Birchbox: Beauty Samples at Your Door

Sure, we may live in a digital world, but I still love receiving good, old-fashioned snail mail. Peeking into the mailbox and seeing a People mag or wedding invitation inside is a lovely little pick-me-up at the end of the day. But the most exciting day of the month is when my monthly Birchbox arrives!

Makeup in my mailbox!! Yeehaw!

Have you ladies heard of this fantastic company? For $10 a month, Birchbox sends it’s members 4-5 beauty samples from luxury brands. Mascara, shampoo, perfume, nail polish, lip balm, the list goes on. Every month it’s a different mix of samples. And every month, I squeal like a little girl when I open the package.

You can fill out a beauty profile online to specify what products you like and work well for your skin/hair. Birchbox assembles your samples and ships them out in a cute, hot pink box. It’s an easy way to try new and different brands (you can buy full-size products on their web site). And if you’re cheap like me, it’s easy to stretch out the lifespan of a sample. I’m still using my Blinc tube mascara from October’s box!

Two huge thumbs up to Birchbox. Hint: this would make an awesome present for a friend! Subscriptions are available in 3, 6 and 12-month plans. Click to sign up!

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Ballerina Bun: Trend to Try?

To bun or not to bun… THAT is the question on my mind these days. Celebs and fellow fashion bloggers have been seen sporting the top knot trend a lot lately. Ballerinas everywhere!

These ladies look effortlessly chic, but I can’t help but wonder: is wearing your hair on the tippy top of your head a hairstyle the average gal should try? Can I pull it off or will I look like an 8-year-old girl headed to ballet class?

Welp, I went on a mission to find out (always here to serve you, my lovely ladies!). What do you think?

(The kitten is still undecided on the ballerina bun…)

I’m a big fan of any hairdo that relies on dirty hair and I was pleased to find that the ballerina bun fits in that category perfectly. Plus, it was easy to create (high ponytail + bun + hairspray!). I added a headband to pull it together and hide my fly aways :) That said, it’s def a departure from my normal low ponytail ‘do.

So I want to know what you guys think?

(Bun collage images all from Pinterest: High bun and bangs; Backwards top knot; Bun and fur; Top knot & lipstick; Headband and a bun; Top knot and sunnies)

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Speed Up Your Morning Beauty Routine

Reader Question: I’m on my second straight month of 80-90 hour work weeks and my styling routine has gone straight down the gutter. I don’t have time to pick an outfit, shower, put on makeup, and style my hair before I have to run out the door. Do you have any tips for saving time and energy in the morning while still looking professional at an office that requires business attire?

Style Me Thrifty: Oh the life of a high-powered female attorney. I’m guessing when your boss first warned you about these infamous 90-hour work weeks, you eagerly nodded your pony-tailed head and said, “No problem! I don’t mind!“

And then you swore under your breath.

And called your mom for sympathy.

Chin up, my little Ally McBeal. You are a smart, driven, career woman. If you have to work a hellish 13-hour day, you might as well look polished while doing it! Here are some ideas for a faster a.m. routine.

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Hair
Shower at night. It’s a relaxing way to end a long day and it will save you styling time in the morning. But make sure you get to know your hair. Whenever I go to bed with soaking wet hair, it dries all kinky and I look like a crazy lion when I wake up. So I either blow dry it after my shower OR put my damp hair in a bun on top of my head and take it out in the morning. Then I just work in some curing cream, pull it back into a low pony, and hairspray it so it doesn’t frizz. Love this gal’s slightly undone pony:

But don’t wear a ponytail everyday! Keep things interesting and try a loose half-up style every once and awhile. Twist, pin, and go.

Clothing
Take a weekend and organize your closet by outfits. Do you have a few tank tops that all look good with a black cardigan or blazer? Then group them all in one section. Sandwiching similar items together will make choosing an outfit in the morning a quicker and easier process. And use your nightly shower to brainstorm tomorrow’s outfit. Morning clothing crisis averted!

Makeup
I’m a big believer that I don’t need to put on my entire face just for my coworkers. Sorry guys, but it’s time consuming and a waste of my makeup! Try to cut your routine in half and just spend time on your fav features. As a gal with blonde eyelashes, I always put on mascara. Or maybe you’re a blush girl, like Kristen Bell. Mascara, blush, and lipgloss are 3 beauty products that will quickly brighten you up and help hide the sleep deprivation.

Accessories
When all else fails, accessorize. Adding colorful bangles to a basic work outfit will instantly add some glam. Plus, they take no time to put on and can be super cheap, like these Forever 21 bangles for $6.80!

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You might also like: Look Polished at Work >>

Happy Half Birthday to Style Me Thrifty!

I looked at the calendar today and realized, whoa, it’s already September. That means Style Me Thrifty has been part of the blogging world for exactly 6 months. When did that happen? They grow up so fast!

Cheers to half a year of blogging!

It’s been an awesome blur of late-night writing, wacky blog post brainstorming sessions, handing out hot pink business cards and receiving wonderful feedback from my readers (thank you!).

In honor of this mini-milestone, I’d like to share SMT’s 6 most popular posts from the past 6 months, in case you’ve missed any.

Please post/email/Facebook me your style questions!

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Top 6 Posts from the Past 6 Months:

1. Introducing… the Spin Pin! – I should have bought stock in Goody’s Spin Pin. This product is awesome and you girls clearly thought so, too, making this my #1 most visited post! Since writing this, I’ve discovered Mini Spin Pins, so be sure to check those out if you have finer hair.
   
2. What to Wear to a Spring (or Summer) Wedding – One of the best parts about blogging is seeing my friends wearing something that I recommended. Check out Amy below, in that adorable BCBGeneration ruffled dress that I suggested in this post. Flawless, Amy!
3. Nail Stickers?! – The lady at Quiznos asked me about my nail stickers the other day. These things sure turn heads! Have you all tried them yet? I went with the “Check it Out” pattern this past weekend for my trip to Nashville. So fun! (but I’m finding that they grow out within 6 days or so).
4. Top 10 Tips for Looking Fab at a Bridal Shower – Styling my sister for her own bridal shower was the catalyst for starting this blog. This was one of my first posts so I have a soft spot in my heart for it. (And for my adorable sis and mom!)
   
5. DIY Wedding Signs – I’ve gotten a TON of visitors via keyword searches for “wedding signs.” I can tell this is a popular decoration at weddings right now!
   
6. Reader Poll: Thoughts on Backless Shirts? – 47% of you voted in the poll and said backless shirts, like Bachelorette Ashley’s, are super cute and you’d totally bring sexy back. Rock it, girls!
   

Surviving Sweaty Summer Weather

I don’t sweat, I glisten. That has always been my girly philosophy…

And then July happened.

Washington, DC has been a blazing hot oven this summer and on top of the heat, I can’t seem to escape the humidity that has come with it. I feel like I’m living in someone’s sweaty armpit!

So how is a girl supposed to beat the heat and look good while doing it? Here are Style Me Thrifty’s secrets for surviving this super sweaty summer.

Pack Your Purse with Oil Blotters
My good friend, Susanna, got married last month on hottest day of the year — it was an insane 104 degrees, gah! I kept a packet of oil blotting papers in my purse (reviewed here) and they were a life saver for soaking up the shine – which is a must if you’re taking photos. My boyfriend’s clever trick for survival was to put a handkerchief in every single pocket (no joke, he bought 13), so consider getting your man a few.

Embrace your Natural Hair
Summer is the perfect time to embrace what your momma gave you and go au natural. Humidity is your hair do’s worst enemy, so save yourself the headache of trying to tame your mane and wear your hair natural. Don’t fight humidity. Let your curls go wild or pin back limp bangs so they’re off your sweaty face.

And Keep a Ponytail Holder Handy
If you wear your hair down on a hot and humid day, it’s a nice sense of security to have a ponytail holder “on call” in case things start to fro, frizz, or otherwise rebel.

Wear a Color and Fabric that Will Conceal Sweat
This one may seem counter intuitive — black in the summer time? — but a dark color will hide any back or armpit sweat. And go with a cotton fabric so it has a better chance to breathe. Silk is the worst choice you could make! I’m mortified by the photo below, but I’m sharing it because it proves my point exactly. Black would never have shown that sweat ring after a long night of dancing! Ick.

Switch to a Non-Leather Purse
This is an odd little pet peeve of mine but I have to share: I hate standing in a crowded bar or overheated Metro with a leather purse making my side all sweaty. Stay cool and choose a fabric wrislet or straw clutch instead.

Keep Your Makeup Light
If you start to glisten, or sweat, you may feel like compensating by putting more makeup on to hide everything. Don’t do it! Keep your foundation and eye make up light so that it won’t run.