Jennifer Lawrence: Minimal Makeup Looks for Spring 2015

"I'm a big believer in accepting yourself and not really worrying about it."

Jennifer Lawrence, the 24-year-old Hunger Games star is known for being blunt about the importance of self-confidence. We love Jennifer for many reasons, including her ability to rock completely natural and minimal-makeup looks all over magazine covers and red carpets.

A lot of assumptions come along with wearing makeup– there are stereotypes that girls who wear heavy makeup are self-conscious or vain. However, we love makeup and the fun that comes along with trying a bold, fuchsia lip or a subtle smokey eye.

On the other hand, a minimalistic makeup look lets others know that you are confident in your own skin through your makeup choice. It allows extra time to sleep in, and a fresh face can feel great from time-to-time, especially on long days when you do not feel like reapplying your pretty pink lipstick multiple times.

You do not need to avoid makeup completely (which we definitely do not object to!), but your makeup routine can be oh-so-simple with just a few quick steps. To get a look like Jennifer's, all you need is five or six products.

The trick to being confident with a natural look is starting with a fresh foundation. If you are prone to blemishes, dab a concealer under your eyes and on any blemishes. Next, add a pea-sized amount of foundation all over, including over eyelids and down the neck-line. We love Tarte's Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation because the clay-base formula makes it wearable all day long, and it also has SPF 15 (we love anything with a little added SPF!)

Eyebrows can make a huge difference when going for a minimalistic look, so once you  have gotten rid of any stray hairs, try lightly filling them in with a shimmer-free eye shadow color that is just a shade lighter than your eyebrow color.

Finally, finish off the look by curling your lashes and adding one or two coats of black mascara and a tinted lip gloss. Trust us-- that's all you need.

Hillary Duff and Katy Perry, prove that a minimal-look can be gorgeous worn in different ways.

One last thing– it is officially spring, which means that lots of fun-in-the-sun is on the way. We can not stress the importance of wearing sunscreen enough. Preserving that beautiful skin is crucial to being able to rock the minimal-makeup look as you get older and wrinkles start to develop (which we know seems so far away that it will never happen– but trust us on this one). Use an SPF of at least 30, pay special attention to the face, and reapply after you go in the water or sweat. We love Sun Bum's Sunscreen Face Stick SPF 30 because it makes protecting your face easy and is compact enough to fit in any bag for those on-the-go pool and beach trips with your girlfriends.

Written by: Katy Abramowich

{Images 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 }

Spring Makeup

It's Spring-time! That means it is time to retire that dark smoky eyeshadow palette and bring out the pinks and mint green! It's Spring, so let's celebrate with some new and fresh makeup!

Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes:Doll Lash Effect Mascara in Black | Party Proof Lipstick | NARS Bouthan Duo Eyeshadow | Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Gloss |Philosophy Amazing Grace Perfume | Graftobian HD Glamour Creme Palette Corrector Shades | Essie Future Dreams Breast Cancer Awareness Nail Polish 

 

A SHOPPING SPREE WITH PURPOSE

The team would agree that our favorite part of the Top Button's Project is being able to Give Back.  In addition to providing cute and modest clothing styles online for young ladies to get ideas from, we take young women on shopping sprees who would not otherwise be able to do so for themselves!  As our organization continues to grow, we look to offer the Top Buttons Wardrobe Makeover opportunity for young women across the country- and more often.  At the bottom of this post are details on how to collaborate with us on this project if interested.

This month we partnered with The Core; a youth group from Epic church in Lakeland, FL.   Anastasia Malone, the host who nominated the teen chosen to be on this shopping spree, began as a leader for The Core a little over a year ago.  She shared a bit about why she volunteers to mentor youth by saying, “I do it because I have a passion for young ladies between the ages of 12-16 to see, understand and grab hold of what God has called and purposed them to do! I just love that age in general, so why not take time out of my week to just love on them!”

As we have done with shopping sprees before, we took Deni into a shop and filled 2 carts full of clothing!  Choosing clothes for Deni to try on was a fun-filled, group effort.  As the shopping progressed, the “no’s” turned into “maybe’s” and the “maybe’s” turned into “YES!”  We did have to convince her to step out of her box a bit to try on a couple items, but once she put them on, the smile of satisfaction on her face told us how pleased she was.  We enjoyed sharing ideas on how to wear different pieces in a way that would express her personal style, work with her body type, and keep her essentials covered.  After a morning of power shopping, Deni went home with several items to create a new wardrobe with!  This sweet young lady came out of the store radiating with positive energy.

And off to Peterson Park we go for Deni's photo shoot in one of her new outfits...

When asked what her favorite part of the day was, Deni said, “picking out the clothes!”  She shared how she felt honored to have been nominated, and we felt honored to have been able to provide her with this experience.

Anastasia Malone is seen below on the left, then Kenady (our TB teen team member), Deni (shopping spree winner), and Anastasia Jones (our TB Give Back Director).

All shopping sprees are funded through donations given to our non-profit organization. If you are interested in donating funds or services to provide deserving teens with a Top Buttons Wardrobe Makeover, please contact Anastasia Jones-Downing at anastasia@topbuttons.org.

Written by: Anastasia Jones

Photo Credit: Shelby Danielle

Top Buttons Funny Valentine's Video: If All Else Fails, Just Eat Chocolate

This video was filmed while having our TB Valentine's Party!  The girls were asked to share about how they would be spending their Valentine's Day.  It turned out so funny that we just had to share it!  Hope you had a good Valentine's Week!  

TRENDS FOR CHEAP

This month we will be featuring fashion posts that are vintage, eclectic, and CHEAP.  To accomplish this look all you will need are a pair of colored jeans, a men’s style blazer, and some riding boots.  It may seem out of the box, but this would look great on most body types.

We would like to say a special thank you to Dana Roquemore. She offered her services to us for this month’s fashion posts, styling our girls in clothing from her own clothing swap shop, Other People’s Property. She does consignment in a way that would make any piece look interesting and desirable, and yet these pieces are affordable for everyone! You can purchase the items featured in this post from her Other People’s Property online etsy shop. Or you can find pieces similar on your own consignment shop adventure!

Resist the urge to buy a “boyfriend blazer” from a department store. Most consignment shops are full of men’s blazers in all sizes that you can buy for super cheap. The shirt under this blazer is a sleeveless style that is tied at the bottom. New clothing styles in shops like Urban Outfitters show vintage looking tops like this for $30 and higher and are often see through! We recommend looking for this style top at consignments.

Tip: If you choose to tie the shirt at your waist and/or wear a see through vintage fabric, we recommend keeping your belly button and bra covered by wearing a light weight undershirt. SAME LOOK. NO SKIN. Reasonable. ☺

Tip:  Skinny jeans and tall riding boots make this outfit work.  Don’t feel confined to wearing tops and jackets that are tailored.  A large men’s style jacket can actually help you feel more comfortable in a pair of snug jeans.  Also, skinnies can often be “painted on” if you buy a size too small.  While skinny jeans are meant to be more fitted than other styles, they should not RESTRICT MOVEMENT.  Buying for your body type is a whole other subject.

Now her clothing is all from consignment, but her accessories are not!  We definitely need to offer alternatives to these accessories which can be pricey!

In place of the exceptional Tory Burch Riding Boot, we have found another super cute riding boot for $48 for you to consider.  We also found a "dupe" Michael Kors tortoise shell watch from Target for $14.99 which is similar watch to Michael Kors in the image above for a less expensive price.

Photo Credit:  Joanna LeMasters and Taylor Flumerfelt

GLAMIFY YOUR HOLIDAYS

Here are some treats that you can use to glamify your or a friend's holiday season. This gift list provides products that can all fit perfectly into a stocking as well as make for cute single gift ideas. So, now there’s no excuse not to have a fabulous gift for Secret Santa and Christmas parties alike. 1.Lip Stick Duo 2. Brush Set 3. Peppermint Lotion 4.Its-a-10: conditioning spray 5. Mini Straightener 6. Snap Happy: Nail Polish

7. Silver Glitter: Nail Polish 8. Starry Eyes: Liquid Eye Shadow

Beauty Wednesday: Bold Brows

Eyebrows can be a trivial subject for most girls. To wax or not to wax?

What are eyebrow pencils anyways?

Can grooming my brows actually show case my eyes?

What are bold brows?

Where do I even begin?

These questions can haunt us in a world where the options are limitless and the products vast. Fear not, your soon to be bold brows! Plenty of products and techniques exist that can assist you on your journey to bold brows. So don't envy other women's brows; create your own by getting to know your brows. Your first step in your new found relationship with your eyebrows begins with identifying  your eyebrow shape and size.

My brows are a mixture between Hi - Lo Brows and High Arched Brows. My size is rather normal; not too thick or thin.

After identifying your eyebrows, notice that your options become more narrowed when it comes to products and styling. Second step closer to bold brows is picking your products.

Personally, some of my favorite products to use on my brows are Beautique's eyebrow pencil in soft black and Maybelline's Great Lash clear mascara . 

Use the eye brow pencil to define your brow shade and brush them together neatly. My eyebrows are black. Applying clear mascara will help to keep your brow hairs in place.

Now that you've gotten to know your brows a little better you'll notice the great thing about your brows is showing off your eyes. Eyebrows frame the eyes so don't forget to give them a little attention during your daily beauty routine!

Now you are all set to empower your brows to be bold!

-Kayla Danielle

Photos and Story by Kayla Danielle

A Varsity Cheerleader with a Chic Style

Meet Ahna. Your girl-next-door sweetheart who cherishes her family and loves to cheer.  When I first met Ahna, the first thing that I noticed was her radiant smile and warm personality. I was excited to get to know her more and hear about her dreams and ambitions. Ahna is the epitome of what a young lady should be and she is sure to be a wonderful role model within her community.

Emily: How would you describe your style? Ahna: I think for the most part I have a classy style that is feminine and chic. I gain a lot of inspiration from things I see. I sometimes overdress but it's better to be overdressed than underdressed!

Emily: Your hair always looks so nice. What are some of your favorite products? Ahna: I like to curl my hair, but I mainly straighten it. When I do either, I use Tresemme heat protector then Paul Mitchell gloss drops. I love both.

Emily: What is your favorite holiday and how does your family celebrate it? Ahna: It would probably be Christmas. I love being at home and decorating the house with the family. We are usually really busy during the holiday season with shopping. And one of my favorite traditions is enjoying monkey bread. My dad gets up early on Christmas Day to bake it since it takes so long.

Emily: What do you like to do in your free time? Ahna: Right now cheerleading takes up pretty much most of my schedule besides school. Between practice, cheering at games and tumbling, I am so busy! But during my downtime, I enjoy hanging out with friends and family.

Emily: If there was one place you could travel to, where would you go? Ahna: I have never been out of the country! I would honestly want to go to anywhere in Europe, but I'd probably choose Italy. I think it would be so fun to visit the famous places and landmarks that are in that country.

Emily: What's your dream job? Ahna: Working for Seventeen magazine!

Emily: What is the greatest piece of advice you've ever gotten? Ahna: Something my dad says before school everyday is, "Don't be good, be great." So I strive to do the best of my ability in everything I do!

Emily: Is there a person in your life who has influenced you the most? Ahna: Someone who has been in my life for a long time as a friend and babysitter when I was younger is Talor Blackburn. She's someone who has gone to a public school and has stayed true to herself and true to God. She has truly been an inspiration to me spiritually as well. She has encouraged me to be consistent in my relationship with the Lord and has given me great advice in regards to my friendships.

Emily: Why do you want to be apart of Top Buttons? Ahna: My parents raised me to dress modestly but fashionably. I want to inspire other girls so they can also do the same. Fashion has always been something that has been "my thing." I've always looked up to certain style icons and have wanted to do something that has to do with fashion. I think the Lord knew my desire and has blessed me to be a part of Top Buttons.

Emily: Do you think that modesty is more that just how you dress? Ahna: Absolutely. My cheer coach is reading Fashion by Faith to us as a team. It's the story of a Christian model who wasn't following through with everything she believed in as she modeled for the secular world. It's shown me that modesty is about living above reproach and helping our brothers in Christ not to stumble. As young ladies, it's something God has called us to do. It's better to be known for modesty than to be known as someone who wants attention from guys for the wrong reasons.

Emily: Why is modesty important to you? Ahna: Modesty is important to me because of my biblical perspectives and how I was raised to respect myself. In return, I can expect respect from others by what I wear. I never want to be mistaken for someone I'm not by the way I portray myself. Dressing modest and classy is a part of me and how I want others to view me.

Interview by Emily Meade Photos by Kayla Danielle

Beauty Wednesday: The End of Split Ends

Color treated and heat damaged hair has never failed to produce unmanageability, dryness and most importantly split ends. Personally, as a hair and beauty enthusiast, I love to style with heat and experiment with products. Some of my friends like to call me their expert without a license, but one of the largest issues that I've run into with using heat and color on my hair is the damage that it leaves behind over time. Split ends are hard to defeat, heal or even avoid. Luckily, after spending years coloring and cutting my hair, I have discovered three products and three rules that have protected, restored and/or healed my hair from damage.

Rule 1#:

When straightening, section your hair off and only straighten each section once

(this way you avoid exposing your hair to extreme heat multiple times in one sitting).

Rule 2#:

When conditioning, always leave in conditioner for a minimum of 3 minutes before washing

(this lets the moisture soak in to your hair allowing proteins to be deposited).

Rule 3#

Have the ends of your hair trimmed professionally at the very least every 6-12 weeks

(this ensures that your dead ends are put to rest).

Must Have Products to Help End Split Ends:

Its-a-10 Miracle Shampoo plus Keratin, Aussie 3 minute Miracle Deeep Conditioner, Argan Hot Oil Self Heating Hair Treatment

Follow these simple rules and expect great results!

- Kayla Danielle

Written and Photos by: Kayla Danielle

A Swim Team Captain with Comfortable Style

Meet Delaney. A sweet and outgoing 16-year-old girl who has a passion for making short films and standing up for what she believes in.  Between takes for our "about us" video, I found a quiet corner away from the set to get to know Delaney. As I asked questions for this interview, I found that she is down-to-earth with a lovely sense of humor, and just the right amount of confidence. There is no doubt that this young lady has great things in store for her future.

Emily: How would you describe your personal style? Delaney: I would describe my style as cute, fresh and comfortable.

Emily: What are some of your favorite stores to shop at? Delaney: Charlotte Russe and Loft are two of my favorite stores to shop at. I think they fit my style the best. When I'm looking for something with a touch of lace or a bit dressier, Charlotte Russe is a great store to go to. They always have fashionable items that are also affordable. The clothes at Loft are classy and can be worn at any age, if styled correctly. As far as accessories go, Versona is my go-to place.

Emily: Since you love makeup so much, tell us more about your makeup style. Delaney: I really like earthy tones. I think makeup should emphasize and enhance natural beauty. It not only welcomes compliments but it allows me to express myself and feel confident.

Emily: What is the first thing you pick out when planning an outfit? Delaney: When I go to my closet, I pick out my shoes first. It goes back to wanting to be comfortable. If I want to wear heels, I'll choose my outfit around those. Same with boots, sandals or moccasins. So, instead of dressing head to toe, I do the opposite.

Emily: What do you like to do in your free time? Delaney: I am captain for my school's competitive swim team. And I am also on my school's tennis team. I love being involved in both. Aside from sports and school, I don't have much time for anything else!

Emily: Who has been the most inspirational person in your life? Delaney: Most definitely my 95-year-old grandpa. He's incredible and has such an inspiring story.

Emily: What is one family tradition that you enjoy the most? Delaney: I have two! Before my grandma passed away, we would bake bread from scratch. It is still a tradition that my family and I have continued to do. And I know it sounds silly, but my other one is getting crazy Christmas socks every year. There are so many memories attached to them. I can tell you when and where my aunt gave them to me.

Emily: Do you have any ideas of what you would like to do in your future? Delaney: I would like to go to college and graduate school. I really don't know what major yet, but exploring what the film industry has to offer is an option.

Emily: Where is your favorite place you've traveled to? Delaney: Definitely Italy! The fashion, food and culture is incredible.

Emily: What is your biggest challenge when it comes to dressing modestly? Delaney: Living in Florida, accommodating to the heat in modest clothes is definitely a challenge. Especially when it comes to shorts. From the selection at stores geared towards my age, its hard to find ones that are long enough. It is difficult to find shorts that serve their purpose without exposing too much.

Emily: Are you intimidated by what your peers might say about your view of modesty? Delaney: I think that there will always be an intimidation factor for me. I'm just as insecure as any other 16-year-old girl, but I think the difference is that I stand strong for my cause. It's worth the risk and that is what being a role model and leader is all about. Not everyone is going to like what you're doing. Someone, somewhere will always be critical but it will be your own job to continue to support what you strive to accomplish.

Emily: Why is modesty important to you? Delaney: Modesty is important to me because I would rather have someone want to talk to me because of my personality and heart rather than attracting attention only because of what I am wearing! Also, setting a positive example, especially in our current society, is equally important. So many young girls already have the wrong idea about how to dress and why modesty is important. I think that when you allow people to fall in love with your inner beauty, your outer beauty simply becomes the icing on the cake!

A Shopping Spree with Purpose

A Note from our Give Back Director, Anastasia I have always wanted to be a part of something great! Something bigger than myself, and I must say that Top Buttons is one such opportunity. Where else can I have the chance help a deserving teen purchase trendy and modest clothes that reflect her style?

We partnered with Girls Night Out (GNO), a girls outreach under the Lakeland Dream Center. Tiffany, a great friend of mine started GNO as a volunteer of the Lakeland Dream Center several years ago with the goal of giving teen girls a healthy place to be after school hours. Tiffany brought the nominated teen whose name was Shon. It was fun hanging out with Shon and Tiffany during the very first Top Buttons shopping spree with modesty in mind. Our experience was spent in Marshall's, running through the aisles and throwing tons and tons of clothes into the shopping carts! When the cart was full of clothes, we moved the party to the dressing rooms. That was the real test. We all know that some clothes look differently on the hanger than they do when you actually try them on. Honestly, even a seemingly longer dress on a hanger may turn into a micro mini once you try it on. While in the dressing room, we talked with Shon about dressing for her body type, found clothes that reflected her favorite trends, tried on shoes, listened to her share about her current life situation, and we shared with her the vision of Top Buttons.

After two hours within the store we checked out and then had a short photo shoot downtown! Shon put on her favorite outfit and posed for the camera. What a great way to end a perfectly amazing time with new friends! I mean seriously, what girl doesn’t love a shopping spree?

All of the funds for the modesty shopping sprees are donated funds raised through our non-profit organization under our More Modesty On The Streets (MOTS) Campaign. If you are interested in donating funds to provide underprivileged teens with more modest clothing options, please contact me at anastasia@topbuttons.org.

Meet Our Lakeland TB Representative

 Lakeland: A Homeschooled Dancer with a True to Self Style

[bra_dropcaps style='dropcap1']I[/bra_dropcaps] am a dancer and have been homeschooled while living in the Lakeland area my whole life. Sometimes I hear that being homeschooled means you have no social skills or just don’t connect with your peers.  I couldn’t disagree more!  I love meeting new people and being a part of teams that are into the arts, dance, fashion, and yet still I have the freedom of getting my school work done as I want to.

I’m really looking forward to being more involved in Top Buttons through their  Modesty On The Streets (MOTS) Campaign because it is difficult to find fashion tips without all the other stuff attached to it.  I mean, I’m not interested in learning about celebrity  break ups while looking at fashion magazines, I want to see different ways to coordinate the clothes in my closet and recommendations on where to find things.

[bra_blockquote align='']I have seen some really fashionable and modest styles online, but most of these outfits would make me pass out if I wore them in this Florida weather! [/bra_blockquote]

With that being said, I have found that my greatest challenge with dressing modestly has to do with the Florida weather.  Due to the heat and the country influence, here you will find cowboy boots and miniskirts are quite common year round.  I like the cowboy boots, but I’m not into miniskirts. I personally am a variety kind of girl. I love comfy Levis with a baggy sweater, or on some days, maybe a fancy print with some heels.  Accessories are the key for me to change it up and make old things feel new.  From a young age I set out to create true-to self, unique styles. One of my favorite things about fall is the layered look.  The whole idea of wearing shorts with vintage leggings and boots, I find stylish. And I have experimented with this look myself.

After a much anticipated trip to New York City, I became inspired not only to experiment with my own outer style, but to consider my inner style as well.  Modesty is the goal. Modesty helps me keep a clean reputation and shows respect for myself and others. It also attracts others who share this same value. Keeping it modest can be extra fun because in our current culture you will actually get to stand out (in a good way of course). Many times kids get locked into the peer pressure of their Middle Schools or High Schools, settling for becoming a copy rather than an original.  Many fear that being who they are will lead to isolation.  Although seeking acceptance is a natural desire, if you can learn to expand your vision, the options for your look and life will be limitless.

— Kenady