Author: Pamela

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!

 

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!  

and didn’t murder anyone. But I can’t walk very fast right now, and sitting for too long results in me swearing a lot once I try to stand up. So yeah, I’m pretty sore, as you may have guessed, and I fully expected this. I haven’t been all that great with my fitness regime this past year, and have been wanting (actually, NEEDING) to find something that I liked enough to stick with and hopefully tone up and lose a little weight because… if I am being honest, my pants don’t really fit me that well right now. That something is Barre. What is barre anyway? It’s not the kind that you drink at, which is probably one of the things (wine) that got me into this situation with my pants…. also, pizza. Barre is a class that uses ballet inspired movements as well as some exercises with light weights and some Pilates, to tone and strengthen your entire body. Using a series of high repetition and small isometric movements, you WILL want to say all of the swear words. Some of the class is done at the barre and some of it on your yoga mat. And at this particular point in my life (40) I really feel like this class is just the right amount of resistance and movement while still remaining low impact, that I want/need (and I also probably like it because I really wanted to be a ballerina when I was a little girl.) You don’t need any prior training or experience with ballet or dance, and even if you think you may be the most uncoordinated person around, you can do this. Trust me. It wasn’t scary at all! Nor did it feel awkward… even the part when we did these up-down bridge booty squeeze moves while laying on our backs with our feet on the barre to Pony (Real talk: it was my favorite one so far. Thanks Channing Tatum!). I have committed myself to three months of classes and plan to go 4 times a week at least. I should probably lay off the rosé and pizza as well. Stay tuned for updates.

UPDATE! It’s been three full weeks since I started writing this post, and I’ve been sticking to my plan of going to barre 4 times a week (I’ve been going 5!). Firstly, I feel great mentally. Not having a regular fitness routine was making me kind of crabby, I now realize. Though I am still sore every week, it’s a good sore…. the kind that lets you know that you are definitely making changes to your muscles and body (not the swearing kind of sore) And, I see results! My arms are showing more definition, my clothes are fitting better and I can actually tell that I DO have abs (come through abs!) I have yet to lay off the rosé and pizza. Baby steps. Additionally I should add that I have now committed myself to a year membership! Is barre right for you? Find a studio and give it a try. It can’t hurt, right? (ummm…. Yes…. it can…. and it will….. but in a good way!)

I am an esthetician, so naturally, skin care is really important to me. I am also a product junkie. Glossier has been a brand on my radar for quite some time now, so I pulled the trigger and ordered a few products. First of all, I should comment on the package itself. If you want to get something delivered on your doorstep that makes you feel girly and sophisticated and just really special all at the same time, stop reading and go order immediately. You won’t be let down. Now, as a self described product junkie, I’m sure you can guess that I did not *need* a new cleanser, but none the less I was compelled to add their Milky Jelly Cleanser to my shopping cart (all in the name of research, of course). Best decision ever. Packed with a bunch of healing and moisturizing ingredients, the stand out is poloxamer, which is the same ingredient found in contact lens solution. Which is what makes this cleanser super gentle (and really special), so it’s totally safe to use on your eyes. And let’s face it, at the end of the day I pretty much want to get my makeup off and my sweats on ASAP, without having to try too hard. Simply put, Milky Jelly Cleanser removes all of your makeup like a boss, but most importantly, your eye makeup, which is gold if you don’t like to/can’t be bothered to use multiple products (unless you’re wearing something waterproof on your eyes, then you should probably use an oil cleanser on that first)! Use it in the morning on wet skin, or in the evening on dry skin, to melt away dirt and makeup. The scent is light and pleasant and rosy. I am in love. Oh hey, and here’s a link to get 20% off your first order! http://bff.glossier.com/dPZ4T You’re welcome!

PS. As long as you’re ordering, you may as well add a Coconut Balm Dotcom to your cart. Unless you don’t like satisfyingly thick, moisturizing and soothing multi purpose balms that smell like a beach vacation. The answer to that is yes. Yes you do. And you need this in your life.