At Home Blemish Cure-All

It's time, ladies .. Time to confess our skincare sins, and time to receive our deserved penance. My sin? I'm a picker. It's probably my least-liked quality about myself; I know full well how disgusting it is. And when an innocent little in-between-the-eyebrows zit turned into a massive red in-between-the-eyebrows crater, my sister did some research. A lazy, boring Sunday afternoon - let's put some stuff on my face.

There was more research done behind this, I promise. My sister actually thought I had been putting too much on my face. So we needed something gentle, healing, and cleansing. Raw, all natural honey fit the bill. And we had a full jar sitting on the kitchen countertop.

What you need:

- raw honey, heated

- cotton pads

- q-tips [optional]

What to do:

1. Wash face using everyday cleanser.

2. Microwave a spoonful of raw, all natural, local grown [if possible] for about 30 seconds. Let cool for a few minutes, until it reaches a thick, but still liquid, consistency.

3. Using a q-tip or your clean fingers, apply a thick layer of honey to blemish. Place a cotton pad on top of honey. I just use the cotton pad in its original shape and size, but you could cut it into smaller, more usable shapes and sizes.

4. Leave honey on from anywhere between 20 minutes and eight hours [overnight!]. Remove by taking off cotton pad and using a wet cotton pad to wipe off excess honey.

The results are as good as you could possibly get. My blemish was dry, itchy [probably due to a minor bacterial infection], and over simulated. Upon washing off the honey, redness had notably decreased, itchiness was gone, and the dry, flaky skin had vanished.

I cannot stress how important it is to take the word organic to the next level when picking out your [face] honey. Pure, raw, locally grown, organic. This stuff is getting personal with you on a whole new level, and the honey that comes from the squeeze bottle shaped like a baby bear will not cut it. Channel your inner white girl and take a trip down to Whole Foods. 

Maybe even buy a green juice while you're at it.

xx MGR

The Headband

*image

I have always hated wearing my hair down. Period, end of story. You will probably see me with my hair in a braid or ponytail 90% of the time.  The only time my hair is down is when I have just gotten a haircut or I have some kind of formal event the next day - which, in short, means it's been professionally blown out. For this array of reasons, I'm quite a fan of headbands..they just so convenient for those fly away hairs. I hope to wear them more often this upcoming school year - they're so unique and stand out right away! Right now, I am in love with this one! Let me know if you know of any other good headbands, or any hair accessories in general!

Do you enjoy a good headband?

xx, CMK

Short Hair

*via Pinterest

Short hair is something I have been coveting for awhile. Just being able to straighten only a couple pieces of hair sounds lovely. I don't have the longest hair..it falls just a couple of inches below my shoulder. I'm also really into just chopping all my hair off and rocking a pixie cut, but that requires lots of styling. I love being able to throw my hair into a ponytail whenever, especially for sports. I guess there are many pro's and con's to when chopping your hair off!

Would you chop off all your hair?

xx, CMK

Beauty Wishlist

CLOCKWISE : one / two / three / four

A Sephora giftcard has been calling my name for the past few days. "Use me, use me!" It has me browsing the website everyday carefully adding and removing items from my cart, trying to decide what the perfect thing to buy is. I'm young and a full face of makeup is something I have no interest in, so the items on my wishlist are simple and straightforward. Any of these things would be welcomed with open arms!

What's your next beauty purchase? What about your holy grail product?

xx MGR

Top 3 Summer Polishes

Last fall, I shared my favorite nail polishes for the given season (deep, wintery hues worthy of a hot Starbucks and cozy turtleneck!). I told you all how I am loyal to Essie polishes and rarely ever stray. Summer's here and I thought I should share my favorite Essie polishes for the warmer months. I adore pastels, being that they totally bring out a tan. And of course, a bright neon is a must over the summer. Shop these polishes below!

What are your favorite summer polishes?

xx MGR

More Essie...

The B&W Portrait

Kate Moss by Craig McDean || Margaux Hemingway by Rene Burry || Jane Birkin via || Georgia May Jagger by Ahmet Unver

The black and white portrait seems to be a recurring theme on my Pinterest. The utter simplicity and classic vibe that comes along with these photographs pull me in. Another obsession I've developed, apparently.

B&W or color photographs?

xx MGR

3 Skincare Products Worth Mentioning

Earlier this year, I shared my everyday skincare routine. I highlighted what I do and what I use on a daily basis, along with a few extra products I use here and there. Since then, I've swapped a few products in and out. I recently took note of some holy grail face products I use and just had to bring light to them. 

+ Lumene Matt Touch Deep Cleansing Peat Mask | I shy away from face masks. They're always a hassle. They're messy. Not my style. My sister convinced me that I just had to - had to - try this peat mask. And now I'm obsessed. It washes away pesky little bumps and makes my skin oh so soft. The perfect post-shower Sunday night treat to get you resting and relaxing.

+ Simple Radiant Cleansing Wipes | I can't even express to you how much I adore these wipes. I will admit, I get lazy. Especially when it comes to washing my face. But these are so easy and really do get the job done. I pack them on quick weekend trips, always have them on hand during lacrosse season, and even use them to take my makeup off at night. They are deliciously simple and easy, and I cannot get enough.

+ Benefit Triple Performing Facial Emulsion | Last year for my birthday, my mom treated a few friends and I to a makeup session at the Benefit store (aka the happiest place on earth!). The lady started out by doing a skincare demo on my hand, and I immediately fell in love with the entire line. When we were ready to leave, my mom surprised us by telling us each to pick out three full sized products from the store...it was quite the challenge. I knew I couldn't leave the store without this moisturizer. I've used it everyday since and am still head over heels for it. I just use one pump - it's about the size of a pea - and apply it to my entire face. It turns your skin into the silky, soft porcelain you dream about. Holy grail.

What are your holy grail skincare products?
xx MGR

Fool Proof Plan for Silky Soft Legs

Being a private school goer, and therefore a uniform wearer, and therefore an avid skirt don-er, I can promise you how good it feels to have soft legs. As we slowly ease into spring, cumbersome leggings or tights are simply cringeworthy...and so, there is no way to get around shaving. It is quite the to-do, I will admit, and something I put off for as long as I possibly can, but when I put in the time to whip my legs into shape, it feels absolutely fabulous. I have developed an entirely gruesome set of steps and products that, in the end, turn out to be totally worth it.

STEP ONE:
I start out by exfoliating. The idea of brushing away dead skin was totally reinvented when I discovered my mother's Kiehl's body polish. I rub it into a wet wash cloth, work it into a lather, and the stuff magically manages to turn my day around. It's not too harsh, but gets the job done. Not to mention it smells absolutely exquisite!

STEP TWO:
Oh the dreaded task of shaving! Does anyone else get halfway through and decide they're totally over it? I try to keep it as simple as possible with this Schick razor. It offers enough moisture to not even need another component. When I'm feeling up to it, I'll use it in addition to my Aveeno shave gel. It lathers nicely and definitely moisturizes. Not totally necessary, but sometimes a fun perk!

STEP THREE:
I think this is my favorite part, and probably the most unexpected. I get totally back-to-basics and put some Johnson's baby oil to use. This kind is equipped with aloe and vitamin e, which make it even more spectacular. I just barely pat my legs dry before I apply this; it's supposed to lock in moisture, so you have to leave it some moisture to, in fact, lock in. Note: this stuff is simply amazing to have around at all times. It's my go-to post-sunburn (aloe!).

STEP FOUR:
I've gone through all this trouble, and by this point I'm probably exhausted. If I really do find it necessary, I'll top it off with some good old moisturizer. I've always used Jergens moisturizer - it's simple and gets the job done. Of course we're all striving for that perfect sunkissed glow, and when that's in mind, I reach for the Jergens Natural Glow. If I'm in a pinch and need an immediate bronze, I'll use Sally Hansen's Airbrush Legs. I, being equal parts spazzy and messy, am totally mortified by self tanner. This product, however, is extremely user friendly and still manages to get the job done. My palms didn't even turn orange!

Ta-da! Crawl into your crisp, clean sheets and bask in the wonderfulness of silky legs. It really is one of the best feelings, ever.

What are your go-to products for soft legs?
xx MGR

Beauty Must Have: Clarisonic

For awhile now, I have been looking for a everyday skin care and makeup routine. After months of many dermatologist appointments, I finally found the solution to have soft and clean skin. My skin is very sensitive and gets dirty very easily. I have tried countless numbers of face washes and scrubs. About, a month ago my mom bought me a the Mia 2 Clarisonic, because she has one and it does the the trick for her. At first, I wasn't very excited about this new toy because my mom. After using it for a month now, it is the one thing I can't live without. It works wonders and I just feel more confident about my skin. The clarisonic is basically a brush for your face, with removable head for your skin type. In addition, it comes in such funs colors (I have the hot pink one)! All you have to do is apply your face wash to you face, and turn on the clarisonic and it does the rest. I highly recommend that the clarisonic becomes apart of your daily routine. You can find out more information about the company and purchase one here. Trust me, the clarisonic is life changing.

What is your beauty must have?

xx, CMK

Pops of Pink

I was browsing through some Matchbook archives when I stumbled upon, "The Matchbook Girl...knows a neon pink manicure brings mid-winter cheer." Well then, I am a Matchbook Girl! I've been thinking about pops of pink all day and cannot keep a beaming smile off my face. What a more spectacular hue than bright, neon, girly goodness? I'm off for a neon pink manicure today, for sure!

What brings you mid-winter cheer?

xx MGR

Snip Snip

After months of being adamant about my long (and I mean long) hair, I finally decided it was time for a change. My sister pulled the band-aid a few months ago and chopped a few inches of her hair off (she's so cute!). Inspired by Olivia Palermo's 'long bob', her long wavy tresses turned into a short, strait little 'do. And she really pulled it off! A combination of this 'long bob' craze, her adorable cut, and my being tired of long hair maintenance led me to chop off four (I think it's more like five) inches last week. My hair got so long (you can see it here) and I just couldn't keep up with it anymore! It's quite a bit past my shoulder, but relatively, my hair is now short. The change in length is tough to get used to, but my hair looks so healthy and managing it is easy-peasy. I'm totally missing my long ponytail and perfect braid, but it'll grow back eventually - right? In all, it's been an awesome change. I love the way it looks super straight and sleek or kind of messy and wavy. I'm dying to try out a style like this! Cheers to new 'dos!

How short is too short for you?

xx MGR

PS: Follow our beauty board on Pinterest for more!

Hair Routine

I honestly have hair like no other. It is Thick with a capital T...which means it takes a significant amount of time to wash, condition, dry, detangle, and style. Rarely ever holds a curl (or style of any kind), is too heavy for it's own good (buns are not my friend), and knots itself up in minutes. Oof. That being said, I have come up with the perfect routine to manage my crazy mane!

step one: wash
I switched over to this Alberto VO5 clarifying shampoo a few months ago. This is perfect for me! I tend to wash my hair 2 - 3 times a week. My thick hair does an awesome job at accommodating the buildup, allowing me to wash it as little as possible. This shampoo really gets back to basics and just cleans. No funny business here. It makes my hair a clean slate for the week to come! PS: It's pretty cheap too!

step two: condition
I use John Frieda's Frizz-Ease conditioner to give my hair a smooth, silky finish. Only recently have I discovered the secret behind conditioning my hair. I split my hair into two equal sections (as if you were going to do pigtails - one section slung over each shoulder), and then finger-comb the conditioner through them equally. I only condition from the ear down...A rule I learned from my sister as practically a baby: conditioner does not touch your scalp.

step three: dry
When I turn off the water in the shower, I squeeze out as much excess water as possible from my hair. I flip over and run a towel through it (kind of aggressively, to be utterly honest) and then create the crowd-favorite turban. I leave it up as long as possible...blow-drying takes me hours, so towel-drying is really my best bet!

step four: brush
Depending on the day, this part could take me anywhere from 5 - 15 minutes. I first create my infamous deep left side part (cowlicks!) and then work from there. Again, I split my hair into two equal sections (pig-tail style). I usually start brushing on the left side, first combing out the very ends of my hair, then the middle, and eventually from the root all the way down. Just think about it: if you start at the root, you have to get out the tangles from the top, middle, and bottom - all in one stroke. Work in chunks and make your way up! This little trick is really good for avoiding breakage. When I'm done brushing I usually flip it around a couple times to loosen it up.

step five: the end!
9 out of 10 times, I let my hair fully air-dry. To eliminate frizz, poofy-ness, and dents, I try my hardest to do this without putting it up and without sleeping on it wet. If I have to sleep on it damp, I'll put it in a braid down my back.

Should we start doing more beauty posts? 
xx MGR

PS: We just started a beauty board on Pinterest!

Wishlist

Yeah!  Midterms have ended and I am super excited to spend thursday reading, shopping, and sleeping.  I am super excited because I just found out that this weekend that my family and I are going to go skiing and I have been longing for this weekend. I just can not wait to hit the slopes. Also, this weekend MGR and I will be going to the New York Gift Show. Here are some of my weekly wants.

1//2//3//4//5//6//7//8//9//10

As we can see my wants are leaning towards warmer climates...

What are your wants?

xx, CMK

Skin Care Routine

Someone recently asked me for my skincare routine, so I thought I'd share! I was blessed with pretty normal/manageable skin. It's usually on the drier side, but lately it's been a bit more oily; I don't struggle with acne, only a few breakouts here and there..so in result my routine is simple - short, sweet, and to the point!

wash / tone / moisturize

I swear by all of these products! Especially my favorite Benefit moisturizer. I've racked up probably half a dozen drugstore moisturizers over the past year and a half, and this one wins with flying colors. I feel like a new person after using it! This cleanser is also amazing - I've been using it for a few years now and it's still going strong. Super simple...and it smells awesome. The toner is a new edition. Spending more time in Manhattan, my skin's been racking up new oils and reacting to a new atmosphere, so this Neutrogena toner has been my life saver. I started to notice more clogged pores on my nose and chin, and this product erases them in what feels like seconds.

In addition to these every day products, I have a few blemish fighting products to throw in. Twice a week I swap the Garnier cleanser for Neutrogena's pink grapefruit acne scrub, and every Sunday night I use my Biore face strips to combat clogged pores.

This routine has proven to be perfect for me!

Do you go for high end or drugstore skin care products?

xx MGR

Braid Away

Let it Snow! I am trapped in my house so I am forced to do my homework :( The upside to being trapped is that I don't have to change out of my yoga pants. Today I thought I would talk about one of my favorite things! Braids! I just love the way they look instead of the classic straight hair. For winter formal, I wore my hair in two braids crossed in the back and it was a hit. Also, I was the only person with her hair up (Go Carol). Here are some of my favorite braids.

If you want to try one of these go to this site they have tutorials for amateurs, like myself.

Do you have a favorite braid?

Cheers, CMK

My Favorite Fall/Winter Nail Polishes

I'll be completely honest: I went on a total manicure hiatus over the summer. I just didn't have the energy! It just never felt worth it. But since school started, I've caved. I'm turing back into a little nail polish addict. And I just adore fall/winter colors!

A-List

Bobbing for Baubles

Chinchilly

Going Incognito

I'm a loyal Essie girl! It's the only thing I know - ever since I was little my sisters would only let me pick from the Essie racks..and now I'm a little shy to branch out. Leaving behind my trusted pinks, maybe an occasional red, a few years ago was tough. But now Chinchilly is easily my favorite! I love a good navy and emerald as well. And everyone needs a deep red or purple for fall; A-List is my current favorite (I've tried so many!).

What are your fall/winter manicure go to's?

xx, MGR

{Photos: 1-4}