Category: Beauty and Fashion Tips

Ladies, how many times have you struggled to find something in your purse? Chances are, all the change is scattered throughout the bottom and your keys are mixed in.

The struggle is real.

It’s time to stop struggling and find the perfect purse. Is there such a thing? Of course!

Read on for some tips to help you decide.

The Purpose

Purse sales have reached over 1 billion dollars. So if you’re going to invest in a good quality handbag, you have to ask yourself, what do you plan on carrying in the purse?

It should be able to hold all your belongings and personal possessions. Test a purse’s size and storage.

Are you a student carrying books? Do you need a slot for glasses? Do you need extra space for the kids’ snacks?

The size and interior of a purse make a huge difference in determining if it will hold all your items with ease.

Color Preference

The best thing about purses is the wide variety of colors they come in. You can have a purse to match every outfit in your closet!

If you don’t have a style preference and stick to wearing neutrals, a beautiful colored bag would be perfect. However, if you tend to wear brighter colors, a neutral bag is best.

To get an idea of what neutral-colored bags can look like with your outfit, the handbags selection from the well known designer named Chloe are a good start.

Trust us, it’ll be hard to pick just one!

Comfort Is Key

The biggest aspect of finding the perfect purse is the comfort. It’s ok to test out multiple purses to see how they feel on your arm. You’ve probably seen women at the store do it all the time.

If you can, put some things in the purse to get a sense of how heavy it will feel. Are the strap lengths good? Can they be adjusted?

A purse should help balance out your figure. Short women normally look taller carrying a long handbag. Slim and tall women benefit from a more round purse.

Quality vs Knockoff

Sure, the perfect purse is a Coach or Kate Spade. But those are extremely expensive. So be aware of people trying to sell you a knockoff.

Knockoff purses have some sort of defect. They’re made with the low-quality material, the straps might break, and it has too many useless pockets. Steer clear of someone trying to sell you a Coach purse out of the trunk of a car.

Good quality handbags have consistent stitching and seaming throughout. The zipper opens and closes correctly, the connections for the straps are secure.

Does the purse have little feet on the bottom so the bag doesn’t get dirty when you put it down? Bonus! Is the zipper comfortable to pull? If so, you’ve got yourself a real one.

The Perfect Purse Is out There!

Now that you have some tips in front of you, make a checklist. What’s your idea of the perfect purse?

You work hard so you deserve to splurge a little. If you need more fashion tips, visit our blog today.

Are you one of the 87% of women confused by skin care products? If so, you’re in the right place because throughout this article we’re going to share with you ten ultra simple summer skin care tips.

Not only will this advice help you to look and feel your best, but there are also a couple of health benefits thrown into the mix!

So, with that in mind let’s dive into these handy hints and tips.

1. Opt for Fake Tan

As you probably already know, exposing your skin to the UV rays found in direct sunlight or tanning beds can be incredibly dangerous for your skin.

Not only, do you run the risk of burning and prematurely aging your skin, but you also increase the likelihood of contracting skin cancer.

So, if you’re after a sun-kissed glow we recommend using fake tan instead of lying for hours under the baking sun.

If you’re on a budget, not to worry, there are plenty of inexpensive moisturizers you can purchase that contain self-tanner.

Not only do these limit the chances of ugly looking streaks, but they also gradually build up your tan so you can control precisely how bronzed you look!

Top Tip: always exfoliate before applying fake tan, this will get rid of any dead skin, and help achieve a more even coverage.

2. Always Apply Sun Cream

Always use sunscreen. Period.

If you’re spending a lot of time outside you’ll need to regularly top up your sun lotion because it’ll eventually wear off, especially if you’re swimming.

Before purchasing a bottle of sunblock, you should always ensure it has a minimum SPF factor of 30. Then, check the back of the bottle and see whether the cream contains the necessary ingredients to block both UVA and UVB rays.

This is essential if you’re hoping to protect your skin adequately!

Luckily for us, gone are the days where you had to appear white and ghostly to protect your skin.

Nowadays, we can purchase sun creams that soak into our skin so no one would even know you’d applied sunblock.

Equally, you can buy foundations, concealers, moisturizers, etc. with SPF protection. So, keep an eye out for these when you’re updating your makeup collection.

We recommend using suncream on your face as a primer, and then applying SPF makeup over the top- you can never be too careful!

3. Don’t Forget Your Lips

Similarly, we suggest wearing sunscreen designed for your lips, and then wearing your lipstick over the top.

4. Don’t Forget to Exfoliate

Exfoliating isn’t just for the application of fake tan!

If you’re hoping to keep your skin hydrated throughout the summer, then you need to exfoliate regularly.

Not only will this leave your legs, arms, and face feeling silky smooth, but it’s also super helpful for preventing in-grown hairs. So, be sure to exfoliate any skin you’ve just waxed or shaved.

5. Always Take Time to Moisturize

Have you ever heard of avocado oil?

Well, it’s incredible for moisturizing and rehydrating dry skin. Problem areas tend to include: elbows, feet, ankles, and knees.

So, try smothering them in nourishing avocado oil before bed and see if that helps!

Alternatively, to restore the hydration of the skin on your face, you should consider getting a professional facial. Not only will this make your skin feel clean and fresh they’re also super relaxing!

6. Use Mineral-Based Makeup

We love mineral-based makeup.

Typically, this cover up’s formed of a light powder base; this means it won’t sweat off as quickly in comparison to oil-based foundations.

You needn’t spend a fortune on these cosmetics either, head over to your local drug store and see what bargains you can find!

7. Eat a Healthy Diet

Now you’re probably sick of hearing this advice, but it’s true. Your skin needs a healthy diet to look its best. You need to eat foods full of antioxidants and protein.

These minerals stimulate the growth of collagen which is essential for the prevention of wrinkles!

8. Drink Plenty of Water

During the summer months, you should always aim to drink eight glasses of water a day. This is because the heat of the sun dries out our skin, so to stay hydrated we need to drink more than usual.

9. Keep Clean

Lipstick has been making a statement since the first Mesopotamian women crushed gemstones and applied it to their mouths for an accent. We’re talkin’ 3000 B.C. here!

Since then, lipstick’s popularity has dipped and risen, landing us here: the era that appreciates the bold lip. Let’s just say that this timeless trend isn’t going anywhere.

Quite the opposite: it’s going everywhere. Maurice Levy made sure of that in 1915 when he invented the first-ever metal lipstick tube. This allowed wearers to take lipstick everywhere; gone were the days of delicate silk wrapping that prevented easy purse travels.

Some of the best beauty tips out there revolve around enhancing the lips because lipstick is a game-changer. It can be sexy; subtle; extreme; conservative; whatever your personality, your lipstick will follow.

Put your money where your mouth is and invest in these modern lipstick tips that are sure to stand out.

Make an Impact with These 5 Lipstick Tips

You don’t need to be a professional make-up artist to utilize the power of the lipstick tube. We’ll prove it.

1. Consider the Red Lip

The red lip has a controversial history. The cool thing about that? Women have never been afraid of being controversial, and we still aren’t.

Thought to “deceive men” and “challenge God,” this color has singlehandedly made waves in not just the fashion world, but in history. Women have had to fight for their right to wear lipstick at all, which has ultimately brought us to the acceptance of today.

From the bold lips of Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe to the “bee-stung” lips of Mae Murray (which has us Googling “best lip injections“), the lip has always been a provocative subject of debate.

And we love that. Be rebellious and consider the red lip.

2. Keep Everything Else Minimal

How to wear lipstick, you ask?

By keeping everything else in check.

No one likes a caked-up face full of too many colors, foundations, glitters, and shimmers. If you’re rocking a bold lip, keep your eyes subtle. We’re talking a few coats of your favorite black mascara and that’s it.

You don’t want competition happening on your own face. Let your lipstick be the star of the show.

3. Achieve Staying Power

There are 4 easy to make your lipstick last all day, whether or not you bought one that boasted staying power.

• Exfoliate your lips prior to applying. The less loose skin, the better the application, as there’s a smoother base.
• Use any kind of primer on your lips to help the color maintain.
• To avoid your color bleeding, line your lips first. Then color within the lines. It’s that easy!
• Finish it off with your favorite shade. Make sure to do the classic kiss to smear off any excess moisture or color.

Voila! Eat and drink at your own will, because your lipstick’s not going anywhere tonight.

Of course, if you don’t feel like doing any of this, you don’t have to. These lipstick tips just help your color stay. Want the color gone by the morning? Keep it casual and skip these steps!

There’s also plenty of lipstick available that advertises 24-hour wear without any hassle. Schedule your makeup around how much time you have to get ready in the mornings.

4. Line Your Lips

The lip lining we were talking about? A key step to upgrading your lipstick’s look.

You can line your lips with a similar lipstick shade, or be fun with one that is lighter or darker. Don’t hesitate to blend colors and make up your own. Too often, we are guilty of forgetting to experiment!

A well-drawn-out lip line will help your lipstick color stay where it should: your lips. You don’t want lipstick bleeding onto your chin or cheeks, do you? Not only does it keep your color in check, it enhances the big, bold look you may be trying out tonight.

While we’re on the subject of going out, keep our final step in mind.

5. Be Bold

Although red is classic, don’t forget that there any many other colors in the rainbow. Use them!

Find a lipstick with a subtle glow that matches your skin tone and carry it with you everywhere. This can be used as an emergency contour pen, eyeshadow, lipstick, or blush.

What about blue? Deep purple? Hot pink? And dare we say, black?

Lipstick is all about personality. If you’re feeling deep one day, pair it with some dark lips. If you’re attending a baby shower, consider a light, bright pink. Feeling fun? Try stand-out colors not found in nature, because nude hues are for blending in.

Whatever you do, don’t be afraid to make a statement every once in a while. After all, it might become your signature thing!

Go Give Some Lip

Did these lipstick tips have you dreaming of a night out on the town with your girls? That’s the fun thing about makeup: it’s inspiring. It’s fun. It’s colorful.

Still haven’t gotten your mom a Mother’s Day gift? A tube of lipstick that reminds you of her can be given at any time. Best friend’s birthday is coming up? Consider a collection of multi-colored lipsticks to fit her every mood (and yours too, when you borrow them).

Or just invest in yourself. Find a staple color and make it your go-to. Whatever you do, do it with confidence!

This timeless, classic, trend isn’t going anywhere, so hop on board the hype train and fall in love with it. Demand attention! Make a statement! Pack a punch!

Let us know how it changes your life.

We’ve all been there: it’s Saturday night, and you’re finally going to have an epic date night with your husband.

You’ve gotten your hair done, taken care of your manicure/pedicure, and you’ve even tried out a new makeup tutorial.

The only problem?

When you open up your closet, you realize you have nothing to wear. We all want beautiful outfits — but with everything else you have to pay for, it can be tough to justify the cost.

The good news?

There are plenty of ways to be able to treat yourself to stunning pieces of clothing without blowing your budget.

Read on to learn how to pull it off.

1. Hit Up Etsy

One of the best ways to find beautiful outfits without having to pay an astronomical price for fashion?

Start by browsing through the virtual clothing racks at Etsy, everyone’s favorite shopping hub.

First of all, you’re much more likely to get quality and handmade pieces on Etsy than on fast fashion retail sites that mass produce their clothing. After all, just because you’re interested in affordable clothing doesn’t mean that you’re OK with it falling apart after one wear!

Plus, shopping on Etsy means that you’ll have access to countless designers from all over the world. So, it’s pretty much impossible not to find something that fits both your style and your body type.

Especially if you’re interested in more inclusive sizing, or if you need clothes that go with a specific lifestyle, Etsy is the perfect place to start.

In many cases, you can even communicate with designers directly. So, if you’re looking for affordable custom-made clothing, Etsy is the perfect place to start.

2. Shop Local Designers

Another way to find beautiful outfits that won’t break the bank?

Always make it a point to shop local. No matter which city you live in, we can guarantee that there are plenty of local fashion designers making quality and seriously stylish pieces that would look great on you.

Plus, because they’re just starting out, their price points are a lot more likely to be affordable.

In some cases, local designers may even be willing to offer you a major discount on their clothing in exchange for a promotion on your blog or social media pages.

Going local isn’t just a way to give back to your community. It’s also a way to help young designers get their start. It’s hard not to feel good about that!

3. Take The Thrift Stores By Storm

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that vintage fashion is back in a big way.

There are countless reasons to love vintage fashion and thrift shopping that go way beyond getting access to classic looks, however.

First of all, you can rest easy knowing that you’re not contributing to the endangerment of garment workers because of unsafe (and often illegal)sweatshop conditions.

Additionally, thrifting is an awesome way to be sure that you’re doing everything you can to protect the environment. The clothing industry is one of the most wasteful things on the planet.

Every year, thousands upon thousands of pounds of clothing is thrown out — and fashion brands still keep on producing.

If you’re concerned about the clothing industry’s impact on the planet, then making a commitment to buying vintage clothing is a wonderful way to do your part.

Plus, not only is thrifting affordable, it’s also incredibly fun!

Wearing vintage clothing is an awesome way to express yourself. You’ll also guarantee that you’ll be able to wear pieces that no one else can get!

So, this weekend, grab a few of your best girlfriends and commit to going vintage shopping. The planet — and your wallet — will certainly thank you.

4. Look For Affordable Online Retailers

As a busy mom, we completely understand that, no matter how much you’d like to, you simply don’t always have the time to shop at a brick-and-mortar store.

It’s much easier for you to browse through potential pieces of new clothing online, try them on in the comfort of your home, and then ship them back if they don’t look quite right.

The only problem?

It seems like many online clothing retailers are only getting more expensive these days.

Don’t panic — and definitely don’t give in and overpay. Instead, to find the best clothes at the right price, you’ll just have to do a little research.

Instagram is an awesome place to start.

Scour hashtags like #affordablefashion or #thelookforless to help you find clothes that won’t blow your budget. Plus, you’ll also discover new designers and trends!

If you’re looking for one of the best affordable retailers out there with clothing for every occasion?

We can’t get enough of Morning Lavender.

Not only do they have stunning dresses, beautiful outfits for the office and date night, and seriously chic workout wear?

They can also help you to find the perfect dress for your wedding for less!

Shop For Beautiful Outfits With These Tips

We hope this post has helped to remind you that you don’t have to spend a lot in order to find beautiful outfits that will help you to make a serious fashion statement.

Places like Etsy, local shops, affordable online retailers, and your favorite thrift shop are filled with awesome pieces just waiting to be discovered.

Looking for even more deals on everything from clothing to your next vacation?

At Thrifty Momma Ramblings, we’ve got you covered.

Spend some time on our website to get access to the latest coupons, freebies, and giveaways.

Then, be sure to check out our blog to learn how you can make the frugal lifestyle look like a million bucks!

Thrift shopping isn’t just for hipster college students and extreme penny pinchers. Getting clothes and accessories from thrift stores can be a fun scavenger hunt that will save you a significant amount of money.

But not all thrift store clothes are going to be gems or ones that are going to save you much in the long run. There are certain items, however, that are almost guaranteed to save you money in both the short and the long term.

Keep reading to learn about the 5 types of clothing that you should look out for when you’re thrifting if you’re looking to save money and look stylish.

1. Brand Name Clothes

High end and brand name clothes are usually quite expensive if you buy them new. Thrift shopping for brand name clothes can save you hundreds of dollars if you can find the brands you’re looking for.

Certain brands are quite trendy nowadays, like Ralph Lauren and Adidas for example. However, brand new clothes from these brands can start at $50 for a t-shirt or even hundreds of dollars for sweaters and jackets. You just can’t justify those prices if you’re on a budget.

These same brands can be found in thrift stores for a fraction of the price. Usually, t-shirts can be as little as a few dollars and even jackets can cost less than 20.

Looking for and buying brand name clothes while thrift shopping can save you hundreds of dollars while still giving you the high-quality and trendy brands you want.

2. Jewelry and Accessories

What outfit is complete without some jewelry or an accessory like a watch or a hat? But nice accessories, especially jewelry, are expensive.

Thrifting for jewelry and accessories is a great way to elevate your style while staying on a budget. While the jewels and metals might not be super high quality, it is often hard to differentiate. That means you can stock up on cheap jewelry and accessories without anyone really knowing that they came from a thrift shop.

Thrift shops usually have huge stocks of jewelry, which gives you access to a wide variety of styles and products. The jewelry at thrift stores is also exceptionally low priced because of the high stock they have.

You can find necklaces, bracelets, watches, vintage pins, brooches, hats, rings, and more all at one location. Take your time sorting through the large selection to find pieces that really stand out and that can add an element of style to any outfit.

3. Men’s and Women’s Clothes

A mistake a lot of beginner thrifters make is only looking in either the men’s or the women’s section. Women tend to avoid the men’s section and men definitely steer clear of the women’s section.

But the fact is, each section has certain gems that would be missed if you didn’t look in both places.

The men’s section is usually home to many interesting graphic t-shirts, sweaters, and athletic wear. The women’s section, on the other hand, is usually much larger than the men’s section, which might give you a wider variety. It is also home to what’s seen as “women’s only” clothing items like skirts, dresses, and more form-fitting and feminine t-shirts.

Check out this website to learn more about women’s t-shirts and clothing items.

4. High-Quality Fabrics and Materials

Besides brand names, another thing you can save big on by thrift shopping is clothes made of certain expensive materials. Real leather, cotton, denim, wool, and linen are all durable and high-quality fabrics that can be expensive if you buy them new.

Getting thrifted items made of these materials will save you a lot of money while also giving you items that will last. Buying cheap, thrifted clothes made of cheaper material might be good in the moment, but chances are those clothes won’t last very long.

You’re better off buying clothes from thrift stores that are made of good quality materials. You’ll save money on the price of the item and you’ll save by getting a product that will last a long time instead of needing to be replaced soon after it’s purchased.

5. Shop Seasonally

This tip is true for both thrift shopping and “regular” retail shopping. You’ll usually get great deals and discounts on seasonal items at the end of that season.

For example, the end of summer would be a good time to go shopping for shorts, t-shirts, and swimwear. The end of winter will be the perfect time to look for thick winter sweaters, winter boots, and jackets.

If you think you get great seasonal deals at retail stores, then you’ll be amazed at the types of deals you’ll get at thrift stores. You’ll be getting huge discounts on already discounted items. You’ll be paying a fraction of what you would at a retail store and getting even more of a break because of the seasonal discounts.

A word of caution on this tip: the end of a season usually will bring a lot of people looking for seasonal deals. You want to get out to the thrift stores sooner rather than later to avoid everything being cleared out by other thrift shoppers.

Thrift Shopping Can Save You Money

Living on a budget doesn’t mean that you can’t have great style. Thrift shopping means that high-quality and brand name clothes can be yours for a fraction of the retail price.

Thrift shopping isn’t always easy. You’ll probably have to go to a few different thrift shops many different times in order to find some things that are name brand, high-quality, and your style. It can take some dedication, but getting high quality and stylish clothes for a low cost is definitely worth it.

Check out our blog to find more tips on frugal living. You can also find lists of helpful deals, freebies, giveaways, and coupons on our website.