#SouthernSummerMakeUp - Lips

http://funastrology.tumblr.com/post/93143922446/zodiac-with-makeup

I'm obsessed with lipstick. I love bright, saturated colors. If I'm running late, I throw on sunglasses and lipstick. it instantly pulls you together. And nothing fixes a bad day light a bright red lipstick. (Besides wine but that's neither here nor there.) Check out some of my faves:

Lips by rulesforbelles featuring lips makeup

Stila lipstick / Yves Saint Laurent makeup / COVERGIRL lipstick / Maybelline lips makeup / Nars cosmetic, $33 / MAC Cosmetics lipstick / Moisturizing lip stain / Lipstick Queen lips makeup / NARS Cosmetics lip gloss / Revlon pink lipstick / Rimmel eye makeup, $6.78

Day - I absolutely love Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine in Bel-Ami. This is one of the most perfect everyday lip colors I've ever come across. It's subtle and moisturizing. And smells like Chanel No. 5. I love it. A more fun take on the everyday lip is Lipstick Queen's Hello Sailor. It looks blue but goes on a berry color that is a perfect match to your skin tone. Added bonus- it makes your teeth look whiter!! One of my new favorites is Yves Saint Laurent's Rouge Pur Couture Vernis A Levres Glossy Stain in 27- Peche Cerra-Cola. I've only had this one for about a week but it's quickly becoming one of my favorites. It's the perfect color for summer!

Night - Going out is the perfect time to get a little adventurous with your lip color. Whether it's drinks with the girls or date night, I love love love getting dolled up- my go to look is a cat-eye and crazy lips!

-Because I'm a brunette, I wear a lot of berry tones. My favorites are: MAC's Rebel (drug store dupe- Milani's Sangria), Covergirl's Tempt, Revlon's ColorStay Ultimate Suede in Backstage.

-Every girl need's a go to red lip- mine are Stila's Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso and Nars' Semi Matte Lipstick in Red Lizard. The Stila is a true red and the Nars is a bit deeper. Both are great but applying the Stila does take a bit of practice. I definitely suggest applying a lip liner first.

-Crazy, vibrant pink is so fun for girl's night. Nars' Lip Gloss in Priscilla. This shocking pink is the perfect "adult" gloss- it goes on evenly but lasts for hours (but if you're not a big fan of gloss, they have this shade in the semi matte lip stick). A good drug store alternate is Revlon's ColorStay Moisture Stain in Barcelona Nights.

Nude - If I wear a smokey eye or decide against one of the above day lips, I'm alllllllllll about a nude lip. I'm obsessed with MAC's Myth. It's semi matte and long-lasting. I can't stop wearing it. I pair it with MAC's Lip Pencil in Stripdown. Revlon's Colorburst Lip Stick in Soft Nude 070 is a pink-er nude. L'Oreal's Colour Caresse by Colour Riche in Sheer Linen is another one of my absolute favorites. It applies like a lip stick but feels more like a gloss. It's so easy and simple- I never go anywhere without having this in my purse. Maybelline's Color Sensational Lipstick in Nude Lust is a shade or two darker than Myth but is a very similar formula. Good to have options, right? (Tip- Rimmel's Scandaleyes Kohl Liner in Nude is obviously intended to be used to line your eyes but I use it to line my lips after applying a bold color. Not only does it even out the line but it makes your lips look bigger too!)

I'm sure there are literally hundreds of amazing lipsticks, stains and glosses that I've left out but these are all products that I have used/still use and can attest to how much I love them.

What are your "can't leave the house without it" lip colors/sticks/stains/glosses??

Enjoy!
-C. xx.

#SouthernSummerMakeUp - Foundation

So yesterday I told y'all about my favorite Primers & Setters for surviving steamy Southern summers.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/kristinchirico/go-home-eyeliner-youre-drunk

Now on to the foundations. I probably experiment the most here. I have very oily skin so I've tried every form of foundation you can imagine. Here are my favorites. Especially for summer.

Summer Foundation Solutions by rulesforbelles featuring Urban Decay

Bare escentuals skin care / Urban Decay beauty product, $46 / Urban decay cosmetic / Tarte foundation / Benefit foundation / Bare Escentuals matte foundation / Benefit makeup primer, $42 / Tarte translucent face powder / Tarte concealer

1. Tarte - I love this because it is a mineral formula but it gives full coverage. It doesn't feel like it, though, which is very important when it's 105 degrees outside. It has Amazonian clay (or something like that) in it to eliminate shine? I don't know. But the powder is amazinggggg.

2. Bare Minerals - This is my tried and true standard. I keep the liquid and the powder on hand, depending on the amount of coverage I'm looking for. These two are my current foundation staples.

3. Naked Skin - Ok y'all. This stuff is amazing. It's not as full coverage as the two above but I absolutely love it. It feels great on. It's super blendable and probably the most buildable of all four. Overall, I loved using this product and will definitely buy it again.

4. Benefit - This is what I want to try next. I've never used it but I've heard SO many good things about this foundation. Lightweight. Blendable. Oil-free. Perfect for summer in the South.

So there you have it. Next week, I'll post the Eyes and Lips selections. Get excited!

-C. xx.

#SouthernSummerMakeUp- Prime & Set

Living in the South is the absolute best. We wouldn't trade it for the world. There are, however, some struggles that go along with living in God's country... like how to keep your face from melting off in the height of the summer.

http://www.thegloss.com/2013/07/26/beauty/makeup-tutorial-heatproof-hair-makeup-techniques/

Now, let's get this out of the way from the get go- I am not a beauty blogger/vlogger/expert/artist/etc. I'm just a girl that has lived in South Carolina her whole life who spends way too much money at Sephora. So while I don't any expert tips to give y'all, I have some advice based on what I use. Use at your own risk :)

Prime & Set by rulesforbelles featuring a smashbox makeup primer

Smashbox makeup primer / Revlon face makeup / ELF Cosmetics loose face powder, $12 / Face powder, $12 / Laura Mercier face powder

Primers- I go through stages with primers. I have used probably a dozen different primers but right now when I put on a "full face," I use the Smashbox. If it's just a regular, simple day, I use the Revlon and go. What primer you use isn't the most important thing, it's just that you USE a primer.

Setting powder- I know a lot of people use Make Up Forever or MAC's finishing powder. I can't tell a difference between these $35 powders and ELF's $6 powder... but that's just me. I have a lot of girlfriends who swear by Laura Mercier but I haven't tried it. I swear by Ben Nye's Luxury Powder. It's something I discovered when I was doing theatre in college. It's what Disney Princesses use in the Florida heat.... just saying.

Setting spray- I do not leave the house without a few sprays of this stuff. I'm serious. It's an absolute necessity. If you take one bit of advice from this post, buy the setting spray.

Beach Bag Essentials

http://25.media.tumblr.com/089476b2aa37a55ceed53fc7c57b0115/tumblr_mkjjouLsPu1s7zxwko1_500.gif

Finallyyyy, it's officially summer (although let's be real, the south has been in summer mode for the past two months) and that means it's finally vacation season! Whether you're jetting off to a fabulous tropical location or just chilling by your community pool, there are a few things you must have with you while soaking up the rays. We've put together a guide to the necessities a Modern Magnolia should always have in her beach bag to have the best summertime lounge-sesh possible.

Cute/functional bag- to hold all your goodies

Sunscreen- it's so important to protect your skin from the harms of UV rays

Sunnies- simultaneously protect your eyes & look fab

Hat- to shield your hair from the wind & keep your face from getting sunburnt

Magazine- pool/beach time is the perfect opportunity to catch up on your favorite mags

Wireless iPhone speaker- laying out is so much better with good music 

Protective lip balm- slather this on to avoid painful sunburnt lips

Rubber flip flops- a comfy, cute, & practical option to save your feet from hot sand/pavement

Water bottle- fill up one of these to avoid dehydration & keep cool 

Beach towel- no explanation necessary

Beach Bag Essentials by classicallycurrent featuring tropical beach towels

What do you keep in your beach bag? Anything we missed? Let us know!

-Lanie W.

Friday Favorites

I get asked pretty regularly what my favorite products, trends, etc. are and I figured I would start putting together lists of some things I'm loving. From music to makeup, if I like something, I like it all the way. There's not a lot of gray area in my life. 

Anywaysss... here are a few things I am loving/addicted to/can't get enough of right now-

Friday Favorites - 05.16.14 by rulesforbelles featuring abalone jewelry

1. Kimonos- I have never been much of a cardigan girl but I do love to layer. It's pretty difficult to layer when it's 98 degrees outside with 100% humidity... welcome to the South, am I right ladies? Enter a kimono. Most of them are super lightweight, somewhat sheer and just add the perfect finishing touch to any outfit. It says, "I'm too cool to put in a ton of effort, I'm naturally this fabulous."

2. bareMinerals bareSkin Foundation- I have oily skin and an obsession with full coverage makeup which is not a great combo for summers in the South. I always struggle with how to balance wearing enough makeup to feel covered but not enough to where it's running down my face... the struggle is real y'all. So enter this miracle worker. I have only worn it a couple of times now but I think it is going to save my life/face this summer. It's such a nice balance!

3. Kendra Scott Elle Drop Earrings in Abalone- I have been obsessed with Kendra Scott's jewelry for quite a while now and finally got a pair for my birthday. While they are all fabulous, the Abalone is just too good. They are fun and quirky while sleek and sophisticated. And they match everything. Run, don't walk, to get some. Right now. 

4. Drybar VIP Pack- Taylor gave me this for my birthday and it's safe to say, I. Am. Obsessed. It includes dry shampoo, mousse (perfectly titled Southern Belle) and hairspray. They are half sizes so they can fit in your purse. Woohoo!!! 

5. Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb- Between allergies and being incredibly particular, I always have trouble finding a perfume that is just right for me. So last week, I took a Zyrtec, headed to my local perfume counter and spent the better part of an hour trying as many different scents as I could stand. And boy was it worth it. I absolutely fell in LOVE with this scent. I am not a flowery kind of person, so I was hesitant because of the name, but it is not a floral scent. It has a touch of floral but it's very clean and just smells pretty- if that's even a thing... I've only worn it for a few days and have been stopped by strangers to ask what perfume I was wearing. Seriously, if you're in the market for a new fragrance, GO BUY IT. They sell a hair mist too. I'll probz buy that. I'm that in love. 

6. Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara- Y'all.......... this stuff is MAGIC. It is blackkkk and after a few coats looks like falsies. I'm obsessed. 

7. Anything having to do with Iggy Azalea- From Fancy's Clueless themed video to Problem (with Ariana Grande) to how much she loves fashion and her big butt, I think Iggy and her music are perfection. I'll be shaking it to her allllllll summer long. 

So that's what I'm loving right now. What about y'all?? Let me know on twitter.

-C. xx. 

Mother's Day Gift Guide Straight From A Mother

http://www.buzzfeed.com/emilyorley/19-pieces-of-advice-from-tami-taylor

Your mother was your first best friend, your first nurse when you were sick, your first taxi service when you were too little to drive and always your biggest cheerleader. So what do you get the woman who's been there from your beginning? If you struggle to get just the thing she'd love this year, no fear. As a mother to three children myself and with two mothers to buy for, I've got every type of mama covered. We love anything thoughtful and especially anything that reminds us of our children (awwwwwww), but we also love when people put US first and get us things WE are interested in. So with that in mind here are some optionnnnnnnns. 

1. Mark & Graham leather Tote 

http://www.markandgraham.com/products/everyday-leather-tote-camel/

The bag can be personalized for mom and it's a classic shape that she can use everyday and still feel stylish. I love the colors, they are subtle and they don't scream Vera Bradley- which you should NOT get your mother. Unless she's a VB fan and then you have to bite the bullet.

2. Lilly Pulitzer Infinity Scarf

http://www.lillypulitzer.com/product/Accessories-Shoes/Scarves/entity/pc/61/c/247/7252.uts?swatchName=Spa+Blue+Lobstah+Roll

The colors are great for summer and the no fuss of an infinity scarf is perfect for mom to finish her casual outfit with. 

3. Gallery in a box

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/champagne-gilt-wood-picture-frame-gallery-in-a-box/?pkey=e%7Cframes%7C98%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C7&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH%7C%7CNoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-%3Fcm_sp%3DMyRecs-_-LeftNav-_-Search%7CSku_Top_Marketing_Rule%7CFrames

I love this idea for mom! The older moms get, the more they treasure memories. Surprise your mom with her own gallery frames and fill them with a mix of old and new family photos. She will love this. 

4. On a budget? Cook for mom. Moms love good food and loving gestures, so combine the two! Check out the Barefoot Contessa's recipes for FREE on the Food Network website and Whip. It .Up. 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/chefs/ina-garten/ina-garten-behind-the-scenes.html

In fact, there are over 1,000 of her recipes for free, whereas on her website she makes you buy her cookbooks. So set the table, create a beautiful presentation and treat her with a feast! 

5. Hydrangeas from Terrain is a great gift for the mom who loves to garden, or just loves flowers in general.

http://www.shopterrain.com/mothers-day-nature-walk/white-robe-hydrangea-birch-bark-pot/productOptionIDs/5f63e4f8-60b3-4ee7-9cbc-15481ea61cb2

I love the bark pot and the moss touch they've added to the hydrangea presentation to make it look rustic and special. And mom can even plant the beautiful flower into her garden. Perrrrfect. 

6. Spruce up mom's summer table with new, updated linens.

http://www.worldmarket.com/product/cool+multicolor+herringbone+table+runner.do?&from=fn

I love this World Market Table Runner and the matching napkins. Mom can breathe new life into her plates and utensils for the season. 

7. If your mom loves all things beauty, get her signed up with Birchbox.

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-02-16/a-surprise-in-every-birchbox

Personalize it for all of mom's interests and she will love her monthly packages! Birchbox has more than mascaras and lipsticks; you can create skincare, body or fragrance boxes just for your dear mother. 

Have I gotten your Mother's Day thoughts going? Make mama feel special! She'll thank you with hugs and kisses, which are the best gifts of all. Let the Magnolias know what you think over on Twitter using #ModernMagnolias!

Erica Hanks

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#MMLovesFashion: Front Row Charlotte

So if you follow me on Twitter or Pinterest, you are well aware that I like to think I'm supppppppper fashionable. (Lolz.) While I don't typically participate in the whimsical styling that is usually associated with runway shows, I  L O V E  to watch. Seriously, I think I'm an Olsen or something...

http://love-olsen.tumblr.com/post/75053088065

But anyway, back to the show. Front Row Charlotte is very unique in that it highlights multiple local boutiques, gives back to an amazing charity AND (as the name implies) everyone gets to sit #FRow. Clearly, I was loving it.

Love love love that everyone gets a #FRow seat. Very Marc Jacobs- minus Kendall Jenner. #frontrowCLT

— The Rules (@RulesForBelles) March 6, 2014

The lovely hosts, Erika Hanks and Joey Hewell, kicked off the show looking fabulous- seriously, I may or may not have snagged a couple snaps of Erika's heels to keep in mind for later. (Sidenote- I 100% did. #NoShame)

Images via the amazing Justin Driscoll

The local boutiques that were featured were Coral, Poole Shop, Coplon's, Our Place and Social Dress Shop. Seriously y'all, these places are unbelievable. Take a day trip up to Charlotte and get ready to melt your credit card. I WANTED EVERYTHING. No joke.

Image via the amazing Justin Driscoll

Heads up y'all, crop tops ain't going anywhereeee. Embrace them. (Just keep it ladylike...)

Sketchy image via my camera phone...

Clearly, I fell in love with this jumpsuit. Not only is it my color scheme (#AllBlackEverything) but it's by super fabulous, Southern designer Hunter Bell (who I cannot wait to see at Charleston Fashion Week!!!). Check out the rest of my favorite looks below-

(Like, shout out to editors, bloggers, Erika, etc. who take awesome pictures from runway shows... it was really hard.)

So I gave up on pictures and went with videos... way easier. Also, you can't really tell in this tiny video (not sure why it's so little...??) but the jewelry was AMAZING. Do you ever see something and literally GASP or start doing a little dance (just me? whatevz.) because it is just T H A T major? That's how I felt about the S. Carter Designs jewelry.

via S. Carter Designs' Facebook

http://birdreynolds.com/?tag=rachel-zoe-gif

Annnnnnnnnd then I saw the price...

http://birdreynolds.com/?tag=rachel-zoe-gif

Sooooo that'll be on the birthday wishlist I send to my Daddy. 

Image via the amazing Justin Driscoll

Image via the amazing Justin Driscoll

Love love love a good final walk. Because duh.

But the most amazing part of the night was when Erika and Joey presented the ladies of Baby Bundles with a check for $10,000. It's always so much nicer to attend a really great event that has a greater purpose. It made my cold, black heart so, very happy!

Image via the amazing Justin Driscoll

Erika- I WANT THOSE PANTS. Also, shout out to #TwitterBesties. (I have attended #NYFW vicariously through her tweets/instas twice now.)

Love that @RulesForBelles came to #frontrowCLT last night! We've been twitter friends for a while! Thanks for coming up! 😘
— Erica Hanks (@TheEricaHanks) March 6, 2014

So basically, I had an AHHHHHMAZING time and cannot wait for the next Front Row Charlotte show. Thank you to Erika and everyone at Front Row Charlotte for having me and congratulations on such a successful event!!

-C. xx.

Valentine's Day Outfits: Date Night

Can y'all believe it? Valentines Day is less than a week away! I've always been a big v-day supporter. What could be better than a day celebrating love? The only problem I always seem to face is what to wear! February is such a tricky month to dress for, and it's always a struggle to look cute while you’re freezing to death. However, whether you celebrate this holiday by going out to a fancy dinner or keep it low key I've put together a few looks that will keep you warm and make you feel your best!

Formal Dinner

http://www.polyvore.com/valentines_date_dressy/set?id=112570440

This dress is so perfect for a dressy valentines dinner. The combination of the bold color, classic shift silhouette, and whimsical scalloped detailing make this dress a serious trifecta. Add a sleek pair of nude heels and drop pearl earrings and you'll be the best looking gal in the room!

Drinks and Dancing

http://www.polyvore.com/valentines_date_dressy/set?.embedder=252135&.svc=copypaste&id=112570628

This outfit is all about the details. The combination of a comfy sweater and punchy pleated skirt make this look simultaneously comfy and fun at the same time. Spice it up with gold stud earrings and a killer pair of heels and you're ready to dance the night away with your sweetie.

 Casual Dinner

http://www.polyvore.com/valentines_date_semi_dressy/set?.embedder=252135&.svc=copypaste&id=112570931

Honestly, most of my Valentine dates have fallen into this category; but just because you aren't going to a super fancy place doesn't mean you can't look chic! Structured leggings, a pretty blouse and classic flats create an effortless vibe while also looking perfectly put together. Top it off with a bright pink lip and your casual date will feel much more glamorous!

Dinner & a Movie

http://www.polyvore.com/valentines_date_casual/set?.embedder=252135&.svc=copypaste&id=112571168

In my opinion, sometimes the low-key dates turn out to be the best. For a date like this stick to tried and true favorites, but add fun accessories to make it feel elevated. A great pair of skinny jeans, soft pink sweater, neutral flats, and a dainty jewelry give a fun-girly vibe to an otherwise laid back outfit!

I hope these outfit ideas are helpful and spark your fashion creativity! No matter how you celebrate this holiday, fancy to casual, the most important thing is to have fun with the ones you love! Happy Valentines Day y'all! xoxo

-Lanie W.