L’Oréal Paris Advanced Haircare Extraordinary Oil

Posted on March 8, 2016 by itsapplesandorangesblog

L’Oreal is one of the tried and true OG brands for makeup and beauty items alike. With its classic packaging and solid reputation, you know you are getting good quality anytime you pop into your local drugstore and try one of their products. When we received this extraordinary oil hair care set, the experience was no different. This advanced hair care shampoo, conditioner, leave in crème and oil serum were sent by Influenster for testing purposes. At first I was hesitant seeing as not many products work well on curly hair. After its first use I knew it was a winner! This is great for the days when you are in need of a deep cleanse rather than just co washing. The leave in conditioner defined my curls while the serum helped to seal and lock all the moisture in.

Pros

Very light weight

Nourishing

Some curl definition

Delightful scent

Deep cleanse without over-stripping

Cons

Light weight- (this is also a pro depending on how much hold you are going for, it would be best to follow up with a heavier item for humid days)

Mainly great for a one day hair look (doesn’t last beyond for second or third day curls)

I would definitely repurchase this line in the future for the days when I need to start fresh from product buildup seeing as its cleansing and light weight. Here’s to #extraordinaryhair !

FullSizeRender

First Day Curls

Second day Curls

North Face Killa

Posted on June 21, 2015 by itsapplesandorangesblog

The brand North Face brings back so many great memories of my past. Growing up in New York, North Face is an iconic staple to get you through any harsh weather conditions (especially the cold). From my coat to my book bag, hat and gloves, north face was where it was at in terms of style and what was on trend. This hip/fanny pack is one way I can rock it while now residing in scorching Florida. I stole it from my sister (and co blogger) who had stolen it from her best friend back when she was in high school. I guess you can say it’s endured a lot and yet still has so much life left to it. It is extremely roomy and can fit my entire wallet, keys, some cosmetics and my phone comfortably with still some room for more. I loved being purse-less for this comfy and casual day! I paired my bum bag with a white crop top and boyfriend jeans from H&M, target studded sandals and a plaid shirt to tie around my waist and cover my belly. This brand will always have a special place in my heart

North Face Hip Pack

Boyfriend Jeans

Target Sandals

XOXO- ARI

Everyday Casual Look

Posted on June 8, 2015 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Sometimes low key basics can translate better than any other cool and curated outfit. On this regular day I didn’t really feel like fussing with coordinating a stylish over the top look, I just wanted to be comfortable, cute and most of all weather appropriate. My H&M boyfriend jeans are always my favorite go to for anytime I want to be comfortable yet still on trend. I paired them with an old blue and white pin stripe cotton button up that was light and breezy enough for the hot weather. These everyday low Target sandals completed the look. This casual ootd could also be replicated for the Fourth of July (considering the color scheme) or any other event not requiring so much effort. Accessories include my trustee Kate Spade purse (which I should have opted for my nude version instead but was in a rush) and my hair which was reaching for the heavens on this sticky humid day. Links to similar items below!

H&M Boyfriend Jeans
Similar Red Sandals
Similar Striped Shirt

Toodles- Ari

Ulta Haul

Posted on September 8, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Over the last month and a half or so I’ve made my way to Ulta a few times to pick up some goodies. Ulta is one of those places where I walk around for hours due to the amazing selection of products they have. Here’s a quick look at some of the ones I picked up.

I tried a mini sample of the Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara and I loved it! It gives your lashes such a full volumized look!

Lorac Pro Matte lip pencil in the shade Merlot

Butter London Cheeky Cream Blush in the shade Ruby Murray

On top is the Lorac Pro Matte lip pencil in the shade Merlot which is such a perfect wine color for the fall. The formula is Matte but it is not a drying one.
On the bottom Butter London cream blush in the shade Ruby Murray is a beautiful rich cranberry shade. It can be a sheer wash of color on your cheeks or you could intensify it by adding more product.

Lorac Pro 2 palette has such stunning shades. The pigmentation is great and the shadows are very easy to blend. The versatility of this palette is also something I really enjoy, you are able to create warm looks as well as cooler ones, and we can forget the pops of color it has!

Swatches of a few shades from the Lorac Pro 2 palette Top color is the shade Plum, followed by Navy, then Rosé and Jade. Shade on the left side is called Beige

Urban Decay All Nighter Spray is my best friend of all time! Keeps my makeup totally intact!
Blow Pro texture spray is a new product for me and so far I am loving it! Perfect for the wavy hair days when you want to give your hair some umph!
John Freida fine to full blow out spray has been working wonders for me! It creates body on the crown of my head, which is where I need the most volume.
Big Sexy Hair sulfate free Volumizing shampoo and conditioner have a lightweight formula which have been helping my hair feel and appear fuller.

And that is all! Leave comments or suggestions if you would like to see a more in depth review of anything or a makeup tutorial.
Again all of these products were purchased at Ulta. Links down below.

Till next time,
-Gwen

Urban Decay All Nighter Spray

Blow Pro Texture Spray

John Freida

Big Sexy Hair –Shampoo & Conditioner

Lorac Pro Palette 2

Lorac Pro Matte Lip Pencil- Merlot

Butter London Cream Blush- Ruby Murray

Better Than Sex Mascara

Gwen packs for Puerto Rico

Posted on June 13, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Hey Everyone! So as you previously read my sister and I are going on a very much needed trip. We are so excited to see each other and will hopefully be able to snap a few photos of us together.
Although my packing technique is not as organized as Ari’s I’d like to believe that it is also a good method when trying to figure out what to bring along with you on a trip. So what I generally do is look at all of my products (hair, skin, makeup) and say to myself “will I really use this?” if my answer is no I obviously keep looking, if my answer is yes I place that item aside. Now another thing to consider when traveling is the climate of your destination as well as the duration of your stay. I snapped a few photos of what I will be taking for this trip (Sorry they are not tucked in neatly in my suitcase, I still haven’t officially packed Yikes!)

Suncare

First order of business is of course suncare! Sunscreen/Sunblock is very much needed when out and about in the sun all day.

Personal Hygiene

I know that most hotels and resorts provide lotion, shampoo conditioner and all that good stuff, but I personally like to bring my own things. I normally just buy small clear bottles and pour the product in.

Hair Care

Because we are going to be in the pool or beach most of the time, curly hair will be the way to go.

Skincare

My skin hasn’t been behaving lately so I am taking a small bottle of acne cleanser and of course can’t forget my dirt, oil and makeup removing wipes.

Makeup

This may seem like a lot of products but I did add a few items for the nights when we get all dolled up for a night on the town. My daytime essentials will most likely be my cc cream (which has spf), mascara, my brow wiz, a peachy blush and a lip butter or stain. Also check out a great travel piece for storing small items (like makeup) that Ive mentioned in a previous post from Sonia Kashuk. It is affordable and available at any target near you in varying prints and styles.

Hopefully this helped all of you traveling this summer to get an idea of what you should or shouldn’t bring with you.

Puerto Rico here we come!
Hasta Luego
-Gwen

*If you are curious about any product I posted or would like a review please comment down below. Thanks a bunch!
Xo

May Birchbox

Posted on May 19, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Hey Everyone! As you know my sister Ari is subscribed to the Ipsy glam monthly bags, she’s been very happy with her goodies so I thought I would jump on the bandwagon as well. I decided I would subscribe to Birchbox, which is pretty much the same concept as the Ipsy bags (except you do not receive a makeup bag with your samples). Upon signing up you are asked a series of questions to create your personalized profile, such as what is your skin type, hair type, whether you would like to receive beauty, skincare and or hair care product samples (I of course opted for all three).

I absolutely love receiving things in the mail, and was so excited when I saw this cute little box sitting at my doorstep. This Month’s box arrived with a little bit of everything. Check below to find out what the items were.

Number 4 high performance hair care Volumizing shampoo and conditioner. This Formula is said to Gently cleanse and purifies while enhancing hair volume. Color Protecting, Anti-Aging, Sulfate & Sodium Chloride free. The Conditioner is a lightweight formula which gives amplified volume, shine and endless body. Adds weightless moisture and body without weighing hair down.

Marcelle BB Golden Glow. It's said to: Provide a healthy glow effect with just the right hint of illumination, Even out skin tone, Offer immediate and long-term hydrating benefits, Protect from premature aging and environmental stresses, Promote skin regeneration, Soothe and calm skin, Reduce the appearance of imperfections and Control shine

Marcelle BB Golden Glow. It’s said to: Provide a healthy glow effect with just the right hint of illumination, even out skin tone, offers immediate and long-term hydrating benefits, protects from premature aging and environmental stresses, promotes skin regeneration, soothes and calms, reduces the appearance of imperfections and controls shine.

Cynthia Rowley silver eyeliner.

Gilchrist & Soames spa therapy body lotion.

There you have it my friends, I am really excited to try the volumizing shampoo and conditioner. I tried the bb cream and it gave me a very luminous finish, very light coverage though.
If any of you are interested in purchasing any of these products you can look on birchbox.com or click on the links I’ve provided below.

Enjoy beauties!
-Gwen

Number 4 hair care
Marcelle BB Cream
Cynthia Rowley Makeup from Birchbox

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

Pewter Power OOTD

Posted on February 24, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

These target pumps finally got to see the light of day as I’ve had them in my closet for some time. I got them on clearance for the low low price of $8.98! I mean can we say bargain people? In trying to incorporate more pieces in my wardrobe that can work for both my day job as well as everyday life, these snake-skin pewter pumps can be paired with an array of looks for both since they are closed toe and have a relatively low heel. For a casual weekend I went with a black button up (old season forever 21), white ann taylor shorts,my Kate Spade nude quilted bag and my hair straight for a sleek vibe. These lovelies are from the Sam & Libby Collection and are still available online and perhaps for cheaper at a target near you! They also come in black and nude for a more classic take on the look. Links below

Ann Taylor “City Shorts”
Sam & Libby “Dominique” Pointed Toe Pumps in Pewter
Similar Silky Button Ups- Here, Here & Here

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

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