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]

An Easy Summer Look

Loose fitting, free flowing clothing has become a popular style these days. This trend is flattering on most body shapes and provides maximum comfort. For today's article, Destiny models this ever so popular loose fitting, flowy look! We have broken down her outfit piece by piece and found some similar items for you to purchase!

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[ T O P ]

The length of her basic white tank is ideal because it falls just past her waist-line. Draped over her tank is a floral kimono featuring a lace hem. The light-weight layering is perfect for those breezy summer days because it lets air travel through the material.

| White Tank: Cotton On - $15 |

| Kimono: H&M - $20 |

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[ B O T T O M S ]

Destiny's skinny jeans are cuffed at the ankles (cuffs are a trendy way to hide the fact that you can't find the perfect-length pants), and feature rips along the pant legs for a distressed look.

The Forever 21 model's pant length fit her perfectly in these similar jeans, so  wearing them with and without cuffs looks good. When shopping, finding the right pant length is all about availability and preference!

| Ripped Jeans: Forever 21 - $25 |

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[ S H O E S ]

Tan strappy shoes with a cork wedge are a closet-staple! Summer shoes like Destiny's are so versatile that they can be paired with anything! Although she wears it with jeans and a cute top, you could also wear them with a cute romper or summer dress. These Charlotte Russe wedges are similar in style and color palette, but rather than cork wedges, there's a braided hemp.

| Wedges: Charlotte Russe - $35.99 |

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[ A C C E S S O R I E S ]

Destiny's bronze owl pendant necklace is the kind of accessory that matches any outfit with a neutral color palette. We were able to find the SAME necklace that Destiny wears, and luckily for you, this necklace is so popular that we've seen it in other stores such as Etsy, Amazon, and even Wal-Mart!

| Necklace: Claires - $12.50 |

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If this article has inspired your summer wardrobe, send us a pic or use the hashtag #TopButtons on social media.

Pinterest Inspired Thrifting

Before I go to Salvation Army (or any thrift store), I like to search Pinterest for current specific trends and outfit ideas. I usually create a Pinterest Board, and then I venture off to the thrift store with these items in mind.

My most recent trip to Salvation Army was a success! I spent about $28 during their 50% off sale and purchased 10 items!

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This lace pencil skirt is Forever 21!

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This sweater from Salvation Army is Banana Republic. It features a slight high-low style, with frontal pockets, and  two different knits on the front and back.

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This might have been the biggest steal of the day! It had the ORIGINAL Nordstrom tag for $89.99 still on it, but was purchased for just $2.50. The brand is a vintage Jeffrey & Dara and therefore can no longer be purchased in retail stores.

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Most people are familiar with the classic Burberry plaid, but its high price is a quick deterrence. This plaid shirt is actually a MEN's shirt, but it has a similar eye-catching plaid pattern with its tan-red-and-black color scheme.

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Free People is pretty notorious for its flowy oversized and worn-looking tee's and sweaters. When this high-low oversized sweater was found in the plus-size* section at Salvation Army, I saw so much potential in it. By belting it mid-waist, it creates an A-line fit.

(I starred plus-size because I want to encourage you to PAY NO ATTENTION TO SIZE NUMBERS or SECTIONS while shopping at thrift stores. Don't let a number throw you off, some items at second-hand stores are so vintage that they may have shrunk, may have been tailored, or can vary in fit depending on brand. Try EVERYTHING on and wear what fits and looks right.)

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Tribal, Aztec, Southwestern – these diverse ethnic prints have risen in popularity for long enough that they aren't considered a fading trend.  This sweater is a great find because of its beautiful multi-colored pattern.

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Army green and studded anything are two trends that are popular apart from each other, but combining them together in ONE LOOK is even better!

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"Overall, I had a great day" -- My favorite thing to say every time I wear a great pair of overalls.

This overall dress is a rare find. It is a vintage look that may not be popular with everyone, but I proudly admit to owning about 6 pairs of overalls all together. They're so comfortable, versatile, and easy to wear!

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Waterfall cardigans are great because they can be thrown over almost any outfit to transform it from something simple to something styled. They are flowy and are perfect for those days you just want to cover-up a little more. This one I purchased is Forever21 brand!

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So, not everyone loves the "School Girl" look, but it can definitely be classy when worn right. I love this Pinterest-inspired outfit. I've been looking for the right plaid jumper for a while, but they are hard to come by. I lucked out when I finally found this one. The cashier checking out my items even complimented my find.

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All together, I was very satisfied with my purchases. After only spending 28.38 on ten items, each one averaged out to $2.84!

A Thrifted Look for Spring

You may look at this outfit and question how black or leather are spring trends, but the truth is that they are classic looks. Black can never go out of style, no matter what season; and leather is one of those trends that comes and goes but you can be confident that it will always come back. The main spring piece in this outfit is the emerald green lace dress. Bright colors are a must for spring! Check out Alexis' thrifted look below.

Believe it or not, but this entire outfit was thrifted! Some people are surprised when I show up in an outfit where every piece is second-hand, but I like to be living proof that you can dress for success without going broke getting there!

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This emerald green lace SHIFT dress was just $3.50 at Salvation Army during their weekly 50% off Wednesday sale, and my jelly wedge shoes were $4 thrifted there too. They both even came NEW WITH THEIR ORIGINAL TAGS!

The leather leggings were a $7 investment from Platos Closet– a second-hand clothing store that sells gently used name brand items! The classy cameo earrings are a vintage-inspired gift from a friend. Lastly, although the white oversized handbag is Jessica Simpson brand, it was actually found for a couple bucks at Goodwill.

My ENTIRE OUTFIT totals to about $20, but it makes me feel like a million bucks!

Unfortunately because all the items are thrifted, we can't link back to the original ones, but here's a few similar looking pieces:

Emerald Green Dress Macy's Price: $89 | Thrifted Price: $3.50

Leather Leggings Macy's Price: $7-22 | Thrifted Price: $7

Jelly Wedge Shoes Lulu's Price: $28 | Thrifted Price: $4

Cameo Earrings Overstock Price: 20 | Gifted Price: FREE White Handbag Forever 21 Price: $20 | Thrifted Price: $4

TOTAL SAVINGS: About $150

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I encourage you to flip through some positive fashion magazines and our Instagram feed to get your latest inspiration on fashion, make a list of the items you want in your wardrobe, and go on a thrift shop hunt to find them! When purchasing the items for this look, I knew there were a couple things I wanted: jelly shoes, a statement purse, and leather leggings. The lace dress was an added bonus!

Genesis & Jenny - A Fashion Feature

Genesis Rosario & Jennifer Suarez are two university students with a passion for fashion and an aptitude for adventure. We had the privilege to document a day in their lives out and about on a windy Tampa afternoon.

Get the scoop on where they purchased all the adorable clothing items they used to put their one-of-a-kind outfits together.

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The SECRET to Jenny's outfit is that her tutu skirt is actually a DRESS from Forever 21. Spaghetti strap tops aren't her favorite, so she cleverly paired it with a cute graphic tee from Old Navy.

"I decided to tie a knot on the side to tone down the look," says Jenny.

Her Peep-Toe shoes, gifted Silver Necklace, and Stacked Pearl Bracelets are all from Forever 21 also!

"I love the look because it's super girly but it's versatile enough to make it a little less dressy simply by pairing it with a tee," Jenny adds.

To see more of Jenny's style and read about what runs through her mind, check out her blog here!

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"My outfit is a really comfy and neutral combination," says Genesis.

She wears a Black Leather Jacket from Forever 21 that features zippered pockets with a silky inner lining!

  Her cargo green pants were purchased from Aeropostale and also have zipper embellishments, which make the ends of the pants adjustable. Similar pants can also be found at Kohls.

Genesis has an extraordinary eye for thrift-shopping! Both her floral statement necklace and her striped top were from the thrift store!

 "I got the Striped shirt from Goodwill and it has half-long sleeves. Its pretty soft and it has black ruffles at the end, making it look super girly," explains Genesis.

 Last but not least are her dark brown Chelsea Boots from Target. 

"The small heel makes it comfortable to walk and wear all day long," Genesis raves!

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We hope you've enjoyed seeing how these two ladies styled their outfits. If anything you saw in this article inspired a purchase or outfit choice, make sure to COMMENT BELOW or tag us in a picture on Instagram.

Whether it's throwing around some confetti, traveling to a new city, or having a spontaneous photo shoot like these two ladies, we encourage you to go out and do something that brings you JOY!