ICYMI, eyeshadow sticks are trending upwards lately, and it’s for good reason. Not only are the sticks super practical (Hello simple application!), but you can apply your latest eye look on the go and with ease. After all – who has room for an entire eyeshadowpalette and brushes in their bag? Not us!
If you’re thinking “OMG I must add this to my makeup routine,” we totally relate. Nowadays you can find eyeshadow sticks just about anywhere, but we’ve rounded up our faves to give you the best glam ever.
Laura Mercier RoseGlow Caviar Stick Eye Shadow ($32)
With over 2,000 five star reviews, it’s no wonder this eyeshadow stick makes the list. If you’re looking for a little glitz, creamy shadow is guaranteed to give you a fabulous look that lasts all day long.
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick ($32)
If simplicity is in your nature, then you need to check out Bobbi Brown’s nude shadow collection. Not only do they have tons of color options, but their formula is built to last through all of your day in the life shenanigans.
elf NO BUDGE SHADOW STICK ($5)
Yes, you read that right. Get one of the best shadow sticks on the market for only $5.
about-face Shadowstick ($14)
If you’re looking for a great white eyeshadow, then look no further. about-face’s Oxide Shadowstick will definitely give you the bright, clean look you’re going for.
IT Cosmetics Superhero No-Tug Longwear Eyeshadow Stick ($25)
This super blendable eyeshadow stick glides onto your lids without tugging on your delicate eye area, and is available in matte and pearl finishes. Sounds like a win-win to us.
Nudestix Magnetic Eye Color ($27)
We’ll be channeling our fave nepo baby (yes, we do mean Sofia Richie Grainge) with this product.
Sephora Collection Sephora Colorful® Waterproof Eyeshadow & Eyeliner Multi-Stick ($14)
There are so many fabulous colors to choose from in this collection. BRB while we go buy them all. 💸
Iconic London Glaze Dual Ended Eyeshadow Crayon ($30)
Get 2-in-1 with this stunning eyeshadow duo. No more lugging around eyeshadow palettes for you!
Are you all about bold makeup or prefer keeping things clean and simple? Let us know in the comments below!
Discover all the latest beauty trends with Brit + Co.
Image courtesy of Gustavo Almeida / PEXELS.
Brunch is a decadent ritual. Late mornings full of sticky syrup and bottomless mimosas (!) are all fun and games until you receive the dreaded bill from your local spot. It's not that the food's not good, it's just expensive. We're here to *happily* report that you can save some dough and take the brunch party inside by hosting your own at home! Here are the best recipes and brunch party ideas to enlist for your next brunch time shenanigans!
What do you serve at a brunch party?
Any dish you can break up into smaller servings or finger foods are good for serving at a brunch party. Think mini pancakes, sausage links, breakfast sandwiches, and more.
What activities do you do at brunch?
Playing games, serving food, drinking mimosas, and visiting with friends and family are all activities that you can do at brunch.
How do you throw a casual and fun brunch party?
Keep things low-key for throwing a fun and casual brunch party – first, send out some simple invites to your inner circle and set a realistic budget for the party. You don’t have to necessarily go for a theme or full-fledged party. As long as brunch foods are involved, your guests will feel welcome.
What are some easy brunch party ideas for hosting at home?
You could organize a pancake bar, a coffee station, or a decorate-your-own donut set-up for an at-home brunch party.
Brunch Party Recipe Ideas
Here are some of our favorite recipes for when you wanna be the brunch hostess with the mostess!
Ultimate Spring Brunch Board
Let your brunch party guests have at it. This sharable brunch board hits all the marks – with sweet and savory bites included. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Easy Vegan Strawberry Tart
These single-serving tarts make feeding a crowd unbelievably easy, especially since they're made with only 10 ingredients. (via The Edgy Veg)
Breakfast Fruit Salad
Luckily, there's not much to making fruit salad. Just toss your favorite fruits in a massive bowl with a ladle, and consider your brunch party side dish done! (via Live Eat Learn)
French Toast Casserole
This *iconic* french toast casserole is made in one pan, plus there's an option for the lazy hosts to let the dish sit overnight before baking. So, if your A.M. routine feels like a Manic Monday every day, all you need to do is pop the prepped casserole in the oven, and voila! (via The Girl On Bloor)
Stuffed Waffle Breakfast Sandwich
This breakfast sandwich truly delivers the best of both worlds. Each stack is comprised of savory bacon, egg, and cheese, plus sweet waffles and syrup for that *ultimate* flavor balance. For a brunch party, simply prep all of the ingredients, then let your guests build their own sammie! (via Rachel Mansfield)
Breakfast Potatoes
Dressing up some diced potatoes with bell peppers, onion, and jalapeño spruces up a familiar brunch recipe that'll please pretty much everyone at the table. Bonus points for making big batches for your brunch party! (via This Wife Cooks)
Lemon Sugar Rolls with Vanilla Cream Cheese Icing
You know (and love) cinnamon rolls – now get ready for something even sweeter and tangier: lemon rolls! This ooey-gooey recipe is ideal for a brunch party because it brings some good 'ol share-worthy pull-apart goodness to the table. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Shakshuka
Hear us out: you could host a dippable brunch party. Sounds tasty, right? First up on your menu should be this shakshuka recipe, a prime dish to dip some toast into for those hard-hitting morning munchies. Next up, dippable biscotti cookies! (via Brit + Co.)
Funfetti Biscotti
Coffee + pastries is the *best* breakfast combo on the weekends, so why not opt for a coffee brewing bar paired with a bake like these colorful biscottis? Your weekend warrior pals will totally dig it! (via Barley & Sage)
Ricotta Biscuits
These luscious biscuits recall Southern home cooking in every good way possible. Each bite is equal parts cushy and crunchy, the perfect contender for a hearty gravy bath at brunch. (via Cozy Cravings)
Sheet Pan Pancakes
This sheet pan recipe is a *total* time saver when it comes to a brunch party! It beats pouring out individual pancakes and waiting for each one to cook by miles. Just don't forget the syrup! (via Feel Good Foodie)
Japanese Fruit Sandwich (Sando)
Japanese sandos are prime picking for brunch because they carry a light, airy, and fruity flavor that just makes mornings better. No matter the type of fruit you use, you can always count on this dish to taste balanced and refreshing. Plus, it's painfully easy to make. (via Takes Two Eggs)
Sausage Hash Brown Casserole
If you're up to feed a large group, casseroles are the #1 move. This brunch-forward recipe idea compiles cheese, sausage, hash browns, and more to form a creative (and communal) dish. (via Culinary Hill)
Millionaire's Bacon Cinnamon Rolls
This brunch party recipe did not come to play. It mixes sticky sweet icing in with caramelized bacon that makes every decadent mouthful feel truly fit for a millionaire. Take care to make extra dozens for your party's company! (via Brit + Co.)
Easy Breakfast Yogurt Bake
We have to admit, we've never thought of baking yogurt, but now we see the light with this recipe. The dish brings a beneficial amount of protein to any brunch function, plus it can easily be cut up into individual portions for serving the whole table. (via Rachel Mansfield)
Citrus Fruit Cups
These fruit cups are genius for brunch party spreads. It's as simple as staging as many cups as you need for the party the night before, storing them in the fridge, and serving! (via Amanda Wilens)
Berry Bulgur Breakfast Bake
Bulgur is extremely similar to oatmeal or grits, making it a supremely healthy pick for a brunch party! Cook a large amount for your guests to eat on over time – this recipe calls for blueberries and strawberries, but you can add whatever you're feelin' in the moment. (via Live Eat Learn)
Healthy Breakfast Egg Muffins
Starbucks' egg bites? Never heard of 'em. This recipe toes the line of being a copycat, except *totally* better than what you can get your hands on in the drive-thru. The cups are prepped in a muffin tin, so you can create countless numbers of the savory breakfast bite. (via Salt & Lavender)
Healthy Breakfast Cookies
Cookies for breakfast have to be the best thing since sliced bread, TBH. What's even more desirable about this recipe is that it's health-focused, so you don't lose track of your goals at breakfast. Make some for your brunch party guests to take home once the festivities are done! (via The Endless Meal)
Ultimate Breakfast Tacos
Because only a crazy person would say 'no' to breakfast tacos. For your brunch get-together, you can prep the additions separately, then have your attendees build their own tacos! (via Cozy Cravings)
Sign up for our newsletter for more recipe ideas!
Header image via The Girl On Bloor
It’s 2023 – everyone knows about skincare routines. At this point, we've even branched out into taking more targeted care of the skin on our hands and décolletage. While our routines may already touch on the tender skin around our eyes and neck, what about our actual eyes? As a visually able person, I sometimes take my eyesight for granted, but I realize it’s important to recognize the gift of sight and take better care of my eyes. Incorporating an eye care routine may not be something you’ve ever thought of doing, but we’re here to show you why it’s so important.
Why should I take care of my eyes?
Age-related eye conditions and diseases are more frequent in women than in men, according to The Society for Women’s Health Research. These conditions include glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts. Certain diseases can also result in trouble seeing clearly, or complete loss of vision. There are lots of external factors that can affect the eyes that we may not think twice about, but these can lead to varying degrees of disease or discomfort over time.
"Many people may notice symptoms like red, tired eyes, as well as burning and itching of the eyes that are commonly due to underlying dry eye and blepharitis, inflammation of the eyelids," says Ophthalmologist Dr. Kelsi Greider-Sideris, MD. She has a special interest in treating dry eye and is one of the few ophthalmologists trained to use the Lumenis OptiLight system to treat dry eye. "These symptoms are typically exacerbated by things like air conditioning, heating, contact lens wear, and screen time."
With all of that in mind, it seems increasingly more important to also consider your personal eye health in assessing your overall well-being.
What's an eye care routine?
Photo by Angela Roma / PEXELS
An eye care routine is a tailored plan you can follow to take proper care of your eyes and vision. You can develop a routine that works for you on your own, but we think it's a good idea to work with your eye doctor as well.
"Eyesight is often determined by your genetics and once your eyesight starts to deteriorate you cannot reverse it naturally," says Dr. Maria Montero, an ophthalmologist, surgeon, mother, and mentor with Orbis International. "You can follow an easy and simple routine to maintain your health."
Elements of a healthy eye care routine include eye exams, eating healthy foods, exercising, not smoking, avoiding getting bacteria near the eyes, taking your makeup off, and wearing preventative eyewear. Learn more about each step below.
Regular Eye Exams
Eye exams aren't just about getting new frames or contacts. At these appointments, doctors can monitor for eye diseases and abnormalities as well. This is some of the best preventative eye care you can give yourself, especially since most eye conditions are easily treatable or delayed when caught in early stages.
"It's important to visit your eye doctor at least once a year for a checkup," Dr. Montero said. "Even if you have perfect vision, you should still visit the eye doctor because they can detect eye conditions or other health problems."
Exercising Regularly
Photo by Polina Tankilevitch / PEXELS
Incorporating exercise into your routines can improve blood flow to the retina and optic nerve. This reduces overall complications with the eyes, and helps prevent eye conditions and diseases.
Eating Healthy Foods
When you were a kid, your grandmother may have told you to eat your carrots for healthy eyes as a kid, and she wasn't really wrong. Certain types of foods are great for maintaining good eyesight. Those include:
- Dark, leafy greens like kale
- Heart-healthy fish like salmon
- Fruits and veggies that are high in Vitamins C and E
Not Touching Your Eyes With Dirty Hands
Photo by Darina Belonogova / PEXELS
Reducing exposure to bacteria is crucial in your ocular upkeep. If you have to touch your eyes, or even the skin close to them, make sure you thoroughly wash your hands before and after.
Not Smoking
If you’re a regular smoker, it could mean you’re twice as likely to develop macular degeneration and cataracts. The chemicals you inhale can negatively affect the flow of blood and oxygen to your eyes, resulting in further complications.
Maintaining Clean Makeup Brushes and Not Sharing Makeup
Photo by Meredith Holser
Healthy contact with your eyes means making sure you clean anything that gets close to them. This includes makeup brushes and other applicators without a doubt, as mascara wands and eyeshadow brushes can harbor tons of bacteria that could harm the eyes. You want to wash and disinfect them regularly, and definitely beware of sharing any applicators with friends.
"Make sure you choose high quality, hypoallergenic makeup, and remember to wash brushes and swap out your mascara for a fresh one every month," Dr. Greider-Sideris said. "There are makeup brands that are ophthalmologist tested and even ophthalmologist developed."
The same thing goes for beauty treatments like eyelash extensions, Dr. Montero said. It's important to be educated on how they can affect your eyes. "They're trendy right now, and generally are safe for your eyes," she said. "I recommend that you only go to a reputable salon with experienced personnel that uses high-quality glue. The glue can be harmful if it gets in your eye, causing a corneal burn or laceration. If the eyelash technician is not experienced or not using the right products, it can cause damage to your eyes."
Taking Your Makeup Off Before Bed
Dr. Yuna Rapoport, MD, MPH, and Board-Certified Ophthalmologist at Manhattan Eye recommends removing makeup thoroughly every night, using a gentle eye makeup remover, then doing a brief heat treatment. “I also recommend doing 30 seconds of heat to help open up the meibomian glands. Meibomian glands are important to the lubrication of the eye. If those glands are clogged, then the eye can develop aqueous deficiency dry eye. Heat treatment can be as simple as taking a clean washcloth in hot (but not burning!) water and leaving it on the eyelids for 30 seconds.”
Avoiding Harmful Skincare Near The Eyes
Photo by Shiny Diamonds / PEXELS
Certain ingredients found in skincare creams and serums can impact the eyes. “Vitamin A derivatives like Accutane and Retin-A can be toxic to the oil glands that line our eyelids that are important for lubricating the eye's surface,” Dr. Greider-Sideris said. “It is important to be aware that their use can lead to severe dry eye, so avoid getting Retin-A close to the eyelids.”
Sporting Protective Eyewear
Photo by Anna Shvets / PEXELS
Eyewear is a true two in one – glasses look chic, and also protect your eyes from harm. Wear sunglasses when you’re outside to protect your eyes from UV rays. Blue light glasses are a game-changer when it comes to working from home and scrolling social media. Try wearing safety glasses or goggles when you’re doing messy yard work or DIYs – they’ll block debris that irritate the eyes.
Do I need an eye care routine?
If you’re aiming to take the best care of your eyes, an eye care routine is absolutely necessary. Considering all of the factors above will put you ahead of the curve in the realm of eye care, helping you see well into your future.
Sign up for our newsletter to see more health + wellness content!
Header image by Shiny Diamonds / PEXELS
It's almost time to officially celebrate the moms in your life, but we know moms are worth celebrating every day. While you prep for Mother's Day with cute cards and brunch menus, sometimes a kind and inspiring word really makes all the difference in a day. While your moms, sisters, and gal pals have perfectly good advice, we think a little extra words of encouragement can't hurt. With that in mind, here are 16 motherhood quotes to send to the moms you know and love — or to screenshot and save for yourself. Big hugs, mamas!
"I was lucky enough to get to have one woman who truly helped me through everything." — Emma Stone
"You're going to get advice from a lot of people...but you know innately what your child needs. You should trust that." — Lucy Liu
"My mother and I are so close, and I always prayed that I would have that type of relationship with my daughter." — Beyoncé
"Become a mother has made me next-level confident. I've never felt more empowered." — Kelly Clarkson
"As a new mom myself, it really was important to hear positive compliments from people just being like, 'Hey, you're doing a great job.'" — Shay Mitchell
"Nothing can really prepare you for the sheer overwhelming experience of what it means to become a mother. It is full of complex emotions of joy, exhaustion, love, worry, all mixed together." — Kate Middleton
"No one's really doing it perfectly, I just think you love your kids with your whole heart, and you do the best you possibly can." — Reese Witherspoon
"There is no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one." — Jill Churchill
"There's no such thing in the world as a supermom. We just do the best we can." — Sarah Michelle Gellar
"'Oh, I'm just a mom,' you heard women say. Just a mom? Please! Being a mom is everything. It's mentorship, it's inspirational, and it's our hope for the future." — Sally Field
"I've approached many things in my life with such intensity that I want to approach motherhood with dedication and focus." — Drew Barrymore
"Motherhood has helped me stop overanalyzing things." — Idina Menzel
"When I had my children and I felt that type of love...it made me understand there was a purity to love." — Jennifer Lopez
"I try to call my mother with more regularity because I think, what if Hazel didn't call me for two weeks? I'm able to see her mothering now from a different vantage point." — Julia Roberts
"If you're confident with what you're doing even if that's some weird, bizarre parenting technique that you know works for your kid or you feel happy about it, do it." — Kristen Bell
"I am completely changing since being a mom. I'm much more open, I'm much more accepting of myself, I'm much more thoughtful." — Pink
Be sure to check out our other mom quotes to help remind you that you're doing the best you can on your motherhood journey.
Lead image via olia danilevich/Pexels
May the Fourth be with you! To celebrate Star Wars Day, we're bringing you a tasty take on a classic cocktail you already know and love – the Old-Fashioned. Crafted with Breckenridge Port Cask Bourbon, this intergalactic drink honors Obi Wan with robust flavors and a strong sip. If you're feeling in the spirit, prep some Star Wars sweets to pair. Scroll for the easy cocktail recipe!
Ingredients for May The Fourth Obi Wan Old-Fashioned
Photo by Jessie Unruh / Breckenridge Distillery
For the Obi Wan Old-Fashioned:
- 2.5 oz. Breckenridge Port Cask Finish
- .5 oz. raw simple syrup*
- 2 dashes of barrel-aged bitters or Angostura Bitters
- Luxardo cherries, to garnish
For the simple syrup*:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
How to Make The Obi Wan Old-Fashioned
Instructions for the Obi Wan Old-Fashioned:
- Stir all ingredients with ice and strain over one large ice cube.
- Mix the sugar and water over medium heat. Simmer and stir until dissolved.
Sign up for our newsletter for more stellar drink recipes!
Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.