Sock Bun 101

If you guys follow me on Twitter, you probably already know that I am absolutely loving the sock bun right now. It's quick, easy, and creates a completely flawless bun with almost no effort. Trust me, once you try it you will just fall in love like I did.

The problem is, most of the information out there about sock buns is super complicated and confusing, so they can seem a bit intimidating at first. So I've decided to throw together a simple tutorial to cover all the basics of the sock bun. I'll be going over where to buy a sock bun, the easiest way I've found to put it in, and different ways to style it once you've gotten the hang of everything. Plus, a few other random tricks I've picked up along the way!

How-To: Build the Perfect Stack of Arm Candy!

Up until about a year ago, I was super reluctant to wear almost any kind of jewelry. I just felt like I didn't know how to put everything together and make it look good, so I stood by and admired pretty sparkly things wishing I was able to effortlessly pull them off. But to all the girls who are just as intimidated by bracelet stacks as I was- don't worry, there is hope! 

In fact, I've found that once you get the hang of it, building a perfect stack of arm candy actually is pretty effortless. Read on to learn all my tips and tricks!

Answers To Your FAQ's!

I've been getting tons of questions coming in lately, so I figured I would just put my responses all together in a handy FAQ post. If you have any more questions for me, feel free to ask them in the comments below! ♥

Where did the name sparkle & mine come from? What does it mean?
I've wanted to start a blog for years now, and I remember probably 2 or 3 years ago I was just thinking what I would want to name my blog if I ever made one. I honestly can't remember exactly how or why, but sparkle & mine popped into my head and it just kind of stuck with me. I think it may have been because it sounded catchy? Plus, it's random and involves sparkles...so it does kind of fit perfectly!

Where did you get your blog design from?
The Cutest Blog On the Block! They seriously have the cutest stuff for every single form of social media you could think of. Go visit them!

Do you work in the beauty or fashion industry?
Nope, but I hope to one day! Right now I'm a sophomore in college majoring in Public Relations. I'm definitely not an expert on anything I discuss on this blog, I just talk about what I know and love and that happens to be fashion and beauty!

Do you have any advice for an aspiring blogger?
The biggest thing I would say is...go for it! If you have a passion for something and you want to share it with the world, there is no better way to do it than blogging. It's definitely a lot of hard work, but if you love what you're blogging about then it's the best kind of work there is!

Do you have a Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/YouTube?
Facebook- Yep! https://www.facebook.com/sparkleandmine. I don't accept friend requests on my personal account from anyone I don't know...sorry!
Twitter- Yep! https://twitter.com/sparkleandmine
Pinterest- Yep! https://pinterest.com/sparkleandmine
YouTube- Nope! Vlogging is definitely something I've considered, but as of right now I just don't have the time or equipment to start.

Budget Beauty: (More!) Drugstore Dupes

So I have been getting comments, tweets, messages, emails, and everything else imaginable all with the same request: you guys want more drugstore dupes!

In case you missed it the first time around, drugstore dupes are basically just a cheaper and more easily accessible (hello Walmart!) version of high-end cosmetics. I have tested out all of these products and found that they are nearly identical in every way but the price tag!

How-To: Cover Up Blemishes Like a Pro!

Is it just me, or do pimples seem to pop up in the worst possible place at the worst possible time for you guys too? Just a few weeks ago, I was sporting a lovely Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer-esque pimple right on the tip of my nose. I know, super cute. And although we can't control when and where a pesky breakout will develop, we can definitely keep them covered up and out of sight with the right tools and techniques!

Let's Be Facebook Friends! ♥

Guess who just made a Facebook?! Yep, sparkle & mine! I'd love it if you guys would head over to the official Facebook page and "like" it for updates on new blog posts and other randomness right on your newsfeed (there is also a handy "like" box on the blog's sidebar if you scroll down a bit!). I have some really exciting new things in store for the future, so you definitely don't want to miss out!

Thanks so much for your support girlies!! ♥

P.S.- You can also come say hi to me on these sites:

https://twitter.com/sparkleandmine

http://pinterest.com/sparkleandmine

How-To: Look Flawless In Photos!

Okay girlies, time for us to fess up. We all have that one (or more!) truly awful picture of us floating around out there that we wish we could burn or delete off of social media forever. Unfortunately, there's not much we can do about those pictures that have already been taken (besides Photoshop), but there is hope! Throughout the years I've learned some really useful tips for looking your best in photos. From what to buy to how you should apply, I've got it all covered for you!

10 Wardrobe Essentials Every Girl Should Own

As much fun as shopping can be, it can also get a little stressful. There is just so much great (and not so great!) fashion out there, it's hard to sort through the racks to find pieces that are trendy, flattering, and affordable. 

That's why I like to start each season by stocking up my wardrobe with an updated collection of classic pieces that I know will never fail me. While fads like Ugg boots and crop tops have made their way in and out of my closet, these are the kind of pieces that will always stick around. 

So what are you waiting for? Break out the checklist and open those closet doors for my ten must-have wardrobe essentials! 

Review: Covergirl Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balms

When I first heard about the Clinique Chubby Sticks I was soooo beyond excited. I ran out and bought one right when they came out and it was just love at first use for me. However, the Chubby Sticks are definitely not cheap, and that is the one major issue I had with them. I certainly don't mind shelling out a little bit of extra money for a really great quality product that does something extraordinarily better or different than anything else out there, but to me $16 for a tinted lip balm seems a little much.

So when I happened to be browsing through the drugstore cosmetics section and saw that Covergirl had their very own version of the Chubby Sticks for less than half the price, that made me pretty happy! I went ahead and bought three different colors: Coral Twist, Ballet Twist, and Blush Twist. Coral Twist is obviously a bright shade of coral and it turns out to be a really pretty color on my lips. Ballet Twist is a super pale pink, and although it looks pretty in the stick there is almost no color payoff when you put it on your lips. Blush Twist is a classic shade of pink, and it's a great everyday color that I'm sure I'll be getting a ton of use out of.

The consistency of the jumbo gloss balms is basically the same as the Clinique formula. I love that they give just a hint of color like a gloss without being sticky or goopy. If the texture of a lipstick, the moisture of a lip balm, and the color payoff of a lip gloss had a baby, this would be it. And for that, I absolutely love it. My biggest issue with all of the jumbo gloss balms/chubby sticks I've tried is that they just do not have any lasting power. The second you eat, drink, or breathe the color will be almost completely gone. It's not a huge deal to reapply, but it would be nice not to have to worry about constantly reapplying.

Overall, I really do like the Covergirl Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balms. They are super moisturizing which I love, especially in the winter when my lips get chapped so easily. I will definitely be repurchasing Coral and Blush Twist and most likely trying some other colors. I don't love the staying power of these guys, but the affordable price makes them more than worth it!

Have you tried out any of the jumbo gloss balms? Let me know what you think in the comments below! ♥

How-To: Sleep In and Still Look Pretty!

I just have a quick announcement to share with you guys- sparkle & mine has joined the twitterverse! I'll be using Twitter to share blog updates and other randomness so be sure to follow s&m and say hi!

Aaand moving on, I don't know about you guys, but I love my sleep. And as much as I always plan to get up early the next morning to curl my hair or do a full make-up routine, I end up hitting the snooze button about 10 times. After doing that for years, I've finally mastered a routine that allows me to get a little extra rest on those early mornings and still look put together for the day. So here they are, my morning time-savers for hair and makeup!