As I mentioned in my Beauty Resolutions post, I'm upping my skincare game this year. Unfortunately the holidays have left me broke, with the imminent semester draining my new year earnings. Though that never stops me from pining over a few things that will hopefully be (gradually) added to my stash.

Clinique Super City Block SPF 40 ($22)
     We're now all well aware of my ghostly pallor, which means major sun damage. I've been a bit of a slacker when it comes to spf so this is at the top of my priortiy list. I've heard good things about this line (there's also a sheer version) and I quite like that it has the bonus of environmental protection.

Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Booster
     This is an ongoing source of rage for me. This is rumored to be poised for release at Walgreens, but I can't find any concrete information about it. I've heard countless Brits rave on and on about it so when it finally does reach US soil I'll be the first to purchase it. Essentially, hylauronic acid can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water - making the most of your moisturizer you follow with.

Ole Henriksen Total Truth Vitamin C Eye Cream SPF 15 ($45)
      Need I mention the necessity for sun protection again? I've been using a sample of this for a few days now and am eager to purchase the full size. It has a very smoothing, almost priming texture yet gives the punch of moisture I need. Overall a perfect morning option for me.

NUDE Skincare Miracle Mask ($48)
     Topping the list of my skin concerns is radiance. Anything that improves texture and imparts a glow has caught my attention. NUDE is a brand I've had my eye on for a while, but I think a mask would be a nice way to segway myself into the line. It would be a luxury, but something I'm confident I'd find worthwhile.

Clarins HydraQuench Cream ($50)
     My skin tends to err toward the dry side of things, particularly during winter. Clarins seems like a solid brand - one I'd like to explore. I've tried this on the back of my hands a few times in store, and the texture is lovely. It manages to feel incredibly hydrating without a greasy texture. To remedy my dry skin woes, I think I'll be relying on this.

Until later!

xx
Rachel

TESSA
On My Own - Miley Cyrus
I know I'm way behind the bandwagon on this one, but God damn, Miley. A+ 10/10 on this whole album. It's a very real possibility that so far in 2014 all I've listened to is Bangerz and Beyonce. You have to admit that's a pretty flawless combination though (because they're both queens, get over it). Anyway, I really enjoy this whole album, it's been great for my commutes and I can jam out to the whole thing, non-stop. This song always seems to be the one I start out with though. Let's be real, who doesn't love a song about being strong and independent? Beyonce may have done it first, but dare I say: Miley did it better. If you have been under a rock (like me) and haven't yet dis
covered this album, go do it right now. You won't regret it.

TORI
Fade Away- Selah Sue
I know that I've used Selah Sue before, but I recently discovered this song again and just kept listening to it. It's whatever, because she is amazing. Seriously, not only is she beyond talented, let's just talk about hair and style envy. She is one of the best performers I've seen and such a chill person from the short little hug I got from her (plus a picture in which I am so grateful for). Her songs always have a deeper meaning without being chalked full of lyrics, and I love that so much about her songwriting. It's a pretty chill rhythm and is just a relaxing song. I say that, even though the lyrics are pretty depressing.



RACHEL
sad love song from someone else - LITTLEFOOT
     This week's selection was actually brought to me via YouTube. Someone featured it as background music so I decided to check the band out. What originally stuck me was the style, which seems fairly similar to The Growlers (which I've been all about lately). They still maintain the laid back, almost beach vibe - but the female vocals read more...ethereal? Is that too dramatic? Probably. You can actually download this single for free from their bandcamp (linked above) but be sure to check out their other tracks while you're there. Their lyrics are less than uplifting, but I think it fits their sound well - and my personality.  Hopefully I can hunt down more of their music in the future.

I'll be honest - I spend a lot more of my time laying in bed watching Netflix than I do just about anything else. Working is probably the only thing that rivals it. Seriously - if I can do it from my bed I will. So naturally there's a few products I keep bedside.. Mostly because I'm too lazy to move, but whatever.

Soap & Glory Hand Food
This one I am 1000% blaming on Tori. She got me a Soap & Glory gift set for Christmas and boy am I hooked. This hand cream hasn't left my bedside table and I honestly apply it at least 5 times a day. It smells absolutely wonderful, isn't greasy and is ridiculously hydrating and moisturizing. If you're on the market for a good hand cream, look no further because this is it. I'm probably going to purchase the full size to keep at home and throw this travel one in my bag. Even though I have about 50 other lotions I should use up first.

Avon Moisture Boost Eye Cream for Normal Skin & Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Deep Wrinkle Night Cream
This is a new addition. Once again, I'm lazy. So I've started keeping my night cream and night eye cream by my bedside. This is also partly because I've added in a new toner to my skin care routine, and I like to let it sink in a little bit before finishing up my skin care routine. So after I apply my toner, I usually come to bed and check e-mails, twitter, etc, and then apply my night cream and eye cream before turning back to Netflix. I realize how lazy and boring this makes me sound, but kind of genius, no?

Nail File
I have a serious problem with hoarding nail files. Pretty sure there are about 10 in a bathroom drawer, at least one in my purse, and who knows how many more elsewhere. I don't have an obsession with filing my nails, it just seems that they always come in gift sets for some reason so I now own a disgusting amount of them. This is also a new addition as I've started to take better care of my nails, so filing is a must. I usually keep my nails pretty short but of course the occasional snag comes up that I need to file out.

Now for the boring basics...

Water Bottle
I stopped drinking pop nearly a year and a half ago (I've fallen into a bad habit lately of grabbing one at my internship every so often, really need to discipline myself better), so I always have a water bottle with me anyway. Lucky for me, I'm also one of the people who wakes up in the middle of the night dying of thirst for some reason, so if I don't have this I may die. Also, I don't just take a glass of water because I'm not responsible enough for that. Every time I've tried that I end up spilling all over myself, so water bottles are my best friend. Namely my Camelback aka lifesaver.

Glasses Case/Contact Case
I'm blind as a bat, so these are here for obvious reasons. I usually don't wear my glasses unless I'm just hanging around the house, so they pretty much live in their case until I get home from work. I keep my contact case next to my bed to for nights I get home later and can't be bothered to walk the 3 feet it would require to stand up in my bathroom and take them out there.

Pen and Notebook
It always seems that my best ideas hit me when I'm laying in bed, so I keep my blogging notebook (matching with Rachel, btw, because we're cute friends like that) next to my bed along with my favorite pen from a local advertising agency. Weird I know but have you come to expect anything else?

Phone Charger
This is a no brainer. I charge my phone overnight and since it also serves as my alarm, it's only logical to keep my phone charger on my bedside table. Mostly so I can hit snooze 500 times the second my alarm goes off in the morning. If you didn't already know, I'm not a morning person.

So there you have it, my bedside essentials - boring and not so boring. And I now have revealed my true life to all of the internet. So that's fun.

xx

Tessa

I told myself that I was going to be on a makeup ban this month. Did that happen? No. Did I make it three days? No. I should really work on my self control when it comes to makeup. That being said, I feel pretty solid about these three purchases because I *needed* them. I have actually been wanting two of these products for months. In the picture I am wearing all the products listed below. Not like it was difficult because I luurrvee them.

The first is the Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer in fair. If you have been reading the blog for awhile, you know that I raved about the sample I got from Sephora months back in my "BB Cream War," post. When I finally broke down and bought it, the first use was pretty magical. It has that silky formula that I love and a nice, natural coverage. There are a few other perks of this product. One including it's Broad Spectrum SPF 30. Who wouldn't want that? Another perk is it being a vegan product, also meaning no animal testing. Y'all know I'm a sucker for brands who don't test on animals.

Hourglass has been tempting me in the form of YouTube videos because just about all the people I watch use the Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil. I was running out of my beloved Gimme Brow and decided that it was time. The moment I tried this pencil I fell in love. I know I say that with about every brow product ever, but truly, this is amazing. It's advertised as a pencil but looks like the most natural thing. The consistency is more like a crayon than a pencil. That being said, I think putting a clear brow gel on over helps it stay put. I purchased the soft brunette shade and it is perfect. How did I ever operate without filling in my brows? This is a mystery.

This last product is one I am determined to conquer. Blush. I have the hardest time applying blush. I never think it looks right on me, I have no idea why. I've gotten better about it, thanks to my Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual. Anywho, I thought this NYX Rouge Cream Blush in Hot Pink would be the perfect shade. It's a gorgeous shade and does work with my skin tone. I used it the other day and was pleasantly surprised. It blends really well, I use the Real Techniques Buffing Brush just to blend it in. With my face shape being oval, I go ahead and place the product higher on my cheekbones towards my ear and then blend out. I feel like that works the best for me just because I don't like the color on the apples of my cheeks, it just looks weird on me.

What products have you guys been loving lately?
xx Tori

     Haaaallo lovelies! We're proud to announce a new weekly feature on FBG, coming to you each and every Tuesday. Like On Repeat, we'll be collaboratively posting about anything from beauty to movies. We've deemed this the week to share our favorite winter lipsticks, but we'd love to hear your suggestions as well! I'd say c u next Tuesday, but...you know.

rachel
Revlon Black Cherry
     This is an oldie, but one I can depend on for a vampy lip. The Super Lustrous line has a creamy texture, so I do tend to blot this down. Still, it earns bonus points for versatility. Dabbed on it's a sheer berry stain but can be built up to full opacity. Since I went the dramatic route, I kept the rest of my face simple. For base I used a minute amount of Revlon Colorstay (the normal/dry formulation). Dark lipstick has a way of emphasizing my dead eyes and thus, Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser to the rescue. I wanted to slightly define the eyes, opting for the medium-toned, matte taupe Get Ahead from Bare Minerals. I finished with a swipe of MAC Gigablack mascara and NYX cream blush in Boho Chic (to restore some color to my pallid, pallid face). Fin.

jenny
BITE BEAUTY High Pigment Pencil in Rhubarb
     Excuse the messy hair, I'm about to run out the door to get my haircut so didn't see the point in making it all fancy. I chose this lip color (graciously given to me by Tori - I am in love with it) because it's one that will work when you need to be somewhere official and look put together. I have an appointment with a school advisor today so I didn't find it appropriate to go too vampy but this is a good balance. I think this shade is definitely more of a winter or fall color... it would look weird with lighter fabrics. Or maybe that's just me. For the rest of my face, I used Revlon Colorstay for Combinatin/Oily skin (new fave drugstore foundation), kept my eyes bare, some Cailyn liquid eyeliner, and did my brows up reaaaaallll nice-like. I put some shimmery eyeshadow along my bottom lash-line to open up the eyes a bit and then used Tarte 24-Hour Blush in Exposed to brighten up the cheeks. Prettay simple!

tessa
Wet N Wild Black Orchid 
    This is easily my favorite lip color in my collection, and also the one I get the most compliments on. Best part? It's only $1 at the drugstore. Bless you, Wet N Wild, for making cheap and fabulous make up. Black Orchid is a deep, dark red, pretty similar to Revlon Black Cherry or a number of MAC shades. It easily gives a little extra to any basic make up look (aka my entire life). For the rest of my face, I kept it very simple using my trusty Covergirl Whipped foundation (with my Real Techniques sponge that I am in awe with, Thanks Rach), a Color Workshop blush (don't have color name sorry!) and used NYC's Sunny Bronzer in my crease with Urban Decay's Venus all over, and finally topped off with EM Cosmetic's Lash Gallery Volume. My brows, as always, are courtesy of Anastasia's Brow Powder Duo in Auburn. Quick and easy.

tori
MAC Cyber
I'm a bit late on this post, lo siento. Notice all of the red lips? Well mine only varies slightly. I am a sucker for all things bold lips and Cyber is no exception. However, in this post I just wore it as a stain with a bit of my Orange Baby Lips over it. I would normally wear it in all its bold glory, however this wasn't the lip color I started today with. When I do wear this color full on I tend to have golden eyes a la Lorde (because her minimal makeup is always on point).

Well, everyone else has done their resolutions for 2014. Why am I not surprised that I procrastinated making resolutions? Sometimes I astound myself with my mastery of procrastination. Anyway, I've split up my resolutions into three categories: beauty, school, and personal. Here goes!

beauty

1. Wear eyeshadow more often. I have a serious obsession with lip products so I tend to keep my eyelids bare using Painterly from MAC. This year, I want to really delve into my eyeshadow palettes and create some new looks because otherwise they're mostly just sitting in my collection! No bueno
2. Master my brows. I'm still a little unsure of how to do my brows. I tend to just wing it and sometimes it looks normal and sometimes I look.... not normal. This year I need to get on top of them!
3. Set up a complete skincare regimen. This resolution has already begun. I invested in a PTR toner and am going to pick up the Murad Clarifying Cleanser soon as well. Makeup will look even better if you have a clean canvas!

     No doubt this post has been circulating blogs as of late, so I thought I’d weigh in with my picks of the year. It was actually tough to choose 13 items but I think I’ve nailed what I’ve loved for the past 365.