Top 10 Beauty Products Worth The Hype

In the beauty world there seem to be endless products that are hyped up, and a lot of the time it's difficult to decide whether or not their worth the purchase, or if it's all just smoke and mirrors. Here are my Top 10 picks for the beauty products that are most definitely worth the hype.

1. Beauty Blender

When I first heard about this I thought it was completely absurd to spend $20 on a sponge, but of course I had to, especially since it won the Allure Beauty Award for 2013. Let's just say it changed my life - yes, a sponge changed my life. It gives your liquid foundation and concealer the most gorgeous airbrushed finish. I would highly recommend it to anyone, regardless of if you have tons of brushes you love. Well worth every penny.

2. Benefit "They're Real!" Mascara
If my entire mascara collection disappeared and I had to choose only one to still be there, it would be this guy. Mascara is something I usually recommend saving money on and going drugstore vs. high end, but when it comes to the Benefit "They're Real" there is nothing that even compares. If you love the look of falsies without the actual falsies, this is the perfect mascara for you. It definitely isn't a volumizing mascara, so if that's the look you go for this might be something you don't like, but it lengthens and separates lashes like a champ, and because of that, it will forever have my heart.

3. MAC Eye Shadows
In general all MAC products seem to be pretty hyped up, but I think their shadows in particular. For $15 an individual eye shadow and $10 for one in the pan, its not like they're cheap. That being said, you are absolutely paying for a quality product. They are all so creamy and blendable, their pigmentation is amazing, and their color selection is like no other. I have no bad things to say about them whatsoever, and if you're just starting to build a makeup collection, don't feel like you need every color, just get a few you can really get good use out of.

4. Clarisonic Mia 2
I've been raving about this for months, and I will not stop. The Clarisonic has completely changed my skin, and I could never go back to living without it. If you have problematic skin, you've most likely spent twice as much as you would on the Clarisonic on other products that don't work. Invest in it, and see for yourself, your skin will never be the same.

5. Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette
The "Naked" palettes have some what of a cult following in the land of beauty, and it's for a good reason. Out of all the eye shadows that I've tried, Urban decay has some of the best. They pigmentation is out of this world, and they always give you such great color selection in all of their pallets. If I was to only have one eye shadow palette in my collection, I think it would be this one. The bronze hued nudes work so amazing with my skin tone, and I think they would for everyone. Treat yourself.

6. NARS Blush - Orgasm
This blush gives me life. I constantly find myself reaching for it over any other blush I own. It's perfect for summer and gives your skin the most amazing sun kissed glow. It has such a beautiful bronze shimmer, but nothing too aggressive that you couldn't use it on an everyday basis. It's more of a peachy-toned pink as apposed to a baby doll pink, so if you're on the super fair side, this might not be for you.

7. 'It's a 10" Miracle Leave in Spray plus Keratin
As soon as I realized I had spent $40 on this, I felt like a terrible person. But after just one use, I knew it was worth it. Drugstore haircare products are usually not the best, and it's hard if you have color treated hair to find something that isn't going to strip your hair dry. This product is AMAZING. Everyone needs it, regardless of what type of hair you have, you will notice how wonderful your hair feels after. It feels like I've repaired years of damage in a few weeks.

8. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
This is, in my opinion, the best foundation around. It's definitely not a bargain, but if you have a special occasion to go to, or you want to feel pampered, look no further. First of all, the line has a whopping 24 colors, which for a foundation, is amazing. It gives your skin such a beautiful luminous and dewy finish, it is to die for. Of course, if you're a matte foundation kind of a girl, this probably isn't for you. The coverage is medium, but buildable, so if you want to add some more to problem areas, you can, and it won't look cakey.

9. Batiste dry shampoo - Dark & Deep brown
Do I even need to say anything about this? If you know me, you know this stuff is like air to me, I can't live without it. I use it almost everyday, even on clean hair, and could never use another dry shampoo. The hint of color is amazing, and doesn't leave me with that awkward white cast in my brown hair. Seriously, you need this right now.

10. Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat
Nail polish is one of those things I think we forget about and kind of neglect, especially top coats. I've used hundreds of different top coats, and I wasn't really on the hunt for one that was amazing, but I found this and OMG. This is like magic in a bottle. It makes your polish dry so fast and leaves your nails shiny for so long. And I know what your thinking, 'Dahlia, are you insane? I am not spending $10 on clear nail polish,' and I get that, but really, once you go Seche Vite, you will not go back.

App of the week | Pact

This seems like a super random post, and it kind of is, but I thought it would be cool to share this with everyone. I recently heard about the 'Pact' app from a friend and decided I would give it a try. The idea is that you "get paid for living healthy, by members who don't." It asks you make a 'pact' with yourself about one or all of three things; going to the gym, keeping a food log, and eating fruits and veggies. You commit to a certain number of days you're going to go to the gym each week, a certain number of fruits and veggies you're going to eat each week, and how many days you will log all of your meals. The whole point is that you get paid a couple of dollars every time you complete your 'pact.' The catch is that when you miss a day, they charge you either $5 or $10 depending on which you choose. To make sure you aren't cheating the app tracks your location to make sure you really go to the gym AND you need to be there for at least 30 minutes for it to count. You also have to take pictures of your fruits and veggies and other people who use the app vote on whether or not they should count.

I've been making a huge effort to get in shape and start eating healthy so this app was right up my alley. I don't know about you, but I'm definitely not interested in paying $5 for missing either of the 3 things, so it's great motivation to keep myself on track. Even if you aren't wanting to be extreme and live a super healthy lifestyle, this app is perfect for you too. If you want to start out eating one fruit/veggie a week, or going to the gym once a week, you can do that too. It pays you to do the things you'd normally be doing anyways (or at least that you should be).   

My Shopping Philosophy | Being a Fashionista on a Budget

When it comes to shopping it can be difficult to decide how to spend your money most efficiently. Especially walking into any big department store, the choices can be overwhelming. I've gotten asked a lot, what my 'shopping philosophy' is, and that's what I'm going to share with you today. My motto is, 'I don't mind spending money, I mind wasting it,' and trust me, there is a difference. There are certain items worth the splurge, and some that aren't, but figuring out which is which can be tough. It's crucial to realize that you don't need to sacrifice quality or style to save a few dollars. 

Breaking it Down

If you're anything like me, it can be hard to control yourself when shopping, especially when you feel like you need everything. Realizing that there is nothing wrong with treating yourself will help in the process. If you've been coveting an item, and you've thought about it for a while, don't feel guilty spending money on it. That being said, make sure it's worth it. A few questions I ask myself before any big ticket purchases are; Will I have this forever? Will I love this forever? Can I get something of the same quality for cheaper?  The number one thing I stick to, is not letting myself pay for a name on a label. Of course designer brands are wonderful, but when it comes to certain items their quality is no better than their non-designer counterparts. We no longer live in a world where quality is unattainable on a budget. I decided to separate the things I believe you should splurge on and things you should save on into two lists.

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Splurge

• Jeans - Good quality denim will save you money in the long run, because it more often than not lasts longer. Get yourself 1 or 2 good pairs of jeans instead of 4 inexpensive pairs. Remember; quality, not quantity in this case.
• Shoes - This could go either way, there are certain shoes you don't need to splurge on (sandals, sneakers, heels) but I think it's important to have one really good pair of boots if you live up North like I do. Cold months make up most of the year, and by investing in a pair that are good quality, you won't need to replace them every season.
• Skincare - There are some skincare items you definitely don't need to drop big bucks on; toner, exfoliant, or masks, but I think investing in a good moisturizer is essential. Skin isn't like hair, you can't just cut it off when it gets damaged. And because of that, it's extra important to take good care of it from a young age. Moisturizing can make the world of a difference in giving your skin a youthful and healthy glow. I live and die by the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+.
• Handbags - I was torn between whether or not to put this in the splurge or save category, but it ended up being a splurge. I don't think its necessary to have 10 designer handbags, but I do think there is something to be said for having one classic designer piece that you'll have for a lifetime. For trendy seasonal bags, save your money and shop at places like Forever21 or Asos, but treat yourself to a good timeless piece, in a style and color you know you can get use out of regularly.

Save

• Basic Tees - I don't think there is absolutely any reason to spend $50 on a white t-shirt, regardless of if you're on a budget or not. Basics like v-necks and long sleeved shirts get worn out so easily, don't feel bad about replacing them every year. Place like Gap and Old Navy are my go-to stores for these essentials because they are both affordable and good quality.
• Makeup - Drugstores are filled with amazing products, and the selection isn't what it was 5 years ago. There are tons great quality items for reasonable prices. Of course you can still buy brand name products from places like Sephora, but don't feel like you need to live beyond your means and restrict yourself to only high-end products. In my opinion, Ulta gives girls on a budget the best selection, combining drugstore and high-end under one roof.
• Shorts - This may seem random, but because it is summer, and distressed jean shorts are super in, I thought I should add this one to the list. Save your money on these, and make them yourself. Go to a thrift store or second hand store, or even use a pair of old jeans you just aren't into anymore and cut and distress them yourself. It's a lot easier than it looks, and a lot cheaper then spending hundreds of dollars on a trendy seasonal item. I'll be putting up an entire DIY post on making your own shorts soon, so if you're interested keep an eye out!
• Workout Gear - Now, don't get me wrong, I love Lululemon just as much as the next girl, but spending $98 on a pair of cropped workout pants isn't realistic for everyone. And for those of you who still want to look cute while getting your sweat on, there are plenty of affordable brands out there that will let you do just that. Kate Hudson's line, Fabletics, offers style and quality without burring a whole in your wallet. Athleta is another good option for those of you looking to save money without sacrificing style. 

Ultimately, where you splurge and where you save is completely up to you, there really isn't a 'right' or 'wrong.' If you can afford to buy high-end products all around that's great, and if you can't that's fine too. Either way, don't feel bad. There is quality and style available for anyone on any budget. Remember, it's what makes you comfortable that's most important. What are your 'splurge' and 'save' items? 
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Father's Day Gift Guide 2014

Welcome back everyone! If things look a little different on my blog, it's because they are. I decided to completely change the layout and really dedicate time to making it exactly how I want it to look. Hopefully you all like it! with Father's day quickly approaching I wanted to share my gift guide with you for all the dads in your life.

1. Mustache & Bowtie DAD card, $6.95  2. Arthur George CAMO Socks, $30.00 3. The Art of Shaving Lexington Collection Set, $405 4. C Wonder Enamel DAD Cufflink, $44  5. PLAY Comme Des Garçons® For Converse® High-Top Sneakers, $105 6. ASOS Canvas and Leather Satchel, $76.22 7. Jan Kjobenhavn Timeless Sunglasses, $145 8. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme, $62 9. Buff & Shine Shoe Polish Kit, $25.95 10. Tie Bar 'Ze Moustache' Skinny Tie, $15