January Favorites

January flew by and was a great spring board for 2014. I vaguely remember a while ago I shared some of my favorite products of the month with you... well, lets do that again, shall we??

 

 

Clinique 3-Step Cleanser, Toner, and Moisturizing Lotion

The first time I was spotted looking at makeup I was around 11. My mother said I was more than allowed to use makeup but I had to take care of my skin. We went straight to the good stuff for skin care. I have no idea why I have been bouncing around skin care products when I know, I KNOW, that this is the best thing for me. The liquid facial soup cleanses and removes any dirt and grime from my skin making it squeaky clean. Then I will tone my skin, creating a smooth surface for the moisturizing lotion to really lock it all in and in the winter, moisture has been my key necessity in products.

 



 

Smith's Rosebud Salve

Speaking of moisture, this has been a gift from the gods for my lips during winter. It is a rose scent petroleum jelly for your lips. Along with the rose scent, it gives my lips a nice pink and glossy color, which makes lip gloss, although fun, not necessary.

 

 

Revlon Colorburst Matte/Laquer Balm

Okay, I'm just going to come right out and say it: to me, these are the best lip product I have tried in a long while. The are moisturizing, plus supply a good amount of color that applications are few and far between. I do one application upon arriving at work and don't have to reapply until late afternoon or even when I get home because the color is still there. Application is super simple; if you can color in the lines, you can put these on. I started with colors that I knew I would wear all the time: Elusive, a light peach pink, Complex, a brown nude, Striking, a true red, and in the lacquer, Enticing, a shiny maroon red.

 

 

NYX Powder Blush in Peach

This blush is incredibly pigmented, a little goes a long way. It gives an Oh-Look-at-me, I-have-been-outside-and-just-naturally-have-pink-cheeks look. Very winter-esque chic. Perfect for January.

 



 

Maybelline The Falsies Big Eyes mascara

I am such a fan of the original formula of the Falsies that I had to try the Big Eyes version and I was not disappointed. With the separate wands for upper and lower lashes it lifts and adds insane volume to the upper lashes and separates the lower lashes making them look spider leg long. It does last all day, for me, and doesn't smudge either. Simple makeup remover gets all the product off with very little residue left.

 

 

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Sport Eraser

Disclaimer: I do not have dark spots. I do have really scary dark under eyes, which is why I picked up this product. Thought I might be able to eliminate my designer handbag dark eyes, and it does. The applicator is truly awesome. The sponge allows for flawless distribution of the product, as well as precision. I have it in the color 210 Fair.

 

 

The Body Shop Shea Body Butter

The 24 hour hydration is no lie. I have very dry skin and this product has been a life saver for me this winter. I body has been drinking this product up like a traveler in the desert! The scent is long lasting but not overpowering. It smells very nutty and creamy (if creamy has a scent...). It has been a huge success for me. I did try several other scents in small size to make sure, before buying the large jar, that it was the product for me, which, of course, it is.

 

 

Celestial Seasonings Fruit Tea Sampler

Yep, I love tea and am obsessed with this. I'm not usually a bit fruit tea drinker but this product might have turned me. These are super flavorful and not at all sweet, which was my big concern. And as I attempted to spend less money, the price tag for 18 bags is really hard to argue.

 

Those are just some of my favorite products for the month of January. I hope you all enjoyed it. And I would love to know what products you all have been loving this month??

 

Yours xx

May Favorites

I cannot believe that it is June. I mean, what is happening to 2013?? But, hey, another month another group of favorites...

Beauty and Body Care

As summer approaches my routine simplifies. Mascara is a must-have as well as an easy-peasy eye shadow. I love the Maybelline 24 Hour Color Tattoo in Barely Branded. It is a super light and fresh cream color; almost a highlight color. My only complaint is that my eyelid are a bit on the oily side so without primer it doesn’t last all day but I just love it too much!

As far as mascara, I received The Benefit They’re Real trial size and just loved it so much I had to go get it in the full-size. It makes your eyelashes look exactly like you are wearing fake eyelashes and who doesn’t want that?? The Maybelline The Falsies does a similar thing as They’re Real but it, hmm, fluffs them more..yeah, fluffs.

Maybelline Master Duo liquid liner is like eye liner for dummies. The brush allows for control with its thick side and thin side. I thought I could draw a straight line...I can’t. But with this guy, I can fake it pretty well. Obviously, I approve.

As you know I’ve become a big fan of the body butters. This Nip and Fab Mango Smoothie is perfect for summer. It isn’t too thick and very smooth and soft to apply. It smells like summertime, all mango-y and fruit-y. And my hair, since my pledge treat my hair with respect, I have been using a detangler for normal-thick hair. When I get out the shower my hair is a rat’s nest so combing through it is torture, but with this my hair is super easy and seems amazing.

Music Favorites

I made a post about my favorite YouTube covers recently so make sure to check that out. Plus, this month I have spent every morning getting ready to Demi Lovato’s new album “Demi.” It has everything from rock, pop, dance beats, ballads and it is just, well, awesome. My favorites include: Neon Lights, Nightingale, Fire Starter, and Warrior.

You can listen to the whole album on Spotify...as I have been doing.

Movie and Fashion Favorites (+ Blogger Book Club)

Obviously I’ve got to include The Great Gatsby movie for this month’s favorites. And my fashion favorite this month would have to be my Black Classic TOMS. Chances are if you’ve seen me this month I’ve been wearing them. They are worn through and just about perfect.

Starting in June I will be participating in Blogger BookClub. Each month I will read a new book, along with my fellow bloggers, and review it! I’m absolutely ecstatic about this! Up first, The Help...

April Favorites

I can't believe I'm already doing favorites for April and that I graduate from college on Saturday. It is just unreal how time moves so quickly and yet, moves so slooooow. Okay, let's just jump into these favorites. Shall we? *holds out hand*

Beauty and Body Care

 For the past month, or so, I've been victim of the lazy girl makeup removal mentality. You know when you're just exhausted and the last thing you want to do is go through your nightly ritual of makeup removal, exfoliation  cleansing, toner and so on? Meet the Simple Cleansing Facial wipes. I've been a cleansing cloth user since high school and these might be my holy grail face clothes. They are super gentle, and still manage to take off all of my waterproof mascara!! Plus, they don't leave a residue at all on my skin. Paired with my moisturizer...Ooooof, perfect!

I love blush. Love it. I use it everyday without fail. I don't like to leave the house without it. This palette is the ELF blush and bronzer compact. It was $1. Expectations weren't all THAT high, but oh how wrong I was!! The color is super pigmented in both the blush and the bronzer. I like the bronzer a lot because it doesn't have sparkles in it. (Nothing is more awful than having your skin sparkle with bronzer especially if your skin isn't exactly perfect.) The blush, however, does have sparkle but it is fairly subtle. This color is almost an exact dupe of Mary Kay's "Shy Blush" which I have used for years but a fraction of the price. Plus, super big mirror, which, say it with me now, perfect for a handbag product!! Obviously I love this product.

I'm having a love affair with Lush. See? Just add this next product to the list; it is "Popcorn" Lip Scrub. According to the label, "A sweet and salty lip scrub that smells like popcorn. Scrumptious!!" I like using this when I'm getting ready before applying my lip product and before bed before adding my Nivea Lip Butter. It is an exfoliant for the lips. It doesn't necessarily taste like popcorn but it does taste sweet. You scrub it on and then, my favorite part, lick it off. I know sounds weird, but it is perfectly normal and awesome.

 Bath and Body Works does it again. This True Blue Spa, heck the entire True Blue collection, does wonders. This is the newest member of the product line (came out early April): Raspberry Mojito Cream Gel with jojoba oil. You will smell like a delicious raspberry mojito (erm, without the alcohol)! I was a bit hesitant about the cream gel bit. It has the texture of a body wash (per water) but smooths into the skin like lotion. I've been applying it after I get out of the shower in the more to add a bit of moisture back into my skin. It isn't sticky, which I was worried about it being. And as you can see, I'm almost out. Shoot, guess I'll have to go shopping for more...

And I know this has nothing to do with Beauty or Body but, um this candle? Amazing. It smells like a Lemon Tart. I refuse to burn it because I love it so much. I occasionally get a whiff of it in my room. It is just the bees-knees of candles. I discuss it more here: I (heart) Spring.

Music Favorites

I have been a massive fan of George Watsky since I was a sophomore in college (2 years ago...) when he performed at the NACA conference. He did spoken word... My favorite: here.

So when I found out he was coming out with an album I was obviously STOKED. Cardboard Castles is a work of genius. It is humorous. It is sad. It is insightful. And all around awesome. Please go listen to it. Here are the videos of some of my favorites.

Book and Movies (and Drink) Favorites

I'm combining a couple categories here, peeps. I've been obsessed with Hubert's Lemonade both the Original and Raspberry lemonade. It is a perfect drink for spring and summer. Can't go wrong with some genuine lemonade, ay? Plus, how cute is this bottle!! ;)

Confess: I didn't read any new books this month. I know, I know. I've been lucky to read the books that I've been required to read for finishing up school and I'm pretty sure you don't want me to tell you my favorite book this month is my Technical and Grant Writing book. Not too exciting at all. I can only tell you that Harry Potter is my favorite book so many times, but um, that is my favorite this month. Technically, I did read the 7th book this month (for my thesis) so, it could fulfill both requirements. Yep. That's my book favorite this month. 

Movies...oh sweet, sweet movies. I went to "42" in theaters this month. Very good. Highly recommend. It is the story of Jackie Robinson. I recently, like, hmm, Sunday, went to the chick-flick "The Big Wedding." I thought it handle the multiple story lines well. The content is very adult but damn, it was funny. Very real-life, if you ask me. It is about a family, and this family faces real "problems" in real ways. It is not a tricky plot, at all. But, hey, I liked it.

And my final favorite...COLLEGE GRADUATION! It is here. It is finally here. I never thought this day would come! 

What are your favorites this month?? I'd love to hear!

Yours xx