I'M BACK!!

Hello Lovelies!

After a very long hiatus, where I was rather burnt out on blogging, I (Claire) have returned!

I have just come back to the Rain City after 6 months in Israel/Palestine doing study abroad, 

and have returned with much more knowledge 

and a revived desire to share beauty knowledge with the world!

Our fashion expert Berit is currently in Istanbul, Turkey doing her Global Term and working for a women's non-profit.  Wish her luck and send her love! I miss her so!

So without further ado, a few of my favorite products of late:

Almay Wake-up Under-eye Concealer

Amazing, very brightening and moisturizing.  Cheap! 

 I apply it with the brush tip applicator and then blend it out with my finger.  

Available at drugstores

Covergirl Lash Blast Volume -Waterproof

Still my favorite.  I actually swam in this recently, and it didn't budge a bit.  

Holds a curl like no other, adds amazing, clump-free volume, super affordable.

Note: Can be a little crispy (thats what makes it so good at holding a curl) 

Available at drugstores

iSkin Deep Pore Cleansing Tool

This is essentially a cheaper Clarisonic.  My skin has improved 10 fold because of daily use.  

Has two speeds,  is waterproof and is superbly superb.

Available for 23$ at Sally Beauty. 

Boots No7 Radiance Boosting Hot Cloth Cleanser

This creamy, mild cleanser is what I use with my iSkin tool.  

It comes with a muslin cloth, which I loved at first but then the muslin cloth was too hard to keep clean.  

The cleanser itself is as good as they come, and is a total bargain.  

It doesn't dry your skin AT ALL, but cleans it incredibly well--

removes every trace of makeup, even waterproof mascara!

Available for 11$ at Target

MAC Eyeshadow in Woodwinked

This very warm gold brown is perfect on tanned skin in the summer, 

it's shimmery and multidimensional, and super pigmented!

Available at MAC stores, 14$

Moroccan Oil Treatment

The water in Israel is essentially pool water, it is so chlorinated.  

It totally fried my hair, but I run this stuff through my ends every day 

and it has been making a huge difference.  Plus, it smells sooooo good.  

Available in salons for 16$

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain

Is exactly what it sounds like.  

A stain that isn't drying or matt, offers a beautiful sheen to the lips 

and comes in a range of insanely gorgeous colors.  

Apply a thin layer, let it dry, then add on top for more color and gloss. 

A splurge that is worth every penny, feels luxurious, looks luxurious, has luxurious packaging...

as they would say on Parks and Recreation: TREAT YO SELF!

Available at Sephora for 32$

Givenchy Mister Mat Foundation Primer

Feels like velvet, makes foundation look utterly seamless, 

skin stays matt and foundation lasts forever, especially in the hot summer months.

Definitely a splurge but a little bit goes a loooong way

Available at Sephora for 33$

Let me know in the comments what kind of posts you would like to see coming up, 

I'm a bit out of practice!

If you aren't a fan of commenting on blogspot, 

you can always email us at beritclaire@gmail.com!

 ♥ 

Claire

Killing Us Softly

These two videos are from a lecture that Jean Kilbourne, feminist author, speaker, and filmmaker gave regarding her fourth film on women, sexuality and the media in "Killing Us Softly 4."

Please take the time to watch these, everyone -especially the second part of the video. It has become increasingly apparent to me how fucked up our culture's mass media and advertising is and how harmful it is to women in the way that we view our bodies, our intellectual self worth, and each other. 

What do y'all think?

-B

Adventures with Acrylics!

HEEEEEY!!! 

Claire here!

When I went to visit Berit in California a few weeks ago, 

we bought each other manicures for Christmas.

I decided to be a little crazy and get a full set of acrylics.  

Here is what they looked like:

The color was C-c-c-courage by China Glaze

It lasted SUPER well and looked magical!

However, as you can see, my natural nails started growing and showing.

I just got a black Sally Hansen nail art pen and was dying to do a french tip.

These pens are GREAT.  They are easy to use, fast drying, and very precise.

(Just make sure you use a base and topcoat, or the paint won't adhere properly)

I used Essie's Steel-ing the Scene for the base color.

 Here's how my nails look now!

I would totally recommend trying out acrylic nails at some point,

they are so much fun and have stayed on despite taking a serious beating.

Stay lovely!

<3

Claire

Pre-Awards Season Daydreams: Zac Posen

Happy New Year, everyone! As awards season quickly approaches (which Claire will be covering in depth), I've been checking out designer collections to see what we might expect to see on the red carpet and... you guys, I think I'm in love.

Zac Posen's Pre-Fall 2012 collection in breathtaking. It channels Old-Hollywood glamour with exquisite detailing and tailoring. I think we'll be seeing a lot of fishtail gowns this year. 

What do you think will be the staple style this awards season? Hopefully sequins will take a backseat this year...

-B

New Year's Nails (On a Budget!)

As New Year's Eve draws closer, I thought I'd give myself a spiffy at-home manicure for the event. Personally, I find the holiday to be a little disappointing when it comes down to it, but at least I'll have pretty nails when I'm sitting on the couch contemplating which celebrities will divorce in the new year. 

I borrowed this colored french tip tutorial from Studs & Pearls, who does awesome DIY projects. So check it!

(What I used: Paper reinforcing stickers, Revlon in Minted, OPI Nail Envy topcoat, and Hard Candy in Trailer Trash.)

(Apply basecoat and bottom coat of polish. Allow it to dry WELL, if you apply the tip color too soon the stickers will ruin it.)

(Place stickers so that you've got a couple centimeters to paint. You can cut the stickers in half or use the whole thing if you're lazy, like me. Apply your tip color and remove the sticker once it's dried a little bit.)

(Sorry, Instagram made my hand look gnarly.)

Apply topcoat and ta-da! You'll look real classy when the ball drops, and hopefully thereafter... lawl. Be safe and have fun!

-B

P.S. The best colors for the tips of your nails are better if they're darker than your base polish or metallic. It'll show up better.