It’s almost Labor Day and nothing bums us out more than the summer fading away. You’ve probably heard that you’re not supposed to wear white after Labor Day, and while we think that’s a bunch of hooey, we do think it’s a great way to celebrate with an all-white outfit. We asked one of our SheKnows Experts, Taliah Ferguson, to create a white outfit out of her closet. In case you want even more ideas, we put together two summery white outfit inspiration boards.

Taliah chose a long white body-con dress from ASOS as the base of the outfit. She paired it with a white headscarf and a white Banana Republic clutch and a long necklace. She even got her makeup in on the action by using a Q-tips™ cotton swab to brush a shimmery white eye shadow onto her eyelids.

Use these boards as inspiration to create your own white-hot outfit.

What’s your favorite way to rock white after Labor Day?

Some people have nightmares about being naked in public, or all their teeth falling out. I have nightmares about forgetting my makeup brushes on a trip or a shoot. I imagine how helpless I would feel, envisioning myself fumbling around trying to make eyeshadow look blended with my fingers. If God forbid this should ever happen, I now have a backup plan in the all mighty Q-tips™ cotton swabs. With a few of these, you can create a blended eye shadow look and no one will be none the wiser!

1. First, take a cotton swab and dip into your lid color shadow. I’m using a shimmery ivory color. Then, roll it from your inner corner to the outer corner, from lash line to crease, covering the entire lid. The rolling motion is key.

2. Flip your cotton swab over. To create a softly blended crease color, you’ll want to manipulate the cotton on the end. Pull it away from the stick and fluff it up so that the shadow applies subtly. Now, dip this newly created crease brush into a crease color. I like to use a matte, warm brown and lightly sweep in windshield wiper motions in the crease.

3. Now, soften up another cotton swab using the same method and dip the end into a darker color. Dab this color on the outer corner of your eye and then work in circular and sweeping motions to blend this color inwards and into the crease.

4. Next, take either a Q-tips™ Precision Tips or roll a regular cotton swab between your fingers to form a point. Use your mid tone shadow to apply a soft line of shadow to the lower lid.

5. After lining your eyes with eye liner, use a pointed cotton swab dipped in eye makeup remover to really sharpen and perfect your line!

Cotton swabs can be used in a myriad of other ways in the beauty department and because they are widely-available, they’re perfect for last-minute makeup emergencies!

This post was sponsored by Q-tips.

More on makeup

21 Beauty shortcuts
5 Makeup tutorials
Top 8 double-duty products

Supplies:

• Q-tips™ Precision Tips
• Deborah Lippmann 'Groove is in the Heart'
• Deborah Lippmann 'Sugar Daddy'
• Essie 'Blanc'
• Essie 'Borrowed and Blue'
• A piece of tin foil

Instructions:

Begin with a base coat in the colors of your choice.

Put a few drops of each color onto a small piece of tin foil for easier dipping.

Dip the tip of the cotton swab into a color and begin dotting in any pattern you wish; repeat for other colors using a fresh cotton swab for each polish.

If you get any nail polish on your skin, use a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover and gently brush it away. (Using the precision tip ones will help you get closer to the nail without touching the nail itself!)

Let the polish dry and finish with a top coat.

This post was sponsored by Q-tips.

More nail art

Moroccan pattern dotted nails
A new take on the ombre nail design
3 Summery pedicure nail art tutorials

Each woman tried out a few different DIY methods to banish her puffy eyes. Some results were surprising, and some were so great we can't wait to try them ourselves.

Kim

@KimGrundy

• Egg whites: "Thanks to the high-sodium dinner I had splurged on the night before, I woke up with puffy eyes. Bad for me, but perfect for the assignment! I applied the egg white around my eye and, as soon as it dried, I immediately noticed a dramatic difference with both the puffiness and crow's feet. Brushing off the desire to dip my entire face in egg white, I removed it after the recommended 15 minutes. Although the effect wasn't as dramatic as when the egg white was on my face, there was still a noticeable improvement with the puffiness. I was pleasantly surprised to find that egg whites work!"
• Eye massage: "I followed a YouTube tutorial on eye massage to help stimulate the lymph system to help reduce puffiness. The massage felt good, as you gently release trigger points around the eyes to help drain the fluid that causes puffiness. I performed it only on one eye so I could compare the two. I immediately felt like the massaged eye felt refreshed and more awake; however, I didn't notice much difference with puffiness or under-eye circles. After 10 minutes, there was only a very subtle difference. I think eye massage may work best if you have puffy eyes due to allergies or sinus issues."
• Potatoes: "I sliced a raw peeled potato which had been in the refrigerator overnight. I placed it on each eye for 10 minutes and relaxed and went to my 'happy place' (that is, tried to ignore my kids screaming in the background). After removing the slices, I felt more awake, possibly from the coolness of the potato slices, and noticed only a slight change in puffiness and no real change of under-eye circles."

Jordi

www.gossipandgranola.com

• Frozen Q-tip: "The cool Q-tips™ cotton swab on my eyes first thing in the morning was the perfect convenient way to reduce puffiness. Bonus: It takes off stubborn eye makeup."
• Mint balm: "Though the mint balm felt refreshing, the product did more to moisturize my eyes than reduce puffiness or dark circles. Could be good in conjunction with another method."
• Salted cotton pads: "For this method, a teaspoon of salt is added to a glass of water. Soak a cotton ball or cotton eye pad in the mixture and lay over eyes for a few minutes. The process was a bit laborious just to help with puffy eyes. It was soothing and helped a bit, but I think cooler compresses tend to work better than warm."

Meagan

@upsidemeagan

• Milk: "This worked the best out of the three methods I tried. According to everything I read, it works best to do it in the morning with full-fat or vitamin D milk. I only had 2 percent on hand, so I soaked a cotton ball in it and let it sit for about 15 minutes. The cold definitely jolted me awake, but I didn't notice any huge decrease in puffiness or inflammation."
• Aloe vera gel: "I'm definitely going to try an all-natural aloe vera gel the next time I try this. I used a bottle I bought from Walmart for sunburns to try out this trick and, of course, it had a whole bunch of added ingredients. According to some enthusiasts, the vitamin E and antioxidants in the aloe help circulate blood around the eyes to reduce swelling. I was hopeful when I dabbed a good-sized glob of the gel under my eyes, but I only noticed a slight difference in the amount of puffiness after leaving it on for about 10 minutes or so. Note: Be sure not to rub your eyes when you apply aloe gel… it stings!"
• Vitamin E oil: "I read that you're supposed to apply vitamin E oil under your eyes before slipping between the sheets each night to help stimulate circulation and keep from swelling. I tried it and did notice a slight decrease in my puffiness in the morning. Bonus: The skin under my eyes was super soft and supple in the morning. I'm definitely going to continue this one!"

Carrie

www.carrie-murphy.com

• Frozen spoons: "This method is intense and almost hurts a little bit, but it definitely brings down the puffiness!"
• Tea bags: "It's the tannins in tea bags that are supposed to relieve your tired, puffy eyes. You can use any kind, but chamomile is supposedly the best. I used plain ol' black tea. The difference was marginal, but it was there!"
• Cucumbers: "Of course, you're familiar with that classic image of a relaxed woman at a spa with cucumbers over her eyes. But does it really work? Well, sort of. The cool cucumbers felt pretty good, but I didn't really see a difference in my eye puffiness, even after about 15-20 minutes."
• Neti pot: "If you've got a stuffy nose, the neti pot will surely fix you right up. But I'm not sure that it does much for fixing puffy eyes, unless those puffy eyes come along with hay fever or other allergies."

More beauty tricks

Models' beauty tips and tricks
21 Beauty shortcuts
Use a Q-tip as a blending brush

You've got to love a cheap, easy and fast DIY beauty routine.

Supplies:

• Q-tips™ cotton swabs
• Baby powder or loose translucent powder. I used Tarte's Amazonian Clay Smooth Operator Finishing Powder because Tarte is a natural line and I felt safe using it in the eye area. You can use baby powder or even cornstarch.
• Mascara

Directions:

Step 1

Use the cotton swab to push against your lashes from below. This will encourage a natural curl and push them upwards.

Step 2

Pick up some loose powder with a cotton swab, generously coating the cotton bud.

Step 3

Looking down, liberally dust the powder over your lashes. Looking down will prevent powder from getting in your eyes. If it falls below your eye, no worries. Just brush away with a powder brush when finished.

Step 4

Coat lashes in mascara. You can repeat steps 2-4 for even more volume and length.

Look at what a difference it makes:

This post was sponsored by Q-tips.

More makeup tutorials

Simple ways to change your look with makeup you own
Makeup tutorial: Teal cat-eyeliner
Celeb-inspired party hair: Kerry Washington

I'm currently 38 weeks pregnant and exhibiting all the classic symptoms. In addition to a fabulously rotund belly, I'm sporting some fantastic cankles and rocking an unwavering waddle. In the face of all this awkwardness I've been finding little ways to pamper myself and feel a little more put together — this was my motivation for experimenting with homemade lip balm.

The resulting recipe is an excellent way to give myself a little extra attention. The balm is satiny smooth and leaves my lips feeling soft and tasting heavenly. It's ever-so-slightly glossier than the balms I'm accustomed to, giving my lips a subtle shine. Perhaps the sheen will distract from the water retention?

Honey-lemon lip balm

You can use cleaned leftover lip balm containers or purchase new ones inexpensively, like these acrylic jars. Adding lipstick or blush for color isn't necessary but can be a lot of fun. I had some RMS Beauty lip shine samples hanging around that were perfect for the job. To prevent tinted lip balm from leaving a hued residue on your fingers, apply the lip balm with a Q-tip.

Makes 6 (0.20 ounce) jars

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon grated beeswax
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 8 drops lemon essential oil
• Lipstick shavings or powdered blush, to tint (optional)

Directions:

1. In the bowl of a double boiler (or glass or metal bowl that fits tightly over a pot), stir together the beeswax and coconut oil.
2. Fill the double-boiler base or pot with an inch of water and bring to a simmer. Place the bowl with the beeswax and oil on top and stir until the wax is fully melted.
3. Remove the bowl from the stove and whisk in the honey, essential oil and color if using.
4. Pour the liquid into small cosmetic containers. Place the lids on once fully cooled.

More homemade lip balm recipes

DIY chocolate chip lip balm
How to make leftover lipstick into tinted lip balm
Make your own organic lip balm

Clean jewelry with toothpaste and a Q-tips cotton swab

I don't clean my jewelry often, but when I do I'm usually on my way to something important, which leaves me in a pinch. The last time I went to a wedding I realized just how mucky my own rings had gotten and cleaned them up by using a Q-tips cotton swab and toothpaste. It's kind of amazing how well it works... but I guess it makes sense, since that's what's keeping my teeth squeaky clean.

Baby powder in your hair as dry shampoo

Dry shampoo is just one more travel-sized annoyance I'd have to buy when I travel, so instead I shake some baby powder in a plastic baggie and bring it with me. It's perfect for when I travel to humid areas and when I don't have time to wash my hair first thing in the morning.

Bring coconut oil as a multi-use product

Coconut oil has so many uses: moisturizer, hair gel, makeup remover and shaving cream, to name a few, that I like to scoop a large tablespoon into an old lip balm pot. It always comes in handy, and it's that many fewer products I need to pack.

Spray cotton swabs with your favorite perfume

Travel-sized products are hard to come by, but finding something that's fit for perfume is an even bigger pain. I like to spray cotton swabs with my favorite fragrance and keep them in a baggie. When I'm ready, I rub the cotton swabs on my pulse points. The fragrance is a little more subtle, but still better than trying to lug my perfume around with me.

Disclosure: This post is part of a collaboration with Q-tips and SheKnows.

I use hand sanitizer compulsively and am completely skeptical of how well planes are really cleaned before the next group of passengers arrive. As far as my hypochondriac self is concerned, everything on the plane is harboring some kind of gross bacteria.

Planes are also extremely dry and harsh, especially for the delicate skin on your face, so I come prepared with all kinds of moisturizing products, which I apply over and over throughout a long flight.

I'm always hesitant about getting hand sanitizer on my face, so I had to get up each time before applying my moisturizer. I'm sure that wasn't fun for the people sitting next to me, who had to scoot out several times during our flight. My solution to this travel quandary? Q-tips cotton swabs. I've learned to always bring a little baggie of cotton swabs in my carry-on. That way, I can easily apply all of my eye creams and lip balms without having to get up 2,000 times to wash my hands. It's better for me, and it's definitely better for everyone around me.

Are there any beauty products you can't travel without? Tell me in the comments below.

Disclosure: This post is part of a collaboration with Q-tips and SheKnows.

It's a comedy of errors trying to get the perfect width and the perfect length without an eyeful of ink. Q-tips Precision Tips are a lifesaver when it comes to creating a perfect cat eye. Here’s how to do it.

1. Draw your cat eye and then use a damp cotton swab to even out both sides and remove any areas that may have gotten too thick.
2. Remove any liner/mascara that may have gotten on your lids and use the cotton swab to blend your eye shadow.

Disclosure: This post is part of a collaboration with Q-tips and SheKnows.

Despite a previous distaste for any blue (besides the occasional navy blue), I've now found myself drawn to cobalt and royal blues. It's a constant reminder of the electric blues found all over Morocco, as well as plums and wine colors. It really was the first time in a while that I experimented with a lot of color, such as floral vibrant skirts mixed with wine-stained lips.

While wine-stained lips can be difficult to perfect, I've found a solution that really works. I don't want it to look like lipstick, that's the key. It should literally look stained, darkened, but where your natural lip and all its creases and imperfections shine through.

My favorite color is Fast Ride by NARS which I would describe as a dark, sheer wine color. Putting it on straight from the stick can look a bit too harsh so I take a little on a Q-Tips™ cotton swab and apply it thinly over my lips. It's really the perfect wine-stained look and my go-to for nights (and even days) in Morocco.

Disclosure: This post is part of a collaborating with Q-tips and SheKnows.

For this trip I will be doing some fun polka-dot nails. Here are some tips for how I achieve this look with Q-tips Precision Tips.

H2 S023 EP04 Nails FINAL EXPERTS ALT from SheKnows on Vimeo.

1. Paint your nails with a beachy base color, like nude or white.
2. Cut off the end of the cotton swab to get rid of the cotton and leave just the base. It's the perfect little circle for polka dots.
3. Drop some nail polish onto the cap of a polish remover or anything plastic and dip the end of the cotton swab into the nail polish.
4. Carefully press the cotton swab onto your nail. Repeat to get however many polka dots you would like.

Disclosure: This post is part of a collaboration with Q-tips and SheKnows.

I've spent many hot summer months in Paris without air conditioning and the windows wide open, so I learned how to achieve an easy and flawless face without having to layer on too much makeup.

H2 S023 EP03 FreshFrenchFace FINAL EXPERTS ALT from SheKnows on Vimeo.

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I start with freshly washed skin then reach for my trusty Q-tips cotton swabs. They are my go-to when creating any beauty look, whether it be for a complex cat eye or a fresh summer face. Here's my simple step-by-step for a flawless look.

1. Dip one end of a cotton swab into your favorite eye cream and dab the cream around your eye. The cotton is so gentle that it reduces the excess pulling and tugging on the delicate skin around your eyes that can occur when using your fingers.
2. On the back of your hand, mix a small amount of tinted moisturizer with a lightweight serum and highlighter. Blend the three with a cotton swab until they are completely mixed together.
3. Apply the mixture to your face using a cotton swab and make sure to blend upward and out.
4. Once your base is complete, take a new cotton swab and apply a touch of highlighter to the bridge of your nose, corners of your eyes and cupid's bow (along the upper lip). This will catch the light for a dewy fresh-faced glow.

Disclosure: This post is part of a collaboration with Q-tips and SheKnows.

When I'm back in the Big Apple it's go, go, go, a constant mix of work and catching up with my friends. I often step off the plane and head directly to meet my friends for a long dinner at Gemma or Indochine. On these occasions, I do my eye makeup prior to boarding and always pack a half a dozen Q-tips™ cotton swabs for in-flight touch ups.

H2 S023 EP02 PostFlightFixes FINAL EXPERTS ALT from SheKnows on Vimeo.

About 30 minutes before the flight touches down, I dip a cotton swab in a bottle of water and twist the cotton tip to a thin point. This makes it easier to clean up the hard-to-reach places, and the devil is in the details. I make sure to clean up the corners of my eyes, and under my bottom lash line in case any mascara has dropped or smudged on the flight. Then I take the dry end and gently pat my under eye area.

It's important to check the status of your eyeshadow, especially if you took an in-flight snooze. I often need to lighten the shadow before boarding by softly patting the tip of a dry cotton swab along my lid for perfection.

How do you touch up your makeup before a big landing? Share your own techniques in the comments below.

Disclosure: This post is part of a collaboration with Q-tips and SheKnows.

They are the travel space savers. Q-tips cotton swabs are amazing when used dry for blending. They double as the best blending-brush tools. In the summer mixing bronzer and blush seamlessly on the cheeks is a must, especially when traveling to Miami with remnants of my pale winter complexion. Here's how you do it.

H2 S023 EP01 SummerGlow FINAL EXPERTS ALT from SheKnows on Vimeo.

1. Gently dip the tip of a cotton swab in your powder-based bronzer and drag it along the top of your upper cheekbone toward the ridge of your nose.
2. Do the same thing on the opposite cheek with the other end of the cotton swab and then down the ridge of your nose.
3. Next, take a clean cotton swab, dip it into a soft-pink blush and use it to gently blend everything upwards. Do this on the opposite side of your face and along the ride of your nose.

Disclosure: This post is part of a collaboration with Q-tips and SheKnows.

Why we're obsessed

Crop tops can turn trashy very easily, but Kate turns hers into a high fashion masterpiece by pairing it with a flirty black leather skirt and trendy white d'Orsay pumps. Tres chic, no?

Photo credit: TNYF/WENN.com

How to style the look

Not every woman wants to expose her midriff, but if you're bold and confident enough, you can take the once-reserved-for-teens look into the adult zone with a few styling tricks. First, seek out a bottom that classes up the look a bit. A luxe leather skirt in a flirty silhouette will definitely do the trick. For an unexpected finish, step into some ladylike heels — it's a touch that people won't expect.

1. Bella Dahl Racer Back Crop Top in White (singer22.com, $62)
2. Kardashian Kollection Women's Skater Skirt (Sears, $24)
3. Chinese Laundry Kristin Cavallari Kalea Pump (chineselaundry.com, $105)
4. Conita Black Chain Strap Bag with Chunky Twist Lock (missguidedus.com, $27)
5. CHiPS Sunglasses in Silver (peeperspecs.com, $17)
6. Lavanila The Healthy Sunscreen Face Cream SPF 40 (lavanila.com, $28)
7. AHAVA Tropical Pineapple & White Peach Velvet Body Lotion (ahavaus.com, $26)

More get the look

Ashley Greene's gym style
Lucy Hale's adorable romper
Amy Adams' pink evening dress

I've often complained about how hard it is to be a woman in the summer. The upkeep goes to a brand new level, and I'm not just talking about being "bikini ready" or rocking a nice tan. I'm talking about grooming. And the options are not great. There's shaving, which is supremely annoying and time-sucking. There's waxing, which to me is brutality, and then there's expensive laser hair removal, which, these days, makes the most sense.

But a lot of women lately are asking, is all of this necessary? Why do we do this? Why should we have to work this hard to look good and whose standards exactly are we trying to meet?

And the poking and prodding of this gender-based-societal standard has increased lately. Back in April, a photographer released a set of images of women with outgrown armpit hair, with discussions of "redefining beauty."

And it's true, American women weren't shaving their armpits until like 1915 and ditto to their legs until the '40s. So yes, clearly the norm began to change and women responded to it. Partly due to the change in fashion (sleeveless dresses, shorter dresses, etc.).

Although, as I see it, just because we didn't always do it, doesn't mean it's not an improvement.

Recently, an ASU professor offered extra credit if students participated in an "anti-grooming movement" experiment where they would commit to a semester's worth of gender-bending body hair practices: men having to remove their body hair from the neck down, and women having to let it all grow out.

But here's where I want to push back a little. In the fury of redefining norms and bucking the system, have we overlooked the basic concept of what makes a woman feel the most confident, polished and put together?

Not everything is a commentary on societal standards. A lot of it can just be our own personal choice and isn't that the most free thing of all? Dropping the idea of doing it for anyone but ourselves? I am absolutely all for equality and women's rights, but it's important to pause for a moment and realize that cultural standards change and shift over time, and that doesn't mean conforming to them has to be a bad thing. That is, as long as it is what makes you feel beautiful.

More on beauty

Women share liberating pictures of luscious leg hair
I may be fat, but I beat my eating disorder
Why I want my daughter to see my armpit hair

A Novel Romance eyeshadow quad

• Rising Passions (charcoal with in hint of green and gold)
• Fall in Lust (cool grayish mauve)
• My Fantasy (faded olive)
• Dance in the Dark (dark brown)

A Passionate Quest eyeshaow quad

• The Wrong Man (dusty rose)
• Brazenly (aubergine)
• Stay Sultry (dark purple)
• Serenade (purple-pink pearl)

An Amorous Adventure eyeshadow quad

• Sex and the Oyster (seafoam green)
• Brawn (plum)
• Sable (pearly, golden plum)
• Black Tied (black with silver tones)

The line also includes a pool of individual covers from their Electric Cool product line and a host of new Liquidline Eye Pencils. Our favorite shadow options: Superwatt (shimmery taupe), Gilded Thrill (Gold), Love Power (shimmering pale rose) and Switch to Blue (colbalt). ($21) Of the Liquidline Eye pencils, we love Metropolis (led), Atomic Ore (gold) and Water Willow (Olive). ($16)

There are two new, limited edition, powder blush options in Fun Ending (soft peach) and Animal Instincts (frosted plum). ($22) They're perfect for going flushed or looking fierce.

Limited Edition Lipsticks ($16)

• Myself (shimmering nude lustre)
• A Novel Romance (dusty rose cremesheen)
• Yield to Love (medium rose cremesheen, exclusively online)
• Good Kisser (medium fuschsia matte)
• Lingering Kiss (reddish plum matte)
• Hearts Aflame (red matte)

Lipglass ($15)

• Bared for You (pinkish golden nude)
• Reckless Desire (sheer lavender pearl)
• Wanting More (faded lavender)
• Pure Fiction (medium pink violet)
• Talk Sexy (deep purple)

Studio Nail Lacquer ($12

• Before Dawn (greenish gray)
• Midnight Ocean (deep blue)
• Midnight Sky (rich charcoal)
• Midnight Storm (dark magenta)
• Midnight Strata (dark purple)
• Sunset Sky (plum)

Now, to find the right corset...

More beauty products

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MAC Office Hours and Marilyn Monroe collections

We've all heard that green tea is good for your insides, but it's also good for your outsides too. Wet a little bit of matcha powder and cover your acne spot to help reduce redness and inflammation.

Slice an orange in half and add a bit of honey to it, then rub the orange on dry skin for added moisture.

Mix corn starch, rice flour, arrowroot powder and essential oils to make your own dry shampoo powder that will help soak up oils on your scalp. Recipe in the video.

Here’s my go-to trick for creating a seductive smoky eye.

1. Before applying face makeup, apply your eyeshadow using the darker color in the creases and the lighter shades on your lids. Then, use the cotton swab to blend the two colors together.
2. Use a fresh cotton swab to clean up any shadow that's fallen under the eyes.
3. Dip a cotton swab into your darker shadow and create a line along the lower lash line. Blend it in.
4. Apply liquid eyeliner to the top lids. For extra drama, create a winged cat eye. Use your cotton swabs to clean up the lines. For a more grungy look, use a pencil liner and smudge it with the cotton swab.
5. Apply false lashes. My favorite are Ardell Demi Wispies. To apply, drop some lash glue along the edge of the lashes and let it sit for one minute. Then line them up with your own lash line and carefully press them on using a cotton swab (Q-Tips™ Precision Tips works best). Hold until the glue dries.

I'm getting ready to take a girls trip to Paris with my mom and sister and I thought I'd polish my nails for the occasion. What better than a pretty French manicure to don in the City of Love? Q-tips Precision Tips make French manicures super easy to create. Here's the step-by-step:

1. Paint the tips of your nails in a C shape using a silver or gold nail polish.
2. Dip a Q-tips cotton swab in nail polish remover and use the tip to make the line of the French manicure smooth and even. You can decide how thick or thin you want it.
3. Once that has dried, finish with a clear coat.
4. Use a cotton swab dipped in polish remover to clean up the beds of your nails.