How To: Make Your Eyes Bigger and Brighter!

Hello lovelies! Today I'm going to be sharing another one of my very favorite makeup tricks- how to make your eyes look bigger and brighter! As you can see from the picture above, applying eye makeup the wrong way can really shrink down your eyes no matter how big or small they naturally are. While on the other hand, applying it the right way does absolute wonders if you want to achieve that glowing, wide-awake look! And let's be honest, what girl doesn't? 

So let's go ahead and get started!

1. Lighten Up

Since the eye area naturally has lots of depth and shadowing, bring in some light by applying a highlight color to the inner corners and waterline of your eye. I like to apply a shimmery cream-colored eyeshadow to the inner corner with my finger to create a well-blended, soft highlight. For my waterline, I typically use a pencil at least 2 shades lighter than my skin tone to create that fresh and awake look. Some people prefer using a stark white, but I find that can look a bit too obvious and harsh.

2. Lengthen Those Lashes

For a baby doll wide-eyed look, it's important to choose a lengthening mascara that will define and separate your lashes without clumping them up. Applying mascara on both top and bottom lashes will really make your eyes pop even more. I'm personally not a huge fan of false lashes, but if you feel comfortable using them they are certainly another great option to really amp up the length of your lashes. 

3. Contour Correctly

When applying your crease eyeshadow, be sure to extend it up above your natural crease line. This will create the illusion of a much larger, more well-defined eye. I generally like to stick with a medium-brown crease color as I find that it mimics the look of a natural shadowing. 

4. Eyebrows are Everything
I've said it before and I will say it again, a well groomed eyebrow really frames your whole face and can make or break any eye look. I like to fill in my brows with powder and then keep them in place with a clear brow gel.

5. Line with Caution
Now some might call this a little extreme, but I actually have a rule that I will not touch my bottom lash line with any eye liner. Instead, try using a brown eyeshadow to subtly define the bottom of the eye without creating any harsh lines. This trick also works great because it creates a shadow lower down, making the eye appear much wider than if you were to draw a thin line right below the lashes (notice the huge difference in the photo above).

And those are all of my favorite tips and tricks for bigger, brighter eyes! I'd love to hear any other secrets you have in the comments below! ♥

This month my Ultimate Sparkle Sponsor is Carly Tati. To find out more about advertising on Sparkle & Mine, click here!

(More) Home Decor Finds Under $40!

Hi lovelies! As I've been getting settled in my new apartment, I've really started figuring out what I like and what I don't as far as decor goes. Some of the items I originally purchased just aren't fitting in as well as I thought they would, and others have turned out to be even better than I expected! So today I wanted to share some of my favorite furniture and accent pieces- all for under $40!


I do want to note that since I made some of these purchases months ago, a few of the exact pieces I have are no longer available for sale online. So I just went ahead and found the most similar items I could possibly find for you guys!

Also, I just wanted to take a moment to let all of my fellow college girls out there know about Amazon Student. It's a super useful program that gives you unlimited free two-day shipping and tons of other perks like free access to Kindle books and movies. And right now, they're offering a free 6 month trial for all college students who sign up! I use my membership all the time to buy home items, food, clothes, and pretty much anything else you could imagine! If you're interested in signing up, click here for more information!

And with all that out of the way, let's go ahead and get started!

DHP Gray Trellis Accent Pillows ($29)*

I have these gorgeous pillows on my bed as we speak and I absolutely love them! They are super plush and soft, and the print is unique yet neutral enough to blend in with almost any decor. And at under $30, they're a total steal!

Xhilaration Roses White Lamp ($23.79)

From the moment I saw this lamp at Target, I just fell in love! I'm obsessed with the shabby chic charm of the frayed rose lamp shade, and the ornate base adds an elegant touch. If you're a complete girly-girl like me, this lamp is pretty much a must-have!

PB Teen Preppy Paper Desk Accessories in Pool Dottie ($39)

While I originally bought the magazine folder and pencil cup for their original purpose, the makeup junkie in me figured out a slightly different use for them as I started getting moved in! I actually use the magazine holder for my large makeup pallets. It's great because they are all standing up so I can see them, and I can easily flip through and pull one out just like I would with a magazine. Then I use the pencil cup for my makeup brushes. All in all, these pieces are super useful and a great deal for the whole set!

DHP Parsons End Table ($15)*

This end table is perfect for anyone who fears the words "assembly required" as much as I do. All you have to do is twist in the legs to the tabletop, and you're good to go! No tools needed! I've had the table for about a month now and I have absolutely no complaints. It's simple enough to fit in with any home style and affordable enough to fit with any budget! 

Xhilaration Baroque Picture Frame ($13)

Lately I just can't get enough of these ornate picture frames! I actually have two of them in my room, and they add such an elegant touch to any space! I definitely recommend stocking up on a few for this price!

Xhilaration White Flower Decorative Pillow ($20)

So this pillow doesn't translate very well in photos, but it's gorgeous in person! The petals are three-dimensional and give the pillow an amazing depth. I've seen similar pillows on Etsy or more expensive home decor shops for double or triple the price, so this pillow is also an amazing bargain! I wouldn't recommend actually resting on it though since it is white, I learned that the hard way when a bit of my makeup rubbed off on a petal! 

ModCloth Perch High and Low Jewelry Stand ($30)

I actually have a really similar jewelry stand that's no longer available, but I think I may like this one even more! I love that the "branches" can hold necklaces, earrings, or bracelets, and the bottom stand is perfect for rings. Plus, the vintage, whimsical vibe is the perfect decorative touch! 

That's it for my affordable home decor finds! I know a lot of you have been requesting an apartment tour, and I just want to let you know that I definitely hear you all and it's in the works! Let me know in the comments if you'd prefer a photo or video tour and I will see what I can do! ♥

P.S.- Be sure to "like" DHP on Facebook for tons of exclusive offers and a first look at new items!

This month my Ultimate Sparkle Sponsor is Carly Tati. To find out more about advertising on Sparkle & Mine, click here!

The Best Sites to Shop for Cheap & Chic Shoes!

Hello lovelies! I am so excited to be back! It's been a hectic few weeks with moving into a new apartment in a new state and starting school, but I can't wait to use all of my experiences as inspiration for future posts! In the meantime, I wanted to bring you guys a brand new edition of one of my most popular posts of all time! Only this time around, I'm giving it a shoe lover's twist!

So without further adieu, let's go shopping for some cheap & chic new shoes!


1. Sole Society
Whether I'm in need of a new pair of heels for a night out or flats for walking to class, Sole Society is always first on my list! They have a huge selection of on-trend footwear that could seriously rival any high-end designer in terms of quality and comfort- but for a fraction of the price! And not only are their prices always super affordable, but they also offer some amazing ways to save even more. Right now they're offering 20% off your first purchase and free shipping on all orders! I mean really, how can you beat that?

2. Akira
If you're a Midwest girl like I am, you've probably heard of Akira! Their stores are filled with edgy-yet-wearable pieces that are perfect for a rocker chic look on a budget. And my favorite section of Akira has got to be their shoes! I like to call them "wearable art", with crazy awesome designs like cutout heels, hologram wedge sneakers, and spiky studded straps.

3. Old Navy
Okay, so I'm sure you guys have all heard of Old Navy. But did you know they also have an adorable collection of flats, boots, and even wedges? I used to only shop at Old Navy for their ridiculously cheap flip-flops, but one day I decided to browse around a little, and I was seriously in ballet flat wonderland! What I love most about the shoes here is that they are always super comfy, and prices are so low you can stock up on two (or twenty) different colors and styles!

4. Daily Look
If you've never been on Daily Look, you seriously need to check it out right this minute! The concept behind it is basically that every day, they post a new magazine-style shot of an outfit, with everything available to buy right on their site. It's great for all the girls out there like me who see shoes they love but struggle to figure out what to wear them with. Plus, their prices are always really affordable and they offer great coupon codes, like 20% off with email sign-up!

5. Topshop
So in case you guys haven't heard of Topshop before, they are a super trendy, Forever 21-esque store that is crazy popular in the UK. Their shoes range from classic and preppy to seriously chic and high-fashion. I could seriously do some major damage on my credit card browsing all of Topshop's unique footwear! Is it wrong to want one of everything?

And those are all of my very favorite sites to shop for cheap & chic shoes! I'd love to hear about all of your favorite stores for fabulous footwear in the comments down below! ♥

This month my Ultimate Sparkle Sponsor is Carly Tati. To find out more about advertising on Sparkle & Mine, click here!

Be sure to check out StudentRate's amazing back to school deals here!

School Sparkle: 4 Quick & Easy Heatless Hairstyles!

Hi lovelies! Can you believe how much Summer has absolutely flown by? For most of us, it's already almost time to go back to school! So while I take a few moments to mourn the end of another summer break and gear up for the new year, I'll be bringing you guys a brand new series of back-to-school posts courtesy of some of my very favorite guest bloggers! 

Next up is Carly Tati with some super chic time-saving hairstyles!

We've all had it happen to us: we hit snooze one too many times, and just can't face a 7:30 am class. And our hair is the first thing to go to get those extra few minutes of sleep! 

As much as I wish I had the perfectly tousled Victoria Secret hair look that seems so effortless, my hair doesn't do that without trying pretty hard! So to get ready for back to school, here are 4 ideas for just rolled out of bed hair that barely requires brushing. The messier the better! They also don't require any heat styling. All you need is ponytail holders, bobby pins, and a brush. 5 minutes for each look and you're ready to go! 

Look 1: Side Braid with Scarf

I saw a girl the other day in my neighborhood wearing this look and thought it was so cute. This look is the easiest of them all. You could practically create it on the way to class! 

Look 2: The Chignon 

I always love a great chignon. It's fast and easy and always looks chic. The great thing about the chignon is you can wear it high and sleek, or you can go with a more tousled and messy look either high or low. Change it up depending on your mood! 

Optional pop of color: Take a silk neck scarf and roll it. Tie it around the chignon to add a personal touch. 

Look 3: The Knotted Pony

Who wants to wear a basic pony every day? It's nice to change it up and this variation offers a fast and fun way that only requires a ponytail holder! 

Look 4: The Low Pony High Volume

As I was lightly teasing my hair to add volume, I was thinking to myself, wow Brigitte Bardot was teasing her hair almost every day to create that insatiable volume! I just did the light version of it for some quick no heat volume. My hair is fine and thin, so if you have thick or wavy to curly hair, you can skip the teasing step. 

If you want more volume to take it to a 60's look, just keep teasing!! Lightly smooth your hair with your fingers to avoid losing the volume you just worked for with the teasing. 

This look is great for a downtown vibe and an uptown vibe. Dress it down if your feeling casual. If you have a date after class or a presentation, dress it up by adding a cute headband and covering the ponytail holder in back with a thin layer of hair wrapped around it to keep it sleek! 

What are your favorite time saving hairstyles? Good luck with this semester! I'm going to keep my eyes open for beauty time-savers, they are always good to have! 

xo,

Carly Tati

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This month my Ultimate Sparkle Sponsor is Carly Tati. To find out more about advertising on Sparkle & Mine, click here!