MAKEUP TIPS FOR WEARING GLASSES

This post is sponsored by Visionworks. 

Eyeglasses have become an interchangeable fashion accessory just as much as earrings or hats. I'm not the only person out there that has more than one pair of eyeglasses and sunglasses now. Sometimes I'm feeling preppy with tortoiseshell and artsy with clear frames. What can stump me, however, is figuring out what makeup to pairs well with my glasses. I've noticed that some eyeshadows and lipsticks just don't look the best with certain frames. I've partnered with Visionworks again to share you with you the difference a pop of red lipstick, a smokey or simply staying neutral can do for your look.

I put my makeup on every day, but to give you the best information and expertise I invited my friend and makeup artist, Stephanie Neiheisel, to do my makeup and share some pointers. I even had her try the frames on so you can see them on a different face shape and hairstyle. 

Below, you'll find four frames worn with different makeup (one neutral and one with a bold lip). I've picked which makeup look I like best with each pair of glasses. I would love to know if you agree or disagree. 

DRAMATIC TORTOISE SHELL by Nine West - These frames are timeless and bold at the same time. When I wear these glasses I feel like Jenna Lyons, Creative Director for J. Crew. She has a spunky, east coast style, and I would say my style is somewhat similar. I like when my lips are nude in these frames more than a bold red lip because both seem like too much.

Makeup Tip from Stephanie: Play up either your eyes or lips, but rarely both. These chunky frames make a bold statement, so for day to day wear you'll probably want to keep your lipstick neutral. 

CRYSTAL FRAMES by Nine West: Clear frames are one of the hottest trends in eyewear right now. I especially love these for the cat eye shape. When I wear these glasses I often find myself wanting to wear a bold lip. I feel a bit too plain without one.

Makeup tip from Stephanie: Since these glasses lack color you'll want to add some color to your face somewhere. That could be a bold lip or a smokey eye with shades of coral, purple or even green as long as there is color somewhere. 

ARLETTY FRAMES by Zac Posen - These frames have a masculine feel to them that is very in style right now. They also make a big statement because the frames are larger in size. The icy gradient blue is so pretty, but I think it clashes a bit with the warm red lip.

Makeup tip from Stephanie: Be sure to stick to complementary colors when choosing your eyeshadow and lipstick. Warm hues like corals, pinks and bright reds go well with browns. Gray, blues and reds with cool, purple undertones go well with gray or blue frames.

DRAMATIC TEAL & TORTOISE FRAMES by Guess - These teal and tortoise frames are my favorite. They have a bit of color and a bit of class, and I love the thinner frame on my face. Surprisingly, I like the statement lip with these frames even though the color of the glasses make a statement as well.

Makeup tip from Stephanie: The reason why this lip color works with teal is that it is complementary on the color wheel. Complementary color as one that are directly across from the main color you're working with. See a color wheel here for reference.

I had Stephanie try on these four frames as well because she had a coral smokey eye and a nude lip that day. Her hair is also jet black and in stark contrast with her skin. I think all of those things make a difference when choosing your frames and makeup. My favorite frames on her are the Zac Posen ones. That icy blue gray goes so well with her eyes and hair color. Which one do you like best?

Be sure to visit Visionworks to find your perfect frames, and don't just top with one. Think of your glasses as jewelry and find a couple pairs that represent different parts of your style.

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Photos by Rennai Hoefer.

GIFT GUIDES: THE PHILANTHROPIST

Receiving a ton of gifts at once is fun and all, but it can sometimes make you feel a bit greedy. The holidays are all about spreading cheer to those you love, but doesn't it feel good to give to someone you may not even know? This holiday gift guide is dedicated for the person who wants to give, and give back.

31 BITS

PHOTO VIA 31 BITS

PHOTO VIA 31 BITS

Minimalist jewelry is all anyone is wearing these days. A simple metallic necklace is a statement all its own, but it's much more meaningful when it serves a real life purpose. 31 Bits is dedicated to providing Ugandan artisan women with a market for their beautiful craftsmanship skills, and has an ever-growing jewelry collection with something for everyone.

LOVE WITH FOOD

PHOTO VIA INSTAGRAM

PHOTO VIA INSTAGRAM

If subscription boxes are more your style, Love With Food may be your gift of choice. These monthly packages of organic snacks give back by passing a portion of sales to charities devoted to fighting childhood hunger. These packages are a definite way to win to your loved ones' hearts (and tummies).

S'WELL

PHOTO VIA S'WELL

PHOTO VIA S'WELL

We all get thirsty, and S'well water bottles are here for more than keeping your hydration stylish. These on-trend, stainless steel hot & cold bottles are partnered with UNICEF to help ensure the recipient isn't the only one hydrating. They donate a portion of their sales to the charity to ensure that kids around the world are getting access to clean, drinkable water.

WARBY PARKER

PHOTO VIA WARBY PARKER

PHOTO VIA WARBY PARKER

While some choose glasses purely as a fashion statement, many have them as a necessity. Warby Parker has acquired quite a following as of late, and for good reason. Their glasses are stylish and practical (and don't worry 20/20s, they offer equally great sunglasses too), and they serve a great cause. The company is partnered with VisionSpring, who helps them follow through on their promise to provide someone in need with a pair of glasses whenever they make a sale.

GIVING KEYS

PHOTO VIA GIVING KEYS

PHOTO VIA GIVING KEYS

Who says your house key can't be a fashion statement? Giving Keys took it to the next level by engraving inspiring words on each of their variety of accessories, inspired by two of the co-founders who were homeless before starting the company. The company aims to transition people out of homelessness, much like two of the three founders were able to do.

SHOPPING FOR A CHANGE

PHOTO VIA SHOPPING FOR A CHANGE

PHOTO VIA SHOPPING FOR A CHANGE

If you aren't sure exactly what to get someone this Christmas, Shopping for a Change just may be your ideal place to start. Bringing together the work of a variety of undiscovered artisans from all around the world is what makes this shop so diverse, covering everything from fashion to home goods. 

SSEKO SANDALS

PHOTO VIA SSEKO SANDALS

PHOTO VIA SSEKO SANDALS

You simply can't go wrong with a pair of sandals as versatile as Sseko Sandals. If you're not sure exactly what type of shoes your recipient loves, leave it up to them to decide! With so many unique ways to tie the sandals, it's hard to believe that it gets better. This charity is devoted to working for women, and sending them to college. Is that a respectable shoe or what?

NOONDAY COLLECTION

PHOTO VIA NOONDAY COLLECTION

PHOTO VIA NOONDAY COLLECTION

If you're looking to give something a little more authentically global, Noonday Collection is the place. This shop provides a market for artisans around the world to display and sell their unique, culturally influenced work to markets they would normally have a hard time getting into, and the recipient gets an amazing piece of a far away land because of it!

WORLD WILDLIFE FUND: ADOPTING AN ELEPHANT

PHOTO VIA WORLD WILDLIFE FUND

PHOTO VIA WORLD WILDLIFE FUND

If you're telling me you've never wanted to have a pet elephant, I'm probably going to assume you're lying. With World Wildlife Fund's Adopt an Elephant package, you have a chance to do your part to keep these babies around. When you symbolically adopt an elephant, they'll use your payment to ensure that an elephant is taken care of with food and water. They even send a plush elephant so you never forget about your friend on the other side of the world.

DRIVEN COFFEE

PHOTO VIA SO MUNCH LOVE

PHOTO VIA SO MUNCH LOVE

It's hard to live in the modern day without knowing at least one coffee snob. It's okay to be a coffee snob, especially if that mean's you're supporting an ethical coffee business like Driven Coffee. The brand donates a portion of its sales to a variety of charities, and has an incredible selection of coffee to boot.

GIFT GUIDES: THE CUSTOMIZER

It's officially gift giving season. The time to think of the perfect something for the perfect someone can bring on stress, but why complicate it? I know how much most people hate giving out gift cards, so I put together this gift guide to help you choose goodies perfectly tailored to everyone on your shopping list.

CUSTOM MINIMALIST JEWELRY

PHOTO VIA CAITYLNMINIMALIST

PHOTO VIA CAITYLNMINIMALIST

With it becoming more and more of a trend to have jewelry to be kept on consistently, minimalist jewelry doesn't seem to be going anywhere. It's easy, beautiful, and adds a delicate and feminine twist to any look. CaitlynMinimalist on Etsy has found a way to make the minimalist jewelry trend even more personal with this gorgeous bracelet. Just send her a note with what you want included on the bracelet (or a variety of other jewelry offered in her shop), and she'll make the handwritten note into a beautiful piece of jewelry.

BEAUTY SUBSCRIPTION BOX

PHOTO VIA BIRCHBOX

PHOTO VIA BIRCHBOX

If you have a friend or relative who's really into makeup and beauty (or wants to get into makeup and beauty), a beauty box subscription like Birchbox just might be exactly what you're looking for. If the person you're buying for is on the picky side, all you have to do is answer a few questions about them, and Birchbox will ship a variety of goodies to their door to pick and choose from.

EMBOSSED ACCESSORIES

PHOTO VIA FOSSIL

PHOTO VIA FOSSIL

Fossil is a brand we all know and love, serving up trendy (practical) leather goods at a variety of price ranges. If you're looking to treat the accessories lover in your life, give Fossil's free embossing service a try over the holidays. The recipient is definitely going to feel stylish with their new tote in hand, and all the more special with the extra thought of customizing.

ENGRAVED TECH

PHOTO VIA UNIQFIND

PHOTO VIA UNIQFIND

If you're really looking to treat someone in your life with the newest piece of tech, Apple offers an engraving service for both their iPads and iPods. Whether you want to write lyrics of a special song on the back of your husband's iPod, or simply engrave your mom's name into her new iPad, the extra detail makes a meaningful gift even more thoughtful.

ENGRAVED HOME GOODS

PHOTO VIA POTTERY BARN

PHOTO VIA POTTERY BARN

If you know someone who is constantly renovating their house (like me), what better investment than a personal home gift? This copper ice bucket by Pottery Barn is a great gift for the entertainer in your life, and the ability to engrave the gorgeous copper makes it all the more personal.

PERSONALIZED MAKEUP PALETTE

PHOTO VIA INSTAGRAM

PHOTO VIA INSTAGRAM

If you have a friend who just doesn't feel complete without a swipe of eyeshadow on her lids, why not allow her to make a palette with all of her favorite shades? MAC Cosmetics offers a gift card for the recipient to create her ideal combination of shadows (and if you're totally opposed to the gift card thing and are feeling gutsy, you can create it for her). Just in time for New Year's glam!

PERSONALIZED TEA SETS

PHOTO VIA BIG FAT BAKER

PHOTO VIA BIG FAT BAKER

If you're looking for a way to warm up a loved one's life, why not introduce them to the soothing art of tea? Teavana offers a variety of holiday sample sets for the tea-drinking newbie, and it's a heartwarming way to connect with someone you care about (after all, who doesn't want to chat over a cup of tea?). If you're not clicking with any of their holiday sets, why not just pick out a few flavors your friend will love, and maybe one you recommend?

CUSTOM SHADES

PHOTO VIA URBAN OUTFITTERS

PHOTO VIA URBAN OUTFITTERS

It's not just women who appreciate a good accessory. Sunglasses are a universal way to dazzle anyone in your life, regardless of their style. Ray-Ban gives customers the ability to create their own custom shades, a great way to add a unique spin on a classic style.

CUSTOM PLANNER

PHOTO VIA BUZZFEED

PHOTO VIA BUZZFEED

With the year coming to a close, your friends and family are going to be looking to get a start on next year's plans. A custom planner from Paper Source is an incredible way to excite the stationery lover in your life, while helping them get organized in the most fashion-forward way.

GENERAL SUBSCRIPTION BOX

PHOTO VIA BEST OF QUARTERLY

PHOTO VIA BEST OF QUARTERLY

Maybe you're really into this whole "gift that keeps on giving" idea that comes with a subscription box, but none of the people on your list are exactly beauty girls. Don't worry! Quarterly Co. has a variety of subscription boxes at diverse price range covering an even more diverse area of interests, so you're bound to find something the recipient will love!

*This post contains affiliate links. 

AN UNBIASED REVIEW OF RODAN + FIELDS

An Unbiased Review of Rodan + Fields Skincare

A couple of weeks ago, I turned 32. This is the first birthday where I am starting to feel like getting older is not so fun. I recently touched up my roots for the first time, I've had arthritis for the past four months and I'm starting to really notice signs of aging in my skin. Oy! 

My skin has always been troublesome for me. In my adolescent years and through college I struggled with acne. I did EVERYTHING. They had me on birth control pills, I did two runs of Accuntane (no longer on the market due to the dangers to your body), regularly sought treatments from a dermatologist and even tried that Proactive line. Nothing worked. Finally, it got better when my Hashimotos disease was diagnosed and my thyroid was regulated. It was causing a lot of hormonal imbalance problems, and thus causing my skin to be out of control. 

Now, my skin challenges aren't as much about acne as they are about scars, discoloration and wrinkles. When I saw that everyone and their mom (seriously) was selling Rodan + Fields skincare I was very reluctant to buy into it because it was created by the same people that brought us Proactive. Anything that claims to have one solution for all makes me skeptical, so I ignored the hype. However, recently, a friend of a friend asked if she could send me several full-size products free so that I could share an unbiased review of the line. She believed in it so much that she was willing to risk the cost of the product. I said I would take the challenge and give my HONEST, personal feedback.

Below, you'll find all of the products I have used over the past four months. Before and after pictures and my thoughts on what is worth your money and what's not.

After doing an online consult that asked various questions about my skin I was recommended the Reverse Regimen to help with discoloration and dullness. I was also recommended a a few products from the Redefine regimen: night renewing serum, lip renewing serum, redefine eye cloths, multi-function eye cream. I also tried the micro-dermabrasion paste.

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I started the whole skincare line on April 5th. Above are my before pictures, and below are the after.

You can definitely see that there has been an improvement in the brightness and texture of my skin. It looks smoother and more even. However, I wouldn't say you need all of these products to get this result.

Products worth your money:
I would say the 4 Step Reverse line is great, and all of the credit goes to this group right here! My skin is a bit sensitive, so I found that using the face wash every other day is better for my skin. I also enjoyed the redefine lip serum. My lips always felt incredibly moist the next morning.

Not so stellar products:
I could not use the micro-dermabrasion on my skin. It was too harsh even after one application, especially when I was already using the Redefine line. I also didn't care for the eye cloths. They didn't get the makeup off very well. The redefine face serum was hardly enough to apply to my face at night and I never really saw or felt a different the next day. I had similar feelings with the eye cream. 

This is my personal view and my experience after four months, and not a sponsored post. I'll post an update on my skin in another four months to let you know how it's going just because honest reviews of products can be helpful. If you have any questions about Rodan + Fields you can ask Erin Lizotte. She is the one that sent these products to me. 

Product photography by Rennai Hoefer

SELF-TANNER TO THE TEST

We all know it's not good for our skin to bake under UV rays, but how do you get a golden glow without the skin damage? Self tanner, right? Well, I think we can all agree that we HATE the way self-tanner smells. Can I get an amen? I decided to go on the hunt to find a self tanner that smells great and works. 

I purchased Neutrogena's Build-a-tan, L'Oreal Sublime Bronze and Jergen's Natural Glow. Below, are the pro's and con's of each, and my final answer on which one is the best buy. 

L'OREAL SUBLIME BRONZE LUMINOUS: This is the product that many of my friends told me to buy. It definitely gives you instant color and sparkle. It has some glitter in it, and so it's a great way to add some warmth to your skin if you're in a hurry. The smell is TERRIBLE! To cut the smell, I tried to mix it with my body lotion. It helped a little, but I could still smell the tanner hours later. Plus, this stuff can get streaky if you don't make sure to hit all of the spots and wash your hands after. It wasn't my favorite, but I would consider using it in a pinch.

NEUTROGENA BUILD-A-TAN: This was my favorite of the three. It smells great, it moisturizes well and you can see a difference after applying it daily over a couple of days. They only make one kind and you can just control how deep your fake tan is by how often you apply it. It's $8.99 and you go through it pretty fast, but I think it's still worth it compared to the other three. 

JERGENS NATURAL GLOW: It smells delightful. In fact, it smells just like any other nice lotion, but it really didn't do much for my skin. I have used this product in the past and I didn't like the smell, so they have definitely updated it. However, only on lighter parts of my body that doesn't see the sun much did I see any kind of difference over a one week period. My legs are already quite tan, so it didn't do much for me. It's the cheapest of the three at $8.09, and I would say it's a great buy for those with fair skin.

Photos by Rennai Hoefer