February Beauty Favorites

Here we are again ladies (and gentlemen?)!  Monthly favorites.  While I experimented with a few new products this month and found some gems, I found quite a few misses too.  Thank goodness for a generous exchange policy at Ulta!  Aside from that, I'm still loving nearly every one of last month's favorites too.  

So without further ado, let's get at it.  

The Holiday Face

Now's that time of year where a little glitter and shimmer is A-Ok, even if you're not a tween.  So let's a have a little fun and create some holiday makeup, shall we?  

Here are a few bits and bobs (<< Am I pulling off that phrase?  No?) that I think help to amp up a normal makeup routine without creating too much fuss.  

TheBalm Mary-Lou Manizer Highlighter

This is my highlighter of choice and it's no joke.  It has a beautiful sheen that catches light with a turn of the head.  I like to apply it to the tops of my cheekbones and just a touch on my cupid's bow and sometimes a dab in the center of my bottom lip.  It's subtle enough for every day wear but you could build it up a bit for a holiday party so you'll really glow in pictures.  

L'Oreal Carbon Black Lineur Intense

Is there any better occasion for a bold cat eye than the holidays?  I love this liner because the tip is the perfect combo of stiff but with slight flexibility to easily guide along the eye and deposit the super black formula.  I love that this sets matte since slick finishes can often look funny in pictures.  I find this formula plenty long-wearing but if you're looking for extra insurance, just follow it up with a bit of black eyeshadow to set.  

Urban Decay Moondust in Diamond Dog

Now, when I wear a cat eye, I tend to leave the rest of my eye makeup pretty subtle, just doing some soft sculpting with some matte shadows.  However, a holiday look can handle just a touch of glitter.  This shadow looks dark in the pot but it's actually quite sheer and packed with mico-glitter.  It's a fun touch for a night out.  Word of warning though, some fallout is inevitable with this shadow.  

    

Maybelline Colorsensation in Red Revival
NYX Butter Gloss in Cherry Pie
Milani Lip Liner in True Red

Ah yes, the lip.  Here's the place to make a statement.  And what better to go with a cat eye than a classic red lip?  For my skin tone, blue-toned reds are best and Maybelline's Red Revival is the perfect shade.  I think most makeup-obsessed gals have their "best red" so use one that works best with your skin tone.  When wearing a red lip, I like to take the extra step of lining my lips to ensure no color-bleeding happens and Milani's True Red lipliner gets the job done.  Any decent drugstore option will work and I'm willing to bet that Rimmel has a decent option too.  You could certainly leave your lips matte but I'm a gloss addict through and through so I love to follow it up with a swipe of NYX's Butter Gloss in Cherry Pie.  Such a class red with a subtle shine.  

So what are you wearing on your mug this holiday?

September Beauty Favorites

Monthly favorites time!  I wanted to get this posted last Monday but I had just moved apartments and I was too flat-out exhausted to even consider it.  I know you've been waiting with baited breath.  Anyway, let's get at it.  

L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Excess
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Brightener
NYX HD Photogenic Concealer in Glow 
L'Oreal True Match Powder in Deep Cool
Revlon PhotoReady Powder in Light/Medium

Yikes!  That's a mouthful.  I'm lumping all these together because they were just in last month's favorites and they're still going strong.  With the move and all, I really relied on some trusty standbys instead of buying new products that I'd just have to pack up.  However, I have tried one or two new mascaras that still didn't make the cut to a favorites list.  My Million Lashes Excess is a tough one to beat.   

Simple Foaming Cleanser

When it comes to skin, I feel like I'm pretty lucky.  While I certainly get the occasional breakout, I've never had to deal with any major skin issues.  It feels like I'm at an age where perhaps I should start investing a bit more with my skincare but perhaps I'll save that for next month because Simple is an affordable drugstore brand and I've been pleased with it so far.  Since this cleanser is gentle, I tend to use it in the morning for a quick wake-up and to catch any leftover makeup bits that didn't make it off the night before.  It NEVER stings my eyes and I've had zero irritation with it.  This one is a no brainer.  

July Beauty Favorites

It's that time again laaaddiiees!  July Favorites!  Woo!  I should also note that I've still been loving the heck out of all my June favorites too.  Ok let's get started.  

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and Shading Brush: These are my first Real Techniques brushes and I'm in love, I'm in love and I don't care who knows it!  Until now, I've mostly owned pretty cheap brushes.  I mean, they got the job done and they were decent but when I saw a Buy One Get One 50% Off sale at Ulta, I immediately scoped these up.  I kept hearing about them on all the blogs I follow and they definitely live up to the hype.  And now, of course, I want the whole collection.

NYX Matte Finish:  I mentioned this setting spray in my Ulta Haul and I've definitely used it every day since purchasing.  Like I mentioned, it's not a miracle spray and I still get a little shine by the end of the day but I can confidently say that this keeps my makeup in place all day without the drooping eyeshadow/blush look.  Totally affordable and effective.  

L'Oreal Carbon Black Lineur Intense: Ok so given my strong feelings about another L'Oreal product, you might think I'm an idiot for trying another one but this is the version that Makeup By Tiffany D actually recommends and I can see why.  I've actually heard mixed reviews on this but I've found that it doesn't smudge at all on me and it doesn't lose pigmentation through out the day.  Plus, it's easy to apply.  It's a win for me.

NYX Cream Blush in Tea Rose:  So I don't think I need to drone on and on about my NYX Cream Blush obsession anymore since I seem to mention it on a weekly basis.  But I wanna give a shout out to Tea Rose because I think it's the most wearable every-day shade.  It reads a little dark in the pan but on the cheeks it's a lovely warm rosey color and just subtle enough to go with most anything.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Brightening:  So I deffiintely bought the wrong version of this the first time I purchased it.  It worked alright though the color was a bit off.  As soon as I tried the brightening version though, welp I was sold.  At first it seems almost shockingly pink but once it's blended, it brightens up the under-eye like whoa.  Ah-mah-zing.

Milani Lipstick Chilled Brandy:  In reality, I could have listed all of the Milani lipsticks but I narrowed it down to a very un-summer color which is fabulous.  I just tried Milani lipsticks for the first time this month and I can't believe I've waited this long.  They are so well pigmented and they really don't dry my lips out at all (which I ALWAYS have problems with).  At about $5 a piece, they're an amazing steal.  I basically want the whole collection.

Elf Makeup Remover Pen:  I ordered this pen online, from Elf's website, months and months ago.  I actually didn't entirely know what it was but it was $3 and I figured I'd find a way to put it to use.  It's pretty much makeup remover in a spongey tip applicator pen and it's so perfect for clean up around the eye.  No matter how many times I use liquid eye liner, I still always have an unsteady hand so this pen has saved me many a time from just dunking my face in the sink and starting over again.   

theBalm Nude 'tude Eyeshadow Palette:  The second I saw this palette mentioned in a YouTube video, I was immediately on the hunt for it.  I managed to find it online for $20 and I think I've used it every.single.day since I got it.  Neutrals are my jam for life and this palette does not disappoint.  It's even got a great deep magenta shade that's really wearable.  I already know this will be a longtime fave for me.  

Welp, that's all I got ladies gents.  What have you been loving this month?

January Birchbox Review

Have you heard of Birchbox?

Allow me to explain.  You request an invitation.  You wait anxiously for your invitation via email.  You think maybe this is an incredibly exclusive club.  You receive your invitation and confirm your subscription type (for me, I chose a $10 month-to-month).  You receive your first Birchbox!  

For $10 smack-a-roos, I get a box with about 5 sample-size beauty products chosen according to my account preferences once a month.   It includes a brief description of the products with further online info and tutorials, and should I fall in love with any of the products, I can order them directly from Birchbox, sometimes with a discount and free shipping.  

Being that one of my New Year's Resolutions was to spend money more frivolously, I thought this was a great way to spend $10 every month!  I kid.  It seemed like a great idea for me because I don't have the moolah to buy fancy products all the time.  So if I find one or two great products from Birchbox and decide to splurge and buy them, I can feel confident buying a product I've sampled and enjoyed.  

Let's get started:  

   

The lineup.  A selection of hair, face, and body products.

Harvey Prince/ Skinny Chic:

This is a perfume described as "a zesty blend of apple, mint and lotus blossom."  I'm not entirely sure I know what lotus blossom smells like and I couldn't detect any mint, per se.  First impression- it's certainly a strong, sweet scent.  I think I'd be more likely to wear it in summer.  It also alludes to keeping energy levels high and fighting cravings.  Yeah.  Sure.  I still ate three M&M cookies but I won't blame the perfume for that.  

100% Pure/ Nourishing Body Cream: 

Please excuse my un-polished nails.  

It's vegan!  Given the amount of butter I use, I don't think it's a surprise to anyone that I'm not vegan.  However, I do like knowing this hand-cream is made from vegan and organic products.  At least I'm not slathering some chemicals on my body.  And this stuff is thick and luxurious with an amazing coconut scent.  Loving it so far.  

Clark's Botanicals/ Smoothing Marine Cream: 

This one is the fancy schmancy face cream.  It's billed as an "exfoliating moisturizer" with glycolic acid.  It smells glycolic-y (which isn't necessarily a bad thing) and it tingles for a few seconds after applying.  This past week in Chicago has been frigid cold and I used this on a day that I desperately needed  moisture.  This certainly did the trick.  Being $115 at full price, I'm not entirely sold yet....

theBalm/ Put a Lid On It:  

This is an eyelid primer and I was most excited to try this product.  I have yet to find a primer that actually keeps my eyeshadow in place.  I kind of assumed it didn't exist.  I've only used this one day so far (not a long workday) but so far, so good.  A 10-hr workday will be the real test though.  

**2/8 Update: I've been using this daily and it's totally amazing.  Does an excellent job of preventing creasing and even works to hold some less expensive eye shadows that usually diminish throughout the day.  I'm in love.  

amika/ Color pHerfection Shampoo: 

Full disclosure, I haven't tested this yet but the description says it keeps hair color bright and shiny using omega acids and buckthorn berry oil.  It smells delightful and that is often all I need to be sold on a shampoo.  

So far, I'm pleased with my first Birchbox experience! It's a great selection of products and they're the perfect size for tossing in my purse.  Have you tried Birchbox?