Sunday Funday (London Edition)

Posted on January 19, 2015 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Second weekend in London and it of course was an exciting one! On Saturday morning I decided to walk around my new neighborhood a bit checking out the local eats, where to get my nails and eyebrows done etc. I then rode the tube up north to
Islington to meet up with a friend for drinks and dinner, boy did we have fun! You English people sure know how to have a good time!

Sunday was sort of a low key day, I again did some walking to the next town over called Clapham and discovered this lovely restaurant called the Bolingbroke and had an amazing English roast! What’s not to love about Yorkshire pudding am I right?

After that huge meal I rested for a while then decided I could not let myself get into a food coma and walked over to the Southside shopping center. This shopping center has everything you could ever dream of! Primark, Boots, Superdrug, H&M, River Island, The Body Shop etc. I’ve come to the realization that Boots is the equivalent to Target back home, every time I walk in there I leave with at least £40 worth of stuff. Here’s what I picked up from Boots and the Body shop…

I am most excited about the XXL volume Batiste dry shampoo and the Real Techniques contour brush. (Will keep you updated on how they perform).

That is all my friends, as always until next time!

-Gwen

S.W. Basics of Brooklyn-Natural Product Review

Posted on January 14, 2015 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Review time!!! So as some of you may or may not know, I have tried to incorporate more natural based products into my beauty regiment starting with the process of growing out my chemical processing and getting my healthy curls back. In my search for new products to try I came across this company called S.W. Basics of Brooklyn. First and foremost the name caught my eye immediately, anything that reminds me of home is so fun for me to support. Started by Adina Grigore, this company uses no more than 5 ingredients in every single one of their products. All responsibly sourced and simple enough to be accessible to everyone yet potent.

-100% All natural (not just a sneaky advertising label)
Ingredients are either certified organic, fair trade, or sourced from small family farms. This contributes to sustainable agriculture, supports small businesses and healthier communities.
Amazing and adorable packaging that can be recycled and reused how you see fit.
Did I mention none of the products have more than 5 ingredients? YES PLEASE

I went with the eye makeup remover to start with. It goes on smooth using a cotton round or ball and dosent have a strong scent. Made from just three ingredients super-light organic sweet almond oil, a bit of organic extra-virgin olive oil, and a little jojoba oil a little bit of this product goes a long way. It removes my eye makeup including mascara and can double as a moisturizer. I don’t have to wash off the residue and can actually rub it around my eyes for that sensitive skin area to soak up all the goodness. I am definitely looking forward to trying more of their products in the future including body scrubs and cleansers. Check them out if you have sensitive skin or are just interested in using all natural products. Link Below!

Mascara, you ain’t the boss of me.

S.W Basics Makeup Remover

S.W. Basics of Brooklyn

All American OOTD

Posted on January 9, 2015 by itsapplesandorangesblog

I’m semi satisfied with the amount of pictures me and my sister took for each other before we parted ways during the holidays. Usually we just end up having too much fun and messing around to the point where no actual work gets done! This was a quick outfit of the day right before one of our shopping trips while she was here visiting us in Florida. The main focal point is this amazing military “Michael Jackson esque” sweater from Ralph Lauren. The etched gold buttons and high neck make for a classic silhouette while maintaining warm in the cooler temps. I love the fact that it can be sporty and casual or dressed up as I did with dark wash jeans, Aldo booties and a structured purse (last two items soon to be solo featured on the blog as well). I bought the sweater at Marshalls as my #fabfound item of the month but also found similar sweaters below that can work to recreate this look.

Similar sweaters Here, Here, Here, Here, Here & Here!

Love, Ari

NYE Outfits

Posted on January 1, 2015 by itsapplesandorangesblog

2015 is here! So many great things have happened this past year and we are so grateful to have been able to spend time together per usual for this holiday season. For our New Years celebration we decided to keep it low key this year (since Gwen is moving to London in a couple of days) and spend time at home with our loved ones. Needless to say, we still found the need to dress up of course. Get all the details down below!

Ari’s Outfit
Dress- Alberto Makali Nordstrom Rack
Shoes – Old season Forever 21
Clip in Hair Extensions –Bellami
Press on Nails- Static Nails

Gwens’ Oufit
Dress- Forever 21
Shoes- Sam & Libby Heels from Target
Press on Nails- Static Nails

Josie Maran -Argan Hand Healers

Posted on December 12, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

I don’t believe there is a need for any introductions to Josie Maran and how amazing her entire line is. Featured on the blog so many times before, they are go-to products that get the job done. The job in this case being dry chapped hands! With the colder weather comes overall dry skin and your hands are no exception. Keeping in mind, hands can often tell a persons true age we want to keep them as soft and supple as possible! I picked this small kit up on sephora.com during their Black Friday sale and am once again thoroughly impressed. The lotion is thick, incredibly creamy and smells delicious! It went on my hands like butter and quickly removed the dry feeling. The nail polish remover pads are an added bonus for those quick touch ups/removals on the go. It is said these won’t damage your nail bed and also provide some moisture for your cuticles. I don’t necessarily think it smells like lavender as advertised but it does not have a strong acetone scent either. All in all I’m excited to keep pampering my hands and overall take better care of my body this winter. Links down below!

Bear Naked Nail Wipes

Argan Intensive Hand Cream

Toodles

-Ari

Mac X Nasty Gal “Gunner” Review & Swatch

Posted on December 10, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

When two amazing brands have a collaboration , it’s fair to say everyone goes a little nuts and scours the internet looking for reviews and swatches of the new products (or maybe I am speaking for my sister and I).Mac x Nasty Gal is no exception to this rule. This partnership has created a high intensity collection of three lipsticks and nail lacquers to bring out your inner #GirlBoss. These bold colors are perfect for the fall/ winter season and I’m so glad I snagged the one I really wanted the most. Featured below is the lip color in “Gunner”, on my tan skin it goes perfect with a neutral eye and loads of mascara. Or if you are really bold, pair it with intense eyes for a night out! The consistency is classic MAC, which for me means a tiny bit drying but overall has an intense color pay off that makes up for it. Links and alternatives down below!

Some tips to make your lips look luscious:

-Exfoliate lips with a scrub (I skipped this part because I was so excited to try it and it definitely makes a huge difference)
-Try using a lip brush or angled liner brush to outline your lips first with the color (instead of using another lip liner that may alter the violet color)
-Dust translucent powder on your lips for the ultimate matte effect
-Use a small amount of highlight on your cupids bow

NO FLASH

Hope you guys enjoyed this swatch on my darker lips, what are some tricks you guys use to make your lips BOLD color ready? Comment down below!

Mac Cosmetics & Nasty Gal -Lipstick in “Gunner”

You can also check out the colors Cyber and Heroine by Mac as alternative’s since this Nasty Gal collection is selling out fast!

Toodles,

Ari

The Makeup Show (Holiday Pop Up)

Posted on December 8, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

The Makeup Show had their annual Holiday Pop Up shop this past weekend in the big apple and boy was it fun! I arrived around 2 pm just missing a seminar given by James Vincent on how to build your makeup kit. Such a bummer! But I did go on to do some browsing and of course shopping. I snagged some pretty awesome things at 20 -70% off! Check them out down below…

Makeup Forever had an amazing deal where if you purchased five items you would receive 70% off so I grabbed two HD powders, two HD cream blushes and one lip liner.
Stila was also there in combination with Bauble Bar selling some of their collections. I picked up the eyes are the window matte shadow palette in “Mind” which normally retails for $50 but with the discount I snagged it for $30!
I can’t seem to ever pass up Crown Brushes when I see them. They are of great quality and the best part is the very inexpensive price. Major score!
Static Nails is up next! This brand has such an awesome collection of stick on nails which are reusable for up to twenty times! You’re able to file them down to whatever shape you desire and paint over them without damaging the original color. I picked up the set called the “Empire” for only $13.
Last but not least I caught up with Angelique from “Break ups to Makeup” and purchased one of her awesome tanks with the quote “Please, I can’t even commit to a lipstick”.

And that was it my lovelies! I am looking forward attending the big Makeup Show in May of next year.

(The items I purchased are available at each respective brands website, but not at the discounted prices, unfortunately)

Toodles Dolls!
-Gwen

MAC Haul (Collective)

Posted on December 5, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Over the last two months or so I’ve found myself gravitating towards MAC products. Although I have always been a fan of their lipsticks I had not tried too many of their other makeup products, until now that is. Reading reviews online and browsing at the actual store has opened my eyes up to a few new products that I would like to share with you all. Check out what they are down below…

Couldn’t leave the store without picking up a few new shades of Lipsticks…

Peachstock: (Satin) Nude with Peachy undertone
Viva Glam II:(Satin) Nude with Taupe and Pink undertones
Twig: (Satin) Nude with Brown and Pink undertones
All fired up: (Retro Matte) Blue-toned Red

From Left to Right: Peachstock, Viva Glam II, Twig & All fired up

Top: Sweet as Cocoa sheertone blush
Left: Pro-longwear concealer in NC30
Middle: (top to bottom) Prep and Prime lip base, Prep and Prime highlighter pen in Bright forecast and Pro-longwear waterproof brow set in Bold Brunette
Right: Pro-longwear paint pot in Layin’ Low

These Products above were new purchases (except for the prep and prime highlighter which was a repurchase). Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Sweet as cocoa is a Mauve/ light Plum colored blush with slight shimmer. Once applied onto the cheeks the shimmer is not visible.
Pro-Longwear concealer in the shade NC30 has a thick and creamy consistency and is the perfect shade to conceal my under eye area
Prep and prime lip base is great for applying underneath Matte lipsticks which could be drying at times (especially MAC’s retro matte formulas)
Prep and Prime highlighter is great for highlighting (under the eyes, bridge of your nose, cupids bow and chin) the shade I picked up is called Bright Forecast and it has a yellow undertone.
Pro-longwear waterproof brow set has got to be my most favorite product out of the bunch. Your brows will not be going anywhere after setting them with this long lasting and highly pigmented product.
Pro-longwear paint pot in Layin’ low is an eyeshadow base which will help your shadows adhere much better to your eyelid. I love to sometimes just wear the base alone because this shade matches my skintone perfectly and it helps my eyelids not look as greasy.

What are some of your favorite MAC products? Share down below!
These items can all be found at your local MAC store, department store counter or online!

Till my next shopping spree,
-Gwen

“A Bloggers Thanksgiving”- Top 10 Things We Are Thankful For

Posted on November 27, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Things We are Thankful for by ari-pena featuring a deborah lippmann nail polish

As bloggers we are both inclined to always try new products or styles in order to consistently stay abreast of all the latest and greatest. Although we love shopping and reviewing new things, there are those constant tried and true items that will always be staples in our lives. Here are our top 10 items we are grateful exist in this world to make our lives just a bit more fulfilling.

Top ten things Ari & Gwen are grateful for this year-

Coconut Oil– I mean, no explanation needed! Not only can this be used on your hair but also skin, nails/cuticles, food the list goes on and on!
Dr. Scholls anything- From the inserts to the “fast flats” these products always save our tootsies from any emergency.
Pant/Skirt Hangers– Something so simple, yet it keeps skirts and pants wrinkle and indentation free (velvet ones also help reduce lines but these are preferable).
Lipstick– Any color, any finish, lipstick will always liven up your face and can be used in a pinch as blush as well.
Fast Dry Top Coats– Because who has time to wait for nails to dry?
Concealer– It helps us not look like zombies, covers and brightens like a dream!.
Bronzer– You can contour and carve yourself out an entire new face or simply add some glow, bronzer is where its at any season.
Scarves– Scarves galore! From thin to thick, infinity, patterned or even crotchet, scarves add an instant pop to any outfit. They also are functional keeping even the most coldest winds off your face and neck. Slip on a cool and cozy scarf and you’re ready to head out the door!
Tote Bags– Besides carrying an everyday purse, tote bags can serve as food storage, gym bags, diaper bags, extra night out clothes bag, you name it! .
Dry Shampoo– Last but certainly not least, when the world just dosent offer us the time to prep, Dry shampoo saves the day by taking away the shine on those non wash days.

All in all we are thankful for one another and our families and can’t wait to reunite for Christmas. Our blog is going in a great direction and we cannot wait to see what the future will bring.

Love Ari & Gwen

The Makeup Up Show Orlando Haul

Posted on November 17, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

The event went on without a hitch! I only got to attend one day due to some prior engagements for the second day, but I definitely made the best of that time. So many booths with lovely vendors and products galore! I was lucky enough to also catch two keynote speakers, Eugenia Weston and Eryn Krueger Mekash while gaining some insight into the “behind the scenes” volunteering to help with any minor services. Lastly I caught up with Angelique from @breakupstomakeup featured here by Gwen before and snagged a cute compact perfect to gift for the holidays. Below are the items I purchased and some shots of the actual space.