Ar(gan)e You Using Argan Oil?

Find this spray here

Get your shine on.

Hi Polished ladies! It's no secret to those who know me that I LOVE my hair. Like, L-O-V-E, cupid shot his arrow, kind of love. Let me back up...

Once upon a time, an 18 year old high-school senior named Courtney cut her long, blonde (Laguna Beach highlights were in, okay), hair in an attempt to make a change before going away to college. In true Polished fashion, she collected her research and determined that an inverted bob (think Posh Spice circa 2007), would be the most fashionable choice. She loved her new hair cut for about 2 weeks. One day, she realized that her styling options were now SO limited. And with her naturally wavy and thick hair cut this way, gone were the days when she could rock the "beach wave" look. She got real sick of her straight iron after a while and decided it was time to do the hardest thing EVER...grow it out.

AH! Growing your hair out it THE WORST. The awkward stages, split ends, uneven growth, spur of the moment cuts because it is such as awkward length and the ever so dreaded "just a trim" that turns into 3 inches. Wah. 

My journey to "grow it out" took about 3 years. Why? Because I tried to do it without killing my hair. Hair health is important to growth and to styling and I decided to suck it up and make it a priority. Why bother with long hair if it is dry and brittle? I had regular "trims," used heat products and stopped highlighting it for about 2 years (I got a little bored and dyed it burgundy during the process, oops). 

While doing this I became a little obsessed with finding products that would contribute to the overall health of my hair. I spent so much time growing it, I wanted to protect it. I like using products, but not too many. I don't like the feeling of too much product in my hair, yuck. I love to use CHI Silk Therapy. I swear by putting it on damp hair before drying. Like any product, it stopped being as effective after repeated use (like, for years, haha). So, my best friend Tiff gave me this oil spray she got but didn't want (thanks, Tiffy!). We were both hesitant to use the spray because of it's "oil" namesake. To both of us, that screamed "greasy hair by the end of the day." I wash my hair every 3-5 days (also for health), so greasing it up unnecessarily and causing the need to wash more frequently was not on my agenda. But I did a little research on One and Only Argan Oil Spray Treatment and decided to give it a try.

I am SO GLAD that I did. I have been spraying this on damp hair (do not spray the roots) and have seen a huge improvement in the shine of my hair. So much so that I have been wearing it straight a lot more! And in all honesty it does not leave my hair feeling oily or greasy...which is a huge positive in my book.

I would suggest that everyone give it a try and don't let the "oil" term freak you out!

What shine/health products are you obsessing over?

XOXO-Courtney

P.S. As for my story above, Courtney and her newly grown hair are living happily ever after.

Instagram: Courtney_m_b & KelseyMKipp

Are You Sure That Isn't MAC?

Between shoes, clothing, accessories and makeup, being a Polished lady can cost a lot of money, even for the most savvy of shoppers. But, because I'm a teacher and make millions, I don't even have to look at price tags. L-O-L. Between 6 years of college life and now being a new teacher, I have had to learn ways to stretch my money to purchase items that I love. I mentioned in a previous post about smart spending, that I typically don't spend over $30 on clothing and most accessories. So when it comes to makeup, that number goes wayyyy down. I have a really hard time spending a lot of money on cosmetics. I am all about drug store products. I love the products that I use and I definitely love the price. 

But, I like a great lipstick as much as the rest of them! And let's just all admit that MAC has THE BEST selection of lipstick colors, both classic and trendy. But, at $15 or more a tube, I can't buy all of the colors that I want to own. I mean, I don't even spend $15 on most shirts that I buy! I did splurge on two MAC colors because I was in NYC and I put the money aside just to buy these colors in the Times Square store (tourist alerttttt). Rebel and Pink Pearl Pop are amazingggg and I LOVE them. Which made me become obsessed with other MAC shades. I must have put 25 colors on my list and quite a few of them in an online shopping bag that has yet to be checked out. I trust my instincts and if I really thought buying all of those $15 lipsticks was a good idea, I would have done it. But, something told me not to.

While surfing the web amidst my MAC lipstick obsession craze, I came across MAC "dupes." A MAC dupe being a lipstick that looks very similar to a MAC shade. So, I researched lipstick brands and suprisingly, Wet N' Wild and Revlon seemed to have the most similar colors and positive customer reviews! I mean, really, Wet N' Wild?! I used to shop in that section when I was 10! But, hey, I listen to my fellow makeup lovers. So, off I went to Rite Aid (they had a sale on Revlon that day!) to find my dupes! 

I am literally AMAZED at the colors I found. I bought 7 lipsticks for $25! 7 MAC lipsticks would have run me over $100! That in itself is a WIN in my book!

Left (top to bottom)
 Dollhouse Pink 967-Wet N' Wild
 Think Pink 901b-Wet N' Wild
Pinkerbell 968-Wet N' Wild

Right (top to bottom)Don't Blink Pink 966-Wet N' Wild
Stoplight Red 911d Wet N' Wild
Va Va Violet 663-Revlon
Fuchsia Shock 815-Revlon

 Disclaimer: I purposely wore a neutral cheek and mascara ONLY in order to spotlight the lipsticks. 

MAC Cream Cup

Dupe: Wet N' Wild Think Pink 901b ($1.99)

**FINALLY, the perfect nude/pink for everyday wear

MAC Pink Nouveau 

Dupe: Wet N' Wild Dollhouse Pink 967 ($1.99)
**I love the way that the Wet N' Wild lipsticks applied! A perfect, smooth, matte look.

MAC Girl About Town

Dupe: Wet N' Wild Don't Blink Pink 966 ($1.99)
**This color does not photograph as bright as it actually is! It turned out to be one of my favorite shades!

MAC Girl About Town

Dupe: Revlon Fuchsia Shock 815 ($8)

**I love this color...pretty similar to Don't Blink Pink by Wet N' Wild but is glossier and a little more muted.

MAC Viva Glam Nicki

Dupe: Wet N' Wild Pinkerbell 968 ($1.99)
**This is a fun color for a fun occasion!

MAC Russian Red

Dupe: Wet N' Wild Stoplight Red 911d ($1.99)

**I am SHOCKED how long lasting this red is!

  
MAC Cyber

Dupe: Revlon Va Va Violet 663 ($8)
**This is a little more glossy than I usually choose, but I seriously LOVE this shade!

What are your favorite makeup "dupes"?

XOXO-Courtney

For more beauty tips and tricks, check us out on Instagram at @Courtney_m_b & KelseyMKipp

Style Envy: Olivia Pope

Being the style obsessed person that I am (no shame in my obsession, BTW), I pull ideas and inspiration from so many sources. Instagram, Pinterest, street style, magazines, TV, movies, etc. Every once in a while I come across a person whose style seems so effortless, so chic, so classic, so PERFECT, that it amazes me. 

Following a Netflix marathon (I had too many snow days...) of Scandal, I found myself equally drawn to Olivia Pope's style as I was to the crazy plot (I mean...CRAAAAZY). Holy chic, simple, classic and gorgeous, is all I have to say! So, let's just bask in the glory that is...Olivia Pope (as portrayed by Kerry Washington). 

(By the way...I certainly can't buy the clothes that she wears, so I have found similar items at a reasonable price!)

Why do I love her and her clothing so much? Let me spell it out for you...

White on Neutrals

Olivia Pope knows what she wants and likes and she owns it 100%. Her white and neutral clothing could look a little blah hanging on a rack. But, when she wears it strutting around DC like a rockstar, it is more eye-catching than any pop of color could ever be. She reminds us that clean, cool, light colors, when worn the right way, ARE the most eye-catching colors. Wearing these hues in a sea of rainbow colors exudes confidence and power. Something about a crisp, white outfit says, "I have my stuff together, my clothing does not define me, white after Labor Day does not apply to me, and I never spill coffee or food on myself." (lol...but really)

She has perfected the white suit!
Similar here

Neutrals are not boring.
Similar blouse
Similar pants

Excuse me while I stare at these gloves...forever!
Similar pair here

Simplicity

Olivia Pope never wears big, statement jewelry (I still LOVE my statement jewelry, don't worry). She doesn't do crazy layering (I still LOVE this, too). She always looks perfectly tailored and chic. And can we talk about her PERFECT outerwear. There are no words for how much I love her coats! Her neutral colored coats with clean, tailored lines, speak for themselves. In terms of less is more, Olivia Pope has it "handled" (sorry for the cheesy Scandal reference...actually no I'm not).

THIS Burberry jacket is everything.
Similar here

Love this look.
Similar here

Perfect white trench.
Similar here

Love this cape jacket with long gloves.
Similar without a belt here and here

Beauty

Like her clothing, Olivia Pope's makeup is simple, classic, and neutral. I happen to like a little makeup variety. I am all for a bright lip with a simple eye one day, and a great smokey eye with a neutral lip the next. Like everything in her life (except for her love life, like most of us), Olivia knows exactly what she likes and wants when it comes to her makeup. A clean, simple eye, highlighted cheek, and a neutral lip is all she needs. 

PJ Party

I love Olivia Pope for a million reasons. But, the perfection that is her pajamas is in the top ten, for sure. I mean, who wears silk pants to bed every night. I'm lucky if my PJ's even match (don't judge unless you wear PJ's like Olivia, okay?). 

Silk PJs.
Similar here

Wine 

Enough said. 

Long stem wine glasses here

Now I want to buy all of similar looks! Uh oh!Whose style has inspired you lately?

XOXO-Courtney

Check us out in Instagram at @ Courtney_m_b & KelseyMKipp

Walk a Mile in My (Geo-Print) Shoes

I've alluded to the fact that I do not wear heels frequently. It's not because I'm tall (fellas, if you can't handle a tall girl in heels then you gotta go). But mostly because they don't have a solid place in my lifestyle. As a teacher, wearing stilettos around all day is not really practical...I mean I run around all day...with little children...around paint and other supplies...and I have lunch duty. You get the point. 

But, as a true Polished lady at heart, I have a soft spot for heels. There is nothing that makes a women feel more sexy, beautiful, and confident than a great pair of heels! You get a few inches, stand more proudly, and let's face it, they do your back side and legs good! 

Because I don't wear heels a lot, I am hesitant to drop a lot of money on them. So I am always on the hunt for a unique, stylish, classic, or trendy pair of heels at a price I can live with. I recently found out about Express Last Hurrah. It is a true Express outlet, and one just opened down the street from my place...I'm in trouble. Anyhow if you have access to this store, check it out ASAP! I snagged these babies for $15!!!! Happy, happy, joy, joy!

Black and white, printed, pointed toe, pump, sign me up! These add an instant sense of trend to an outfit, yet because of the shape and color scheme, are still classic and can be worn for many years and with many passing trends. Right now, they are getting along very well with emerald jewelry and a pair of boyfriend jeans.

Outfit details: Shoes-Express (Similar in color, style, print), Necklace-Purple Peridot // Lip Color-Mac Pink Pearl Pop // Emerald earrings-Charming Charlie (Similar earrings) // Sunglasses-Ray Ban // Jeans-American Eagle

What is your favorite place to shop for shoes?

XOXO-Courtney

Check Polished out on Instagram at @Courtney_m_b & @KelseyMKipp

Pink Pearl POP

I LOVE winter. I love winter clothing, winter scenery, winter accessories, winter boots, winter activities, more winter clothing, and winter makeup. By winter makeup, I'm talking colors. Winter is the perfect time to break out a dark lip. Red, burgundy, oxblood, wine, you name it, winter loves it for a lip color! However, I like to switch it up every once in a while. Winter is not only for dark colors. It also screams white and pretty! I mean, mother nature dumps a coat of white all over for a few months because she knows it's pretty! What does pretty winter white need for a sidekick? PINK!

What I am about to say may shock you...

I am not a pink girl. I never have been. My favorite color is orange and my go to color for clothing is usually a neutral of sorts black. But, I do not shy away from pretty things. In this case, MAC's Pink Pearl Pop is oh-so-pretty. Searching for the right shade of winter pink was a challenge, which I totally accepted! I love this shade, and it took me a loooooong time to find.  I tried darker pink, brighter pink, nude pink, etc. Nothing was right. Then, on a random trip to NYC, a nice lady at the MAC store helped me find this shade (or flavor, as my students call it). Perfection. 

I love the pink and emerald color combination!

MAC Pink Pearl Pop
Charming Charlie Earrings (Similar here)
J Crew Necklace (Similar here)

Thank you for reading, my lovely Polished ladies!

XOXO-Courtney

For more beauty looks check us out on Instagram at @Courtney_m_b & @KelseyMKipp

Just Wing It

Name an eyeliner trend and I have worn it! Bottom line only, yep. Top lash line only, definitely. Both lines, uh huh. Smudged eyeliner, sure did. Thick white eye liner, hey, I was in 7th grade once, okay. I have experimented with pencil liners, liquid liners, powder liners, colored liners, gel liners, and just about anything they offer in terms of eye lining tools/products. 

I don't tend to do a dramatic eye makeup look very often. I am proud to admit that I love my eyes (ladies, let's all just appreciate what we were given, there's nothing vain about that). The shape, size, and color (thanks, Mom!). So, I try to play up the feature and not do too much. Because of this, I always tend to revert to a simpler and more subtle eye liner. One thing I do know is that I have officially given up on pencil/stick eye liner. These liners go on too thick and I can't get the precision that I want. But, I would keep going back expecting it to be different! Isn't that the definition of insanity? Anyhow, I am more of a brush and powder/gel kind of gal. 

Lately, I have been hooked on cream/gel liners and a winged eye. Something about this eye look is classic, but trendy...totally Polished. People often ask me how I achieve this look without looking costume-y. The truth is, practice. I am no artist, trustttttt me! My drawing/painting abilities have been far surpassed by my 1st grade students (for real). Using a gel liner and a brush is literally like painting. So, what do you do when you're not good at something? Do something else, keep on keeping on and practice!

The tools/products are also important. I find that an angled brush makes the job 123483% easier. A cream or gel liner as opposed to a powder is also my go to because it glides much like paint. 

I use an elf brush and cream liner. I am not one to spend a lot of money on makeup. The bargain shopper in me just can't do it! The total for these products is a whopping $6. Haha, yes, S-I-X dollars. And let me tell you, I swear by these products (which I buy at Target, of course)! The brush works perfectly and is long lasting. The cream eyeliner is smooth, rich in pigment (there is nothing worse than having to keep retracing a perfectly done line for more color, that's a disaster waiting to happen, for me at least),  long lasting, and it doesn't run or smudge (Hallelujah, AMEN).

Find your perfect products here!

elf Angled Brush (I use this)

elf Cream Eyeliner (and this)

Smashbox Jet Set Liner

Sephora Smokey Cream Liner

Stila Smudge Pots

Sephora Pro Bent Liner Brush

Lancome Duel End Liner Brush

Coat all sides of the brush with cream liner, remove excess for a smoother, finer line.

Start at your upper lash line where your inner lashes begin, draw a fine line across.

Start in the middle of your upper lash line and begin to draw a line upward and extend past the outer lashes.

I like the look of a gradual wing. I accomplish this by creating a thicker line toward the outside of my lashes. Make sure it's a continuous line, it should look like one stroke outward and upward.

Voila!

Notice the gradual increase in width.

A simple eye, brows and a statement lip is my new favorite face look.

Thank you for reading! What eye-lining tips and secrets are you keeping?

XO-Courtney

For more makeup looks check us out on Instagram - Courtney_m_b & KelseyMKipp

Holy Chic

Find these AMAZING earrings at Shamelessly Sparkly

Outfit Details: Sweater-Forever 21 (sold out online, check in store...similar here) // Pants-H&M (similar here  in corduroy and here) // Shoes-Target // Sunglasses-Ray Ban // Earrings-Shamelessly Sparkly c/o

HOLY CHIC! 

I just love some fashion humor. I could not resist! 

But let's talk about the earrings. These earrings are bad a** for real. They speak to me, I swear. Crystal, red, green, gold, and spikes...I mean...hello! I love the way statement earrings make me feel. Earrings frame your face, so how they look is actually important when Polishing an outfit.  Not to mention, wearing spikes makes me feel confident and tough...but in a feminine way. I suggest you all check these beauties out ASAP!

XO-Courtney

Instagram: Courtney_m_b & KelseyMKipp