Beauty Must-Have

Urban Outfitter’s Ecote Lace Up Romper: $39.99

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My hunt for a great casual romper has finally ended! I have been eying up all the rompers online at Urban Outfitters for a while now and I finally took the plunge. I’ve found it hard to find a romper that wasn’t overly casual or overly formal until now.

Fit: For me, this fits true to size. It may be a bit baggy on more petite girls because it has a looser fit than other rompers. No romper is ideal  for your back side but because of the looser cut, this romper definitely doesn’t pull around your butt.  For women like me, who do not have stick skinny thighs and hips, this romper is perfect!

The length of the short is exactly as you se it in the picture…they aren’t so short that you will be flashing any one but still short enough to lend it a  laid-back sexy feel.  And unlike many of the previous rompers I’ve tried on, the shorts on it are loose enough that they won’t hug your thighs (not a good look).

Shopper’s Notes: I generally love patterns, but was skeptical about buying a romper in one b/c when you’re already working with a not-so- slimming look its wise to stay away from things that might make you look larger.  But in this case ignore the advice.  The pattern on this is totally subtle!  I’m going to add a brown woven belt, throw on some sandals and run out the door in my new outfit!

Physician’s Formula Healthy Wear Bronzer w/ SPF 50: $12.99

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I’ve always hated the greasiness of sunscreen.  And b/c of my olive skin I used to think I could just do with out it…but just b/c I’m not pale, doesn’t mean that those harmful UV rays weren’t working their evil on my skin!  Girls, no matter how burn resistant you think your skin is we always need to have some kind of protection from the sun.

Physician’s Formula Healthy Wear has 3 products with an SPF 50 built right in. The line includes a powder foundation, a bronzer (the one I tried) and a tinted moisturizer.

Its hard to find products that protect, last long, and work well. I’ve tried all of these and I have to say that I love them all, but my overall favorite was the bronzer! It adds just the right amount of color without turning your face a different color than your body.

Shopper’s notes: All three come in 4 shades each to enhance your natural color and I felt like the formula gave my face a natural glow without looking orange.  Even if you don’t use these as your every day bronzer, they’re great for beach days when you want to protect your skin AND add not go totally make-up free!  If you want to check out the shades in person, you can find these products in most drug stores and your might even be able to find the line on sale!

I have been on a serious mission for a perfect pair of boyfriend jeans for a while now. I love the trend but I didn’t think it could work on my body type. Sure they work on Rachel Bilson and Reese Witherspoon…but let’s get real we don’t all look like them.

I had tried on dozens of pairs and came to the conclusion that they weren’t for me. I am bigger on my bottom half so when trying on pants, if they fit my legs they are usually too big on the waist…I wear a lot of belts. But with good faith I gave the trend another try…

With boyfriend jeans you can’t be  “sizest” like I was. They key to boyfriend jeans is throwing away your typical size, which fits tight and snug, and go for a few sizes up. You want them to be baggy!! You can then accessorize with a skinny belt like Rachel Bilson.

Go for a straight leg fit rather than the wide…the straight leg boyfriend cut will still have that extra room but it won’t make you look “wide.”

The cuff on this style really does elongate the leg and shows off your shoes. If your on the petite size pair the jean with some hot summer wedges and if you have sky high legs top them off with adorable flats or strappy sandals…and the best way to style these jeans is with feminine tops and chunky accessories to counterbalance the masculine feeling.

I was definitely frustrated with finding my perfect jean but you need to remember that you can go a size up and then some. Don’t count this style out no matter your size! These jeans are so comfy and won’t make you look bigger than you are…they definetley need to become one of your summer staples fast!

Check out some great options below to try on for your size!

More Levi’s…

This is the best shave gel ever.

It is inexpensive, you can buy it in-store at Trader Joe’s, or you can also buy it online here…

I buy them two at a time, and I’m set for a while…

I really have yet to find a similar product at this price point that works this well… this sizable tube is only about $8.00… !

The forumla leaves my skin post-shave smoother than any other product I’ve tried… and the smell really is heavenly (mango, honey!).

Added bonuses: it’s 100% vegetarian and paraben-free…

Let me tell you this: my boyfriend tries to steal my tube from me all the time… and let’s be honest, guys definitely know their shaving products!

Am I the last to know about this, or what? Why is it always those two or three days that you—God forbid—neglect your email, something of note happens? Ah, c’est la vie, I guess.

Anyway, apparently, a few weeks ago, Urban Outfitters started carrying beauty!

And guess what, there are some awesome (and adorable) buys.

First, let me say that there is a pretty wide variety of brands available (some you might recognize, some you might not, and there is also an Urban brand for some categories), and many of the items are ‘online only’…

I will also say that the selection is pretty good, and they even carry Anna Sui, which, surprisingly, isn’t as expensive as you’d expect compared to many department store brands (all her items are under $30.00, most around $20.00)…

But my two favorites are definitely amazing buys…

First, there is this NYX 5-color eye shadow palette, sold at $8.75, which features this season’s hottest colors (love that jade color!), and perhaps the cutest of them all, this adorable pack of lip gloss, nestled literally in … cupcakes. Four of them, for $10.00! Kitch-y, I love it… and what a fun (and affordable) gift! Psst: they also carry a the infamous Rosebud Salve I wrote up a couple weeks ago!

Overall, I was pretty impressed. Good job, Urban!

This is one of my favorites.

In fact, this might be the most affordable beauty item in my makeup bag.

Sold for in and around a whopping $6.00 (depending on where you snag it), Rosebud salve… is so, so awesome.

Let’s face it, everyone wants supple, glossy lips.

I mean, who could say no to this dewy look? But put DOWN the 30-dollar lip-gloss, girls, and for God’s sake, pick up some Rosebud salve.

RS has the texture of a petroleum jelly, but pink, and with an extremely faint floral scent. Wear it alone (my fave), or wear it over your favorite shade, this stuff is versatile...

Have a patch of flaky skin? Yup, you’ve got Rosebud salve for that too. Dry cuticles? No problem…

Yikes, spilled hot coffee and got a burn (yes, speaking from personal experience)? RS is the answer. Seriously, keep this stuff in your bag, use it as you please… it’s a lifesaver and a supersaver at the same time.

Call it jazzed up Vaseline (in an adorable tin and also available in flavors like strawberry and minted rose, might I add!) if you must…

I call it the go-to beauty product for a fabulous gal on a budget…

You know you’re in for some fun when you’re makeup starts to resemble art supplies… but seriously, can we just deem this beauty deal of the century?

This amazing mega-kit from Sephora, aptly named Color Play 5-1, is an incredible deal, packing in (deep breath… ready now?):

Five “sub-palettes” or “looks” (see one example below) with names like Dinner in Paris and Coffee in New York (how can you not love this), each of which contain ten eye shadows, two lip colors, and one blush.

Ummm yeah, let’s do the math… in total, that makes fifty eye shadows, ten lip colors, and five blushes! Are you kidding me? And it only gets better, because the whole thing only costs $29.99. So amazing!

I can’t wait to start playing around with and mixing shades, trying new looks; because let’s face it… thirty bucks buys you all of a stick of lip gloss at most department store counters…!

Seriously… you can never complain about not having that perfect shade of shadow again!

While flipping through the new issue of Marie Claire Magazine I came across the advertisement for the new LashBlast Fusion Mascara by CoverGirl and I literally screamed out loud.

Lately I have been so frustrated with all the mascaras promising me long or lush lashes…but why can’t I have it all? I want length, I want volume, and I don’t want it to clump, or look like I am heavily made up…is that too much to ask??

Well, the mascara gods heard my prayers and I am happy to report that CoverGirl has finally given us a product that is designed to give volume and length in a formula we know and love for being clean and flake-free.

Their new fiberstretch formula and oversized brush work in unison to elongate your lashes while building dramatic volume…and at only $9 this Cheap Chica couldn’t ask for a better deal (until it goes 2 for 1 at CVS)!  After trying it out for the last week, I’m happy to say adios to my tried and true favorite Diorshow Iconic Mascara ($27) and say hello to Lash Blast Fusion!

UPDATE: Scroll to the bottom for a “Look for Less” version of her cover outfit!!

It takes a talented hand to pull off a sexy eye with a fresh faced look–but Lauren Conrad’s make up artist Amy Nadine pulls it off without a hitch. On Lauren’s cover for Glamour magazine they went for a little va va voom by vamping up the eye shadow but keeping the rest of her face simple yet polished.

Amy’s blog is filled with amazing tips and how to’s on all her looks she does for celebrities like Conrad, Melissa Ordway, and Shantel VanSanten. The best thing about Amy Nadine is with her amazing talent she works with products that are Cheap Chica friendly that will keep you looking fresh without the price of designer make-up brands.

Read on below for an excerpt from Amy’s Blog on how to get Lauren’s sultry look, and don’t forget to follow this artist on the rise on twitter @amynadine:

First apply foundation to your entire eyelid (try mark Face Xpert Flawless Touch $10 in Natural) and follow with a sweep of powder (I used mark Mattnificent Powder $10 in Natural Buff). **Both foundation and powder should be the same shades that you used on your face and neck.

Next, line your upper lash line with black liquid liner (we always use mark Get In Line Hook Up Liquid Liner $6 in Painted Black because it’s waterproof so it lasts, and the brush is ultra-thin making it incredibly user friendly).

Start with soft pressure at the inner corner then gradually press firmer as you work your way outward and upward; the harder you press, the thicker the line. Follow with mascara (mark Scandalash Hook Up $6 in Blacklash) and a few individual flare lashes.

Using a gel liner and small eyeliner brush (I used mark Keep It Going Longwear Liner & Shadow $6 in Entourage and mark Flat Eyeliner Brush $6), dip your brush in the black liner then swirl it around on the back of your hand to smooth it out.

Start at the outside corner of your lower lashline (so the highest concentration of product is placed there) and drag the brush inward (I use small strokes as I work my way across, but you can also do one big sweep). Then using your ring finger, go back over the line and smudge it back and forth so you “blur” the line.

The result is instant drama and a great alternative if you’re like Lauren and you don’t love wearing any eye shadow on your lids!!

More Forever 21…