I feel like at some point, maybe in our teens?, we were all taught to be afraid of putting anything containing oil on our skin. As if somehow the rate of our revolting teenage skin could and would increase exponentially if we applied something that contained an oil. Even now you can find anything – foundation, moisturizer, sunscreen – with an oil free label slapped on it. The truth is not all oils are bad for all skin types. Take for instance, oil cleansers, they actually do a ton of good and are pretty boss on eye make up  (where my oily skin girls at? take note…. they can be amazing for your skin – oil removes oil!)  Particularly so going into the winter months when personally, my skin could use an extra bump of moisture, which they absolutely provide. Here are some of my favorites.

Julep “love your bare face” Hydrating Cleansing Oil

The thing about cleansing oils is they are most often all you need to use to remove make up and the dirt that has sneakily settled on your skin throughout the day. This does all of that, as well as contains a blend of antioxidant rich oils to protect your skin from that gross dirt, aka environmental pollution, aka free radicals. It is also lightweight and smells quite pleasant.

Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil

This cleansing oil smells amazing! Like apricots. I want to eat it. It is quite a bit heavier feeling when using it, but like all cleansing oils, rinses completely clean leaving behind no greasy residue – only soft and deeply hydrated skin. I seriously bought this for almost all of my girlfriends last Christmas.

Dermalogica PreCleanse Oil

You might notice more than a couple Dermalogica products pop up in my posts. That’s because I own a lot of them, have tried them all, and it is currently my go to line to use in my treatment room. This is the first product I use in all of my facial treatments and 9 times out of 10 I immediately hear “….. that smells sooooo good.”  And it really does.  It also feels super silky and smooth. Dermalogica calls this a precleanse because they promote a double cleansing regimen. I personally use this sometimes on it’s own, and sometimes followed by a second cleanser (you guys, I have a crap ton of cleansers)  Either way, it is a staple on my skincare shelf.

L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil

I added this to my most recent Sephora order because:  1) I was out of shower gel  2) All youtubers rave about it  3) I needed to add something else to get free shipping. Though I’ve been using it only for a week, I can tell you I already love it. I wouldn’t say it moisturizes my  skin to the point of not needing to apply a body moisturizer after my shower, but it does a pretty great job at getting the hydrate/moisturize process started. Also, whoa, a little goes a long way!

What do you love in an oil cleanser?  Have any suggestions for me to try (because clearly I need one more oil cleanser.)

As usual, I bought all of these with my own money.  And as crazy as it sounds, use all of them too.

 

 

 

 

I hate washing my hair.  Actually, no.  I hate drying my hair, therefore I hate washing my hair. So I usually try to get a whole week out of one washing.  Naturally, dry shampoo is my best friend.  And I have tried lots and lots.  Here are my three current favorites.

Moroccan Oil Dry Shampoo

I have dark hair, which means dry shampoos often look really white and powdery in my hair. I use this in the dark tones formula. It’s not extremely pigmented, but is somehow just enough to blend quickly and completely. It also doesn’t have the grit to it as some other dry shampoos have, so my hair feels relatively soft and able to be styled even after a couple of applications.

Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Dry Shampoo

My go-to cheap dry shampoo is usually Batiste, but I’ve not found that I love any of the scents it comes in.  On a whim, I picked up the Not Your Mother’s in a travel size before a trip last year, and have to say that this beats out Batiste for me.  It works well, is not strong or offensively perfumed, it leaves less of a white cast and it’s cheap….. even a little lower priced than Batiste!  *side note – While writing this I did notice that Batiste now has a “bare” unscented formula, so I’m sure I’ll find it’s worth trying that at some point.

Aveda Shampure Dry Shampoo

Aveda is all plant essences and calming aromas, and while this is somewhat tedious and annoying to apply due to the non-aerosol eco-friendly packaging, it does work really well and smells sooo good. You have to squeeze the bottle to poof the product into your roots, and that takes some time, but I can deal with it on a day that I’m not in a rush.  It doesn’t leave much of a white cast, if any and it’s pretty travel friendly as it’s not an aerosol or liquid.

Do you have a favorite dry shampoo?  I’d love to try it. Let us know.

*I purchase my dry shampoo with my own hard earned money. 

As the temps start to drop and the leaves start to fall, we embrace the short window we have to enjoy the season of fall (autumn if you’re fancy.) Grab a cup of something pumpkin spiced and a cozy blanket and take a gander at the things we cannot be without in the season between summer and winter.

Jess:

Moisturizer! With the air getting more crisp and less humid, my skin is like WHAT. My allergies are also in full force during the autumn months, which makes my skin itchy and raw and sensitive. It’s super fun, let me tell you. Last year, thanks to a recommendation from my doctor, I discovered the best moisturizer. Wait now… you’re going to laugh. It’s Cetaphil cream. I know! It’s so dumb! But it really is the best- it’s thick and creamy without being heavy or greasy. It’s unscented- seriously, why are face products even scented?? I bought a night cream specifically for sensitive/eczema prone skin last year and it smells like a damn cucumber wearing perfume. So gross. Anyway, while initially I was just using the Cetaphil on my body, I realized it’s actually an amazing night cream- seriously, I wake up looking like I at least got most of a good night’s sleep. It’s cheap enough to really slather it on, but you really don’t need much.

Legwarmers! You can take the girl out of the 80’s, but….. I love legwarmers! Fall is the perfect time to bust out your knit accessories- scarves, hats- legwarmers are the first thing I reach for. See, I’ve created a life for myself that includes a career that allows me to wear stretchy pants and sneakers on the daily. When the air starts to become cool and crisp, legwarmers keep you snuggly without weighing you down. I love the line they create on a legging or skinny jeans. Trust me- this is a look you can rock!

Spooky stuff!! Despite my cheery disposition, I love the spooky vibe of autumn. Halloween is my favorite! I love going into any store and poking around the decorative skulls and black cats. I love that makeup gets vampier and color palettes go toward black and grey. I crave moodier music this time of year (going back to my semi-goth youth), and I love that the odds of something spooky or scary being on TV increase by 150% this time of year- what are you watching? I am cautiously optimistic about this season of American Horror Story (I gave up on it last year), Scream Queens is funny enough, and I’m looking forward to checking out The Exorcist (the show) and season 2 of Ash vs Evil Dead. (NOW: what should I be for Halloween???)

Lyn:

Dark lipstick: My red is my signature–but in a recent lipstick declutter–I found that I have more purple/wine lipsticks than any other color. And fall is the perfect time to bust them out. I’m especially excited to revisit my Nars Audacious in Charlotte and Maybelline® Color Sensational® Creamy Mattes Lip Color in Divine Wine. I can also stop feeling guilty about rocking my Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipstick in Unicorn Blood which I’ve loved so much since got it this summer, I’ve worn it even when the temps called for something brighter. This one sells out constantly–and seems to be available now…

Fall boots: I try to keep my pedicure tight in the summer so I wear open-toed shoes as much as possible. But when temperatures drop, I bring out the cute boots. These are boots that I can’t wear in the winter because I don’t want them to get slopped up with salt and grossness. So my window to wear them is small. Styling in my fashion boots is one of the few things that make me excited–or at least–tolerant of fall. Here are a new pair I’m excited to step in:

Fall concerts: My friend Angie Z coined the term Rocktember because of all the bands that hit the road in the fall. Sadly–all my travel in September really cut into my concert game. But I am hitting the rest of the year with a vengeance! Some shows I’m most excited for: Kanye West’s Saint Pablo tour at United Center, Real Estate at the Majestic, I Love the 90s at Target Center in Minneapolis, and Tegan and Sara at the Riverside in Milwaukee.

 

Pamela:

Scarves:  I love summer, but I pretty much hate summer fashion due to the inability to wear much of anything at all that I have in my closet. When the temperatures finally drop to the degree when it is no longer comfortable to have all of your skin exposed, I reach first for my scarves. I love throwing a vintage bandanna on with a casual outfit, or a big plaid blanket scarf on with a tee shirt and light jacket. In my opinion fall is the perfect time of year to be a little more fashion forward with accessories and layers of clothing in general, because we all know what’s coming…. and in a couple of short months we will be covered in winter coats, hats and gloves and who cares what you’re wearing because you just need to be warm!

Red wine:  Let’s all take a moment to mourn the passing of rosé season. *sheds a tear*  Moving forward I will be drinking reds. In the cooler, colder months I do love red wine the most. Medium to full bodied reds that compliment the heartier fall harvest foods….. but seriously… who am I kidding….  I drink wine from a box in the fall and winter. While in the summer I can easily polish of a bottle of rosé in one afternoon, I have a harder time in the fall drinking a whole bottle of a red in one night. Summer is for day drinking because, it’s summer and it’s exciting and HOT (thanks btw, summer, for those extra 8 pounds) fall is for drinking a little on a cold, dark evening to warm up and relax. Am I right? Which is why a box of wine is the best, of course, because it lasts so much longer than a bottle after opening. My go to box wine is Bota box Redvolution. People may judge, saying box wine is trashy. I say, haters gonna hate.

Hankies: My nose gets super drippy when it gets colder.  I know, that’s super attractive. If I use kleenex I wind up with a dry, red, flaky nose. Not cute or comfortable. So in the past few years, I’ve taken to carrying hankies with me at all times. I’ll have multiples on me any given moment. One in my bag, one in my coat pocket, one tucked in my bra. I have a bunch of them and they are all vintage, some that were my grandmas and some that I have picked up at thrift stores and antique malls here and there. They are softer on my nose than tissues or TP and I can wash them, which allows me to create less waste and save the money that I would be spending on twenty or thirty boxes of kleenex. I think they are really pretty as well

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No, that’s not a typo. Yes, Axe.

If you’re like me, you are in a constant state of flux with your deodorant choice. At first I love the smell… then after a while I don’t…. at first it works so well…. wait…. nope…. it sucks. And allow me to share with you how long it actually takes for me to choose a deodorant that sucks: a really, really long time (probably the same total amount of time we are stopped at red lights in a lifetime.) Picking a deodorant seems like something that should be so easy!  Except, it’s not. Now, I admit to having certain standards. I want an actual deodorant, not a deodorant/antiperspirant. It can’t leave any white residue. No flowery or powdery smells. But even given my standards, it STILL seems like it should be easy, especially given that there is most often almost a whole aisle to choose from.

So a couple of weeks ago, fed up with my most current deodorant fail, I decided to switch deodorant teams. After some time in the men’s deodorant aisle (still less time than spent in any women’s deodorant aisle) and smelling a lot of man smelling smells, I discovered the Axe tobacco and amber scented deodorant stick. It’s a slightly sweet yet earthy and smoky scent that’s actually pretty subtle (I know… “subtle” goes against anything I thought I knew about Axe as a brand). It lasts through my work day as well as my workout, and is a clear solid formula that doesn’t leave any white streaks. It only set me back $4.49 and now I have to buy all of it just in case they discontinue it.

Do you share my same deodorant woes? What works for you? We want to know!

 

A few weeks ago, you may have seen my Facebook post regarding a new mascara purchase. Here is an update on that situation!

I have pretty basic criteria for mascara: don’t flake, smudge, or run down my face, make it look like I have some eyelashes, hold a curl, and come off when I ask it to. Also, since mascara needs to be replaced on the regular (and frankly, I can be a bit fair-weather when it comes to what I like), I really look to the drugstore first when I’m in the market for a new tube.

While I’ve had my flings with higher end mascara, my loyalties often call back to the L’oreal Voluminous Million Lashes mascara- it does a fine enough job for every day, and meets most of my criteria. Recently, the Voluminous line expanded to include the Feline Noir collection. The cap is leopard print, and that was enough to make me purchase it instantly.

I flipping love this mascara. It’s better than pretty good. Did I mention that I got the waterproof formula? I usually opt for waterproof, as it is high allergy season, and my eyes are hella leaky. Anyway, back to gushing: it adds a nice amount of length, you can layer it up without it getting clumpy, I have not had any problems with it transferring to any other parts of my face, and it looks great all day. Oh, and it comes off easily with regular old face washing! Added bonus: I feel really fancy with that gold leopard print cap!! I know it’s dumb, but it’s the little things, you know??

Here is a horrifying close up picture of my eyeballs- one sided, one coat application:

At $8.99 I am tempted to buy a bunch and hoard this.

I bought this with my own money when I went out to buy cat food. Coincidence?!? Meow. Let us know what you can’t resist buying!!

 

I think it’s pretty safe to say that we all love makeup palettes. And we all love inexpensive drugstore makeup. We also all know blindly buying drugstore makeup is a gamble, albeit one that won’t break the bank, but you never really know what you’re going to get.  And sometimes we (yes, all of us) find ourselves wandering the aisles at the drugstore looking for something we don’t actually need, but we just want something new. I was in the midst of that pattern when I decided I must try the Rimmel Kate Sculpting and Highlight Kit. I chose the Coral Glow color story, which is the middle of the road shade(s).

Now, there are three factors that convinced me to try this. One: Kate (as in Moss). If her name is on it, I’m probably going to buy it, because – Kate Moss.  Two: It has a highlighter. I have an addiction. Blah, blah… you know the rest (I promise a post with my top highlighters will come soon!). Three: It was $6.99.

My first impression was: meh. I didn’t feel like I could even really see the highlight. The contour was…. wait, I don’t even know how to contour, so why did I think I needed this? But the blush! It looked so pretty! I’d been searching for the perfect coral blush and had finally found it.

So, WIN!

Sort of.

I wasn’t 100% sold. In fact I think I told Jess and Lyn not to bother with it. If nothing else I had found a great blush that cost me $6.99. But damn, what a waste. I decided to take it with me on a couple of out of town trips and force myself to try it again. It turns out the contour color is super pretty as an eye shadow, and has been my go-to color all summer. I’ve also been using the highlight as eye shadow at times as well as on brow bone, cupids bow, collarbones, shoulders… all the usual suspects… and while you probably can’t see it from outer space, (as I like my highlights) it’s really subtly pretty. And the color payoff for all three is really good, without being too powdery.

My final assessment: If at first you don’t succeed, try using it on your eyes! Just kidding. But all joking aside, make up is meant to be fun and versatile! Experiment and be creative (within reason, people.  Be smart and safe about it.) And as far as this palette goes, it turns out I just needed to think a little outside of the pan/box. In closing, I feel this little palette is the perfect inexpensive-when-you-just-want-something-new little multi purpose palette. And bonus if you plan to travel as you won’t sacrifice the space three different products might take up. It’s pretty good, actually!

 

Camping.  It has always struck me as a strange pastime….. let’s take all of our stuff into the woods and live for several days at a time.  Having said that, I love it.  I love being in the woods, in nature and not having any obligations other than sitting around a fire roasting hot dogs and marshmallows (and drinking beer, if I’m being honest). But just because I am choosing to live in the woods for a few days, doesn’t mean I’m there to completely let myself go. So, what does a skincare and makeup obsessed girl bring with her camping?

First off, I like to keep in mind that I might not be close to a sink with running water. Cleansing my face morning and night is an absolute MUST. Want to know what’s perfect for that? Micellar water. It feels weird to not actually cleanse with soap and water, but trust me that this will work beautifully to remove any traces of dirt and makeup. AND!  Simple makes Micellar wipes! So super convenient! It’s like these wipes were made for camping.

What about makeup? Keep it basic. On my most recent camping trip, I was slightly shocked to see women in the bathroom with everything from curling irons to beautyblenders. I like to take a more simple approach to camping beauty. Starting with choosing products that work as “multiples.”  For instance….

 

Bring a tinted moisturizer with an SPF.  Boom. Three products in one – hydrate, tint, sun protection.  I really like BareMinerals Complexion Rescue tinted hydrating gel cream.

A highlight stick goes a long way – use it under the eyes to brighten (leave your concealer at home), on cheekbones, on brow bones, cupid’s bow… wherever you want a little glow… and this one from Glossier also has built in moisture. I am a self professed highlight addict, so I also brought one from ColourPop, for a little extra shine and shimmer.  ColourPop’s makeup application recommendation is using your fingers, no brush needed – which makes this a perfect low maintenance product.  

Skip the eyeshadow. Use the time you save to make s’mores.

Mascara on and brows done are 2 of my “must do” steps, before I leave the house. One brow product that is perfect for your camping makeup bag, as well as for travel in general is Boy Brow by Glossier, which will tame, fill and shape – all in one product.

In the summer I love a little bronzer to “fake” a sun kissed look (this one has added SPF!) and possibly some blush along with one multipurpose brush to apply them with.

I can manage to do this all at the picnic table with a tiny mirror. And I’m done!

Do you camp? Have any pro tips that I haven’t thought of?

The heat is on in Wisconsin, ladies and gentlemen! While we savor these hot and sticky days (well, I do at least) our skin might be telling us a different story.  You see, here in Wisconsin we have the pleasure of having all of the seasons, and that means all of the temperature extremes as well….. which can really confuse our skin and us…. what the heck are we supposed to use and when?  Enter my favorite product to use year round: FACIAL SPRAYS. In the coldest and driest (and darkest) days of winter, to the  hottest and stickiest days of summer, a facial spray can wind up being your best friend.  Refreshing in the summer, hydrating in the winter,  it’s like a drink of water for your skin. It feels great and can be use before moisturizer to prep your skin, or over makeup to set it and/or just to freshen up (wherever Jess, Lyn and I travel we always know where the nearest Sephora is, and frequently pop in for a “spritz” no matter what time of day). Here are three of my very favorites:

 

Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herb and Rosewater

At $7.00, this is hands down the most cost effective (especially if you go through it as fast as I do)  and I think Jess and Lyn will both agree that we truly cannot live without it.  If I could bathe in this, I would.  It’s really hydrating, smells great and is my daily go to spray, anytime and anywhere.  I have a full size in the bathroom and a travel size in my purse at all times, and if I am being honest, a backup (or 2). Obsessive? Maybe. But hey…  I like to be fully stocked,  just in case I suddenly run out.

 

MV Organics Rose Hydrating Mist

At the high price point of $44.00, this one is a splurge!  But it smells AMAZING! This is the rosiest of the rose mists, truly divine! I use this one more sparingly due to the cost, most often when I find my skin feeling really ruddy, dry and angry. It is so super calming, soothing and hydrating. It works like a dream to bring redness and irritation down almost immediately.

 

Glossier Soothing Face Mist

This is the newest addition to my collection of facial sprays, sporting a mid range price of $18.00.  Glossier really can do no wrong in my book, and they definitely hit it home with this one.  While it does have rose water in it, as most facial mists do, it also has honeysuckle flower extract, which gives it just a slightly different smell than most of the traditional rose water mists.  I think it’s quite unique and it feels super refreshing. Get 20% off your first Glossier order here!

 

Think of a facial spray as the easiest step in your skincare regime that you never know you were missing. Grab a bottle and spritz the rest of summer away…. as well as the entire year!   Do you already have a favorite?  Let me know!  I’m pretty sure I probably can’t live without it.

The Sephora Lash Stash To Go set includes five of their best selling deluxe mascaras for $28.00, as well as a voucher to redeem in store for a full size when you’ve chosen your favorite.  Lyn is awesome and gifted me the set for my Birthday (Of course she got one for herself! Wouldn’t you?)  Here’s what I think of them.:

Marc Jacobs O!Mega Lash in Blacquer

I really thought this one would be my favorite (because I love the Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir mascara), but it is actually my LEAST favorite.  It’s totally basic.  Basic wand, basic coverage. Boring is the word I would give this mascara.  I have drugstore mascaras more dramatic than this one.  And while it did wear just fine, with no flaking or transfer to my undereye, it was a huge pain to wash off.

 

Milk Makeup Ubame in Black

Whoa. This brush is balls. Like, literally, it’s three little bristle balls! I had a bit of a hard time at first even using this one (because, ball brush), but once on my lashes, it looked good, and felt good, and added much volume. This is a great option for anyone looking for a more “natural” mascara, it is 72% natural ingredients.  This one is a contender….. but that brush….. jeez.

 

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara in Black

NOPE. This is not for me. I feel like every beauty blogger/vlogger raves about this mascara, so I was surprised to not love it. I’ll admit it looked great, but by the end of the day I looked like I had black eyes.  It transferred all over my under eyes.  Now, having said that, I do like to coat my lower lashes, which is why having a mascara that doesn’t flake or transfer is a big selling point to me. Sorry Too Faced, you are not the one.

 

Tarte Tartiest Lashpaint in Black

I’m finding this a little messy to put on…. or maybe I was just having a rough morning. I don’t love the packaging…. it’s a snap shut wand/cap vs. twist shut, and I’m not sure if this would cause it to dry out faster? It definitely has curl holding ability. I sometimes like my lashes to look a little clumpy, but not too clumpy (if that even makes sense) and this thickens my lashes just to to perfect “clumpiness” look I desire. I would describe it as most dramatic out of them all.

 

Ciate LONDON Triple Shot in Black

This one is really good! It gets really crunchy though.  I could feel it on my lashes all day, and it felt heavy almost? It had similar effects as the Tartiest Lashpaint…. It looked really great…. made my lashes nice and thick and full and long, but it also made me very aware that I had mascara on them. I am unsure that I really want to be able to feel my eyelashes all day.

 

So, after trying these all for a month or more now, I will probably go for either the Milk Obame or possibly the Ciate Triple Shot. I feel like these two are very different from one another, so we’ll see what mood I’m in when I decide. As for right now though, I have PLENTY of mascara to play with for a while.  That’s the beauty of these sampler kits…. you get to experience a bunch of new and different products, and in this case, have mascara for days and days.

 

Do you have a favorite mascara? Have you tried a similar sampler kit?  What did you think?  Let us know!