Names: Stef Andrews and Tyna Werner
Location: Southern California in the U.S. Stef lives in Joshua Tree and Tyna lives in Los Angeles.
Day job/current gig: STEF: I’m the editor of a magazine aimed at military spouses, and Tyna is a manager at Top Tier Social Media.
Hangouts online: weheartthis.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google+
Current favorite product: STEF: Sorry, they’re limited edition MAC products! Tyna’s go-to blush this summer is The Perfect Cheek from the Marilyn Monroe collection. And I’m loving Feel My Pulse Lipstick topped with Underdressed Lipglass from Temperature Rising.
Beauty inspirations: STEF: We find beauty inspiration in the same places we find life inspiration — old Hollywood, punk rock girls, artesian cocktails, the desert, great shoes, luxury packaging, cityscapes, the French Riviera in the 1920s, playing dress-up, animals and every gorgeous nail polish that has touched our nails.
One word that best describes your outlook on beauty: TYNA: We both agree on this one. It’s “more!”
What makeup/beauty products can’t you live without?
STEF: The one product that is on both of our must have lists is MAC Pressed Blot Powder. Tyna’s skin borders on dry and I’m super oily, but we both rely on it to diminish shine without getting cakey.
When did you start getting into makeup?
STEF: Though my dolls always got sharpie makeovers and choppy haircuts, my beauty addiction swung into high gear in 9th grade when I discovered my Mom’s mega eye shadow palette with every shade of the rainbow. I painted Adam Ant-esque stripes on one eye and never looked back!
What’s your best beauty time-saving trick?
TYNA: To save time when trying to cover a large pimple and shave some time off of the lifespan of said pimple, I take a few minutes to apply ice before putting on makeup. Wrap a cube in a washcloth and hold it against the pimple for 1 minute. The ice will reduce the inflammation and redness, making it much easier to hide.
What’s your favorite beauty tool?
STEF: My favorite is also the cheapest — the e.l.f. Small Smudge Brush. At only $3 a pop, I buy these by the dozen. I color code the handles with a stripe of nail polish and have one devoted to each liner/shadow shade (brown, black, green, etc.). The small dense bristles are also good for concealer and lip liner too. It’s the only brush I’m guaranteed to use every day.
What’s the best beauty advice you ever received?
TYNA: Treat your neck and décolletage the same way you do your face. The neck is one of the first areas to show signs of aging, and the entire “portrait” area is what people notice first. So don’t stop at your chin when going through your beauty routine; wash, moisturize, tone and treat the whole area.
What’s your skincare routine?
STEF: The only constants are Kiehl’s Calendula Toner and Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel. They’re joined by an ever-changing supporting cast of products! In the a.m., I use only the toner followed by eye cream and moisturizer. In the p.m., I use cleanser, eye cream and serum. I exfoliate with the Alpha Beta Peel 1-2 times per week.
One of the newest products I’ve fallen for is Orlane Super-Moisturizing Light Cream.
Something about French skincare gets me every time…
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve tried in the name of beauty?
STEF: My stint with a home microdermabrasion machine (pretty much a miniature sander) didn’t end well. It was totally my fault, but I got a bit too vigorous and made my skin bleed!
(Some things are best left to the pros.)
Do you have a trademark look (hair/styling/makeup)?
TYNA: Bangs. I have what I think is a large forehead (a five-head, if you will) so I’ve had bangs in some form or another (long bangs, short bangs, choppy bangs, side-swept bangs) my whole life.
Are there any beauty decisions you’ve made that you look back on and ask yourself, “why?!”
STEF: In 8th grade I gave myself DIY highlights with tin foil and a Tide powder mixture because I thought it’s what I saw them use in the salon.
I fried my hair, but it was squeaky clean!
Where are your favorite places to shop?
TYNA: Blue Mercury, Shopbop, Sephora, Target, H&M, Etsy, and vintage stores.
Anything else you want to share?
STEF: We’ve been BFFs since 6th grade, and we started we heart this together so that we could share our obsessions — beauty, DIY, entertaining and more — with a larger audience than just each other.
Oh, and nothing to do with beauty, but we think you’d all like to see my deaf Boston Terrier Mabel…
Ankita@corallista says
Great tip about the Neck and décolletage! I tend to ignore them and I can already see the skin looking duller and more tanned compared to my face!
Karen says
I’m the same way!
Stef says
I have to start following our own advice here! I’m getting a real case of old neck…
Alison M says
I just recently discovered Blue Mercury and I’m in love! Glad to see you enjoy it too 🙂 We’re looking to get a dog in the next couple months and we’d love to rescue a Boston Terrier. Mabel is adorable in her outfit!
Karen says
Love that store too, btw. I could happily spend all day in their perfume section.
Stef says
Blue Mercury is an addictive place!
Boston’s are such a great breed, funny and smart. Mabel is a total ham and the sweetest girl ever. You absolutely should get one!
camille says
i’ve been reading each blog you’ve featured.
i love them!
but i feel guilty for neglecting my study time. 🙁
thanks for expanding my make-up resources 😀
Karen says
You’re welcome, Camille. 🙂 Glad you’re able to get some beauty reading in.
Stef says
You need to take a break from studying every once in awhile anyway, why not spend it on MBB? 🙂
Rachel says
Cute! I love Mabel!
Stef says
Thank you Rachel!
sarahc says
This was very interesting! Aw, I want a friend I can do a blog with. Stef and Tyna you ladies have a new follower here.
Stef says
Thank you Sarah!! You can follow us anywhere 🙂
Pamela Irene says
Great way to get to know you two! You both have a wealth of beauty knowledge!! I need to pay more attention to my neck area as I age! That’s a great tip @tyna! Enjoyed reading this post! xoxo
Stef says
Thanks Pamela – It was really fun to share all this. Big shout out to Karen for asking us!
Kiss & Make-up says
What a cool duo! I love those pictures from back in the day, hee hee 🙂 Great interview!
Stef says
Aww, thanks! Our friendship has covered quite a few different beauty and fashion eras, lots of them very embarrasing.
Amanda says
I HEART Stef, Tyna and Mabel! Great Q&A, I learned a few new things about you two even though I’ve been friends with you for a few years now 🙂 yay!
Stef says
Thanks for stopping by and sharing the love Amanda!
Kim says
Love the pics from “over the years”. 🙂
Stef says
You should see the outtakes sometime Kim. Talk about embarrasing…
Melissa D says
What a great piece on Stef and Tyna, who have become my own personal beauty inspirations. we heart this is endlessly entertaining, and they are pretty much the coolest girls on earth!
Stef says
You are way too kind Melissa! Thanks Darlin’ XO
Kellie76 says
We Heart This is such a wonderful beauty community! Tyna and Stef really know their stuff!! I think that anyone can see from this interview that they are dynamite!!
Stef says
Thank you Kellie – we’re excited to be included in this series.
Denise S. says
I’m definitely going to pick up one of those Elf smudge brushes! I’m with you Tyna on the bangs, I’ve worn them myself for many years. I read you guys before but now I’m going to follow your blog regularly. Mabel is cute in that outfit, looks like she’s ready to play!
Stef says
Pick up several of the e.l.f. brush Denise – you’ll be really happy you did!
Mabel always gets cold in the winter. So she literally danced the first time I put these jammies on her. I want a people version, they’re so cozy looking!
Holly O says
I just love MY MAKEUP LIFE! I am a huge fan of We Heart This. It is always a fun read of all types of makeup, skincare, recipes from all perspectives. Tyna and Stef are a class act all the way.
stef says
Thanks for the support Holly! XO
Alyssa says
I love this series! And I’m stealing that Elf brush idea, it would save me so much time in the mornings! Stef and Tyna really know their stuff, and it shows; on this interview AND on we heart this…
Also? MABEL! So cute…
Betsy Clark says
I really enjoyed reading your perspectives and advice, and I hope you aren’t upset that Mabel was my favorite part! I have 2 Boston Terrier (terrors?) girls that I love beyond reason. Mabel is a cutie!
Stef says
I understand, Mabel dominates everything she touches! I have two Bostons too, my other one is Ted. Great dogs, aren’t they?
Angel L says
Mabel is awesome! And I too love the Elf small smudge brush (it is the best crease and eyeliner smudging brush ever!). I only have one though. I am totally stealing your idea and getting more and color coding them. It would definitely make my mornings quicker.
I too need to pay better attention to my neck.
Alice Ann says
Oh, Mabel…!!! Very sweet interview, thank you!
hanna says
This series is so great. Keep it going!
Phyrra says
Yay! I loved this interview! Stef & Tyna are wonderful 🙂
Krista says
I loves me some Stef and Tyna! I also now loves me some Mabel. Like, I might put that picture of her rocking her sassy jammies in my Christmas cards this year.
I’m in huge agreement about the neck/chest care. Might I also add “hands” to the list of things not to ignore? I always moisturize mine before bed and put sunscreen on them before driving. I saw the Go-Go’s in concert a few years back and their faces were locked in time and gorgeous, but their hands were dead giveaways to their real age. Hand care is critical, ladies! *jazz hands*
Mardi Linke says
Great stuff, very interesting. Mabel is so cute but who is the other cute little puppy in the montage?
Stef says
That’s Lola, a pibble pup at the Humane Society I volunteer at. I’m happy to say she got a home!