how many swipes?

While browsing Birchbox this morning, I was immediately intrigued by THIS article. I mean... anyone who knows me knows I love my lipstick! People always say "Aw, just like your mom...", so maybe thats it? But really, I just love lipstick...

Anyway, back to the article, I never really thought about how many swipes are actually in a tube of lipstick. Luckily, there's the Birchbox team to help us answer that...

My guess was way off with an outrageous 600. According to them, it's actually 293, lasting about 3 months if you apply three times a day per day. Luckily, I switch off between colors so often that a tube lasts me well over a year. 

What would you have guessed?

trend report spring 2013: match your pedi

Anyone else spend WAY too much time deciding what color to paint your nails? Anyone, anyone? I might be alone in this but I decided to make my life a lot easier: just match my toes to my wedges!

All of the above polishes are by Essie, one of my favorite polish brands. 

Aruba Blue is paired with Juicy wedges

Nothing Else Metals is paired with  Charlotte Russe wedges

Peach Daiquiri is paired with Alice + Olivia wedges

Fear of Desire is paired with Dolce Vita Tremor wedges

Bahama Mama is paired with Chloe wedges

date hair

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Joanna from A Cup Of Jo posted this amazing tutorial. Is this not perfect date hair? So adorable. 

would you.... at home ombre?

It looks like L'Oreal is the first company trying to revamp the ombre trend. For those of you living under a rock, ombre is a technique used to give your hair a dark-to-light effect. Basically, it's a trendy (and lazy...yeah, I said it) excuse for allowing visible roots to be a thing.

I had the impression that ombre was going to be slowly on it's way out the door but L'Oreal came in to shake things up a bit. In February of this year (next month, obviously), they are releasing an at-home dye kit. Personally, I'm scared for the general population. Most people resort to at-home dyes because it's cheap and convenient, but at-home ombre spells out disaster to me. Maybe it's super easy to use and the results turn out fantastic. If so, bravo L'Oreal!

So my question is.... would you use an at-home ombre hair color kit? Tell me below in the comments.

Fall Makeup Trends

Fall Makeup Trends by stellacharlie featuring stila eyeshadow

simple

simple by stellacharlie featuring a waterproof eyeliner

sultry

sultry by stellacharlie featuring stila

Makeup How-to: Bold

dress: anthropology

Sometimes people find it challenging to dress up a nude outfit, whether it's a dress or not. Is it because people are afraid that bold jewelry will look too costume-y? Either way, whenever I'm wearing something nude and I don't feel like piling on a bunch of accessories, I let my makeup do all of the work. My go-to is a bright lip but sometimes just a classic smokey eye, or colored shadow can do the trick. I let this be my chance to play around with some colors I may not have used before, or wear very rarely. Have fun with your makeup. As long as you wear it with confidence, anything goes :)

Spring Fashion with Threadsence

Leave it to Threadsence to make me wish I had endless amount of money. Spring time means colors, prints, and bare legs. Change things up this year: instead of denim shorts, play up your girly side with scalloped lace shorts. Instead of a short bandage skirt, rock an asymmetrical skirt, that's just as sexy and shows just enough leg. Don't be afraid to mix prints and colors. Fashion is all about experimenting! 

chiffon top, $38

lace shorts, $33

wedges, $44

high-wasited asymmetrical skirt, $36

statement necklace, $24

Work Wear + Apologies

Life has been pretty crazy for me lately. I started a new full-time job two weeks ago (that I LOVE) which has taken up a lot of my time. When I'm not working I'm sleeping or with Alvi which leaves little to no time for blogging. (A blessing and a curse) The other thing is, even if there was time I'm computer-less! My laptop has been around for quite some time and has decided he/she no longer wants anything to do with me. It started with keys falling off and not going back on no matter how hard I try, then the CD Rom Drive (is that it's name?) decided to quit working, and now I get just a black screen. Our (my laptop and I) last moment together is slightly funny, though. I was trying to show Alvi a video of old grandma and grandpa's trying to use computers. They were HILARIOUS. I, of course, thought they were a lot funnier than Alvi did, but that's besides the point. Anyways, right as the video was getting good my screen went black and after several attempts of fixing it, it has made no progress. So, I gave up.

Well, that whole ramble was basically to say that I'm sorry for my absence! I'm visiting the bearded-guy in Mankato this weekend so I'm finally getting a chance to use a computer and write these posts! Yay, technology!

It's been fun dressing all business casual for work. I've been finding ways to work my personality into my outfits, whether it's statement jewelry or a fun hairstyle. How do you find ways to stay out of the work-wear blues?

Nautical Nails

What do you think of these nautical-inspired nails via The Beauty Department? 

How To Make a Lipstick Palette

When I came across this by Crafty Mood forever ago while stumbling on Stumble Upon, I just about died. I'm a lipstick fanatic and I have so many tubes of lipstick that are either worn down, without covers, or simply have seen better days. This is a creative way to puts all of those shades into one palette. Go check out her original post for a tutorial on how to make one. Perfect for yourself, even better as a gift. 

Day 6: The Perfect Makeup

 Valentine's Day means that winter is soon coming to an end and spring is just around the corner. Unfortunately, those of us in the midwest are painfully pale. So pale, most of us avoid mirrors and cameras. One thing I love to do with my makeup is magically fake a summertime glow. The way I achieve this is by using makeup that has a hint of shimmer - just a hint though, don't want to look like a 13 year old girl who just discovered makeup and glitter. Also, I focus most of my time and energy on my CHEEKS.

1. I start off with a face primer. I cover my entire face with this.

2. Use this Liquid foundation with a foundation brush for a flawless finish. 

3. If you like a lot of color on my cheeks, swipe this NARS blush on the apples of your cheeks.

4. Big Lash make your eyes pop

5. I use this Shimmer Facial Whip on my cheeks. I start at the apples and swoop in an upward motion towards my temples. I use a foundation brush, because it has that texture. 

6. This Tarte eyeliner gives you that perfect smoldering look. For something new and unexpected? Use this eyeliner in "Navy" instead of traditional "Black".

7. I use this Golden Bronzer which mixes the perfect combination of colors and shimmer. It finishes off my look giving me a perfect glow. I make a "T" down my face with this bronzer and make one quick swipe on my cheeks. 

8. MAC's eyeshadow in taupe is a great color on all skin tones. 

More Makeup Inspiration:
Red Carpet Makeup & Hair by Lauren Conrad
Drew Barrymore's Glowy Eyes
The Perfect Cateye
Evening Makeup Ideas
Color Combos For Your Eyes
Fabulous Evening Makeup

Day 4: Perfect Hairdo

source: imgfave.com

When it comes to hair- I usually go for my usual curls or loose waves. I'm so boring! I feel as if the only time I do something fun or different with my hair is for special occasions (or if my mom is willing to help me out). To get into the mood for Valentine's Day, I feel like there is nothing more perfect than some romantic up-dos. Side ponys, revamped braids, loose buns, etc. Here are some example of adorable hairstyles:

 both pictures (and more fantastic examples) can be found here

More Hair-spiration:

8 Hair Trends for Fall/Winter 2011

Hairstyles That Don't Require Heat

Creative Ways to Wear Ponytails

Hair Romance
Curly Nikki
Hairdresser on Fire

Elizabeth Olson Makeup

Line & Labelholics Anonymous  recently posted this fantastic picture of Mary Kate and Ashley's little sister, Elizabeth. I don't know too many girls that aren't in love with the Olson daughters and it's nice to see that the littlest one gets some love too. How could she not with a gorgeous face like that? Those girls have some damn good genes. I'm loving her natural look here. The makeup is beautiful and fresh... and very simple!

1: Christian Dior "DiorShow New Look Mascara"

$28.50, www.sephora.com

2: Fresh "Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment"

$25, www.sephora.com

3: Clinique "Colour Surge Eye Shadow Trio "Come Heather"

$22.50, www.clinique.com

4: Clinique "Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion"

$13, www.bloomingdales.com

5: Tarte Cheek Stain "True Love"

$30, http://tartecosmetics.com

original post: here

Ombre Hair Trend

Who has been loving the two-tone hair trend lately? I know I have! It's a fun take on highlights to me. I would never go completely blonde but sometimes it's nice to have those face-framing pieces of hair to have a nice glow. So cute in the summer when you have bronzed skin and refreshing in the winter when you need something to pick you up out of your hair blues. There are a lot of different interpretations of this trend. I like the blonde to be somewhat subtle to help from looking trashy. What about you? Would you rock this trend?

check out a small sample of my two tone here

Turquoise

One of my color combos when it comes to jewelry (and pretty much every thing else) would easily be turquoise and gold. It's so gorgeous together and can be paired with so many other colors.

turq by stellacharlie featuring an enamel bangle

Love Affair with Lipstick

Lipstick has changed my life. I know it sounds silly that something so small and insignificant could make me so happy. I have always been into beauty and fashion. It was hard not to when I had such a hip and stylish Mom! But, it wasn't until college that I dipped my foot into the lipstick pond. I decided one day to finally try on some red lipstick that I had lying around my caboodle (haha, remember those? I still had one at the time). AND OH MY GOD, I was forever changed. I felt so confident and sexy. It was as if I could be wearing a burlap sack and only lipstick and still look fabulous. From then on, I've been in a committed relationship with lipstick.

I've had so many girls compliment me about my lipstick and it always ends with "I wish I could pull it off." I say the same response to every one which is: "YOU CAN!" All it takes is a little confidence and a smile. Oh, and a lip brush and steady hand don't hurt, either. Most girls slap it on their lips, giving them that "just made out" look or sometimes what I like to call the "Kool-aid mustache" which is so not sexy. I use a lip brush, this one to be exact. It was only $1 and works fantastic. I use it to perfect the edges, make straight lines and to be sure that the color doesn't bleed. If necessary, practice the application so you can perfect it when you're ready to rock it.

source unknown

winter nails

You'll soon realize that I'm obsessed with nail polish, especially OPI. It's an addiction. During the winter months, I always find myself going for the same shades of polish. Below are some options.

winter nails by stellacharlie on polyvore.com