eWayDirect Blog

They don't call it beauty sleep for nothin'! I can see tired eyes through any concealer. Sleep issues are so common today, but so not fun! Here are a few tips on how to get the best beauty sleep possible:

1. Don't go to bed hungry: The worst feeling is rolling around trying to fall asleep and feeling an emptiness in your stomach. The fuller you are, the sleepier you'll get, especially after a long day of work. I'm not saying stuff your face with junk, because that'll give you a tummy ache but have a quick snack and a small glass of hot water or tea.

2. Turn off all the lights!: Now i slept with a night-light for a while because, I'll admit it, I'm afraid of the dark. Some people use the excuse of using a night light so they don't trip on their midnight bathroom run, but I call BS. It's recommended that all the lights in the room be turned off, even night lights. Have your electric clocks face away from you as well. Most importantly, don't sleep with your phone next to you! The beeping and buzzing will guarantee  interrupted sleep.

3. Disconnect: As difficult as it is to do, try not to watch a ton of TV before bed- the lights will keep you wired. If you have to watch, dim the lights, and dim the TV brightness as it helps get you into relaxation mood. The best winding down you can do is read a book and light a scented candle (This one smells like sexy man cologne).

4. Set the thermostat to a cool 68 degrees (Fahrenheit). The colder and fresher the air, the better for your breathing. When a room gets too hot, you can get all sweaty and stuffy. It's really uncomfortable and makes for a terrible nights sleep.

5. Get an awesome wakeup call. There are a ton of apps on the iPhone that give you the option to wake up to birds chirping, or my favorite, the flutes that make me feel like I'm in an acupuncture session. Very relaxing compared to a blaring siren waking you up. It also gives you the option of having the ringtone fade in and out so the wakeup isn't abrupt! Get on it, they're free.

What are your best-nights-sleep tips?

-Patti, contributing elfette

Congrats' to Victoria's Secret model Alessandra Ambrósio and fiance Jamie Mazur on their new baby boy Noah Phoenix! We couldn't be more excited for the couple and we wish them the best. Here's an Alessandra makeup tutorial:

1. Start by Priming the eyes with our Eyelid Primer for lasting results.

2. Apply our Studio Eyeshadow in 'Coffee Bean' to the lid and bring the color up to the crease making sure to wing the shadow outwards. Blend the same color on the bottom lash line for a smoky effect.

3. Line the upper lash line with our Kohl Liner and blend out the line with a Smudge Brush for sultry eyes. Repeat on the lower lash line.

4. Coat Lashes with our new 3-in-1 Mascara and apply our Natural False Lashes.

5. Using the shade that best suits you, apply our Flawless Finish Foundation with a Foundation Brush for flawless skin. Cover any blemishes or under eye circles with our Complete Coverage Concealer.

6. Using the Bronzer for the Contouring Blush & Bronzing Duo, contour the hollows of the cheeks and blend  color lightly all over the face for a sun kissed glow. Using the Blush, dust the color on the apples of the cheeks, blending with the cheek contour.

7. Finish with a coat of our Mineral Lip Gloss in 'Trendsetter' and you're good to go!

-Patti, contributing elfette

Hey guys! Here's a sweet and natural makeup tutorial for those of you prom-goers that prefer not to go too heavy on makeup. After all, you're going to dance it all off anyway!

1. Start by priming the skin with our Mineral Infused Face Primer so the makeup lasts all night.

2. Apply a tinted moisturizer for a sheer finish and conceal any blemishes and under-eye circles.

3. To achieve a golden glow, apply bronzer to the forehead and across the cheeks and nose. 

4. Apply our Blush in 'Twinkle Pink' to the apples of the cheeks and sweep it back, blending the product with the bronzer.

5. Prime the eyes with our Eyelid Primer in 'Pearl' for a shimmery, bright eyed effect.

6. Apply our Mineral Eyeshadow in 'Celebrity' to the lid, and blend any harsh lines. Next, dab a bit of 'Elegant' to the inner tear duct to brighten the eyes.

7. Line eyes with our Liquid Eyeliner in 'Black' and flick out the ends.

8. Coat top and bottom lashes with our Lash Extending Mascara and apply a pair or Natural False Lashes.

9. Apply our Mineral Lip Gloss in 'Au Natural' to complement your glowing makeup!

Which celeb rocks your favorite natural makeup look?

-Patti, contributing elfette

While browsing Pinterest, we found a gorgeous gold and black liner look that caught our eye and immediately re-pinned it to our 'Beauty Inspiration' folder! The look is really simple, but will make eyes really pop. It also kind of reminds me of what the character Cinna in The Hunger Games wears so that was cool too. Heres how:

1. Start by priming the eye with our Eyelid Primer so that the eyeliner lasts all day.

2. Next, cover the lid with a nude eyeshadow or face powder that matches your skin. The look here isn't about the eyeshadow, it's about the liner so we're keeping the eyelid simple.

3. Line eyes with our Liquid Eyeliner in 'Black' and add a wing at the ends if you'd like for a cat-eye effect.

4. Next, using our Mineral Eyeshadow in 'Golden Goddess' and our Eye Primer and Liner Sealer, use the Liner Sealer side to create a paste with the gold eyeshadow. With a steady hand, apply the gold as eyeliner right above (not on top of) the black eyeliner.

5. Messed up? No Worries! Use our Makeup Remover Pen to remove any mistakes.

6. Curl lashes and coat them with two coats of our Mineral Infused Mascara.

7. For extra drama, add some false lashes.

8. Finish off by applying our Shimmer Eyeliner Pencil in 'Blissful Blush' to the lower lash line for extra sparkle.

-Patti, contributing elfette

Hey elfettes!! 

Every year the Met Ball brings out the biggest names in fashion and entertainment! This year was no exception. SJP, Cameron, Rachel Zoe, and Zac Posen all hit the red carpet to bring their most original looks to the red carpet for what is definitely the most daring night in fashion. 

While I am WAY too nice to talk about the worst looks, I've compiled a list of my FAVORITE looks from last night's event! 

1. Scarlett Johansson really brought her A-game to the event in this off the shoulder number with a mermaid skirt. She's definitely been off the mark lately while promoting the Avengers, but this dress and natural hair & makeup look made me realize why I've always loved her. 

2. Gwenyth Paltrow can really do no wrong in my book. She is the epitome of chic. This dress is classy and sexy at the same time, which is extremely hard balance. 

3. Can you believe Renee Zelwegger is 42? She is absolutely stunning in this black backless number by Emilio Pucci. 

4. Katherine McPhee looks smashing in this classicly cut Ellie Saab. I absolutely LOVE that she choose such a bright and bold color in a sea of  darker dresses.

5. Kate Bosworth! That dress! That lip! It's all working! L.O.V.E. 

6. Amy Adams looks so gorgeous in this one-shoulder chiffon dress! Black + White + Gold = AMAZING on this gorgeous red head! 

Who are your top choices for best dressed, elfettes?!

xoxo, 

Brittany

e.l.f. Social Media Maven

PS - First 25 commenters get a $5 coupon code! 

Hey elfettes!! 

I know you ladies love good deals!! Well, this lady LOVES a good deal and that is why she's this week's girl crush!! 

Lindsey, the bargain shopper behind one of our FAVORITE blogs The Bargain Blonde where she talks about everything from e.l.f. to fashion to reality television! I may be obsessed with her because we share the following obsessions: The Hunger Games Triology, Zac Efron, and a good Mimosa. 

Five Things You Should Know About Lindsey: 

1. She knows how to orgainize a makeup drawer! On. The. Cheap. 

2. Her nephew is the cutest kid on the planet! Exhibit A.

3. She's a Texan, which makes me love her because I love any state where big hair is in. 

4. She won an award for being the best blogger in Dallas! 

5. She looks ALOT like Lauren Conrad! 

The last fun fact about Lindsey is exactly why I asked her to do a look for less for one of my style icons, Miss Lauren Conrad!! Lindsey really knocked it out of the park with this look for less and this is how she created it: 

Hey elfettes!! 

Happy (almost) Memorial Day!! I've been waiting since September to break out the WHITE! (Full Disclaimer: I jumped the gun and wore white jeans last week because it's 80 degrees in North Carolina and I was down south visiting my mom!) But, now that we're in the home stretch before what is sure to be the best summer ever, I wanted to share my WHITE HOT picks with you that are definitely sure to be a hit after the Memorial Day holiday! 

These sailor inspired shorts from Zara are super cute! Full disclosure: I bought them last week and I've been so excited to break them out this summer!! Paired with a chic top and wedges you are set for a night out at the beach or pair them with a button down and you're perfect for daytime brunching/shopping/errands!  

If you read my blogs, you know I'm totally obsessed with Vestique! This dress is no exception! Perfect for dinner with the family, a summer party or graduation, you're sure to turn head in this demure white number!

Lulu's is definitely one of my guilty pleasures and this dress is absolutely no different! It looks exactly like an Opening Ceremony dress that I fell in love with last season, too bad it was WAY out of my price range. This one, however, is not! It's perfect for a girls' night out and I have about a million friends getting married this summer so I'm sure there are going to be ALOT of those! 

This sweet and sultry dress is the PERFECT mix of naughty and nice for a date night with your main squeeze! My perfect summer date involves oysters with view of the ocean! 

My obsession with rompers is well known (and documented) if you know me. This ivory lace romper is NO different! I must have it! It's a little more expensive that rest of the list, but sometimes you just have to splurge! Um, do you see that back?!

Will you be rocking white this Memorial Day, elfettes?! What are your plans?!

xoxo, 

Brittany

e.l.f. Social Media Maven

PS - First 25 commenters get a $5 coupon code! 

I've been seeing posts all over the internet of this new nail trend called water marbling. It gives your nails a marble effect without making such a mess! Let's all give a round of applause to Esther for being such a cooperative elfette :)

The first thing you need is about 4-5 different color nail polishes lined up and loosely opened (you're going to have to work fast!).

You're going to need a paper cup filled with water, a toothpick, and a paper towel underneath to catch any mess. Next, you're going to need to tape your fingers around the edge of the nails to make for an easier clean up.

If you're going to use bright colors, I would recommend starting with a white base coat of polish so that the colors really pop, because there is no way of applying a second coat.

1. Place a drop of polish into the water, then quickly after place another drop of polish in a different color. Keep doing so with the 5 colors- it should look like a rainbow bulls-eye.

2. Take the toothpick and drag it through the pattern a few time until you get the pattern you want. Don't work slow with this, otherwise the polish will dry quickly. 

3. Dip your finger into the pattern and pull it out of the water. The scotch tape should catch the rest of the polish that would've ended up on your fingers.

4. Repeat on the other nails and finish with a top coat!

What do you guys think of this new trend? Worth the effort?

-Patti, contributing elfette

Hey elfettes!! 

We had the best. time. ever. with all of the Beauty At All Ages finalists!! The day went by so fast, I didn't even realieze I was at work! 

We started the day with breakfast! Then moved right into hair and makeup! 

Leeza was a ray of sunshine even at the early hour! 

Maggie was HILARIOUS and kept me laughing the ENTIRE day! 

Sulivan was the sweetest person on the planet! While she was getting her makeup done, I heard about her family! She has two precious kids!! 

Kim Marie was SO cute and funny!! She laughed at ALL of my jokes, which for future reference for anyone, gets you bonus points in my book! 

We jammed out to the AMAZING playlist that I made all day! 

During lunch while I was catching up on e-mails, I caught the girls in a SERIOUS game of UNO. I'm pretty sure that Leeza and Sulivan are UNO sharks. I'm sad to say that I did not catch a shot of this.

Fortunately, I did catch some of the official shots! 

We all had so much fun together!! By the end of the day it was like we were LONG LOST BFFYS!! 

And speaking of long lost, Maggie could defniitely be my long lost sister. Unfortunately for me, she got all the height and metabolism in the family! Do you think we look like long lost sisters or what, elfettes?!

Who do you think should be the next face of e.l.f.?! 

xoxo, 

Brittany

e.l.f. Social Media Maven

PS - First 25 comments get a $5 coupon code! 

When thinking of our current girl crush, so many adjectives come to mind. Gorgeous, chic, gorgeous, funny, gorgeous, stylish, gorgeous, fun... did I say gorgeous?

Because she is. Bethany can seriously make any outfit look good! She can rock the classic look! 

She can pull off the boho glam look! 

She can ever rock a quirky print and still make it look effortlessly casual! 

Which is why, when she put together some fabulous looks using her favorite e.l.f. products we were MORE than excited! 

Here's a preview of her celebrity e.l.f. looks! 

Bethany even gave us a peek into how she gets beautiful! She's also having a MA-JOR e.l.f. giveaway! 

Can you believe this flawlessly put-together fashionista is the mother of two!? Neither can we! And that, elfettes, is why Bethany of B Soup is our  current girl crush! Are you as obsessed with Bethany as we are?

xoxo, 

Brittany

e.l.f. Social Media Maven

We finally released our Mineral Facial Cleanser and so far you’re loving it! As are we, of course... The cleanser is not like your typical serum or foam- it's actually a powder! You only need to add a small amount of water to the powder to create the soft foaming cleanser and it removes all traces of makeup leaving skin smooth and clean. I have oily skin and usually cleansers will dry out my skin but this product leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturized! My skin is also very sensitive and prone to break-outs so the aloe, green tea, jojoba avocado and Vitamin E calms and revitalizes my skin without irritating it or causing acne! I’ll be giving these out to my friends and family and I'm positive they won’t be disappointed. Check out eyeslipsface.com for all your beauty needs!

-Patti, contributing elfette

I love interiors! I am constantly looking for new ideas for my current apartment or my future home (because we all know I can't afford these amazing rooms now!). These design trends are the things that my sweetest dreams are made of! 

Take a walk on the wild side with me! I love these animal print accents! They bring a raw and sexy vibe to any room which can definitely be perfect for a little bit of spice. The nice thing about animal prints is that they can be both masculine and feminine depending on the context throughout the rest of the room. Mixed with leathers and woods, you have the perfect mix of rugged and chic.  I think all of our boyfriends/husbands can collectively let out a sigh of relief that they're not living in a pink princess house. ;-) 

I'll admit it, I have the golden touch! Well, not really. King Midas would love these gold touches that add a little bit of glamour to simply chic rooms.

Gallery hopping in Chelsea is one of my favorite things to do! Creating a gallery wall in your home is the best way to show off your favorite art, photographs, mirrors, or even empty frames! A gallery wall can be a serious mixture of ANYTHING. Tie ideas together with colors or don't. Gallery walls are an easy way to showcase your eccentricities or creativety in any room! 

Mirror, mirror on the wall who's the fairest of them all? Why, of course, YOU ARE! Mirrored accents are glamorous, chic, fabulous, and all of the above. They are pretty feminine so convincing your signifigant other to live in a mirrored palace may be difficult, but these gorgeous and aesticically pleasing room could definitely help! 

What are your favorite interior design trends? Do you like the above?! Which are the friendliest to both sexes?! I love hearing from the elfettes!!! 

Follow me on Pinterest to keep up with all my interiors! 

xoxo, 

Brittany

e.l.f. Social Media Maven

When we found this picture on Pinterest, the comments were gushing over her hairstyle. It's gorgeous, but we were more excited about the glow she has on her cheeks! It looks so natural and pairs beautifully with her Greek-goddess dress and hair. Here’s how to achieve her look:

1. Start by applying foundation and concealer wherever needed to even out the skin and cover blemishes.

2. Using our Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder, apply the 'bronzer' to the hollows of the cheeks and the 'blush' to the apples of the cheeks. Blend in for a seamless finish.

3. Grab our Body Shimmer in 'Mystic Moonlight' and dab the product onto your fingers so that you can have precise placement. Apply the highlighter to the upper cheekbone and right under the eyebrow in a tapping motion. Don't forget to blend!

4. Apply our Cream Eyeshadow in Bronzed to the lid and blend up to the crease.

5. For that smoky effect, apply black eyeliner to the upper and lower lash lines, as well as the lower waterline.

6. Coat lashes with 1-2 coats of our Lash Extending Mascara.

7. Apply our Mineral Lipstick in the shade 'Fiery Fuchsia' for a warm pout.

What's your favorite thing about Kate's look?

-Patti, contributing elfette

It seems like Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have finally decide to go public with their romance! When we first heard speculations, we kind of thought it was odd (considering Kim just filed for divorce) but now we're actually a little excited about this pairing. Kim and Kanye have actually been friends for a while before they decided to take it to the next level and we think that friendship is the basis of all relationships, so why not! The pair was spotted holding hands in NYC's meat packing district and showed up to the opening of Scott Disicks's new Japanese restaurant, RYU, hand in hand. How adorable!  Kim was also spotted sorting 'K W' earrings, confirming all of our suspicions. We wish them the best of luck!

What do you think of Kim's new beau?

-Patti, contributing elfette

We would like to give a real hug to Demi Lovato right now. After battling substance abuse, eating disorders, and being in and out of clinics for self-harm, Demi is holding her head high. In a recent interview with British Magazine Fabulous Demi opens up about her struggles and the pressures of Hollywood. "Promoters gave me drugs and alcohol in restaurants or clubs," she admitted "They wanted me to come back so I would be seen there. I thought they were my friends. I thought I was having fun. Being a celebrity can be dangerous. Nobody says 'no'. That's why so many end up overdosing and dying. It could definitely have happened to me." Soon after, Demi realized the dangers of the fast life and is walking away from it as we speak. It is a very tough thing to go through, but we see Demi as a role model and her strength and real-ness is so admirable. It takes courage and bravery to be able to even talk about such struggles. Demi, we love you and wish you good health and happiness!

-Patti, contributing elfette

While my Pinterest obsession continues to thrive, I picked up a new color crush while browsing pin after pin of all things pretty! My spring color crush is MINT! 

Mint is totally perfect for this transition weather that we're currently experiencing! It's a TRUE spring pastel that you can definitely pull off without looking like you've jumped the gun on 80 degree days. 

Here are some affordable ways to incorporate Mint into your wardrobe! 

Be My Boo Green Romper from Lulu's 

You ComPLEAT Me from Vestique.com 

C'mon Get Happy One Shoulder Dress from Lulu's 

Don't forget to pair it with the AH-MAH-ZING e.l.f. Essential Nail Polish in Mint Cream! 

Do you think you'll be rocking Mint this spring?

xoxo, 

Brittany 

e.l.f. Social Media Maven

PS - First 25 commenters get a $5 coupon code! 

Lately I've been in a very French mood! I think Megan from Mad Men triggered it with her impromptu Zou Bisou Bisou rendition at Don's surprise birthday party! However, quite unfortunately, I can't afford a Parisian vacation. Instead I want to plan the most FABULOUS French STAYCATION and I'm hoping that you will join me in saying "Au Revior, reality! VIVA LA FRANCE!" 

Here's how we'll do it! 

1. Create a French Menu

Starter: Classic French Mussels  (Surprisingly EASY) 

Main Course: Steak Au Poivre with Herbed Frites 

Desert: French Chocolate Mousse

2. Twirl around while cooking/dining to a very French playlist! 

Your playlist should include:

Edith Piaf

Gillian Hills 

Carla Bruni

3. Wear a FABULOUS party dress! 

According to Carrie Bradshaw, when you're going to Paris, you must wear something SPECIAL! 

4. French Movie Marathon + Macaroons! 

Finish the evening by eating macaroons and watching movies that are either French, take place in France, or have something French as a VITAL plot point! 

My Top Choices: 

Midnight in Paris 

Any

Casablanca 

Hors De Prix 

Amelie 

La Vie En Rose

Bonjour, elfettes!! Hope you enjoy your staycation! 

xoxo, 

Brittany 

Social Media Maven

After Demi's latest stint in rehab, shes back in the public eye and looks radiant! She also decided to finally reactivate her Twitter account after a three month hiatus. Surprisingly she hasn't changed her Twitter name, "MrsKutcher. Is that kind of awkward? She did, however, post a tweet asking fans for new Twitter name suggestions.

What do you think Demi should change her Twitter name to?

Patti, contributing elfette

The weeks product rave is our all new Lip Exfoliator! Perfect for removing dead skin cells from chapped lips, this product is by far the best lip scrub on the market! The balm is infused with infused with Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Avocado, Grape and Jojoba Oils to nourish and protect lips and the scrub wipes away easily with a damp cotton pad.  I use this at night before I go to sleep and wake up the next day with lips as soft as a baby's bottom! I also use it before heading to any parties so my lips are plump and smooth for the night. It also comes in the shape of a lipstick so it's pretty mess-free. Check out our new products at eyeslipsface.com

Esther, contributing elfette

Miley, we hope you feel better and recover quickly from your blender incident! Here's a makeup look to hold you guys over:

1. Start by priming the eyelids with our Eyelid Primer so that the eyeshadow will last all night.

2. Apply our Mineral Eyeshadow in 'Elegant' to the lids and bring the color down to the lower lash line as well to brighten up the eyes for a fresh faced look. 

3. Grab our Natural False Lashes and cut the strip in half to create a half-lash or an end-lash. apply the lash halves to the outer edge of the eyes and let dry.

4. Line the outer edge of the eyes with black Liquid Liner to conceal the lash band and give more depth to the eyes.

5. Apply two coats of our Volume Plumping Mascara to bind your lashes with the falsies.

6. Apply our Flawless Finish Foundation in the shade that best suits you and conceal any blemishes with our Complete Coverage Concealer.

7. Apply the blush from our Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder to the apples of the cheeks, sweeping the color back and into the hairline.

8. Finish off by lining and filling in lips with our Matte Lip Color in 'Nearly Nude' and top that with any clear gloss!

Patti, contributing elfette