DIY: Cheap & Easy Spring Trend Jewelry

Hey, everyone!
Emilyann here, and I'm very excited about the post I have for you all today.  I'm not usually one to follow trends religiously, but there is one trend that caught my eye this season, and that is the neon trend.  Literally everything on the store shelves is neon, and I couldn't be more happy!  One of my favorite fashion eras is the late eighties.  While the nineties influence my style much more, the eighties has that creative pop of color and texture that adds something to any girly outfit.  Neon is a product of the eighties, and I'm happy it's coming back.

Good jewelry can be pretty expensive, and it goes in and out of style faster than you can say Tiffany's.  While most of us succumb to the settlement of Forever21 jewelry and Claire's, I would argue there is a better alternative.  If you've read my posts before, you know I am a huge fan of thrift stores.  I buy in bulk.  It's inexpensive and often extremely rewarding.  I plan on doing a post with some of my best thrifting finds.  Let me know if you're interested in that post.

A lot of the time, the jewelry at thrift stores can be old lady-ish and boring.  But my number one tip for thrifting is to keep an open mind.  Everything has potential.  Including the old lady jewelry at Goodwill.  I went to my favorite thrift store in the town I'm in and got a couple pairs of really big, obnoxious earrings.  Most people would think I was totally crazy.  But my mom gave me a great idea.  In the eighties, she used to buy the one "in" pair of earrings, in white, and then paint them with nail polish to incorporate them into any outfit.  My immediate thought was "neon".

All you'll need for this DIY is:

• Plastic or similarly textured jewelry
• Neon or brightly colored nailpolish
• A paper towel
• Ear piercing cleaner or rubbing alcohol

Firstly, if you bought the earrings from a thriftstore, you need to soak the earrings in some kind of cleaner.  I use the ear cleaner that I got from Claire's when I got my cartilage pierced.  You can also use rubbing alcohol. Once you've thoroughly cleaned the earrings, and the other jewelry, take part of the earring that goes through your ear and hold it up, now you have a good hold for painting it.  Take a neon colored nailpolish, I chose 24/7 by Sinful Colors.  This color is both neon and dries matte.  Make sure to paint in one direction. If it's zigzagged it will look messy. Don't forget to cover the sides.  Once you've painted in one direction, let it dry.  Then paint against the grain. If you painted across, now paint up & down. This will give full coverage and color to the earring.  Let them dry.

If you are using an earring that has a previous color, never fear.  I took this pair of yellow triangle earrings and painted on a base of a light, cool green color by Forever 21.  It's nearly white, so it cancels out the yellow and provides a clean base for the green. If you don't have a color like this, white should work fine.  After letting it dry, go ahead and apply an actual green.  I chose Sally Hansen's Green With Envy.  With this pair of earrings, I decided to use another spring trend- animal print.  I took a paper towel and rolled the earring, still wet, across the towel.  This gave it a snake skin like texture.  You can see the light green and even a bit of the yellow peeking through. I love it.

Do this to any jewelry you want neon and hop on into spring!  This DIY is great because it's incredibly simple, and it's nailpolish, so it comes off!  Just use a cotton ball and nail polish remover and you have your normal jewelry back.  Have a great spring, everyone!

xx,
Emilyann

Hair: Long and Healthy How-To

Hey, ladies, Emilyann here!

I'm tuning in for a familiar topic on our blog, how to get healthy hair.  I know a lot of you girls out there are growing out your hair.  It can be frustrating and you often become impatient, am I right?  I'm in the middle of growing out my hair right now, and lately, I have realized that yeah, it's great if my hair is long, but it's more important for my hair to be healthy.  So even if you're not growing your hair out, these tips will help you keep your hair healthy and hydrated.


In the shower....

via

As we approach summer, it's extremely important to not dry out your hair.  That's why it's vital to keep your hair hydrated. Even if you have oily hair, apply conditioner. Having greasy hair does not mean you should do everything you can to strip it of it's oil.  Like Caroline said in her last post about oily skin, the same goes for oily hair.  If you strip your hair of all of its nutrients, it will only produce more oil to replace it.  So instead of ignoring conditioner because you think it will add unwanted grease to your hair, only apply conditioner to the ends of your hair. I apply conditioner from my ends, up to about halfway to my head. This keeps all of the hair threatening to break off and split, healthy and hydrated.

Try a deep conditioner.  I love Aussie's three minute miracle. It keeps your hair silky and smooth like no other conditioner I've ever used before. Use this in the shower once a week, and it will heal your hair as well as keep it shiny and smooth.

Switch up shampoos. I literally always buy a different shampoo every time I go to the store to purchase a new one.  Using one shampoo over and over can dull your hair and leave it lifeless and unstimulated.  Keep your follicles guessing.  Every time you change up your routine, it has to adapt. It keeps the hair working and growing. What will also help you is switching up the function of the shampoo you're using.  If you're using one for body boost, next time you buy a shampoo, get one that hydrates your hair, and then the next time get one that enhances color, etc.  Keep it lively and your hair will respond.

via

Outside the shower...

Only brush your hair with a wide tooth comb or a boar bristle brush. When your hair is wet, use the comb, and when it is try, use the brush. The boar bristle brush will take all of the nutrients at your roots and disperse them thoughout your hair, whereas a regular brush will only break your ends.

Massage your scalp when you wake up everyday, and before you go to sleep.  This can both rejuvenate your hair and calm you down.  If your hair has been up in a ponytail all day, a nice scalp massage feels so good.  It gets your follicles working and your hair growing.

After every shower, apply a silk oil.  Start at your ends and work your way up to your roots.  This does wonders, I swear by it.  It is literally magic.  Plus it smells delish.  


Tone it down on the heat.  The farther you can go without straightening or curling your hair, (and don't forget blowdrying) the better. The more heat you use, the easier it is to kill the roots and break the ends.  I only use heat about one to two times a week.  Give your hair a break and go natural, put it in a messy braid, or curl it overnight with foam curlers.  All of these are great alternatives to using heat on your hair.  When you must use heat, USE. A. HEAT. PROTECTANT, and keep the temperature low.  I cannot stretch this enough. About two years ago I literally killed my hair's curls because I overlooked this step. Don't let it happen to you.

Don't dye your hair.  This will damage it like crazy.  If you must dye your hair, try a natural dye, like a henna hair dye, which is also a conditional and will actually boost your hair's shine and health.

via

Try different hair masks.  You don't even have to go any farther than your kitchen.  You can have a hot oil treatment with a cup of olive oil and a microwave, or an avocado and some egg whites.  The possibilities are endless, just Pinterest natural hair remedies and you're sure to come up with a ton.

Your hair will not grow faster if you trim it often.  This is a myth.  But cutting off your ends when they get too frayed and split, does keep your hair healthier and stronger.  Cut your hair when you feel like it.  It doesn't make it grow any faster.  I personally don't like to cut mine every three months, but do what suits you.

And then there are of course the staples, like drinking a ton of water, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep.  We all sort of take these rules as freebees, but if you make a pattern for yourself and stick to it, you will see results.

This has been a pretty long post, but for those of you trying to grow out your hair, it'll be worth it if you try all of these instructions. You will start to see a difference!

xx, 
Emilyann

Quick Announcement! Win Makeup!

Hey, everyone, Emilyann here!

As you may remember, last fall I entered a makeup competition and asked all of you ladies to vote for me.  I won second place thanks to all of you, as well as my amazing friends and family.  This year, the same company, 2nd Love Cosmetics, is doing another makeup competition, this time for Spring!  Since I entered last season, I won't be entering this time around, but I thought I should get the word out to all of you in case any of you are looking to enhance your makeup collection.

Ps Spot my picture up there? :D

The grand prize for this contest is makeup that has been estimated to be worth $140.  There is also a second prize estimated at $100 worth of makeup.  All you have to do to enter is send in your information here as well as a clear picture of your makeup look, and they'll take care of the rest until voting time.

You will be notified via their Facebook page when the pictures are up and running.  At this point, you need to get others to vote for your picture by "liking" it and sharing it with their friends.  At the end of the contest, the person with the most "likes" wins!  *If one of you ladies enter the competition, comment below and let us know, and we'll be sure to both vote for you, and place a notice in our blog that one of our readers is running, and the rest of you should go vote.*

The contest is now open and ready for registration!  Have at it girlies!

xx,
Emilyann

Because Spring Is Coming...

Winter's almost over (hopefully) but the trends are here to stay!  Perhaps we should put away the darker nail polish colors, and the tights and the blazers, but I'm not quite ready yet, and I doubt all of you are either!  Here are some ways to work winter's trends into your spring outfits.

The left is the winter outfit and the spring is the right in all pictures below.
Also, all outfits were created by me on Polyvore.

Trend #1 - Mixing Metals


This trend was pretty popular on the runway as well as in the real world.  Golds and silvers don't work together?  That's crazy!  They look spectacular together and I'm glad the fashion world finally acknowledged it.  String some bright colored shorts and ribborns around the look.  Make sure to balance out the heaviness of the jewelry with the lightness of the fabric.

Trend #2 - The Trenchcoat

By taking off the sleeves of the trench coats and adding some bright accessories, and giving it an overall more relaxed feel, you can easily take the trenchcoat trend into spring with you.

Trend #3 - Tights and Boots

Tights are almost always practical.  Just change to brightly colored tights to transition them into the spring time! Use boots to give a more earthy effect.

Winter is definitely my favorite fashion month, and I'm not ready to say goodbye to it quite yet, so I'm loving these transitions.  What is your favorite season fashion wise?

xx,
Emilyann

Must or Bust: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters

Hey, everyone, it's Emilyann tuning in again.

Today I have a review for you on a new product out in the drugstore makeup aisle.  I went to Ulta about a week ago and picked up a few things.  One of those things was one of the new Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters.  I've heard several beauty bloggers rave about these, so I decided to try it out myself.

What is your overall opinion?  I love this product.  It is not a lipstick, but it isn't a gloss or balm either.  The name says it all.  They have a very body-buttery texture.  I picked up the color 075 Lollipop which is a bright fuchsia color.  I don't go for bright makeup a lot of the time, but if I am going to go brighter, I almost always do it on my lips.  I thought at first this color would be too daring for me, but I took the chance.  Although it is a bit out of my comfort zone, I found it's actually really wearable.  You can wear it alone or with a shimmery gloss over.  I love it both ways.

How much have you worn/do you think you will wear this product? I've already worn it twice in the week that I've had it, so I have a feeling I'll be wearing it a lot, especially in the spring and summer as it is a summery color.

Is it practical? Yes, very.  It's longlasting and comfortable.  I love the look of lipstick, but I'm not a big fan of the hassle or the texture.  These lip butters feel like conditioners, but the color is pigmented and it has the look of a satin lipstick.

Is it expensive?  I think it's reasonably priced.  I got mine for $7.49 at Ulta, and while this might seem like a lot, higher end lipsticks usually range from 15-30 dollars.  I think here you are definitely paying for the product, and not the packaging or label, which is the case with a lot of higher end makeup.

Would you repurchase?  Definitely.  I'm already planning to go back soon to get more colors.

How is the packaging? Adorable and practical.  You can see the color both at the top and the bottom, making it ideal for upright lipstick holders. The top stays on and it's sturdy. Plus it's just super cute.

Are there things you dislike about the product? It isn't as longlasting as a lipstick, and needs to be reapplied halfway through the day.

Would you recommend this product? Yes!  Especially if you're like me where you want more pigment than a lip gloss, but you hate the texture of lipstick.  This is a great product, and I highly recommend it!

How many stars? I'd give this product four and a half stars. :)

What are some products you guys have been thinking about testing out?

xx,
Emilyann

Messy Braid Hair Tutorial

Hello, everyone!

You're getting two videos back to back!  I've been planning this tutorial for quite a while, but just didn't have the time to sit down and film/edit it for a while.  I hope you like it, I've been wearing it often.  It's cute, simple, and soo quick, you wouldn't believe.

There's two ways to approach this messy braid.  The actual MESSY version, and the kind of princess-y like variation as well.  Both are featured in this video, so there's a little variation for everyone.  :)

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas break.  I'm wearing my new present in this video, my Snitch necklace.  I'm in love.  Shout out to all of the fellow Harry Potter lovers who read our blog!  :)

Enjoy the video!





Support the band who wrote and preformed the music I featured in the video- "like" Saticoy on Facebook!

xx,
Emilyann

Transitioning Between Styles 101

All Images Via Pinterest

It's incredibly easy to become "stuck" in one style.  The idea of switching up your look can be a daunting thought.  We all have our reasons for not switching it up when we really want to.  Perhaps you're confused as to what style you "fit" in.  Perhaps you like a lot of things, and you don't really know what your niche is.  Maybe you feel the pressure of staying "you".  Maybe you're afraid of what people will say when they realize you're not wearing the same clothes as you used to.  These are all legitimate worries!  It's not simple to transition into a new style.  Here are some tips to make it a little bit easier.

1.  Don't feel like you have to label yourself.

When switching styles, it is common to feel like you have to switch your vocabulary as well as your wardrobe.  "I used to be preppy, now I'm boho." These terms are useless.  You are not a style, you are a human being with your own distinct sense of what you believe to be attractive or unattractive.  If you like plaid skirts AND maxi dress, that's okay.  You don't need to classify yourself and force yourself to stay there.  One of the most wonderful things about fashion is it's diversity.  Exploring and incorporating are key to finding things you like.  Chances are you won't like all of the things in your genre, and chances are you will like things outside of your genre.  The best way to avoid confusion in this area is to not sort yourself into a genre at all.  

2. Keep your "old style" clothes.

Your wardrobe is not a folder on your computer you can delete and create a new one in seconds.  Keep the clothing you own, because, well, you need clothing.  You'd also be surprised how often you can incorporate your previous style of clothing into your new style.  Accessories most importantly!  Jazzing up your old clothes is a great way to get more use out of them.  Your closet is like an artist's paint palette, there are different staples, or colors, and separately, they all look one dimensional.  But when you start to paint, or in this case pair your clothes together, the picture comes out much differently than the palette looks.

3.  Make the transition slowly.

Don't go from a sweats and a tshirt to an Audrey Hepburn look-a-like in one day.  This will both distract other people, and wear you thin.  If you're not used to dressing the way you desire for your new style, take it slowly.  Incorporate small changes into your clothing.  A great place to start is a hair cut, or new lipstick.  Small changes go a long way, in the end.  It will also attract less attention.  People's comments were something that really hindered me when changing my style.  Good or bad, I was worried about people's remarks.  If you make the transition slowly, people will barely notice.

4.  Stay inspired.

It's easy to fall into the slump of "I can't do this, I don't know anything about style or fashion".  Read up on your favorite fashion magazines.  Scroll through Pinterest.  Read your favorite fashion blogs.  You'll find it a lot easier to create outfits when you're constantly finding new ideas.

5.  Know what you do and don't like.

"It's just not me" is a perfectly acceptable answer.  Be able to distinguish your own personal preferences.  This goes back to number one,  don't force yourself to like a trend because "it's in my style".  For example, perhaps you really love the hipster style, but you think that those famous glasses look ridiculous.  Don't wear them.  Don't try to make yourself like them.  Don't classify yourself.  Just like something for the sake of your own personal opinion.

6.  Know what looks good on you.

Some trends just don't work for certain body types.  This isn't your fault.  Every body type is capable of looking good!  Don't be discouraged if you don't look like the manikin, because no one does.  For more information on what your body type is, and what you can wear, try out Caroline's Flattering Trends series.  She talks about what body type you are, and what will look good on you.  Be proactive and read up on your body type before shopping-  it saves from a lot of useless aggravation.

Finally,

7. Change for you.

Don't change your style to impress other people.  Stick with what you love.  Dressing to impress is frustrating.   The most important thing about fashion is remembering that everything you wear reflects who you are.  Style is an extension of yourself, as Kate so wonderfully put in her introduction post.  Not only does style reflect who you are, but what you stand for.  As a Christian young lady, it reflects your God.  That's why modesty and beauty are such important things in the life of a Christian.  Don't wear clothes that you feel pressured into wearing by the media, or by your friends.  Dress the way you feel, the way you think.  If you ask for people's input on your outfits, always take it with a grain of salt.  First, ask if it's modest.  If it's appealing, and yet still reflective of your character and of your God.  A mother, or best friend, or a sibling will always tell you the truth about this.  If you want someone's opinion on if they like it or not, brace yourself.  Don't feel like they have to agree with you, or you have to agree with them. It's okay to wear something that someone else doesn't particularly like the style of.  If you like it, and it is pleasing to your God, wear it.  Don't worry about the opinions of Hollywood or of other people.

So if you're thinking about making that change of style, do it!  Try it out.  Style is never set in stone.  You can wear something completely opposite tomorrow if you like.  Play around, make mistakes, experiment!  Have fun with your wardrobe, and wear what makes you feel lovely.

xx,
Emilyann

The quirky punk ballerina.

Hey!  Emilyann here.  It's been a while, but I'm back in the swing of things.  :)  The fall and winter months are definitely my favorite fashion seasons.  I adore the colors, the layering, the big cozy sweaters and tights with absolutely everything.  The boots, the scarves.  Although the snow is not a welcomed guest for me, I do get excited about getting dressed in the morning.  Here are some outfits I got inspired to put together.

The first is more for the fall months, as it isn't exactly "winter material" at least not for Eastern Iowa.  It's comfy and cozy and quirky.  I love it.

Shirt - American Eagle

Sweater Shawl - Thrifted

Shorts - Thrifted

Tights - Target

Shoes - American Eagle

Earrings - Thrifted

The second outfit reminds me of The Nutcracker Ballet. Wonder why.  ;)  I adore this outfit.  I would wear it every day if that were socially acceptable. ;) 

Shirt - TJ Maxx

Skirt - Forever 21

Tights - Target

Boots - Thrifted

Scarf - Target 

This outfit is a little more laid back.  The punk band-tshirt-with-cardigan look, Emilyann style, of course.

Shirt - Thrifted

Cardigan - Target

Jeans - TJ Maxx

Shoes - Converse

Socks - ?

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Emilyann

The Season of Tights and Headbands

As most of the other girls on The Dressing Room Door, I too am in love with the season autumn.  From the warm tones to the comfy sweaters and opaque tights, I am head over heels for fall.  Let me show you what I mean.

 I adore red.  It's most definitely my favorite color to wear.  Burgundy is even better. I've had this dress forever, and I just rediscovered it this morning while getting ready for church. Paired it with black tights, a belt, a crocheted headband, and boots that are who knows how old.  I love the dress' capped sleeves and almost turtleneck collar.

The shoes are my latest love.  They're vintage and absolutely amazing. They lace up through the ankles and have the witch-like pointed toe. I adore them. And if they weren't so uncomfortable I'd probably wear them with everything. Well. I'll probably end up wearing them with everything anyway.

They are very old, and the leather's cracked and the laces are frayed. But I think the vintageness makes me love them even more.

Dress - Thrifted? Or gift, I can't remember
Belt - Kohl's
Tights - Target
Headband - Crocheted by my mother
Shoes - Vintage, via Goodwill
Nail polish - Sally Hansen Diamond Strength in the color 90, Brilliant Bordeaux


That's it for today, lovelies.  I promise to have that last installment of Back to the Basics up in a few days. I've been drowning in papers and science experiments.  So here's an OOTD to make sure you don't think I've fallen off the face of the planet. ;)

What's your favorite fall color? :)

xx,
Emilyann

Back to the Basics Pt. 4 - The Foundation Routine

Ahhh, part four of BTB is indeed the dreaded foundation routine.  Are you ready for some heavy duty makeup knowledge?  Well, ready or not, here we go!

First let's start with the pre-foundation routine.  You should always wash your face before applying foundation, and make sure your sponges and brushes are sanitized and bacteria free.  The bacteria that sits on your face from lack of cleansing and from old, dirty brushes can cause acne and other gross stuff, so take this easy step to avoid a lot of other trouble.  Now the fun part. :)

What did I use?

• Moisturizer
• Foundation (shade 420)
• Concealer  (shade Creamy Natural)
• Powder (Shade Transparent)
• NYC Bronzer (Shade Sunny)
• Blush (Shade Santa Rose)

Although there aren't many absolutes when it comes to foundation, here are some things you do want to make sure you know.

1. If anything, using too little foundation is better than using too much.  Too much foundation will make you look old and fake, more like you've been iced by a cake decorator than you are merely evening out your skin tone.

2. Primers are good but they're not necessary. I only use primers on special occasions where I need my makeup to look really good for a really long time.

3.  Always blend. OVERblend.  And never forget to blend into your hairline and down your neck, otherwise you'll look like you're wearing a mask.

4.  Make sure you use the right color for your skin tone. Try swatching it on the back of your hand and blending. If it sticks out even a little, it's not your color. Don't settle for something that's sorta-kinda your color. If you need to go to a department store and ask someone to help.  They find people's colors everyday and will be able to show you around what tones/shades you should be searching.

Any questions?

PS; Contouring/ Blush-bronzer is up next. :)

Emilyann


*I'm pleased to announce that thanks to all you lovelies, I won second in the makeup competition, and will be announcing the giveaway winner in my next post!  Be on the look out for the winner!*

Possible Giveaway?

Hi, all!

I've entered a makeup competition hosted by 2nd Love Cosmetics on Facebook.  There are three great prizes, and three different winners.  Currently I am in third place.  The prize is a large supply of makeup, brushes, and travel cases.

Here's the deal.  If I win one of the three prizes, I plan on doing a giveaway here on the Dressing Room Door.  I'm not sure which articles I'm planning on giving away quite yet, but you guys will most definitely benefit if I indeed, do either stay at 3rd place, or even progress to 2nd or 1st.

So the good stuff-  how to enter this giveaway.

{Mandatory Entry}

Go and "like" 2nd Love Cosmetics on Facebook and then "like" my entry in the contest.  If you don't want useless likes on your page, you are more than welcome to "unlike" 2nd Love after you enter, it will not effect your vote or your entry. Make sure you leave a comment on this post letting me know that you voted for me. That will enter you into this giveaway.

{Optional Entry #1}
Share the link to my picture on your Facebook, Twitter, Buzz, Tumblr, Dailybooth, or blog.  Leave me a comment with the link.

{Optional Entry #2}
Tell your friends about the link.  If they vote for me, leave me their name in the comments!


Thanks, girls, you're the best!  I hope to share my profits with you, since you're the reason I'd even make it past one vote!

PS. Just to let you girls know, there's currently an Urban Decay Sale going on at Hautelook!  There's a bunch of great deals, so go take a look! 

Emilyann 

Inspired.

Heyyyyyyloooo followers and hopefully soon to be followers!  :D 

Emilyann here.  I was posting on my Main Blog this morning, as I am following the Facebook 30 Day Challenge via my blog.  The day, day fifteen, was set aside for me to discuss who inspired me.  I felt myself torn because I'm inspired by different people in different ways.  I ended up choosing the person who inspired me in my faith and my hunger for knowledge, but I still wanted to do a post about who inspires me in my style choices, so what better place to do it than on our collab blog?  

I'm mostly inspired by vintage fashion, because I love the classic look.  If I had to pick a word to describe what I love in fashion, it would definitely be the word "classic".  I love things feminine and pretty.  I love pink.  I love light pastel-y colors.  I love...

Zooey Deschanel.  I adore her cute, pretty makeup, her hipster bangs, her vintage dresses.  Her HUGE eyes, and adorable accessories.  Her attitude is perhaps her biggest accessory, though.  She's sweet and sophisticated, and it works for her.

Next is...

Vanessa Hudgens.  Drastic change, right?  I love how effortless her style is, and how she always looks CUTE.  If I could steal a celebrity's closet, I would definite steal Vanessa's.  She's also been my hair cut inspiration.  I've had her short cut from High School Musical 2, and her long hair you see in the picture.

Last but definitely not least, Lauren Conrad from the Hills.  She's a designer, writer, has her own line at Kohl's and is just all around really gorgeous.  Her hair always looks amazing and super laid back California.  I like how her clothes are easy, no hassle, and not crazy.  I love fashion, but I'm not as daring as some people are.  She's just relaxed enough for me. 

So there you have it.  I'm a crazy mix of vintage and modern.  Formal and relaxed.  

Who inspires you?  

By the way, a little preview of what's to come:  I ordered a bunch of things from eyeslipsface.  (Or E.L.F. cosmetics), which I plan on doing a haul/review with.  So, once I have them, and they come in the mail, I'll give them a test run and then tell yall how they work for me, kay?  

Have a great week.  :)