What We're Wearing

Summer leaves you feeling hot, sticky, and overall disgusting. Putting aside how grimy this heat makes me feel, it also wreaks havoc on my skin. Luckily I have pretty good skin and don't suffer from breakouts. But, the summer months are a different story. Thankfully, I was prepared this summer and am enjoying a breakout-free face, all thanks to my Clarisonic. I have the Aria, but they make different models and colors. While pricy, I never regret buying it because it is truly worth every penny! My face has never felt cleaner and my pores have never looked better. You know how much I love all of my skincare and the Clarisonic enables better absorption of all my creams, serums and moisturizers!

Perfectly Glossed Kisses,

Sutton



Fall is my favorite-EST time of the year, and the past few mornings have reminded me of fall weather. Even if it warms up by the afternoon, I’m not taking one second of this break from the heat wave for granted. I only have so many light-as-air sun dresses for 97-degree days, ya know. This sweatshirt from Urban Outfitters (ooold) is perfect because it has sheer, barely-there sleeves that make it still comfortable when the temperature climbs to summer-time norms in the afternoon. I’ve gone monochrome and paired it with it a graphic Tibi skirt, black strappy wedges from Forever 21 and my silver Alexander Wang bag. Oh, and my huge, obnoxious ring from Forever 21, (ooold, too!) as well.

Handbags and Hugs,

Astor

From The Lab Beauty Box Review

From The Lab is a new monthly beauty box. TeenVogue.com called it one of the best new beauty subscription boxes! Unlike any other beauty box, this one only sends you brand new products from the world's best beauty labs. No need to wait for the products to hit shelves, you will experience them first! Who doesn't want to try the industry's most cutting edge products ASAP? After being approved, tested and ready for the market, you will get a sneak peak. I also must say that I loved the packaging - no chance of spillage here! (And they are full-size products, no tiny samples.)

This month's box came with two products, the first being Eye Cream No. 579. This moisturizing, anti-aging cream will leave your eyes looking rested, smoother, more even-looking skin. It's cooling and refreshing, and removes bags and puffiness. The delicate areas around your eyes are now protected from environmental damage - it binds heavy metals which protects and minimizes aging effects from free radicals and heavy metal stress. Innovative? Very much so!

The second product I got in the box was 24-Hour Face Cream No. 578. Amazingly, this cream keeps your skin hydrated, soft and toned. THE 24-Hour Face Cream is the perfect product for you lazy girls. It has antipollution agents that neutralize free radicals by binding heavy metals and protecting skin from environmental damage on your face, just like the eye cream does.

I feel like a total beauty know-it-all using the most up to date products on the market and you will too!

Perfectly Glossed Kisses,

Sutton

Say It with Jewelry: The Strongly Worded Micro Trend

Sometimes, a trend just gets you. That’s how I feel about this new micro trend of obscene-word jewelry. This trend and I are soulmates. It understands that sometimes, saying the words aren’t enough. You need to wear them all day. This look isn’t for everyone, it might even be borderline offensive. But I actually think it removes the stinging power from most of the words and terms and pokes fun at them. A little curse-word necklace can be the perfect amount of edge for a sweet floral-print dress, or the crowning finish to an already decidedly downtown look. I’ve seen a lot of designer iterations, but I recommend going cheap or even DIY on this front. You might not channel your “eff off” mood everyday, and it might be a fad you find fleeting for yourself. But it’s definitely cool enough to take on a test drive, and give your look some quirk and attitude.

Etsy has some of the best and most affordable options if you don’t feel like DIYing.

I just ordered this one from the shop Charm Offensive, for only $10.00! The word 'bastard' is splendid - so powerful yet ridiculous. This shop has some other awesome options - though, warning, it also has some options that are actually pretty offensive that I would not wear or endorse. Just go in prepared and you could find something perfect for you.

For a cheekier, wink-wink twist, go the way of online lingo with a STFU charm necklace. It's still just aggressive enough but doesn't spell it out - and isn't annoying as s**t like "LOL." This simple-yet-cool necklace is $30 from the Metal Taboo Etsy shop.

Basically type a curse word and followed by "necklace" or "bracelet" into Etsy and you'll have your pickings. If you want to go a more creative and super cheap route, just swing by your bead store. I got a lifetime supply (seriously, it was like a sack of feed) of letter beads for $6.00, a spool of elastic thread for $3.00 and a bag of colorful beads for another $4.00. I can now make 4,567,812 bracelets so that's probs like $0.001 a bracelet. I happen to work near the wholesale and garment district which made finding those prices easy, so you can either buy a smaller quantity for about the same at an A.C. Moore or Michael's, or order wholesale supplies online.

The awesome thing about making your own, obviously, is that you can make it say anything. It can be your most empowering curse word, it can be a nickname, it can be an inside joke. You can make the art of accessorizing so personal – the ultimate expression of style but with a total goofball twist.

Par exemple, I made one that said “drop dead.” Because, I ride the 6 train everyday. I also made one for a friend that says “yeah brah” because that’s ridiculous. Do you, brahs!

Handbags and Hugs,

Astor

Summer Beauty Must Haves

Summer is in full swing and I am prepared this year. On one hand, going to the Hamptons every weekend, tanning on the beach and swimming in the pool is great, but on the other hand, I do not love being hot, sticky, sweaty, and an overall a gross mess. I have compiled my summer beauty “must haves” so grab a pen and paper and begin compiling your check list.

1.) Rosa Centifolia Foaming Cleanser

This cleanser is perfection for summer. At the end of the day, your grimy face needs a major wash. This cleanser will remove dirt, oil, sweat, and your makeup in a snap, leaving you with fresh, beautiful skin.

2.) NYR White Tea Facial Mist

Look, I get it: you're stuck in the city and dying in this heat without a pool in sight. I can't help you with the weather, or lack of a pool, but I can advise you on something soothing and refreshing for your face: NYR's Facial Mist. This staple product is in my bag all summer long. Waiting for the subway and wanting to cry? Not a problem, a few sprays on my face and my skin is calmed, soothed, and refreshed. I can *almost* forget that giant rat who looks like he wants to crawl up and chew on my sandal.

3.) NUXE Multi-Usage Dry Oil Shimmer

This oil is to ‘die for’ and I basically cover myself head to toe with it. Because it is a dry oil, it absorbs super-fast without looking or feeling greasy. Moreover, it hydrates your face, body and hair. Who doesn't love an all-purpose product? I use both the Dry Oil and the Dry Oil with Shimmer. The light reflecting shimmer oil leaves my hair and skin with a subtle golden glow. You only need a few drops of oil for each area so the bottle will be sure to last you well past the summer.

4.) TEMPTU Undereye Concealer

I have been a major downer about the heat, I’m sure. Please don't get me wrong though, I love the summer! (Would maybe prefer for it not to get above 75 degrees unless I'm in the Hamptons, but what are you going to do?) Outdoor cafes and bringing Trixie to Central Park, covers my weekend days in the city, while Rooftop Bars take up my nights. I am EXHAUSTED! And as you can see, Trixie is clearly tired too!

This tiredness leaves me with a major issue: dark circles under my eyes. I don't know about you, but I always have them (so frustrating.) And let me tell you, I have tried EVERYTHING to no avail. While some do mask the darkness, by the middle of a hot day the concealer is melting, which is worse than the circles alone! I have finally found my summer solution and that’s Temptu's Undereye Concealer. It stays put all day and makes me look much more refreshed and awake then I actually am. The light-reflecting diamond dust helps me fool everyone. It comes in eight shades, so you are sure to find your perfect match.

5.) Ilia Beauty Multi-Stick

Your eyes, cheeks, and lips will love this multi-stick. Infused with vitamin E and Shea butter, this stick leaves you moisturized with a sheer blush of color. I use the “I Put a Spell on You” shade, a bright tangerine color. It also comes in “Cheek to Cheek” a rich, warm red, “Tenderly” a pale pink, and “All of Me” a warm watermelon hue. Always floating around my bag, I almost always have it on my cheeks and lips.

6.) Kiss Nail Dress

Summer beauty should reach down to your fingertips, which is why I love the Nail Dresses by Kiss. Fun patterns and designs will leave your nails looking just as great as the rest of you. Sometimes I cover my entire nail, and sometimes I just cup them up and have some DIY nail art.

There you have it, you can now accept those beach house invitations and just hope your host doesn't make you bring your own sheets (this is becoming a Hamptons epidemic!)

         
          Perfectly Glossed Kisses,

Sutton