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!

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..

Ardi:

I was so ecstatic to get my first Ipsy bag in the mail! To my pleasant surprise this bag included several full sized and brand name products. All of this is just for ten dollars a month. To those who aren't familiar with the process, your monthly bag is customized to you. When you sign up there is a series of questions you answer to figure out what products suite you best. One of the best parts of this package for me is the zip makeup bag! It's so nice to have a spare bag to throw a few products in for the day. Overall, I was satisfied with everything I received and look forward to my January Ipsy!

Arly has a love for The Balm. It is a super funky & retro cosmetics line with a knack for clever product names.

Lyss:

My love for The Balm started when I got my hands on a sample of Mary-Lou Manizer. Mary-Lou gives you a classic golden-honey glow, the glow that has been the hype of the highlighter world for the past two years. Well, I loved the look it gave me & the formula so much that I went out and picked up Cindy-Lou Manizer, which gives my cheek bones an iridescent, pinkish-purple glow that I love to rock with a purple eye & lip for a monochromatic look. Since their luminizers treated me so well, I snagged the Balm Jovi Rockstar Face Palette to see what their shadows were all about. It has twelve shadows whose names are a play on words of different music groups, a blush, a luminizer, and two cheek & lip creams; 3/4 of what you need for a full face! It's magnetic closure and full size mirror make it perfect for travel as well! These two products captured my attention and left me wanting more from this brand. My next purchase came in a two for one set, how exciting!? Cheater! Black Mascara and Schwing Black Liquid Liner are a dynamic duo for a fierce eye look. Cheater! mascara is super volumizing & buildable without getting clumpy, and Schwing is by far the best liquid liner I've ever used. It is a perfect matte black with a precise felt-tip applicator, making it flawless at creating any kind of liner look; from a super thin wing to a bold cat-eye. Last. but not least is a lip product & my newest obsession; Read My Lips Lip Gloss. I have never been a big gloss girl, but recently I have been testing the waters of shiny lips. I tried this gloss in store and fell in love with the color and plumpness it gave my lips. So, if you haven't guessed already, I purchased it and have been loving my glossy lips ever since.
Ardi:

My introduction to The Balm was actually through Alyssa! When my trusty Tarte liner ran out one night, I borrowed Alyssa's Schwing Black Liquid Liner and that was that. I immediately went out and bought my own. It quickly became my favorite liquid liner and beats all the high end ones I have owned in the past. It's a tube, so you would not have to worry about the issues that come with a pen liquid liner. Also, it has a fine tip, but not too fine so it's a smooth application. Not to mention, it is extremely black and pigmented and that's all we ask for in a perfect liner! I am a total palette lover and Nude Dude Eyeshadow Palette is one of my all time favorites. It has 4 mattes and 8 shimmers. The mattes are amazing and they chose the perfect ones for a day to day look or for a transition shade. The shimmers are subtle but beautiful. I actually used the shade Fabulous as a highlight for quite some time too! The formula is so nice and the pigmentation is great as well throughout the whole palette, considering its hard to stay consistent from shade to shade. The Balm Shelter Tinted Moisturizer is a staple in my everyday makeup. It blends seamlessly and has the ideal amount of tint, your face is not bare but your skin still looks makeup free and glowy. It cancels out some of my redness too so I don't have to color correct. I have actually been using this moisturizer alone for quite some time and it caused no breakouts for me! It does not oxidize too quickly which is great because I have had that issue with some tinted moisturizers and CC creams in the past. It's honestly difficult to find a brand that is consistent from product to product but The Balm has not failed us.  I can't wait to make my next purchase!

Lyss:

Who knew Sephora's birthday gift would result in a new obsession? For my birthday gift this year I picked up a little duo from Fresh Cosmetics. It came with a travel size of their Soy Face Cleanser paired with a small jar of their Rose Face Mask. Up until this point I have been a die hard for Lush cleansers, but when I tried this I instantly fell in love and had to add it to my beauty arsenal. So of course I purchased a full size tube. Don't get me wrong, Angels on Bare Skin is still part of my daily routine. Now, I just use it in conjunction with this lovely cleanser from Fresh. It is a gel-like consistency and has a light scent, nothing bothersome. It is super gentle and foams up just the slightest bit, perfect for my sensitive skin. It leaves my face feeling cleansed without that obnoxious tight feeling that some cleansers can cause. I tend to use this at night as it is great at removing makeup as well! That is definitely a perk if you ask me, but it would be great for mornings too as it leaves you with a fresh & clean canvas.

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about the mask. I'm not sure about you, but I am a total face mask junkie and this Rose Mask is a must have. When you open up this jar you get the sweet smell of roses. Who would of thought, right? Not only does it smell like roses, it is infused with real rose petals and rose water, which are marvelous at calming the skin and reducing redness. Could this mask be any more perfect for me? Well, to answer that question, no. After my first time using it my skin not only felt oh-so soft and supple, but I saw a difference in my redness as well and that is an A+ from me.

Last but not least is the most recent product I picked up by Fresh. It is their Sugar Lip Advanced Therapy Treatment. This little sucker is one of the best lip balms I have ever laid on my smackers. This lip treatment is a triple threat; it increases moisture & volume, and improves the definition of the lip area. That means healthy, plump, moisturized lips. I love to use it first thing in the morning, right before bed, and underneath any lipsticks. This is a lip balm that will always have you ready to pucker up.

All anyone can ask for is products that do as they say, and these most definitely do! 

Lyss:

Skin Care Junkies Rejoice!

Getting right to the point; skin care is super important to me. I discovered Lush a little over a year ago and to put it simply, it changed my life. For those of you who don't know, Lush makes fresh handmade cosmetics. From shampoos and cleansers to bath bombs, perfumes, and eye shadows. Yes, you read that right; they make eye shadows ladies and gents. I have some skin issues that I struggle with such as Rosacea, KP, and extremely sensitive and dry skin. Awesome, right? So I have been obsessing with more of the skin care side of beauty rather than makeup.

My first purchases were Angels On Bare Skin Face And Body Cleanser , Celestial Facial Moisturizer , and Eau Roma Toner Water . The first time I used these three in conjunction.. woaah.. I was pleasantly surprised to see my always red and dry face finally calm and moisturized. From there I was hooked and went in for some face masks, because you can never have too many. I took Cup O' Coffee Face And Body Mask and  Brazened Honey Fresh Face Mask home with me. Cup O' Coffee is a nice, gentle exfoliator with a powerful smell of fresh brewed coffee, which I happen to love. Brazened Honey is a little more intense, with a strong earthy smell for a deep cleanse. From skin care I ventured into hair care. While I've gone through a couple bars already, I am using the  New Shampoo Bar currently. It smells wonderfully of cinnamon and is super stimulating for the scalp. Remember kids; a healthy scalp means healthy hair. Lastly, there's my collection of soaps; Porridge Soap, Sexy Peel Soap, Karma Soap, Sea Vegetable Soap, and Honey I Washed The Kids Soap . Lush most definitely has a soap to make anyone say "ughh" out loud as they smell it. I've gotten my girlfriends hooked. They even brought their brothers to Lush to develop their own skin care routine!

Check out some of the Lush products I linked or explore their site, but you will undoubtedly have the best experience visiting one of their stores. Remember what I mentioned their soaps will have you saying out loud? Well, imagine all of their products being just as delicious.