Shellac and Gel nail polish alternatives

Fed up with my nicked nails by the time I returned home from my weekly manicure, I wondered, "Do drugstore nail polishes really work? Is there an alternative to Shellac?" I'd been trying a couple of things to try to extend my manicure past, oh say, 2 hours, and I think I've found the solution in Revlon. Yes, you read that right: Revlon! I'm so impressed with the durability of my newfound favorite nail polish that I've been taking it with me to the salon to get manicures. And no, I'm not being paid to say this! The photo below was taken 7 days after my manicure!

But why, you might ask, do I not like Shellac or gel manicures? To me, they hurt. It hurts when it's time to take off the polish, and then my nails hurt for days afterwards, which makes me wonder what else is coming off my nails besides the nail polish. But boy did I love those 2 weeks of not worrying about my hands.

Although Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy won't last as long as 2 weeks, but if you apply the topcoat every couple of days, I've been able to stretch my manicure to 10 days. And there's no UV light.

I'm loving these Revlon polishes so much that I went out and bought 2 more colors! I hope you like it too.

xo ~Kim

Lanakin

Throughout my entire life, there’s only been one thing that I’ve been jealous of my brother for. It’s not that he’s smarter than me, that he has a better sense of style than me, or that his level of common sense definitely out ranks mine; it’s the fact that his eye lashes are so luscious. Ever since the day he was born, he’s had amazing eye lashes while mine have been on the more “stubby” side. It’s something that I’ve learned to live with and throughout my years living with him, I’ve learned that he will forever have the better genes in the eyelash department.

However I felt my luck in the lashes department start to change when Lanakin reached out to me asking if I wanted to test out their  eyelash lengthening formula. I was all ears/all lashes. Anything to make my eyelashes look more luscious and beautiful than my brother’s oh so perfect lashes is seriously right up my alley. These are just the before pictures, but in just a few short weeks I’ll be back with an update post letting you know how awesome my new and improved eyelashes turn out to be, and if it really is possible to pull through and have the best eyelashes in the undeclared sibling war.

If you’re interested in purchasing Lanakin, feel free to use our discount code to get 10% off your order! The code is POPCO10

Have you ever used anything to help your eyelashes grow? If so, I’d love to hear about your results! xox Chloe

Morning Routine

My friends and I were having a conversation about whether we were morning or night people the other day, and it really got me thinking. What is is that makes us favor one or the other? I know that I love to wake up early, get my boring "to-dos" out of the way, and have the rest of the day left to diddle daddle and relax. Some of my friends would rather snooze all morning and then feel a sense of dooming pressure in accomplishing their "to-dos." I just think it's so weird how we're all wired so differently but all so similar at the same time. Anyway, this trail of thinking somehow got me inspired to share my morning routine with you lovely readers. I don't really think I do anything special, but I love seeing what products other people use so I thought, "what the heck."

And here we go..

+The first thing I do is lotion my body. I have extremely dry skin, and living in Colorado isn't doing my skin any favors. I absolutely adore The Body Shop's lotions and the Coconut flavor has such a subtle and clean scent. I would totally try this one out!

+Next, I apply deodorant. This might be TMI and you probably don't care, but I sweat profusely. I joke around and say that my armpits are geysers, but I'm not really kidding. They literally leak. This Dove deodorant works wonders and it smells great too! Plus, Costco sells it in a super size pack if you're into buying in bulk.

+I then move onto making my face look pretty. I usually start with curling my eyelashes, and I use the Shu Uemura curler. I swear it's the best eyelash curler out there. I'm clumsy, as you might know, so putting a metal clamp near my eye is dangerous, but I have yet to pinch my eye lid with this curler (I knocked on wood as I typed this).

+I then apply some eyeliner and mascara. Nothing too fancy happens here. I use Chanel's Noir pencil eyeliner. I change my mascara pretty often, but I love Maybelline's Colossal Mascara. +Next, I add a quick swipe of blush to my cheeks. I actually just recently started wearing blush and I feel like it makes my face look more awake and interesting. Dumb? Maybe, but whatever. I use Mac's Mable. If you have any suggestions for a good blush, let me know!

+The next step I take is spray a little splash of perfume on. I think if I had to only choose one of these steps to complete in the morning it would be this one. I don't know why, and I know it's weird, but I love smelling good. It's an instant confidence booster. Lately, all I've been using is this vanilla perfume from Anthropologie. My cousin and I tried it on randomly while shopping together and we both fell in love with it. Everyone smells something different when it's on, from marshmallows to hot fudge to fresh baked cookies. Everyone loves it though! This Anthro perfume is also a great option!

+Lastly, I brush my teeth because I'm human and I have basic hygiene. So go me, I guess. And that's all! I don't really do anything extraordinary different than the rest of the female population, I don't think, but I thought it might be interesting for you all to know what I do in the morning to make myself feel more presentable.

Do we use any of the same products in our morning routine? If so, let me know! What does your morning routine include? Thanks for reading! xox Chloe

Look Hot, Get Sweaty

I don’t know about you, but in order for me to have a successful workout, I have to look good. I’m not talking about putting on pounds of makeup before I run, I’m talking about wearing cute workout clothes. What I wear when I go to the gym or park for a workout can totally make or break my day. Lately I’ve been eyeing a few new goodies so I decided to share them with you all! My new workout motto is look got, get sweaty. Here’s a little inspiration board to inspire you to look hot while gettin’ sweaty.

ruffle bra | headband | sweater | lululemon gear | athleta | sweaty betty leggings

Some of my favorite workout stores include Lucy, Lululemon, and Free People. Let me know where you purchase your workout clothes, I’m clearly in the market! Look hot, get sweaty, remember that!

xox Chloe

Friday, Finally

Fridays have to be my favorite day of the week. The school day goes by so quickly and then it’s finally the weekend, aka the best two days of the week. Today after school I’m going vintage shopping with a few friends so we can find our Halloween costume for an event we’re volunteering at through the school. There are four of us and we’re going as the Scooby Doo gang, I’m being Velma and we have a Shaggy, a Freddy, and a Daphne. Each of us totally fits the characters so it’ll be fun to be all dressed up together! Then after we go shopping we’ll probably go out to eat and then head to our school’s poetry slam. There’s a slam once a month and it’s seriously one of the coolest things about my school. People compete with their poems and their poems are so poignant and interesting and it brings a level of respect and understanding that usually wouldn’t be there. Maybe one day I’ll have the courage to write and preform a poem but for now I’m comfortable in the audience just listening!

romper | jacket (similar) | shoes

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHALYNNE IMAGING

Summer's End and My Ideal Image

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Ideal Image. All opinions are 100% mine. I can't believe it's the end of summer! It seems like just yesterday we were packing up the house and planning our big cross-country move. Now that summer's fun and our vacations *sigh* are over, I'm reassessing and doing my annual what needs a fall tune-up: the yard, the kitchen, the office, or...  me?

I've been taking extra-special care of my skin since moving to Denver. Being outside for just a short time in the "mile-high city" can result in a serious burn and it's always sunny here. All of our activites are outdoors, which I love, and our vacations are especially centered around being outdoors. We bike everywhere, and have been taking long weekends to the mountains. We've been rafting, hiking, exploring and even getting back into running without the benefit of oxygen. Of course I wear my sunscreen and I even try to wear a hat and sunglasses too, but crow's feet and lines are creeping in faster than ever which had me noticing in my very few vacation photos I'm wearing sunglasses to hide the effects. Does anyone else avoid the camera or wear sunglasses? It's time to step in front of the camera & take off the sunglasses!

So I was excited when when Ideal Image contacted me to tell me about their Ideal Image Facial Rejuvenation services. They are offering 25% off Facial Rejuvenation for a limited time. I'd heard of their laser hair removal, and was interested to hear they offered Dysport, Ultherapy and Restylane. Ultherapy tightens and lifts loose skin around the neck and face, like a non-surgical facelift. Right now I'm interested in Restylane, a filler for deep wrinkles, and Dysport to help crow's feet. I still want to look exactly like me, but I guess you could say an "improved version" of me!

And wouldn't you know, this is one of the top 3 reasons people want facial rejuvenation. All 3 reasons are to look younger, have more confidence, and look like yourself, only better. I'm curious if any of these reasons appeal to you. If one (or more) does, click to request more information and let me know.

xo ~kim

Aesthetic Phases / 1

I don’t know if I’m the only one who goes through aesthetic phases, but I surely can’t be, right? If you follow us on Pinterest (you better be) then you might notice how every few weeks our “mood” shifts. It’s not a dramatic "tectonic plate inducing earthquake" shift, it’s more of a “let’s switch one or two pillows on the couch and see the difference” shift. I guess that’s why I’m not really a “fashion person” (sue me). I like being able to switch it up on a moments notice, so that’s why  I stick to more basic and simple clothes. Anyway, all I’m trying to say is that what I like and the aesthetics that I like are constantly shifting and changing. I decided to create this little mini series thing where I would create a mood board of my current likes. I have absolutely no idea how often (if at all) I will be posting these mood boards, but as Miley Cyrus once said “it’s my blog I can do what I want to.” Err, at least I think she said something along those lines…

photo / photo / photo / photo / photo / photo / photo / photo / photo / photo /photo / photo / photo  This mood board doesn't really have a name, but if I had to choose one I think it would be along the lines of "Jen Gotch is my girl crush" or "this is what feminism looks like to me" or "pink is cute and strong" or "this mood board may be better off nameless."

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think of this idea for a series! xox Chloe

Top Summer Buys under $100

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this before, but when I was in middle school my mom implemented a rule: she’ll buy what I need and I’ll buy what I want. This rule was created on a whim (probably on a day where I was channeling my inner shopaholic) but it stuck. To this day my mom and I still go by this rule (my dad is a little nicer when it comes to purchasing things for me, but he rarely goes shopping with me). Anyway, this rule makes me think about what I really need vs. what I really want on a much deeper level. I hate spending my own money because I’m super frugal but I also really like nice things. So I’ve turned into somewhat of a bargain shopper. Anything less than $100 is typically in my price range, but it has to be of super great quality for me to even think about purchasing it. Meaning it has to last forever and be in style forever. To make it super easy for y’all, I’ve compiled a list of my top under $100 must haves for the summer time. Let me know if there’s anything else I should add to my list! xox ~chloe

floppy hat

shorts

tee

leather sandals

nail polish

sunnies

bag

converse

striped dress

3 reasons to try Sephora Color IQ

I don't wear foundation... but this ad for Sephora Color IQ totally and completely intrigued me to the point of luring me in my local Sephora when I was recently at the mall. I could have my own Pantone color? Who knew! I don't like to buy or wear foundation because I'm not good with colors and am worried that since I can't tell if my makeup matched my skin, I'll be "that lady" walking around with an orange face and a very obvious line at my chin or neck. I'd rather have a few discoloration spots than have on too much makeup. Since I usually purchase a new sunscreen for spring and summer, and my skin is becoming more and more discolored lately, I thought it might be time to start using either a powder with coverage or a tinted moisturizer + sunscreen. I was curious what would be recommended by the Color IQ "test."

So off I went. I immediately found the Color IQ test at the front of the store and a salesperson who placed a wand against 3 spots on my face and gave me my number - the entire process took about 3 minutes. She emailed me the list so I could do my research at home (without adding me to a marketing list - hurray, no spam!) but also gave me samples.  I'm trying Laura Mercier and so far, I'm very pleased with it.

I'm a 1R07 and a few of my recommendations are:

Since both of my kids were with me, we decided to go ahead and test the system a little bit and see if, perhaps, we all ended up with the same Color IQ. We didn't, and I left impressed with the results, and the fact that I can finally know what shade to pick without simply guessing anymore. The Sephora Color IQ system is ingenious and 3 reasons I'd suggest it:

1. No more guessing which shade is closest to your skin color. 2. You can read the reviews for all the colors and brands that are suited to you. 3. You can sample those colors and brands for the perfect match to your needs.

When summer arrives and my skin tone changes, even though I will be wearing sunscreen, I'll go back for another Sephora Color IQ test and see if I need to switch shades. No more worrying about being the lady with the orange line on my face anymore!

xo ~kim

PS: This post is NOT sponsored, I simply wanted to share my experience with you.

Easy Criss-Cross Top Knot

No time to wash your hair or style it… or just looking for a quick fix? Nothing is more simple than a messy bun or a top knot and we like this criss-cross top knot because it adds a certain je ne sais quoi to the messy vibe. A little yin and yang showing that a bit more effort was put in than just twisting it up into a bun, but it's still fast enough to get you out the door when you're pressed for time, and easy enough that it only takes a few minutes.

Directions

• separate your hair into three equal sections - top for the bun, middle for the 1st wrap, & bottom for the last wrap. the easiest way to do this is to wrap a pony tail holder around each one. you’ll look like a freakazoid at first, but it’ll all be good in the end.
• take the top section of your hair and twist it into a bun (photo 1). once you’ve twisted all your hair, secure it with a bobby pin. don’t worry about how this part looks, because it’ll eventually be covered up.
• take a 1" section from the middle section and twist it. once you’ve twisted it, then twist it around the bun. (double twist action going on here!) then secure with a bobby pin.
• continue to wrap 1" pieces of hair from the middle section around the bun. make sure to leave the bottom sections of hair down.
• from the bottom section of your hair, divide it in 1/2 (left and right). take half of the hair and wrap it around the opposite side of the bun. this will start to create the “criss-cross” effect that adds a little something special! then take the second section and wrap on the opposite side of the bun. Criss cross complete!

there ya have it! the flawless criss-cross top knot!

xox ~chloe

Thanks so much to Michelle Brooks of Headz Inc. of Louisville for working with us to create this great 4-part series!

Low Ponytail

  The low ponytail is a classic style that's perfect for just about any occasion. But it's also a lifesaver on those morning when you have to rush out the door. Our tutorial will show you how to add a few twists to the routine to make it seem like you put in a lot more effort than it really requires, giving you a polished hairstyle in minutes.

Step 1: Tease hair at the crown. Start with a four inch section at the crown of your head, and back comb to give your pony a nice voluminous look. Take another section behind it and do the same, and repeat one more time. Gently comb the teased sections to smooth them back, but leaving height.

Step 2: Put your hair in a ponytail, but leave out a one inch section from the side or bottom of the ponytail.

Step 3: Wrap the one inch section around your pony tail and secure with a bobby pin or two (it might even take three depending on how thick your hair is). Enjoy your stylish low ponytail.

Thanks to Michelle Brooks of Headz Inc. of Louisville!

How to style Beachy Waves

Beachy waves are a hair style that will never go out of style. It’s classic, simple, and give you an effortless look — which is what we strive for as girls! As the weather is beginning to warm up, it’s the perfect time to start channeling your inner mermaid and rocking this beachy vibe. We've shown you how to curl hair with a flat iron, but here's how to use a curling wand and if you want to recreate this look, here's how: Step 1: Secure top half of your hair on top of your head with an alligator clip. In order to achieve an effortless look, diagonally part your hair (view picture for a visual aid).

Step 2: Start with a one inch piece and curl away from your face. Alternate direction of curls  to keep the curl looking natural. Once finished with the bottom part of your hair, then unclip the alligator clip and repeat on top layer of hair.

Tip: do not start the curl at the scalp, but closer to the level of the ear.

That's it… beachy waves are simple to create and easy to wear. Enjoy!

Thanks to Michelle Brooks of Headz Inc. of Louisville!

Chignon Twist

How stunning is this up-do? It’s perfect for a night out on the town or even an interview. Not only is this chignon fit for any occasion, but it’s super simple to do and can either be casual and dressy.

Here’s what you do to get the look:

Step 1: Pick up two 1" pieces of hair right at the front of your head. Use your natural part as a guide to know where to pick up the first piece.

Step 2: French braid your hair with two pieces aka do a two strand twist. All you do is take the front piece and wrap it to the back and drop the new piece that is now in front.  Switch hands. Pick up the dropped hair plus some more in front and wrap it back over the hair you are holding while moving the back piece to the front and dropping it. Switch hand and continue.  Sound confusing? Check out this video for a two-strand twist. {<-- Click}

Step 3: Once you’ve twisted your hair to the very back of your head,  pin the twist so it stays in place and place hair in a ponytail.

Step 3: Roll hair upwards until the desired chignon shape is achieved and use bobby pins to secure in place. (Tip: the longer the hair, the more bobby pins to accomplish.)

Woohoo!! You’ve accomplished the look!

A very special thanks to Michelle Brooks at Headz Inc. in Louisville. Check her out for fabulous cuts and styles!

You're Lovely

Self-image is a topic that is constantly being discussed by women. They are trying to tell us that we shouldn’t compare ourselves to the girls on the covers of magazines, and there are numerous videos that prove that women and girls underestimate their beauty, their smarts, and their overall affect on the world. Truth is, we don’t believe in ourselves as much as we should. We nitpick the smallest things and we always find faults within ourselves. I can post a “real” picture of me on Instagram and talk about my imperfections — that’s not hard. What is hard is asking me what I love about myself.

image via Pinterest

Why is this question not asked more constantly? Why are we looked down upon or laughed at when we say what we love about ourselves? Why? These are real questions. I’m challenging you ask yourself what you love most about you and tell someone. Tell us! We want to know what you think your best feature is, whether that be physical or emotional or whatever. Confidence is the most amazing accessory that a girl can have (yes, confidence is even more amazing than a Chanel bag). So to kick things off, my mom and I are both going to list three things that we love about ourselves:

Chloe: the fact that my hair can be straightened or curled (and stay that way all day), the ability to laugh and make fun of myself, and my smile

Kim: my big lips (which took me a very long time to embrace), my love for my family, my adaptability

image via Pinterest

Please leave us a comment telling us what you love most about yourself! This is a no judgment zone so don’t be afraid of what anyone else will think. You know yourself better than anyone else so you should be the one to tell us the best part about you!

xox ~chloe

The Power of Lip Balm

I can't sing… but Lil' Mama knows what she's rapping about and the power of lipgloss, so for those of you that are new around here (welcome to the cool kid’s club <-- video reference,  haha) there’s one thing that you need to know about me. I hate lipstick. I think it’s because my lips are pretty full (that’s a nice way of saying large) so I don’t like to exaggerate their fullness. But recently, I discovered Burt’s Bees tinted lipbalm. Oh em gee, this stuff is amazing. It’s basically chapstick with a slight tinge of color so you look like you care but you don’t really care. I usually like to look like I care, but didn't try too hard, so adding a slight hint of color to my lips makes a world of difference. Also, this tinted lip balm tastes pretty good which is important because, let’s face it, some lipstick tastes like you licked the inside of your grandma’s purse (a.k.a. disgusting). So please do yourself a favor, get off your booty and go buy some tinted lip balm. We all know Lil' Mama would have changed her the lyrics in her song Lip Gloss had she tried the tinted lip balm first!

xox  ~chloe

Fall Hairstyles {PLL inspired}

Ask my friends what tv shows what they watch and Pretty Little Liars is usually on everyone's list. Why? It might be the plot. If I could explain the plot to you in 10 pages (or less) I would, but I can't. There are so many twists in turns in a 1 hour show, that my head is usually spinning {in a good way}. Keeping me on the edge of my seat and wanting to know more, season after season, is definitely a key to the show's success. But I suspect the crucial factor in Pretty Little Liar's success is something more... something I love tuning in for: fashion and hairstyles. And I'm hunting for fall hairstyles!

My fall hairstyle created using Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Spray Heat Protect & Shine and Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Hairspray Boost & Lift, both available at Target

Using tv shows to find great clothes and hairstyles, I'd have to put the wardrobe and beauty style of the Pretty Little Liars girls at the top of my list. Since all the girls on the show have luscious long locks {and oddly enough - this was totally not planned - so do my friends!} I was thrilled that Vidal Sassoon Pro Series sponsored a party so we had an excuse to watch some tv and chat about fall hairstyles & fashion for inspiration!

And not only did they sponsor our party, Vidal Sassoon Pro Series has a Pin-it-to-Win-It sweepstakes for you to win a $1,000 Target GiftCard! 2 runners up will win $500 gift cards. Click here.

The plan was to watch the summer finale to get us in the mood for the upcoming PLL October 22nd special episode. I've realized that all through the summer, PLL girls wore beachy waves, and it may be fall, but beachy waves are still hot! So I decided to try the Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Spray to protect my hair and the Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Hairspray, both available at Target, to get ready for the party and to make it my go-to fall hairstyle. It's an easy style to do, and the hairspray really protected my hair from frizzing, even with all the rain! Here's how to create the look:

But instead of watching tv, we spent more time trying playing in our "salon." In fact, once we started talking about fall hairstyles, fashion, beachy waves, and PLL, Bethany and Barbara jumped in for a hair makeover and Elsa played a very convincing hairdresser! Um, Elsa... can you come by weekly?? I'll make the cupcakes!

By the end of the night, not only did we all talk about our favorite fall hairstyles, we also picked our fave products. What are yours?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own, of course!

The NEW French Manicure

French Manicures have been around since... wait, wait. Who wants to hear the history of the French Manicure? Not me. In fact, I have no idea how long they have been around. All I know is that they can look dull and boring unless you brighten them up a little bit. You might recall our viral pin of the neon yellow French Manicure? We still love it, but we needed something new. And we've got just the idea for our New French Manicure! Metallics are hot for fall {and beyond I'm sure}. What looks better than a strip of metallic accenting a nude or almost nude nail? Nothing. It's our new obsession!

The NEW French Manicure... here's how:

1. Paint your nails a neutral color, but make sure it is not a sheer color. You do not want the white part of your nail to be showing through the color. We chose Essie's Fiji (an opaque pink) for the Silver French Manicure and Essie's "A Crewed Interest" (a gorgeous peach) for the Gold French Manicure.

2. Let your nails dry completely.

3. Either take your manicure tape (discussed here) or use stickers or tape (discussed here) to create a crisp and clean french manicure line at the very TIP of your nail. The trick to making your french manicure modern is using a very thin line of color. Since Chloe's nails were more square, we used manicure tape on the tips, which was a perfect choice for her. Just be sure to use a few coats of clear polish to secure the mani tape! If yours are more rounded, the sticker trick from the "easiest french manicure" might be a good choice. Or you can use scotch, painter's tape or even use manicure tape to create a clean line.

Voilà, no fuss, no muss, and so chic. Another idea to create the easiest french manicure ever, but this time, it's a new version of the french mani!

What do you think?

Our Beauty Routines

I was surprised to have a few of you ask about my beauty routine. I mean, I'm always curious to know what other people use, but I thought I was just overly curious. I like to know the latest beauty products and see how they work on real people, not celebs. I seriously thought the only person who cared about my beauty routine was my husband who only wants to know "are you ready yet?" I keep telling him that 45 minutes to shower, dry hair, go through my beauty routine, put on makeup and get dressed (not just jeans and a tee, but really dressed) is not high-maintenance! I'm quick. But he just won't believe me. I do believe I'm low-maintenance, at least when it comes to my beauty routine, but one thing I will never, ever skimp on is my skincare. We only get one shot and if we mess up our skin, that's it.

Everyday:

1. Olay Regenerist micro sculpting cream - Once I started using this moisturizer, I started getting compliments. It took about a week and then people started asking me what I had done. I kid you not. And was it coincidence that we were asked to shoot our first magazine cover? (Yes, I said 1st -- because you never know!) You be the judge. I'll just keep using my Olay.

2. Olay ProX deep wrinkle treatment - My wrinkles aren't gone, but they haven't gotten any worse and I haven't stopped laughing and smiling. Sometimes, I even think they are better, but I'm not sure how people measure these things.

3. Yon Ka Fruitelia Age Correction -  I haven't been using this long, but I love it. Most anti-wrinkle creams make me break out. I have extremely sensitive skin and this has been amazing. You use it for a few weeks, then take a break and when your skin starts looking like it needs it, you use it again. Perfect for me!

4. The Everything Pencil EraseZit - I love this pencil. I use it under my eyes which have very, very dark circles from allergies or genetics or bad luck. Who knows, who cares, I just don't want to see them and since this matches my skin perfectly, I can use it every day. And I use it on pimples. It treats them as well as covers them so they disappear faster.

5. Clarisonic Aria - Simply the best thing to ever happen to my skin: I couldn't live without this... and didn't think I needed it. Once you try it, you'll wonder how your face ever felt clean before using it. There's a reason everyone becomes a believer once they start using them.

6. SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 - no matter what the weather is doing, I use SPF. It was a BB cream before the term even existed. And it's SPF 50! It evens out my skintone and protects me from the sun. If I do nothing else at all, this goes on. The sun is my worst enemy. (And best friend - have you had your Vitamin D checked?!)

Occasional Use

1. YonKa Masque - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this masque. I don't follow the directions at all. I just wash my face in the shower and leave the masque on while I wash my hair and shave. Then rinse. I do it 1-3 times per week. It makes my skin feel great!

2. Bobbi Brown BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 35 - Although not technically "skincare" it finishes my skin, so I've included it. When I'm heading out at night or taking a photo that I want to look super-fab in, I'll dab this on. Note I said dab since a little goes a looong way. I think I might try more Bobbi Brown products.

3. CosMedix Pure C Mixing Crystals - I've been mixing a little of this powder in my moisturizer to brighten & firm my skin. I like that it's separate from my moisturizer so I don't always have to use it. Vitamin C definitely makes a difference so I seem to use it more when I'm tired!

I am not a huge make up wearer. I wish I was one of those girls who could just slap on some foundation and blush and look absolutely fantabulous, but I always feel like I look clownish. I don’t know what it is, but it’s the truth, my friends. I have been getting more into lipstick though so I might be starting to get into the whole makeup world.

BUT I have always been into my hair. I think I am addicted to getting haircuts, probably because I just like someone playing with my hair. In sixth grade I got my first straighter and ever since then I feel like I have to have my hair done in order to have a great day - regardless of whether or not I’ve just sat on the couch all day. At BlogHer this year, Mark Hill - yes, THE Mark Hill who is like hair royalty in England & knows every British famous person there is - invited us to have our hair done. When I got the e-mail I may or may not have squealed just a tad bit. Like I said before - I LOVE having my hair done! I never had a better hair day than when they did it (check our Instagram for the photo)! I truly felt like a princess during and after and I am now absolutely head over heels in love with the Mark Hill hair line. My hair literally bounces. Crazy, right? They just launched their line in Walgreens across the US so we finally have the chance to make our hair look royal too!

1 & 2 These shampoos and conditioners by Mark Hill smell almost as good as they work. Why did it take so long to get to the US? I don't know, but I'm thrilled I can pick this up when I run out!!!

3. I need to start deep conditioning and I'll use this one by Mark Hill. Curly hair and flat-ironed hair need more moisture, and I'm swearing by this.

4. Sometimes I like my hair straight and my ghd flat iron was worth every penny (especially since it was a gift, haha). It heats up a lot, so that's why I need to condition, a lot! Higher heat means more breakage.

5. Sometimes I like my hair curly. And this makes the curl just how I like it.

And that's it, our beauty routines: we each have our focus of hair or skin and maybe it's because of our age. Either way, we'd love to hear what you focus on more!

In my Top 10: Rank & Style

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