Search Honestly Jamie
I am pretty much never on the forefront of social media.
I mean, I just got a Twitter this year (I’m kinda a big deal—I already have a whopping 50 followers). It has never bothered me that I’ve always been late to the game, until I started seeing my friends on Instagram hashtagging their photos with #100happydays. This time I wouldn’t be left behind—I had to investigate.
I have a confession to make. I, Hannah Cranston, am a gold digger.
No, it’s not what you’re thinking—I’m not that kind of gold digger (although it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for my barren wallet), but I AM a self-professed beauty gold digger.
As a #beautynewbie, I cannot just settle for any old make-up trend. I’m on the prowl for the biggest and best trends and products to add to my beauty arsenal. And this week, I struck gold…literally.
From The Grammys to NYFW to the Oscars, the gilded eye has become the golden rule for rocking one of the hottest beauty trends of 2014. I was absolutely inspired by AMY ADAMS at the Oscars…this look is almost as good as when she got up to dance with Pharrell, btw.
Naturally, I couldn’t pass up being a part of this cosmetics gold rush, so I decided to jump on board and get my glitter on.
I first covered my eyelid in URBAN DECAY EYESHADOW PRIMER POTION IN SIN. I then used STILA BAKED EYESHADOW TRIO CHAMPAGNE on my outer eyelids to give my gilded eye a smoky effect. To cover my inner eyelid, I used L’OREAL PARIS INFALLIBLE EYE SHADOW IN BRONZED TAUPE to really start bringing the gold into the equation. Finally, shiz got real when I used URBAN DECAY HEAVY METAL GLITTER EYELINER IN MIDNIGHT COWBOY to line my eye. Let me just tell you, this product is definitely worth its weight in gold; the brush is easy to use and provides major glam.
I feel as good as gold (had to get one last “gold” pun in there).
Have a trend you’d like to see me try? Tweet me @han_cran, #beautynewbie, with your suggestion!
SHOP THE POST:
Back in the day, before my quarter life crisis, I was a BIG America’s Next Top Model fan—I mean like, who wasn’t? But for some super weird reason, one episode stands out in my mind more than any other. In the particular scene, Tyra Banks informs one of the contestants about the importance of filling in her sparse brows. Tyra even confesses that her own makeup artist chastises her whenever she goes out and has her picture taken without her “eyebrows on.” Oddly enough, that phrase has stuck with me since and now, I never leave the house without my “eyebrows on.”
That’s why, with the announcement of Michelle Rodriguez and Cara Delevingne‘s relationship, I decided to emulate the supermodel’s signature brows and put on my own for #beautynewbie.
BEFORE
So to create the look, I used BENEFIT GIMME BROW in MEDIUM DEEP. I applied the wand to my brows with short and light strokes, paying special attention to naturally sparser areas and focusing on the front areas to give it a more natural look. I also extended the fill past my natural line to create a bolder feel. Finally, I swept over each brow with a brow brush to ensure that the gel was spread evenly without clumps.
Now if only I could look as cute with crossed-eyes….
Have a trend you’d like to see me try? Tweet me @han_cran, #beautynewbie, with your suggestion!
– Hannah Cranston, Assistant Editor
After trying purple lipstick and cat eyeliner, I was feeling a little vampy. Maybe my quarter life crisis is bringing out a darker side in me? Who knows. What I do know is that I wanted to explore this edgier side of my adult self a little more.
After seeing images from New York Fashion Week (they must’ve lost my invite in the mail?), I knew exactly what trend I wanted to try next. From Rebecca Taylor to Charlotte Ronson, from Tess Giberson to Rebecca Minkoff, vamp nails were a dark and sexy standout from the pièce de résistance of the clothes.
Now while DIY nail art of any kind is a legitimate fear of mine, I decided to suck it up and attempt the vamp French manicure, seen above at Rebecca Minkoff.
Once I picked out my colors, OPI “Lost on Lombard” and NYC “Black Lace Crème,” panic sunk in as to how I was ever going to create this look and avoid my nails looking like a kindergarten art project. Then, I found this nifty (yes, I said nifty) trick on Pinterest using hole reinforcement labels and went for it.
I painted two coats of the OPI color and then waited for them to dry (fully!) before placing the reinforcement labels on to make the perfect French tip. I then applied one coat of the black tip color, pealed off the labels, and covered the whole look with OPI topcoat.
I absolutely love how this twist on the classic French manicure turned out—it’s dark, edgy, and totally different from your everyday mani.
Have a beauty trend you’d like to see me try? Tweet me @han_cran, #beautynewbie, with your suggestion!
– Hannah Cranston, Assistant Editor
With this week’s release of Lauren Conrad’s adorable, and beyond enviable, engagement photos, I couldn’t help but be inspired to try one of LC’s (yes, she will always be LC to me no matter how far she’s journeyed from Laguna Beach) signature looks—the cat eye.
Now while Lauren may have borrowed her inspiration from the original cat eye queen herself, Cleopatra, I sought my muses from the Spring 2014 runway. From Anna Sui to Dolce & Gabbana to Salvatore Ferragamo, the runway was covered with models winging it out. So as Spring approaches (hopefully sooner rather than later, am I right east coast?), I decided it was time to grab my eyeliner and try it out myself.
I opted for Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen and followed THIS YOUTUBE TUTORIAL from LC herself and her makeup artist, AMY NADINE.
The ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen was easy to use and the color didn’t smear across my eyelid like with other liquid liners. I followed Lauren’s guidance for a more conservative winged eye, but based on the results, I might just knock it up a notch the next time I’m feeling…well, catty.
Meow.
Have a beauty trend you’d like to see me try? Tweet me @han_cran, #beautynewbie, with your suggestion!
– Hannah Cranston, Assistant Editor
We all know THAT sporty girl. She loves a cold one after work. She is great at poker and down to smoke a cigar with the guys. She knows the stats about the latest game and completely bros out on the weekend. She is…the cool sporty girl. (Jamie’s note: I’m so NOT this girl. I had to ask Hannah when the Super Bowl is even on TV)
Now, while I will always prefer a skinny margarita over a Coors Light, I can’t help but have a tinge of envy when it comes to the world’s cool sporty girls. So this Sunday, I’m stepping up my game (no pun intended) and giving those cool sporty girls a run for their money. I am going to master the Super Bowl. “Master” might be an exaggeration, but I am going to know a fact or two to prove my knowledge before and after the Bruno Mars concert…I mean, halftime show. (Jamie’s note: I wish Beyonce were performing again, sigh).
Here is my SUPER BOWL FACT SHEET, so you too can be the cool sporty girl at your game-day party:
Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos: you can show your support with these super cute nail art ideas (try not to pick a team to root for based solely on the colors) (Jamie’s note: but if you DO, don’t tell any men that was your reasoning.)
Quarterbacks (or QB): Russell Wilson vs. Peyton Manning
KEY TERMS AND FACTS:
Both teams want to score by advancing into the opposing team’s endzone (at either end of the field with the big fork thing)
Offense– tries to score (like a goal or basket or home run in other sports) by entering the opposing team’s endzone
Defense– tries to protect their endzone, by smashing into (or tackling) the offensive players and making them fall or drop the ball, or by intercepting the ball (think monkey in the middle)
Each team gets 4 attempts, or downs, to travel 10 yards with the ball. They can pass (this is where the QB’s come in) or run with the ball. Once the player hits the ground, the play is over and the team has one less down. If they travel all 10 yards within the allotted 4 downs, then they get another 4 downs to try to cover an additional 10 yards and advance towards the other team’s endzone.
If the team doesn’t cover 10 yards within the 4 downs then the other team gets the ball and the whole thing starts all over.
If the team gets super close to the other team’s endzone before the end of their 4 downs, they can attempt kicking the ball between the goal posts (the big fork thing) for a field goal, worth 3 points.
Touchdown– worth 6 points when a team runs or catches the ball in the opposing team’s endzone.
After a touchdown, the team can gain an additional point by kicking the ball between the goal posts in the endzone or two points if they run or pass it in.
Now you are officially a cool girl. Just throw in an italicized word every now and then through a mouthful of chips and dip and you’ll be good to go.
Jamie’s note: I had to add in these super adorable chocolate covered strawberries that look life footballs (sorry, Hannah), but they’re a perfect and healthy game-time snack. If any men are reading this, completely ignore this photo. Go team.
Recipe here
– Hannah Cranston, Assistant Editor
