How To Make Your Makeup Last

When I was nominated as a representative for my college senior class Homecoming Court, my initial excitement was short-lived. It dawned on me: I know nothing about hair and makeup, however a team of fairy-god-mothers (**cough** I mean, friends) came to my rescue and made me feel like true royalty!

If there's anything I learned from this experience, it's that a little setting spray can make your makeup last through a long day!

One of my biggest complaints about doing my own makeup in the past was that IT NEVER STAYS, but thanks to the help of makeup genius Breanna Chapa I gained a little more confidence in my everyday makeup look.

Breanna began applying my makeup at 8:30AM, and when I washed it off at 11:30PM (about 15 hours later), it looked JUST AS FLAWLESS as when she first applied it. Her secret to longevity? Simple! She set it with a MAC Prep & Prime spray.

Of course, being the queen of thrift, I opted to look for a cheaper alternative. Let's check it out below:

While you pay for quality with the MAC Prep + Prime, the ELF Makeup Mist & Set is just a fraction of the price and can be picked up at stores like Target and Wal-Mart.

"I've had my MAC spray for four months and have only used about 1/4 of the bottle, so it's definitely worth it," said Breanna.

Being so impressed with the MAC spray, I was compelled to checkout ELF, plus I just couldn't turn down the $3 price tag! I've been using it for about a week now, and I really enjoy how fresh my makeup stays all throughout the day. It sprays on a bit thicker than a mist, so I wait a minute for it to dry, but other than that I am pretty satisfied with the results!

I would recommend BOTH brands, because this simple adjustment to my daily makeup routine has boosted my confidence!

I felt so good, I snapped selfies all day!

Written by:

Alexis Gauthier

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[Makeup Credit: Breanna Chapa] [Feature Photo Credit: Ashley Espada]

Top Four Halloween Costume Ideas for 2014

Halloween can be a fun holiday because it gives you the opportunity to dress up in cool costumes, but just because you’re dressed as a character that you’re not in real life, doesn’t mean you should abandon your standards or dress with different values than you have in real life.

We all have heard the stigma that, "Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it," as quoted from the movie Mean Girls, but this couldn’t be more FALSE.

This Halloween season we – as ladies of the Top Buttons community – have the potential to change the status quo amongst our peers. In order to make this a more tangible goal, we’ve created a Pinterest board with tons of creative ideas we’ve seen on the internet, but here’s four of our FAVORITES, proving that you can have the look for less money, without having the look of less clothes.

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1. Be FOOD for Halloween!

We all know there’s an endless variety of food choices. Why not wear your favorite food? This gives you the opportunity to be extra creative in expressing your interests. We’ve included a few of our favorite foodie looks!

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2. "You're one in a minion," so why not dress as a Minion?

The Despicable Me movies may be a little old, but their notable Minions are the face of modern cartoons. A minion costume is a simple look to create, and can probably be put together with some items from your closet, the dollar store, or even a thrift store.

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3. Represent a Social Media Site!

This costume idea is so cute because it can represents today’s teen culture AND is good for a group of friends to do together. Purchase some basic colored Tee’s and paint the designs or print them out and apply with an iron-on. These ladies chose to pair their outfits with jean shorts and colored leggings, but you could even spice it up with tutu's!

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4. Save the day and be a Super Hero!

The greatest thing about these costumes is that it can be altered for as few or as many people as you want, because there’s so many heroes to choose from! Super hero shirts can be purchased occasionally at Wal-Mart,  or even made with some paint or iron-ons. Matching tutu’s can be made by buying tulle fabric at your local craft store, cutting it into strips, and tying those strips onto a belt or elastic. (For detailed instructions, check our Pinterest board)

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All in all, this Halloween season is not just about what costume you choose, but the memories made in the process! Post YOUR costume ideas on Instagram and Twitter and don't forget to tag us. We would love to see what you come up with!

Five Fall Fashion Finds $5 And Under

CottonOn has quickly become one of our favorite stores, because it offers current trends, a lot of versatility, AND it is super affordable. One of our favorite features on their website is the "Nothing Over $5" section.

We realize that their online store is constantly changing, so the images included in this article may no longer be available to purchase on their website, however we wanted you to see HOW CUTE and inexpensive their clothing options are.

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Here are 5 CURRENT fall fashion finds for $5 & under:

1. The "Coin Ring" -- For just $2, this ring could be YOURS! Its mix of gold and silver tones make this a multifaceted accessory.

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2. The "Mila Print Leggings" -- $5 is a SMALL PRICE to pay for such a BIG STATEMENT that these leggings make. Pair them with a long black shirt or dress.

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3. The "Crissy Cross Crop" - Stripes are a closet staple, so $5 is an amazing price to pay for something so essential to your wardrobe! Plus,  the cut of this shirt is super flattering. Because this is a crop though, be sure to wear an undershirt or high-waisted pants to cover the midriff!

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4. The "Destiny Strappy Woven Dress" - This dress has such a feminine pattern to it! It's the epitome of revealing less while also spending less at just $5.

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5. The "Divided Long Sleeve Top" - This is one of those shirts that would be perfect to pair with those patterned leggings that made it on this list. Another $5 steal with a studded-embellished pocket.

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There you have it ladies -- a concise list that will enhance and redefine your wardrobe on a budget! We hope you like these fashion picks! Comment below to let us know if this article inspired any purchases.

Fashion Cents: Tips for Buying Cheap Clothes

Written by Alexis Gauthier Good-day Lovely Ladies! Alexis here :D I’m so excited to be part of the new Fashion ¢ents campaign, because a good fashion bargain is fashion that just makes sense. Today I wanted to share with you my heart behind this fashion feature and even give you girls a few tips on how to work the thrift store bargains!

Imagine yourself at a holiday party, fun friend outing, or even just walking the halls of school. No matter where you are, your desire is to look and feel confident, however with the pricy trends that have made their way to the runway and front covers of magazines, it is difficult to afford diverse outfits, let alone one astounding look! I’ve been there. We all have, however I was lucky enough to jump on the thrifting train at a young age.

Once I learned that I could get the same looks at thriftier prices, I never went back. Why? Because my clothing items were original and affordable. Sometimes it takes a little more time and effort, but I also get more for my money, so I have more options to choose from! Here are some of my thrift store secrets.

Salvation Army – 50% off Wednesdays

A lot of Salvation Army stores discount all of their shoes, clothing, and accessories 50% off all day on Wednesdays. I love this sale because I get twice for a price that’s already a bargain.

A couple of my favorite items found at a recent Salvation Army 50% off sale!

Ask for discounts!

You never know how much money you can really save until you try. One time, I was shopping with a friend who was in an especially particular time financial crunch because her wedding was just weeks away. It was to the point that she couldn’t even afford the thrift shop prices, so I explained her situation to the cashier, and the sales clerk was sweet enough to add an ADDITIONAL 50% off. Another time, I had picked out a shirt with a lot of holes in it, which I didn’t mind because I know how to sew, and I showed the lady the holes and asked if I could have a discount. I ended up scoring the shirt for 50 cents!

Color of the day discount

Goodwill and Salvation Army ALWAYS have a color of the day. If you find clothes tagged with that color, you get a discount. It’s always like a treasure hunt, but definitely worth the search.

College discount

If you’re in college, almost every location honors students with a 10% off discount. I’ve been using this discount since high school by presenting my dual-enrollment ID. If you’re not in college, check your local thrift store for similar discounts like senior discounts etc. and plan a thrifting adventure with a college mentor or grandparent so you can use their discount.

99cents a pound

Okay, so here is one of my BIGGEST thrift secrets. There’s select Goodwill locations that are called Goodwill Headquarters. These locations are usually very large buildings with two sides: there’s the normal store with a very large selection, and then there’s section that is 99 cents a pound. You need to have a lot of time on your hands to sift through the tables and buckets of clothes, but it is so affordable in the end. I’ve been twice, spent $7 both times, and left with about 15 items on both occasions. That averages out to about 50 cents per item. My favorite buy was a sequin pair of Express shorts.

Plato’s Closet grab bag sale

This is one of my absolute favorite discounts, however it only happens once or twice a year, depending on location. Every summer Plato’s Closet draws in crowds of fashionistas with the alluring temptation of gently used name brand clothing combined with extra low prices. How? They have a grab bag sale! The object of the sale is to stuff as much clothing and accessories into the bag as possible so that it can still tie, and then all the contents of the bag are yours for just $20. I’ve lined up for this sale before, in which the line wrapped around the building and girls of all ages ran inside when doors opened. I ended up leaving Plato’s Closet spending $20 and getting 25 items of nearly new clothing, all because I strategically folded and stuffed.

So, there you have it: some of the best discount tips from the bargainer herself! I hope you enjoyed. Leave some feedback so I know what YOU want to hear about in my next Fashion Cents feature.

The possibilities are endless.

Where to find the Perfect Prom Dress 2013

Seriously, trying to find a modest and yet noteworthy PROM DRESS is almost as difficult as finding a modest costume at HALLOWEEN! So while it may seem impossible, trying something new or going your own route just might make you the bell of the ball. Prom is often associated with boys, make out sessions and after parties. There are plenty of magazines with an eyeful of content such as that to read. Our plan, however, is simply to give you some tips on where to find fun prom dresses so you may enjoy your evening in a way that honors your body and your values.

The question is, where DOES a young lady go to find the perfect prom dress these days? Ebay, a local boutique, renttherunway.com, online style magazines, or a department store? Most young women will spend hours, days, and maybe even weeks trying to find the dress that best suits her style. Maybe She'll virtually try on dresses from Seventeen's Prom Dress Gallery. Hoping to complete the look, girls then search for Prom Hair Styles, sparkle pumps, and makeup tutorials! It's too much to fit in one post, but we're aiming to get you on the right track and find THE look that represents YOU. A look that lets your lovely inner self shine through.

BORROW A PROM DRESS FROM A FRIEND

If you're not wanting to break your piggy bank, why pay money for a prom dress at all? Ask your sisters, your friends, your sister's friends, cousins, even your grandmother may have a little vintage number awaiting you. By asking around you might find a number of dress options to borrow for your special night. Aarika pulled together the Prom looks you see in this photo shoot. These dresses were from their own closets or borrowed from a friend.

A little side note to keep in mind: Height matters when you borrow a dress from a friend. If it's a short friend with a short dress, a taller girl might have to refrain. Unfortunately, even though these girls are super close friends, Amelia and Katie can't do much clothes swapping between each other because of the height difference.

You want to know where Amelia's gown is from, right??? It was actually worn on Glee last season. They took off the belt and buttons, chopped the tool off a bit, but it was THIS Betsy Johnson dress that was seen on the program. Betsy Johnson is known for the fun, flashy, and feminine kinda looks. Not all would be Top Buttons recommended, but this one is stunning. We found several dresses on Ebay just like this one.

TRY PURCHASING A PROM DRESS STYLE THAT CAN BE WORN MORE THAN ONCE

Katie on the right (in the picture above) loves classic, preppy styles. This gold dress could be worn after prom is over to a wedding, church event, or even a fancy dinner. We are ALL ABOUT buying PRACTICAL. Being able to wear a dress more than once is always a good thing when spending lots of bucks.

RENT YOUR PERFECT PROM DRESS

What if your friends don't have fancy dresses in your size or their taste isn't similar to yours? Try RENTING A DRESS! This trend is for ladies who want to wear high end fashions at low cost, and who would NOT BE CAUGHT DEAD in the same Evening Gown MORE THAN ONCE! We looked into this NEW TREND of RENTING Luxurious Dresses Online. There are several websites that offer this option. Online rental sites offer dresses at a fraction of the cost + free shipping. Would you ever rent a dress?

A TOP BUTTONS TIP FOR ONLINE PROM DRESS SHOPPING

When searching ONLINE for a fancy dress and a modest style that suits your body type, consider looking for a neckline that cuts straight across the front like the dresses on Ahna and Kenady. A straight, square or box neckline provides coverage for girls with more curves. The one shoulder dress often sweeps elegantly upwards to one side and in doing so lays flat across the chest. Enjoy your evening without a wardrobe malfunction, by securing the right dress for your body type.

Finding the right length can be challenging as well. Dresses are either long or super short. This Dress length hits just above the knee and is very flattering for all body types, especially on Kenady seen below.

FIND LAST SEASON'S DRESSES ON EBAY

The dresses featured in this post are fun, beautiful, and perfect for a fancy evening depending on your personal preference of course! You won't find these particular dresses in the store because they have been worn and passed around within this circle of friends for years. You know it's a good dress, when your friends want to borrow it! With that in mind, if there is a particular dress featured in this post that you like, try searching Ebay for one similar... It is the place to shop for used Prom Dresses! Search for brand, color, and size. Have patience when bidding, though. If you try and outbid too quickly, you will likely pay more for the dress than you originally intended.

BE BRAVE: TRY SOME "OUT OF THE BOX" ELEGANT STYLES

• This high low Chiffon Dress NEEDS A GOOD SLIP UNDERNEATH to your mid thigh, but it's one of our favorites!
• So YES, Let me prepare you... it's OUT OF THE BOX! It's the Brightest RED DRESS you've EVER SEEN!!! It's Noteworthy. It's Modest. It's Modern, and it's priced at 49.95!
• Maybe try a Dress with Beaded Embroidery?! Here is another sweet little number (with a straight, high neckline and knee length style) from H&M that meets our TB standard. It's striking and delicate.
• Anne Hathaway does it Her Way with a formal dress and MOTORCYCLE JACKET! Check out how you can shield your shoulders from the chilly air with an EDGE on Prom Night AND STILL keep the frilly flair.
• Or try buying only a FANCY SKIRT + pair it with a more casual top for a look that shows you are truly confident in your own style.

OUT OF THE 5 STYLES LISTED ABOVE, WHICH ONE DO YOU LIKE BEST? PLEASE COMMENT BELOW!

THE PROM DRESS STEAL: Grab this FLOOR LENGTH, ONE SHOULDER Dress in TEAL OR ANTIQUE ROSE from H&M for only 59.95! You could trade in the belt for something more sparkly to fancify the look even more.

We have created a Top Buttons Pinterest Board for Prom 2013. Check it out and let us know what you think about our recommendations. We would love to hear the details about your Prom Dress Search experience!

Now we didn't offer you makeup tips or hair tutorials yet... KEEP CHECKING back this week and Next for some more helpful tips to make your Prom 2013 better than ever!

Written by: Sarah Powers

Photo Credit: Beth Carter Photography

Central Florida Ladies, Join us for the First Ever Top Buttons Swap and Shop!