Lauren Conrad “Style”

Posted on May 3, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

When I was younger, I used to be an avid reader and would actually take on the tasks to finish lengthy materials super fast even if it meant getting some reading done at the dinner table or spending my summers at the local library. I loved where my books could take my imagination and how they made me feel. Throughout the years, school (in particular college) left a slight disdain for reading since it became more of a chore and not a hobby. I have made the choice today to get back to one of my favorite past times and enjoy reading just for the sake of it. Although it is more of a helpful guide versus a narrative “Style” by Lauren Conrad is a fun introductory easy read to get me back into the flow of things. I picked it up at my local Marshalls at a discounted price just merely based on the aesthetic appeal (great coffee table look) but quickly discovered that it actually had some awesome advice, guidelines, tips and tricks for the everyday girl interested in all things relating to fashion and beauty. Her simple yet chic look is broken down for even the basic beginner to be able to obtain as well as life and beauty hacks. From closet organization to choosing the right denim for your body type, this book has a little something for everyone and is an easy flowing read! Links below.

Find it here on Amazon

Barnes & Noble

-Love

Ari

Dry Shampoo

Posted on May 1, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Left-Right Aveeno Pure Renewal Dry Shampoo, Batiste Dry Shampoo (for dark and deep brown hair) and Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo for brunettes

Hey there everyone! Now ladies I know that most of us lead such busy lives causing to sometimes skip that hair wash we desperately need (Yes I said it). Guilty is written all over this girl who will wear a bun all week long, alas in comes the wonderful invention of the dry shampoo! This product has been out for some time now but different brands are now coming up with various alternatives for those with lighter or darker hair, some even have a red hair option. Here are the three that I have tried and my thoughts on why I did/ did not like them.

First up is the Aveeno Pure Renewal it is said to rejuvenate your hair for a clean and fresh look by removing excess oil and helping boost volume. It is also sulfate free. The price ranges between $5.99 – $8.99 depending on where you buy it. I personally LOVE the way this smells but because my hair is dark it did leave a white layer over it, which was a bit difficult to blend out. The formula itself isn’t too heavy or sticky but I found it did very little for my oily hair.

Next up is the Batiste Dry Shampoo which claims that a quick burst will instantly revitalize hair leaving it fresh and clean. It also has a tint of color making it easy to blend with your natural (or dyed) hair color. The price ranges between $7.49-$8.99. I purchased the dark to deep brown color (but they have a blond, medium brown and red tone as well). I’ve only used this one about 3 times but in that short amount of time I have found that this one really worked for me. It has a light airy feeling to it but still manages to absorb the oil without making my hair look too matte. The color matched perfectly with my hair and it also smelled super clean!

Lastly is the Drybar Detox for brunettes, running you at $20 which is a bit on the pricier side. This product claims to also absorb oil leaving your hair feeling clean light and full. It matches my hair perfectly as well and it does absorb the oil but it has a very heavy feeling and leaves my hair looking more matte and stiff than I would like. Another con for me is that the sprayer lets out so much product that it gets everywhere! My normally white shower curtain has brown stains because of it.

And there you have it my friends. In case you haven’t already guessed it, my favorite Dry Shampoo is the Batiste! Good quality along with a good price!

Below are links to purchasing these products. I found both the Aveeno and Batiste products at Ulta but I believe they are also sold in drugstores or Walmart. The Drybar Detox is sold on Drybar’s website but I found mine at Sephora.

Aveeno Pure Renewal
Batiste Dry Shampoo
Drybar Detox

Hasta Luego,
-Gwen

Revlon by Marchesa Review

Posted on April 28, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

I love me an at home manicure and what else is better than a cute set to keep my nails looking proper at all times! My lovely sister sent an awesome care package that included these products (will feature the rest in a different post). The packaging and design make all the difference with these everyday items. In collaboration with Revlon designer Marchesa added a touch of pink and florals that really make the average tools that much more awesome!

-The dual ended cuticle trimmer can be used to push back your cuticles as well as trim them up if needed.
-Nail clipper has a curved blade and small file
-The emery board has a floral design to file and also buff and shine on the opposite end
-The handy case protects and keep everything in place!

She also included a mini “to go” tweezer set that includes a slant and point tip for all of my tweezing needs! How freaking adorable are these babies?!

This and other designs can still be found at your local drugstores like CVS, Walgreens as well as Target.

Off to pamper myself!

-Ari

Designer Spotlight- Kate Spade New York

Posted on April 23, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Being a fan of “Kate Spade New York” is something that has come with age and experience. Her sophisticated lady like aesthetic, appeals to those who like your classic all american tailored looks with a touch of fun and sparkle in the mix. Her clothing allows for casual lunch dates to corporate office savvy looks all with great detail, color and of course quality. From graphic prints and the classic hallmarks (three-leaf clover and quirky quotes like “live colorfully”) Kate Spade New York expands in categories like clothing, jewelry, shoes, eyewear, bedding, gifts, stationary etc. Kate Brosnahan Spade set out to first design the perfect handbag and has now broadened into the power house company it is today in just 18 years! Both Gwen and I love this brand and can only wish to own more pieces! Along with my phone, iPad cases and wallet check out my previous way I styled my classic nude chain link Kate Spade purse. Their new collection “21 days in Monaco” features neutrals with pops of red and fun bright patterns. Featured on the site is also the official Kate Spade New York blog in which each column offers differing insight, tutorials and even tips from their brand stylist Brad Goreski (former Rachel Zoe associate). I love everything this classic brand represents and the beautiful products that allow me to transition from a quirky adolescent to a young flourishing lady who doesnt have to give up that special quality she loves in an outfit. Here are some items on my current wish list….oh to dream!

Shop this look!

Paris and the Single Girl Book Clutch $328.00

Victory Goal Taza $298.00

Grand Tour Wicker Camera Bag $298.00

-Ari

BH Cosmetics

Posted on April 21, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Hey Everyone! I am back with a haul/review of a few things I picked up from BH Cosmetics. Many youtube beauty vloggers rave about this cosmetic and makeup tools line so I had to give them a try for myself. First and foremost I will say that they are super duper affordable and often have sales and coupon codes, (no breaking the bank here). The only downside is you can only purchase these products online, making it a bit difficult to be able to swatch colors. Luckily for you, I did just that!

Acrylic makeup organizer. I wanted this to organize the lipsticks that I wear the most often as well as place my foundation and bb/cc creams on top.

Acrylic makeup organizer. I wanted this to organize the lipsticks that I wear the most often as well as place my foundation and bb/cc creams on the side.

Glamorous blush palette has 10 gorgeous shades of blushes ranging from a bit of sheen to matte.

Glamorous blush palette has 10 gorgeous shades of blushes ranging from light and shimmery to bold and matte.

I chose 4 colors to swatch. As you can see they are pretty much true to the shade in the palette. They apply a bit more sheer, so building on the color is recommended.

I chose 4 colors to swatch. As you can see they are pretty much true to the shade in the palette. They apply a bit more sheer, so building the color up is recommended.

Pop art brush set caught my eye because of the fun colored handles. They are synthetic and soft to the touch. Big plus is that they DO NOT shed!

Pop art brush set caught my eye because of the fun colored handles. They are synthetic and soft to the touch. The major plus is that they DO NOT shed!

I’ve been loving the angled blush brush and this sort of dense tapered one (yellow handle) to add highlight to my upper cheek bones.

Eyes on the 60’s is the name of this eyeshadow palette and I fell in love with the huge variety of colors it has.

I again chose 4 colors to swatch for you and as you can see they have a lot of pigment to them. Note: to further intensify color you can always add Mac fix plus or believe it or not eyedrops, just dip your eyeshadow brush in whichever solution you choose pick up some product add to your lids and boom! flawless color

And there you have it! I bought these 4 items and still managed to spend under $50 including shipping fees. Talk about a sweet deal! ( They had a 40% off deal going on a few weeks ago)

Below you will find the direct links to each of the products listen on this post. They also have others to choose from.

Happy shopping everyone!
-Gwen

Makeup Organizer
Glamorous Blush Palette
Pop art Brushes
Eyes on the 60’s eyeshadow

April Ipsy Glam Bag Review

Posted on April 20, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

April’s Ipsy bag is a lovely addition to my collection this month. I really haven’t had the time to go out and physically buy any new cosmetics (Ive been needing a new mascara for ages!) so times like this its always nice to check my mail and have some cool new products to try. This months actual makeup bag was not my favorite but overall the products it contained were great and made up for it.

This tinted lip balm from the brand “Cailyn” in Apple Pink has very interesting packaging. The base pot holds a nice amount of the balm, while you are provided with a convenient lip brush attached at the top. I love the color pay off (looks more coral on my lips) and the brush is definitely needed since the color is sort of difficult to spread evenly. Nice aesthetic appeal and great product!

I dont personally use mousse on my hair (only natural products for my curls) but I will be re-gifting this since it is a reputable brand and may work for some with less dry hair.

This product leaves little to be desired just by the looks, but when I actually swatched and used it on my eye it was great! It is an eyeshadow mousse, very creamy texture and the color payoff is amazing. On my personal skin tone it looks more gold and its very shimmery. The consistency is thick (mousse like) and seems to stick and have a long wear.

This sample size skin exfoliant is awesome! It smells very tropical and the micro beads really feel like they are deep cleaning my skin. I don’t know if over time it will improve the overall texture or quality. Stay tuned!

Lastly, this urban decay 24/7 black velvet eye pencil is of course a winner! Super pigmented, great for the water and tight line or even your lid since it glides on super smooth. Perfect to wear alone, or smoke out and make for a more smoldering look.

– Love Ari

March Ipsy Glam Bag Review

Posted on March 19, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Its March Ipsy Glam Bag time! I am glad to say they are continuously getting better with the products and I am happy that every month I get to indulge in some new products I may not have tried before. If you are not familiar with Ipsy and their monthly subscription program check out my previous post and initial review on my very first bag. This month features a special makeup bag with a funky print from Klari Reis.

This cute trio palette from Nyx is called “Love in Rio” and features the perfect combination for a dark night-time smokey eye. They are all shimmery and feature a base medium color, highlight and black for depth.

This bare minerals lipstick could not be any cuter! Its mini size makes it perfect to throw in any bag but yet features enough of the product to get its worth. Featured in “Get Ready” this color is perfect for everyday use and its creamy texture feels great and moisturizing on the lips.

This pixi “flawless beauty primer” is supposed to even your skin tone and add a youthful glow. I tried it on my face and I didn’t see much difference except the shimmer. It didn’t work well with my skin tone but might look better on someone with fair skin or used sparingly for a touch of highlight.

Lastly this liner was an unexpected little surprise. From the brand Chella this eyeliner pen is in “Indigo Blue” and features a stiff felt tip. The end is perfect for precise lines, and the dark blue is a nice break from the usual black. It is long-lasting and doesnt drag or fade.

Klari Reis Print Makeup Bag, check out more on Klariart.com

Love

Ari

February Ipsy Glam Bag Review

Posted on February 21, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

The time has come again for my monthly Ipsy Glam Bag, this is my second one ever and I must say I am much more pleased with this one than my January edition. This time around it included more full sized items and actual products that I love and will use often. First things first is the constant incorporation of a new makeup bag, plain pink with white trim and I love it! This one will probably be re-gifted as well or used for traveling purposes. I received lashes from jcatbeauty, a body butter from pacifica, zoya nail polish, pop beauty lip gloss and a shadow tint from ‘tini beauty. Check out my pics and reviews below and also the Links at the bottom for products. Enjoy!

J.Cat Beauty “EL 20”
Lashes + Glue
These are very thick but still very soft to the touch, I may cut them in half to use as accent lashes instead of a full glam look. I usually prefer a slimmer band but nonetheless these are still great lashes.

Pop Beauty -“Fuchsia Freesia”
This mini gloss is perfect to throw in your bag and your’e out the door! The sheer tint is great over another color to mix or alone by itself for a natural flushed pink pout. Although I did not see the advertised “plumping” effects I did feel the moisture from the avocado and jojoba oils used in said product. I love it!

Pacifica Body Butter- “Hawaiian Ruby Guava”
This body butter is super moisturizing and smells like heaven on earth! Like all pacifica products it is 100% vegan and cruelty free. This isn’t for someone afraid of a strong scent you will be smelling like a tropical dream for the entire day!

‘Tini Beauty-Eyeshadow Tint “Spiced Rum”
I have never heard of this line until now and they offer an array of nail products, eyes and lips as well. This eyeshadow tint is creamy, blends well and can be used as a base or by itself for a subtle look (on my skin tone). The packaging on the site is very cute with all of the products sporting an alcohol related theme i.e., “dry gin top coat”. Very cool concept!

Zoya- “Odette”
This pretty purple is perfect for an everyday mani. It was a nice consistency and one coat is good enough for a nice finish. Ive always liked Zoya polishes and Im glad to add this to my collection!

-Love,
Ari

Pacifica “Hawaiian Ruby Guava” Body Butter
Zoya “Odette” Nail Polish
‘Tiny Beauty “Spiced Rum” Eyeshadow Tint
J. Cat Beauy Eyelashes
Pop Beauty “Fuchsia Freesia” Lip Gloss

Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm

Posted on January 30, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

I was so excited when I saw Revlon’s new matte balm line! ( I mean what new lip product doesn’t make me super excited?) The original colorburst’s were my absolute favorite when they were first launched, I love the simple twist up tube because lets face it not many people have a sharpener on hand.

There are many matte lipsticks & balms that are a bit too drying for me, causing lots of cracking which I HATE! These bad boys are velvety smooth! They are made with shea, coconut and mango butters, so yes you guessed it not only do they glide on your lips smoothly (with intense color payoff might I add) they are also very nourishing. Shameless (#215) and Unapologetic (#210) were the two colors I chose and I couldn’t be happier. Check out some swatches below…

Hope these swatches were helpful to you all

Hasta Luego,

-Gwen

January Ipsy Glam Bag Review

Posted on January 29, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

I just received my first Ipsy Glam bag ever and I have to say I have very mixed reviews of the items and products that were included. For those who don’t know, Ipsy is just one of the ever popular monthly subscription bags out there meant to save makeup/beauty collectors money and allow you the customer to try products out before committing and buying them fully. Every month you get a selection of items based on a questionnaire that you fill out in the beginning, it does initially put you on a waiting list for a bag but my personal wait was not long at all. For $10 a month you can then read reviews and watch tutorials on the ipsy online community from other makeup lovers and learn and share tips and tricks based on that months bag.

First Impression-Love the fact that it comes in an extremely cute makeup case! I have so many of these but they get dirty often and sometimes even need replacing. These can make great items to re-gift later on and fill them with your own personalized items for friends and family. I love this first blue bag featuring a print of different cosmetic products and bottles.

Cons- The items I received were not full-sized except the tinted lip balm (pictured below)

Pros-
-It featured new products that I had never tried before and some that I had heard of already (proactiv and Mica).
-Good mixture of “high and low” products

Ipsy January Glam Bag

Proactiv + Mark Fading Pads

Mica Beauty Cosmetics- Tinted Lip Balm # 6 Fiesta
The color pay off of this product is great and shows up on my darker lips perfectly. The only con I could say is that it could be a little more moisturizing for being a “balm”. It feels more like a soft stain versus an actual regular lip balm.

Swatch of #6 Fiesta

Nourish Organic Lightweight Moisturizing Face Lotion-Argan +Rosewater
This feels super lightweight and has an amazing refreshing scent. The only con I would say is that my skin absorbs it super quick and I still feel a little dry. This is best for those with less dry skin (perhaps oily or combination) and also for areas with high heat as it is super light and refreshing on the face.

Elizabeth Mott- Smooth Shadow Creamy Eye Pencil
This pencil had a great consistency and cute little travel packaging, the only downside was that it was too light for either me or my sister’s skin tone. This was included in our giveaway a week ago.

Dont Despair, Repair! Deep conditioning mask This hair mask has an amazing scent and is meant for those with dry, damaged or chemically treated hair.

Briogeo-Dont Despair, Repair! Deep conditioning mask
This hair mask has an amazing scent and is meant for those with dry, damaged or chemically treated hair.

I will most likely continue and see what else Ipsy has to offer for the next couple of months and will be coming out with further reviews if I receive any items that I am in love with.

Until then….Enjoy!

-Ari