Blog Posts by BeautyRiot Diva

After living in Los Angeles for close to a year, I've come to one conclusion: I want to be a makeup artist. They hang out with the hottest celebrities, travel the globe, and score all the best beauty goodies available. Did I mention it's often for free?

Related: Expert's Top Drugstore Makeup

Cosmetic buff Carmindy Bowyer from "What Not to Wear" has certainly seen her fair share of free products, but what I really wanted to know is this: What products does she actually use on herself and spend her own hard-earned money on?

Thankfully (for me), she says a big bank roll is not necessary to get gorgeous (click here for all her savvy suggestions). Sure she has her splurges, but just like any normal girl she's always looking for a good deal.

To prove her point, she gave us a list of her favorite beauty buys from the drugstore. Clearer skin, poutier lips, and longer lashes for a minimal price tag -- I'm already leaving for the nearest Walgreen's (this gave me some awesome

With May officially here, all I can think about is plopping myself down in a lounge chair by the pool. But, now that I'm an adult (lame) and I don't have a summer break, the only way to make the most of this season is by packing every weekend with outdoor activities, denim shorts, and messy buns.

In order to maximize my woefully limited days and minimize my indoor preparation, I've found the five essentials every girl needs this summer. Bronzed skin and cherry-red lips? Sign me up.

No. 1: A Beachy Braid

Summer = laziness (at least for me), so I'm all about a low-maintenance hairstyle. When it's too warm to wear your hair down, a braid is the perfect solution for keeping cool and looking stylish. If you want to stay on trend with this season's best braids, try an unstructured braid like Nicole Richie's with lots of loose pieces. Click here to steal her style.

No. 2: Oversized Sunglasses

A good pair of

BeautyRiot"Beauty is pain," so they say. And sure, I've burned my stomach with a curling iron (what, you've never curled your hair in a sports bra?), and poked my eye with my mascara wand, but I never thought beauty could actually do real damage. Until that late summer night in high school ...

Related: Experts' Biggest Beauty Mistakes

I was just getting out of the shower and going about my usual routine: remove excess makeup from face, clean ears with cotton swab, apply moisturizer. Only, I didn't actually make it to the moisturizer. As I removed my Q-Tip from my ear, I realized my swab had lost its cotton. Frantically looking around on the bathroom floor, I panicked at the thought of it still being lodged in my eardrum. And then I felt it. Every head turn I made, I felt the little cotton ball roll back and forth inside my ear. I figured I'd need ear surgery for sure.

It took a 50-year-old former nanny with a pair of tweezers an hour to finally remove the little sucker, and my

I love tattoos … well, maybe not these seriously ugly ones. I have four, but the last time I went under the needle was a few years ago. (For all those newbies out there, read this guide before getting your first tat.) As much as I want more, I haven't found an idea that's worth putting on my body permanently.

Then, I was asked to find some of the coolest and newest tattoo ideas right now (see them here). As I dug around, I was surprised by how many designs I really loved. My faves? Abstract art (think Jackson Pollack), white ink, and watercolor cherry blossoms. Uh, I think I'm ready for my fifth. Time to make an appointment.

thisisnotareality.wordpress.comColorless Contrast

While wrist tattoos are a popular option, you can make yours unique by using white ink. Keep in mind, these tattoos tend to fade over time, and look somewhat scar-like. Your best bet is to get something small that doesn't need much filling.

liveloveefashion.tumblr.comFancy Fingers

Finger tattoos are a nice combo of edgy and subtle.

You know this game. Would you rather … end war or world hunger? … be able to fly or be able to read minds? … have one great love or many satisfying relationships? Of course, we play that game a little differently at Beauty Riot (see it here). Today, our question is: Would you rather wear flats or heels for the rest of your life?

Related: What Guys Think of Your Shoes

Now, I would definitely choose flats. I practically wear them everyday anyway (though that doesn't mean I don't love heels). It's just that flats seem more practical, especially if you're being chased by a pack of wolves or have to walk on cobblestones. Totally obvious, right?

Related: Best Shoes for Your Body Type

Not so much. Co-editor Sharon picked heels. "First, flats are usually ugly. I'm short so if I picked flats, I would be condemned to stay three feet tall forever. And heels are versatile. There are some with small heels, like kitten heels." (For the record, Sharon is 5'3",

I know I'm going to get a lot of crap for this one, but I didn't think modeling took a whole lot of work. Sure, Tyra Banks harps about "smizing" (aka smiling with your eyes), but what else is there? You're already genetically beautiful! … Then, I got a slight reality check.

Related: 13 Secrets from Photo Shoots

I was invited to sit in on a hair brand's latest photo shoot. Besides learning the truth about modeling (check that out here), I also got a whole new perspective on what goes into an actual photo shoot. Like, how many people it takes to get that perfect shot, or how many hours it takes to just prep a model's hair.

You can read about my entire photo shoot experience here, or scroll down for a sneak peek.

Prep Time

Even though I arrive at the studio at 11 a.m., most of the crew has been hard at work since eight in the morning -- and that doesn't count the prep time from the day before. In order

I have a "naked" friend. Let me clarify -- she's not always without clothing, but she loves to wear her birthday suit (in the privacy of her own home, of course). She's said for years that she feels best in the buff, an "outfit" she swears every woman should try once with smoky eyes and sky-high heels. While I don't necessarily share her bare beliefs, her unclothed assurance did inspire me to rethink what makes me feel the most confident..

Related: 10 Easy Ways to Stand Out

After continuously playing with my personal style and beauty routine, I've found there are three things that never fail to make me feel my best: manicured nails, red lipstick, and a beachy tan. (To get a glow without the sun -- or the cancer -- click here). These are my go-tos for an extra oomph, but I wanted to hear what three things the girls in my office do for a confidence boost:


"I feel best when my skin looks perfect (even if I have to fake it with tinted
moisturizer and

The bridesmaid dress: Though it comes in many forms, fabrics, and colors, you can always count on it looking mildly horrendous. Throw in a bad fit and gaudy embellishments, and that dress requires burning after the big day.

We decided to explore the world of bad bridesmaid dresses, 'cause summer is coming up, and we know more than a few of you have to don the dreaded dress. Plus, "The Five-Year Engagement" opens on Friday. (Jason Segel in a tux? Sign us up!)

Related: Best Hair for a Strapless Dress

To find out if your dress is truly horrendous, we dug up some examples for comparison's sake. You know you have a bad bridesmaid dress if …

Your dress matches the drapes.

People mistake you for a hooker while wearing it.

Tinsel is an important element in the design.

Related: Best Hair For Your Wedding

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