JGB #letsbereal: Mascara

#letsbereal

Recently, on No. 14's snapchat (username: No_14lville) I have been doing a snapchat Q & A to address the questions I am getting asked most often.  Some of those questions have to do with No. 14's sales process and inventory, but the rest of them have to do with makeup, skin care, and styling.  I'm going to start a series called #letsbereal, where I address all of your questions.

The number one question asked during my first Q & A was about my eyelashes: Do you have eyelash extensions? What mascara do you use? Do you use serums? 

Guys let me tell you, I'm seriously flattered because I LOVE eyelashes. I was so humbled when I kept getting asked about my lashes over and over again.  I will leave the house completely bare faced- with the exception of mascara.  Having big, bold lashes just opens up your eyes and makes you look awake.

I don't have extensions, I don't feel like they would look bold enough on me. Because I have such dark hair, I feel that my lashes need to be thick to really standout.  Girls who have lash extensions also need to be careful how they sleep when they have extensions, and I sleep with my head face down in my pillow like a zombie. They would just never work for me (and they're expensive to maintain).

I have spent a long time rotating tons of mascaras and am always on the hunt for the new and exciting. I have had this same mascara routine for almost an entire year now. I've tried to sub in new formulas, but they never compare to my originals.

  


  I use a variety of 4 different mascaras in this particular order: 

1. This Chanel Mascara

2. This Tarte Mascara 

3. This Bobbi Brown Mascara 

4. This Too Faced Mascara 

Mascara Tip:
Apply mascara before your face makeup, but after your shadows and liner. This way you can wipe off excess (under your lower lashes or above your brows) without messing up your face makeup.


Have a question you'd like for me to feature in a future #letsbereal? Send it in to justagirlboss@gmail.com


  

Shopbop Friends & Family

Shopbop Friends & Family is HERE and it is better than ever! Purchases up to $500 get 25% off, purchases over $500 get 30% off! The code is MAINEVENT16

 Here are some of my favorites 

Boots: 

Bags:

My Purchases: 

Floral Romper

Yesterday at No. 14 we received this floral romper and sold out of it within hours- it was crazy! This time of year is really tough because it is still warm outside, but it is too late in the season to be wearing white lace dresses and wedges. Enter the fall romper, the perfect transitional piece. It bodes well in the heat, and you don't look like you're chasing your summer away and wearing a chunky sweater.  This particular one is not yet online (stay in touch with No. 14 on snapchat to see if we can get it back in stock (No_14lville). 

We had this very similar floral romper in the store a few weeks ago and it sold out just as quickly.  We also sold out of this aubergine floral romper in less than a day.  I also love this floral long sleeve romper (under $50!), and this army green one, and this navy off the shoulder one. The best way to translate these into fall is to wear with bare legs and brown booties.  I especially love these brown ones from Nordstrom, that are a killer price! 

Shop this post: 

Booties: old, very similar here, also coveting these

Sunnies: here

Romper: No. 14, sold out, but similar here 

Bag: here

Hat: here, similar here and here

Current Favorites: 

I wanted to share a few things with my readers that I have been so excited about. I recently purchased this pair of floral booties and am so excited to wear them with black ripped skinnies and an oversized sweater once it gets a little bit cooler.  I think they're going to be one of my favorite purchases for now and through even the winter. 

I also just recently changed up my skincare thanks to one of my favorite cosmetic sales women at Nordstrom. She suggested a Bobbi Brown routine that I think has changed my skin forever- I don't know that I will ever go back! I am going to do a more detailed post about this later this week, but in the mean time, this is what I've been using! 

This serum 

This face cream 

This eye cream

This hydrating mask 

This detox mask

This exfoliating mask 

Overalls & Gingham

Earlier this week, E and I celebrated one month of marriage.  Isn't it funny how you date for years and years (almost a decade in our case) but once you get married the count starts all over again!? We've been together for almost 10 years and we went out to celebrate four weeks of something. But, no  complaints here, I'll support any excuse to have oysters and a glass of rose.  We went to a new oyster bar near our neighborhood called Muddy Waters  I'd been dying to try it for some time and Eric surprised me with reservations on Friday! 

We just got these overalls in at No. 14 and I felt like a little girl in a candy store.  I vividly remember writing this buy in the showroom and screaming (literally screaming) "OH MY GOSH- O V E R A L L S - YESSS!" Me- dramatic? Nooo - never! ;) 

I had these hanging in my closet for almost a week, trying them on with different shoes and different tops.  I couldn't get a grasp on how to make them flatter my body or how to update them from just being your basic overalls.  The turning point? I rolled the pant legs.   If you follow No. 14 on snapchat ( @No_14lville) you know how much of an emphasis I put on styling each piece of clothing to be your own.  Just rolling your sleeve, popping your collar, or adjusting one button can make a world of difference to your outfit & this little update gave me a whole new outlook on these overalls! 

I loved the idea of pairing a bodysuit under the overalls because it made the look streamlined. I also paired it with this bright lip (in color HEATWAVE) to add a pop to the outfit. Lastly, you know I just adore these gingham sandals (on sale now!) from J.Crew this summer. I am using every excuse I can to wear them before the fall weather really creeps in.

Outfit Details: 

Overalls: From No. 14: contact 412.260.6088 to order - similar here, here, and here  

Sunnies: here & in pink here (how cute?!)
Bodysuit: This one is from American Apparel but I just ordered this off the shoulder one.  Also loving this one, and this one 

Shoes: here and on sale here

Bag: Celine, also loving this one, more budget friendly here 

Bracelet: Hermes, Similar here & here
Lipstick: here in color HEATWAVE

Currently Coveting: 

This year I told myself that I would invest in a pair of Stuart Weitzman over the knee boots like these, or these.  But!!! I recently just found a very similar style for much much cheaper.  These boots are currently on their way to me. I ordered the brown because I think the color is perfect for fall- I will keep you posted as to how they turn out!

Also, have you heard about all of the designer shoe sales going on?! Here are some of my favorites:
This pair of Jimmy Choos, they are the perfect fall pump.
The colors in these Givenchy pumps, these Jimmy Choo pumps & these Prada pumps are so incredible. You know I love my pastels.
I have also been loving white shoes recently and these Valentinos and these amazing Jimmy Choos  are absolutely stunning!

Casual Weekend

Last weekend me and E went to a food truck festival in our neighborhood.  We had just gotten this top in at No. 14 and I couldn't wait to wear it.  It came in the door, then went right back out the door and into my closet! The ruffle V is a huge trend this fall.  We've already had three of this style come into No. 14 and they have been flying off of our shelves. 

These boyfriend shorts are my go-to everyday shorts.  I wear them running errands, and I even change into them when I come home after being all dolled up at work.  They are insanely comfortable.  This light pink pair is from last summer, but I actually just ordered this pair and this pair from Nordstrom last week because I cannot get enough of them, and their price! They are both under $30- you cannot beat it. 

I love to pair boyfriend shorts with something a little bit more girly, like a ruffle, or a feminine color, and even a bold lip.  I also prefer to wear a bit of a heel with a boyfriend cut because it elongates the leg, and makes your outfit more girly.  I'm sure this is not the first time you'v seen these wedges on a blogger. They have been EVERYWHERE this summer. These are the Marc Fisher version, which is a knockoff of these Chloe wedges. They are seriously identical! These have sold out a few times at every retailers and I just finally scored a pair.  I linked a few places below that carried them. 

LIFE HACK:

If you don't see your size online, you can always call customer service or your local store to see if they are able to search their database for your size.  A lot of times, there will be one or two in the company left in your size, and they are not in stock online because they cannot guarantee their inventory. It doesn't work every time, but it is definitely worth a phone call!

Top: No. 14, similar here. Also love have this

Sunnies: Here, also love these in the same shape

Bag: here, a more budget friendly version here and here, also love this leopard one!

Shoes: Designer pair here, my more budget friendly pair here, here

Shorts: Last season, same pair in white here, and in denim here also love this distressed pair

Lips: Here, in sugarcane

Shop This Look: 

Mixing Prints

It has been so gloomy and rainy here in Pittsburgh over the past few days. One of the nice things about the rainfall is that it finally made the air cool off and I was able to wear this really fun cape trench that No. 14 stocked this spring. This trench is super lightweight and I think the cape-shape gives a classic trench, a trendier update and not braking the bank. I have been loving transitional pieces like this! In the next week or two, I am going to write a post about how to turnover your wardrobe with the seasonal changes. Over the past few days, I have been getting asked a lot of questions about transitioning your wardrobe from summer to fall, when it seems like retailers go from bikinis to outerwear in the drop of a hat, so be on the lookout for that!

I have been really gravitating towards bags that have more structure- I love not having to rummage through my handbag just to look for my lipstick or my phone. Structured bags allow more organization and I love knowing where everything is.  I recently just grabbed this Ivory Prada bag while I was in San Francisco.  Looking for a structured bag on a budget? This Tory Burch Tote is really similar, and I love it in this color as we go into fall. I also love this black one! And this one is under $150 and looks so expensive! 

I have been LOVING Neck scarves recently. If you follow No. 14 on snapchat (no_14lville) You know that I post my #ootd almost daily. The past few days I have been wearing neck scarves and I feel like I just cannot stop! One of my go to's is a basic bandana that I found (literally) in my mom's closet. The one in this post is from No.14 and we are planning on restocking it soon! I also love this polka dot one and this yellow one. 

Shop This Post: 

Skirt: Here

Striped Top: Here, Also love this color

Bag: Here 

Trench: Here, also loving this one

Shoes: J. Crew (sold out) But also just snagged these & these (both on sale + an additional 30% off!) 

Neck Scarf: No. 14

Sunnies: Here, also love these! 

Lip: Here, in color sugarcane 

Hermes Cuff: here and here 

Currently Coveting 

I recently just purchased this Nars Lipstick in color Heatwave, it wears very nicely without drying and is a great orangey-red lip. I also just purchased these leopard pumps and these hot coral strappy pumps from the J. Crew sale. I already owned the Elsie Ankle strap pump in the tiffany blue color and was really excited to get another color. They are so comfortable and add so much sass to an outfit. I have had these illesteva sunnies in my cart for a little while now and am deciding between the gold mirrored or the silver mirrored lenses. Going to have to pull the trigger on one of these soon!

A touch of blue

I've fallen in love with feminine lace dresses for the summertime. I love how this dress is so girly- It's perfect for a bridal shower or a BBQ. I paired it with these amazing robins egg blue pumps that I just couldn't walk away without once I laid eyes on them! 

Dress: No. 14, can also be found here similar here & here, Shoes also have these and love, Bag, Louis Vuitton (Metis) Sunnies, also love these, lip (color is Fig)