Happy Wednesday (and last day of April, and 10-year anniversary of Mean Girls)!

     Today I have a quick post on what basic eyeliner combinations I use on a pretty consistent basis. I tend to wear pencil eyeliner on more natural days. If I'm feeling fancy, I'll put on liquid eyeliner. I tend to stay away from gel eyeliner mostly because I've never used it and I don't use twist-up eyeliners very often because I don't like the application as much as pencils.

Hello, loves!

Here's a nice little way to end your Monday night with a new video on our channel! This look was inspired by a look on Pinterest and I hope you enjoy! Let us know what you want to see next in the comments.

xx

This week I thought I would just share with you a couple (or five) items that I've really been loving the past week. Once I get into the habit of things I find myself doing the same makeup routine everyday, oops.

Anywho, two of my favorites are foundations. This week, like pretty much every other week, the YSL Touche Eclat has caught my eye. I won't even go on about this product because I'm sure you guys have heard enough about it by now. There is a twist to this, though. I recently purchased MAC Face and Body and I decided to be a tad experimental and mix the two. I was kind of surprised at how well they meshed. It has a pretty long wear when mixed and seriously just looks and feels like a second skin. The YSL makes the face a bit dewy while the Face and Body just completely evens the skin tone.

The mascara favorite this week is the Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume. I had been lusting over this product and was gifted it by Rachel for Christmas. I honestly love it just as much as I thought I would. It definitely defines the lashes perfectly and makes eye makeup look complete without being extremely dramatic. I've been doing a simple eye routine this week and this mascara made the whole look appear to be more polished.

Continuing on with eyes, my Paint Pot in Stormy Pink has been getting a lot of love recently. I decided for some reason to step out of the realm of bronze and neutral eyeshadow and this was the one that I ran with. I love this color because it does feel a bit more springy and lord knows I'm dying for the weather to get above 0.

The last item in this weeks feature is the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner. The tip on this is absolutely phenomenal. It is extremely thin and allows for complete precision. This week I have been just applying it has a very thin line with a flick. This eyeliner makes it practically foolproof.

What have been your go-to products this week?
xx Tori

As mentioned in my last post, I'll be mentioning/ briefly reviewing a product I bought last Saturday. I was completely torn between the Rouge Dior Couture Color Lipstick in Mauve Mystère and the YSL Glossy Stain in Pourpre Preview. Alas, the YSL won out due to my adventurous mood (yea, gloss is adventurous, okaaii?). The color was really unique and I had heard great things about this glossy stain. My problem with gloss is that I don't like how it feels, however, once this gloss "dries" it doesn't feel like anything is on your lips. I wore this color to work the other day and it lasted all day without the drying feel of a lipstick. (I'm still getting the Dior one though). All in all, I really like this product because it is long lasting and is vibrantly pigmented. I really want Peachy Coral from this line (so feel free to buy it for me). 

The next product is the Real Techniques Silicone Eyeliner Brush. I debated this purchase for a bit just because eyeliner has become a foreign thing to me. With my shaky logic, I figured that this brush would be just  the thing to get me back on my eyeliner game. This brush is easy to use and does an extremely nice job guiding the perfect flick for a cat eye. Either that or I must have woke up with surgeon-steady hands, but I bet on the brush. That being said, I'm not sure if it's the eyeliner I am using or what, but I feel like I had to coat this on. It definitely needs to be a gel or paint pot or something of the sort. When I used a cream eyeliner it didn't go on as dark as I wanted and I ended up reaching for my Stila liquid liner to finish the job.

I'm extremely confused by this next product. The Smashbox Jet Set Waterproof Eyeliner in Navy has really amazing reviews on Ulta, but I'm not a massive fan. This was a pretty impulsive buy and I didn't read the reviews before picking it up or hearing much about it. The reviews all claim it has a bold color but I'm not seeing it. I tried applying it with two different brushes and layering it on, but it definitely was not navy, but more cerulean. Needless to say, I was kind of disappointed to see it wasn't as bold as the reviews exclaimed, but I'll keep trying and let you know. 

This last product is one I have been wanting to try for awhile. The NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream has been talked about a lot on YouTube and for some reason I just never got around to buying it. I have seen a couple reviews and swatches of Istanbul and finally nabbed it the other day. This definitely lives up to its name. It has the matte factor of a lipstick while feeling like a lip balm. It is pretty pigmented for the price and is somewhat long lasting. Even though it doesn't last as long as a lipstick does, it is way easier to quickly apply than lipstick. I absolutely will be picking up other colors from this range. 

What makeup or skincare have you guys picked up?
xx Tori

**Firstly, let me apologize for being absolutely shit at blogging. We just got our new puppy Auggie this past week and it's been a lil' hectic. But I am back, talking about something very important. So read on.

     Everyone has those mornings where you look (and feel) like sleep is an elusive, mysterious magic that you've never quite mastered. Unfortunately, that's how I feel 5/7 days a week. There really should be a Hogwarts of slumber. To ensure that I look like I logged off of YouTube and went to sleep at a normal/responsible hour, there's makeup. Fake it 'til you make it or whatever.

BRIGHT EYES | STILA 'KITTEN' VS. MAYBELLINE EXPERT EYES SMOKED NEUTRALS
     One of the dead giveaways to a restless night is yo peepers (why no, that's not a creepy word). You can look listless and dull after a TV marathon - or if you have a social life, go you - a night out. A simple way to bring some light back to your eyes is a shimmery nude eyeshadow. My go-to as of late has been Stila's kitten, which is a nice velvety texture and the perfect tone for my skin. Though not as friendly on the wallet (but L'oreal does a great dupe called 'Iced Latte'), some of the light, iridescent offerings from this Maybelline mini palette will achieve the same effect. Just a quick wash of color that will afford you a few extra moments in bed.

F YOU DARK CIRCLES | CLINIQUE AIRBRUSH VS. MAYBELLINE INSTANT AGE REWIND
     Apologies for the slightly profane subtitle, but I've developed a lasting animosity towards the seemingly permanent blue haze under my eyes. I could have slept on a bed of clouds for all eternity, and I'd wake up looking like a corpse. I'm always on the hunt for a good undereye concealer, and these are two of my favorites. Clinique Airbrush was one of many Lisa Eldridge inspired purchases, and not surprisingly it hasn't disappointed. It doesn't look cakey and is just illuminating enough to make me look like a real live human. Though slightly less iridescent, Instant Age Rewind covers dark circles and never creases. The texture is lovely though I'm not terribly fond of the sponge. Regardless, a very worth opponent.

HEALTHY FLUSH | TARTE NATURAL BEAUTY VS. SONIA KASHUK SUPER SHEER LIQUID TINT IN 'POPPY'
     I've been alllllllll about a well-blushed cheek lately, and my love for both of these knows no bounds. 'Natural Beauty' is spot on shade-wise to mimic the color I naturally flush - just in a more flattering location. The formula is sheer enough to not look over-powdered but still packs a solid punch of color. Sonia Kashuk's liquid blusher requires a little more layering but I love it all the same. It's a slightly warmer hue than Tarte's with a little gold shimmer. It in no way enlarges pores or looks unnatural, and I like the finish slightly more than my more expensive option. I'd think it would be suitable for all skin types as it lasts very well, and maintains a natural skin-like finish sometimes not offered by powder or cream.

PUCKER UP | YSL ROUGE VOLUPTE SHINE 14 'CORAIL IN TOUCH' VS. MAYBELLINE COLOR WHISPERER IN 'ORANGE ATTITUTDE'
     For a final awakening touch I think a good brightening lip color, but still sheer, fits the bill perfectly. My lips can lean a little cool-toned so something orange works well for my complexion. A bright pink would work as well. I don't like to go for anything too opaque as it can look heavy and overdone. This YSL lipstick was a ridiculous, unnecessary splurge. Shame aside, it is a color well-suited to my coloring and the light melon scent is reviving in the morning as well. If I'm honest, the Maybelline tinted balm is embarrassingly similar in color (if anything, slightly redder) though I don't find the formula as kind to the lips. Still, it perks up my tired face and also stains ever so slightly, as does the YSL.

    Whoop, there it is. A few options to be a Sleeping Beauty imposter. What are your tips/tricks/products for an enlivened face? Comment below!

xx
Rachel

As mentioned by Rachel, Sephora has their gift sets out and we are all crying with joy. I think I spent more time perusing that section than I did the whole store. I recently went through my makeup and threw out some that I had desperately clung to in hopes they weren't gone. I noticed I was in severe need (not really) of some eyeliner. I had been eyeing the Stila Liquid Liner for a long while now. With four other eyeliners being included, the "Draw the Line" gift box is worth more than I paid for. (In the picture, they are in order as how they are talked about)



I went ahead and swatched these beauties on my hand, but the picture is on an index card. Not that there is much of a difference, it's basically the same color as me.

The Sephora Collection Long Lasting eyeliner is a a liquid eyeliner that has a pretty nice brush. It does have some glitter in it, so wear it when you're feeling fancy. It is only a 12 hr wear eyeliner, so I would definitely set it with some eyeshadow for a longer wear.

Let's talk about the Eyeko Skinny Liquid Liner. I was first introduced to Eyeko thanks to Birchbox and an amazing mascara. This company is for sure quality. This liner is more of a felt tip marker and it is beyond amazing. It's the darkest out of all the liners and one of my favorites.

I'm not one to gravitate toward pencil liners, but you can bet that I love anything Urban Decay. This duo does not disappoint. It comes in a black and a brown. Perfect for smudging and a softer liner look. Another pencil liner included in this set was the Make Up For Ever Aqua Eye Liner. After being disappointed by their shades of foundation (they don't include a ghostly white) I hadn't really tried anything else by them. This pencil was alright but nothing I would spend that amount on.

On to my favorite in the set. The Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner. This is such a beautiful, well worth it, purchase just for this liner alone. It's not too thick and would be perfect for a solid, crisp cat eye. I can't even explain how beautiful this is. It's a felt tip as well (I'm noticing a trend...) so it makes for an easy application. The next Stila liner in this set was the Smudge Stick Waterproof Liner. This is definitely the lightest of the liners, but it does just what it says. It smudges into a beautiful, smoky, soft line.

Overall, I'm beyond happy with this set. However, if I were to just buy the full size product by itself, I would absolutely be buying the Stila Liquid Liner and the Urban Decay Long Lasting Liner.

What liners do you guys grab first?
xx Tori

 Hola! So last Saturday I actually dressed myself before Rachel dragged me to the mall and out to eat. The struggle was so real to get out of bed before noon. Anyway, I figured I might as well use my outfit for my post of the week since it's unlikely I'll look this normal again until tomorrow. I guess that's not that long.... my job has a very informal dress code which means I wear tshirts and rolled up jeans with Sperry's every day. Original, I know. Alright, well here goes!


I wanted to wear something that would allow me to be comfortable in both the searing Kansas sun and the blasting air conditioning of the mall. I got to Rachel's and realized I needed something to cover up so I stole this checked shirt from her. (Did I give that back yet?) Here's what I'm wearing:

Floral Lace Shirt - Target, no longer available
Checked Shirt - Rachel's
High Waisted Shorts - Charlotte Russe, no longer available
Bag - Forever 21, $29.80








Onwards to the makeup:

Foundation - Benefit Oxygen Wow Liquid Foundation, $36
Concealer - Benefit Boi-ing in 01, $20
Under-eye Concealer - Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser, $11
Powder - Maybelline Dream Matte Powder, $8
Blush - Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Natural Beauty, $25
Eyebrows - NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Madrague, $34
Eyeliner - Stila Liquid Eyeliner in Brown, $20
Mascara - Benefit They're Real!, $23
Lipstick - MAC in Vegas Volt, $15 (this is the one I got Tori!)

Hoping the rest of your Thursday and weekend is great!

xx
Jen

Why hellooooo again, ladies! (and gentlemen?) I figured my first real post would be an opportunity to give you a general idea of my style and makeup. So, here goes:

Beauty:  

Of course, college doesn't always leave time to do your hair every morning and make sure it looks presentable (I'm looking at you, girls who throw their hair in a baseball cap or in some frightening hot mess on top of your head). I usually take my showers at night but instead I took one this morning. It's pretty humid where I live so leaving it down wet would just turn it into something reminiscent of the 80s or 90s (think Jess from Saved By the Bell, not Madonna). So I tossed it up into a ballet bun, a favorite look of mine recently since I've been so busy. 
I always wear a full face of makeup because I have slight acne and some dark spots. I just feel more comfortable when I know it's hidden and will stay that way throughout the day.
I then move to my eyes: first, eyebrows. I use an eyeshadow from a NARS duo to fill in my brows and I LOVE it. When I do winged eyeliner I always use a nude eyeshadow, it's just a rule of mine I guess! However I always love to have some major color on my cheeks and lips which is obvious here.

Here's a list of products I used:
Foundation: Benefit "Hello Flawless" Liquid Foundation in 'Cheers to Me' Champagne
Concealer: Benefit Boi-ing in 01 & 02
Undereye Concealer: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment in Honey
Powder: Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in Honey
Brow Powder: NARS Duo in Madrague - the darker shadow
Eyeshadow: Revlon Colorstay Smoky Shadow Stick in Torch - the light side
Eyeliner: Stila Liquid Eyeliner in Brown
Mascara: Benefit "They're Real!"
Blush: e.l.f. Studio Blush in Tickled Pink
Lips: Revlon Lipstick in Coralberry

Clothes:

I went outside... correction, swam (SO MUCH HUMIDITY) outside before I got ready this morning. I was so glad I noticed before deciding what to wear because The Weather Channel said it was going to be only 70 or so. But here, you have to add 10 degrees between the walk to class and the humidity! I can't wear skirts or dresses twice a week because of lab so today I took the opportunity while I could. Us college girls always seem to have the vicious circle of wanting to look cute, remain comfortable, and not sweat our frackin tits off walking to class. Why does this always seem so impossible? Because we also don't want to be the girl in class who seems so... "overdone". Most college students are not very concerned on their appearance (which is totally fine, don't get me wrong), but this doesn't always encourage those who like clothes to make an effort for fear of standing out too much. So today I threw on a super comfortable jersey dress on top of a mint bandeau with my new favorite piece, a denim vest. Add some stud earrings and flip flops and I'm set!

What I'm wearing:
Mint bandeau - Aerie
Grey jersey dress - Express
Denim Vest - Forever 21
Flip Flops - American Eagle

Have a great Wednesday fellow broke girls!

x
Jen