Current Favorites

As girls we have lots of favorite things...favorite celebs, favorite boys, favorite movies and favorite shoes. One of the many struggles of being a girl is finding things you actually like for more than a week or two. If you are anything like us, you like a product for about two weeks then move onto bigger and better things. To your surprise (ok, our surprise too) we have put together some of our favorite products that have been on our good sides for awhile (longer than 2 weeks). These are just a few that have been sparking our interests lately, but more are to come!


Kristen's Favs:

No matter the time of year,  I am always looking for the perfect eye shadow palette to meet my every need. The Lorac Pro Palette 2 has been my bff and a half. It is a cooler toned palette which I was a little skeptical about at first...but has great shades for everyday wear, along with smokey shadows and even the occasional pop of color. Oh, and we can't forget the perfect highlight and transition shades.

As I have mentioned more than once I love a good contour. If you are my kinda girl, the Nars Ita brush will be your secret weapon. It is slender enough to fit into the hallows of your cheek bones and along the contours of your face, but fluffy enough to blend your contour perfectly. (How many times can you say contour in one sentence?) Although a bit pricey, the chiseled cheekbones are a reward in itself.

When you're not kissing soulja boy through the phone, you want your lips to look bomb, am I right? I am not one for lipsticks or lip glosses because they are never the constancy I want them to be. And along came Too Faced. These Melted Liquid Lipsticks are straight up dynamite. I'm sure you have heard the hype of liquid lipsticks but these push the limits. They are thin enough, but not too thin to where they slide off. Oh, they also have the perfect amount of staying power and even leave your lips with a juicy stain. Ranging in shades anywhere from nude to orange, you are sure to find a color, or five, that will suit your needs.

Want that pregnant glow without the pregnant? Yeah me too, thats why I am obsessed with the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter. This prodigy not only gives you a beautiful natural glow, but can be used in many different ways. If you have drier skin you can apply this to your face under your foundation or mix with your foundation for a super glow. If you are more on the oily side apply this to the tops of your cheeks and anywhere else your heart desires. You get so much bang for your buck that you will have this 'til the end of time.

But really what is any of that ^ without a blank canvas? Foundations are complex and we all know this. There are too many options for too many things: skin tone, skin color, skin texture, yada yada yada. The one foundation I always find myself going back to is the Nars Sheer Glow. Although the name hints to a "sheer" foundation, this is full coverage in my book. However it is build-able. You can make this as sheer or as heavy as you want without it looking like you have on a mask. It lasts for hours and with a little bit of powder keeps me shine free all day. This is just what I need to keep me looking fresh, fierce, and fine while I conquer the world(???) one day at a time.

Kendall's Favs:

Lets just start of with this not-so-secret weapon of mine that I am absolutely loving these days, The Original Beautyblender. This magical sponge applicator does wonders when applying wet or dry products you choose to use for your complexion. When using this product, it is extremely important to wet the sponge and squeeze out the excess water before blending, or you will not get to see those magical powers I'm talking about. Once I bounce this little sponge across my face (literally) I begin blending away to create that flawless finish we are always looking for.

Sometimes full coverage foundations can be a bit much when you aren't applying a full face of makeup that day. Since I'm just attending classes during the week, I find myself reaching for lighter weight foundations simply for comfort and... laziness. What I mean by comfort is that I prefer to give my skin a break after the weekends when I tend to use more heavy duty foundations. The IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ cream is a multitasking miracle, I don't even know where to begin. This color correcting cream is not only extremely light weight but applies a full coverage, anti-aging serum and SPF 50+! I mean, you can't get any better than that when you want to achieve a radiant complexion without coating on foundation. P.S. the CC+ cream and Beautyblender have become great friends.

Do you enjoy the appearance of pores? I know I don't, and the Benefit POREfessional does a wondrous job at minimizing the look of those pores whenever you wish to do so. Apply this translucent, oil-free formula alone, under or over your makeup to make sure your products stay put! After applying this product, I automatically notice a more silky finish to my skin and a drastic change in how long my makeup lasts. This primer is little more pricey than others, but is 100% worth it in my book, and I cant forget to mention that it will last you a lifetime! (That's a bit dramatic, but close enough.)

Girls seem to go through phases, whether its a love/hate relationship you have with a product, or you simply just feel as if you found your soulmate in the makeup world. For me, I feel as if I found an eye shadow palette that I know will stay close to my heart for a while. Am I telling a love story or talking about makeup? The world will never know. Anyway, the product that I am raving about is the Two Faced Natural Eyes eye shadow collection palette. These shadows are awesome for showing your natural side from dusk 'til dawn, including nine rich pigments that will conquer almost any look you're going for.

So far all of my current favorites seem to be part of my everyday makeup routine,  so I guess I will continue the pattern with the most recent liquid eyeliner I have been using. The Lorac Front of the Line Pro liquid eyeliner is not only a current favorite of mine, but would also have to be one of my definite "must-haves." I'm a sucker for winged eyeliner, and if you are too,  you will love this liner as much as I do. (I'm a poet and I didn't even know it.) This flexible, but not too flexible, tip can create bold or fine lines while you are fully in control. It is difficult already to achieve a perfect wing with liquid eyeliners, but this product will make that a lot easier!

XOXO,

Kendall & Kristen

Easing Into Fall

When it comes to fashion, the transition from summer to fall can be awkward. Will I be too warm if I wear a sweater? Is it okay to start wearing boots? Well, today we give you three different outfits and a makeup look that are each extremely versatile, which is absolutely necessary while easing into fall.

Outfit #1

This outfit is perfect when it's a bit chilly outside, because you can still get away without sleeves. Let me just start off by saying how absolutely comfortable this outfit is. The black cotton jumpsuit is from TJ Maxx, paired with brown, open-toed booties from Target and a gold chain necklace from Charming Charlie. I have also worn this jumpsuit on one of the more cooler nights of summer, and instead of booties, I wore sandals and it worked out just as nicely.  This look is a little more fancy rather than casual, but because it is super simple, you can wear it almost anywhere! 

Outfit #2

I love this look because once again you can get away with pairing this with some booties and even sandals. I decided to go with a more fun top, although these pants would look great with a thin, long sleeved cropped sweater. This top is from Target and I just wore a nude tank underneath because it is indeed see through! I was beyond excited to style these pants because they are just absolutely perfect for when the weather starts to change. These olive green, harem pants are from Tj Maxx, along with brown Steve Madden sandals and a gold chain necklace from Charming Charlie. I find this look to be better for the day time, because of its bohemian vibe it gives off, which is great for transitioning from summer to fall!

Outfit #3

We can't ease into the fall without incorporating a dress that cooperates with both seasons! In this look we pull the classic pattern of autumn, plaid. I paired this adorable cream smock dress from Brandy Melville with a thin, red and navy flannel from Forever 21. I also decided to throw on those brown, open-toed booties from Target to dress it up, along with the gold chain necklace from Charming Charlie as well. This flannel-chic look screams "Fall Time" and is also great to wear on those days where the breeze is cooler than usual. Also, if the sun gets too hot, NEVER be afraid to tie that flannel around your waist, because even with a dress on, that 90's child look will always look fabulous! 

Most of us look forward to fall for many reasons, the Pumpkin Spice Lattes, the riding boots, and the fancy sweaters. One of my favorite parts is the make up. This is the time of year we can start wearing more makeup without worrying about it dripping down our faces. This look I am wearing here is one of my go-to's and favorites. 

 Let me just give a small thank you to my friend here... foundation. I used a foundation with a slightly fuller coverage than the ones I use in summer. It is the Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Foundation. I love this foundation because it does give good coverage while still letting your skin peak through leaving you with out the "cake face". 

Set it, don't fret it! I set my foundation with my NYX Studio HD Setting powder. I mentioned this in our previous post, because it is amazing, and super cheap! It sets your makeup so it doesn't budge, but without making your skin look flat and dull. 

Onto to BRONZA! No matter the season, this is always my favorite step. To me, fall screams chiseled cheekbones. I use a small more defined brush to get a contoured look, which really added some drama and definition to my makeup. And, I can't forget to mention the main star, NARS Laguna Bronzer. This is the perfect bronzer for those who don't want to look too orange or too red. It is perfect for contouring or just overall bronzing. 

Now onto the money maker, the eyes. I stuck with the classic Naked Palette by Urban Decay simply because it is a cult classic with perfect fall shades. I used Naked in the crease for definition and to help blend the lid colors, Half Baked on the lid (I love using golds and warmer colors in the fall time especially), & for the outer corner and up into the crease slightly I used Smog, one of my all time favorite eye shadows. This is the perfect bronze shade for fall. It is not too warm or too cool so it gives eyes just the perfect amount of glow. To top off my eyes I threw on some winged liner, perfect for any look no matter the season, which I used Stila Stay All Day Eyeliner and my favorite mascara Jordana Best Lash Extreme. 

Let's not forget the lips shall we? Berry and dark purple lips are of course the trends for fall, however, we are not quite there yet. It is still only September and while most of us are hoping for cooler weather I am still breaking a sweat walking to class. I chose to go with a darker nude or a dare I say it "Kylie Jenner Lip" (but not quite).  This is perfect for this time of year because it isn't your summer's pinks and reds, but it's not your fall's berrys and plums. (Don't worry, those lip colors will make an appearance because I just can't resist.) I used Urban Decay's lipstick in the shade Naked which can be paired with just about any eye shadow shades that you decide to use this fall! 

This look can be worn either day or night, if you are wanting to add more drama go for that darker lip, but no matter what look you try, I'm sure you will look fabb. 

Drink a Pumpkin Spice Latte for us & enjoy this beautiful weather!

Until next week!

XOXO,
Kendall & Kristen

Back to School Basics

It's that time of year again... time to put down Cosmo and pick up the textbooks! As college students, we know going back to school is way more exciting than it used to be, until you're faced with 15 credit hours and a pile of homework. We put together three outfits and an everyday makeup look that can be worn anywhere from the library to a lunch out with friends. Hopefully these looks will grab that cute boy's attention from across the room. Enjoy!

Outfit #1

I find this look to be my most "go to" look out of all of them. I threw on some jogger sweats (super comfy by the way!) from Forever 21, my off-the-shoulder white t-shirt from H&M, and my favorite part of this look, white Converse. This outfit is perfect for those dreadful Mondays where the thought of putting on jeans just doesn't even cross your mind. This outfit is extremely easy and simple, but what else do you expect from a college student?!

Outfit #2

I think this is a perfect look when it comes to a busy day of classes or meetings here and there. Some may look at this outfit and think "no way will I be wearing that all day long." But! I do have to say that this outfit is way more comfortable than it looks. The jeans (more like jeggings) I am wearing are from Hollister Co., paired with the off-the-shoulder white tee, a navy and gold infinity scarf from Charming Charlie, and last but most definitely not least, tan booties from Express. This look is casual yet cute, and undoubtedly trendy!

Outfit #3

Finally, we have an amazing look for all those girly girls out there! I know I know, we're in college and nobody wants to dress up while sitting in a lecture hall all day. But hey, there are some people who do, and when they do, I am always the first to give them credit. So, this look is great to wear on a nice breezy day when you are more likely to be out and about on campus, rather than stationed in a library cubicle. I paired the off-the-shoulder white tee with an adorable jean skater skirt from Forever 21, tan booties from Express, and a silver and gold statement necklace from Old Navy. This outfit takes very little time to put together, which is perfect for those of you who are running late, but want to look stylish!

Believe it or not most of us don't wake up FLAWLESS, or post up FLAWLESS...but thanks to makeup I have a couple tricks up my sleeve. Whether it be to class or out on a date, these are a few basic tricks with mainly drugstore products to get you looking like Queen B.

Products from L to R: EOS Lip balm, Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream, Maybelline FitMe concealer, NYX HD Setting Powder, NYC Smooth Skin Bronzer, Stila Stay All Day eyeliner, Jordana Best Lash Extreme mascara.

1. LIP BALM. We all use lip balm on a daily basis so this step shouldn't be too hard for you to incorporate in your morning routine. Apply this first so it soaks in and makes your lips smooth and hydrated if you are planning on wearing a lip color. EOS is great for this and also comes in many delicious flavors.

2. BB CREAM. Different skin types have different needs. If you feel you need a full face of foundation then be my guest! However, BB Creams are definitely the way to go on an everyday basis. They even out your skin tone but feel light on your face. If you don't want to buy one you can mix your face moisturizer and foundation together to get a similar consistency.  This one from Maybelline has salicylic acid in it which is good for those with acne prone skin or those who like makeup with skin care benefits. Apply this using your favorite foundation brush or your hands to create an even finish.

3. CONCEALER. As girls we are too critical of our skin and often don't realize that most of us don't need to mask our faces with foundation. That is where concealer comes into play. Use a lighter foundation/ BB cream to even out your skin tone then concealer to cover up any blemishes or dark circles.  This will give you a much more natural look but cover imperfections at the same time. The Maybelline Fit Me is a great drug store concealer that comes in many different shades to suit various skin tones.

4. POWDER. After you finish perfecting your face you obviously don't want your makeup to move! So set it. Take either a translucent powder or a colored powder (for more coverage) and apply it to all the areas you placed your face makeup. This step helps your make up to last all day long without getting shiny. 

5. BRONZER. Who doesn't want to look sun kissed? Bronzer not only gives you a healthy glow, but can also give dimension to your face. You can sweep this NYC bronzer across your forehead and on the top of your cheeks for a bronzed look, or put it in the hallows of your cheeks, temples and sides of your nose to have a contoured look (best for when we are having a "fat day"). 

6. EYELINER. Depending on your eye shape will depend on how you chose to do your eyeliner. Lining your top lash line will make your eye lashes look thicker and bring attention to your eyes. The winged liner is also very popular and goes well with many different eye shapes. I prefer to use a felt tip liner because I find it is easy to get both a thin precise line or a thick line. The Stila Stay All Day is a great liner that won't budge until you take it off. 

7. MASCARA. To me this is the most important step in my routine. No matter the rest of your makeup you can always look 10x more glamorous with coats of a good mascara. Before I apply my mascara I like to curl my lashes to open up my eyes.  I like the Jordana Best Lash Extreme mascara that is super cheap and provides great volume and length to my eyelashes. 

Tip: When I'm getting ready for class in the morning, eye shadow is the least of my worries. However, if I want to add a little bit of definition to my eyes I take my bronzer and apply it to my crease. This will add dimension to your eyes without spending several minutes perfecting your eyeshadow. 

Until next week! 

XOXO,

Kendall & Kristen