Best of Beauty 2013!

So many amazing products launched in 2013 that it was a little hard for me to really narrow down my top picks.  There were many products I didn't go for (Naked 3, really any of the MAC collections, Tarte Brazilliance, Maybelline Color Tattoo Pure Pigments...) but I also fell victim to a lot of new things, too!

So.  Since it was 2013....here are my Top 13 Products :)  (Some of these I know are not products that were launched in 2013, but they are all products that I personally discovered this past year.)

In no particular order....

1.  Sephora Formula X Nail Polishes.  The formula on these absolutely blew me away.  They're amazing.  They last longer than normal polish on me, and I find that I don't need to topcoat them.  The "new classics" shades seem to be the best formulas, but I've loved every one I have tried.  My 2 personal favorite shades are Haphazard (a dark neon purple jelly) and Ignite (a perfect classic red creme).

2.  Soap & Glory A Great Kisser Peppermint Lip Balm.  I am just obsessed with this stuff...that's really all there is to it!  It was the only lip product that really stuck out in my mind for this year.  I know it's a fairly recent purchase (early November), but I use it every single day.  It smells fantastic and gives the prettiest natural sheen.

3.  Hourglass Ambient Powder in Diffused.  I'm sure everyone and their mother is going to include an Ambient Power in their 2013 favorites, and I hate to be so cliche, but I honestly do just LOVE this powder.  I only have Diffused...which is meant to even out your skintone by reducing redness and to blur pores and imperfections.  I use this as an all-over setting powder, and I think it does exactly what it is marketed to do.  I don't see the powder on my skin (and you aren't supposed to), but I definitely notice a nicer complexion.

4.  Hourglass Ambient Powder Brush.  Before trying this brush, I thought it was for sure just a marketing ploy, but my opinion changed within 10 seconds of dipping it into my Ambient Powder.  It really, really does work better than any other brush I tried with the powder.  It keeps the product from flying up and out of the pan, so I feel less wasteful, and it does a great job applying a thin, even layer...just enough to make your skin look awesome but not powdery or cakey.  If I am going to be spending $45 on a face powder, I'm glad I spent the additional money on the brush that it really is meant to work wonders with.  You won't regret this purchase!

5.  The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer.  This is a great highlight.  It's the most pigmented powder highlight I've ever used, and the golden glow it gives is natural and gorgeous. 

6.  Beauty Blender Solid Cleanser.  Another product that I thought was probably a waste of money and just a marketing scheme.  After once use, though, man did I realize I was wrong!  This stuff actually works....and works much, much better than the liquid soaps I tried cleaning my Beauty Blender with.  I only use this on my Beauty Blender, so it will last me a while.

7.  Hourglass Veil Primer.  The best face primer out there...hands down.  It smooths your skin and actually does keep your makeup on all day.  It pairs well with any foundation, but it is beyond incredible when paired with #8...

8.  Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation.  Hourglass snagged 4 of my Top 13 spots this year...I guess you guys can tell what my favorite brand has been! ;)  They really do just make amazing products, and Immaculate is no exception.  This is HG foundation for me...I have never, ever used anything so amazing.  If you have oily skin, get your butt to Sephora today and get a sample of this stuff.  This is the only foundation that has ever stayed on me for 6+ hours without the need to retouch and that has also kept my blush/bronzer/highlighter from fading, too.  I stay matte and perfect all day long.  You absolutely cannot beat this stuff if you have oily skin.  (It isn't meant for anything but!)

9.  Urban Decay Eyeliner Vault.  Ohhhhhhh how I love this thing.  I have the original version, and while it was insanely expensive and probably really sort of a waste of money, I love that I own basically every single UD eyeliner out there.  And I actually do use most of them!  I find that experimenting with eyeliner is such an easy, fun way to add color to your look.

10.  Jane Water Resistant Eyeliner.  The first black pencil liner I've ever owned that actually stays on my waterline.  See my full review here :)

11.  Soleil Tan de Chanel Makeup Bronzing Base.  Loooooooove this stuff.  This is a product that is new to me, but has been talked about forever.  It is the only cream bronzer I've ever tried, but I can't say I feel the need to look anywhere else for a better one!  It's awesome.  It's very natural on the skin and I think it would suit anyone from the fairest girls to those somewhere in the range of a Mac NC/NW 38/40.  I love to apply mine with a damp Beauty Blender for a sheer wash of color.

12.  Red Cherry Lashes.  I discovered these over the summer when I found Jaclyn Hill on YouTube, and I am SO glad I did.  They're super duper cheap (like $3 a pair!!) and they look gorgeous.  I've used my #43s a few times already and they're still in great shape.

13.  Makeup Geek Eyeshadows.  I finally placed my first Makeup Geek order this year, and I absolutely LOVE Marlena's eyeshadows!  They're the quality of Mac's permanent line at 1/3 of the price.  My personal favorite shade is Creme Brulee, which is a warm brown perfect for blending out the crease.  And they're cruelty-free to boot.  I definitely plan to purchase more of these in 2014!

What made your favorites list this year?

As always, everything in this post is my honest personal opinion.  No affiliate links were used.  I have not accepted any consideration for sharing these items with you.  Unless indicated otherwise, all products were purchased by me with my own money.

December 2013 Favorites! (And 1 Complete Waste of Money)

To wrap up the 2013 holiday season, here are my favorite products from this past month.  I do plan to do a blog post (but not a video) sharing my 2013 beauty favorites next week, but for now I just wanted to share the products I have been loving recently :)

Please share yours, too!

Products Mentioned:

Soap & Glory A Great Kisser Peppermint Lip Balm ($10)

I've talked this one to death.  You guys know I love it!!

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer in Milk Chocolate ($30)

I finally broke down and put away my NARS Laguna Bronzer, and broke this baby out.  This is my favorite winter bronzer.  It's matte, the perfect shade, and it smells heavenly!

Naked Palette (the original!) ($52)

I've been giving this one a LOT of love lately!  It's just such an awesome range of colors...you cannot go wrong.

Avon 8 In 1 Neutral Palette ($7 on Amazon, but it's an add-on item, so it only ships when you spend $35+)

I found this little gem stashed away in my collection, and I've been loving it this month!  It is a little hard to find, since Avon does not sell it anymore, but if you can get your hands on it, it's really worth trying.  The colors are all shimmery, but the payoff is great and there is a good range of lights, mid-tone browns, and darks in the palette.  It's also really travel friendly, since it is a nice small compact with a mirror.

Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen in 03 Blackened Brown ($9)

This was my replacement for Mac's Penultimate liner that I really didn't like.  It's a felt-tip pen style liner and I love it.  The color is pretty dark, but is still noticeably brown.  It's very very easy to use, too.

Jordana Fabuliner in Black (normally $6, but it's only $2.99 here!)

Basically the same as the Revlon pen liner, but in black, and way cheaper!

Anastasia Clear Brow Gel ($22)

I finally caved and bought this, and I'm so glad I did!  It does leave your brows a little crispy, but they don't look flaky or stiff.  It keeps each hair in place all day.

Trim Eyelash Curler ($3.49 on Drugstore.com, but I snagged mine in-store at Target for $1.99!)

WHAT AN AMAZING FIND!!!!!  OMG!  I only paid $2 for mine in Target, and it is the best $2 I have spent in a long time.  This little beauty makes my lashes look SO much curlier (they're naturally curly) and longer.  It works SO WELL, especially for the price.  I cannot rave enough about it.

China Glaze Poinsettia ($5 with free shipping on Amazon)

This is by far my favorite holiday red.  It's a perfect true red without any warm/cool undertones.  It's a cross between a jelly and a creme in my mind, an I love it!

Deborah Lippmann Candy Shop ($19)

I just HAD to grab this with my Sephora VIB $20 coupon earlier this month.  I've wanted this gorgeous pink glitter forever and it's finally mine.  :)  I have to admit, I expected the staying power to be a bit better, but the color is so fabulous I don't even care if I only get 24 hours out of a mani!

Diamoncel for Sephora #20 Coarse Foot File ($38)

I know this is stupid expensive for a foot file, but my feet need it, big time.  I am really super hard on them, and I have awful calluses, so I need something really heavy duty to help them out.  I wanted a metal file after having a professional pedicurist use one on me, and this was the 2nd item I grabbed with my VIB coupon.  If you have terrible calluses, it may be worth a shot.  It really smooths my feet down better than anything else I've tried.

Stridex Soft Touch Pads Maximum Strength (2% Salicylic Acid) ($8 for 180 pads at WalMart, but I got mine in-store...90 pads for about $4)

I wanted to grab these after hearing Josh Collier rave about them, and hoped they would help my clogged pores and redness.  I don't have acne, but I do have oily skin and a lot of discoloration.  I've only used them for about 2 weeks so far, but I definitely have noticed that my T-zone (where I use them nightly) is a lot smoother.  I'll update as I use them more, but for now they really seem great.

And the waste of money item is the Sonia Kashuk Brush Cleaner ($7).  The reviews on Target's website are a lie!!  It's just terrible...it really didn't clean my brushes well at all.  I tried it both as a spot cleaner (which just left a funky residue on my brushes) and as a soap-alternative.  I would not recommend purchasing this whatsoever!  Just go with Mac's Brush Cleaner instead, it's way better!

I hope you enjoyed, and I hope you all have a fabulous New Year's!

As always, everything in this post is my honest personal opinion.  No affiliate links were used.  I have not accepted any consideration for sharing these items with you.  Unless indicated otherwise, all products were purchased by me with my own money.

Mommy Makeup Monday: Tips for Touching Up Your Makeup

On Mondays, I share a tip, product or tutorial that will help you look polished and put-together quickly and with minimal effort.  You definitely don't have to be a rushed mom to benefit from these posts...anyone who needs to be out-the-door fast (and who doesn't?!) can appreciate Mommy Makeup Mondays!

No matter how hard I try or how many "long-wear" products I use in the morning, it is inevitable that my makeup will begin to wear off by mid-day.  Most days I honestly just don't care...no one besides my little girl sees me, and she really doesn't mind! 

For those days that I can't exactly run around with mascara or eyeliner smudged under my eyes (still trying to figure out which one is doing it to me!), I have a few tricks on standby to help me touch up and look fresh again in only a few minutes.

                                                                      1.  Keep Q-Tips on you.

These are awesome for getting rid of any product that has smudged to a place you don't want it.  Whether it is mascara on your undereyes, gunk in your inner eye corners (we all get it), lipstick that has bled, or product that has settled into creases or fine lines, q-tips can get the smears away quickly.  A quick brush with a dry q-tip should do it, but if your product is being stubborn, I usually use a tiny (tiny!!) bit of water or a little dab of lotion to help it wipe away. 

My Pick: Q-Tips Precision Tips Cotton Swabs ($3.29 for 170).  These are pointed on the ends, not rounded, so they allow you to get into tight spots much more easily.

2.  Be prepared to combat shine.

Even when I use something like a mattifying spray over my makeup in the morning, I still get shiny by about 2pm.  My skin is oily so it can take a little bit of powder without looking cakey.  I don't typically carry this with me, but if I am home and need to run out, I will just take a nice fluffy brush and a little powder foundation (or a sheer tinted powder) and run it over my T-zone.  For on-the-go or if you have dry skin, keep blotting sheets in your purse.  They'll work wonderfully!

My Picks:  MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural ($30) or Cover Girl TruBlend Pressed Powder ($9).  These are so, so similar...I'd go drugstore unless you're looking to spend money at the MAC counter!  For blotting sheets, I love the Boscia Blotting Linens ($10 for 100 sheets) or the Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets ($4.39 for 50 sheets).

3.  Have those products that wear away quickly with you and ready for you to reapply them.  

On me, this is stuff like concealer, bronzer, blush, and lipgloss.  It's super easy to keep a tiny stick or pot of concealer, a compact with both powders and a little brush in your bag, and you'll be glad you did!  (I will say, though...the only thing I actually keep in my purse in this regard is lipgloss.  I must have 30 of them in my diaper bag!)  Keep in mind, too...these are just your travel products...they don't need to be your favorites.  Inexpensive products are great, too, because if they crack while in your purse, you aren't losing your $30 blush.  

My Picks:  For concealer, I love my Bobbi Brown Face Touch Up Stick ($24).  Pricey, but it works so well, is very compact, and has sturdy packaging.  For re-covering your undereye circles, I love a thinner concealer like the Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller ($10.59).  You can easily blend it with your fingers.   For blush and bronzer, I would go with the E.L.F. Blush/Bronzer Duo in St. Lucia ($3).  While I'm normally not a huge E.L.F. fan, for $3 I think this is a great purse item.  It's supposedly a dupe for NARS' Orgasm/Laguna duo, which is $41!!  I would also keep a retractable kabuki brush on hand to apply the powders.  Eco Tools makes a $9 drugstore version; Sephora's comes in at $18 and in 5 colors.  And finally, my must-have purse lipgloss...Victoria's Secret Shiny Kiss Flavored Gloss in Slice of Heaven ($9).  VS renames or repackages this scent/flavor all the time, but through the years I've always been able to find the cake batter flavored gloss.  It smells divine and leaves the prettiest shine on your lips.  It's slightly sticky, but it's worth the tradeoff for its staying power.

What are your go-to tricks for touching up your eye makeup?

As always, everything in this post is my honest personal opinion.  No affiliate links were used.  I have not accepted any consideration for sharing these items with you.  Unless indicated otherwise, all products were purchased by me with my own money.

Product Review: Jane Cosmetics Water-Resistant Eyeliner

Back in my first Ulta Haul, I shared that I purchased the Jane Cosmetics Water-Resistant Eyeliner ($6) after hearing that it was great for the waterline.  Today, after being able to really test it out, I wanted to share my full thoughts on it.

Image Source: Janecosmetics.com

Simply said, this liner is awesome!  Now, I really, seriously did not need another black eyeliner since I have a billion of them to begin with.  But I never really found that Holy Grail black liner for my waterline that would actually stay put all day without smudging and smearing below my eyes.  So long story short, I kept buying more and more and more in the hope that at least one would stay put.

I think the Jane one might just be my HG black pencil liner.  It transfers really easily and is very black.  Not only does it actually stay on my waterline all day, but it doesn't creep down into my undereye area, either.  It also doesn't smudge on my top lid, even though my lids are oily.

I also love that it's a mechanical pencil, so there's no need to bring a sharpener if you want to travel with this.  And the best part...it's $6!  Ulta constantly has coupons and other promotions, so you should be able to pick this up for even less than that.

To compare it to other popular liners, it transfers just as easily as the Urban Decay 24/7 pencils, but lasts much longer on me.  It isn't quite as black as something like the Perversion pencil from UD, but definitely holds a candle to shades like UD's Zero, Mac Feline or Smolder, or Stila's Onyx.

I would absolutely recommend this liner, and I'm tempted to pick up a few more in some other colors (Ulta offers 20 shades).  In particular, I'm really digging the Rose Gold shade, and I'd love to try Black Sparkle, Deep Purple, and Midnight Blue.

Have any of you tried this liner?  Do you love it?  What shades must I grab?!

As always, everything in this post is my honest personal opinion.  No affiliate links were used.  I have not accepted any consideration for sharing these items with you.  Unless indicated otherwise, all products were purchased by me with my own money.

The Little One and I Went Shopping :)

Yesterday, my daughter decided I decided to drag my little one to Ulta to spend our 20% off coupon that came earlier in the month.  (If you haven't received one, you should see it on Ulta's Facebook page if you Like them!  They've also been sending them via email.)

I didn't grab too much stuff since I did go a little makeup crazy in November, but I picked up a few items to share.  Plus you'll get to see my Christmas tree and meet my black lab, Molly, in the video :)

Products Mentioned
Anastasia Clear Brow Gel ($22)
Seche Base Ridge Filling Base Coat ($7) (all Seche products are B1G1 Free until 12/24/13!)
Seche Nail Lacquer in Contemporary ($7.50)
Sally Hansen Salon Gel Base Coat ($12.99)
Sally Hansen Salon Gel Polish in Sheer Ecstasy ($12.99)
Cover Girl Lash Blast Volume Waterpoof Mascara ($8.99)  (all Cover Girl is B1G1 50% off until 12/24/13!)
Cover Girl TruBlend Pressed Powder in Translucent Fair 1 ($8.99)

Have you tried any of these?  I'd love to hear some opinions on the Sally Hansen kit!  

(Not-so-funny story...after I filmed the video, that night I went to try out the gel polish system and my little UV light broke!!  The part that the a/c adapter plugs into came loose and the connection is now rattling around inside of the light.  I contacted Sally Hansen to see if they would send me a replacement, but I haven't heard back yet.  If and when I can ever get it working again, I plan to do a review of all the Sally Hansen gel products!)

Thanks for stopping by!!

As always, everything in this post is my honest personal opinion.  No affiliate links were used.  I have not accepted any consideration for sharing these items with you.  Unless indicated otherwise, all products were purchased by me with my own money.

Mommy Makeup Monday: The e.l.f. Makeup Remover Pen

On Mondays, I share a tip, product or tutorial that will help you look polished and put-together quickly and with minimal effort.  You definitely don't have to be a rushed mom to benefit from these posts...anyone who needs to be out-the-door fast (and who doesn't?!) can appreciate Mommy Makeup Mondays!

Happy Monday!

Today I want to share a tool that I use all. the. time for quick touch ups and to get those pesky mascara smudges off my face.  I featured this product in my November Favorites, but decided it needed its own post!

The e.l.f. Studio Makeup Remover Pen ($3) is one of the best little items I own!  I grabbed mine at Target after hearing about it on Josh Collier's YouTube channel.  Until I found this gem, I have to be honest, I had never used an e.l.f product that I actually liked, so I was a bit skeptical.  The makeup remover pen, however, is an awesome find!

Image Source: Drugstore.com

The pen is the perfect size for getting into the corners of your eye or below your lower lashes.  It is filled with an oil-based makeup remover that works wonderfully for taking off excess or smudged makeup.  It does leave a slight residue behind, but I have found that it quickly absorbs into my skin once it dries, or I can just rub it in if I'm in a rush.  

The applicator is a cross between a sponge tip and a felt tip, but it is hard enough that you get complete control over it.  Another plus...when the tip starts to get dirty and filled with makeup, pull it out and flip it over for a perfectly clean side! 

I've used this pen at least a few times a week either to fix blotched mascara application or to touch up in the afternoon when my makeup is all smudged...and it's lasted me a good 6 months, and is still going strong. 

Overall, this is an all-time favorite product of mine!  I will definitely continue to purchase it, and I love that it's a great steal at only $3!

Have you tried this pen?  Do you love it as much as I do?

As always, everything in this post is my honest personal opinion.  No affiliate links were used.  I have not accepted any consideration for sharing these items with you.  Unless indicated otherwise, all products were purchased by me with my own money.

The Perfect Palette Tag

I LOVE a good eyeshadow palette.  Who doesn't?  They're usually a great value and can help make deciding what to do with your makeup a breeze.  Plus obviously they're awesome to travel with. 

Rather than just share with you my favorite palettes, I thought I would do a tag that's been going around YouTube lately...the Perfect Palette Tag!  Amarixe recently did this video...that's where I first saw it.  If you haven't checked out her channel, definitely do!

Without further ado...

1.  Best Packaging.  Gotta go with one of the Naked Palettes for this.  They're compact, have nice big mirrors, and they each have a spot for either a brush or an eyeliner. 

Wet N Wild Comfort Zone

2.  Best Color Payoff.  I'm going to choose the Wet N Wild 8 Pan Palette in Comfort Zone for this!  For $5, how could you go wrong.  This is surprisingly pigmented.  (I mean at this point it's no great shock that Wet N Wild makes awesome shadows, but when these all came out, I think everyone was skeptical of their quality.)  Comfort Zone has great neutral browns and greens and every shade has great payoff.

3.  Most Versatile.  Naked 1.  It's easily my favorite palette.  You can do everything from just a wash of a simple neutral shimmer (Virgin or Sin), to something a tad bit more amped up with a nice crease color, to something really dramatic using the darker shades.  You can even stamp on some eyeliner if you use the darker colors.  You can't beat this one!

Too Faced Natural Eye

4.  Best for Travel.  Too Faced Natural Eye Palette.  Another awesomely neutral palette.  I love a few of the shades in here, especially Push Up.  I wouldn't hesitate to travel with this because you have everything from matte neutrals and soft shimmery browns to a glittery peach and a nice dark color, too.  Plus, it's small and compact (which is why it beat out Naked 1!)

Mac Evil Eye...notice my attempt to save it!

5.  Biggest Regret.  Easy peasy for me.  I wasted my money on the Mac Evil Eye quad back when it came out.  I don't think I've ever used it because the colors are just terrible.  No payoff whatsoever.  I even tried crushing them up and reforming them, but it made no difference.  It's such a crap palette.  That purchase taught me to do my research before buying anything!!

6.  Best Color Names.  This was a toughie, but I have to choose the Too Faced Naked Eye Palette.  I tend not to use this all that often, as the shades are all very soft and natural (I like some drama, what can I say!) but the names are super cute!  The shades include Stiletto, Unmentionables, and Birthday Suit.  (If I owned their Boudoir Eyes Palette, I think I'd have to pick that!)

Image Source: Sephora.com

7.  Least Used.  Too Faced Return of Sexy Palette.  I had such high hopes for this because when I swatched it in store, it seemed fabulous.  The colors seemed rich and velvety and I thought they would blend like a dream.  I did my homework and read up on it, and found that most reviews said it was fine if you were willing to work with it.  I would agree with that...it's a great palette if you have plenty of time to really work with the colors.  Most are really shimmery and create a lot of fallout.  You MUST use a good primer (even a glitter glue, dare I say for some!) and most need to be sprayed with Fix+ or another spray to get decent payoff.  It's a fun palette, but it takes me 3 times as long to use it, so I don't choose it often.

8.  Most Used, Most Loved, Desert Island.  Definitely Naked 1.  The colors are wonderfully neutral and it includes one of my favorite blending colors...Naked.  The looks you can do with Naked 1 are endless.

Hope you enjoyed!  Please share with me your favorite palettes!

As always, everything in this post is my honest personal opinion.  No affiliate links were used.  I have not accepted any consideration for sharing these items with you.  Unless indicated otherwise, all products were purchased by me with my own money.

Mommy Makeup Monday: If You Only Do 1 Thing...Make It Mascara!

On Mondays, I share a tip, product or tutorial that will help you look polished and put-together quickly and with minimal effort.  You definitely don't have to be a rushed mom to benefit from these posts...anyone who needs to be out-the-door fast (and who doesn't?!) can appreciate Mommy Makeup Mondays!

Happy December!  Welcome to the busiest month of the year...which leaves us all even less time for makeup in the mornings.  Funny, since we all have even more errands to run and places to be!  

For today's quick and easy makeup tip, I'm sharing my #1 must-do thing before you leave the house.  Even if you have no time to fool with foundations and blushes, there is just one step you can make time for...it only takes a minute.

MASCARA!  

 

Giving your lashes a super fast curl (if you even need it...) and a swipe of black mascara instantly makes your eyes more open and makes you look more awake.  Keep a tube out on your bathroom counter and run it over your top lashes before you turn the light off to leave the house.  One coat takes less than a minute and will make a HUGE difference.  (If you have 2 minutes, add some to your bottom lashes and maybe a tiny bit of concealer if you have dark circles...no need for anything else!)

Here are my top picks for mascaras!

a more detailed mascara post is coming soon!

#1 - My Holy Grail Mascara - Benefit They're Real.

Yes, I know it's pricey, but Oh Em Gee.  This really does make my lashes look like falsies.  It's a wet formula, but does an amazing job with both volume and length.  I've found nothing that even comes close.

If you want volume.... Cover Girl Lash Blast Volume or Givenchy Noir Couture 4 in 1

If you want length.... Maybelline The Falsies or Tarte Lights, Camera Lashes!

If you like wet formulas.... Loreal Telescopic Carbon Black or Buxom Lash

If you like dry formulas.... Revlon Grow Luscious or Makeup Forever Smoky Lash  (DiorShow is the cult favorite here, but personally I am not a fan.  At all.  It's beyond overpriced, and Grow Luscious is basically the same thing for 1/4 of the price.)

If you want easy to remove.... Loreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes or MAC Extended Play Lash (both of these are tubing mascaras)

Share with me your favorite mascaras!  I'm always looking for new ones to try :)

As always, everything in this post is my honest personal opinion.  No affiliate links were used.  I have not accepted any consideration for sharing these items with you.  Unless indicated otherwise, all products were purchased by me with my own money.

November 2013 Favorites!

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!  I'm sure everyone is either shopping or decorating today, but for those who took a quick wine hot chocolate break to catch up on your blogs, here are my November 2013 beauty favorites :)  Enjoy!

Favorites This Month:

Mac Prolongwear Foundation ($31) mixed with Clarins Beauty Flash Balm ($45)
I love Prolongwear by itself, but it's a bit heavy for me for day-to-day use, so I like to sheer it out a bit with my Beauty Flash Balm, which is similar in concept to Mac's Strobe Liquid.  It's not as iridescent as Strobe Liquid, but it gives a great natural glow.  It smells divine, too!  (Full disclosure...the Beauty Flash Balm was a given to me by my sister to try, since she LOVES hers...I didn't buy it myself.)

NARS Orgasm Blush ($29 individually; mine is shown in an old palette)
An oldie but a goodie!  I sort of forgot about this blush for a while, but I picked it back up this month and have worn it most days.  You all know everything there is to know about Orgasm...but it's just a gorgeous shimmery pink that is flattering on all skin tones.

Mac Pro Shaping Powder in Emphasize ($16.50)
I use this to set my undereye concealer.  It's a white power with the slightest amount of sheen, and it is meant to highlight all areas of the face.  I like a little undereye brightness, and this works well with my skintone (Mac NC25/30).  

ELF Studio Makeup Remover Pen ($3)
I grabbed this at Target after hearing Josh Collier rave about it, and it's the one ELF product that I can honestly say was not a waste of money!  I love it!  It's great for getting rid of a mascara smudge or end of the day liner smudges.  It does leave a slight residue, but nothing that can't be just rubbed into your skin.

Hourglass Ambient Powder Brush ($35)
I resisted this brush for a while, but finally broke down and grabbed it during Sephora's VIB sale.   I am so glad I did.  If you use Hourglass' Ambient Lighting Powders, I would definitely recommending investing in the brush that goes with them.  I was using a large paddle brush that was sort of similar in shape, but it wasted too much product.  This brush really keeps the powder from flying around and gives you a flawless application.

Real Techniques Fine Liner Brush ($6; these go on sale B1G1 50% off at Ulta a lot!)

I love this brush!!!  I think it might be my new HG liner brush, and I don't say that lightly!  It's a round shape, but it is stiffer than other liner brushes I've tried, which makes application a breeze.

Chanel Eyeshadow in Fauve ($28.50)
Fauve is my sole Chanel eyeshadow, and I could only justify the purchase because it is SO unique.  It's a gorgeous greyish purple, but the insane shimmer is what sets it apart.  I don't get a ton of fallout, which is awesome, especially given the shimmer.  If you're ever near a Chanel counter, just go play with this one!!  I have yet to see a swatch that does it justice...

Mac Naked Pigment ($21)
I have been using this on my eyelids with warm browns in the crease and I have been loving the look.  It's a gorgeous super shimmery nude color and pairs well with anything.  You could absolutely use this pigment as a highlight, too!

Dior Amber Diamond Highlighting Powder ($45)

This highlighter gives such a gorgeous natural sheen to the skin...it's basically all I've been using for on my cheekbones this month.  It's a tan shade and may work better as a shimmery bronzer for the fairest of us, but on most complexions it will work as a gorgeous highlight.

Soap & Glory A Great Kisser Lip Balm in Peppermint ($10)

I'm not sure how many times I can rave about this stuff before you guys get bored of me talking about it.  Just go and get it already!!!!  It's the perfect peppermint lip balm. 

What have you been loving toward the end of the fall??

As always, everything in this post is my honest personal opinion.  No affiliate links were used.  I have not accepted any consideration for sharing these items with you.  Unless indicated otherwise, all products were purchased by me with my own money.

Face of the Day: Red Lips!

I decided to rock some nice red lips today!  I'm getting SO excited for the holidays with my little one here this year, I couldn't resist being a little festive with my makeup today!

Products Used:

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden layered with Mac Paint Pot in Soft Ochre.  (Not pictured.  Individually, each of these crease on me, but layered they don't.)

Mac Eyeshadow in All that Glitters. (Placed on the lid)

Makeup Geek Eyeshadows in Creme Brulee and Frappe.  (Blended into the crease.  These shadows are AWESOME.)

Mac Fluidline in Blacktrack.  (As of right now, this is my HG eyeliner.)

Mac Haute & Naughty Too Black Lash.  (I have been liking this a lot more than I originally thought I would!  I layer using the volume wand first and then the length wand.)

Loreal True Match Magic Lumi Foundation.  (Very similar to one of my favorites, Neutrogena Healthy Skin, but this is a better winter shade for me.)

Mac Mineralize Concealer.  (My shade is NW20.  I love this because it doesn't settle in my fine lines.)

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light.  (This is barely yellow and helps hide any redness and blurs pores.  It's SO good!)

Anastasia Brow Wiz.  (I use Caramel to lightly define my brows and fill in bare spots.)
 

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer in Milk Chocolate/Light/Medium (Great for my skin tone in winter...not too dark and not too orange.  Plus it smells SO good!)

Mac Blush in Melba  (Perfect go-to peachy pink color that will be flattering on most skin tones.)

Dior Amber Diamond (Used as a cheek highlighter.  Beyond amazing!!!  Worth every penny!)

Bite Beauty Lipstick in VIB Rouge Red :)  (This came in the little package Sephora gave me when I made VIB Rouge!  It's just a very flattering bright red.)

Hope you enjoyed :)

As always, everything in this post is my honest personal opinion.  No affiliate links were used.  I have not accepted any consideration for sharing these items with you.  Unless indicated otherwise, all products were purchased by me with my own money.

Mommy Makeup Monday: A Busy Girl's BFF...Dry Shampoo!

On Mondays, I share a tip, product or tutorial that will help you look polished and put-together quickly and with minimal effort.  You definitely don't have to be a rushed mom to benefit from these posts...anyone who needs to be out-the-door fast (and who doesn't?!) can appreciate Mommy Makeup Mondays!

So today isn't technically going to be a makeup Monday, since I'm sharing my most-used hair product.   But close enough...it's still going to get you out the door fast and looking presentable!

Dry shampoo has been an absolute lifesaver for me since having my daughter.  I used to have a strict 2-day rule with my hair...wash on Day 1, dry shampoo on Day 2, and then a wash with real shampoo and water.  I'd occasionally stretch it to Day 3 but only if it was a non-work day and I could throw my hair up in a messy bun. 

Now?!  Ha!  Not so much.  Why lie...when I was pregnant and battling the exhaustion that is the first trimester, I stretched my hair 3 days consistently by using dry shampoo.  Since having my baby girl here, it's only gotten worse!  Rocking 5th day hair is not unusual, I'm a little embarrassed to say!  Good thing my new BFF is here to help me through ;)

If you've never used a dry shampoo...first, stop living under a rock and get your butt to a drugstore to pick some up!!  The stuff is like gold in a can.  It takes your gross, dirty-looking hair and makes it look pretty much like you actually did wash and blow it out that morning.  Spray a medium amount in your roots, shaking the can as you go, all over the crown of your head (or wherever your style will show your roots) and especially at your part.  Give it 5 minutes to sink in, and rub your roots until no more whiteness is visible.  Brush your hair, and you're good to go!

That being said...here are my hits and misses for dry shampoos.  Hope you enjoy!

Grab These

1.  Bed Head Rockaholic Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo ($21)  I know it's expensive, but this stuff really is the hands-down best dry shampoo I've tried.  It leaves absolutely no white cast at all (and I have dark brown hair), doesn't leave a funky smell or any residue, and keeps your hair looking clean all day.  If I'm going to push it past Day 4, this is my secret weapon.  Ulta does sell these a few times per year at a deep discount to help raise money for breast cancer awareness.  Your can will be pink, not black, but the price is usually around $10 per can, which is a HUGE savings.  Ulta usually limits the number of cans you can purchase, but I always use the sale to stock up.  I want to say it occurs in either February or April...but watch your Ulta flyers...they always include it!

2.  Psssssst! Instant Dry Shampoo Spray ($6)  My stylist swears by this one, and she is so right.  It's amazing and sold at the drugstore = cheap.  If I'm not careful to rub it in well, it can leave a white cast, but that's the only reason it doesn't beat out the Bed Head dry shampoo.  When I'm out of Bed Head, you best bet I'm using this one!  (Just be careful not to grab the curly hair version of this by accident.  I did once, and it doesn't work nearly as well as the original!)

3.  Batiste Dry Shampoo ($8)  This is another drugstore version and is just as good as Psssssst!.  It's a little more expensive, so I've ranked it third, but it works amazingly.  What I do love about Batiste is that it comes in multiple scents, and they have a version for dark hair, too.

Pass on These

1.  LUSH No Drought Dry Shampoo ($14 for 4.6 oz.; $7 for 1.9 oz.)  I really love LUSH products and I really wanted to love this, too, but I'm sad to say I am not a fan at all...especially for the high price.  It didn't make my hair clean or even make it look clean, and it left a noticeable white cast in my brown hair.  You can find much better for much less money.

2.  Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo Invisible Spray ($25)  I typically like Oscar Blandi products but I was really disappointed in this.  It worked well when I sprayed it in, but I found that after a short time my hair was back to looking greasy dirty like it had before.  For the price, it's just not worth it.  There's much, much better out there.

So lovely readers, tell me what dry shampoos you love and hate!  I'm always looking for a new one to try, so I'd love your feedback! 

As always, everything in this post is my honest personal opinion.  No affiliate links were used.  I have not accepted any consideration for sharing these items with you.  Unless indicated otherwise, all products were purchased by me with my own money.

Ulta Haul!

As promised, here are the items I picked up during Ulta's 20% off sale!  I actually didn't go too crazy at Ulta, as I am trying to save most of my purchasing for Sephora's VIB sale (details here) to try to make VIB Rouge by year-end :)

The one item I skipped was the Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Styling Heat Protect Spray ($23).  I do use this regularly when I curl my hair with a curling iron, and I love it, but I have a few other heat sprays that I need to use up, so I couldn't justify the purchase right now.  (Plus, I didn't realize that Sephora sells this, too, so I would rather get it there anyway!)

More details on what I grabbed below!




Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara ($20)
As I mentioned in my wish list post, I saw this on QVC one night and have been dying to try it.  I'm a total sucker for a new mascara, so this was my must-have item.  I can't wait to give it a shot!

Loreal Voluminous Full Definition Mascara ($7.99)
When I placed my order, Loreal products were B1G1 50% off, so I decided to grab this.  Tiffany D claims it's the closest drugstore mascara to the Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara, which I haven't splurged on (cough*yet*cough), so I just had to add it to my cart.

Prestige My Biggest Lashes Mascara ($6.99)
Yes, another mascara!  Like I said, I'm a total sucker!  I loved Prestige My Blackest Lashes, but I prefer lengthening formulas, so I figured I'd try this one out next time around.

OPI All I Want for Christmas (is OPI) ($9)
So as I mentioned in my video, when I took this out of the box, I realized it looked an awful lot like OPI's I Got the Blues for Red and other shades just like it that I already own.  The swatches I had seen online made this polish look warmer toned than the polishes I already have, which is why I grabbed it.  However...as promised in my haul video...here it is swatched with other shades:

I can't even make this up.  These 4 polishes are identical.  Like, not even similar...identical.  Oops.  (Click for a larger image, but L-R, it's OPI All I Want for Christmas (is OPI), OPI I Got the Blues for Red, China Glaze Adventure Red-y, and Sephora Formula X Ignite).  So yeah, All I Want for Christmas is getting returned!

Essie Toggle to the Top ($8)
The swatch of this in Polishaholic's post on the Essie winter collection made this shade look incredible, so I grabbed it.  I don't have any sparkly or glittery holiday reds in my collection, either, so now I do :)

Jane Cosmetics Water Resistant Eye Liner in Black ($6, but on sale for $4 right now!)
After filming my haul video, I gave this liner a run for its money.  It actually did stay on my waterline ALL DAY.  I think I may have actually found my Holy Grail liner for my waterline.  This stayed better than anything else I've ever tried by far.  It's super black, transfers so easily, and hello...it's $6!  I have to give a huge thanks to Tati/Glam Life Guru for mentioning this one!!

Loreal Colour Riche Caresse Aqua Lacquer Lip Stain in Endless Red ($9.99)  This was the other half of my B1G1 Loreal purchase.  I grabbed it on a total whim, since I don't wear bold lips that often.  However, I've been really feeling red for the holidays this year.  This is also supposed to be a drugstore version of the YSL Glossy Stains, which I've been dying to try.  For 1/3 the price of the Glossy Stains, though, I figured I should start small and try this one instead.  Happy to report that I LOVE the red color, and it lasted me about 3 or 4 hours before I had to reapply.  I purposely brushed my teeth with it on (it was still perfect afterward) and drank a latte.  It was a little worn off after the latte, but I went another 2-ish hours without needing to reapply.  I'm a big fan!  (As promised in the video, here is a great post comparing the YSL and the Loreal stains!)

That's it!  Please let me know what you picked up during the sale in the comments!  I'd love to hear what you're going to try out :)

As always, everything in this post is my honest personal opinion.  No affiliate links were used.  I have not accepted any consideration for sharing these items with you.  Unless indicated otherwise, all products were purchased by me with my own money.

October Favorites!

Happy end of October!!  Such a cliche - but I seriously cannot believe how fast this month went.  September and October flew by for me.  I blame it on being so excited to share Halloween and the upcoming holidays with my favorite little girl :)  (My little one is going to be 8 months old this week.  How did that happen??)

The end of October also marks a first for me...my first YouTube video to share with my readers!  I love watching monthly favorites videos, so I figured now would be a great time to take the plunge and film one.  Besides, it's way better to see a product than to just read about it.

And onto the beauty products I've given a lot of love this month!





Neutrogena Healthy Skin Foundation ($12.99 at Ulta)
Love this for the great natural glow it gives your skin.  I have oily skin, but this still does great things for me.

Makeup Forever Mat Velvet+ Foundation ($36 at Sephora)
This really does stay matte on me most of the day, plus the color match (I am shade 30) is spot on.  It gives a good medium coverage but can be built up.

Beauty Blender ($19.95 at Sephora)
A ridiculously expensive makeup sponge, but I've found nothing that beats it.  When you use it damp, it applies any foundation flawlessly and keeps it looking so natural.  I've been using mine basically every day this month.

Mac Prolongwear Paint Pot in Soft Ochre ($20 on Mac's website, but I found mine at a CCO!)
This is more yellow than the cult-classic shade Painterly.  It's the same shade as Urban Decay's Primer Potion in Eden, which really works well with my skin tone.  This works very well to block out redness and even out my lids.  Paint pots do crease on me, so I layer them over Primer Potion.

Nars Bronzer in Laguna ($36 at Sephora)
I've had my Laguna bronzer for-ev-er.  It's time for it to go, and I've been working on it for months now.  I LOVE the shade, but it's a bit dark for me in the winter, and I just have so many other bronzers I want to use.  I've been using this literally every day to try to use it up!

Burberry Blush in Russett ($42 at Nordstrom)
I absolutely love this color for fall - it is the perfect peachy brown.  It's actually the same exact shade as Mac's blush in Gingerly ($21), which I learned personally when I purchased Gingerly and compared them.  I have to say - Burberry's texture and blendability win by a mile, but the price is a little hard to stomach.  (In full disclosure, I received this as a gift...I did not purchase it myself.)

Mac 222 Brush (~$20, found at a CCO)
I love this brush because it is more dense and compact than a 217.  It deposits color more precisely in my crease, and I've been using it with a 224 to build up color and define my eyes more.  Mac no longer sells the 222, but Sigma's E35 brush ($14) is basically a dupe.  The brush that comes with the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette is also very similar.

Loreal Lineur Intense Liquid Liner in Carbon Black ($7.94 at WalMart)
No liquid liner will ever replace my beloved Fluidline, but I have been reaching for this one quite a bit this month!  It is by far the easiest liquid liner to apply (I use the felt tip version, not the brush version) because the tip is just firm enough to give you a nice, straight line.  Plus, it's ultra black so you don't need to keep going over it.

NYX Setting Spray in Matte Finish ($8 at Nordstrom)
I forgot to include this in my video, but I have been absolutely loving this spray.  It's the first setting spray I've used that actually does keep my makeup in place all day, let alone keep my face from getting shiny after a few hours.  One thing I didn't expect that I was so happy to see was that this spray really keeps my eye makeup from budging.  I typically get a lot of black smudging under my eyes from mascara, but this keeps them looking perfectly clean all day.  

Formula X Polish in Ignite ($10.50 at Sephora)
Holy cow - I never expected to love a nail polish as much as this!!  I will do a full post reviewing these polishes when I grab a few more with my VIB sale coupon, but for now, suffice to say that these are AMAZING.  They wear much longer and better than typical polishes, and you absolutely don't need to topcoat them.  They're just as shiny with Seche Vite as they are without it.  These things are going to be a new addiction for me, I can feel it!!!

What are your favorites this month?  Let me know what I'm missing out on!

 

As always, everything in this post is my honest personal opinion.  No affiliate links were used.  I have not accepted any consideration for sharing these items with you.  Unless indicated otherwise, all products were purchased by me with my own money.

Mommy Makeup Monday: Whiter, Brighter Eyes in 1 Super Easy Step

On Mondays, I share a tip, product or tutorial that will help you look polished and put-together quickly and with minimal effort.  You definitely don't have to be a rushed mom to benefit from these posts...anyone who needs to be out-the-door fast (and who doesn't?!) can appreciate Mommy Makeup Mondays!

Happy Monday!  Today I have a great tip for all those sleep-deprived moms people out there.  This 20-second trick can help you look well-rested and will make your eyes look big and bright.

Lining your lower waterline with a white or a "nude for me" (i.e. your skin stone) eyeliner helps create the illusion of more open, whiter and brighter eyes.  It reduces redness and the natural pink tone of the waterline, and will make you look like you got 10 hours of sleep.  (We can dream, can't we?!)

     

In the photos above, you can see how much more bright-eyed I look with white or beige in my waterline.  The top left shows Stila's Kajal Eye Liner in Topaz. (The shade is now called Apricot Nude...it is $18 at Sephora.)  On the top right, I used Rimmel's Soft Kohl Kajal Pencil in Pure White. (It's only $3.99 at Ulta...can you beat that?!)  The bottom photo shows my eye with no liner.

Conversely, lining in black will close up your eyes.  (It is a great trick for those with big eyes who want to make them look smaller.)  Black also gives a more dramatic look to the eye, but doesn't help you look more well-rested and awake.  Below, on the left is my eye with no liner.  On the right, my waterline has Mac's Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Feline ($16) on it.

 

(In all 5 photos above, I am wearing Mac's Paint Pot in Nubile on my lids (it was limited edition, but is similar to Painterly), Mac's Haute & Naughty Too Black Lash Mascara (the length wand) on top and bottom lashes, Maybelline Fit Me Concealer under my eyes, and Anastasia Brow Wiz in Caramel to define my brows).

A quick note - I personally prefer a flat, matte white for the lower waterline, as opposed to a shimmery white.  Shimmer looks nice, but I find that matte white is more flattering.  I use my shimmery white pencils for inner corner and brow highlights.

Other great options for these shades in eyeliner pencils:

High End Beige Pencils:
Tarte EmphasEYES Inner Rim Brightener - $19 at Sephora
NARS Larger Than Life Long Wear Eyeliner in Rue Bonaparte - $24 at Sephora
Illamasqua Medium Pencil in Hex or Vow- $20 at Sephora

High End White Pencils:
Mac Eye Kohl in Fascinating - $16
NARS Larger Than Life Long Wear Eyeliner in Santa Monica Blvd - $24 at Sephora

Drugstore Beige Pencils:
Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Liner in Nude - $4.49 at Ulta
(This is the only one I could find!!  If you know of another, please leave it in the comments below!)

Drugstore White Pencils:
NYX Slide On Pencil in Pure White - $7.99 at Ulta
Jane Cosmetics Water-Resistant Eyeliner in Pure White - $6 at Ulta (on sale right now for $4!)
Prestige Kohl Eyeliner in White - $4.29 at Ulta

Tell me what you think!  Will you try this quick tip?  Do you already do this on a daily basis to help fake sleep?  What are your favorite pencils?

As always, everything in this post is my honest personal opinion.  No affiliate links were used.  I have not accepted any consideration for sharing these items with you.  Unless indicated otherwise, all products were purchased by me with my own money.