3.28.2013

Products I've Used Up



A new segment we want to introduce to Pair Design is Empties! These are products that I have used up and want to give my thoughts on and whether I would re-purchase or not.  The ranking scale will be 1-5. 1 being the product was total crap and would never re-purchase and 5 being I would totally repurchase and is a new or existing favorite! Lets get started!

Lush Skin Drink Facial Moisturizer - To start off, I am a HUGE Lush fan. I love everything about them. The smells, what they stand for, and their wide variety of beauty products.  I loved the Skin Drink moisturizer. I have quite the list of things I look for in a moisturizer with the dry Colorado air and my acne prone/sensitive skin. Not only did this product smell clean and earthy but it did not irritate my sensitive skin and did a great job at moisturizing. For me, it would be more of a summer moisturizer when my skin tends to not be as dry as it is now in the winter, where I need a heavier cream, especially at night. But overall I give it a 4. I would definitely re-purchase for the summer months.

Batiste Dry Shampoo - Batiste, by far, is my favorite dry shampoo brand that I have tried. This particular one in light & blonde although is not my favorite. It has more of a "yellow" tint rather than the regular formula that has more of a white cast.  With my ashier blonde color, it didn't match the tone of my hair. If you do have more of a yellow blonde, it would be perfect for you. The formula still worked at banishing oil but I was not satisfied with the color cast so I am going to give it a 2 and will not re-purchase this specific color. (But will ALWAYS buy the original formula…over and over :)

Lush Shower Gel in Snow Fairy - This smell…words can hardly describe. In my mind it is heaven in a 100% recycled plastic bottle. It is a perfect blend of cotton candy and bubble gum, but in a fresh, not too sweet way if that makes sense!  It suds up great on my loofah and the scent lingers on my skin throughout the day. It is a seasonal scent at Lush, coming out  around Christmas time, which is a total bummer that is not a permanent smell.  I will be repurchasing next holiday season and I am giving it a well deserving 5!

St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse - I have tried almost every self tanning product on the market (don't make me show you my bathroom cabinet for proof!) and this one is my fave by far!  The color has a green tint rather than an orange one that other self tanning products have.  The greenish tint gives you more of a brown tan as opposed to the oompa loompa, un-natural orange that lots of tanners have. The mousse formula allows for an easy, streak free application that other lotions, creams, and sprays can't quite provide. I do prefer to use a mit rather than my bare hands to apply. It is on the pricier side but is totally worth the 5 I'm giving it and will definitely be buying again!

Boots Nourishing Night Cream - This night cream is great! The smell is very pleasant and did its job of moisturizing, softening, and nourishing that it claims to do. I still have yet to find a night cream that cures my chronic dry winter nose, but it does pretty dang good. This is actually my second container and tried purchasing it again at Target but they had kind of changed the Boots line around and I got the most similar one I could find. The verdict is still out on that one but I will let you know when I finish that one up. A 5 it is for the Boots night cream.

Pangea Lip Balm - I got this lip balm in a Birchbox probably a year or so ago and decided to give it a go. This product is ok, but nothing to write home about. I seem to have chronic dry lips along with my dry nose and unfortunately this balm did not do the job and I am still on the hunt for the perfect chapstick. The lavender scent was nice to put on before bed but is not enough to buy this 2 ranked product again.

Maybeline Mega Plush Mascara - This mascara has been so hyped up in the beauty community so I had to give it a whirl. Is it worth the hype? Yes! Things to keep in mind, I like my lashes to be somewhat clumpy with full of volume and length and don't mind whatever texture has to happen to achieve those things. This mascara is extremely volumizing which holds up to its claim but lacks on the Plush part. I would never describe my lashes as plush when I use this product, but again that doesn't really bother me. I rate this mascara a 4 and would definitely consider re-purchasing.

Tresemme Heat Tamer Spray - I am fairly new to the heat tamer world. I have only used a couple, but for the cheap price and great fragrance, I like this product. Can I see if it is actually protecting my already damaged, over processed hair from heat? Not sure. But I feel better after using it! I have already re-purchased this 3 rated product, but only for the smell and affordable cost : /

Chi Micro Flex Hold Hair Spray - This hairspray has been a long time favorite of mine and one that I have got lots of ladies hooked on! The hold is a great consistency to hold curl or tease but can still be brushed out at the end of the day if needed, and the cologne-y type scent is to die for. I have re-purchased this 5 rated product many times!

I hope you have enjoyed this new segment! <3 Charisse

3.24.2013

New Business Cards- Pt.2





Part 2 has arrived! We are pretty much in love with our new business cards! Like Donielle said in her post for part 1, I was working on Part 2, which was these organic looking sleeves with our logo stamped on the front. They make each business card feel pretty darn special! We love the contrast of the rougher sleeve revealing the glamorous glittery inside! Happy Sunday!
<3 Charisse

3.22.2013

Good smells...product review!



Charisse and I are huge drugstore beauty fans, but there are just some things that are worth that extra cash money.  This deodorant/anti-perspirant by Donna Karan is so amazing.  I'm very particular about my deodorant and have found few that I feel like actually fights the un-wanted BO....body odor, can't have it.  I feel like this affectively fights odor as well as decreases perspiration. At $20 a pop, don't let the price scare you away, I don't think I will ever purchase another brand.  I have been using this 1.7 oz for over three months and there is still tons of product left. This stuff lasts all day, through work and work out. Did I mention it smells heavenly? The description of this scent is: "Lily of the Valley, Suede Notes, Bergamot, Ylang, Jasmine Maroc, Sandalwood, Orris, Amber, Vanilla, Cedarwood, Patchouli, Musk".  I had originally bought the sample size version which is actually more than half the size of the full product for $10.  It would be a great alternative if you were a skeptic and just wanted to give it a whirl. If you are one not to mix scents between your lotion, perfume and body wash, fear not; Donna Karan offers this scent in all of the above.  This product can be found at either Sephora, Ulta and all major department stores.  Both Charisse and I give this product our huge Pair Design stamp of approval!


~Donielle

3.17.2013

New Business Cards- Part 1.


Charisse and I have been working on some new business cards and since we live in different states, I'm working on Part 1 and we are adding even more to these sparkly gems. Charisse will be posting her portion of the project in Part 2. So excited so be sharing some of our Graphic Design work incorporated into our blog! 

~Donielle

3.15.2013

OOTD



On this sunny, 75 degree Colorado day, I decided I was in the mood for spring and bright colors!  I love pairing like colors but of a different tone. My shirt is more of a true coral color while my capris are more of a neon coral.  Adding pops of turquoise made the look a little less monochromatic and livened it up a little (as if the bright colors needed more life, but hey, thats how I do! :).  Have a lovely day, wherever you are!
<3 Charisse

3.10.2013

IMATS


We've been to Piers 92/94 in NewYork City for International Bridal Week and now we are so excited to be at the same venue for the 2013 International Make-Up Artist Trade Show.  We get to visit and see our own favorite beauty bloggers, as well as learning about the newest and greatest in the make-up world.  Beauty is just one thing we have a passion for so we can't wait to share with you the latest trends we discover!

~Charisse & Donielle