Hi! New year, new favorites!

january beauty favorites I howsweeteats.com

I love January favorites because I’ve had a month to use things I got for Christmas and also usually found some new things with Christmas gift cards. I’m still trying a few things out that I’ve recently bought, but already have a bunch of new faves that are going to stick. [Sidebar, I’ve talked about my samsung nx300 camera in the past as a lighter option to my DSLR, you guys always ask about the quality – all of these pics are taken with my samsung for reference!]

So I’ve been a little lip product crazy this month. I mean, really crazy. I’ve found that wearing a brighter lip shade makes me feel so much more put together, so much more alert and kind of, in a way… WAKES ME UP! that I practically made it a resolution to put some on every morning before I start to work. I swear it’s helping. For the most part, I’ve been wearing super bright lips and not much eye make up. 

Which seems to be the story of my life for the last year or so. If you’ve been reading then you know that since 6th or 7th grade I’ve been ALLLL about eye makeup. The brighter and more fun the shade, the better. I’ve always loved doing my eye makeup, it’s easily been my favorite part of a beauty routine. BUT. A few things. I’ve noticed that as I’ve gotten older, the more makeup I have on my eyes… the older I look? It just doesn’t seem as flattering anymore. It could also totally be because I haven’t slept in a year, but you know. I’m also choosing for the most part to spend my time in other ways in the morning – as in doing some super fast makeup and a really bright lip. I’m loving it. And at the same time I’m mourning all of my purple eyeshadow.

Don’t get me wrong, if Eddie and I go out or if I have an event or something, I still do my eyes up. But for the most part, I’ve been wearing easy neutrals and the Gwen palette. I don’t know how I feel about this! But I think that less eye makeup + brighter lips is leading to a slightly younger look. Is this a real thing? Ha.

K let’s talk favorite things.

january beauty favorites I howsweeteats.com

Tom Ford Noir Pour Femme. Still LOVING this. And it just came out in a rollerball, so I’m sure I’ll increase my rollerball hoard soon. I’ve been going back and forth between this and the Jo Malone Cardamom Mimosa. I really love how this Tom Form lasts though. Like you can smell remnants of it on your skin the next morning, but nothing strong or overwhelming. You know?

Burts Bees Intense Hydration Cream Cleanser. Oh my gosh. This might be my favorite purchase of the month. For the last two months I’ve mentioned I was searching for a new cleanser. I’ve used Caudalie cream cleanser, but it’s almost too gentle if that makes sense – it kind of would leave a film on my face, which was difficult since I use an oil cleanser before anyway. I liked this Andalou Naturals one because I love foam cleansers, but I loathed the scent. I am not a rose or floral scented person. This Burts Bees is SO SO SO moisturizing. It kind of reminds me of the ten plus years I used Clean and Clear, but without the cooling affect. Adore so much. Also, I was very excited about trying the Burts Bees Argan Oil Cleanser. Not a fan. It burned my eyes so badly. I still use MAC Cleansing Oil and nothing can beat it.

Essie Sunset Sneaks. As you can see, I’m having a coral moment. Needing some sunshine and brightness in my life. This has been on my toes all month!

january beauty favorites I howsweeteats.com

Sephora Be Spotted Makeup Brush Set. Eddie bought me these brushes for Christmas and put them in my stocking. (I KNOW. He saw them on my gift guide! Unfortunately they are sold out.) I like them all, but this one above is so awesome for high on the cheekbones. I use Hourglass Ambient Lighting powder in Luminous light and this is angled perfectly.

Trader Joe’s Moisturizing Cream. A repurchase and re-mention, but my biggest necessity come the winter season. I have the driest skin ever (and seriously, it’s SO HARD to not take hot showers) and love that this has a pump!! It’s practically as rich as body butter, but in pump form.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream. Also a repeat, but this is what I use on my face. Eddie and I go through tub after tub of this. A year or two ago he tried it one night and loves it too. It’s so gentle but incredibly moisturizing. And no scent. It’s fantastic.

Gwen Stefani Urban Decay Blush Palette. Guys. I tried to resist. I tried. I don’t like blush palettes and rarely stray from my favorite Tarte Amazonian Clay blushes. But man. It’s the Gwen effect. I can’t help it! I bought the eye palette and figured that would be it. But then I kept watching and reading reviews on the lipsticks and blushes and was like… I need the blushes. Um, I am SO GLAD I got this. First up, I thought the two bottom outside shades might be too warm for me, but they aren’t. My favorites are clearly Easy, Hush and Cherry, but that’s just because I’m a pink person. The pigmentation on these is INSANE. Seriously the first time I used it, I had a huge stripes on my cheeks because I used way too much. These are gorgous and such great quality. I’m also excited to travel with it because I usually take two blushes anyway.

january beauty favorites I howsweeteats.com

Bite Beauty Matte Lip Crayon in Pastille. Let it be said that while I’ve wanted to jump on the 90s-grunge-Kylie lip color at times, the trend looks TERRIBLE on my skin tone. Horrible. I’m so cool-toned and so pale, it’s just not flattering whatsoever. But I saw a review for this on Temptalia and ended up buying it the same day. I happened to walk into sephora and it was right there. It is gorgeous. It is so cool toned and actually works with with my skin and eyes. Plus, I have a few of these matte pencils and it’s one of the rather moisturizing matte formulas.

YSL Glossy Stain in shade 103 Pink Taboo. While I’ve been riding the serious matte lip trend for months, I’ve wanted something… not so matte. These seemed appealing since they leave a stain behind and wouldn’t need constant reapplying. I am absolutely in love with it. The YSL lip products smell delicious to me. Super old school, but sweet and delicious. This is comfortable on the lips, shiny but not glossy, looks natural and not drawn on, but leaves a stain behind. I want like ten more.

Maybelline Shocking Coral. An oldie but goodie, this has probably been on my lips more than anything this month. It brightens my face SO much. I’ve felt like my skin is so dull and dry lately and this instantly makes me look more awake and alert. It’s gorgeous.

Gwen Stefani Urban Decay Phone Call. Save the best for last!! This is a “sheer” lipstick but isn’t super sheer at all. It’s beautiful, very moisturizing and I’ve received a few compliments on it already. My only complaint is that the tube feels SO cheap. Like super plasticky cheap. Like I dropped it today and thought the tube might crack. Weird. But so pretty! Plus… GWEN.

january beauty favorites I howsweeteats.com

Okay! Rambles over. I’m thinking about trying out a new foundation… maybe Giorgio Armani?? Maybe the Lumi Cushion?? What are you loving right now?

{as usual, none of this is sponsored and all of these products were purchased by me. i am not affiliated with any of the companies above, nor do i accept free products. just love to talk about what i like, makeup junkie to makeup junkie. there are a few amazon affiliate links above. thank you for being here!}