CLARISONIC Miracles!!!

OMG like OHHH M GEEE--If you have been living under a rock or haven't heard about Clarisonic, let me blow your mind {deep breaths, ladies-it is a life changer}. 

Before I get ahead of myself, I need to explain why this is SO important. Courtney and I built the Polished brand on the idea that we believe people need to appear Polished from head to toe. Let's be real--we have all seen a GORGEOUS looking women walking down the street in sweat pants and carrying a Coach bag. Just to be clear-not Polished. Remember, it's all about the details, skincare cannot be ignored. 

Why, you ask? Healthy skin is something spotted from across the room! When your skin looks tight, clean, fresh, and it glows! If a healthy complexion doesn't sway you, think about your makeup. Does it ever get flaky or refuse to last the day? HELLO--it's not your makeup, it's what is underneath it! So, in order to appear Polished (with fresh stunning makeup) you need to pay a bit of attention to your skin. 

With this in mind, I needed to do some research--Now, strictly business I treated myself to my first facial (research!). I learned A LOT! In case you care, my skin is combination... meaning I have average skin but spots of dry areas. Immediately I knew those spots because I can see the difference when I put on my foundation. These "trouble spots" result from lack of moisturizing. Honestly, this was frustrating to hear. I am great pretty good about taking off my makeup at night, quick wash, and ALWAYS lather on the Aveeno. Well, no more ladies! 

Finally, let the Clarisonic tribute continue. Research and logic aside, after my first use, I saw instant improvements with my skin. My dry spots are minimized and my skin appears so clean and fresh. It's a look I struggle to describe because clean doesn't truly express the difference. It's a must try! Although it is pricey, it's a must!! Trust me :)

My {New} Skincare Routine:

1. Using a makeup wipe, I remove my makeup on my eyes and face. 
2. Add a dab of face wash onto the brush. SIDE NOTE: You can use any face wash you wish, but be sure it does not have any exfoliation beads within it. 
3. Run it under water.
4. Now, it's time to wash. Best part-Clarisonic Mia 2 has it timed perfectly for you!! When you start the machine, it you feel the pause and hear the buzz it signals you to move to the next area on your face. PS I use the brush that came with the kit. 
5. Start on your forehead for 20 seconds. Wait for the pause, then move to your nose and chin for 20 seconds. Finally, 10 seconds on each cheek. AND DONE!
6. STOP after that. This is designed to give the perfect amount of clean. Just enough to get rid of the dirt, grime, and pollution, but not too much that could potentially harm your skin. 
7. Now, it's time to moisturize! I start with a serum {Time in a Bottle by Philosophy} and then a moisturizer {MAC}. 

**I am loving my serum and moisturizer, but I would love to hear what else you readers are using. Any suggestions?! You know me, always looking for the next best thing. 

OK-time to go out and buy your Clarisonic, you will not be sorry! Please share your thoughts and experiences!!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Kelsey 

Follow us on Instagram @KelseyMKipp and @Courtney_m_B

Neck Candy

Ultimate hair flip. 

Outfit details: Necklace-Kute N' Klever  c/o // Shoes-Target Clearance (Similar online...love these...I think I need them in black) // Bag-Coach (Love this with a red detail or this one)// Pants-H&M // Sunglasses-Ray Ban // Chambray-Target // Lip Color-Mac Rebel // Watch-Fossil

Something that Kelsey and I have truly built Polished around, is the idea that not every outfit has to be rich looking, or dressed up, or fancy, or expensive, or PERFECT. We choose things we love, and we Polish them with things we love even more. In reality, an outfit is an outward expression of a personality, of a mood, of a feeling. So if you want to pair a sparkling necklace with a chambray shirt and jeans, then you go girllll! What I really love about clothing and accessories is that there really are no rules. I love the part in Grease when they say "rules are, there ain't no rules."Clearly, the writers of Grease were also talking about style and fashion! :)

Anyhow (I couldn't resist the Grease tangent), the "not a rule" that I am loving breaking lately is mixing a casual outfit with total, in your face, blinged out, look at me, hi I'm here, statement jewelry. I wasn't going to get dressed up to visit the National Harbor with my sister, but in typical Courtney fashion (pun totally intended), I had to add a little somethin' somethin'. 

THIS NECKLACE. Talk about an in your face, blinged out, look at me, hi I'm here, piece of jewelry! Kute N' Klever has really outdone themselves here. This piece has so many positive qualities. It's large, great quality, multi-colored, sparkly, and can be worn so many different ways. In this case, my very casual outfit got the perfect finishing touch.

Or, as I put it, my outfit is wearing a tiara. 

Since moving to Maryland, the National Harbor waterfront has become my favorite place to be!

I was so thankful to share this day with my sister. So much love here.

XOXO-Courtney

For more style and trend posts, check us out on Instagram at @Courtney_m_b & @KelseyMKipp

<3

Like sister, like sister.

How about her studded sweater with a jean vest...so cute!

I HEART YOU

Hello fashion lovers! Big apologizes for the few and far posts but I have finally shaken my cold and ready to bare the cold in hopes of a great photo. 

More importantly-my Valentines Day blouse arrived just in time!!!! Although I can't think of a time when shopping is not my favorite past time, shopping for a specific occasion tops the list. As Valentines Day approached, I knew I wanted a casual outfit that I could wear during the day but have the opportunity to take it through the evening. When I found this blouse {for $12} I knew it was the one. That Ah-ha moment, you know the one when you see the sale price, thinking... 'I can make this work'. 

// Heart Top SheInside //  Black Fur Vest SheInside // Pearl Bracelet (similar) // Booties Payless similar Sole Society // Ring Old Navy (only sold in stores) // Lips MAC Russian Red // Nails Essie Forever Yummy //

For day time, I paired this heart top with a pair of denim, some booties, and pearls. Pearls, on a side note, are always a good way to dress an outfit up. When sporting a "young" festive blouse, pearls help make it age appropriate and classy. 

What are your plans for Valentines? 

Happy Valentines to all!

--Kelsey

Follow us on Instagram @KelseyMKipp and @Courtney_m_B

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

#WHATIWORE

While at work, I am often guilty of sneaking a selfie of my outfit of the day. Fashion is a great distraction from all of the work I am suppose to be doing, right? To be honest, I find wearing a great high heel makes it easier to walk into my next meeting (yawn). It helps to feel Polished and fabulous!

Thank you for all who ask about my outfit details on Instagram. Today, I am giving the details you asked for! Keep them coming, I am LOVE LOVE LOVING checking my Instagram for all your comments :)   

// Red Pants Old Navy // Shoes Cathy Jean //

Leather Sleeved Blazer Target (love this version too)

Sweater Limited (final sale $15) // Necklace OASAP //

// Earrings OASAP // 

 // Floral Chambray Old Navy //

Thanks for stopping by! Keep following on Instagram 

@KelseyMKipp and @Courtney_m_B

--Kelsey

Sports Style With a CAPITAL S!

I, like many of you, I'm sure, am a HUGE sports fan. I enjoy attending sporting events just as much as the next person. Football (NY Football Giants alllll the way), baseball (Proud to be a YANKEE fan), and college basketball (CUSE) are my favorite. However, I will pretty much attend any sporting event and will 100% have a fabulous time (which usually always includes me cheering louder than everyone else, even if I am not a die hard fan...good times). Not to mention, I seriously enjoy putting a game day outfit together (come on, you knew I had to bring it back to fashion somehow). I have said it before, and I will always live by this mantra, everything is a fashion event, including sporting events!

I know that people think it is...well...prissy...to care so much about what to wear to a sporting event. But, you all know, I don't really pay mind to people like that. I wear what I want, and I love every second of putting an outfit together. I mean, clothes, accessories, and SPORTS? Sign me up! Not to mention...what is so wrong about wanting to look Polished (and cute) in the presence of so many sport-loving men? I say, nothing.

My sister visited me last weekend and we caught the Washington Capitals game (helloooo sudden death overtime win...GO CAPS GO!). This was the perfect opportunity for me to share my tips and tricks for a Polished game day outfit!

1.) Colors-Even if you don't have a team shirt/jersey, go for the colors. It is really easy to pair team colors together, and 9/10 you have these pieces in your closet already!

2.) Fit-Just because you love a certain athlete, doesn't mean you have to wear a jersey their size to the game! Don't hide what you've got, ladies!

3.) Function-Don't forget to check the weather! There is nothing worse than being at a tailgate and having to stay by the grill because you forgot gloves in the midst of putting together a cute outfit. 

4.) Accessories-Use this opportunity to wear your favorite accessories to Polish the look! 

5.) Smile. Sports are meant for entertainment, so, JUST HAVE FUN!

Purse-The Limited (Similar at Target) // Watch-Charming Charlie (Love this one!) // Bracelet-Charming Charlie (Love these from Brina Box!)  // Sweater-J Crew // Monogram Necklace-Etsy // Boots-Guess // Sunglasses-Ray Ban

Say hi to my gorgeous baby sister, Alexis!

The weather was so beautiful! Perfect cardigan weather!

I LOVE having my beautiful sister around!

Thank you for stopping by! You all are the best! 

XOXO-Courtney

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

 

Curls--Done Right

OMG--How is it that thing, you know... life, gets in the way of my Fashion Passion!? Well, my apologies for the delay in the post, but I am feeling under the weather (ugh, this Buffalo weather is taking its toll!). Thankfully, I did accomplish a complete basement overhaul this weekend!

There are A LOT of pictures in this post, perhaps I should be thinking about a video tutorial!? Anyways, this post was before my new haircut, but the curling technique is the same, from the top!

To begin, I section my hair off and ALWAYS use a hot spray. Nothing touches my naked hair. Here, I have Kenra Hot Spray, but have been using KMS Heat Spray. Kenra has a bit of a more heavy texture and takes a bit longer to dry. Just be sure you are using something!

Be sure you hold the curling iron VERTICALLY! When done, pull down. Leave the curl alone until it cools. So, finish curling your whole head before you style.

I always start my curl from the TOP! Start with your curling iron at the root, and slowly twist the rod until your hair is all heated. TIP: it helps to hold one hand at the top for easy control.

Can you see this curl? I try to leave the ends of my hair out of the curl. This way my curls (when brushed out) look like natural waves. 

Just to prove my point--here is the "traditional way" of curling hair. People start at the bottom (including the ends-NO NO) and curl up! 

Look at the difference between these two curls!!! On MY left, you can see the curls is solid from root to tip. The other curl is heavy and really only flips a curl at the tail! Makes a difference, right!?

As I mentioned, I like to leave my curls reminiscent of Shirley Temple herself, at least until they cool. Don't touch, just yet. 

OK... ready for the style.

I use the same teasing brush Courtney mentions in her Tease Me post. I like this one because it is a bit wider. You won't find me without one!

Here I have teased from the bag, added a bit of hairspray, just look at my volume!

...and a little bit on the sides. 

Beauty in the works... now, it's time to blend.

My final product. The teasing element takes a bit of my curl away, but I am OK with that! I need the volume and it helps to make it look effortless! 

Thanks for stopping by! Let me know how this works for you!

Much Love,

--Kelsey

Follow us on Instagram @KelseyMKipp and @Courtney_m_B