Friday, September 27, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Bobby Pins Matched To Your Hair

Today's Fab Tip:

"[H]old back loose stands in a chic way with a pin that complements your hair color!"
-- Taken from People Style Watch magazine, October 2013, page 204.

This is a great way of making a loose, messy bun look just that much more fabulous, and it keeps your hair out of your face. Using brightly colored bobby pins is fun, but matching the pins to your hair color keeps your hairstyle more sophisticated.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Berry Blush

Today's Fab Tip:

"A berry blush livens up your whole face. Brush on the apples of cheeks; sweep out to the sides of your face."
-- Taken from Seventeen magazine, October 2013, Michelle Phan's Beauty Confidence Tricks on page 123.

Berry is great for a natural-looking flush, especially in fall, but be sure to choose a lip color that doesn't compete with it. You don't want your face to look too red, after all.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Dewy Skin

Today's Fab Tip:

"For a fresh, dewy complexion, avoid powder overload; apply it only to those areas prone to shine, like your nose, chin, and forehead."
-- Taken from Marie Claire Hair & Makeup by Jane Campsie, page 84.

This will help to prevent a floury face and will make your skin look fresh, young, and healthy.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Acne Treatment

Today's Fab Tip:

"Dab on acne medication with a cotton swab, not your fingertip. The sterile cotton will contain the treatment (translation: fewer scaly patches) and prevent bacteria from transferring from your hands."
-- Taken from In Style magazine, Special Beauty Issue Fall 2013, page 63.

This is a tried and true tip, believe me. It's a lot easier to apply, is more sanitary, and keeps the acne treatment from getting all over your fingers, which I hate.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Fast Updo

Today's Fab Tip:

"Quickie Topknot: Even wet hair can get mega likes! Just gather damp hair and twist it into a bun. Then blow-dry hair along the hairline (it keeps you from looking undone) and apply shine serum to smooth."
-- Taken from Seventeen magazine, October 2013, page 56.

This is a hairstyle for those days when you wake up late and need to hurry to look fabulous. Which is practically every day for me.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Luminizing Skin With Powder

Today's Fab Tip:

"Glistening Skin: Add a small amount of silver powder (crush a pressed eyeshadow, using the flat side of a ruler) to loose face powder. Blend together and dust on to shoulders or parts of the body that may be revealed when you are wearing cut-away clothing to give the skin luminosity. Alternatively, mix foundation containing light-reflecting particles with body moisturizer."
-- Taken from Marie Claire Hair and Makeup by Jane Campsie, page 29.

Another option would be to use loose pigment silver eyeshadow, instead of crushing a pressed shadow. At any rate, this is a great way to get glowing skin on a night out.


XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Prevent Lipstick Stains

Today's Fab Tip:

"To avoid leaving lipstick marks on glasses and cups, discreetly lick the rim before drinking."
-- Taken from Marie Claire Hair and Makeup by Jane Campsie, page 24.

The key word is discreetly. Lick your glass with taste.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Friday, September 20, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Statement Sweater

Today's Fab Tip:

"Throw On A Statement Sweater: The fall runways were positively swaddled in chunky, highly detailed knitwear in slightly slouchier shapes. To pull off the look without looking like a schoolboy, team a boxy cut with a flouncy mini. If you're thinking about a cardi, don't wear it-- drape it! Sling it over the shoulder of a fitted sheath for a hip, dashing-from-the-front-row-at-fashion-week vibe."
-- Taken from In Style magazine, Special Beauty Issue Fall 2013, page 43.

Below is a picture of my brand new statement sweater from the Phillip Lim for Target collection, and yes, I definitely plan to wear it with miniskirts, especially my Princess Vera Wang faux leather mini for an edgy vibe. This is a great way to work stylish layers as the weather starts to get cooler.

Picture from Target.com
XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Purple Shadow

Today's Fab Tip:

"Looking flirty always makes you feel more fun! A purple shadow is the perfect girly color to make dark features pop."
-- Taken from the Michelle Phan article in Seventeen magazine, October 2013, page 123.

Especially great for a purple smokey eye.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Add A Little Grunge To Your Look

Today's Fab Tip: a hot trend, grunge!

"Go grunge without looking sloppy -- one piece your outfit should be form fitting or show a bit of skin."
-- Taken from Seventeen magazine, September 2013, page 64.

An easy tip to be grunge and pretty and very of-the-moment.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Side: Switch Up Your Part To The Side

Today's Fab Tip:

"Deep Side Parts: Switching up your part is the quickest way to freshen up your do! For an of-the-moment vibe, divide hair directly above the arch of your brow."
-- Taken from People Style Watch magazine, September 2013, page 258.

If you part your hair like this on a different side than usual, it will also give your hair more volume for extra fabulousness.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Pastel Motorcyle Jacket

Today's Fab Tip:

"For a sweet take on tough, try [a motorcycle jacket] in a pastel with motocross jeans in a light wash."
-- Taken from In Style magazine, August 2013, page 144.

Bonus points if the moto is mint or pale pink.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Quick Bad Hair Day Fix

Today's Fab Tip:

"The most elegant way to disguise a bad hair day: a low chignon."
-- Taken from Glamour magazine, September 2013, page 217.

A simple and easy solution for those days when your hair just doe not want to cooperate.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: The Right Pink Lipstick For You

Today's Fab Tip: rock pink lips, choosing the shade that works for your skin tone!

"Choose a bubblegum, fuchsia or baby pink if you have pale skin and a red-toned or hot pink shade for warmer skin. There's a pink out there for everyone."
-- Mel Arter, Max Factor makeup artist in Glamour magazine, UK edition, July 2013, page 185.

Pink lips can be subtle or bold, but they always make a feminine statement.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Friday, September 13, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Touching Up Concealer

Today's Fab Tip:

"If concealer or foundation around your eyes becomes thick and cakey late in the day, simply tap a little eye cream on top of the area with your finger to soften it a bit. Then blend it down with a non-latex sponge or Q-tip."
-- Taken from Crazy Busy Beautiful by Carmindy, page 70.

Luckily most eye creams come in tiny pots or tubes, so they're easy to keep in your makeup bag for touch-ups.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Easy Bombshell Hair

Today's Fab Tip:

"Before blow-drying, spritz in a root-lifting spray for extra oomph."
-- Taken from Glamour magazine, September 2013, page 217.

This is a quick and easy way to get fabulous hair no matter which way you style it. You can use it with or without volumizing mousse.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Fixing Streaked Blush

Today's Fab Tip:

"If you get a blush streak on the cheek, buff the entire area down with a clean non-latex sponge. Then subtly add back the amount of color you want. Don't correct a streak by filling it in with more color; that's a recipe for a rouge riot."
-- Taken from Crazy Busy Beautiful by Carmindy, page 181.

This is a much easier way to fix blush mistakes without using makeup remover and starting all over from the beginning.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Post One Hundred! And Fabulous Tip of the Day

Hey, everyone! This is the one hundredth post on the Gossip Ghoul Blog! Exciting, right? It is to me. It's taken me a long time to get to this point. I just have to keep working, keep trying to get ahead, keep writing, as difficult as it can get some time. I have a lot of great things planned for this blog, and I'm working hard to get it together. I have the new laptop now (Thanks a billion to my best friend for donating her old one to me! XOXO!), and there are a lot of fall trends starting up to talk about. The way I see it, life is short, so I have to be fabulous in the time I have left to live. There's too little time for me to keep getting depressed and letting that take over everything about me. I want to share that fabulosity with all of you.

Today's Fab Tip:

"Worn-In Lips: ... For diffused colour, blend a little concealer around the edges of the lip line with a cotton bud. To get that stained effect, Chase Aston, The Body Shop International Make-up Artist, recommends buffing your lipstick of choice with an eyeshadow brush."
-- Taken from Elle magazine, UK edition, September 2013, page 311.

A soft, faded lip is a beautiful way to make a red lip a little less intense for day. Pair with soft, minimal eyes.

And as a special treat for the one hundredth post (and because I can finally embed videos again), a funny scene from The Greatest TV Show Ever to brighten up your day. It's brightened up mine, after all.




XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Monday, September 9, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Effortless, Edgy, and Chic

Today's Fab Tip:

"Wear edgy items with structured basics like a black blazer or a pencil skirt, so you don't look like you're trying too hard."
-- Taken from Seventeen magazine, September 2013, page 64.

It's also a great way to dress up a studded boot or concert tee and, of course, a great way to look fabulous.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Sculpt Your Shoulders

 Today's Fab Tip:

"Create stunning shoulders by smoothing shimmering lotion just onto their rounded tops."
-- Taken from Crazy Busy Beautiful by Carmindy, page 45.

Obviously this only works with bare shoulders, but the shimmer will catch the light and draw the eye to your sexy shoulders. It's fun to play up a different feature every so often, after all.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Long-lasting Eyeliner

Today's Fab Tip:

"If your eyeliner tends to smudge easily, it could be because your lids are oily (which means that while you might have a hard time keeping your eyeliner on, your eyes will stay younger-looking longer!). Sweep some light-colored eye shadow or powder across your lids for a drier surface before you apply liner."
-- Taken from Lauren Conrad Beauty by Lauren Conrad, page 95.

Keep this in mind if you have super oily skin like me. Even if you're going for a smudged look, this will keep your eyeliner in place all day, whether you use liquid or pencil liner.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Friday, September 6, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: A New Twist To Stacked Bracelets

Today's Fab Tip:

"Wear your arm candy stacked on top of your sleeve to amp up outerwear. Mix colors and metals for an ultra-cool vibe!"
-- Taken from Seventeen magazine, September 2013, page 172.

This is perfect to wear atop jackets as the weather transitions to autumn. Have fun with it, and be fabulous!

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Natural Flush

Today's Fab Tip:

"Fridge fancy: press ice cubes on your cheeks for a fast, natural flush."
-- Taken from Crazy Busy Beautiful by Carmindy, page 178.

Fast, easy, and makeup-free. Try it out.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Draw the Eye Away From Dark Circles

Today's Fab Tip:

"If you're bothered by your dark circles, shift the focus by playing up another feature, like your mouth. Wear bright gloss to draw attention from your under eyes."
-- Taken from 5 Minute Face by Carmindy, page 46.

A bold red lip is another option.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: The Right Nude Lip For Your Skin

Today's Fab Tip:

"If you want to play with nude lip colors -- a la Brigitte Bardot -- make sure they contain a little hint of color. Otherwise you'll look sickly, not sizzling. For light skin, choose a peach or pink nudes; medium skin, choose tawny pink beiges; dark skin, go for caramels or mochas."
-- Taken from Crazy Busy Beautiful by Carmindy, page 190.

A nude gloss with a bit of color works as well, especially for a daytime look.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Monday, September 2, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Liquid Liner

Today's Fab Tip:

"Try dipping an angle brush into liquid liner and sweeping it across the eye for a slightly thicker, more controlled line."
-- Taken from Get Positively Beautiful by Carmindy, page 38.

Do this for black, brown, or any colored liquid or gel liner for a defined eye.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Bold Evening Look

Today's Fab Tip:

"For a superchic evening look, pair a red lip with a brow that has been filled in perfectly with a tad more brow color than usual."
-- Taken from Crazy Busy Beautiful by Carmindy, page 99.

Combine with nude eyeshadow and blush for a bold and put-together look.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Style Inspiration Quote #13

Today's Style Quote:

"Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman." -- Coco Chanel.

(Source: Glamour magazine, November 2012, page 91.)

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Metallic Edge

Today's Fab Tip:

"Pick metallics in tough textures (like faux snakeskin) for the perfect amount of edge."
-- Taken from Seventeen magazine, September 2013, page 78.

A metallic faux snakeskin miniskirt is the perfect blend of edgy and feminine, and it's something that can be paired with a sweet and girly top or something a little tougher.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Friday, August 30, 2013

Style Inspiration Quote #12

Today's Style Quote:

"In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity." -- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

(Source: The One Hundred by Nina Garcia, page 147.)

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Black and White

Today's Fab Tip:

"[T]op off your cat-eye with a white shadow for a brightening pop!"
-- Taken from People Style Watch magazine, September 2013, page 244.

The white will make the graphic black liner more defined and make your eyes stand out more.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Style Inspiration Quote #11

Today's Style Quote:

"Style is a simple way of saying complicated things." -- Jean Cocteau.

(Source: Glamour magazine, July 2013, page 41.)

That's true: style can be very complicated. It's hard to summarize one's entire personality and look into a few words, but style can also be effortlessly chic, which is truly fabulous.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Edgy But Feminine Look

Today's Fab Tip:

"For a sweet take on tough, try [a motorcycle jacket] in a pastel with motocross jeans in a light wash."
-- In Style magazine, August 2013, page 144.

A pastel or a beige moto both work for this look.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Style Inspiration Quote #10

Today's Style Quote:

"Where should one wear perfume? Wherever one wants to be kissed." -- Coco Chanel

(Source: The One Hundred by Nina Garcia, page193.)

Something to keep in mind when you spritz on your fragrance in the morning. Don't forget that perfume is just as much an important accessory to your look as your purse and jewelry, if not more so.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Easy DIY Tinted Moisturizer

Today's Fab Tip:

"Create your own tinted moisturizer by simply mixing foundation with an SPF-infused moisturizer and blending it in."
-- Taken from Crazy Busy Beautiful by Carmindy, page 62.

The best part of this is that it's custom-made to fit your skin tone and type, and it's great for days when you don't need a lot of coverage.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: '90s Throwback Brown Lips

Today's Fab Tip:

"Chestnut Lips: Take the retro '90s look of brown lipstick and make it cool and modern by picking the color in a stain."
-- Taken from Seventeen magazine, September 2013, page 96.

A stain will also be longer lasting all day. Just be sure to reapply lip balm or a hydrating lip gloss throughout the day to keep your lips from drying out.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Style Inspiration Quote #9

Today's Style Quote:

"I have often said that I wish I had invented blue jeans.... They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity -- all I hope for in my clothes." -- Yves Saint Laurent

(Source: Glamour magazine, August 2012, page 49).

The great late YSL sums up exactly why jeans are one of the most important pieces in one's wardrobe.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Style Inspiration Quote #8

Today's Style Quote:

"Happiness is the best makeup any woman can wear." -- Drew Barrymore.

(Source: Glamour magazine, August 2013, page 83).

There's nothing more beautiful on a woman than a smile, after all.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Bigger Lips

Today's Fab Tip:

"Light shimmery colors make lips look larger than darker ones. Plump lips by dabbing shimmery pale pink or gold gloss on the center of your lower lip."
-- Taken from 5 Minute Face by Carmindy, page 68.

This illusion makes your lips look much fuller and bigger without looking obviously fake, and it's a great way to keep the focus on your lips. Pair with neutral eyes or maybe just some slightly winged eyeliner.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Style Inspiration Quote #7

Today's Style Quote:

"What you wear is how you present yourself to the world.... Fashion is instant language." -- Miuccia Prada

(Source: Glamour magazine, June 2012, page 65.)

That's why wearing a put-together look tells the entire world how you want to seen, how you want to be thought of. This is for all those people who say fashion is useless and superficial; it's not. Fashion is expression and communication. Express your most fabulous self, readers.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Tied Belt

Today's Fab Tip:

"Skip the buckle and knot a belt over a jacket for an effortlessly fun way to literally tie your look together."
-- Taken from Seventeen magazine, September 2013, page 174.

Try this for a very casual look while still being unexpectedly fun.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Style Inspiration Quote #6

Today's Style Quote:

"I believe in an enhanced reality with fashion. Fashion creates a bit of a dream. That's the whole point of dressing up!" -- Tom Ford

(Source: Glamour magazine, October 2012, page 81.)

Live the dream today, and be fabulous. I know I'll be in a dress, motorcycle jacket, and The Mortal Instruments movie. Enjoy your Saturday!

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Coral Gloss

Today's Fab Tip:

"Sheer coral lip gloss complements all skin tones, no matter what your age."
-- Taken from Get Positively Beautiful by Carmindy, page 94.

It's an easy daytime look, too, since coral is a natural-looking color without looking too washed out like matte beige lips can.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Style Inspiration Quote #5

Today's Style Quote:

"A woman's dress should be like a barbed-wire fence: serving its purpose without obstructing the view."
-- Sophia Loren

(Source: The One Hundred by Nina Garcia, page 88.)

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Red Clutch

Today's Fab Tip:

"[A] luxe red clutch adds instant glam."
-- Taken from People Style Watch magazine, September 2013, page 55.

Basically, to add drama to any outfit, day or night, a chic red clutch takes your outfit to the next level. It's the same way that a bold red lip instantly elevates your look. Add an oxblood envelope clutch to skinny jeans, a t-shirt, and a blazer for an effortlessly glamorous daytime look, while a crimson clutch can make a Little Black Dress more elegant.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Style Inspiration Quote #4

Today's Style Quote:

"It is about style, not fashion. Fashions come and go, but style is forever."
-- Yves Saint Laurent

(Source: The One Hundred by Nina Garcia, page 249.)

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Smudged Eyeliner

Today's Fab Tip:

"Save blending time and cash. Buy eyeliners that have built-in smudging tips on the other end. You won't need an angle brush or extra Q-tips."
-- Taken from Crazy Busy Beautiful by Carmindy, page 139.

Cover Girl has some good options for this, as does Maybelline. I have a great amethyst one that's perfect for a purple smokey eye.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Style Inspiration Quote #3

Today's Style Quote comes from another very fabulous and admired designer:

"Life is a risk."
-- Diane Von Furstenberg

(Source: The One Hundred by Nina Garcia, page 274.)

I can't think of a single quote that's more truthful than this. Every single part of life is a risk, whether it's your career or deciding what to wear today. It's all a risk. Be daring today, readers, daring and fabulous.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Long-lasting Lipstick

Today's Fab Tip:

"To prevent [lipstick] from feathering, dab a cotton swab in powder and carefully trace the outer rim of your lip."
-- Taken from Lauren Conrad Beauty by Lauren Conrad, page 93.

Try this to have bold red lips all day long.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Style Inspiration Quote #2

Today's Style Quote comes from another fashion designer, albeit a late one:

"Dressing is a way of life." -- Yves Saint Laurent.

(Source: The One Hundred by Nina Garcia, page 37.)

Very true words indeed.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Dressing Up Boyfriend Jeans

Today's Fab Tip:

"A long jacket in a juicy hue elevates the casual boyfriend cut [of jeans]."
-- Taken from In Style magazine, August 2013, page 144.

This is a great way to stay warm and still be summery on these cool August nights. Is it just me, or does it feel like fall already at night? With all the back to school stuff going on around tow and The September Issues arriving, it makes me sad to say goodbye to summer. Though it's great to start wearing fall fashion right away (gotta stay current and on trend, after all), it's nice to cling to a few last summery things, so a feminine coral-pink coat with the more masculine boyfriend jeans (an excellent and balanced combination, btw) is a great way to hold on to summer.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Style Inspiration Quote #1

Since regular posts are on hiatus, I'm going to try adding an inspirational quote about style, fashion, or beauty whenever I get the chance. It's a reminder to everyone and to myself that no matter how difficult and frustrating things in life become, it's still possible to be fabulous, and fabulousness is what one should strive for every day, particularly those days when one does not feel remotely fabulous.

"Why make everything black, black, black? Fashion should be fun and put a woman in the spotlight with a little bit of danger, you know?" -- Roberto Cavalli

(Source: The One Hundred by Nina Garcia.)

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Monochromatic

Today's Fab Tip:

"Pick one of the season's hit colors, like cobalt or caramel, and stick with it -- from head to handbag to toe."
-- Taken from Glamour magazine September 2013, page 178.

The key to pulling this off is to use different textures all in the same shade.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Easy Liquid Liner Trick

Today's Fab Tip:

"Try dipping an angle brush into liquid liner and sweeping it across the eye for a slightly thicker, more controlled line."
-- Taken from Get Positively Beautiful by Carmindy, page 38.

This trick is great for those of us like me who have a hard time applying liquid liner with those tiny pointy brush tips.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Crisis

Hey, everyone. I'm afraid I have some unfortunate news. I have accidentally cracked my laptop screen. It's pretty bad. I can only see about two-thirds of my screen, and even that not very well since there are pulsating lines crisscrossing it. I can't even click on anything on the right side of the screen. It's extremely annoying and frustrating, and I feel terrible about it. Most people would just buy a new laptop, but then most people could afford to buy groceries every week without jeopardizing their ability to pay rent, couldn't they?

A very kind and generous friend of mine -- to whom I have not shown enough gratitude because I was freaking out too much when she made the offer -- has assured me she can let me use her old laptop, but I won't be able to get it for a couple of weeks. In the meantime, I won't be able to use this laptop to write most posts. I can't do anything with pictures, tags, or videos, and most importantly, I can't schedule any posts. This isn't supposed to be something half-assed right before I press Publish. These posts are a lot of work and effort, something I'm proud of. Therefore I will be going on scheduled hiatus until the second week of September for regular posts.

However, starting tomorrow, I will be taking the time to post a Fabulous Tip each day so that the Gossip Ghoul Blog will still be utilized. I have a lot of great stuff planned that I really want to show all of you, but I need a working laptop for that. The Fabulous Tips will not be at regularly scheduled times but whenever I get the chance that day to type one up and post it.

Stay tuned for more. I'm not going anywhere.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Light Up Your Eyes Using Your Brows

Today's Fab Tip:

"Going on a date or having your photo taken? Try adding a shimmery eyeshadow in the same shade as your brows. The subtle gleam will make your eyes sparkle."
-- Taken from The 5 Minute Face by Carmindy, page 25.

Apply just like brow powder, and have fun with it!

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Product Spotlight: The Shiseido Foundation Brush

It can be overwhelming how many different kinds of makeup brushes there are with myriad shapes and sizes for every type of product and technique, and certain brushes work better than others. When it comes to liquid foundation, there is a debate about whether brushes are as or more effective at application than using one's fingers or sponges. For me, I rely on brushes. Well, one brush in particular: The Shiseido Foundation Brush.

Picture from Shiseido.com

I am in love with this critically acclaimed brush. It is the most amazing brush I have ever used. Its size is very compact so that it fits well in one's hand and is convenient for travel. The head of the brush is tiny and in the shape of a pencil eraser, and it has a ton of tightly packed bristles at a slightly downward angle. This makes it very effective at blending both through tiny stippling motions and longer strokes, and it blends incredibly well. It's great for layering, whether I want a very sheer application, or if I want to build up more coverage. I even use it to blend concealer and highlighter seamlessly, and sometimes I even apply BB cream with it. I depend on it so much!

It is $30, but it is a Shiseido product. Shiseido is a high-end company well known for its expensive skincare lines. Nonetheless, I truly feel The Shiseido Foundation Brush is worth every penny. It's a good investment, since it will last a long time. I whole-heartedly recommend it.

Do you have a favorite foundation brush? Let me know in the comments.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: DIY Lipstick Color

Today's Fab Tip comes from one of the most renowned makeup artists out there, Bobbi Brown.

"Use eyeshadow and lip balm to create a matte lipstick. Watch out, though, when choosing your shadow color -- most are too gray or brown."
-- Taken from Bobbi Brown Teenage Beauty by Bobbi Brown, page 57.

This is a great way to rock vampy burgundy lips or peachy-orange lips, and it's a good method to try out a new lip color without committing to buying a new lipstick.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

DIY Makeup Remover Wipes

Picture from Ulta.com
In case you haven't been paying any attention at all, I love makeup. I love looking at makeup. I love buying makeup. I love putting on makeup. I love wearing makeup. What I don't love so much is taking it off. Makeup remover wipes are expensive, and they never seem to get everything completely off. When I saw that Beautylish had their own how to on making one's own makeup remover wipes, I knew I had to try it out. Thus follows my attempt at following their tutorial...


Things needed:
  • 2 cups water (I used Smartwater. Really. Since it's going on my face, I didn't want to use tap water.)
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil (a DIY beauty staple)
  • about 2 squirts Burt's Bees Tear-Free Baby Wash
  • paper towels
  • tall container with a lid that seals
  • microwaveable bowl that's deep enough to stir in without splashing
  • utility knife


First of all, you want to cut the paper towel roll in approximately half. My container could only fit slightly less than half, so make sure you measure before you cut.
I had a very difficult time cutting through with my paring knife, so I borrowed a roommate's bread knife and tried to saw through. It was a mistake to use a serrated knife because little pieces of paper towel went everywhere, and it was still very hard to cut through.
Not very pretty, is it?
Then you want to remove all the excess paper towels so that the roll is thin enough to fit inside the container. Don't throw out the extra paper towels, of course; just use smaller pieces.


 Next, measure out two tablespoons of coconut oil into a microwaveable bowl.
Pour in two cups of water.
Then add two squirts of tear-free baby shampoo. If you're putting these things on your eyes, gentle and tear-free sounds like the safest way to go to me.

Mix it up. I couldn't get all the chunks of coconut oil to dissolve, so I popped in the microwave and stirred again.
I ended up microwaving it for nearly two minutes in twenty-second increments. Keep a close eye on it. You don't want it to boil or get too hot. You just want the coconut oil to melt just enough to mix in well.
Put the paper towels in the container, and then pour in the warm oil-shampoo-water mixture all over. Let it soak, and pull out the cardboard tube from the center.
Seal on the lid. Every time you need to remove your makeup, take off the lid; grab a wipe; and gently swipe it across your face.

I will warn you, though: some of the coconut oil solidified again. It's a bit more moisturizing, that way, though. My biggest problem is that the paper towels I used are too thin and drippy. I end up using three or four wipes each time. My advice, therefore, is to the get the thickest, most absorbent and high-quality paper towels you can find. I also recommend using a different makeup remover for the eyes because I have a hard time getting off mascara and liquid eyeliner with these. For everything else, though, this works well. Just make sure to cleanse, rinse, tone, treat, and moisturize afterward.

Enjoy!

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Dress Up A Graphic Tee

Today's Fab Tip:

"Take a laid-back T-shirt from slouchy to sexy by topping it with a tailored metallic jacket."
-- Taken from Cosmpolitan magazine, September 2013, page 90.

Considering t-shirts, especially graphic t-shirts emblazoned with nerdy references like Dr. Whooves, are one of my biggest wardrobe staples, this is an excellent way for me to step up my look effortlessly.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Word of the Week: Neoteric

Every Wednesday I choose a word not common in everyday conversation, and the challenge is for me and you readers out there to use it in one or two sentences by the end of the week. Send me your sentences in the comments, or tweet me with the hashtag #WordoftheWeek. Today's word is:

neoteric
(adjective)
modern; new; recent
(noun)
a new or modern writer, thinker, etc.

Have fun coming up with sentences!

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Eyeliner Essentials

Today's Fab Tip:

"Lining Physics 101: The thinner and sharper the pencil tip, the more precise the line. The fatter and duller the tip, the smudgier the line."
-- Taken from Crazy Busy Beautiful by Carmindy, page 128.

Keep this in mind for pencil, liquid, and cream eyeliner.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Fall Fashion Sneak Preview: Five Trends

September is the beginning of fall, and since the September issues of fashion magazines showcase fall fashion -- and are therefore the most important issues of the year -- that makes August, the month in which they're released, the beginning of fall fashion. Here are a few trends to keep an eye out for as they start becoming available in stores.

Picture from Nordstrom.com

1. Ombre Jeans: Ombre has been huge for a while, and now it's hit denim. If you love colored or printed denim, this is the latest iteration, and it's a great way to play with color in a casual outfit. Pair with neutrals and pieces that fall into the same color family.
Zara picture from StyleList.com

2. Patchwork Denim: Following up on the mixed materials trend, this involves multiple shades and textures of denim all in one item. Go for tailored, well-fitting pieces to avoid looking sloppy. As for the rest of the outfit, treat it like you would be showcasing a print.
Donna Karan picture from NeimanMarcus.com

3.Burnt Orange: Supposed to be this year's oxblood, this lovely dark orange color pairs excellently with gold and works well with a warm complexion. Plus the color is beautifully reminiscent of autumn leaves.

4. Pastels with Camel: For those of us with cooler undertones who went overboard on the mint craze (by which I mean me), we can still wear those clothes into the fall by pairing them with camel. A camel overcoat, jacket, or blazer will go perfectly and will keep warm when the weather turns colder later in fall.
Gucci picture from NeimanMarcus.com

M Missoni picture from NeimanMarcus.com

5. Black, White, and Cobalt: Continuing on the graphic black and white trend of spring, freshen up that look with a pop of cobalt in another piece or in accessories, shoes, or jewelry. Keep it simply, though, especially with patterned black and white clothing; and just do a cobalt clutch and eyeliner or nails, for example. Let the graphic black and white be the statement, since the cobalt contrast heightens their intensity.

Are you excited about fall fashion? What trends will you be trying out? I definitely plan to get my hands on ombre jeans and a camel blazer, but patchwork denim I'm not so sure about. Let me know what you think in the comments!

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Easy Tweezing

Today's Fab Tip:

"To minimize pain when tweezing, pluck right after showering, when your hair follicles are more open. Your hair will slide out more easily."
-- Taken from The 5 Minute Face by Carmindy, page 23.

Be sure to use a magnifying mirror, and apply toner and moisturizer to skin afterward to nix redness and irritation.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Wax On

There's an ongoing debate: waxing vs. shaving. Since it's summer, it's time to show off one's legs with shorts, skirts, swimsuits, et cetera, but nobody wants to bare hairy legs. At least I don't. Waxing and shaving are both means to remove body hair, and in my experience, most women prefer one over the other. Shaving is the easier option, and it doesn't take too long; but good razors are freaking expensive and have to be replaced frequently, and shaving has to be redone every single day. Waxing, on the other hand, can cause lots of burns and pain by placing hot wax on your skin and using it to rip a whole strip of hairs out. However, waxing only needs to be done once every one or two months, leaving legs smooth and fabulous for a while.
Picture from Ulta.com

Being the lazy girl I am, I found the idea of defuzzing my legs only once every six weeks very appealing when I was a sophomore in college, so I bought myself a home wax kit. My dorm room was right next to the handicapped bathroom, which hardly anyone used, so I knew I wouldn't be disturbed if I spread out a towel on the floor and went to work there. Don't ask me why the handicapped bathroom was on the third floor of a building with no elevators; it's something I've never understood. At the time, though, I didn't really care why because it was much closer than the community bathroom and showers.


Picture from Ulta.com. This is the brand of kit I used, actually.

I put on a tank top and shorts while the wax heated up in my microwave, then I moved the wax, the paper strips, and the wooden popsicle stick things (to dispense and spread the wax) all into the handicapped bathroom. That was my first mistake right there. You see, wax needs to be kept hot the whole time you're using it. That's why they sell wax warmers, which I did not know at the time. Moving into a room without a microwave for the duration of my waxing was just asking for trouble. I should have realized the wax was too cool when I smoothed the wax onto a small section of my left calve; I was just relieved not to be burnt.

I pressed on the paper strip as instructed in the direction of the hair growth, waited a few moments, and, with a deep breath and wince of anticipation, pulled it off. Well, the wax was still on my leg and stuck to my skin and the hairs which were still fully on there. I tried again with a different strip, but it didn't help. Then I attempted to use paper towels to pry the wax off, but that was to no avail. That's when I started to panic. I left everything and raced down the hall to the showers. Luckily there was one free, so I jumped in, stripped, and tried scraping the wax off with my fingernails in the hope that the water would loosen the wax. Another big mistake. With purple wax-covered fingers, I threw my clothes on over my dripping wet body and sprinted back to the handicapped bathroom. I got the instructions wet and sticky as I frantically read through them again, trying to figure out how the hell to get the wax off.

Fortunately, another girl from the dorm found me, a packing, freaked-out mess, and asked me if I'd tried the oil. It turns out there was a tiny bottle of vitamin E oil in the box that I hadn't noticed. I poured some of the oil on my leg and hands and wiped off the wax in clumps with paper towels rather easily. It was pretty embarrassing. Immediately afterward I got back in the shower, rinsed the oily residue off my legs, and shaved.
Picture from Target.com

Ever since then, I've been rooting for Team Shaving over Team Waxing. Some experiences should not be revisited, after all.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Red Eyes

Today's Fab Tip: smokey red eyes!

"Red isn't usually a color you'd wear on your eyes, but if you mix it with earth tones, it gives off a sultry vibe. The trick: Use a fluffy brush to swirl brown and red together and dust from lids to browbones."
-- Taken from Seventeen September 2013, page 96.

Be sure to blend well and use a light touch to keep it soft and sunrise-like.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Weekly Favorites: Thor: The Dark World and Loki Feels

Hey, everyone! Did you have a good week? These are the highlights of mine. This past week was Geek Week on YouTube, which itself is pretty exciting, but what was particularly fantastic was the new trailer for Thor: The Dark World. It's a long trailer and features more action and a lot more Loki than the teaser did, yay!


So awesome, right? November is going to be a great month for movies! Between Catching Fire and Thor, I'm going to be in fangirl heaven... while crying my eyes out, that is. But in the meantime, that trailer was perfect fuel for my Thorki feels. Yes, I absolutely ship Thorki. That means I ship Thor and Loki together, for those of you who don't speak fangirl, and since the trailer has come out, I've been looking up all sorts of fanart like this:
Picture from Deviant Art

So cute!! It was drawn by VanTheFirst.  I'm sure more fanart will be posted online as November draws near, and I am definitely looking forward to that.

Secondly, there is the song of the week, and this time what's played in my head most is Cherry Pie by Warrant. That one is going to be on loop for a while longer, I'm betting.

My nail color this week has been very pink and sparkly with OPI's liquid sand Pussy Galore from the Bond Girl collection with China Glaze's 3D glitter Material Girl as the accent nail. It's sweet and fun.
Picture from OPI


Finally, this week's chosen makeup tutorial is Waterproof Your Makeup by Michelle Phan. A few nights ago I was caught walking home in heavy rain without an umbrella, and I wish I'd used tips from this tutorial because my makeup was a complete mess by the time I got home.


I'm hoping this week will be good. Tomorrow will be, at least, since it's Moonday. Time for more fangirling!

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Cerise Cheeks and Lips

Today's Fab Tip:

"Dab a cerise-colored gel blush onto cheeks, then coat lips with a matching crayon. Complementary pops of color look pulled together and brighten your face instantly."
-- Taken from Cosmopolitan magazine September 2013, page 132.

Add some black eyeliner and mascara, and you've got yourself a simple but polished look.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

My Top Five Guilty Pleasure Movies

Everybody has a few. You know, those movies you hide at the back of the shelf because when people come over, they're like, "Why do you own this?"

And you look at the floor and mumble in embarrassment, "I like it."

"But it's so stupid!"

Well, yeah. It's thoroughly stupid and badly done. You just really enjoy it a lot despite all its faults. That is a guilty pleasure movie.

I add the condition that in order to qualify as a guilty pleasure movie, one must feel embarrassed about liking it. That's why I never include children's movies. Kids' films always bring a sense of nostalgia, even when watching those made more recently. If you loved Toy Story as a kid, chances are you won't be embarrassed to admit you bawled your eyes out at the end of Toy Story 3. Of course, those are also well done movies, so they wouldn't count anyway.

I'm sure one of my friends would step forward and say, "Aurora K., why aren't you mentioning that you own almost every single one of the Barbie Movies and two copies of each of the first two Twilight films?" The simple answer is that I don't feel guilty about any of those. I unabashedly admit my undying love.

But some movies, on the other hand...

Here is my list of the top five guilty pleasure movies I own, in no particular order:

Picture from Tumblr.

1. Red Riding Hood: I was really excited when I first heard about this movie. A gothic version of one of my favorite dark fairy tales? Sounds awesome, right? Plus Amanda Seyfried is sizzlingly beautiful in that red cloack, and Gary Oldman is a great actor. Then throw into the mix bad writing, a mediocre at best plot, and far too much hair gel for the guys, and the movie really suffers. Not to mention, WTF was that dance scene? It's really bad, yet I enjoy it. Sometimes I'm in the mood for cheesy teen drama. Also, it inspires me to write dark fairy tales well in the hopes that this won't be repeated. There is some pretty beautiful imagery, though.

Also, Red Riding Hood led to this Sterek fan video, and that's a good thing.




See? It can't be all that mad of a movie if it can fuel my slash feels for a completely different fandom, right? Right?

Speaking of cheesy teen drama...

Picture from BoxOfficeProphets.com

2. She's The Man: Attempting to follow the footsteps of 10 Things I Hate About You as a modern adaptation of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, She's The Man is a modern teen version of Twelfth Night. It stars Amanda Bynes, which right there should give you a notion of its quality. She's The Man doesn't measure up to 10 Things I Hate About You's witty and clever dialogue or its brilliant characterization. Instead it's just stupidly funny, relying on gender stereotype jokes and an over the top ridiculous love triangle (much more ridiculous than in the original Shakespeare, I feel). But sometimes I want mindless laughter, and She's The Man is perfect for unwinding after a stressful week.

Going from teen drama to preteen drama...

Picture from Tribute.ca

3. Sleepover: This is a really stupid movie about girls about to enter high school going on a scavenger hunt in order to become popular. Well, to get the popular girls' lunch spot. It is so ridiculously bad and two-dimensional, but it gives me a silly happy feeling when I watch it. You know, the thought that determination and the power of friendship could magically make your life better. Also, it has Jane Lynch in a minor role. Steve Carrell too, but I'm convinced the movie would not be as enjoyable without Jane Lynch, since she's made of awesome.
 
Picture from EW.com
4. The Hot Chick: Yeah, yeah, another high school movie. I remember seeing this in 8th grade at a classmate's house while working on a science project and finding it hilarious. It's an old movie -- so old it has Tia and Tamara Mowry, the twins from Sister, Sister in it, and it is such a badly done comedy. The thing that makes it brilliant is that Rob Schneider is scarily convincing as a teenaged girl. He really, really pulls off the part of a shallow blonde cheerleader trapped in an ugly man's body. I can't stand Rob Schneider in anything else, but he's ridiculously funny in The Hot Chick. Check it out some night with popcorn, candy, and a bottle of white wine or pink cocktails to be extra girly.

Picture from ComicVine.com
5. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: OK, yeah, I hear the collective gasps of shock and horror, the angry cries of "How dare you! And you call yourself an Alan Moore fan!" I like the LXG movie, ok? So send away the lynch mob. The LXG graphic novels are pretty incredible. Obviously. Alan Moore wrote them, after all, and he is a brilliant storyteller. To describe the movie as a very poor adaptation would be saying the very, very least, especially with the gross departures taken from every one of the characters -- both from the graphic novel and their literary origins. The LXG movie is one of those examples of films that give comic movies a bad name, like Batman and Robin or Constantine or Howard the Duck. Yeah, that's how bad it is. Considering that and how great the original work is, it was shocking to myself that I actually enjoyed it. Quite a WTF moment. Of course, Sean Connery and Richard Roxburgh probably contributed to my enjoyment, along with semi-badass vampire Mina (although WTF? In what way was Mina ever a chemist?!).

So there you have it: five movies I actually do own and watch when no-one is around. They're bad, but that's part of their charm. I certainly enjoy them more than popular, "successful" comedy Bridesmaids. But to each his or her own.
Yeah, they're all from Goodwill or secondhand stores. Like I'd pay full price for any of these?

All you readers out there, what are your guilty pleasure movies? Tell me in the comments!

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Friday, August 9, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Fast Glamorous Eyes

Today's Fab Tip:

"Fast evening eyes: Sweep a glitter eye shadow across the lid from the lash line to the crease and smudge it under the lower lash line."
-- Taken from Crazy Busy Beautiful by Carmindy, page 117.

Add some mascara and pink gloss, and you're good to go.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul

Masked

I might not have the best complexion in the world, but I do try to keep my skin as healthy as I can with a daily regimen of exfoliators, salicylic acid in cleansers, toners, gels, and creams, retinol, antioxidants, and moisturizers. I have very oily and acne-prone skin, so my skincare routine is a balance of acne treatment, oil absorption, and moisturizing to keep my skin hydrated so that it won't produce even more oil. About three times a week, I do a face mask.

If you've never tried a face mask, I highly recommend it. It's a great way to pamper your skin. There is a large range of face masks from affordable to luxurious for ever type of skin need. I rely on a lot of clay masks and avocado masks for my super slick oily skin, but there are moisturizing varieties for dry skin, like Freeman Beauty's Chocolate Strawberry Mask, which smells so delicious, btw. There are many with antioxidants to combat free radicals, some to brighten dark spots and even skin tones, and even some with anti-aging properties. People with combination skin can apply mud masks only on shiny areas like the t-zone, and there are delicate options for sensitive skin.

Picture from Sephora.com

There are three main types of masks: peel-off, sheet, and rinse-off. Peel masks, like Freeman Beauty's Cucumber Peel, feel like a goopy gel when applied but then dry and are peeled off like a snake shedding its skin to remove impurities and deep clean pores. Think of it as an all-over and much less painful version of Biore pore strips. Sheet masks are like a wet cloth or paper that you put on your face with hole for your eyes, nostrils, and mouth, a literal mask, and all of its goodies soak into your skin. These are the easiest to remove. The third kind is the broadest; these are the masks you paint, with either a brush or your fingers, onto your skin and rinse off, usually with a wet wash-cloth, once they've dried, and these can be made of mud, clay, olive oil, honey, avocado, mashed fruit, yogurt, et cetera. Rinse-off masks are perfect to do during a relaxing bath or unwinding before bedtime.

Picture from FreemanBeauty.com

I honestly have eight different bottles and tubes of face masks that I switch between. Freeman Beauty is my go-to brand, but it's always fun to try new ones. Yes to Cucumbers, Montagne Jeunesse, and several other brands sell single use packets of masks that are perfect for trying out, and of course, there are dozens upon dozens of DIY recipes involving all natural ingredients.

Picture from MontagneJeunesse.com

Just a few notes: make sure you wash and dry your face before applying the mask. The benefits won't really be able to reach your skin if they're blocked by sweat, oil, dirt, makeup, and such, and most masks won't stick to wet skin. Secondly, I prefer to use toner afterward to make sure I removed all traces of the masks and to restore my skin's pH, so I recommend this step. Finally, be sure to moisturize. Healthy skin is always well hydrated, so use your favorite moisturizer or a couple drops of argan oil.

This is a great way to get a spa experience in your own home. You can even place slices of cucumbers over your eyes and take a nap all girls' night cliche style. Try experimenting with different masks, and share your favorites with me in the comments. Enjoy!

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Sun-kissed Glow

Today's Fab Tip:

"To make [bronzer] look natural,... go back over the bronzed areas with the same brush, though this time with some translucent powder. Swirl the brush around until there are no lines between the bronzed and unbronzed skin."
-- Taken from Lauren Conrad Beauty by Lauren Conrad, page 91.

This is an incredibly useful tip to prevent the look of a line of bronzer if you use a contour brush to apply it. You can use the same concept to blend bronzer and blush together if you apply too much of both, and this will give your face a very natural, sun-kissed flush.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

DIY Sea Salt Spray

I'm excited to introduce a new feature on the Gossip Ghoul Blog: DIY Thursdays! In other words, I am devoted Thursdays to tutorials, how to's, and reviews of DIY projects (DIY means Do It Yourself for those of you who don't know). There are a lot of fun DIY projects out there online, and I've been trying them out to see which ones actually work or are worth the time and effort.

Picture from Sephora.com

My first project is DIY Sea Salt Texture Spray. For summertime hairstyles, textured, beachy waves are one of the most fun (think Gisele), and salt sprays or surf sprays are an essential part of that. The product with the biggest following is Bumble and Bumble's Surf Spray, but that's rather out of my price range for a hair product. A homemade option is a lot more affordable. There are a ton of different recipes for sprays at different blogs and beauty sites, but the one from The Beauty Department seemed to me to be the best, easiest, and most affordable option, since I had most of the ingredients already. Thus follows my attempt at recreating their sea salt spray.

Here's what you need:
  • an empty plastic spray bottle
  • 1 cup hot water
  • a tiny dab of water-based pomade (I used Got 2b's Playful Weightless Creme Pomade, since it's made for adding texture.)
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt (Just a note: it must be sea salt! Table salt will not work!)
  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil
  • 3 drops argan oil
  • 2 tablespoons leave-in conditioner



First, unscrew the lid of the bottle, and pour the water in.


Next, add the pomade. The Beauty Department says to use a "nickel-sized dab." Just make sure to use one that is water-based, or it won't dissolve.

Third, pour in the sea salt. Be sure to use fine sea salt, since coarse-ground salt will have a harder time dissolving.

Then, add the coconut oil and three drops of argan oil. These, along with the conditioner, will act as a moisturizer and prevent the sea salt from drying out your hair too much.


The next step is to put the lid back on and then shake up all the ingredients so far to dissolve everything. Then add in the leave-in conditioner and shake again.

Voila, you now have your own texturizing surf spray. I've been having a lot of fun with mine. I do Wednesday Addams braids most mornings, and I scrunch in some surf spray with my fingers to damp hair so that when I take out my braids, I have effortless beachy waves. Easy and fun! Tell me how it works out for you in the comments.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Textured Ponytail

Today's Fab Tip:

"Make second-day hair work in a cool pony by spritzing with dry shampoo and lightly teasing all over. Leave some pieces free (so it's not perfect!), and put hair in a semi-low pony."
-- Taken from Seventeen September 2013, page 112.

I would recommend a dry shampoo with some volumizing properties, like Tresemme's, and of course lightly mist hairspray so that the pony stays artfully messy all day.
Picture from MySupermarket.com

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Word of the Week: Frangible

Since this blog is supposed to help me with my writing, I am utilizing it to enhance my vocabulary, a very important part of my writing, of course. I should never stop trying to improve my skills, after all. Therefore, I am bringing back the Word of the Week. Basically, every Wednesday I choose a word not common in everyday conversation, and the challenge is for me and you readers out there to use it in one or two sentences by the end of the week. Send me your sentences in the comments, or tweet me with the hashtag #WordoftheWeek. Today's word is:

frangible
(adjective)
easily broken; breakable; capable of being broken; brittle; fragile

Example: I never really thought about how frangible items are at work until I dropped a gallon-sized glass jar of kimchi and had to clean it all up.
Example 2: Sometimes I wonder just how frangible my relationships are with family members and friends when it becomes apparent what a disconnect there is between us.

Have fun!

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Fabulous Tip of the Day: Blushing Beauty

Today's Fab Tip:

"Powder blushes are a bit faster to apply than creams, because you don't have to blend as much."
-- Taken from Crazy Busy Beautiful by Carmindy, page 172.

This is very true, especially if you use a big fluffy powder brush to blend for a very natural-looking flush. My favorite powder blush is Nars in Orgasm, one of the best powder blushes out there.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.

Taking The Plunge

Not just warmer weather, but hot weather has finally arrived. Summer is upon us, which means all the magazines and beauty blogs post self-tanner tips and tutorials and skin cancer prevention Q&A's, while those like me who prefer cadaverously pale complexions slather on 100+ SPF and top it off with Bare Minerals Mineral Sunscreen. It also means everyone around town wears tiny shorts, tank tops, and flip-flops, only to freak out when they enter the freezer that is the Asian supermarket and shriek, "It's cold!" Meanwhile, I shrug in my double layer of sweaters and say, "Oh, is it? I hadn't noticed."
My lifesaver in summer. Picture from Sephora.com

It also means that my apartment complex has opened the pool, so I can swim, on the condition that I wear swim clothes. All that leads me to swimsuit shopping.

There are few things that fill me with such dread and Lovecraftian-level horror as swimsuit shopping. The last one I bought was ten years ago. It was the only one piece I could find that both fit me and was affordable, and it worked well for a few years; but it is no longer in wearable condition, even if it could still fit me. The last few years, despite having easy access to a pool, I never replaced it. You see, swimsuits are something that absolutely must be tried on before buying, which leaves me standing before a full mirror with all my bulges and rolls of fat and cellulite on display. I have a lot of issues, and yes, body issues are part of that, which is why I have sworn off bikinis and two pieces. There is no way I'm going to show off my squishy midriff to the world. That, and bikinis almost never have enough support for my ample bosom, except for Victoria's Secret bikini tops. Those have amazing support like VS bras but are way out of my affordable price range and even further out of my comfortable skimpiness range.

This year, however, after seeing so many pretty suits in the fashion magazines (which say that one pieces are in again, hurray!), I decided to take the plunge. I pretended to be blase about it. "My plans for the day? I'm just going to buy a swimsuit and then drown myself in ice cream, vodka, and self-loathing," I told my sister breezily. I made sure to eat a healthy and non-filling breakfast of fruit that morning so that I wouldn't feel too pudgy. I spritzed on a flirty perfume and put Cruel Summer on my mp3 player to put myself in a bright mood, and then I headed to the mall.

Image from Polyvore.com

My first stop was Charlotte Russe. I had seen an adorable halter one piece with ruched sides in a lovely coral at the store previously, and I shop at Charlotte Russe often enough to know I take a size large in just about everything there. I went to the fitting room and told myself not to focus on the negative as I slipped off my skirt. Only... I couldn't get the swimsuit up my thighs. Apparently, their swimwear is sized differently than the rest of the store's clothes, and they didn't carry any XL one pieces.

Since that was my first pick, I was pretty discouraged, but I went to a few other stores and tried to stay optimistic. However, my heart kept sinking deeper and deeper with each failure of a swimsuit. After an hour and a half, I ended up at Target, which had a surprisingly large selection. I found an actually flattering, ruffled, purple suit with shapewear built in, but it was twice what I could afford. I tried on several and picked the one that sucked the least: black with spaghetti straps and a tiny bit of blue and green trim at the v-neckline. I also got a coral coverup dress to slip over the swimsuit so that I won't feel so exposed on my walk to and from the pool.

So a few days ago, when I slipped into that cool water and let the day's stress just melt away, I didn't think about how terrible I looked. That swimsuit felt right in the water, so it was worth all the pain and effort.

And, you know, black is slimming, so there's a plus, right?

Dive on in; the water's perfect.

XOXO
Gossip Ghoul.