideration. All opinions are my own. Affiliate links have been used in the post. Please see disclosure policy for complete information.

Best Anti-frizz Products.

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Summertime may just be the worst time of year for hair. When heat and humidity prevail, our tresses seem to take the brunt of the summer weather. Keeping hair smooth and frizz free in the summer doesn't have to be a challenge when you have the right hair products on hand. 

Frizz is probably the biggest hair care problem we all face in the summer. When the humidity strikes and moisture penetrate the hair, the hair will frizz. The solution is to apply an anti-frizz product to seal or close the cuticle so that when moisturize reaches the hair shaft, the cuticle is closed, so frizz or fraying cannot form. There are many anti-frizz products available, but they are not all created equal. Many anti-frizz products are very thick or heavy on the hair and can weigh the hair down. You don't want to sacrifice your hairstyle to eliminate the frizz.

I wrote a guide that includes the top products to keep in your summer hair care arsenal, so your hair care challenges are a thing of the past: Best Anti-Frizz Products.

This post was sponsored by ebay. As always, all opinions are my own. Please see disclosure policy for complete information.

10 Favorite Coconut Beauty Products for Summer.

I'm obsessed with coconut! There, I said it. Just home from a month in Florida where I indulged myself in many things coconut, I thought it would be fun to search out the best coconut beauty products. Being that summer is still in full swing, and coconut and coconut oil are a trendy beauty product right now, it wasn't hard to find a lot of new coconut-based beauty products. Typically found in oils and hair products, there are now a lot of skin care and hair products that are using coconut oil in them, too. These are my favorite ten coconut beauty products.

1. Freeze 24-7 Coconut Gel Face Masks - Freeze 24-7 just introduced this new collection of coconut gel face masks for three common skincare concerns. Made from all-natural fermented coconut juice which contains Vitamins B and C with natural soothing and hydrating properties, these masks deliver intense skincare treatments in just 20 minutes. Choose from the Anti-Gravity Lifting, Radiance Brightening or Intense Hydrating Face Masks. I like the Radiance Brightening Mask; it brightened my skin. I highly recommend the Intense Hydrating Face Mask too. This mask is perfect for dehydrated summer skin. My skin felt rebalanced and back to its normal hydrated state after just 20 minutes. $60 per box at freeze247.com, Bloomingdales or Dillards. 

2.  Suave Professionals Coconut Oil Infusion Damage Repair Oil Treatment - I use this lightweight oil before blow drying to seal my cuticle which eliminates frizz, tames flyaways, and adds in a ton of shine. $6.99 at drugstores and mass retailers.

3. Fake Bake Flawless Coconut Tanning Serum - This is a self-tanning serum that self-tans the skin (beautifully, I should add) but uses great skin care ingredients too in its serum base to nourish skin at the same time. With thins like hyaluronic acid, coconut oil and more, skin looks better as your skin gets it golden glow on. $31 at Ulta and fakebake.com.

4. Mally Beauty 4K Ultra HD Fantasy Foundation - This new powder foundation is super lightweight and wears beautifully on the skin. This foundation preps and primes the skin in one single step. It's packed with coated powder pigments that fill in fine lines as it deflects light to create a beautiful soft-focus finish that looks beautifully natural and radiant - never overdone. It's enriched with conditioning coconut oil to keep skin hydrated. $33 at QVC.

5. OGX Beauty Quenching + Coconut Curls Curling Hair Butter - I am loving this deep conditioning hair butter that is not only great for quenching curls, it great for hydrating dry, parched hair. You can leave it in or rinse it, which I do, after letting my hair soak in its riches for about 10 minutes. $7.99 at Ulta.

6. Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Body Butter - This is a rich body butter infused with both almond and coconut to hydrate and soothe summer skin. I love using this after a long day in the sun. $35 at Sephora.

7. Suave Professionals Coconut Milk Infusion Deep Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner - This system cleanses and hydrates the hair using coconut milk without weighing it down. I love the scent AND the price! $3.99 each at your favorite drugstore or mass retailer.

8. Farmacy Hydrating Coconut Gel Mask - This gel mask is made with a host of brightening ingredients including some powerful acids to help fade sun damage. In addition to the brightening ingredients is coconut gel for its hydrating properties which is so soothing and hydrating, especially in the summer. I find it very nice to use on my skin after a long hot day at the beach. $24 at Sephora. 

9. Marc Jacobs Beauty Under(cover) Perfecting Coconut Face Primer - This makeup extending primer feels immediately refreshing on the skin as it's made with five types of coconut to nourish and hydrate the skin. I just love the way my skin feels after I put it on and my makeup goes on flawlessly. $44 at Sephora. 

10. Lavanila Vanilla Coconut Fragrance - This sweet summer fragrance is a blend of young, creamy coconut and warm Madagascar vanilla making you instantly think of the beach. I love that it is soft and warm at the same time. $58 at Sephora. 

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A press sample of the products featured have been provided for editorial consideration. All opinions are my own. Affiliate links have been used in the post. Please see disclosure policy for complete information.