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.

Mommy Makeup Monday: My 2014 Beauty Resolutions

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 this technically isn't really a true makeup post, but I wanted to share my beauty resolutions in the mom context because they involve me taking more time for myself.  Obviously my daughter is priority #1, but I've really let a lot of things fall to the wayside these past 10 months, whether it be taking care of myself or doing things I enjoy.  

I guess the point here is if I can take 10 minutes a day, or a half hour a week, or whatever it is out of my momlife, anyone can :)

So Happy 2014!!!  And here are the things I'd like to work on this year.

#1 - DRINK MORE WATER.  Probably more health than beauty related, but it's no secret that drinking enough water helps your complexion and skin.  So I'll call it a beauty resolution ;)  My goal is at least 64 oz. a day, but the more the better.

#2 - STOP PICKING OFF MY POLISH.  For as long as I can remember, I've had the terrible habit of picking off my nail polish once it starts to chip.  More often than not, that's how it comes off instead of remover.  It's awful for my nails and because I usually do it unconsciously, it's annoying to find the little pieces of polish all over the house!

#3 - BE MORE DILIGENT ABOUT PEDICURES.  And I don't necessarily mean professional pedis.  I only go to the spa maybe 2 or 3 times a year to have a pro tend to my toes.  However, I have no reason at all not to care for me feet a bit more at home.  First on my list...stop walking around on my hardwood and tile floors barefoot!  It causes terrible calluses and cracks on my heels (that are often painful!) and I have no excuse for it.  Next up: moisturize, wear Vaseline + socks to bed from time to time, file my heels, deal with my cuticles, and keep my polish fresh.

#4 - CONTINUE SHOPPING MY STASH AND USING PRODUCTS UP.  This is something I've really been focusing on in the past 6 months, and I plan to continue it.  I really just have too much stuff, and it's been nice to use products up and see them be done.  Plus, it never hurts the wallet to find and fall in love with something you forgot you even had!

Image Source: PETA.org

#5 - BUY BUNNY FRIENDLY.  In 2012, I made (and kept!) the resolution to buy only cruelty-free makeup/beauty products.  I worked off of PETA's lists to determine which companies did and did not test on animals and only bought from those on the "safe" list.  (I can do a more comprehensive post on this subject - it's one I feel strongly about - but for brevity's sake...PETA's lists are not all-inclusive and you should do your own research into a brand, too.)  In 2013, I did not continue the resolution...really for no good reason other than I was pressed for time being a new mom.  Going forward, though, I'd like to continue being conscious of animal testing.  This means I must re-research and find new bunny-friendly companies to love...and it also means I may have to curb my love for MAC!  The lists are ever-changing, though, so my goal is to do my best to keep up to date on the topic and shop wisely.

So that's it!  Those are my 5 beauty resolutions for 2014.  What are yours?  I'd love to be inspired to add a few more :)  Have you been successful at any of my resolutions?!  Share your tips!!

HAPPY NEW 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.

Get Ready With Me! Some Original Naked Palette Love :)

I know Naked 3 has been all the rage these days, but I just can't help giving the original gem some love!  It's by far my all-time favorite, most-used palette.  I've been doing a different eye look than my typical "shimmery champagne on lid, matte tans in crease" lately, so I thought I would share :)

Enjoy!

Products Used
Clarins Bright+ Brightening Hydrating Day Lotion ($62)
Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden ($20)
Mac Paint Pot in Nubile (LE shade)
Urban Decay Naked Palette ($52)  (shades Naked, Buck, Hustle, Sidecar, Virgin)
Jordana Fabuliner in Black ($2.99 at CherryCulture!  It's normally $6.)
DiorShow Extase Mascara (mine is a sample, but full size is $28.50...and not worth the $$ IMHO!)
Makeup Forever HD Foundation in shade 117 ($42)
Mac Mineralize Concealer in shade NW20 ($20)
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer in Milk Chocolate ($30)
Victoria Secret Blush/Highlighter (LE, and discontinued, but Mac's Crew Highlighter is very similar!)
Bobbi Brown Face Touch Up Stick ($26)
Cover Girl TruBlend Pressed Powder ($8.99)
Anastasia Brow Wiz in Caramel ($21)
Mac Cremesheen Glass in Boy Bait ($20)

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.