Winter Moisture

Posted on January 24, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Hey Everyone! How are you all holding up in these freezing temperatures? I feel like this has been one of the coldest winters we New Yorkers have had in a very long time. I need some sun in my life!
Due to all of the frigid winds I have had to change up my skincare routine a bit by adding a moisturizer that will keep my face hydrated all day long. Here are my current top two picks.

Alba Botanica Natural Hawaiian Moisture Cream (Smoothing Jasmine & Vitamin E)
This moisturizer has a very creamy consistency providing hydration and nourishment to your skin without being too heavy. It settles into the skin without leaving a sticky feeling. I also love the smell, super clean!

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Moisture with Jasmine and Vitamin E

L’Oreal Youth Code Dark Spot SPF 30 Day Cream
This moisturizer’s main task is to fade old dark spots as well as prevent new ones from reappearing.( I have a few of these from picking at my pimples) The formula is very thick and rich, perfect for cold days. This product also provides a luminous glow, evening out your overall skin tone.
*Now I cannot say that I have seen a difference on the spots but I do like the coverage and radiancy it gives me.

L’Oreal Youth Code Dark Spot SPF 30 Day Cream

Before I apply my moisturizer I also prep my skin with either an oil or a serum. My two favorites are…

Josie Maran 100 % Organic Argan oil has received wonderful reviews and I too can say that it leaves my skin feeling amazing! It also has vitamin E and essential fatty acids. (I recently learned that oils should be “dabbed” onto the skin not rubbed).

*Also Pictured is the Argan oil with Radiance that my sister bought for me. It leaves my skin super luminous, (I sometimes use it as a highlight above my cheek bones)

L’Oreal Youth Code texture perfector serum fills in pores and fine lines. It really leaves my skin feeling velvety smooth. I am also obsessed with the scent!

Day and Night Regimen

Night Routine: (after cleansing) apply Josie Maran Argan oil, wait a few minutes until it settles into my skin and then add the Alba Botanica cream. I sometimes skip the cream step or I just add a few drops of the oil to the Alba Botanica moisturizer and dab away!

Day Routine: (after cleansing) I apply the L’Oréal serum and again wait a few minutes until it settles into my skin. Then I proceed to rub some L’Oreal youth code dark spot SPF 30 cream and I am out the door!

There you have it my friends! Don’t forget just because it is winter time doesn’t mean you can skip your SPF (the sun’s rays are still powerful) if you don’t have time to apply yet another product to your face opt for one with SPF already built in!

You can check out more of a detailed description and or purchase any of of these items below. Your local drugstore should carry all of these products (except for the Argan oil, you can find it at Sephora)

Alba Botanica Cream
L’Oréal Youth Code
Argan Oil
Serum

Stay Warm & Hydrated!
-Gwen

* Giveaway Announcement *

Posted on January 16, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Its about that time for a giveaway! As of today we are only 1 follower away from 100! Its been slow and steady progress for us as we got into the groove of posting more regularly and figuring out what our niche was. For those who consistently check our page out and like or comment we love and appreciate you. With that being said we will be choosing one random follower next week on January 23,2014 to win some special goodies from us. No need to do anything to enter besides just being a follower. Check us out continuously throughout this week for more regular post and stay tuned for the winner announcement next week. Next short term goal is 150 followers! Let’s get it!

Love Ari & Gwen

Itsapplesandorangesblog.com

Real Techniques “Sam’s Picks” Review

Posted on December 22, 2013 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Real Technique brushes are designed by youtube sensation and makeup artist Samantha Chapman. These affordable brushes are top of the line! The quality is impeccable and you get so much bang for your buck. I was introduced to them by my sister (and co blogger) and I am in love. I chose to go with “Sam’s Picks” because the brushes suited my needs and also served as a basic starting point (although they do have other “starter kits”. For me personally this one was the best.

Priced at $30.00 these are essential to any makeup lovers collection. The bristles are super soft but don’t shed and the aluminum self standing handle make it easier to grip and hold. I have no cons for these thus far! Links Below.

Multi Task Brush- Perfect for Powders (blush, bronzers etc)

Setting Brush-Dusting of Powder or Highlighter (I use mine to set my concealer under my eyes amongst other things)

Buffing Brush- Perfect for application of foundations both powder and mineral

Pointed Foundation Brush- Perfect for liquid foundation

Essential Crease Brush- These tapered bristles are perfect for contouring the face or blending on the eyes.

Fine Liner Brush- Great for any gel liner.

Sam’s Picks Brushes

Real Techniques at Ulta

Love Ari

The Makeup Show Goodies- Z Palette

Posted on September 29, 2013 by itsapplesandorangesblog

I had the pleasure of attending “The Makeup Show” here in Orlando Fl on Sept 28. For it being my first time at a makeup expo, I was not disappointed at all! I loved the setup and all the booths were filled with amazing products all at discounted prices. I also got to meet one of my favorite beauty youtube gurus @nicoleguerriero (go check her out she is amazing!) I had an awesome experience and definitely look forward to attending more events like this in the future.

My first purchase was the Z- Palette in size large and leopard print. For those who don’t know the z-palette is a customized makeup palette that allows you to use your own products and have them all in one convenient location. Great for traveling, this little palette is available in different prints/solid colors, I was sold once I heard the discounted price. The process goes as follows

1. Pick out the makeup in your collection that you would like to combine (perhaps your “everyday look”). Make sure they are in pots (sometimes hard to tell if they are glued well, look for the metal rim).

2. Depot by prying or using the oven or flat-iron method (I used solely prying them out with a thin kitchen knife)

3. Clean off the glue from the back of the pot, stick on palette if it is metal or if not use the provided stickers to adhere the items to the palette. You can also use a sharpie to label your product on the back.

4. Enjoy your customized palette!

Leopard Print Z- Palette with magnetic stickers inside.

Find the edge of the pot and work your item of choice (be careful with knives) into it.

Pull off the pot and clean off the excess glue with acetone or “goo gone”.

This one didn’t actually need a sticker, but for the purposes of this I used one. Adhere it to the back of the pot.

Place them wherever you’d like on the palette

Here Is my work in progress!

I used an old maybelline neutral quad, and my favorite blush from a Sonia Kashuk palette. I can totally see this being a favorite of mine when I spend long weekends locally or travel anywhere else. Such a cool concept that I’m glad I was sold on. I can use all the help I can get to organize my cluttered life.

Instructions on how to depot (oven or flat-iron method)

Z Palette Website

Stay tuned for my outfit post for this event!

Love, Ari

My girl Autumn… pt 2

Posted on September 25, 2013 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Hey Everyone I’m Back! Part two of the “My girl Autumn” series is Fall nail polish. What better and might I add easy way to dive into the new season than by adding some cool hues to your hands and toes, it’s like an instant pick me up!(well for me it is anyway). This season it is all about metallics, dark navy’s and bold berry’s. Here are my top five must have picks.

From Left to right: Sally Hansen “Teal-y Fast” & “Shoot the Moon”, Revlon “Rich Raspberry”, Essie “For the twill of it” & “No more film

“Teal-y fast” is an amazing teal with lots of shimmer that reflects beautifully in sunlight.
“Shoot the moon” has a graphite look to it thanks to the smooth metallic particles in pewter and gold which also reflect amazingly in direct light.
“Rich Raspberry” is described perfectly, as it has a true berry “richness” to it.
“For the twill of it” is a multi chromed metallic which gives off pops of teal and purple, it is such a gorgeous color!
“No more film” has more of a creamy texture and it is a deep blue-ish violet.

Swatches (with Flash)

Swatches (No Flash)

Color I am currently wearing: (With Flash) Revlon “Rich Raspberry” in number 250 and it is my absolute favorite right now!

Color on my nails (No Flash)

What’s great about nail polishes is that there is no need to worry about sizing or a right fit, find a great color, layer it on and you’re pretty much set!
You can find these as well as other colors at your local Walmart or drugstore. Ulta is also great at carrying the most current colors.

Stay tuned for my last post in the My girl Autumn series… here’s a hint: This item will give you an edge while keeping you warm.

Hasta Pronto amigas (y amigos)
-Gwen

Nume Magic Wand

Posted on September 9, 2013 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Hey Everyone! It’s been way too long! The end of summer has approached NYC and I am so sad about it. I always think summer will be a relaxing time, but it never really is with all the traveling, parties, BBQ’s, picnics (I am not complaining) but being busy with life kept me away from blogging as often as I should, I know, I know my sister already lectured me on this, So sorry guys!

In other news I racked up some pretty awesome stuff over the last few weeks and I am super excited to share them with you! I will first start off with the very popular Nume magic curling wand. I ordered the 25mm barrel which I would describe as the “medium” sized one. I was looking to create “beachy waves” which is why I chose that size (The 32mm wouldn’t have much of an effect on my thin hair where as the 19mm would have given me tighter curls). Beachy waves are an awesome summer look which can also transition to any other time of the year. Check out how I created the wavy look down below.

25 mm Blue Magic Wand

Heat protecting glove included.

Wrapped my hair inward.

I curled all of my hair, once I was finished I opened up the curls to create the wavy look I was going for

Final look!

I am so happy with my Nume purchase! I also want to mention that my waves remained in tact the next morning as well, I just added some texturizing balm, hairspray and ran out the door! Fine haired girls can have awesome hair too!

Get Your Nume Magic Wand Here!

Hope this was helpful!
Toodles
-Gwen

Glitterati Nails

Posted on August 12, 2013 by itsapplesandorangesblog

So my mom recently went H.A.M on some nail polishes and I am lucky to be able to gain from her splurges. She recently discovered Essie’s luxe effects edition polishes (forgive her she is super late) and purchased all three … Continue reading →

E.L.F. “Shine Eraser” Blotting Sheets

Posted on July 24, 2013 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Its been so long! Well in short, both me and Gwen have been enjoying our summers and hustling hard to try and get by so we can do all the fun things we want to do. I am visiting New … Continue reading →