Twenty Something Plus

March 30, 2014

Twenty Something Giveaway

This weekend I went to my home state, Connecticut, to spend time with family. And by spend time with, I mean two of my siblings and I signed up for a Spartan Workout.

The three of us had signed up for this event months ago, but about a week ago I found out that there was also going to be a Sephora VIB Rouge event going on at the same time.

I wanted to go to both.

So, even though I was informed that I could not eat my cake and have it too, I was luckily able to plan it out perfectly. got to quickly pop into the Sephora event and still make it in time for the Spartan Workout. I also managed to snag a few freebies and since I already happened to have some extras, I wanted to share my good fortune, so I am holding my first ever GIVEAWAY!

Nothing too major (sorry, I’m not big time…yet), but if you win you get twenty something, 25 to be exact, samples and a Sephora makeup bag.

To enter, you must like my Facebook page, follow me on Instagram and Twitter, and comment on this blog post once you’ve done all three. For an additional entry, you can share on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook with the hashtag #20somethingplusgiveaway. Don’t have one of the above? Subscribe to the blog instead! There are no official rules or anything like that, but you have from April 1 – April 14 to enter the, winner will be selected at random and announced on April 15.

UPDATE: Congrats to the winner Shayna Clavin!

March 29, 2014

Sephora + Pantone Color IQ

As a VIB Rouge member of the Sephora Beauty Insider Program, I am almost embarrassed to admit that I only just finally got my Color IQ.

The Color IQ is a number assigned to your skin color to help you narrow down your skin’s best foundation matches.

Your skin is scanned in three locations and then assigned a number which is used to then find what foundations would be best for you. The process is super quick!

They even send you an email with your Color IQ number and your best foundation matches.

Not really sure if your foundation is the right match for you? Run to the nearest Sephora and get your Color IQ!

March 28, 2014

A Week Plus: Yellow Skirt

Going through my clothes and trying to purge is an emotional roller coaster! Things I haven’t worn in years, become my favorites and things that really just need to be tossed, all of a sudden have indescribable sentimental value.

This yellow skirt was not one of those things. It was in my donate pile and I was ready to part ways with it. That is until I saw this outfit from Chandra of More Modern Modesty come across my Instagram feed. It is so creative and super chic, so I dug through the pile and yanked this right out!

Newly inspired, I came up with a week’s worth more of outfits for it, and yeah, I’m keeping it.

Has anyone ever inspired you to try a new way to style something you never wear? Would love to hear your story!

March 27, 2014

Select Your Shade, But Not Mine

Benefit Cosmetics is one of my top five makeup/beauty brands. I’d been wanting to sample their new Big Easy multi-balancing complexion perfector (think BB/CC cream), and when one of the three free sample options from Sephora happened to be all the shades, I thought, PERFECT!

Then I got it and read, ‘find your shade,’ but none of the options looked even remotely close to my complexion.

I have darker skin, but would be typically considered ‘dark’ more so than ‘deep’. Shade 06-deep/beige, the darkest shade, looked like I could maybe get away with it, maybe…

But, no, not unless I wanted to look really, really washed out. So, instead I will continue using my current go-to BB cream and call it a day. While I was a little disappointed, I was extremely grateful that I hadn’t shelled out the $40 like I’d wanted to, and encourage you to find sample sizes when trying new products so you don’t invest in something that may not work for you. I came up with a list of other products that are good alternatives for dark skin.

Alternatives for Dark Skin:
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
Becca Ultimate Coverage Complexion Creme
bareMinerals Foundation
Maybelline BB Cream
Smashbox BB Kit

What do you use?

March 26, 2014

Eyeliner

The two beauty products that I wear most regularly are mascara and eyeliner. I go through black eyeliner like it’s nobody else’s business!

I really like the Sephora Collection Define Yourself Black Eyeliner Set. It comes with five different types of eyeliners and the entire set is less than an eyeliner pencil from some other brands. Plus, it’s waterproof and, in my opinion, just works really well.

The set comes with :
1) A retractable eyeliner
2) A contour eye pencil
3) A jumbo 12 hour wear liner
4) A long-lasting 12 hour wear eye liner
5) A smoky cream liner (My personal favorite for wings!)

In high school I used to only wear eyeliner on my bottom lash line, but that is a huge NO-NO. I’d share pictures, but I’m pretty sure I’ve already burned them all. Now, I’ve learned that when I want my eyes to really POP, I can line them all the way around, instead of just my upper lash line.

Whether you are a makeup pro or novice (clearly I am a novice), I highly recommend Bobbi Brown’s Makeup Manual!

Thoughts? Do you have any eyeliner tips? I would love to hear, please share!

March 25, 2014

Travel Lite

I recently stayed at the Killington Grand Resort and everything was picturesque. And I mean, everything, from the marvelous mountain view to the makeup removing wipes in the bathroom!

Yes, even the makeup removing wipes in the bathroom!

I had heard of La Fresh, and seen it around the internet, but never gotten the chance to try anything from their line…until my stay. Of course I had packed my own makeup removing product but I HAD to try the Travel Lite Makeup Remover Wipes, and after a great late night yoga sesh, the last thing I wanted to do was wash my face before bed.

No smudging or smearing, just gone. I am without a doubt switching to these! That’s not to say that I won’t use anything else, but when traveling or just on the go in general, I will need to make sure to have these on me for sure!

Do you have a favorite makeup remover? Have you tried La Fresh? Share your thoughts!

March 24, 2014

Mani and a Magazine: One Shade of Grey

Confession: I have read and own the Fifty Shades trilogy. They are one of my guilty pleasures.

When I learned that there was going to be a movie I went completely mental. I mean, I absolutely lost my mind. And when the casting was announced, my heart shattered. Then the recasting, it soared. Dakota Johnson got a dye job and all was right with the world.

Yes, I’m one of those fans.

Johnson was this month’s Elle cover star so of course I felt the need to do a grey mani.

How excited are you for the movie to debut next Valentine’s Day?!

March 22, 2014

“Support a cause, Support your legs”

I have an obsession with cute socks, and when I got the opportunity to share about SoxxyAir, I knew I couldn’t pass it up!

SoxxyAir – Support a Cause, Support Your Legs from sarah stabile on Vimeo.

Not only are SoxxyAir socks super adorbs, but they provide support for both your legs and really good causes.

Just for reading Twenty Something Plus, you get a 20% off Reader Discount with the Reader Discount Code: SoxxyAirs. I am originally from Connecticut, so Sandy Hook really hit close to home for me and I plan to buy the Jesse Lewis Choose Love socks when the SoxxyAir Charity socks become available at the end of April.

Please visit the SoxxyAir Indiegogo page, share the video and contribute what you can to the campaign.

This post was a sponsored post, powered by BrandBacker.

March 22, 2014

A Week Plus: Bold Dress

Not sure if it was obvious or not, but I’ve been trying to do somewhat of a fashion Friday by consistently posting outfits ideas via A Week Plus. That being said, I know I’m a little late, but it’s still Friday somewhere!

This dress was a personal challenge for me, I could only think to wear it with blue shoes. I have two pairs of blue shoes, but I still wanted to try to think more outside the box.

When I really focused on it, I came up with a ton of different ways to wear it and felt silly for limiting myself in the first place.

How would you have styled a dress like this?

March 20, 2014

Something New: Women’s Leadership Conference

I had great first day at the Vermont Women in Higher Education Women’s Leadership Conference. The keynote was empowering, the session was inspiring, the clothing swap was a major win for me and yoga was the perfect way to end the day!

This is not my first conference by any means, but this is my first time attending one geared towards women, and creating opportunity.

Can’t wait for tomorrow and to share my experience with you all…but for now, check out this video of the keynote speaker from another talk she gave.

And check out the tweed blazer I scored at the clothing swap!

Have you ever attended a conference? What was you favorite thing about it? Did anything really hit close to home and stick with you? If so, comment!