Lyn – Page 10 – Everything and Nothings

There seem to be millions of NYX products. These are the ones we love.

NYX! It’s a brand that’s hit or miss for us, but when they hit, it’s a really good hit! I like to think of NYX as the Forever 21 of makeup- they stay on top of the trends, and if you’re willing to spend some time looking, you can score some gems on the cheap. While you can find NYX at a lot of stores, Ulta is a great place to check out their huge selection WITH TESTERS. Also: they often have NYX on BOGO50. !!!

PAMELA

The NYX Micro Brow Pencil is the best dupe I own. A dupe for what you ask? The Anastasia Brow Wiz pencil, which retails at $21.00, and that seems totally reasonable, because if you have used the Brow Wiz, you already know that it’s pretty frickin’ great. Do you want to know what’s great-er? Saving money. The Micro Brow pencil will set you back only $9.99. NYX has 8 shades to choose from, whereas Anastasia has 9, and they are all really similar so it’s pretty easy to find a match. The formula is a little stiffer than the Anastasia, but not enough to make you mad you saved money. Plus: spoolie brush. I feel all brow pencils should have a spoolie brush on one end…. life is just easier that way, you know?

Have I ever mentioned that I love highlights? Yes, I do. The NYX Illuminator in the shade Ritualistic is one of my favorites. It’s not too overwhelming and has a really pretty golden sheen. I think it’s pretty perfect for everyday. At $8.99 it’s a really great value, and I would say a great “starter” highlight for a first time highlight user. Feel free to use this highlight everywhere (who am I kidding? Use ALL highlights, everywhere!)

JESS

Did you know that NYX has BRUSHES?!?!? And they are really decent! I needed a fluffy blending brush, but was having a hard time finding one I liked at the drugstore, and didn’t want to spend $20 on a small brush. I use this Pro Blending Brush every day- it’s the exact right size, doesn’t shed, and lays your shadow down without much trouble. Sure, it’s $9.99, but they are often on BOGO50 (like right now!), so why not get two brushes?? I think you can only get these online for now, but I think I will be ordering a few more soon.

Last Halloween, my husband and I went as Jack Burton and Gracie Law. I needed a true red pigment for this makeup look, and planned to just use a “close enough” bright blush. But then Pamela suggested I check out NYX. BOOM. NAILED IT. The Primal Colors Pressed Pigments ($4.99) fit the bill perfectly. I assumed I would need to build this color with a few layers, but no- it went on bright in one sweep, giving my Urban Decay shadows a run for their money.

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I’d like to give the Hot Black a go, and some of the other colors look like they would just be fun to have on hand. (Let’s see… at $4.99 and buy one get one 50% off… that’s about $30 for all 8. Cheaper than most palettes!)

LYN

I’m not sure what YouTuber first told me to set my undereye concealer with NYX High Definition Finishing Powder in Banana, but I’m sure glad they did! The yellow powder seems intimidating, but it is perfect under your eyes–and I promise you–my concealer never creases, no matter which brand I use. It only takes a little bit to do the job–so at $10–it will last you a long time. I use mine daily and I only recently hit pan!

My lip product addiction is real. So of course my next pick is from NYX lip line. I’ve tried their Matte Lipsticks, Soft Matte Creams, Butter Lipsticks and Glosses and the Liquid Suede Cream Lipsticks. But my favorite is the Intense Butter Gloss. The pigment is insane and the texture is so creamy. Very rich–in both color and feel. One of my favorites is Spice Cake, a bright pinky purple.

Not only is it a great product–but the price is right. At only $6, you can try out trendy seasonal colors or colors that you aren’t sure you’ll wear that often without making a serious financial commitment.

Making NYX exactly like the Forever 21 of makeup! Have favorite NYX products? We’d love to hear about them. Share in the comments below.

We buy NYX with our own money. Luckily, their products are pretty inexpensive!

Places I Love: Shopko

Discount department stores have always had my heart. I know this is a terrible thing to admit. I’ve seen the movie. But as a kid, my downtown had a grocery store, a couple clothing stores, a hardware store and a Ben Franklin. Ben Franklin was my jam but I wanted more. When we needed stuff we couldn’t get in town—or my parents decided we should go for a drive—we’d travel to the nearest city and go to Kmart. In 45 minutes—I had access to everything. It no longer mattered I lived in a town without a Hardee’s (let alone a McDonald’s!) I could now get all the same things city kids could get like Bonnie Bell Dr. Pepper Lip Smackers, Noxema, a new cassette single and hoop earrings. All in one place. I loved everything about it—even the weird blue glimmer thrown off by the wall of fish—so it’s not surprising the first trip I took after getting my driver’s license was to Kmart.

But if you think my life as a kid couldn’t get any better than choosing a season of clothes and putting it on layaway—it could—and it did. Sometimes we drove a little farther—dedicated a Saturday to a nearly two hour driving odyssey—and went to Kmart, Shopko AND Prange Way. Prange Way was my favorite. It was a classier Kmart—but more important—it meant we were in a city. A place with stoplights and possibilities.

Sadly—Prange Way died a quick death years ago—and I haven’t lived near a Kmart in years. (however–I’m happy to report–the Kmart of my youth is still going strong.) Still, the allure of discount department stores lives in me. And I know I’m not alone.

People lose their minds about Target. And I get it. But I can’t exit a Target without blowing $50. And I fear for my sanity when I realize I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT REMEMBER any of the items I put in my bag by the time I get home. It’s like some weird voodoo mind trick the store puts on me that makes me think I need hand soap and Q-tips—even though I could seriously go without buying these items for the rest of my life due to Target trips past. So yes—Target is great. Some of my favorite clothing has come from Target. But it can be a pricey proposition.

And then there’s Walmart. Walmart is Walmart. People love to hate it. (again—yes—I saw the movie.) But I’ve never been a fan and it’s not really an ethical thing for me. It’s all about lighting. Walmarts are dark places—in a number of ways—and it doesn’t shine like Target does. It has the feeling of a discount department store that if I look around long enough, I’ll find cool stuff I never knew existed and never knew I needed. But Walmart makes me wanna get in—and get out fast—and not take time exploring.

Which leaves Shopko. With no Kmarts or Prange Ways around, Shopko is the remaining store of my childhood. And I fear it is sadly underrated and underappreciated. I’m an optimist by nature and I love the promise of discovery, but I also don’t feel like I’m being tricked to overspend. If I’m Goldilocks, Shopko is the chair that’s just right.

And so I always choose Shopko first. Here are just a few reasons why I love Shopko today:

Payless Shoe Store: I love Payless shoes—and they are in Shopko—so I don’t have to make a separate trip to visit one.

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They are always running sales and the quality is not so bad. Since I’m a vegetarian, I don’t mind a pleather alternative. And they always have shoes in my size.

Parking: Parking at Shopko is an in-and-out situation. No driving around looking for a spot. There are plenty of options and they are all close to the door. (and also probably why they always have my shoe size…)

Makeup and fashion selection: You can get your standard drugstore makeup, but you can also get Elf and other brands that aren’t at all discount department stores, or at Ulta.

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They carry really nice brushes like Real Techniques and Ecotools –which happen to be my favorite brush lines.

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And you can get the savior of any fashion emergency: Hollywood Fashion Secrets.

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Clearance/sale items: Every aisle has something on clearance or on sale. It’s well-marked and easy to spot.

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Unlike other stores (I’m looking at you Kohl’s) Shopko doesn’t jack up the price just to discount it.

I’m especially partial to the BOGO50s (buy one-get one 50% off, for the amateurs) on drugstore makeup.

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And Shopko is a go-to stop on my hunt for perfect Oscar party prizes.

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As Seen on TV section: I never actually buy these things. But I’m fascinated by them. It’s like a museum display showing all the concerns of the modern citizenry through a collection of merchandise.

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Wallets that will save your credit cards from getting scanned by strangers passing you on the street. Magic bedding because it’s our bad pillows and not bad decisions causing sleepless nights. And sweatpants that look like jeans, so you don’t have deal with zippers.

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And it’s all on clearance!

Honorable mention to Shopko Optical: I cannot remember a time my eye doctor wasn’t from Shopko. I have been seeing the same optometrist for years and years. And I love her.

I hope Shopko doesn’t come to the same fate as my beloved Prange Way. I’d like to be strolling the aisles—wasting time—but not money in Shopkos for years to come.

Do you love Shopko? Make your presence know! Leave a comment with what makes Shopko your store of choice.

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. )

What’s the Deal with Eye Mask Patches?

Korean beauty fixes have certainly taken the US beauty market by storm. What started with the introduction to BB creams and then CC creams quickly gave way to snail lip treatments and sheet masks with animal faces on them.

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And I feel like I’ve tried them all –aside from putting anything like snail slime on my mouth–although my face is another story–but my favorite Korean beauty discovery is definitely the eye mask patches.

I was born with bags under my eyes–and realistically–I know there’s really nothing you can do to fix genetics. But mornings often greet me with puffiness and some extra lines from dehydrated skin. (Not from age. Obviously.) And some days are worse than others. Eye masks give me a way to make it better. I view them as a giant hug for my eyes when they are feeling low–so yeah–I’m a real big fan.

Eye mask patches are just that–souped-up stickers filled with rainbows and sunshine that adhere under your eyes–promising to do things like brighten under eye circles, remove puffiness and smooth fine lines. Prices can range from $4 a set to $75 for a package of six. Some masks require that you leave them on for 10 minutes and some take as long as 45 minutes.

I’ve tried a lot of different eye mask patches–mostly on the lower side of the cost spectrum. I’ve also gotten some samples here and there. I use them by putting a pair on–as needed–right after my morning shower. The ones I like the best fit the following criteria:

They stay in place so I can continue to get ready for my day–including brush my teeth, blow dry my hair, and get dressed.
They don’t require me to wear them a longer amount of time than it takes me to get ready. 45 minutes is too long. 20 minutes is just right.
They don’t sting or stick too hard to my skin.
The price isn’t outrageous.
They actually do something. As in–I can tell the different from what my eyes looked like before I had them on to what they look like after I remove them.

With that criteria in mind–here are my top five favorite eye mask patches:

Hitece Anit Aging Crystal 24K Gold Powder Gel Collagen Eye Masks Sheet Patch (10 pairs): These were the first eye mask patches I tried–a Christmas present from Jess–and they are still my favorite. They feel amazing while you wear them, they slip a little–but not bad, your eyes definitely look brighter and less puffy after using them, and they are CHEAP! The packaging is straight up bizarro–and I’m never on top of things enough to remember to order them from Amazon–but the masks are great. If you’ve never tried eye mask patches–start here. $4.50/10 pair!

1620404_10207217493368473_7162166212571809319_n — me with my favorite eye mask patches after a late night out.

2. Earth Therapeutics, Hydrogel Under-Eye Recovery Patch: These guys stick better than the number one pick–but don’t pack quite as much punch. But they are also fairly inexpensive and I do notice a difference after wearing them. The downside is they recommend you wear them for 30 minutes, which is a little long for me. $9/5 pair earth theraputics

3. Skyn Iceland, Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels: I love these patches. These would be my number two option, but they are a little pricey. But you also get a lot of results–quickly–it only recommends you wear them for 10 minutes. $30/8 pair

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4.Boscia, Sake Brightening Hydrogel Eye Masks: Boscia was the first BB cream I ever purchased, so I feel loyal to the brand and like to check out their products, especially since they are a plant based skin care line. These patches really stay on and do the best job of brightening under the eye, although they are not as moisturizing as some of the others. But if brightening is your biggest issue–I’d check these out–especially at their price. $15/3 pair

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5. Karuna, Renewal Eye Masks: Another great, but pricey option. I received a sample of these and thought they got rid of puffiness the best of the other options I tried. The formula is also very soothing. But–more of a luxury product than a go-to choice. $36/4 pair

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I’ve tried the Sephora brand eye masks, and I’m not a fan. They really slip around on your face and feel too sticky to me. Even though they are inexpensive–I’d pass.

Have you tried eye mask patches? What do you think? Any options you love that you think I should check out? Let me know in the comments!

I bought these with my own money, or received them in a subscription service that I pay for as a sample.

My Music Festival Essentials

I am crazy for music festivals. My love affair started in 2007 when I saw Amy Winehouse was going to be at Lollapalooza and I decided I had to go. (good decision since it sadly ended up being one of her last US performances.) I had been to Summerfest—but generally just for the day. The three day festival experience was a new one for me. Based on some random turn of events—aside from a friend popping over for a bit—I ended up going alone. And I was totally unprepared for the experience. I dressed wrong. I had no supplies. I was overwhelmed. But I loved it. There was so much music in one place and I was seeing favorite after favorite or discovering new sounds and acts. An obsession had begun.

So the next year—I got a trusty festival bag, and created and refined a system—and I’ve been a festival regular ever since.

219932_4036677028125_1093920688_o — me and my trusty festival bag, my friend, Rob Thomas and the original photo bomber at Lollapalooza 2012

This year, I’ve either attended or will be attending five festivals (Roskilde, Summerfest, Pitchfork, Lollapalooza, Eaux Claires). I’ve been in sweltering heat, evacuated due to threatening storms, frozen by unseasonable cold snaps, pour on by unnatural amounts of rain and had a dance party in what seemed like miles of mud—and those are just the weather related festival adventures.

185323_2199595022223_5705661_n — Me after massive rain before seeing Foo Fighters at Lollapalooza 2011

Throw in 100,000 people and there are constantly new challenges coming my way. But I’m prepared for it all. Over the years—I’ve learned to bring some essentials that make me the music festival queen—and I’m excited to pass this list along to you:

Baby wipes: my worst festival experience happened last year at Lollapalooza when I was peed on seeing Florence + the Machine. Seriously. I vowed I would never return (but then radiohead/lcd soundsystem changed my mind). Luckily—I always carry a full sized travel pack of baby wipes with me. This trusty festival pack staple saves your life at the end of the night when the porta-potties are basically not safe for humans, makes you feel civilized when dining on sloppy festival food, cools you off when you’re sweating like crazy, cleans your phone when someone spills beer on it, and calms your rage when some drunk punk pees on you during one of your favorite artists’ sets.
Sunscreen lotion: do not bring spray cans. It will get confiscated during the bag check. One year—I found the First Aid tents carried sunscreen—so I took it out of my bag for the next year to eliminate some weight. And of course that year, the sunscreen option was gone. Better to be safe than skin damaged. Bring your own sunscreen.
Ear plugs: For all the concerts I go to, I’m relatively new at the ear plug game. But one of the best reasons I’ve found to wear them is they cancel out the noise of annoying festival chatter going on during the quiet parts of your favorite song. So they are worth wearing.
Plan: When I go to Pitchfork Festival—I see every single band playing. I don’t see the whole set, but I see some of it. This is only possible with a plan. You can just play it by ear (bad music pun intended) but it makes the experience feel overwhelming and you’re bound to miss something you really want to see. Lollapolloza stretches over a mile, so you need to figure out your priorities to get from stage to stage. I plan out everything—from my meal times to meet-up points because cell phones rarely work at festivals—unless you count getting a friend’s text two hours after the fest has finished. For the price of a festival ticket, it’s worth it to plan ahead and maximize your time.
Poncho: Plan for rain. I now have a legit poncho that folds down small, but $2 disposable ones work great, too. And I like having some extras in my pack to give to some first timer who is defeated when the rain starts—because I’ve been that kid—and it sucks.

68921_10203589327266588_356722999951941812_n — me and angie z braving the rain at lollapalooza 2014

Old, but comfortable shoes: Festival grounds are disgusting. If it doesn’t rain, it will be dusty and dirty. People spill nastiness all over. It can get muddy. And you will walk. A lot. So wear shoes for comfort and shoes you wouldn’t feel bad about tossing after the fest.
Bandana: When it’s hot, your bandana will be your best friend. I also used to bring a blanket to sit on, but I like to pack light, and instead I’ll pull out the bandana if I really need to sit on something.
Ibuprofen: Because I’m old. To save the hassle of the bag checkers opening the bottle to see what’s in it, I throw a couple in my pocket or take them before I head out.
Portable cell phone charger: Your cell phone will lose a charge. There is no service once the festival is in full swing, so my phone is really my camera. Try to remember to turn your phone on airplane mode to conserve battery life—but also bring a portable charger as a back-up. There are sponsored charging stations where you can wait and charge your battery—but time is money. Bring a rechargeable battery and go see some bands instead.
Open mind: Obviously—crowds aren’t a problem for me—but I get it that it can be overwhelming to be around 100,000 people, especially in various stages of sobriety, or lack thereof. But try to keep an open mind. People watching is one of the best parts of a festival. And for me—I just try to remember that it’s about the music. Find a viewing spot you’re comfortable in, pop in your ear plugs and give in to the music. Check out bands you’ve never heard before. You’ll be amazed at the breadth of talent out there—and seeing a band have their first festival experience is a trip!

Side note: Festivals are not playing when it comes to the items they don’t let you bring in. Food is a big one. They will take it out of your bag and toss it. Spray anythings are also out—like toners, sunscreen, bug spray. Read what’s allowed and what isn’t and don’t mess around.

You might notice that I left out bringing water. Each festival has different requirements for water you can bring in. Some allow only empty water bottles and some allow you to bring in two factory sealed bottles. I have found that bringing my own water weighs down my pack–and at some fests–waiting to fill you bottle can take hours. For real. Lately—I’ve just been buying water from vendors. I don’t generally drink adult beverages at festivals—shocking, I know—I justify the time and hassle of filling a water bottle to the money I save on cocktails. I feel bad about the environmental impact of disposable bottles, but I also don’t want to miss bands because I’m trapped in a water line. Lollapalooza is actually good with their water stations but anything at Union Park in Chicago is a disaster, and Eaux Claires had similar issues last year.

1070042_10200963751508835_470207855_n — me, erin, grace and disclosure at roskilde fest 2013

As annoying as it is to have to wait in the bag check line to enter a festival—I promise you—having these essentials will make your festival experience a much happier one. So get out, brave the crowds and check out some new music this summer!

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

My Top Ten Tried and True Tips for Packing Light

I’m not a planner. And I’m not generally an organized person. At all. Except when it comes to packing.

I really don’t like to carry heavy bags—and I don’t want to wait for a checked bag—so packing light is a necessity for me.

I just got back yesterday from four days in New Orleans for work and I’m leaving in three days for a vacation in Copenhagen (yup—that sounds completely ridiculous and made up—but it’s real). So you can believe these tips are tried and true.

Here are my top ten tricks to traveling light with a carry-on—even for more than a week—with room for purchases:

Roll everything: I can’t remember where I learned this trick—probably on Oprah back in the day—but it’s legit in keeping your packing game tight. It makes your clothes compact and easy to cram into tight spaces.
Wear dresses: Dresses make packing light easy because: math. It’s takes less space to pack one thing versus two. Plus dresses roll easily. Bonus points for packing dresses in fabrics that don’t wrinkle i.e. no linen ever.
Bring one pair of jeans: Seriously—just bring your favorite pair. You’ll feel the most comfortable in them and you can just hang them up at night if they need some airing out.
Maximize your bra game: I try to bring just one black, white and/or nude bra for traveling. I also prefer bralettes which roll down to nothing. But if you need a bra that offers more coverage—just stick to ones that go with the most outfits and plan to re-wear them during the trip. You can always wash them in the sink and air dry overnight.
Plan ahead: I know—I’m not a planner—but I do plan what I’m going to wear. And I don’t give myself options. I plan exactly what I will wear including the undergarments that go with them.
One pair of shoes, two max: Don’t think about shoes as fashion, think about shoes for function. Shoes are heavy and take up too much space. Ask yourself: what can you walk in and what goes with everything? Bring day-to-night black flats and a pair of running shoes/trainers—if the trip calls for them. Bring Vans or Converse or sneakers that can go casual with your jeans or funky with a dress. Bring sandals that go with everything. But no more than two pairs.
Pack an extra bag: Roll up a canvas bag or a drawstring backpack and pack it at the bottom of your bag. Now you have extra space for new purchases and it can double as a purse. Or at least serve as a laundry bag.
Holy Grail makeup only—and preferably ones that don’t require lots of tools: Pack only the makeup you love, what’s absolutely necessary and what you know works best. If you can skip a step, like your powder, skip it. I go with one foundation like a CC cream with sunscreen so no primer is needed, a stick blush, one eyeshadow palette, eye lash curler, mascara, and a couple lipsticks—generally my favorite red (OMG! my favorite red is discontinued!!!!) and a nude. I will generally skip my brows (although the Glossier Boy Brow Pam got me for my birthday is small and divine—so I’ll probably add this to my kit), a highlighter, bronzer and liners. But if this sounds like horror to you, pack what you need, but just pack one.
Bust out skin care samples: All those Sephora packets you have lying around—use them. While I don’t recommend experimenting with makeup when you travel, I do think it’s a good time to try new samples. They are packed in travel ready containers, are small and can easily be shoved in small side pockets or between layers of clothes. Plus you can toss them out when you’re done leaving more room for new purchases.
Remember–most places have stores: Even when hiking in the Himalayas I was able to purchase a face mask when I desperately needed one and a deep hair conditioner that saved my life. You don’t have to plan for all scenarios. Just buy something once you’re there if you need it.

Here’s to a summer filled with carefree travel! What are your favorite packing tips or products for packing light?

Is the Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray Worth the Crazy Price?

In a word–yes. At least it is for me.

I have hair issues. My hair makes me crazy. I have thick hair–as in–each strand is thick AND I have a lot of hair. Seriously–I could floss my teeth with a strand of my hair–not that I’ve tried. Because my hair is thick, it laughs at hair spray. Hair spray works for approximately the amount of time it takes me to spray my hair and leave my house until it flattens out again. The only benefit to my hair’s insatiable ability to absorb Aquanet is that I don’t have regrettable sky-high bang pictures from my youth. Not that I didn’t try.

10339376_10153505817502565_6543337569199662799_o — can you spot me by my drooping bangs?

My hair is also wavy. In an unpredictable, annoying kind of way. Some days–it almost appears curly–and other days it looks like I had my hair in a ponytail too long and my hair is just bent. (comment below if you feel me!)

And my hair is soft. I get this could be considered a good thing. But it means it can feel clingy and unmanageable. (i’ve been told i wash my hair too much–which is fair–and a post for another day.)

In general–my hair controls me–and not the other way around.

382978_2700540465546_101482417_n

I decided to try the Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray because it seemed like every YouTuber I follow had it on a “holy grail” list or as part of hair routine.

I started with the travel size, which is still a pricey $22 for 2.2 oz.

oribe

I quickly found this spray gives my hair the texture I’m looking for, especially on days when it’s stuck to my face. It helps define my waves and makes them appear more intentional than unruly. And it provides a bit of hold. It’s still not going to keep my hair in any sort of unnatural, upright position, but it gives it some body and definitely some height at the roots. Basically–it’s the first finishing product I’ve found that accomplishes all of the things I’d want to address my mess.

big oribe

So I’ve committed to the full-size can and now it is a staple in my hair routine, too. In fact–I’m such a convert–I keep a travel size in my purse for daytime boosts or post dance class refreshing AND a can in my car for a lift after hours of driving.

I purchase this product through Birchbox because of their reward program

cash

but you can also find it on Net-a-Porter. I bought a few things on Net-a-Porter and found they have speedy delivery and a good return policy, so you can send it back if you don’t like it. Plus it makes you feel fancy! But Amazon works, too.

The product claims to work for all hair types, and I’m curious to hear if this is true. So if you’ve tried it before–or decide to give it a go—let me know your thoughts. I’m also game to try other texturizing sprays that you love to see how they stack up, especially given Oribe’s hefty price tag. But for now—the Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray has definitely made my Holy Grail list, too.

(P.S. I have tried the Oribe Apres Beach Wave and Shine Spray when it was a Birchbox sample. It’s fine. But it wasn’t enough to make me switch over even though it’s a little cheaper than the original. I have not tried the Oribe Impermeable Anti-Humidity Spray—yet—so I can’t compare it to the other two options.)

Lyn’s 7 for 7–Summer Jams

Lyn’s 7 for 7 is a week’s worth of music you should know. This week’s 7 for 7 playlist contains your fresh summer jams. They are sticky. They are sexy. They are smooth. And none of these songs have been played to death by Top 40 radio–yet!–so get them while they’re hot!

Something About You, Majid Jordan
Am I Wrong, Anderson.Paak featuring Schoolboy Q
Into You, Ariana Grande
In Common, Alicia Keys
waves (Tame Impala remix), Miguel
Girls Like, Tinie Tempah featuring Zara Larsson
All My Friends, Snakehips featuring Tinashe and Chance the Rapper

Pop on this playlist–either using the YouTube player or Spotify playlist below–and get your summer groove on.

We Don’t Know How To Feel About Eyeliner

winged-eyeliner-meme

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.

UDaddict

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.