Five Broke Girls

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Taming the Makeup Drawer

Posted by Unknown Wednesday, February 5, 2014 0 comments

For some god forsaken reason, I decided it would be a good idea to clean out some of my makeup stash. I really just touched my "most used," drawer. It may have taken me forever, mostly due to me being completely indecisive, but some things did actually get tossed aside. The foundations I tossed out were due solely because of their shade. I'm pretty picky when I buy foundations to color match but I feel like I may have had these a bit too long because they both got quite a bit more dark, the tone was completely off and I ain't about looking like an oompa loompa.

I was actually a bit surprised at how many eyeliners I threw out. One in particular was a brand that I threw out a couple of things. I'm not sure why because I was a bit fond of Hard Candy when I first purchased it. It was pretty cheap and seemed to be an okay quality. When I swatched these products again, especially the liquid eyeliner, it creased so much and it didn't have a staying power that I want with liquid liner. Some of the others I swatched didn't move once on, but the Hard Candy liner smudged right after drying.

In a more positive light, some of these were just samples I used up that I had been clinging onto. For Christmas, Rachel bought me a REN gift set. I recently used up the cleansing balm and the hydro-calm moisturizer in that set. I love the moisturizer but was a bit undecided on the cleansing balm. I'm not much of a oil/balm gal. I hate the feeling of it on my face. The cleanser I use to remove my makeup now is the No7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Balm because it feels more like a moisturizer on my face, it's not a "true" balm so to speak.

Anywayyy, I cleaned up my makeup drawer in an effort to remember things that I once loved since I've put myself on a makeup ban this month. I'm never happy with my organization, so if you guys have any other storage ideas, please comment below and let me know!
xx Tori

Tuesday Talk | Valentine's Day Food + Films

Posted by Unknown Tuesday, February 4, 2014 0 comments

RACHEL
The Last Song
Normally, I'd select something snarky in an attempt to shun all things related to affection - especially an entire holiday. Instead I've chosen the complete antithesis. A Nicholas Sparks movie. Nay, a Nicholas Sparks movie featuring Miley Cyrus and a Hemsworth. Complete with her own music. I actually quite like Greg Kinnear, her on-screen father...is that odd? (PS check out Stuck in Love feat. him + Logan Lerman - on Netflix!) Oh well, this movie is fabulously cheesy. I'm not even going to delve into how many times I've seen it. NEARING TWO DOZEN. It really makes me question my taste. But srsly everyone should watch this movie. I will be doing just that on the 14th, complete with Xplosive Pizza Goldfish and possibly trial this drink recipe?

TORI
The Princess Bride
First off, I would like to say that I'm sure Rachel has watched that movie more than two dozen times. That was our go-to film Freshman year. Between that and Harry Potter, I'm not sure we watched much else. Now that I have that embarrassing confession out of the way, I will join Rachel in adding another "love driven" movie to the list. The Princess Bride is easily my favorite movie and book in the universe, meaning I have it basically memorized line by line. I swear to god the only way that I'll get married is if I have a priest who will lisp the entire wedding, “Mawwage. Mawwage is what bwings us togeva today.” But really, a classic night of pizza and The Princess Bride awaits.

JEN
Crazy, Stupid, Love
My obsession with this movie has become a serious illness. I try to pride myself on having impeccable taste in film (top 3? The Godfather, The Shawshank Redemption, and Braveheart) but when it comes to RomComs, this one takes the cake. The casting is awesome (swoon Emma Stone... I mean Ryan Gosling. I'd take either.) The fact that this movie takes typical boy meets girl (they get together, have a huge fight, then make up and live happily ever after) and turns it out on its head makes this movie so great. The honest look at marriage and how long-term relationships can become stale without realization is on point. Yet in the end everyone is happy. Perfection. Also Ryan Gosling. And Emma Stone. I want to emphasize those points.

TESSA
He's Just Not That Into You
I'm not big on chick flicks (for the most part), but this one wins everything. The casting is amazing (Jen AND Ben? Yes, please), and the story line really puts everything into perspective. Long term relationships, marriage, dating - this movie covers all of it and will really give you a reality check. It's fantastic. If you ever want a realistic RomCom, this is definitely it. I binge watched this my sophomore year of college and have put it away since. I'll probably pull it back out this month though, for nothing other than pure enjoyment. I'm pretty sure I can quote this nearly line for line, but that's irrelevant. This would be great for a girl's night, with plenty of baked goods, obvi. Because if there's anything I enjoy more than shopping and make up and skincare, it's an excuse to bake.

Jen | Empties No. 1

Posted by Unknown Monday, February 3, 2014 0 comments

Hey everyone! New video up today - check it out. Apologies for the lighting, my apartment isn't the best in combination with the not-so-great quality of MacBook cameras.

Jen

Manicure, Managed

Posted by Unknown Sunday, February 2, 2014 0 comments

I know when I first started painting my nails on the reg, I was less than adept. My strategy read something like “just get the polish on the nail and deal with the mess afterwards”. Not exactly efficient, and it made manicures out to be a chore. However, I’ve come to polish (hehehehe) my technique and I thought I’d share my few tips and tricks with you dudes. I’ll go through the key issues I struggled with (nail polish is so dramatic) and how I remedied them.

COLORING OUTSIDE THE LINES

Not to stifle your creativity, but nail polish outside the confines of your nail isn’t a great look. If you actually possess hand-eye coordination this may not be much of an issue, but for those of us who are not naturally graceful and ambidextrous - it is. Mostly this takes practice. Still, a few tools can help the process along. I like to keep something to clean up along the way handy (can’t stop won’t stop with the puns). A wooden cuticle stick, or something tapered and easily maneuvered around the nail bed will help to clear off polish before it dries. This saved me loads of hassle and kept things neater. Recently, I’ve started using a dedicated pen (by Sally Hansen), saturated with remover, to clean up mistakes. This is much more effective, and dealing with rogue polish is a no-brainer now.

BUBBLING

This used to drive me up a wall. Nothing is more frustrating than finishing a manicure only to see those sadistic little bubbles rise to the surface and mock you. Rude. I’ve found that not shaking the bottle too vigorously helps with prevention – if the polish is separated roll the bottle back and forth between your hands. Heat can also be problematic so try popping the bottle in the fridge for a few minutes before you paint, and it should apply smoother. Running a fan can also make the polish sticky, so turn it off and keep the bottle closed in between coats. The thinner the layers, the better.

CHIPPING

I still “struggle” with this, but I think that’s mostly down to my activity. Work means I’m always typing and filing which is less than kind on your nails. Regardless I do think a few things aid in extending the life of your manicure. I’m always sure to wash my hands directly beforehand to remove any oil or residue. Polish remover will also do the trick, and I’ve heard the same of vinegar. A rubberized base coat (I use Orly Bonder) helps the polish to bind well and also prevents staining the actual nail. Lastly, a topcoat will add shine and seal everything in place. I find running some along the tip of my nail cuts down on fading and chipping in that area too. Using a buffer to smooth out ridges and flaking has also been a lifesaver.

I’LL DIE BEFORE THIS DRIES

This was the most irksome issue in my eyes, but one I’ve fully solved. Seche Vite topcoat is dry to the touch in less than two minutes and fully dry at around 10. No longer must I wait around helplessly or wake up with sheet-smudged nails. If you don’t want to splurge on a topcoat, dipping your hands in cold water or spraying on some non-stick cooking spray will help. They aren’t as foolproof, but they should avoid any major issues.

Finish off with a nourishing hand cream (this Palmers option smells delicious and is affordable) and you're all set!

That’s all, folks. Do you have any manicure woes?

Rachel

Beauty Haul | Video

Posted by Unknown Saturday, February 1, 2014 0 comments

Hallo everyone, I've spent way too much money in the past month or so and I thought I'd validate my purchases by vlogging about them. Hope you all enjoy and I'll be back for my post tomorrow. L8r!

xx
Rachel

On Repeat #37

Posted by Unknown Friday, January 31, 2014 0 comments

RACHEL

Mind Over Matter – Young the Giant

So I finally downloaded YTG’s sophomore album (look how professional) and that was fo sho a solid choice. I think some of us broke girls will definitely have to be attending their concert come March. Tori and I have seen them live already, and they don’t disappoint. The atmosphere at the show was fantastic. The new tracks are a little catchier and less ambient than their debut album, which I have listened to from beginning to end countless times. I won’t be surprised if the same happens with Mind Over Matter. Sameer’s vocals are still beyond on point, and the instrumental remains interesting. The titular single was my choice for the week, but I’d also highly recommend “Crystallized”, “Waves”, and “Eros” in particular. But check out the whole album – it’s on Spotify so you have no excuse.

TESSA

You Sound Good To Me - Lucy Hale

Surprise, surprise! Another country choice. I'm still in a rut, I don't think it's going to end anytime soon, and I'm not going to apologize for it (btw, anybody down to move to Nashville like tomorrow? I'm game). This totally started off as a guilty pleasure, but then I got hooked. I probably listen to this about 5 times a day. I'm ridiculous, I know. I love Lucy Hale (talk about good brow game), so checking out her music was only natural. I'm actually kind of excited for her to drop an album. This song is perfect to just blare in the car and sing a long to, so catchy and upbeat. I have a feeling this will be a summer anthem of mine, much to the other Broke girls' dismay.

TORI
Mean Girls- Best Coast
I haven't listened to Best Coast in awhile, like probably the tour for this album awhile. However, for some reason one the songs off The Only Place got stuck in my head and I had to revisit the whole album. For sure "Mean Girls" and "Angst," the two bonus tracks, are the most frequently played of the bunch. I mean, "Angst," like, where could that song go wrong? In reality, I have pretty much exclusively listened to Bankrupt! by Phoenix and The Only Place this week. Plus, Best Coast for some reason is fun to sing in the car. Don't hate.

JEN
23 - Mike will Made-It ft. Wiz Khalifa, Miley Cyrus, & Juicy J
I never thought the day would come when I posted two Juicy J songs on here... let alone know who Juicy J was. I've been on a catchy pop-rap binge (another thing that I never thought would happen) so of course this anthem has to be included. I've been avoiding the fact that school has actually started when all I want to do is go out with my friends. Listening to party music has made the transition a little easier... and also pumped me up all this week for the weekend. Whoopsies.

Campus Essentials

Posted by Unknown Thursday, January 30, 2014 0 comments

If you're anything like me there are some things you just can't be without (my watch, my phone). This is no different when I venture on to campus (ugh). And in full spirit of getting back into routine, I thought I'd share my campus essentials.

BEAUTY

Lotion (Nivea Extended Moisture): Since Kansas has decided to be an absolute gem this winter, my hands have been ridiculously dehydrated and I'm always feeling the need to apply lotion. I got a sample size of this a while back and threw it into my bag. It's not my favorite, but it'll work until I get my hands (haha, I'm not Rachel I promise) on another Soap & Glory Hand Food travel size.
Body Spray (Bath & Body Works, Be Enchanted): I don't use this all that often, but it's nice to have. I really should update the scent, since this one has been in my bag since August, but it's almost spring again — okay, maybe not but close enough? — so it'll probably stay.
Hand Sanitizer (Bath & Body Works, Island Margarita): I wish they had this scent year round because it's my favorite ever, and yes, I fully plan on stocking up on the candle. Anyway, if you don't carry hand sanitizer on campus, you're crazy. It's pretty self explanatory.
Chapstick (Maybelline Baby Lips in Melon): Another self explanatory product. Do I ever leave the house without a Baby Lips and/or EOS? The answer is no.

NON-BEAUTY

Shout Wipes: These live in my make up bag, but it felt wrong including them under the beauty section. I'm a complete mess 99% of the time, so this isn't even a question for me. It's almost guaranteed I will spill something from myself, so these are always on hand.
Laptop (MacBook Pro 13"): I take all my notes in class on my computer, so this is a must have. Also to distract myself during classes that are way too boring. Which apparently will get you in trouble with TAs, watch your backs.
Kindle (HD Fire): For my lovely two-hour breaks that I can't manage to avoid, or ever fill really, I keep this on hand for whatever book I'm reading. Until yesterday it was The Maze Runner, I think I might delve back into the Divergent series next though.
Lisa Frank Folder: Because I'm a 90s girl and I need someone to keep my papers, okay? Don't judge.
Blogging Notebook: Yet another self explanatory item, which also happens to have a lot of homes. In case I have an idea for a post or video, or I'm planning out collab posts.
Planner: I never leave home without this thing. Ever. It's my life. I would seriously not know up from down without it.
Pens/Pencils: Again, self explanatory and boring.
Wallet: An absolute must when you're on campus all day, for obvious reasons.

Well, that's all from me today. What's in your school bag?

Tessa