Fresh By Arly

We could go on and on about color, because we all know there are endless shades and tones, but I walk to talk about the 'au naturel' look that has become so very popular. This look can apply to acrylic and gel nails as well, but I'm here to talk about good ol' natural nails.

The key to this look is to keep your natural nails healthy and looking flawless. One thing I've learned over the past few years is that oils, hardeners, and a good top coat are going to be your best friends.

First off, just like skin when it comes to makeup, you want to take care of your base before you go layering on products. Take care of your cuticles & nail beds! The look isn't going to work if we're looking dry and crusty. Any cuticle oil will work, but I like to use any oil that I'm currently using in my skincare routine. Right now I'm using the 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Oil from The Ordinary. I take a drop of this and massage it into my cuticles and nail beds. After letting it absorb for a few minutes I wipe my nails clean with a cotton round. This step is crucial for keeping the skin around the nails in tact so that we can achieve a flawless mani!

Filing the nails is also a must! We want the shape to look smooth and consistent throughout all of the nails, whether the shape be round, square, almond, etc.

If you're going to be using opaque color I always recommend using a base coat. The reason being, very opaque colors such as reds, blues, and yellows can stain your nails and we don't want that! If you're going to use a more transparent or iridescent color, like with this look, you can forego the base coat if you wish. If you want to go ahead and apply a base coat, I recommend the Sally Hansen Hard as Nails. It is tried and true and is just going to be that extra step to protect & strengthen your natural nails. If I'm going for a bare minimum look I love to apply just this to my nails and call it a day. It adds a very slight translucent pink finish to the nails as well as great shine. 

To add a little more pizazz to the natural look, I tend to use a polish with a subtle duo-chrome flip. Here, I used China Glaze in Afterglow. It has almost no opacity, but has a pinkish-purple translucent finish with a blue flip. This is such a cool polish to add onto your natural nails or over another polish to add a different layer of interest to the color. 

Another great thing about this polish in particular is that it's made with hardeners. So, it's going to dry to a hard finish; almost like a gel polish, and it's going to last longer without chipping. Let's have a round of applause for that!! 

Another great step to take to improve the longevity of your mani is to add a quality top coat. My current favorite is the Advanced Hard as Nails Strengthening Top Coat from Sally Hansen. Taking this extra step adds at least another five days to my mani. The longer I can keep my polish lasting the better, am I right!? Again, the key word here is 'strengthening'. It's not only better for your nails themselves but it strengthens your mani as well and keeps is looking fresher, longer. Not to mention the crazy high-shine finish this gives. It just elevates the look that much more. 

My last tip is to moisturize after going through your nail routine. The harsh chemicals in removers and acetones can really do a number on the skin. Applying the oil to the cuticles and nails beds is definitely going to help with this, but moisturizing the entirety of the hands is a good step to take as well. It's going to help keep the hands looking healthy and flawless just like our fresh mani! Not to mention, if you use something that smells as amazing as this Burt's Bees Almond & Milk Hand Cream, you're going to feel pampered & luxurious. Which, I think we all can appreciate!

This recent unseasonal bout of warm weather has me reminiscing on one of my favorite daytime looks from this past summer. My friend Taryn and I took a few day girls trip to Boston! In our typical fashion we spent the whole time exploring, trying out new restaurants and as expected, we took tons of photos in our attire.

On this Tuesday afternoon we decided to head out for a casual lunch. We found a restaurant called Committee and as we approached, the aesthetic of this establishment instantaneously caught our eye! The food was amazing but if you know us, you'd guess we were there because it made for a nice picture spot.

 One of my favorite things about that day has to have been how comfortable I felt! Comfort is crucial when it comes to a day of exploration and this jumpsuit certainly fit the job. I picked up this jumpsuit at Anthropologie. The loose form, silky fabric, and delicate lace trim on the neckline immediately drew me in. I actually hadn't noticed until an employee complimented me on my choice that this was actually a night time garment, but who needs to follow the rules, right?

I had recently spotted these slides at Zara and thought they would be a fun piece to incorporate into my wardrobe. The velvet bow on the slides adds a nice touch of textured material to the otherwise silky ensemble. The pop of color is also welcomed because its on the warm scale, like my jumpsuit, but the color is a bit muted, making it easy to pair with the rest of the look. I also loved the woven platform, it helps to make the jumpsuit feel as if its more of a daytime piece. Another aspect of the shoe that persuaded me to make the purchase is that they're platform. It elevates it into a real statement shoe, while still keeping comfort in mind. Here is a similar pair from Free People.

In my attempt to keep the same bedroom-y vibe that the jumpsuit embodies, I teased my hair a bit and used tons of volumizing hairspray. My hair could be straight, wavy, curly or a just hot mess, but as long as I have some volume somewhere in that mix, I'm a happy girl.
Going on to my favorite part of any look; the makeup. I did a neutral eye followed by tons of mascara and a bold red-orange lip. I tend to be very light handed when it comes to accessories. I just put on tiered drop hoop earrings and voilà, I had my look!

Lyss;

Well, it's safe to say that in the last six months my skincare routine has somewhat gone down the drain. I was always one to invest in products that benefit my skin more-so than makeup products, but a good skincare routine can get pretty expensive, especially if you want to put only the best on your face. I'm sure all my fellow beauty lovers know exactly what I'm talking about. So, in an attempt to save some money here and there, a few of my well loved products were not repurchased. I didn't know how much I loved a luxurious regimen until it was gone. I decided I couldn't go on like this much longer so I am currently making an attempt to get my routine and products back up to par, but there's a catch; I want to do this without totally breaking the bank.  

I don't know about you, but I've been seeing the hype over a new beauty company that is apparently reinventing the meaning of good skincare; The Ordinary. This brand claims they want to put integrity & honesty back into functional beauty. I mean, their motto is, "clinical formulations with integrity". What could be better than that!? They take technologies that are known & effective in the skincare world and offer them at honorable prices. Prices that, in my opinion, no other brand can even compete with. It all sounds too good to be true, right?

Well, maybe not...

I decided to go ahead and take the plunge & see what all the hype is about. I ordered four of their products and my total came to a whopping $30.20! Honestly, if you take a trip to Sephora or Ulta, it's difficult to find even ONE quality product for less than that price. With The Ordinary, the most expensive product I ordered was $9.80, and the rest were around $5, $6, and $7 each. It's a skincare lovers dream come true!

The four products I ordered are:

Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG

100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil

Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA 

Another cool thing about this brand (as you can see from the above list) is that what you see is what you get. There's no fancy shmancy packaging or names. The names on their products are exactly what they are & what's in them. Now, this can be a little intimidating, because if you're like me you probably have no idea what half of these things do or what they even are. Don't let that turn you away, though. Their website is super helpful and easy to follow. All the products are put under categories and each has a description of exactly what it does. They even have a regimen guide to help you understand in which order you should be applying your products. I used this guide myself in order to make sure I'm not going to mix products that may cause a reaction when used together.

After I cleanse and tone my face I go in with Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%. I use this only at night because it can cause irritation if worn in the sun. I take about a pea size and put this over my cheeks, jawline, nose, and forehead. It goes on super smooth and kind of has the consistency and feeling of a primer. I let this sink in for five to ten minutes before I continue with the rest of my routine to really let my skin absorb all of the greatness. Immediately after, my skin feels velvety, soft, and as though all the unevenness of my skin has disappeared. That's exactly why I picked this as one of my first products to try. It's goal is to brighten and improve the skin's texture. Texture has always been my biggest skin issue. I have KP, which leaves me with tiny little bumps on most of my face. This is one of only a handful of products that has actually made a difference with these bumps. For anyone who suffers from the terribly annoying bumps like I do, I seriously recommend you try this out, or anyone who's looking to improve the texture of their skin.

After I let the Azelaic Acid sink in I follow with the Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG. This sounds weird, I know, because usually eye treatments come last in most routines. According to their regimen guide this should be applied before any oils or creams. So, I went against my better judgment and followed their suggestion. It comes in a convenient dropper like many of their products do. I take one drop of this between my ring fingers and pat & massage it into my under eye area. Trust me; a little goes a long way. Unlike many eye creams or gels that I've tried, this doesn't leave my eye area feeling greasy or sticky. It sinks into the skin super fast and leaves my under eyes feeling smooth and tight (a good tight). I've been using this for a little over a week and already see a difference in the dark shadows under my eyes. Oh, and did I mention it's only $6.70!? This stuff may have me saying goodbye to my Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye Concentrate. Sorry Kiehl's!

Next is my new favorite part in my skincare routine! 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil. This stuff is amazing. Rose hip seed oil is great for age prevention & rejuvenating the skin. So, what I'm saying is that it can be incorporated into anyone's skin care regimen. I take the dropper and drop a little bit all over my face. I tend to use this product to really massage my skin and get some blood flow to my face. I do this anywhere from one to three minutes every night. It's like a facial at home, because who doesn't like a little pampering!? You could probably get away with using this just once a day depending on your skin type, but I like to use this in the morning and at night. Mostly because I suffer from dry skin and this really helps to moisturize and plump. I also love the glow & slight dewiness it gives me underneath foundation. This was the most expensive product I purchased from The Ordinary at $9.80. That is still a great price for an organic, cold-pressed oil. Five stars for the rose hip seed oil!

Lastly is the Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA . This stuff is good, but not great for me. As I mentioned, I have pretty dry skin. If I wanted to use this as my main morning & night moisturizer it wouldn't work, because it's just not hydrating enough for me. That's not to say that I don't like this product and don't have room for it in my regimen. This moisturizer is a surface hydrator, making it great to use as a barrier on the skin to lock in moisture and keep the outer layer of the skin hydrated and protected. I like to use this on no makeup days. I'll apply this after my oil to keep my skin hydrated and protect it from harsh outdoor elements. If you already have a moisturizer that you love you could use this as a second step to keep all that goodness locked in & to help keep your skin from losing moisture throughout the day or night.

Well, there you have it. The low-down on the new kid on the block in the skincare world. Whether you're just starting out in skin care or are looking to replace or add products in your routine, The Ordinary definitely has something for everybody. Most of us skin care junkies love having a luxurious regimen, but it's hard to achieve that without dropping some serious coin. Now, with this brand, it doesn't have to be. I will certainly be keeping all the products I purchased in my routine, and may even look to try out some more of their products. They do make foundations and primers.
Just sayin..

Our first adventure; Pier 39. The drive from our home to Pier 39 in San Francisco is roughly an hour and a half. If we're lucky and don't hit much traffic, that is. So, it's the perfect place for a day trip. I'd been to SF a few times in the past when visiting Cali, but had never made it to the piers. It was as busy as I'd expected it to be, but not overwhelmingly so. The weather was beautiful and I was ready to see what the piers had to offer! We spent a couple hours roaming the shops and restaurants, which there happens to be two levels of!  From quaint gift shops to fast food & sit down restaurants, there was quite a range of places to explore. There's even a sock market and a Hard Rock Cafe, but Bradley and I opted for The Fudgery where we purchased some sort of chocolaty treat to satisfy our sweet tooth for the day. While munching on our treat we roamed some more and found a spot on the pier with a perfect view of Alcatraz Island right in the bay of San Francisco. This was my first time ever seeing Alcatraz! A tour of the island is definitely on my bucket list! I can only imagine how beautiful it must look with the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge lit up in the distance.

When we had our fill of the shops and crowds we wanted somewhere to sit down, get out of the sun, and have a meal. Bradley had been to Boudin before and suggested it. What's neat about this restaurant is that it is a bakery as well & you can see the bread being made through the glass of a large atrium area. There is also a small museum on the history of the company where they served samples of their bread. We couldn't resist snagging a few pieces while we waited to be seated. I do have to say, bread is one of my guilty pleasures. Apparently they are pretty well known for their bread bowl soups, but I decided on crab tacos for my meal. I couldn't pass up on the chance to eat sea food in the bay. The presentation was so simple & pretty, and the food was delish!
After finishing up at Boudin, we made our way back home for the day.
There is definitely much more to see in San Francisco alone, and I do plan on doing so!

Our next adventure stop in my first two weeks in CA was Lake Tahoe! Bradley and I and a bunch of our friends stayed in a cabin in South Lake Tahoe, California for the 4th of July weekend. I mean, wow. This is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. From the upper level of our cabin we had a view of the lake and the surrounding mountains & it was truly breathtaking to look at. During our time here we explored the downtown area, hit the casinos, caught some rays on a friend's boat. and watched a stunning fireworks show. 

Being on the boat was definitely one of my favorite parts of our little vacation, because being on the lake gave a perfect view of the still snow-capped mountains all around. It was a sight I just couldn't stop gawking at. 

If a trip to California is in your future I would strongly encourage you to make Lake Tahoe a pit stop, or even make it your vacation spot, because there is really nothing like it.

So far, I have to say I'm loving it out here in Cali. The weather is almost always beautiful and there is so much to do and even more to see. 

As the school year comes to an end, a typical students schedule is packed with events to attend.
 I went to a fun little career design night at the University of New Haven with my ASID chapter!

For this event, I chose to go for an all black ensemble. My top is from American Apparel. I love the one shoulder cut, its adds a chic element to this one tone look. I am always drawn to the little elements in a piece that can amplify an outfit. Asymmetry, like this one arm top, can always make an outfit just a bit more exciting.

 For the bottoms, I wore a pair of loose high waisted trousers from H&M. This pant style has to be my favorite because of how comfortable and versatile it is. This style is found in most shops now and it's all for a good reason. A flowing dress pant can fit into a number of outfit pairings. One can dress it up with a button down and heels or try pairing it with a cotton tee and sneakers. Not to mention that this pant construct can be worn throughout every season. We definitely love a piece that can stand the test of time! Here is a similar pair.

For a slight touch, I put on my favorite gold knot collar necklace. For the shoes, I opted for a pair of pointed toe tan heels I purchased a while back. Heels such as these can also help make an outfit level up in a professional sense while still being stylish.

A business or educational event does not have to be drab and your attire doesn't have to be either! Try mixing and matching structured and soft silhouettes, you could just create something impressionable. I hope everyone is having a great spring start!