5 Gold Makeup Looks to Bring Out Your Inner Goddess

Misty Spinney
Jul 15, 2014

Ready to go for the gold… on your face? The bronzed goddess look is a gorgeous one for summer, and it’s hot, hot, hot! It’s also a great way to turn your daytime makeup into nighttime golden glam if you’re heading straight from work to a sizzlin’ date night.

Here are our eight favorite golden makeup products. Obviously, you don’t need to stock up on ALL of these just yet — but can pick and choose a few to get your glow on ;)

Benefit Sun Beam

Urban Decay Heavy Metal Liner in Midnight Cowboy
3. Naked Eyeshadow Palette
4. Stila Magnificent Metal Foil in Dusty Rose
5. NARS Taj Mahal
6. Wet N Wild Mega Slicks in Rose Gold
7. MAC Glitter in Reflects Bronze
8. MAC Pro Mixing Medium

Now, see how we transform five totally different ladies into full-on golden goddesses!

On the left, Krystle rocks a perfectly natural daytime look. On the right? A gal that is ready to hit the town! :)

Day to Night Perfection

1. Use Stila Magnificent Metal Foil in Dusty Rose on your eyelids. You can buy an applicator or just use the back of a regular makeup brush to apply. Gently tap the end of the makeup brush into the shadow and then gently tap the product onto your eyelids. You can use your finger to blend even more if you would like.

2. For a little dimension use MAC Glitter in Reflects Bronze with a shadow brush. You want to use a stippling motion to lay the glitter over the Stila shadow without rubbing it off. Apply to the outer crease and along the top lashline.

3. Add your favorite black eyeliner by “tightlining” your eyes, lining the inside of your upper lash line and waterline.

4. Throw on a couple coats of mascara.

5. Apply Benefit Sun Beam on your cheekbones using a foundation brush.

6. Using the same glitter that you used on your eyelids, apply a little over your cheeks as blush and gently over the Sun Beam for a really beautiful golden sheen.

7. For your lips you can use Wet N Wild Mega Slicks in Rose Gold by itself, or apply the same MAC glitter with your finger tip directly on top of it for an even deeper color.

Lisa goes from bright-eyed to smoldering with just a few key makeup tricks!

Smoldering Golden Glow

1. Apply Half Baked by Naked all over your eyelids with a shadow brush.

2. Now add Darkhorse by Naked to the outer corner and crease of your eyelids.

3. Use a shadow base like MAC Pro Mixing Medium onto the center of your eyelids, the inner corners of your eyes and the brow bone with your finger tip.

4. Now go over the base you just applied and add a light layer of the MAC Glitter in Reflects Bronze over it.

5. Use your favorite black eyeliner to create a soft winged eyeliner.

6. Add a thin line of the glitter along your lower lash line.

7. Add your favorite mascara.

8. Add Benefit Sun Beam to your cheekbones.

9. Top off this look with Wet N Wild Mega Slicks in Rose Gold on your lips!

On Anj, it’s all about the glitter. You could totally rock this look in the daytime as well.

Glittery Gold by Day

1. Best glitter product EVER = Urban Decay Heavy Metal Liner in Midnight Cowboy! Use this to create a dramatic cateye liner.

2. If your skin is a little deeper in complexion Nars’s Taj Mahal is a beautiful pigment that will give you a bright golden shimmer. Use on the apples of your cheeks and even up onto your cheekbones.

3. Apply Wet N Wild Mega Slicks in Rose Gold to your lips.

4. Add a few coats of mascara to really allow the gold liner to pop!

Ashley’s naturally bronzed skin makes a great palette for pumping up the golden glow.

Bronzed Beauty

1. Apply NARS Taj Mahal to your cheeks and eyelids with a blush or bronzer brush.

2. Add a somewhat dramatic cateye with black eyeliner.

3. Use Urban Decay Heavy Metal Liner in Midnight Cowboy on your lower lash line.

4. Apply Wet N Wild Mega Slicks in Rose Gold to your pucker and then MAC Glitter in Reflects Bronze directly on top with your finger tip.

5. Mascara, mascara, mascara!

Finally, yours truly! ;)

Playful Pops of Gold

1. Apply MAC Pro Mixing Medium as a base to your entire eyelid.

2. Gently layer MAC Glitter in Reflects Bronze over the base onto your whole eyelid.

3. For a fun contrast apply Sin by Naked onto the inner corners of your eyes and onto your brow bones.

4. Use a dark brown eyeliner along your lower lash line as a base for more glitter.

5. Use a liner brush to add the same MAC glitter over the liner.

6. Add a couple coats of mascara.

7. Add Urban Decay Heavy Metal Liner in Midnight Cowboy on top of your mascara and place a couple dots on the outer corners of your eyes like a cateye only using dots.

8. Using a foundation brush apply Benefit’s Sun Beam to your cheeks and cheekbones as a base for the glitter.

9. Apply MAC Glitter in Reflects Bronze as your blush.

10. Finally some lip gloss Wet N Wild Mega Slicks in Rose Gold.

Now those are some golden goddesses, if we do say so ourselves! ;)

15 Cool Gold Cuffs to Add to Your Arm Party

With summer comes short sleeves, which means it’s time to show off some bracelets. There are so many styles out there that we love, but today we are focusing on cuffs. Not fisticuffs exactly… but these awesome jewels are worth fighting for ;) Here are 15 cool cuffs for you to rock.

1. House of Harlow Sun Flare Cuff ($58): Fashionable and basically badass. We can see this one having a great time at a Scorpions concert.

2. Volatus Leaf Cuff ($198): Put a leaf on it. A gold leaf that is. Your wrist will look dazzling with this great cuff from Anthropologie.

3. African Jasper Arc Bracelet ($90): Wearing minerals has never looked better.

Lucite Reversible Cuff

Solid Golddancers. Remember that show? Amazing.

5. Eye Dazzler Cuff ($187): We’ll never get sick of triangles, especially when they look this awesome and minty. This one comes from Azalea, a classy San Francisco store. You know how we love SF!

6. Chevron Cuff ($28): Same goes for chevrons. We’ll never get enough. This one comes in multiples colors. Of course we like the mint here, too :)

7. Arena Cuff ($32): Bold, chunky and hip all at the same time. You can thank Madewell for this piece. That store never fails to pull through with the best jewelry.

8. Bold Cutout Stripes Cuff ($7): We LOVE that this cuff gives the illusion of stripes on your arm. So cool. That’s seven bucks well spent.

Wwake Stick Bracelet

A Christmas Story and don’t poke your eye out.

10. Script Name Cuff ($180): Your name on your wrist, just in case you need a reminder. It’s like the Carrie necklace for your arm.

11. Red Lips Cuff ($585): The lip bone’s connected to the wrist bone in this case. And we like it. This one will cost you a pretty penny. But it’s sooo pretty…

12. Honeycomb Cuff ($720): Another beauty to wear on your wrist. It’s not made by bees, but this cuff will keep you buzzing. This bracelet is one of many incredible designs by the designer at MIRLO. Definitely check her out!

13. Adeline Cuff ($110): This one is so versatile, it goes with fancy attire or an old T-shirt.

14. Layered Sleek Cuff ($15): This one gives the bangled look but it’s just one cuff.

15. Glasses Bracelet ($78): Glasses are stylish, so why not wear some on your wrist? Your far-sighted wrist hairs will thank you.

GoldGold WeekSummer StyleBracelets

15 Stunning Zillow Houses For Sale That Only Chuck And Blair Could Afford

I love looking at Zillow listings as much as the best of us, but absolutely nobody loves daydreaming about all the outrageously beautiful (and costly) houses for sale more than my mother-in-law. She finds the most gorgeous gems across the country, saving them all for when she inevitably wins the lottery (if anyone would, it's her TBH) and can take her pick of the housing litter. Instead of gatekeeping these jaw-dropping homes, I had her send them my way so I can share them with you! So without further ado, here are 15 of most insanely stunning — and insanely expensive — Zillow houses for sale right now.

Beach Houses

Image via Zillow

East Hampton Beach Cottage

Cost: $44,500,000

The Hamptons are known for their clean, chic shingle architectural style, and this "cottage" is no exception to that. And while I absolutely adore the inside of this home, it's the grounds that really get me at the end of the day. Think about all the beautiful backyard dinner parties you could throw!

Image via Zillow

Destin Beach House Destination

Cost: $4,100,000​

Who needs a time share in Destin when you could own all this?! This airy, beautiful house takes coastal home style to the next level. I love the sandy, earthy tones paired with the light blues and open space. And for less than 10% of the Bridgehampton beauty above, this is basically a steal, right? 😉​

Image via Zillow

Marvelous Marco Island Getaway

Cost: $5,450,000

I vacation on Marco every year with my in-laws, but I can PROMISE you our one-bedroom timeshare (that I love) isn't anywhere near this stunning super home. Swipe through photos to see how gorgeously staged this multi-million dollar home is — I promise it won't disappoint!

Image via Zillow

Laguna Beach Beauty

Cost: $21,500,000

Obviously Laguna Beach is known for so much more than the hit MTV show, but I can't untangle the two. So in my mind, this is the home Lauren Conrad's parents worked on in Season 1 Episode 1 — a $20+ million dollar stunner that I would later stare at on Zillow. It's not true, but wouldn't it be fun?

Image via Zillow

California Dream House

Cost: $55,000,000

Not only is this a dream house because of how it looks, but also because I could only afford this in my literal wildest dreams. Unless someone decides to discover me on the New York streets for the funny, talented gal my parents think I am, this is strictly a mood board manifestation moment. (But, what if?!)

Image via Zillow

At Home In The Hamptons

Cost: $79,995,000

Oh, how I could wax poetic about this $80 million Bridgehampton beauty. Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Ya know...the one I would love to have in this very house? Just lounging, living luxuriously? That imaginary inheritance I daydream about could reaaaaaally come in handy right about now.

Image via Zillow

Fantastic Florida Beach Cottage

Cost: $9,950,000

In case you can't tell, none of these homes are "cottages" outside of their aesthetic. While this six bedroom, four bathroom may look humbler than the rest, the cost should indicate what we're working with here. Each room is so perfectly curated, and to have all this right in the heart of Naples is absolutely everything. I could see myself sitting by that fire for SURE.

Condos & Townhouses

Image via Zillow

Gorgeous Georgetown Condo

Cost: $5,495,000

DC is more than just Capitol Hill, and this Georgetown Condo proves it! The natural light, the natural wood accents, and the big, airy rooms make this home a welcomed reprieve in on of the busier U.S. cities. And while you're getting a lot in a small package (three bedrooms for $5+ million...😭), you're really paying for the neighborhood. Georgetown really is full of beautiful townhouses, great restaurants and bars, and overall good vibes.

Image via Zillow

Upper East Side Excellence

Cost: $65,000,000

Hello, Upper East Siders...Zillow Girl here! All jokes aside, this $65 million townhouse is giving all the old money luxe that Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf would settle into quite nicely. The molding, the wraparound staircases, and the sheer size alone are something else, but the biggest surprise here? TEN BATHROOMS. TEN!!!!!!

Image via Zillow

Totally Airy Brooklyn Townhouse

Cost: $6,950,000

Good new, girls! This totally killer townhouse had a $300,000 price cut last month, bringing it to...just under $7 million! While I try to fix my eye twitch after writing that, scroll through to see the gorgeousness that is this literal mid-century modern four-story home. It's like a little (big) oasis in the middle of the big city!

Image via Zillow

Beautiful Turn-Of-The-Century Brooklyn Townhouse

Cost: $6,995,000

I've said it once and I'll say it again: Carroll Gardens in my dream neighborhood. It's got all the Brooklyn charm with its brilliant brownstones, lively dining scene, and tree-lined streets. Plus, it's so incredibly close to Prospect Park for all your summer strolls with the kids or the dogs or yourself or whomever! And while I could go on and on about the location, the townhouse itself is kitschy with it's mix of classic and modern details.

Mountain And Lake Houses

Image via Zillow

Charming Wyoming Ranch House

Cost: $8,199,000

It feels a little silly to call a nearly $10 million home "charming," but here we are. This modern ranch-style mountain house looks unassuming from the outside. And the four-bedroom inside is really nice, too, don't get me wrong. But what really makes this worth it, if I had to guess? The freaking VIEW. Can you imagine sipping your coffee and staring off into that horizon every morning? Yes, please. I would like one of these.

Image via Zillow

Cozy North Carolina Castle

​Cost: $7,500,000

Ah yes, nothing cozier than a literal castle-sized house in Appalachia. In all seriousness, the dark wood accents give you that almost cabin-esque feel that the mountain range so obviously calls for. With 10 bedrooms, this is the perfect retreat for your family get-togethers! You can enjoy each other's company across the estate, or you could...find a little hiding spot and nobody would know the wiser. 😉​

Image via Zillow

Sante Fe Getaway

Cost: $3,375,000

The most affordable of the bunch, this single-story Sante Fe residence is a dream-come-true! You've got lake views, trails, and even a golf course if that's your thing! My personal favorite part of this lovely little home, however, is the wine cellar. Can you imagine being like, "Yeah, just go grab a bottle from the wine cellar"?! Like I said, dream-come-freaking-true!

Image via Zillow

Lovely Michigan Lake House

Cost: $3,649,000

The windows alone are enough to make this house the dreamiest escape, let alone the private and super exclusive access to Lake Michigan. This home may only have three bedrooms and four bathrooms, but each room feels intentional, spacious, and utterly luxurious. I'd definitely dip my toes in that water!

Looking for more home inspo? Sign up for our weekly email newsletter, and be sure to check out our storefront!

Header image via Zillow

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#GoldRush: 40 Gold DIY Projects to Make This Weekend

Cheers to our first official gold week! From a gorgeous gold cake to a glitzy photo booth, we’ve had a blast glittering things up all around Brit HQ. To celebrate, we’re ushering you into the weekend with 40 of our favorite projects that are all about sparkle, shine and gold, gold, gold.

1. Gold Rosette Headband: Ever made a rosette out of mylar? It happens to be one of the most versatile DIY things you can make — use a few to bling out a headband, add them to drink stirrers or create an entire wall art installation out of larger ones!

2. Gold Animal Drink Stirrers: When in doubt, you can always turn to a gold animal toy… right? These are a fun and quick way to repurpose plastic toys and will most definitely be Instagrammed by all your friends.

3. Gold + White Candle Holders: We created this set of candle holders for the holidays last year, but they totally work year round. Assemble a bunch to create a DIY centerpiece, and sprinkle in some color to brighten things up.

4. Gold Patterned Cactus Planters: Dearest Spiky Cacti, you are the apple of my eye! Grab gold paint or a gold paint pen, and get to work on a plain ceramic planter to create our own take on this stylish piece of decor.

5. Gold Photo Booth Props: If you missed our gold photo booth popping up on the site throughout the week, then you don’t visit us often enough! All you need is a can of spray paint and leftover props from parties past to create a gorgeous gold theme.

6. Gold-Dipped Leather Feather Earrings: Say that five times fast! Inspired by the seemingly evergreen boho trend, we created a trio of leather feather-shaped earrings, dipped in gold.

7. Chic Gilded Pyramid Rings: Want to walk like an egyptian… on your hand? Okay, admittedly that made zero sense, but we had to figure out a way to incorporate The Bangles into this post. So, there you have it. Pyramid rings FTW.

8. Gold Hex Nut Bracelet: Got a hex nut or 20 taking up room in your junk drawer? Turn ’em into this fetching little bracelet!

9. Glitter-Dipped Mason Jar Mugs: What would make a mason jar mug even more Pinteresting? Dipping it in gold and glitter, of course.

10. Gold Animal Wine Stoppers: This little dino is here to keep your wine fresh and your guests entertained.

11. Gold Confetti Champagne Cake: What would a holiday (especially a made up one) be without an epic cake? ;)

12. Gilded iPhone Cases: Back when those ritzy gold iPhones came out, we took it upon ourselves to create copycat cases. They still look pretty glitzy to us!

13. Fancy Gold Bar Cart: Can’t afford a super fancy bar cart? Take an industrial one and spray paint it! Then feel free to cheers yourself after a job well done.

14. Gold Rosette Cake Topper: We meet again, mylar rosettes! This time, an adorable mini cake bunting is getting the golden treatment.

15. Gold Hair Cuffs: Hair cuffs are back, and they’re actually pretty easy to make! We particularly love the cutout pattern on the one of the right.

16. Gold-Tipped Ballet Flats: Warning: If you make these, you will immediately want to dance your face off upon wearing them.

17. Gold Light Bulb Chandelier: You know what’s extremely meta? Making a hanging light out of light bulbs. #lettherebelight

Clear Gold Chain Collar

You clearly need this.

Gold Dipped Ceramics

If you’ve got an addiction to fresh flowers, you need some vases to put them in! Grab a kit to make a whole bunch of bud vases over in the B+C shop!

20. Gold Star White Russian Cake Pops: White Russian in cake pop form? NOM.

Gold Glitter-Filled Tube Necklace

Inspired by the beautiful netted necklaces by Peppercotton, you can fill these tube necklaces with glitter, confetti, sprinkles or beads.

22. Gold Glitter Heels: These heels were made for dancin’ — as are any pair of kicks made by the ladies of Brit + Co.

23. Gold Desk Decor: More animals! You can use these to hold place cards for a wedding or dinner party or just as decor.

24. Glitter Mousepad: We love the idea of using a crazy sparkly mousepad like this in a super minimalist workspace.

25. Gold Thumbtack Wall Art: Thumbtacks + canvas = awesome textured wall art!

26. Gold-Dipped Bud Vases: For yet another take on the gold dipped vase, try using tall glass vases and wrapping them with yarn. We love this idea for a wedding or holiday party centerpiece. You could also try wrapping it a thick strip of patterned paper for a totally different look.

27. Gold and Green Chevron Bar Set: The green bottles of the world don’t all have to turn into sea glass — transform them into gilded glassware for a different take on the painted bottle.

28. Gilded Polar Bear Bookends: Equal parts morbid and cute, this was created by sawing a toy bear in half!

29. Gilded Pet Bowls: Brit + Co pup Mister Porter is very… luxe ;)

30. Gold Pop-Up Pencil Holder: Guess what we made this out of? An old school straw dispenser! Such a fun desktop throwback.

31. Gold Animal Vases: These vases are pretty absurd, but we still love them.

32. Gold Paint-Splattered Travel Case: Love carting around your essential makeup and accessories, but sick of having a million pouches swimming around in your weekender? DIY this cool case.

33. Gold Leaf Flower Pots: The natural pattern that is created when using gold leaf is what makes us love it — the uneven textures have a vintage vibe we dig.

34. Mylar Rosette Swizzle Sticks: What did we tell you about mylar? It’s SO good.

35. Luxe Gold Tray Table: Looking to try building your own furniture? This simple CB2-inspired DIY is a great place to start.

36. Gold Paper Strip Garland: Step 1. Cut paper strips. Step 2. Sew them in a row. Step 3. PARTY!

37. Gold-Dipped Tote: Add a chic edge to a floral fabric by “dipping” the bottom in gold leather.

38. 5-Minute Cement Coasters: We used a cookie pan to create this quick set of coasters!

39. Gold Studded Weekend Totes: The paint and stud combinations are endless with this one — these would make an awesome set of totes for bridesmaids or even favors for wedding guests.

40. Gold Laurel Wreath: And finally, a crown of laurels. Because you’re an Olympian like that ;)

Gold WeekNSFWGold

Shonda Rhimes Is Still Sad This “Princess Diaries 2” Scene Got Cut

Sequels that are just as good, if not better, than the original movie are one in a million, but if you ask me, Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement definitely tops the list. Anne Hathaway brings a whole new spunk and adultified sass to the freshly 21-year-old Mia Thermopolis, and Julie Andrews shines as Queen Clarisse! (Both on the karaoke stage and off ;)). Not to mention the movie also gave us the blueprint for contemporary enemies to lovers: Nicholas and Mia!

While Bridgerton producer Shonda Rhimes wasn't involved with the first movie, she was the writer for the second — and TBH, that's definitely a reason it's so good!

Image via Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

"I thought [Princess Diaries 2] would be a really fun thing to do and it turned out to be great," she tells Variety. "I always think it's funny now because I'm working with Julie Andrews now on Bridgerton, but I also spent time writing her as a queen in that movie, and so it was kind of great to get to work with her both times. It's also sort of come full circle in a weird way."

Shonda Rhimes goes on to explain one cut scene she remembers really fondly — and how Andrews' expert performance made it even more heartbreaking to cut. "That was pretty much one of my favorite scenes," she says. "It was this moment where Julie Andrews [has] had her heart broken, and some staff comes in and they start to ask her a question and she screams, 'Do I never get a moment to myself?!' and it was such an amazing moment the way she played it, and the elegance with which she did it. It's really about the pain of being a queen."

"She did it so well," Rhimes continues. "But in general, honestly, she's the nicest person you will ever meet and she was so nice to me, I was nervous to meet her, I was shaking, [but she's] so lovely."

After Julie Andrews sent the sweetest graduation gift to a fan, I'm not surprised to hear how incredible she is. I still have my fingers crossed that we'll see Julie Andrews in The Princess Diaries 3 — and that Shonda Rhimes will return as screenwriter.

What's your favorite scene from the Princess Diaries movies? The mattress surfing scene in Princess Diaries 2 is definitely one of the best movie moments of all time. If you're feeling nostalgic, check out 6 Nostalgic Movies That Feel Like Summer Vacation!

Lead image via Walt Disney Pictures/Buena Vista

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The 5 Most Comfortable Walking Sandals For Summer, Ranked

‘Tis the season to finally ditch our boots for something on the lighter side: sandals! Sandals season is the best season because it means putting the final touches on our outfits isn’t a total pain (ahem, looking at you, shoelaces and straps).

Warmer weather undoubtedly means more outside time, but we don’t necessarily want to be trodding around in heavy, sweaty walking shoes. That’s where walking sandals come in!

Sandalsneed to be comfy if we’re gonna be walking around in them. Our criteria for the perfect pair of walking sandals includes being able to withstand hours (and miles) of wear without any rubbing, sliding, or blistering. Of course, they need to be cute, too. Style is very hard to sacrifice when it comes to walking sandals, so we definitely prefer ours to be compatible with a variety of different outfits – from casual to more dressed-up.

The B+C team has tried and tested so many types of walking sandals over the years, and these 5 pairs came out on top for their ability to check the boxes for comfort, practicality, and style! Scroll on for thorough reviews of our go-to walking sandals.

Teva Women's Midform Universal Sandals

Comfort: 5/5

For B+C Head of Content, Ali, the Tevas Midform walking sandals are peak comfort. They boast a super soft foam footbed that has heel cupping and elevation around the arches for additional support.

“I’ve worn my Tevas to the ground,” she says. “The inch height boost is appreciated as someone who’s 5-feet 2-inches and they’re incredibly sturdy and cushiony.”

Practicality: 5/5

Ali can walk miles on miles in these easy walking sandals.

“They’ve become my quintessential everyday casual shoe for running L.A. errands like walking my dog, heading to the farmer’s market, and grabbing coffee.”

Although they’re super dependable, Ali feels like the several years of “constant use” from her Teva Midform walking sandals have lost some of their arch support.

Style: 5/5

The Teva Midform sandals are pretty no-frills, but they’re still stylish for today’s age. The 1 ¼-inch height falls somewhere in between flats and platforms, making a fairly casual statement. The thick, adjustable velcro straps that wrap around the toes and low ankle are secure and match with pretty much anything.

They also come in a variety of colorways to suit your own personal style, though the all-black pick is likely the most versatile of them all.

One of the best parts about these walking sandals is their approachable pricing. This black pair is just $65.

Chacos Z Sandals

Comfort: 4/5

The classic Chacos Z Sandals – once you actually break them in – are extremely comfortable, since the footbed tends to meld against the shape of your foot.

To B+C Creative Assistant, Meredith (that’s me!), the break-in period is crucial for Chacos, but it’s not a real pain. Once she wore hers just two times, they softened up and fit smoothly.

Practicality: 4/5

Meredith thinks these Chaco walking sandals are practical for a number of reasons: they work on dry land and in the water, they’re durable to stand up to off-road terrain, and they don’t slip a single bit.

“They work so well as water shoes,” Meredith says. “I’ll wear them on long lake days and I don’t ever have to take them off, even when I’m out of the water.”

The Chacos Z Sandals flaunt a thick, durable rubber sole with their signature ChacoGrip™ layer on the bottom that has a “good amount” of tread, according to Meredith.

The adjustable straps that swarm the big toe, top of the foot, and ankle are amazing at keeping her feet in place with every step.

“I definitely recommend getting your Chacos fitted by an expert and/or tinkering around with the perfect fit yourself,” she says. “It can be hard to find it, but once you have it, you won’t have to worry about adjusting the straps again.”

Although they can withstand weathering pretty well, they’re not all that great for all-day wear. Meredith has gauged over time (she’s had her Chacos for 6 years) that they’re “walkable for a day, but I wouldn’t hike in them.”

Style: 4/5

The Chacos Z sandals are ideal for someone who has more of a granola girl style. They flaunt more technical details (like the chunky sole and noticeable tread), so they’re obviously not as fashion-forward as the Doc Martens or Tevas of the world.

Still, these walking sandals come in a ton of different colors, plus you don’t have to snag the Z-style. Chacos sells a variety of shoe silhouettes with the same comfort levels!

Chaco sandals can be an investment (ranging from $75-$110), but they last a long time. Meredith hasn’t noticed any huge signs of wear over the six years she’s worn them!

OluKai ‘Aka Sandals

Comfort: 5/5

These walking sandals from OluKai changed everything Meredith thought she knew about flip flops. And well, they’re not even quite flip flops, either. They’re like flip flops, but elevated, really.

The ‘Aka silhouette boasts a carefully-crafted footbed that feels as durable as the Chacos sandals, which says a lot for such a lightweight shoe. On top of that, they have a very soft footbed that Meredith is obsessed with since it provides more support than your average slip-on sandal.

Practicality: 4/5

“For a pool day, these are absolutely practical,” Meredith says.

These walking sandals are crafted from a water-resistant material that doesn’t soak up water, but rather, repels it.

This aspect makes them an easy go-to for summer days spent outside.

As far as the actual walking, there’s not rubbing or chafing to be found. The easygoing straps keep the feet in place but don’t feel utterly tight or uncomfortable.

Style: 5/5

The style of these walking sandals is minimal, but adorable. They flaunt some super thin straps (still durable) that knot at the top. Plus, they are shoppable in a handful of other vibrant colors for only $70.

Birkenstock Arizona Sandals

Comfort: 3/5

Ahh, Birks. They’re so classic! Like Chacos, Meredith really had to break in her pair of Birkenstock Arizona sandals for literal weeks before they started to feel just right.

“The cork footbed is supposed to adapt to your step over time, though it takes a while,” according to Meredith.

On the other hand, the wide buckled straps are quite welcoming and have never rubbed her feet the wrong way. They cover a good amount of the foot, so you’re not left with skin sticking out or being pinched weirdly.

Practicality: 3/5

These walking sandals aren’t quite made to go the distance, according to Meredith.

“I'd rather have these on for a quick errand, rather than wandering around for hours at the farmer’s market,” she says. “Maybe I just haven’t broken them in enough yet, though.”

Their flat sole doesn’t have much tread, making it a challenge to navigate any surface that’s not an inside floor or pavement.

Style: 4/5

These Birkenstock walking sandals are the ultimate casual, cool girl shoe. They match with shorts, skirts, pants, and everything in between. They’ve come to have such a classic, unmistakable look, so the brand recognition also boosts their chicness.

These sandals come in a handful of different colors for $110.

Doc Marten Blaire Slide Sandals

Comfort: 3/5

Meredith has been rocking with these Doc Marten sandals since last summer, and she ranks their comfort a total of 3 out of 5. The straps are the main factor that takes away from their overall comfort, since they often rub and give her blisters in very specific places.

Each of the three straps is adjustable, and though she’s toyed with different levels of tightness, they just don’t fit Meredith’s feet right.

The cushy footbed gains a few points back for these walking sandals. Meredith does appreciate the platformed shape for short periods of wear, like getting groceries or stopping by the craft store.

Practicality: 2/5

Since their comfort level is close to intolerable for long periods of wear, Meredith can’t really endorse these walking sandals’ practicality.

“They’re super cute, but I just can’t have them on all day,” she says. “I wish they fit me better than they do.”

Style: 5/5

While the comfort and practicality categories are severely lacking, the cuteness factor of the Doc Marten Blaire Slide Sandals is undeniable.

As a Doc Marten boot enthusiast, Meredith was drawn to them for their easy-to-pair color palette and signature Doc Marten details, like the black leather and yellow stitching.

The Doc Marten Blaire Slide Sandals go for $100.

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