Jess – Page 6 – Everything and Nothings

Let’s Try… Cheap Face Masks!

There is something that just feels fancy about facial masks. When I was a teenager, my household was down to just me and my mom. Every so often, we would make a special trip to Target (back in the 90’s, this was still an adventure! We only had a Shopko in town!) and buy this magical mask that was black and made with Dead Sea salts. We felt oh so posh as we would spend a weekday night relaxing into our masks, eating our smorgasbord dinner (which is still my favorite), settling into an episode of the hip new show Friends. The worst part of this night, though, was rinsing that dang mud mask off. It was a mess!

This is why I adore sheet masks. Seriously, whoever invented the sheet mask (a one-time use paper or gel mask impregnated with delicious skin happy ingredients to help a variety of issues, from dryness to old-ness) should be up for an award. You simply slap it on your face, wait a while, and throw it away. No rinsing! They are still a special treat though, since one use can cost you anywhere from $7-$20 (and up!), so imagine my delight when I stumbled upon these sheet masks at Target: we have come full circle.

Yes To Masks

Yes To is a drugstore brand that is reasonably priced and has a reputation for having pretty decent stuff that is mostly natural and free of parabens and whatnot, and are leaping bunny certified. These masks are $2.99 each. TWO NINETY NINE!!! It didn’t take much arm twisting for me to throw them in my basket, and even less to try them out back-to-back on Sunday night while catching up on the Olympics.

Obviously, I went for the Yes To Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Paper Mask first. You never look cute in a paper mask, but this one is black, so I felt a bit like a bank robber. Or the Gimp. Or my cat.

Originally, the instructions say to relax for 10 minutes, then take it off. Apparently people were freaking out about the tingling sensation that occurs, because they felt the need to add a sticker to let you know TINGLING=WORKING. Clearly, today’s youth was not raised on Denorex dandruff shampoo ads, where we all learned this vital piece of information.

Back to the mask: it was wet, but not gloppy. It stayed on pretty well during semi-reclined tv watching and cheering for Gabby Douglas. It had a floral scent that I was NOT a fan of, and it did, in fact, tingle quite a bit! But not so much that I needed to abort my mission for clean pores. After 10 minutes, off it went. Life remained largely unchanged.

I waited about 2 minutes for my skin to un-tingle, then on went the Yes To Coconut Ultra Hydrating Paper Mask, made with virgin coconut oil. Lovely! At first I thought this mask was also tingly, but I realized it was just leftovers from the first one being reactivated. This mask felt pretty nice on (if a little cold), and didn’t slide around too much during the 10 minute wait. It really, REALLY smells like coconuts. Not unpleasantly, but I was for sure getting suntan lotion vibes. coconut

Ten minutes later, I ditched the mask (after also smooshing it around my neck- everyone does that, right??) and hoped for glowing skin. It was…. underwhelming, but still wet, so I decided to let it absorb as I folded a basket of laundry.

I shouted something at the TV, and realized my face felt like a giant piece of fly paper. SO STICKY you guys. I couldn’t take it any longer and rinsed it off, feeling defeated that these $2.99 masks were not the hidden gem I hoped they would be.

But hold on… maybe they were ok? As I was Snapchatting with Pamela the next evening (and as we all know, unfiltered Snapchat tells the TRUTH), I realized my skin looked pretty good actually! So maybe, MAYBE these masks are ok in a pinch, or on a Tuesday. I have others I prefer and will savor and reach for on nights when I really feel like I need some rehab, but these might just be alright for easy maintenance.

I bought these masks with my own dumb money during a Target fugue state and decided to tell you what I think. Do you have a favorite sheet mask? Let us know in the comments!!

This Is Awesome: The Fitness Marshall

Some of the best times of my life (and best friends made- hi Lyn!) were spent in a dance studio. Not just any dance studio, mind you, but Dance Fabulous– an adults only, drop-in studio. We weren’t all trained dancers- in fact, the appeal was that you could come to class with zero dance experience- but we shared a common love for music, movement, and fun. Eventually, I transitioned from student to instructor, teaching my own original choreography, video choreography, and even a class called “hip hop aerobics”, where we would do repetitive chunks of choreo for the sake of goofy fitness that tricked you into working out by being so fun and keeping your brain busy. It was an absolute blast.

Sadly, the physical space of DFab became no longer viable to maintain, and although there were opportunities to keep classes going, my job had shifted in a way that made it difficult for me to keep up with them. With a heavy heart, I decided it was time to retire. My workouts shifted to kettlebells and lifting (which I love!), but I can’t help but miss having a set chunk of time each week to shake my thang. I just can’t make it to classes regularly!

Enter: The Fitness Marshall

Caleb Marshall is making a name for himself as The Fitness Marshall, pumping out amazing, easy to follow, ridiculously fun hip hop cardio dance workouts on his YouTube channel. Apparently, he got his start teaching classes in college, and people would be waiting at the door an hour beforehand to make sure they got a spot in his (packed) class. I can see why- this guy is HILARIOUS, his videos are well done (he majored in film production), and his backup ~~dancers~~ “booties” are on fleek. Also, he is inspired by Britney Spears. NEED I SAY MORE?

So, you can pick one song/video on his channel to learn and dance to a few times, which is a great quick workout in itself. This is also a good way to kind of learn the “language” of hip hop cardio dance, so future videos become easier to follow. (You can also sign up for his Patreon site if you want access to tutorials.) But! The brilliant thing he does, which makes me mad that I never thought of doing this myself, is the weekly “Sweat Set“: a curated playlist of videos starting with a warm up, ending with a cool down, and a handful of awesome dancing in between. The Sweat Set is usually about 45 minutes, and you can pause in between videos for water or brain-breaks. It is exactly the kind of cardio workout I need in my life!

Obvs, the more you do one of the videos, the more you’ll be able to really go all-out. He doesn’t do any moves that are technically difficult or advanced, but sometimes it takes a few repetitions, at first, to really get it. Once you do, it is 100% FUN. I am regularly simultaneously feeling fly and laughing my ass off. (Literally? Too soon to tell.)

While I miss being a spaz at the front of my own class, being a spaz in my basement is a pretty ok runner-up. And believe me, this dancer is RUSTY, so I am all over the place! But Caleb and I share the same sentiment when it comes to dancing- you may not be doing THE move, but at least you can do SOMETHING, and as long as you’re having fun, who cares??

What are you dancing to? Have you been to Lyn’s class? You should go- it’s the best! Let us know in the comments!

Our Favorites from the New Urban Decay Vice Lipsticks Launch

June 5th was a big day for lipstick junkies like the three of us at E&N. We are in agreement that Urban Decay has one of the top lipstick formulas and we have all been devoted users/collectors for ages. Basically—between the three of us—we have a lot of UD lipsticks floating around.

So when Urban Decay announced they were launching 100 lipsticks in their new Vice line—we paid attention. But we had questions: What colors would they be? Would our favorites go away? How would the formula change? Would we HAVE to repurchase new formulas of lipsticks we still had in the old model? How do you decide between ONE HUNDRED shades?!! (here are more detail on the launch.)

Turns out—our questions were answered quickly and definitively. They had all the colors—including our old favorites. We didn’t need to repurchase ones we already had because they weren’t THAT different. And with a cheaper price point $17 vs the previous $22—we could afford to try a couple new shades and take them out for a spin. So we decided we would each try two new shades that are a little different than ones we currently own and report back.

Here’s what we found:

Lyn: I was only going to buy two of the new Vice lipsticks and ended up with five—one that I will definitely return (Rapture: kind of a blah shade and I probably already own something similar), one I’m still figuring out (Safe Word: might be too light for me) and three that I love. But—per the assignment—I’ll stick to two favorites—with an honorable mention. (see what I did there?)

Surprisingly, my two favorites are in their new Metallized collection, which is described as “a cream with a high level of pearl.” I generally steer clear of lipsticks with any shimmer or glitter in them. But I swatched it at Sephora and fell in love! I would call it straight up copper—more red/brown than my usual true reds.

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The shimmer is perfect for summer and will take me seamlessly into fall. I am crazy for this shade.

This one is gorgeous—and was a gift from Jess for my birthday. (that girl gets me. she should start a blog or something.) Jess gave it to me before I left for a work trip. When I got back—I picked up Cruel and was freaking out about the Metallized collection. The next day—I found the Zealot she gave me and realized I hadn’t tried it on. I did and I’ve been wearing it in rotation with Cruel ever since.

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It is a warm red, so definitely not pink or bright, and the shimmer is divine. I probably wouldn’t have tried it since it’s a red—but I’m so glad I have it—it’s completely different than my other reds.

Honorable mention to Tampered—listed as “Deep mauve (Comfort Matte) (Sephora Exclusive)”

Pamela: I ended up with 5, and now reading that Lyn did too, I don’t feel so bad about it. I’m not still figuring any of them out, am not returning any and am already planning which ones I want to buy next…. because I am ridiculous. Just before the launch, I got a deluxe sample in the mail from Ulta that had 24 of the new (and a few old ones, that I already had) shades, along with a giant “chip chart.”

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Both of which helped plan my attack. I was able to cross out the colors I knew I had, and circle the ones I wanted or was hoping to check out (seriously, it was like getting the Sears catalog before Christmas when I was a kid) and I got to road test a few!

ZZ – Listed as “soft pink-purple (cream)”

I don’t often wear true baby pink shades, I just don’t think they suit me. And I’ve always wanted a really real lavender/purple shade, but the couple I have tried in the past have been too straight up purple, which is cool if you’re Katy Perry, but doesn’t lend itself to a daily look.. So, I threw on ZZ one night before leaving to teach yoga. A couple of my students told me how good they thought it looked (thanks ladies!) and when I told them it was just a sample I was trying, they told me I better go buy it. SOLD.

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I think this one leans more purple than pink, which is what I wanted, but I can still wear it daily without it looking too shocking. I really love it.

I love a bold red lip, but my daily go to shades are nudes. I can’t get enough nude lipsticks. And the new Vice collection includes 30 “nude” shades. Naturally, I bought a few, but Interrogate is probably the most different from the nudes I already own. It’s a deeper shade, and reminds me of something I would have worn in the early 90’s (in a good way).

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It’s not too rosy but also not too orange. It’s perfect on the days that I want my lipcolor to stand out a bit more, but don’t want the all day maintenance of rocking a bold red.

In case you were curious, and I know you are, the other three I bought are MORNING AFTER “pale baby pink with blue undertone (sheer)”, EZ – “bright red-orange (cream)” and INSANITY – “soft warm nude (cream)”

Jess: About a month before the launch of the new Vice lip colors, all of the Revolution Lipsticks (the old formula) went on sale for $11! I took a bit of a gamble that the formula wasn’t going to change that much, and may have loaded up a bit on the oldies. Glad I did, because Catfight (“pink-fuchsia with slight red undertone”) did not make the cut into the new 100! But because of this front-loading, I am only up to THREE Vice lipsticks.

604214272705_lipstick_catfight — Catfight, OG formula

I feel like I need to mention how incredibly overwhelming the Vice display is. Pamela is SUPER LUCKY to have gotten that cheat sheet- 100 is A LOT of lipsticks! And they are all beautiful!! On my first go, I found myself totally blocking the display, in a trance, trying to stop myself from being drawn to the colors I already own. I realized I was lip-blocking another Sephora customer, so I apologized, moved over, and as she settled in and focused, her eyes glazed over too, as she said “well, I guess I can rule out that green one… only 99 to go!” On that day, I only came away with Lyn’s birthday lipstick, but went back later and ended up with…

PDA- listed as “bright medium pink (cream finish)”

Perhaps you’ve noticed a trend here at E&N… we like to gift each other things that end up becoming obsessions. A few years ago, Lyn gave me an Urban Decay lipstick sampler pack- a whole bunch of baby lipsticks! They are the cutest ever! I fell in love with the shade Ladyflower, which was ONLY available in that kit. Grrr! In the new launch, Ladyflower is back, but it’s not the same color, and now it’s only in the sheer formula, and the sheers are not my favorite. PDA, however, is almost identical to the old shade, and the cream formula is aces.

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This is a great daily pink for days you’re not quite into having a bold lip, but still want to have a bit of a pop.

This one is my “not a color I normally go for” color, but I’m glad I have it. As I mentioned earlier, Urban Decay’s cream formula can’t be beat- it’s so moisturizing, the color lays down great, and they fade without getting chunky. Naked is a perfect choice on “no makeup” days, and also works beautifully with a dramatic, smoky eye.

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It’s just an easy shade that looks like almost nothing, but maybe something, and feels good to have on your mouth.

Since Lyn has been so excited about the Metallized finish, I just picked up BIG BANG (bright pink sparkle (metalized)), and I can’t wait to test drive it! Is Tuesday a good day for a sparkle lip? Why the hell not.

What Vice shades have you excited? Any new favorites? Misses? We NEED to know! Post your findings in the comments below.

(All photos compliments of Urban Decay unless otherwise noted. We purchased these lipsticks with our own money–except for the ones we gave each other as gifts. )

High vs Low: Melted Lipsticks

A few years ago, Too Faced launched their revolutionary Melted Liquefied Long Wear Lipstick, and we all wept for the futures of our bank accounts. At $21 a tube, it’s a bit of a splurge. A worthwhile splurge, as the formula is great and the colors are beautiful, but when I found a dupe at Target recently for $6.99, I couldn’t help but feel a little Mr. Burns-y…

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Maybelline is kicking all kinds of ass lately, and their new Lip Studio Color Jolt Intense Lip Paint is worth making room in your makeup drawer for. Here are some side-by-side comparisons:

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Look at that!! They are THE SAME. The packaging is nearly identical, though the Maybelline is about half the size (12ml vs 6.4ml). The upside to that? You can get three colors of tiny tubes for the same amount of money as the big! Both have really outstanding pigment, huge color payoff, easy application via a flocked tip, and a creamy, smooth formula. I like the Too Faced color a little better (I like my pinks to be hot hot hot and on the blue side), but they are dang close. I would consider them long-wear, as they both stain the lips a bit, but neither dry down or “set”- they stay creamy and feel moisturizing, and both fade nicely. Honestly, I had both on my lips for that picture above, and couldn’t really tell a difference in formula… the Maybelline may have been a touch thicker? Both have a light sweet, fruity smell that fades quickly.

Neither survived eating pizza, but they didn’t transfer all over my face either.

Too Faced has a much larger color selection, so I’d say it’s worth the splurge if you find a shade that’s really special. But if you’re just looking to add some fun bolds to your summer makeup wardrobe, hit up that Maybelline display!

I bought these with my own money, and no one asked me to tell you what I think about it, but I did anyway! What products do you reach for over their high-end counterparts? Or, is there anything you want us to test-drive? Let us know in the comments!

Snacks Worth Running All Over Town For

I have recently realized that I, Jess, am a snack hoarder. Here’s the thing- I’ve found a few snacks that I love, and they aren’t all available in the same store! Like, some of them are available at the Target on my way home from work, while some are only at the Target by my house. The struggle, as they say, is real. So I find myself buying armfuls (arms full?) of these items whenever I run across them, because they are required to be in my house at all times, yet I am reluctant to share because my stash will be depleted. These are snacks I’ll fight you* for. Ready?

*I’m a lover, not a fighter- so really I’ll share but just give you a side-eye.

OatMega Grass Fed Whey Protein Bars (190cal/7g fat/21g carb/14g protein)

I do terribly with mornings- usually, I’m not really hungry if I’m up early, but my job is physical so I know it’s better for me if I can eat something. I stumbled on these bars at our local fancy-pants grocery store, and was hooked. These differ from other protein bars because, frankly, they taste like food, and not some kind of nutrition meal bar of the future. Recently I have noticed these popping up more and more at major retailers, so they are a little easier to have on hand for sleepy mornings, or in the car on the way to the gym.

Sonoma Creamery Mr. Cheese O’s (150cal/9g fat/6g carb/10g protein)

You know when you’re making a grilled cheese, and some of the cheese drips out into the pan, and then it gets all crispy and it’s the best cheese ever? I don’t know who Mr. Cheese O is, but he knows this deliciousness all too well! These crunchy rings are made of real cheese and quinoa. They hit that salty/umami/crunchy party of your brain perfectly. The best part? One whole package is one serving!!! You feel satisfied after that amount, too, thanks to all the protein. Also, they pair really well with wine. Sadly I can only find these at one Target, where I buy them 4 bags at a time.

Siggi’s Icelandic Skyr (Vanilla- 100cal/0g fat/11g carb/14g protein)

Do you like Greek yogurt? Well, this is just like Greek yogurt, if Greek yogurt was an amazing superhero of flavor and nutrition!! Seriously, side by side, this kicks Chobani’s ass ALL. OVER. TOWN. It is super thick, crazy delicious, and has 4 ingredients. You can see the little flecks of vanilla bean. It is not too sweet (I do like my yogurt on the tart side), full of protein, and makes me really happy. However, I can only find it at the Target that is opposite of the one where Mr. Cheese O’s live. I have been able to find it at the fancy pants grocery store, but for (seriously) A DOLLAR more expensive. I will plan my yogurt purchases ahead, thank you very much. But for real- please buy this so that it doesn’t get discontinued- I need it in my life!!!

Airheads Xtremes Rainbow Berry Bites (haaahahahahahaha)

Ok, these aren’t difficult to find at all (unless you’re in Puerto Rico- then look at Walgreens, not CVS), but I find I need to have a stash of these AT ALL TIMES. What’s not to love about a bite sized sour candy that’s not too sour, has a delightful chewiness, and makes you look like a living Snapchat filter?? I will justify that these are a good “pre-workout”. Yeah… that’s it… oh, whatever. Sometimes you’ve just gotta live your life and eat something fun.

We hope you are off to a great holiday weekend! What are your must-have snacks to have on hand?

Our Can’t Live Without Summer Essentials

Summer is so great, and yet so fleeting. The three of us are in complete agreement that summer is not the time to be futzing with products but should instead be spent with sun on our faces–protected by sunscreen–obvs, toes in the water and summer tunes in our ears (our full summer playlist at the bottom). So we’ve broken down our top three summer essentials–at least two of us did *cough JESS cough*–and can’t wait to hear yours!

Pamela:

SPF for face and body – I’ve been called the sunscreen police once or twice before. Sun protection is really important, people! No matter the season I ALWAYS have sun protection on my face, but in summer, with so much skin exposed I lather up full body, daily as well…. you never know when you might find yourself outside when the days are long and the sun is out. For face I opt for a moisturizer with an SPF, and whatever I put on over that as far as SPF in my makeup is a bonus. This year I am really liking Dermalogica’s Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50 for face, and Juice Beauty SPF 30 Sport Sunscreen for body.

Official summer jams – To me a summer jam is either a song I fall in love with over summer or just a song that embodies the feeling of summer…. driving with the windows down, sun shining, singing along. Could be new, could be old…. but it has to be played non stop, all summer long. In any case, these are my 2016 summer jams thus far:

Usher – Crash

Beck – Wow

Leisure – All Over You

Sam Hunt – Make You Miss Me

Bronzer – With wearing sunscreen (properly) I rarely get much of any color, especially on my face. But like most of us, I feel a little golden color in the summer months is just really pretty. Enter bronzer. I have always shied away from bronzer due to the fact that it just seemed to make me look dirty…. not a good look. It turns out though, I just needed to find the right one. This year on a whim while at Target, I decided to buy Wet n Wild’s Color Icon Bronzer with SPF 15 in the shade Ticket to Brazil. You guys. I LOVE this bronzer! I was intrigued initially with the SPF in it (bonus SPF – never a bad thing) and the price is definitely right at $3.99. It’s a big pan, so you get a ton of product for the money. Also it’s not matte, it has a very slight sheen which I feel like for me personally makes it more wearable (and not dirty looking). I have been using it in place of my blush as well as a little on my forehead along my hairline, my neck, on my collarbones, and shoulders if I’m wearing a sleeveless shirt. Throw on some highlighter and a bold lip and I’m good to go. I think it’s pretty great.

Lyn:

St. Ives Blemish Control Apricot Scrub – There was a time I used this classic scrub on my face—horror! Even reformulated, it’s a bit too harsh as a facial scrub. But it’s perfect for the back of your arms, chest, and back—all the places that get uncovered in the summer—and could be prone to bumps or breakouts. And I wax and I’ve found it works great at preventing ingrown hairs. Plus it’s cheap—less than $5—and I get it at Target.

Easy Go-to Eye Makeup Routine – I start this look with the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Minor Sin. This primer works great as a stand-alone shadow. It provides shimmer but not in an overwhelming way. Mostly—it looks like you are awake and put some sort of effort into getting ready for the day—even though all you had to do was dab a little on your finger and pat it into place. It doesn’t crease and legit lasts all day–it even stands up against summer sweatiness. (If you already own the Urban Decay Naked palette–and you’re not in the market for a new product–you can also just use the “Sin” powder shadow to get the summer shimmer effect.) I like to complete the look by lining my lower lashes with Urban Decay Sidecar, which is also in the Naked palette and using my favorite summer mascara, the CoverGirl Clump Crusher Mascara. I love all the options in this line–but my favorite is the green tube–it lengthens your lashes, but still looks fresh and natural, and stays put. One might even say it’s easy, breezy, beautiful…

Favorite Summer Songs, Latin edition – Nothing says summertime to me like these five tracks:

Suavemente, Elvis Crespo

Salome, Chayanne

Bidi Bidi Bom Bom, Selena

Magdalena, Mi Amore (quimbara), DLG

La Tortura, Shakira with Alejandro Sanz

Jess:

Summer Hair is the Best Hair – I know it’s not a popular opinion, but I love love love my hair in summer, especially since getting it chopped off to chin length last month. My secret to this love? Verb Sea Spray. I use it on wet hair after washing, but also to refresh and scrunch dry or damp hair later in the week. It gives your hair enough “dirt” to hold a style without feeling weighed down and gross, plus it smells fresh, not perfumey or like coconuts. A second must-have in my summer hair arsenal, after I noticed my hairstylist friend using it on herself and her daughter periodically while poolside in Mexico, is Bumble and Bumble Tonic Lotion. This is a great detangler, product re-activator, and just makes your scalp feel good. It even soothed a little sunburn I got on my forehead once! I always keep a travel size of this guy in my beach tote. Despite these miracle sprays, I also love that, in summer, it’s much easier to get away with tying a cute scarf or bandana around your dirty pool hair, or wear a trucker hat to the gym. Summer! A time to embrace your inner slacker!!

Vans! – Someday, I will gather all of my Vans in one place and realize that I have a problem. That day, however, is not today. I love the timeless look of a classic Vans Slip-On, and yes, my all time favorite is the “Spicoli” black and white checkerboard. Some people might think “oh, but what would you wear with such a zany print?”, and the answer is EVERYTHING. Jeans, shorts, casual dresses, leggings… turns out, checkerboard is a neutral. Who knew?? These are the shoes I would pack if I was following Lyn’s packing rules. They offer the summertime ease of a flip flop (no socks, needed, slide them on and you’re out the door) without the danger of flip flops (I drive stick, plus chasing an ice cream truck down in flippies is hard). Bonus: easy on and off in airport security, and I can deadlift in them. Vans are super affordable, so having several flavors to choose from, based on your mood, is fun and easy. Vans! (Real talk: while writing this, I may have perused the Vans site and considered buying more…)

Summer Blockbuster Movies – I’m not sure why- maybe because I share a birthday with JAWS, maybe because I spent my childhood summers living up north where movies were our main source of family fun- but I have always loved summer blockbusters. Please give me aliens, explosions, dinosaurs, superheroes, natural disasters, unnatural disasters, sharks, snappy one-liners, improbable scenarios, science experiments gone awry, giant insects, and Jeff Goldblum to save the day. This summer, I am super excited for Ghostbusters, The Shallows, Star Trek Beyond, Suicide Squad, and obviously, Independence Day: Resurgence, even though the reviews are total shit. (I am saving The Conjuring 2 for Haunted October- no spoilers!)

And overachieving with an extra essential…

Jess’s party boat jams –

Head Over Heels- the Go Go’s

Five More Hours- Deorro ft Chris Brown

All Night Long- Lionel Richie

Don’t Let Me Down- Chainsmokers

https://open.spotify.com/user/122453366/playlist/4hOWlYQ9nz2Sggygw8OCUf

Product Test Drive: The Quest for Beautiful Lady Feet

ladyfeet A few Fridays ago, I found myself with a few (rare) hours to myself. I wandered around Ulta a bit and came upon the TonyMoly display. I’ve used TonyMoly face masks in the past, and liked them a lot- Korean beauty products are some next level stuff. So, when I came upon the “Changing U Magic Foot Peeling Shoes”… I mean, how can I pass that up?? At $6.99 plus a bottle of rose’, it was easy to decide that my Friday night would be made of magic. And feet.

I regret that I did not document this experience more thoroughly. Honestly, I had pretty low expectations: 1. How much can $6.99 do? 2. The ingredients list things like apples, lemons, grapes, aloe, rose hip oil… I wasn’t scared. 3. My feet, while not super hideous, are pretty beat up. I train barefoot, and often work barefoot, so I didn’t expect this tiny packet to perform a miracle.

Most of the instructions are in Korean. The English instructions on the package begin with the statement “steps that can transform and average-looking woman into an attractive lady”. Obviously, yes, that is what we are here for, and I appreciate your straight-forward attitude, TonyMoly.

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However, you must begin this process looking like a hobo by putting giant paper socks on your feet for 90 minutes. They were wet and squishy inside, but pleasant smelling. I had to wear my Adidas slides in order to not kill myself moving around the house. Vogue is going to be all over this look come fall.

After an hour and a half, the instructions say to just wash your feet. Don’t scrub or peel them forcefully, because in “4 to 6 days, the dead cells will naturally start falling off your feet”. Oh, ok. And then it will take up to 2 weeks to see results. Whatever- I rinsed my feet, saw no visible difference (maybe they were a little softer?), and went on with my life.

I wasn’t prepared for the horror.

The following Monday, I was enjoying my kettlebell class, barefoot, as you do. We were doing a move that requires standing up from a kneeling lunge. I looked down, and realized the tops of my feet, which had been rubbing against the floor, were peeling. I looked around my feet, and noticed I was leaving flakes of skin on my yoga mat. I joked that I hoped no one got murdered at the studio, because my DNA was everywhere.

I resigned myself to wearing socks the rest of the week. My feet looked like they were peeling from a nasty sunburn, minus the burn part. On Friday (one week past the initial treatment), I decided to do some deadlifts during a break in clients. Barefoot. I wasn’t paying attention to the snowstorm that occurred as I removed my socks. I hinged over to grab the barbell, and OH DEAR GOD. My feet were peeling from all sides!! I was leaving NICKEL SIZED CHUNKS OF SKIN all over the floor!! WHAT HAVE I DONE?!?!?! Even the sides of my toes were peeling!! It was truly a terror. I jammed my shoes back on for the remainder of my workout, and that night, gave my feet a thorough pumice stone scrubbing.

It didn’t help. It was like I was trying to unravel a skin-sweater, and someone kept knitting… and knitting… and knitting…

I wondered if I would even still have feet after this.

Another week has gone by, and I am pleased to report that I do, in fact, still have feet! And they are mostly done peeling… I think. Are they the feet of a beautiful lady? Well, I would say they are slightly softer in places, but my heels are still on the rough side. I do not feel inclined to ever do this again, but if you want to try it, I would recommend waiting until winter, when your feet are generally hidden away. Next time, I think I’ll just stick to their face masks and pony up for a pedicure.

Want us to test drive something? Ask, and we might! Unless it’s scary. Or painful. Or permanent. xo

Pretty Good, Actually: 6 of Jess’s Drugstore Faves

Pretty Good, Actually is a regular feature where we tell you about stuff that we think you might be surprised to find out is pretty good, actually.

It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of high-end makeup. I know- I’m a card carrying Sephora VIB AND Ulta Platinum Rewards…. card carrier? Anyway, I love makeup, and sometimes I feel you really do get what you pay for as far as quality goes. But, you know, it doesn’t take much arm twisting on my part to try new makeup, and if it’s something I can pick up in the same errand as cat food and half n half, even better. Lately, the drugstore lines have really upped their games, and these are some products I am consistently reaching for OVER their high-end fancy pants counterparts:

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1. Maybelline Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Powder Foundation

I don’t go for full coverage with my foundation on most days- usually I use a BB cream, then dust a light veil of powder on to set things and even out my skin tone. I have been incredibly faithful to Kat Von D’s foundation powder for a good 2 years now, and still love it, but as I was coming to the end of my last compact I felt really grumpy about spending $35 on powder. I was roaming Target (as you do) and decided to give this Maybelline powder a whirl- at $5.99, I didn’t have high hopes, but also didn’t feel like it was going to sting too badly if it didn’t work out. YOU GUYS: this is a total dupe! I might even like it better than my trusty KvD. It’s a little less milled/creamy in texture, but it really holds up all day, blends great, doesn’t look “powdery” but keeps my face from being oily, and a little goes a long way. Total win!

2. Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24 Hour Cream Gel Shadow

Some days, you want to not look dead, but you also don’t want to make a big deal about putting on makeup. Or you’re kind of hungover. And you were supposed to leave the house 5 minutes ago. I get it! This is a product that works in these situations- similar to the MAC Paint Pots, this is an easy to apply eye shadow cream (you can just pat it on with your finger- less risk of poking out an eye with a pointy brush) and it sets into a smudge-proof, crease-proof, kind of subtle but kind of special something. This also works great as a base for more elaborate looks, but lets not over complicate a good thing right now! Also this is right around $6 a pop. BOOM. I especially enjoy the shade Bad To The Bronze. Wait… is that a Buffy reference???

3. Cover Girl The Super Sizer by LashBlast Waterproof Mascara

While we’re hanging out around our eyeballs, let’s talk mascara. Now, I’m pretty picky about my mascara, but also fair-weather when it comes to loyalty. I have wicked bad allergies, and my eyes tend to be watery, so I almost always have to go with a waterproof formula. I am also susceptible to raccooning under my eyes as the day wears on, so I like a mascara that doesn’t flake or transfer easily, especially if I mindlessly rub my eye (allergies are THE WORST). Recently I picked this guy up on a whim before a beach vacation, and was so impressed by it’s performance in the pool that it has quickly wandered into my daily routine.

4. Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise Ink Pen Eyeliner

I talk about eyeliner more in depth in another post, but a good liquid liner is a staple in my makeup wardrobe. This one is not my all time favorite, but it’s an excellent choice for around $8. The formula is easy to apply- the slightly flexible felt tip makes for a pretty easy application, even if you’re still half asleep. It has decent staying power and doesn’t transfer too badly once it dries down. I like this one on Monday mornings when I have to be to work extra early and deal with people right off the bat.

5. Cover Girl Oh Sugar! Vitamin Infused Balm

For as much as I love a bold lip, they can sometimes be a little more than you’re willing to deal with on a trip to the grocery store. (But not always! Rock that bold lip anywhere, friend!!) I have been a fan of Fresh Sugar’s tinted lip balms for years, but holy bananas, they are PRICEY. Cover Girl was nice enough to launch this stand-in last winter, right at the height of my feeling-pathetic-about-my-dry-winter-lips phase. I was pleasantly surprised! These go on really smoothly, have just enough tint to make them look like something is happening, and continue to feel good on your lips for a few hours. Because I’m super classy, I can also vouch that they do a great job refreshing partially worn off lipstick that you are too lazy to reapply. This guy is always in my purse, ready to go.

6. Nyx Micro Brow Pencil

Nyx can be hit or miss for me, but THIS PRODUCT IS THE JAM!!! I cannot express how much I love this little dude. In a world where everyone is selling you $20+ eyebrow pencils, this guy comes in at just under $10 (and Nyx is often BOGO50 at Ulta), and it is THE BEST. The formula is a little on the stiff side, which is perfect for a soft, sketchy application, which you can buff out with the spoolie brush on the other end. The color is spot on for me (I’m in Espresso), it doesn’t come off until you want it to, and it doesn’t go on so heavy that you can feel it when you express emotions. I use this pretty much every day and have yet to break into my backup pencil that I bought months ago fearing that I was about to run out.

So there you have it! I didn’t realize how much Maybelline was killing it until I put this together. Huh. What are your favorite bargain products?? Comment below!

We Don’t Know How To Feel About Eyeliner

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Lyn: I’m kinda the worst when it comes to eyeliner. In my defense–there are three key reasons why liner and I aren’t friends.

I’m super klutzy with it. It’s never even and can look super janky. It also doesn’t help that I’m always running late and perfect eyeliner takes a patience I don’t have.
I feel like it takes hours before my upper lids aren’t completely puffy in the morning. (There really ought to be a serum/primer to help with this–UD get on it!) Within minutes–it looks like the liner is an inch from my lash line–no matter how tight I try to apply it..
I read that putting eyeliner on small eyes makes them look smaller. This probably isn’t true–but given the above issues—it gives me a reason to skip this step.

But my January Birchbox gave me new eyeliner hope. (Yes–I still get Birchbox–and Ipsy. I’m always one month from cancelling but then…) I received the Eyeko Fat Liquid Eyeliner–and I love it. I’ve been getting Birchbox for so long–this is the second Eyeko liner I’ve received. I actually really liked the other one too. And it lasted a really long time before drying out.

This liner creates a really heavy line. It’s easy to hold and works like a marker. But because the line is so thick–which I love (ask Jess and Pam about my Flair addiction)–I can really give it one swipe and it’s pretty good to go. So when I wear a bold, black liner–this Eyeko liner has been the one I reach for–and will definitely be repurchasing.

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Jess: I wear eyeliner quite a bit. Not every day, but when I do, it’s because I’m either trying to really bump up my look, OR I’m having a super lazy/rushed morning and trying to fake that I am put together and/or awake.

On a regular day, or as a base on a fancy day, I reach for my favorite Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil. Over the years, I’ve collected quite the range of colors- these pencils are so creamy and easy to use, and the color range is amazing- but my go-to shade is Hustle, a slightly metallic medium-brown. It is pretty fool-proof to apply in a hurry, and adds something special while staying neutral and daytime appropriate. My second favorite is Perversion, the blackest blackety black pencil in the universe. This one is definitely reserved for Super Fancy Makeup days, because the drama is real! It’s perfect for lining the inner rim/waterline.*

I’m also a big fan of liquid-lined eyes for days when I can’t deal. I realize this sounds like an oxymoron, but hear me out: If I throw on a winged liner, a quick coat of mascara, and some long-wear bold lipstick, I don’t need much else, and I am good for the entire day. I look like I’m actually awake, and I don’t have to worry about touch-ups, transfers, or Snapchatting while looking like a monster. This look takes about 3 minutes to achieve, and makes an early Monday morning outfit of black leggings and a t-shirt look suddenly chic.

My all time favorite, holy grail, ride-or-die liquid liner is Kat Von D’s Tattoo Liner in Trooper. It is unique in that the tip is an actual brush, providing a line that is easy to apply and make as thick or thin as you like. This liner also lasts, like, forever. I’m sure you’re not supposed to keep using a liquid eyeliner for a year, but… it’s just so consistently good. It wears all day, the color is super pigmented and once it’s dry, it is LOCKED IN. This will be a liner that I will mourn if it is ever discontinued.

A drugstore runner-up that I’ve been enjoying is the Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise Ink Pen Eyeliner– it has a felt tip, but it is flexible enough to make application pretty foolproof. I’ve only had it a few weeks, though, and the tip is starting to dry out. But, for less than $10, it’s a good back up in a pinch.

*I’m pretty sure Lyn’s inside-voice telling her that eyeliner makes your eyes look smaller is a throwback myth from the 80’s, when girls (the “burnouts”, we’d call them) would wear black liner ONLY on the inner rims of their eyes. I hated this look so much that I refused to line my waterline until only, like, within the last decade. Lining the rim can instsantly make your look more dramatic- just be sure to also outline the OUTSIDE of your eye to make it look more open and bigger. You can also fake looking awake by lining the inner rim with a nude or white pencil.

Pamela: I NEVER wear eyeliner. I have nothing to contribute to this post. The end. Okay, not really. I do sometimes wear it. Like, twice a year. I think the reason I rarely wear eyeliner is a combination of, I am really, really bad at applying it, and I have never found one eyeliner I have loved and that has given me the look that I want/wish for. Having said that I LOVE the look of liner and am totally jealous of girls that can pull off a fierce winged line. It’s my dream.

I purchased the Kat Von D Tattoo liner that Jess loves so madly because she loves it, (and it looks great on her), but I can’t get it to work for me…. not to the point where I think it looks good at least. If I do try to do a winged liner I def have to use post-it’s or scotch tape to get clean lines. And even at that it usually still looks like a mess and takes a good half hour. Plus, the KVD tattoo liner looks shiny to me, and I don’t dig that in an eyeliner (ask me about my highlight addiction though. That’s a WHOLE different story.)
The one go to liner I do have that I can manage a simple line with is the Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes liner in 1L-star black, which is a muted black with a tiny bit of shimmer. I feel that it’s buildable and easier to correct mistakes. If I am wearing this one though, I usually wind up smudging it out for a smokey look (because I just can’t be bothered to fix all the mistaking that’s happening.) All in all I’m often not sure if I have the right eye shape for an awesome cat eye, or for liner in general, so that’s the biggest reason I skip it. But I plan to keep trying…. maybe even three times this year.

Ready? Try these tricks!

Start easy! Use a brown or grey liner or eyeshadow to add some soft definition and depth. Smudge it out with a stiff brush to smooth out any wobbles.
Not ready for black? Navy, plum, and even maroon shades can really make your eye color pop, without the severity of a black liner.
Ready for a wing? Use a soft brown shadow and an angle brush to sketch in where you want it. Extend the line of your lower eyelid, staying outside the crease of your eye, then fill in the triangle to the desired thickness
Really ready?? Take a deep breath, ask Jesus to take the wheel, and GO FOR IT!! Don’t think about it too hard. Don’t over-analyze. Remember that no one else but you will be 3 inches from your face. Cover with bangs or glitter if it all goes to hell.

Remember, makeup is fun!! You can always start over. Unless you’re running late.

What are your favorite eyeliner looks and tips?? Tell us in the comments!

All opinions are our own. All products were purchased individually with our own cash money. None of these links are affiliate, because we are not that baller. No one is giving us any free stuff, but even if they did, we would still be up front with you on what we like. However, if Kat Von D, Jane Marie Feltes, or Wende Zomnir want to hang out with us, we would gladly make snacks.

Hey What’s Up Hello!

You know those friends who, even if you don’t get to see each other’s faces in person as often as you’d like, are always in your life to watch your back? The ones that you can Snapchat from bed in the morning when you still have crazy hair and puffy eyes, but really need to ask about their thoughts on Lemonade? Or that you can shoot a random text to about whether or not you should buy this new lipstick, and they tell you to go for it even if they know full well you have 10 tubes of a similar shade, but this might be the one? The friends that you have to plan whole weekends out of town to spend together, because once you get talking, you talk about EVERYTHING? And also, NOTHING? And it is the absolute best, because sometimes you just need to talk about shit without having anywhere else to be?
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We are Lyn, Pamela, and Jess. We are obsessed with makeup, music, fashion, pop culture, food, and lipstick. We prefer Vans to stilettos. Sometimes, we have adventures. We love a good workout, but won’t say no to a rum cocktail afterwards. We like to try new things. We are not in our 20’s. We are pretty good at some stuff, but we are also still figuring a lot of stuff out… together.

Hello. Will you be our best friends?

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