Magic Dog Oil.

A: Read this and then come back to discuss.

So magical

M: Every time I manage to forget about that wildly expensive oil, SOMEONE manages to remind me.

A: IT'S A BEAUTY HOLY GRAIL. APPARENTLY.

M: SHUTUP.

A: I'll bet Gwyneth Paltrow uses it for her feet or something.

M: She uses it on her dog.

A: She cooks with it.

M: Except it's probably not cleanse-approved.

A: Oh! Does it have carbs?

M: It's OIL. Surely that's not approved.

A: Duh, the food isn't for HER. She doesn't do that.

M: She doesn't "do" "food".

A: That's what I'm saying. But the dog's coat looks super shiny.

M: And youthful.

A: And smells like heaven.

Marianne: Curl Talk (DevaCurl vs. Ouidad)

If you have curly hair, I am sure you are kind of obsessed with it. Obsessed with fighting frizz, perfecting the curl pattern, and finding the best products for your specific type of curly hair. Oh yes, you straight-haired ladies. There are different curl types. Tons of them. My hair is fine, but I have a lot of it, and I'd say it's medium curly. Anyway! I've been using Ouidad products for a while, specifically the Climate Control Shampoo and Conditioner and the Heat & Humidity Gel. And I've been really pleased with it, but I can't leave well enough alone.

Ouidad Ultimate Frizz Fighting Trio

Enter Deva Curl. A friend of mine was recently a hair model at a Deva Curl salon (we don't have one here in Knoxville, dang it), and her hair looked AMAZING. Like, my dream hair. So I pestered her for an exact product list and technique tips and I ordered the DevaCurl Trial + Travel kit, which comes with the No Poo, One Condition, AnGel (now renamed Light Defining Gel), and the Set It Free Moisture Lock Spray.

Devacurl DevaCurl Trial + Travel Kit

I expected these products to be similar to their Ouidad counterparts but they are really, really not. First off, the No Poo (awful name). Even though it says on the bottle this is a non-lathering conditioning cleanser I was still surprised that it looks and feels like conditioner. You rub a generous amount all over your scalp and then rinse. I was worried my hair wouldn't feel clean, but I like this product. It feels a lot more gentle on my scalp and my hair stays clean looking just as long as with a foaming product. The accompanying conditioner is just conditioner but it feels nice.

The Light Defining Gel (AnGel) is totally different than the Ouidad Heat & Humidity Gel. The Ouidad gel is very thin and slippery, it's not a sticky "crunchy" gel at all. I use a TON of it and my hair takes it well. It has good hold without looking wet. The AnGel is super thick and has a lot of hold and a much more "product-y" feel. I probably used too much and while my hair looked okay, I hated the way it felt. The next time I used less product and my hair felt better, but the curls weren't as defined and my hair looked kind of dull. Not impressed.

I think I'm going to keep using the No Poo and One Condition for a while. My scalp is sensitive and it really has helped it feel better. Today I tried it with the Ouidad Gel and I'm waiting for it to dry so I can report back. I'm not giving up on Deva Curl yet, maybe I just haven't tried the right product. I have my eye on the Styling Cream and the B'Leave-in. And I'm fascinated by the insane hair dryer they make. Or maybe I just go back to Ouidad. My hair is looking pretty good here and why am I bothering with change?

Fellow curly girls, what are you using these days? I used to be hopelessly devoted to the Bumble+bumble Curl Conscious line, but they changed the formula and I've been on the hunt for the perfect product mix ever since. Tell me what your magic combo is.

Edited to add: I think the DevaCurl No Poo/Conditioner + Ouidad gel is a win for me so far!

SO PUNK.

M: I just saw a pic of Carine Roitfeld from the Met Gala and thought it was Iggy Pop. Whoooops.

A: I'm sure that happens to her a lot. The way you tell them apart is, Iggy Pop never wears a shirt.

M: Right! Right.

A: 

Shirt: French Vogue editor
No Shirt: elderly punk rock star

But I can see the confusion.

M: Doesn't Iggy Pop get cold occasionally?

A: He's basically pickled, so no. But I adore him, terrifying leathery chest and all.

M: He works it. God, the Met Gala. Apparently a punk theme = aggressively hideous fashion. I think Sienna Miller is one of the only people that looks good and thematically appropriate.

A: That jacket! She looks great! Um, Gwyneth did not get the punk theme memo:

M: Most people didn't. Bless Madonna's heart though.

A: She looks like a straight up crazy person. Christina Ricci looked good, she was wearing Westwood, at least.

M: It's a little on the nose, but I'll let it slide. Unlike Kristen Stewart WTF.

A: Hey, better to go for the safe bet than to miss the mark altogether, Katie Holmes.

M: We are ignoring the elephant in the room, you know.

A: Girl, that room is full of elephants.

M: But. BUT.

A: OH. That elephant in the room. Yeah, well. Kardashian. Pass.

M: I just can't with her. I can't. She is so ridiculous and I should feel some kind of pregnant lady solidarity but I CAN'T KIM. WHAT ARE YOU WEARING FOR FUCKS SAKE.

A: I just can't with that whole clan. No.

M: They are a plague.

A: They ruin everything. Why is she invited to cool stuff like that? Unfair.

M: Kanye? I don't know.

A: Fake. FAKE. FaKHFsdh;kHA; UGH. I have to go lie down

M: I'm already laying down.

A: Does it make it better?

M: Not really.

A: Dang.

Adrien: Miz Mooz Calypso Review.

So, when I discussed needing a black heeled sandal for summer I already had the Miz Mooz Calypso in mind. It was the first one I mentioned and I was pretty sure I was going to order it, despite my love for the cute Fryes. So, I did! I ordered them and you guys...

I don't like them. I was so excited about wearing these sandals and when they arrived I opened the box and had a sinking womp womp feeling. In real life the Calypso reads a little... geriatric. The top strap attaches with Velcro which I don't always mind but this is just really obviously Velcro-fastened. And they seem to skew "comfort clunky" rather than the vintage inspired chunky platform I'd imagined. Here are a couple of (really bad) photos:

Eh, right? I probably could have gone up a half size, but I don't love them enough to bother. To add insult to injury, they aren't very comfortable. I have weirdly sensitive feet so if I put on a pair of new shoes and immediately feel a tiny bit of discomfort I know they'll be agony in a few hours. The inner edge of the toe strap was rubbing immediately and I can only imagine that wasn't going to get better. Sadness.

I've had a few pairs of Miz Mooz that I've loved and worn to pieces and would absolutely re-buy, but this pair is going back. Instead, I went full-on clog sandal (hush, bani) and copied Marianne by ordering a pair similar to her red Hasbeens. I bought these by Lotta From Stockholm:

Lotta From Stockholm High Heel Peep Toe Clogs

I know right? I complain about the Miz Mooz pair being uncomfortable so I replace them with a super-chunky wooden clog sandal. Yeah. I'll report back. 

Superman Doesn't Need Pants.

M: I can't tell if he's hobbit-sized or not, but there are some very good cheekbones/eyes happening here and I think it's worth discussing:

A: The Internet says he's 6'1" which means he's 5'11 which is perfectly respectable. And he is wearing far, far too many clothes. God, do I have to do everything around here?

M: HI HELLO WELCOME TO AMERICA SIR.

A: PLEASE COME SIT HERE NEXT TO ME.

M: CAN I TAKE YOUR PANTS?

A: WHAT? WE DON'T WEAR PANTS HERE.

M: You want to fit in, right?

A: He's going to stick out like a sore thumb in those pants, Marianne. DO SOMETHING.

M: HE JUST WON'T LISTEN.

A: I'm sorry, were you saying something?

M: Nope.

A: ...

M: Not a word.

A: Not one.

Adrien: Sam Edelman Trina Review

I am pretty susceptible to suggestion and I love getting recommendations from bloggers who've stumbled across THAT PERFECT THING and willingly share the information. Last summer I found out about these great vintage tees from Old Navy (thanks, Wardrobe Oxygen!) and they became a summer staple. This year I read this post over at les anti-modernes* and I was intrigued. I love my summer heels but I'm always looking for a nice-looking sandal that's also really comfortable and walkable and I was hoping the Sam Edelman Trina was it. And so many great color options! Woo. I ordered a pair when Amazon had a 20% off code and, you guys, she wasn't kidding. These sandals are pretty great:

Sam Edelman Trina

They are pretty basic in design but the leather is really thick, good quality and the hardware is satisfyingly heavy. Nothing about them is cheap. The funky metallic heel is a little weird and makes them a bit unusual and more expensive-looking:

Best of all, they are all-day comfortable. I put them on and wore them for an entire day without blisters or pain. And of course, now I want them in red too.

Why Marianne never gets to bed on time.

A: This is, literally, the best thing I've ever seen in a fashion magazine:

M: OMG

A: I KNOW. It's like: "Please wear this nurse hat. And look over here. Oh, and hold these THREE FLUFFY LITTLE MONKEYS."

M: Perfect

A: This one is also outstanding:

A: She's all, "AhhhhhhhhnooooOMGsomeonetakeitaway."

M: Oh what the fuck. Animal notwithstanding, that's not where the stethoscope goes.

A: Moddles are not actual animal nurses.

M: Nope

A: It's all gold:

A: "This is hard. Can I hold a monkey instead?"

A: "NO. We have monkey!"

M: Heheh

A: God bless Harper's Bazaar. And Carine Roitfeld.

M: Oh lord. Truly. Ok it's my bedtime.

A: One more, hang on:

A: "Oh fuck, help me."

M: Haaaa

A: Okay, you can go to bed now. Good night!

M: Good night!