Category: Skin care

Cheap Thrills

It seems to be a common theme around here that the three of us are choosing a more minimalist approach to makeup and skin during the summer months- sunscreen is a must, then maybe bronzer and a quick swipe of mascara? Also, many of the premium brand summer releases have been kind of underwhelming, so none of us have really contributed much to our Sephora or Ulta points in a bit. It hasn’t been a total drought, though, and we have a few things from the drugstore (yay cheap!) that are impressing us:

Lyn:

L’Oréal® Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise

I’ve been binge watching old episodes of The Office this summer (so nerdy, i know!) so I’ve watched hardly any YouTube makeup videos in months. But before I got sucked back into Scranton, PA and Dunder Mifflin, I saw the L’Oreal Lash Paradise mascara featured unilaterally on basically every channel I follow as a must-have new product. But I couldn’t find it anywhere to see for myself. So I kinda forgot about it. But there it was at the Hilldale Target when I made a quick stop on August 15th (dumbest shopping trip decision ever. seriously–don’t go there until October.) Even though I REALLY dislike Too Faced Better Than Sex–which it’s supposedly a dupe–I decided I was still curious enough to pay the $8.50 to give it a try. And I’m glad I did. I like it SOOOO much better than it’s predecessor and I think it really packs a punch. My only drawback is I accidentally purchased the waterproof option and it is SUPER hard to remove. But if you are looking for a new waterproof mascara, this one is legit.

Studio 35 Mint Julep Mask

Back in the spring, we shared our favorite mud masks. In the comments, Heidi suggested the Studio 35 Mint Julep Mask. Soon after, I saw it at Walgreens, so I picked it up. It has been a perfect summer mask. The mint feels really refreshing especially on the few hot days we’ve had this summer. I also feel like my skin looks smooth and clear after using it. And for $3.99, it’s a cheap treat and a great way to wake up your face in the morning!

Jess:

NYX Matte Finish Makeup Setting Spray

My husband and I have a side hustle- we are wedding DJ’s- which means most Saturdays I have to put on a full face of makeup early in the day (say, 1:00) that needs to last until midnight. In the past, I have relied on Urban Decay’s All Nighter Setting Spray, which I considered to be Holy Grail status. And then I ran out. And then I didn’t want to spend $32 on a new bottle. So I took a chance on this $8 dupe, by NYX. You guys. This is good stuff! The mist is super fine (I’m always worried about sprays being to shooty or have heavy drops) and it seems to do the trick, even at sweaty barn weddings. I might be converting to this as my go-to from now on!

L’oreal Infallible Paints Eyeshadow Metallics

Clearly, we are weak at Walgreens and L’oreal is killing it. I picked this guy up on a whim (probably to disguise the fact that I really just wanted to buy ice cream or something) in the color Caged- I’ve been liking a more taupe/pewter smokey eye lately. I was surprised and impressed with an initial swatch- it is super pigmented and delightfully shiny without being glittery. Applied with a fluffy brush, the effect is a little more diffuse and blendable, then it stays put all day without transferring or creasing. I may have thought about buying all 5 shades. I haven’t. Yet.

Pamela:

…. is on a spending break! It’s ok. It’s a good time of year to use up what we have and clean things out!

xo

Is there anything you’ve been digging from the drugstore lately? Maybe a great eye makeup remover to help Lyn get that mascara off? Let us know in the comments!

 

Ipsy vs. Birchbox

This post is the one I’ve gotten requested the most: “what do you think about Ipsy/Birchbox” and “which one do you prefer?”

The question comes at the right time. I’ve started to think maybe it’s time to let one–or both–of the subscriptions go.

I am overrun with samples. I have a giant box in my bathroom filled with sample sized products waiting for me to try them. Between the two subscription services, Sephora often has special sized samples with purchase and I’m a total sucker for the Sephora Favorite boxes that come out seasonally with different products to try. All these samples really add up.

And the weird thing is–I’ve actually found a bunch of products I really like–so it’s hard to play facial product roulette with untested potions that could lead to magically perfect skin, or nasty breakouts.

So my willingness to test out products has been decreasing recently or maybe I just feel so overwhelmed with mini products, I can’t focus on them long enough to give them a try.

To determine my thoughts on each option, I reviewed them on a number of areas. Here are my findings:

Our relationship

I’ve really given both of them a long run. I started Birchbox in January 2012 when a Ms. Jess Boggs gave me a gift subscription for Christmas. (we’ve been pushing product on each other for a long time!) I added Ipsy in January 2013, presumably a Christmas present to myself.

Each subscription is $10/month and gives an assortment of products, but generally five sample sizes. Rarely do you receive a full-sized option. (side note: i had a brief flirtation with Boxycharm, which is $21/month but you get full-sized options. i hated it. i rarely used the products and i felt worst getting rid of full-sized products than samples. i got rid of it after a few months.)

The Container

the boxes are super cute, just not needed by me

Birchbox comes in a box that you could collect and reuse. I do not. So the box basically makes me feel bad every time I throw it in the recycling–which is immediately after I receive my box.

this month’s bag

Ipsy comes in a bag that range from really cute, to kinda janky. But I use the bags. Mostly for packing up samples to give to friends, but sometimes for travel. I have a lot of them though.

The Brands

Regarding the brands each site carries, Birchbox offers more well-known medium to high end brands. Ipsy tends to have more independent brands that are new to me.

What’s in the box/bag?

In my mind, I’ve always viewed Birchbox as more skincare and Ipsy as makeup. I did a quick tally of the products I received through each subscription the past six months. Ipsy does seem to have more makeup samples including brushes, which is one of my favorite things to receive. Birchbox has way more hair care products. I received zero hair products through Ipsy and nine from Birchbox. But otherwise, they seems pretty evenly split between their offerings.

this month i got the curated box–i already have the stila lip AND the purlisse mask, but i wanted the hair mask and lotion.

Birchbox has also added curated boxes. Now there are three options for your box. You can either chose a box that’s curated and you can see what’s in there in advance, you can select one particular sample out of three options but the rest will be surprises or the entire box is a surprise. I’ve done all three and I don’t really have a preference. Sometimes the curated box is great, sometimes I already have many of the samples in it already. I’ve gone with the surprise boxes and had good success and also misses.

this month’s ipsy contents

Ipsy is still a surprise each month.

Both services have a quiz you take at the start of the relationship that sets the type of products you will receive. I haven’t played with the quizzes recently to see if it would change what I receive, but they do seem to be pretty close to what I have said are my makeup and skin care preferences.

The online presence

Birchbox.com is designed as an online retailer with sample sizes of its main product lines.

Ipsy is more of a product hub with links to the retailers’ websites.

Discounts

One of the benefits I have found using Birchbox is you can get discounts more frequently on quality products that are rarely discounted through Ulta or Sephora aside from the few sales they offer during the year.

Ipsy offers discounts to the brands during the month their products are featured in the bags. It’s a little clunkier to transition over to the product site and use the discount codes than to just order direct from the service website. But, this also means you can get a discount on the brand’s entire product line and not just select products which can be nice.

Points

One of the best benefits of Birchbox was its review program. Each month, you were given the opportunity to review the products to receive points. Those points added up to actual cash. So it wasn’t difficult to rack up $10 off every few months from reviews.

They recently discontinued this program. Instead, you get points for purchasing products. It’s still something, but it’s less enticing for me to stay on the service when it’s harder for me to collect points i.e. product credits. But those points still add up to actual cash off you can use on your order total. I much prefer getting cash back than points for MORE product.

Ipsy still gives points for submitting reviews. But the points are used toward select products and you need a lot of points to get anything good. I don’t bother with it.

Special deals

Birchbox has gift with purchase options that are always available, but honestly, I rarely use them. I generally order through Birchbox when they offer a percentage off–and you can only use one code per purchase–so I go for the cash, not the samples.

In addition to the retailer discount codes, Ipsy also offers discounted bundles each month. I have mixed feelings on these bundles. They are very cheap–but not always very good. I’ve ordered a few things and then I rarely reach for them. They also sell out quickly, so you have to be on top of things if there is something for a line your really like. Higher end bundles especially sell out fast.

The products

I guess it really comes down to the products. And sadly, I’m split.

I looked at the last six months and the products I’ve tried that I liked–and tbh–there are many, many products I haven’t tried yet.

Here are the ones from Ipsy that I made the grade: Skone Blending Brush, Josie Maran Face Butter, Glamour Dolls Angle Blush Brush, Jesse’s Girl Liquid Eyeliner, Royal and Langnickel brush, SKYN Iceland Face Wash, So Susan brush. (lots of brushes. lots.)

And the Birchbox winners: Benefit They’re Real Double Lip Lipstick, Schmidt’s Deodorant Stick, Davines Hair and Body Wash, Benefit Rollerlash, Number 4 Sugar Texturizing Spray, R + Co shampoo/conditioner and Moisture and Shine Cream.

I also did a quick look to see what products I discovered from Birchbox and Ipsy over the years that have become go-to options. I discovered the Oribe Texturizing Spray through Birchbox. My favorite exfoliating was from Juara was a Birchbox sample and I’ve recently discovered that my first impression of the Benefit Rollerlash was wrong and it’s actually really good.

From Ipsy, I really like the It Cosmetics Superhero mascara, Benefit Gimme Brow and the Balanced Guru No Frizz Hair Oil is my everyday finishing touch on my hair–and I love it!

Final conclusion

Ugh–it’s hard. The best thing about both services is the anticipation when the package arrives and you open it to see what you get. That 2 minutes is like Christmas morning every month and it would be hard to give that up. Even when it’s not that great–it’s always so exciting to see what’s inside.

But that said, it would save me $20/month to cancel them AND tons of space in my bathroom.

Soo…I don’t know. I think I should cancel them both, but it feels like an end of an era. I’ve really come to look forward to those pink boxes and bags each month. It’s been a constant source of optimism for the past four and five years, respectively. It makes me sad to think I won’t get fun mail each month.

usually it’s a pink box, but there’s always a cute salutation
this bag is ALWAYS hot pink–except this month when i take a picture. :/ i would miss ripping into it each month.

This is a very Gemini moment for me, I’m having a hard time deciding!

What do you think? Get out of the relationship or focus on the benefits and stay? Do you get a subscription service? How do you like it?

I pay for each subscription myself. If you feel like trying one of them, I do have invite codes you can choose to use if you want for Ipsy and Birchbox.

“Empties” reviews: lip treatments, natural deodorant, Tati recommendations and more

I have really accumulated a lot of products. My bathroom is completely ridiculous with samples spilling out all over the place. So I’ve been really trying to use stuff up before I buy too many new items. I’m looking to make a small dent in the abundance of hope and miracles I’ve collected.

that’s a lot of stuff.

And I’ve been pretty successful with a very full bag of empties! So let’s get into it:

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel and Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss Cupuacu Lip Butter: I’m definitely on record for LOVING the notorious Bum Bum Cream.  I picked up a holiday gift pack that included these two products. It took me a while to work–I have a ton of shower and lip products I switch between–neither got my full attention. Which says something. The shower cream-gel smells like the lotion, but for some reason, I didn’t love it in the shower. I prefer something…cleaner smelling. Jess recently discussed her go-to shower options–and like her–I like a minty or citrusy scent to start my morning. This one was too sweet. It did lather nicely and was definitely moisturizing. I would maybe consider repurchasing in the winter–but probably not. As for the lip butter, it was fine. But I have others I like way better…

Bite Beauty Agave Lip Balm: like this one. Ugh. I love this stuff. It’s my new go-to nighttime lip treatment. I’m going to describe it to you and it’s going to sound terrible. It’s very sticky. Like whoa. It has a super weird scent. It’s supposed to be agave and vanilla but not really. It’s not comfortable. And I completely disagree with everything they say in the description. It’s not for day use and it’s NOT a lip primer. So why do I love it? It completely heals my lips overnight. I wake up and the stuff is still on. This winter was the best my lips lasted and I’m cautious to use anything else. I have already repurchased a new tube and I’ll do it again!

Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment: In fact–the Bite replaces this one–my previous nighttime lip treatment holy grail product. I do still love it. It’s all the things the Bite one isn’t, but it’s also almost $10 more. I think the Bite one does a better job and is cheaper. But it will always have a place in my heart–if not a place in my current bedtime routine.

Schmidt’s™ Deodorant Stick, Lavender + Sage: I got this in my Birchbox a few month back–and when my regular deodorant/antiperspirant ran out–I gave it a go. It was my first real attempt to use a natural deodorant–and I was super nervous–but I think I’m converted! For me the weirdest part is just feeling stickier than I’m used to with the 24 hour+ antiperspirants. But thankfully, I didn’t really notice too much of a scent issue. (but tell me if you did!) This one is a little pricey at $9 a stick–and I used it up really fast–probably putting on too much to overcompensate. So I  switched to the American Provenance one Jess likes, in the scent Horseshoes & Hand Grenandes, because I love the bergamot scent and I kinda like the band it’s named after!  (i bet Pamela does, too!) We’ll see how it goes.

 

derma e Face and Body Wash, Tea Tree and E: Let’s go back to the shower for a moment. I recently finished this one and it took so long they have changed the packaging! (it might also be discontinued since a google search doesn’t come up with the usual suspects.) I bought it on a trip, found it kinda medicine smelling and didn’t reach for it much. But it was really good at clearing up any spots I had during the summer which was originally why I bought it. And the price was decent. So–it was ok–but I won’t go out of my way to get it again.

Soap & Glory, The Scrub Of Your Life: Ugh. I included this one just to say how much I hated it. The scent really bugs me and I didn’t like the beads in it. I’ll stick to my favorite shower scrub, thank you. (maybe you’d like it, jess. 😉 ) End of the shower products!

Mario Badescu, Facial Spray With Aloe, Herb and Rosewater: Seriously. What do you think? Of course, repurchased!

Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Invisible Dots: How’s this for a random new product? Stickers that you put over zits to make them go away. And guess what? I love them! The dots come in two sizes, big and little. They aren’t great on pimples that have been around a while, but on ones still forming, they do alright.  Just cover them at bed time and wake up hoping to find them gone! And usually I would! The dots don’t move or fall off–in fact–I’ve forgotten I have them on–and they apply fairly easy. Not only have I repurchased, I buy the 72 pack not the 24 one.

Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal Big Shot Mascara: Nah. Pretty forgettable.

Peter Thomas Roth, Irish Moor Mud Mask and Origins Clear Improvement® Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores:I liked both of these, maybe even giving the edge to the PTR. But at $30 more for a full size, if I did repurchase, I’d stick with the old faithful, Origins mud mask.

Philosophy Miracle Worker Eye Cream: This one remains my favorite eye cream. I just love how it feels and how easy it is to apply. I love that it’s a pump and not a pot. And I really think it does a good job. I’m working through some samples and my drugstore option, but I will return to this one soon.

(seriously–i need to do these posts more often–this is too long! get a refill on water and come back for round two.)

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Firming Moisturizer: I use this stuff up so quickly in the spring and summer. I love it. I went to repurchase it at Ulta and ended up getting this BB Cream option since it was on sale. But I have bought this multiple times and will do so again.

belif Hungarian Water Essence: I’ve gotten a few samples of this and it really lasts a long time considering it has a watery texture. It feels kinda slimy applying it, but it does spread pretty easily and dries fairly quickly. I don’t notice that it makes me oily or shiny during the day. In fact, I don’t really notice it at all. Which I guess is a good thing? But would I purchase a full size replacement? Probably not. I just don’t love it–and for $42–there are others I like more.

Tatcha Polished Gentle Rice Enzyme Powder: These powder cleansers are sorta bonkers. It’s like doing a science experiment before cleaning your face. A little precious, too. But it did make my skin feel great after using it. I got this as a sample with purchase–I can’t justify the $65 price tag. Plus, I found an exfoliating powder I LOVE!!! (thanks, pamela!!)

shu uemura eyelash curler: I can’t admit how old this thing was. Just trust me–it’s old. Like one of my first internet purchases old. I bought a replacement for it two years ago when I first visited Japan and the OG has finally bit the dust. Not only did I repurchase it–I walked around Tokyo to find a Shu Uemura store just to get a new one!

Nurse Jamie EGF Stem Cell Complex and Beenigma All in One Face Cream: Both of these purchases can be attributed to late night viewings of Tati Westbrook videos. She’s one of the few beauty YouTubers that I still occasionally watch–and when she went crazy for these products–I decided to give them a try. (seriously. if you made it this far, check out these videos to see how persuasive she can be. especially when you’re over tired and maybe have your credit card number memorized.) The Nurse Jamie product was actually pretty good. I liked how it felt. I wore it both at night and in the morning as a serum under a moisturizer and I thought it made my face look and feel good. But it’s wicked expensive. There are other products I like more, so I doubt I’ll be repurchasing it. The Beenigma was straight up crazy. It actually did sting to wear it. It was very sticky–honey, hello!–and was hard to apply. I didn’t even finish the jar. It got moldy before I could use it up. So–no. That was enough for me. And I’m glad I didn’t pay full price. I got it on Birchbox during a sale and using points. Birchbox doesn’t even carry it anymore.
Did you read this whole thing? My goodness. It’s too much. I’m sorry. (and it gives you some idea of the disaster that is my bathroom!) What do you think? Have you tried any of these products? Do you like them more or less than me? Do you want me to stop collecting my trash and writing about it? Do I smell bad? Seriously. I want to know. Leave your comments below.
Sadly, I have spent too much of my own money to fill an empties post so completely. *hangs head in shame*

 

Wash That Body (Naturally)

While we’re pretty lazy about washing our hair around here, I think we are pretty good at, you know, cleaning our bodies. Most of the time. Maybe not on Sundays. Anywhoo, there was a request a while back for us to review some of our favorite body washes, preferably “natural” ones. BTW- we love your requests, so keep ’em coming!

Many years ago, I took an aromatherapy class. It was neat! I learned that when you first smell a thing (say, a rose), your brain makes a specific “key” to fit in the “lock” marked “rose”. So when you smell an artificial rose, your brain is trying to jam this ill-fitting key into the rose lock, and that’s why you might get headaches from artificial scents. Also, perfumes and fragrances are chemically altered to have tenacious staying power, where essential oils will fade and change over the day. So, sure, I do own some regular perfumes, but I tend to be drawn to things that fall into the “naturally scented” category more.

Well, this request is right up my alley. Since I can’t deal with heavily perfumed products (like Bath & Body Works- seriously, who wants to smell like a Jolly Rancher??), and I realized I have about 5 options in my shower, allow me to introduce you to some of my current go-to’s:

Aveda Shampure Hand and Body Wash

I have a huge place in my heart for Aveda products. When I was young, buying Rosemary Mint conditioner was a special treat between me and my mom. Later in life, I worked for an Aveda spa (where I met Pamela!), and then another one when I became a massage therapist. There is something about the smell of Aveda that feels like home, and their flagship aroma for Shampure is just perfect.

When fall rolls around, I usually reach for Shampure body wash- it’s lavender based scent calms down the stress of the days getting shorter and colder, and just feels like a hug in the shower. I mean, not a creepy hug. Anyway, this body wash has a nice lather and doesn’t leave you feeling filmy or dry, plus a little goes a long way.

EveryOne Coconut Lemon Body Soap

*Shrug*. I picked this body wash up at Target, and it is fine. I mean, the best part is that it is reasonably priced and has a pump on the top- why don’t all shower products have a pump?? The ingredients are very mild, so I do like this one in the winter if my skin is feeling irritated. But overall I feel kind of meh about it. The scent is light, but it doesn’t really make you feel like anything happens when you use it. I give it a solid “good enough for the guest bathroom/better than no soap”. I don’t hate it. It’s fine.

Lush Shower Gel- Beautiful

A few years ago, I got a sample of Lush’s Gorilla Perfume in 1000 Kisses Deep, fell in love, declared it my number one scent, and then obviously it got discontinued. So when I was in the Lush store, lamenting that none of their new perfumes are even close to being as good, a helpful employee tipped me off that this shower gel, in Beautiful, was the same scent!!! I immediately bought a bottle, even though it was like $25 for a dang body wash. So yeah, this is not my every day body wash. This is my need-to-feel-fancy, off-on-a-hot-date-with-my-husband, need-a-luxurious-bubble-bath body wash. This smells divine, and lathers up like crazy, so it’s perfect for a bath. I am rationing it though… and I should probably hoard more because they are probably going to discontinue this too. WHY, LUSH, WHY?????? (They have other scents too- so, maybe you’ll like one that isn’t on the chopping block)

Dr. Bronner’s All One Pure Castile Liquid Soap

Ok, back to the land of reasonably priced things that will literally go down your drain. Hello, Dr. Bronner! This is a staple in my shower- I don’t always use it, but when I do, I’m like “why don’t I always use this??” Probably because it doesn’t have a pump on the top. I could probably rig something up. Anyway! Is this a staple in your house?? It should be. You can buy it anywhere (Target, the grocery store, even TJ Maxx!), it’s made of great ingredients, and the label provides hours of entertainment. It comes in a bunch of different scents, but I like the classic peppermint, especially in summer when it’s hot and humid and you need a little cool relief. It’s also great if you’re stuffy or tired or foggy- the scent clears the cobwebs in your head. Plus you can use it on everything! Even pets! Even floors! Even dishes! Even everything! And it’s the OG natural/vegan/fair trade/not animal tested soap. Go buy some!

Ivory Original Bath Soap

You know, sometimes, you just gotta bring it way back down to basics and buy something that’s under $4 for 10 bars. Enter the classic Ivory bar- so cheap! So unscented! It kind of dries you out a little, but it that “now I really feel clean!” way. Did you know that it floats because someone mixed it for too long and the company was like “….eh? Sell it anyway!” Do you have the “99.44” song in your head now? Sorry. Anyway, we keep Ivory in the shower because, well, it just gets the job done. Kind of like the soap Kermit helps to write an ad for when he gets amnesia and wanders into an advertising agency in The Muppets Take Manhattan:

So, there you have it, at a variety of price points and frothiness levels. What am I missing? Is there a naturally scented body wash that you rely on? Tell us in the comments!

xo

As always, no one ever sends us anything for free, so these are all in my real life shower and purchased with my real life money. Also: perfume headaches are the worst. Keep it natural, peeps!

We just disagree

Of all the products and things we have tried here at E&N, we tend to agree on most of them. From the magic of Mario Bedescu facial sprays to the ridiculousness of the drybar experience, we are nearly always on the same page. Which can actually make it a little challenging to find things to write about since we kinda like and dislike the same things.

before drybar blowouts on top, after on the bottom. we basically spent $50 to look exactly the same as we do every day but fluffier.

So it’s a surprise when we disagree. And when we do–we really do.

What are the products that have us divided? Let’s have at it!

Pamela:

Lyn loves Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint. I do not. And that’s a pretty big statement considering all I ever do on this blog is gush about how amazing Glossier is and how they can do no wrong. It’s not even that it’s wrong, as a product, it’s actually really good. I’m currently trying to save money and instead of buying something new, I’m getting to just using it up. But nope, still don’t love it. It’s not the shade I chose – that seems fine. It’s not the packaging – the packaging is good and user friendly. If I had to put my finger on it, I think it’s really just the consistency I don’t like. It makes me feel like there is a film on my skin – which I know is due to glycerin being a main ingredient – I feel the same filmy feeling on my hands if I use a glycerin soap. And glycerin isn’t a bad ingredient, it’s a humectant, which means it helps retain moisture…. something I certainly need. Perfecting Skin Tint is definitely not a tinted moisturizer, but not quite a foundation. It’s unique. Which is cool, because I can’t say I’ve tried anything else quite like it (see, Glossier rules again with an innovative product). But it’s just not for me. I’m still going to use it up though, waste not, want not…. right?

Lyn:

That’s fair, Pamela. Perfecting Skin Tint does have a different texture–it’s pretty watery–but that’s something I love about it. It’s really light to apply. But it’s also very light coverage–and that’s something else I love. I put on a moisturizer/sunscreen and then pop this on the top. But I get it. It’s not for everyone.

I am prone rants. It’s ridiculous, really. And I got a sample of Origins Checks and Balances face wash, tried it again after trying it years ago and I went on a crazy Snapchat tirade to Pamela and Jess about how much I hate it. (yes, our primary mode of conversation remains Snapchat.) The texture of it feels like it’s separating in my fingers, something about it seems almost metallic and I feel like I can’t get it to rinse off my face. I also don’t think it cleaned my face so much as left a minty scent on it. I thought this was a universal affront to hardworking cleansers everywhere. No kidding–Jess gets a sample of it in a 500 point Sephora gift or something–and she reports back that she loves it and is committing to it as her primary cleanser. I’m still shocked! I feel like I don’t even know you anymore, Jess!!!! (jk, love you!) So yeah–we tend to agree on most things–but we are pretty far apart on this one!

Jess:

First off- I think it’s hilarious that Lyn hates Checks and Balances. I love it!! I got a sample in a discovery set, and liked it so much I went out and bought a full size. It does a great job taking off my makeup, it’s creamy, frothy, minty, and doesn’t leave my face feeling stripped. *Shrug*. If you get a sample, try it and tell us what you think!

I am very sad to report that I can’t get behind dry shampoo. I really want to, but I just can’t get it to work! Last year, Pamela recommended a bunch of her favorites, and I’ve tried a few of them (NYM and Batiste), plus a bunch of random samples that I’ve collected from Birchbox or whatever, to no avail. It tricks me for just long enough to think it’s working, then later in the day I realize I look like a greaseball. WHAT AM I MISSING GUYS. I spray it on my roots, let it hang for a while, then shake it through with my fingers or a brush. Why isn’t it magic?? *sobs* I am 100% willing to blame this on user error, but for now, I’m just going to wash my hair with regular shampoo and water. Boooooo.

But hey–as Dave Mason says “There ain’t no good guy, there ain’t no bad guy There’s only you and me and we just disagree.”

Have you tried these products? Weigh in with your thoughts below!

Per usual, we bought these products with our own cash, unless it was a sample we were also getting because we were spending cash on something else. Either way, cash was spent.

Get ready with me! – my summer morning skin routine

Summer is here!  Or at least, it’s trying to be?  And with summer comes changes to my skin and skin care routine.  The first couple of weeks of any season seem to me to be the most frustrating, as nothing seems to be working while my skin has a major freak out about the new weather conditions. And while everyone is different and what works for me may not work for you, I thought I’d share what I’m doing daily to ease into our very loved but short season of summer.

Every morning no matter the season I peel myself out of bed at 5:15 AM and manage to get myself to barre class (or maybe kettlebell depending on the day.) It’s all I can do to put my glasses on and brush my teeth at 5:15 in the morning, so my face just gets splash of water at this point to, if nothing else, wake me up!  When I get home I immediately make some coffee (which should probably instead be a fancy green juice or something that will make my skin glow, but let’s be real…) and get on with readying myself for work. Though I cleansed my skin and put lots of good stuff on it before I went to bed,  I always still cleanse my face in the morning typically using something oil based like Julep Love Your Bare Face Hydrating Cleansing Oil.  It’s not super heavy and is hydrating and doesn’t strip my skin of the good stuff that happened overnight.

coffee, coffee, coffee

A couple of times a week I use an exfoliant.  My go to these day is either Dermalogica’s Daily Superfoliant, or Daily Microfoliant. Incidentally, neither of which I can use daily…. my skin becomes too sensitive, but your’s might not – it’s all trial and error and figuring out what works for you.  If I have time to exfoliate, I really hope to have time to mask, which I also turn to Dermalogica for the Multivitamin Power Recovery Mask.  I like to mask after exfoliation because said exfoliation is going to prep my skin to absorb my mask a bit better, but this mask is amazing to use anytime really…. it’s like an ambulance in a tube (think late nights and too much whiskey.) Continue reading Get ready with me! – my summer morning skin routine

One Year Later–Happy Anniversary To Us!!

Time sure does fly when you’re having fun! It’s hard to believe the earth has traveled around the sun one whole time since we launched Everything and Nothings!

We are grateful to have so many people who want to talk about the same things we do and share your experiences in this thing called life with us.

Looking back at the things we shared, we thought we’d go back and each pick two things that a year later–we are still loving! Continue reading One Year Later–Happy Anniversary To Us!!

First Impressions: Glossier Invisible Shield SPF35

Ever since Pamela introduced me to Glossier–I’ve been obsessed. First, she bought Jess and me the Balm Dotcom lip balm for Christmas a few years back–and it was great. Then Pamela sang the praises of the Milky Jelly Cleanser–so I had to get it–and I still love it as a gentle way to remove makeup and leave your skin feeling so fresh and so clean. Using Pamela’s 20% off code for the first order, I also got their Phase 2 set which includes the classic Boy Brow–which we all love and I need to repurchase–the Stretch Concealer, which is fab, and a Generation G  lip balm. (honestly, i don’t love the lip balm. i think Colourpop has a much better option with their Blotted Lip. it wears better, has more colors and it’s cheaper.)  I then tried their Perfecting Skin Tint. It is extremely sheer, easy to apply with your fingers, light on your sking and has become my no-makeup go-to foundation of late. I wear shade “Light.”

And then there’s the Cloud Paint. It is seriously the greatest blush I have ever owned. Per usual–Pamela was the guinea pig and raved about it–so I picked up two. (they have a 2/$30 deal so you save $6 when you buy two. at least that’s my defense and i’m sticking to it!)  And now I have all four. They are fantastic!

When they announced their new sunscreen Invisible Shield SPF35 with much fanfare, I was curious.

Continue reading First Impressions: Glossier Invisible Shield SPF35

Here comes the sun–right?

While its dark and gloomy out today–Memorial Day weekend is upon us–the unofficial start of summer is almost here! Nights on the Terrace, days by the pool, endless glasses of rosé and summer jams on a loop are just around the corner. Summer is definitely our favorite of the seasons and we have vowed not to miss a minute of it this year!

But with summer comes the sun–HOPEFULLY!!–and with the sun comes the nasty damage those warm rays can wreck on the delicate skin on our face.

So here are our favorite ways to keep our faces safe while we maximize the three greatest months of the year!

Our trip to San Juan–where ironically–we all got burned! (we blame surfing)

Continue reading Here comes the sun–right?

Rub some dirt on it

Face masks can feel like one of life’s greatest luxuries. A blast to your skin to let it know you mean business. Especially when your skin feels like it’s holding on to 20 lbs. of dirt and regret. Or when your pores looks like pods appropriately sized for living creatures to nest in. Or when it’s not enough to try to deal with life’s stress, but you need that extra fun of wearing it like a badge across your face in the form of breakouts.

Ya feel us?

Here are some recommended mud, clay or charcoal masks for when the wounds of life are deep and all you can do is rub some dirt on it.

Continue reading Rub some dirt on it