CURRENT OBSESSION: Clarisonic

It would be more appropriate to call my relationship with Clarisonic a lifetime obsession. If you're unfamiliar with the name, Clarisonic is a pulsating skin care brush that does wonders for your skin. If you're ever feeling like your skin looks dull and needs a refresher, the Clarisonic will work to fix every problem. The pulsing movement of the brush acts like a buffer on your skin to remove any dead skin or imperfections. Once you use it, you can see an immediate change in your complexion. Not only does it give a nice glow to your skin, but it will also make your face feel incredibly soft and clean. Because I use the Clarisonic for buffering my skin, I'll only use it a few times a week because I've found that my skin feels sensitive if I use it everyday. The Clarisonic cleansing system might be a splurge for some of you, as it goes for around $200 but there is a great option called the Clarisonic Mia that is smaller and only has one speed but it also only costs $119. This is actually the version that I use and I love it! BONUS: The Mia comes in a ton of cute colors to choose from so you can add a little personality to your otherwise boring cleansing routine!

~Erin

GLAM Up Your Hump Day: Butter London Nail Polish

Rosie Lee Nail Polish by Butter London

Today I really needed a pick me up. Not only because it is Hump Day, but because I have been a little under the weather and I'm just plain exhausted for no reason at all. Such is the life of a Glamorous Graduate. I was getting ready for my day and happened to glance over to a shelf where I keep some hod-podge beauty items and noticed something sparkly. There sat my Butter London Nail Polish collection, all of which is glitter (typical), and I thought, "wouldn't it be nice to take 30 minutes or so to completely zone out and make something more beautiful for no other reason than for myself?"

So that's what I did. During my snack break (yes, I take snack breaks), I took the rest of the time to do just that. I sat there in my own little world and took the time to make my nails pretty. While I only own the glitter versions of Butter London Nail Polish, there is just something about it that keeps me coming back time and time again. I love the colors they have and the brush makes it extremely easy to get a good even coat despite the polish literally just being glitter with a hint of clear nail polish in it. The other thing I like about Butter is that it seems to last a lot longer in comparison to similar polishes after a good top coat. This is for me the real reason why I love it so much. There is nothing worse than painting your nails a super cute color and spending a decent amount of time on them, especially now that Pinterest has really stepped up the game of nail art, only to have them get chipped within the first hour. After that first chip, we all know it's downhill from there. You can also feel great about putting Butter London on your nails because they pioneered carcinogenic free nail and hand products.

Needless to say, if you really need a pick me up as bad as I did today go try Butter London Nail Polish. They sell it at Nordstrom and honestly, who wouldn't love to take some time to themselves and end up having fun nails to brighten a less than awesome day?

SPLURGE or SAVE: Cosmetics Edition

DO you SPLURGE or SAVE on makeup?
	SPLURGE- I love my department store makeup!
	SAVE- My Drugstore makeup looks just as good!
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Here's a post you probably didn't see coming...a SPLURGE or SAVE that Maddie and I both agree on! When it comes to purchasing cosmetics, we both think that it can definitely be worth your money if you take a chance and SPLURGE on the right products from the right brands. Keep reading to find out our top choices for cosmetics that are worth the extra cash!

Erin loves to SPLURGE on NARS Cosmetics

Erin's Favorites

Back in my high school days, I was the queen of drug store makeup. I couldn't get enough of Burt's Bees lip balm, Covergirl's super-shimmery bronzer, and I may or may not have tried almost every one of Maybelline's mascaras based on their intriguing names. Don't get me wrong, these are great options for any girl on a budget. But there are times that you just need to treat yourself with some high quality, department store brands to upgrade your cosmetics collection! My go-to brand as of late has been NARS cosmetics. If the name sounds familiar, it is probably because they have some of the most popular cosmetics products with their Orgasm Blush and Laguna Bronzing Powder. Being a sucker for beachy/bronzy beauty looks, these have become 2 of my absolute favorite beauty products! The shades are so great for work or play, depending on how heavy handed you go with the makeup brush. The blush goes for $29 and the bronzing powder goes for $36 on their website, but these NARS products are worth every penny in my opinion! Another beauty staple that I believe is the best of the best is Diorshow Mascara. Yes...I have branched out from Maybelline and I'm so happy I did. I first discovered Diorshow when I got my makeup done for a high school dance at the Dior counter in a department store and I got so many compliments that night that I decided to stick with it! You can find Diorshow in many different stores including Sephora and Nordstrom for $25 and I believe that you will fall in love with this mascara just as quickly as I did!

I don't even mind SPLURGING on my MAC Makeup

Maddie's Favorites

I actually just recently converted to SPLURGING on my makeup at the beginning of this year. Beforehand, I could never even fathom spending more than $14 at a drugstore on my makeup, but the reality I soon found out was that I was actually spending more for my drugstore makeup. I don't know what finally made me take the plunge into MAC makeup, but I was just plain tired of running to Target every 2 months for a replenishment on something I felt like I had just spent money on. I also happened to have a girl who worked for MAC at Nordstrom and she definitely influenced my opinion about nicer makeup and was extremely helpful in helping me choose what was right for me. I use and love MAC Studio Moisture Tint as my foundation. It tackles anything I feel like I have to cover up from dark circles to small blemishes. It is amazing for coverage, but it is also extremely light, which was a very important feature for me when choosing my foundation. I then follow that up with MAC 'Mineralize' Skinfinish Natural Powder, which gives me a good matte finish without looking like I have a cake-face. I wasn't completely sold on this makeup actually until I figured out how well it stayed throughout my hectic days and crazy nights, and how long it lasted me. My first MAC purchase was in the middle of January and I still have about half of both of these products left. Let me tell you how amazing it feels to wake up in the morning month after month and not worry that something is about to run out on me. I also believe that I am spending a comparable amount on makeup as I was before because I was buying drugstore makeup so often, and I am getting a much higher quality product that makes me feel awesome! My advice would be to go to Nordstrom and have someone help you find what is right for you. Makeup to me is very overwhelming and it is so helpful to have someone who is knowledgeable and honest to give you a hand. Then start with just a few items that you use daily to get a good feel for what you like and need. It is totally worth your time and money to SPLURGE on good makeup and if you don't believe it from me, believe it because Erin and I both agree that you can't go wrong by SPLURGING on your makeup.  

SPLURGE or SAVE: Hair Care Edition

Do you SPLURGE or SAVE on your hair care routine?
	SPLURGE- My hair is worth every penny!
	SAVE- Awesome hair can be awesomely cheap too!
pollcode.com free polls

Hair Care: SPLURGE

Most people would be surprised to know that I have really wavy-curly hair. This is because I do terrible things to my hair to get it stick straight, to the point where you would never know what my natural texture is. I'm talking heating tools on heating tools. In order to combat all of this heat damage that I'm probably doing to my hair, I need hair care that will make my hair healthier while moisturizing it. Luckily, I have a grandparent that is obsessed with QVC and helped me to discover Wen Hair Care. Wen is great for my hair because the system is based on using a conditioning cleanser in place of shampoo and conditioner. Wen's cleansing conditioner doesn't have the sulfates that are found in shampoos and can often strip your hair of important natural oils. I can definitely feel the difference after using Wen and using regular shampoo. My hair feels extremely dry and tangled after using shampoo while my hair feels soft and moisturized after using Wen. I will NEVER go back to using regular shampoo. Wen will cost you more than going to the drug store to buy any Pantene Pro-V shampoo. You can get a 6 oz. bottle from QVC for around $24 but the bottle will last you a long time, the cleansing conditioners come in great scents like Lavender or Sweet Almond Mint, and the price is definitely worth the results you get from switching to a cleansing conditioner treatment!

~Erin

Hair Care: SAVE

I've already mentioned how obsessed I am with Lush bath products, but they sell amazing hair care products as well. Unlike Erin, my hair is extremely fine, and dries stick straight with zero volume even in 100% humidity. I could not for the life of me, find a hair care routine that gave me volume without weighing my hair down and making it look greasy. Literally, first world problems, but for fine- haired women this is serious business. I searched high and low for the perfect shampoo, spending copious amounts of money on anything that I thought might work for me. Thankfully, my obsession with Lush gave me more than just an excuse to splurge on bath products. It gave me the opportunity to save on my hair care routine. I use a funky shampoo by them called Seanik, which is a solid shampoo bar that is packed full of lemon oil for shine, seaweed for softness and sea salt for awesome volume. I follow that with their conditioner Veganese. Like Seanik, Veganese was made for fine hair and has many of the same components that make Seanik so amazing. The best part is that it contains agar seaweed gel which makes my hair so incredibly soft without the weight that comes with even the most expensive conditioners and the lemon oil scent lingers in my hair after I blow dry it. I can't express how easy this routine makes my life because I don't even have to use a spray or gel to give me volume before I dry my hair. Using these products is like having a cool island breeze go through my hair without the worry that my hair will look greasy or flat by 2 in the afternoon. Even better, Seanik lasts me a good 3 months, can travel through airport security effortlessly and is only $12. Veganese is slightly more expensive, but the biggest bottle, which is $33, lasts me about 7 months, but it would probably last much longer if I didn't have extremely long hair. Needless to say, both of these products give me Hollywood hair everyday without the exorbitant costs that often comes with it.

~Maddie

GLAM Up Your Hump Day!: Sunny Side Bubble Bars

While Wednesday might not be the only day of the week that's a drag, it certainly is the day that everyone seems to have to get through in order to trick themselves into thinking it's almost the weekend. Lucky for you, we've decided to give you a glamorous pick- me- up for every terrible Wednesday you have to get through and bust the hump day blues.
Meet the Sunny Side Bubble Bar from Lush Cosmetics. 

This fantastic little gem has gotten me through stressful weeks at work, school and just my life in general. It's like the wine of bubble baths, but better because it glitters and you don't wake up with a headache the next morning. 

When I crumble this into my tub, sweet citrus fills the air and I am immediately reminded of summertime and palm trees even in the dead of dreary winter. While the aroma is enchantingly warm, nothing beats the glittering waters and bubbles that this bar makes in my bath. Just picking it up at the store has me leaving with a beaming smile because of how sparkly it is and knowing that I get the pamper myself in a princess bath soon. As an added bonus, Lush only uses all natural ingredients in their products and leads the fight against animal testing, so you can feel amazing about using their products! If you haven't tried this to unwind I highly recommend it and may or may not use one a month minimum (don't tell my fiancee).

Want to feel extra princess-y? Try adding one of Lush's many Bath Bombs to really experience the molten glittery swirl of Sunny Side. My personal favorite is Big Blue, which is like having my own personal ocean in a bath. It turns the water blue, which really lets you see just how glittery Sunny Side is, and has awesome things like seaweed in it for your skin. Also, it makes me feel like Princess Ariel from The Little Mermaid and even though I may be graduated, that doesn't mean I don't still want to revisit my childhood dream of being her.

So go forth Glam Grads and make your Hump Day Glamorous with a princess bath from Lush Cosmetics!

~Maddie and Erin

HOW TO: Find a Signature Scent

When it comes to perfume, there are a lot of ways to go wrong. Wearing too much, wearing too little, and the worst mistake of all: wearing the wrong scent. Perfumes are supposed to make you smell good, right? So how could you possibly go wrong? Well, it's easier than you think. Long gone are the days of drenching yourself in Abercrombie's headache-inducing perfumes or being first in line to snatch up a celebrity scent from Justin Bieber or Lady Gaga. Let's face it, when asked what perfume you wear, do you really want to respond with the name of a teenage pop star known for their off-stage antics? I certainly don't. Now that you're getting further into the world of adulthood, finding a signature scent is one of the most mature things you can do (in terms of your beauty routine, of course). There are a ton of great perfume options for girls our age and getting complimented on your scent will certainly give you a confidence boost. Now, finding a signature scent takes some experimenting, but believe us, in the end it is definitely worth it. Once you find the scent that you love, you can save so much time, money, and effort with your beauty routine. Signature scents and preferences are different for everyone but to get you started, we have come up with a list of 5 of our favorites including our own signature scents!

1. MADDIE'S SIGNATURE SCENT: Chanel Mademoiselle ($175 for .5 oz)

~I switched to this scent after high school and have loved it ever since! It has hints of orange and grapefruit as well as bourbon vanilla and white musk. It is feminine and classy and I feel like it matches my personality perfectly! It costs a pretty penny but the price is worth it for this timeless signature scent!

2. ERIN'S SIGNATURE SCENT: Marc Jacob's Woman ($95 for 3.4 oz)

~I stumbled upon this scent as a Christmas present from my Mom and I have been wearing it for 4 years now! It's a great scent enhanced by gardenias and I love it because it's light, which makes it feel elegant. I think it's perfect for any occasion and I always get compliments on it, so it's definitely worth a try! Marc Jacobs Daisy is also a great alternative that I use sometimes!

3. Euphoria Calvin Klein ($47 for 1 oz)

~Calvin Klein is known for their simple, yet classic designs and this perfume is no exception! It's a scent that seems to work for all ages. The pomegranate, black orchid, and mahogany notes will make you feel mysterious, yet classy!

4. Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb ($160 for 3.4 oz)

~Based on it's popularity, we trust that this perfume will definitely be worth a try! As the title implies, the scent is a burst of floral with notes of jasmine, rose, orchid, and freesia. It's on the pricey side, but popularity doesn't lie!

5. Juicy Couture ($70 for 1.7 oz)

~A fun brand like Juicy Couture has to have a fun fragrance, right? Right! This scent has notes of watermelon, passion fruit and a base note with vanilla. Sounds good enough to eat! You'll feel like an Upper East-Sider when you spritz on this fun and flirty scent!

Happy Hunting, Ladies!

~Erin & Maddie

Who is the Glamorous Graduate?

Glamorous Graduate: A glamorous, sexy, brainy, bad-ass female who knows what she wants, works hard, and goes for it, all while looking fabulous. We may be intellectual, but that doesn't mean we don't know how to have fun and look good doing it.

College graduation is an exciting transition time for anyone, but it's specifically a huge transition time for young women. No longer does your Hollister perfume qualify as a 'signature scent,' your Old Navy 2 for $5 flip flops no longer pass as acceptable party attire, and your North Face backpack with all the patches on it no longer suffices to carry your laptop around town. The reality of college graduation is that the time you spend with influential people is no longer scheduled, meaning that you could meet your new boss on a train or at a local Starbucks. The other unfair reality is that women are held to a much higher standard in terms of appearances than men. People know and expect men to be a little style challenged and expect women to be more put together. This isn't news.

Fortunately for you, this blog aims to serve as your guide to upgrading your style after graduation on a new grad's budget. It will help you determine where to splurge, where to save and what is the best of the best out there so that you don't have to spend the time and money figuring it out for yourself.

-Erin & Maddie