December Favorites: Beauty.
HI.
How is it (the end of) DECEMBER?!
My December faves don’t consist of a huuuuge list, mostly because I did my November favorites late and I magically didn’t buy any new product (with the exception of the concealer) as I was shopping for others. And even though I wore a lot more makeup this month than I had been since we had the holidays, I did the same thing over and over since it was quick and easy.
Let’s talk about my saddest thing of all December – that the sephora formula x line is being discontinued. WAH!!! Why?! I love that nail polish formula so, so much and especially the erase cuticle cream. The only upside is that I’ve bought a lot of great shades on major sale. Still super sad though.
There is so many great product sets left right now, and if you need a list of my general favorites or all time faves, here are my gift guide suggestions as well as my VIB must have list! One thing I’m still using every single day, even when I barely wear any makeup, is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette. Obsessed. And I just bought FOUR It’s a 10 sprays for my hair on amazon because I”m a psycho.
On to this month!
Anastasia Modern Renaissance Palette. I’ve been waiting to talk about this since the VIB sale, and oh my gosh I LOVE this. I have used it nonstop in December – I don’t even think I’ve used any other eye shadow. The colors are so gorgeous and the formula is so smooth. I don’t love the super warm and orangey shades, but everything else is perfect.
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer. I bit the bullet and bought this at ulta because I’ve heard so many amazing things. This is a REALLY great concealer. The applicator is huge and amazing. It reminds me of the MAC prolongwear concealer that I’ve worn for years, but usually skip in the winter because it’s so dry. This is like that, but not drying. And my undereyes are SOOO dry. Super loving this.
Kat Von D Studded Kiss lipstick in Underage Red. I’ve had this for most of the year, but it’s been my go-to holiday red. It is very matte and it can be sliiiightly drying, but what I adore is the staying power and how it seriously stains your lips. Perfect for long nights and parties.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream. This has been a go-to for years, but guess what I’ve been using it on this month? My hands! I’ve found no better hand cream than this. I actually hate hand cream but my hands are a freaking trainwreck this season. I do prefer the tube for my kitchen, but I have the large jar upstairs because both Eddie and I use this on our face.
Fresh Sugar Advanced Lip Therapy. Another winter must have that I talk about everrrry year. It saves my lips like nothing else.
Charlotte Tilbury Eyeshadow Pencil in Amethyst. I bought this back in the summer and wasn’t impressed, because I didn’t like how it looked on my entire lid. However! This month I’ve been using it as a liner and it’s fantastic. So smooth and creamy, and my purple loving self freaks out over it.
MAC Liptensity Lipstick in Eros. I can’t stop loving these. They are so smooth and creamy! They don’t stain like the lips like the Kat Von D does above, but they have the prettiest shades.
Elizabeth and James Nirvana Bourbon. I KNOW. I’m such a broken record. This is the longest I’ve worn a perfume in ages! I love this scent so much. I’m trying to figure out if I want to carry it regularly into 2017 (like everyday wear) or use something new and keep this scent as 2016’s memory! I’m such a nostalgia scent freak.
I’d love to hear your favorite product of 2016 – as well as what you’re looking forward to in 2017! And what you got for Christmas?! The perfume above is probably my favorite product of 2016… as well as the cover FX highlighting drops!
{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!}
23 Comments on “December Favorites: Beauty.”
Lovely picks, the ABH palette is super beautiful and I love the lipstick, wonderful colours
http://technicolor-heart.blogspot.com/
By far my favorite find of the year are the m-61 Powerglow Peel pads! They exfoliate with BHA and AHA and leave your skin so glowy!! They help to exfoliate all the dead and flaky skin cells in the winter! SO amazing.
https://bluemercury.com/products/m61-powerglow-peel?gdffi=47394fb1eb0c4364988a53996e28c118&gdfms=C86A8282F9A448C2B4743705EF95AADA&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=paid_search_google_pla&scid=scplp1723701160&sc_intid=1723701160&gclid=Cj0KEQiAhZPDBRCz642XqYOCpb8BEiQANUcwTxQKnVtJf4ap0ZRaAcgTqgaZscOeppkBjV6HJhK7vwEaAob38P8HAQ
I second this!!!! I got them for Christmas-asked my mom for them because they’re a bit pricy but truly amazing!!
I just got the Hourglass Ambient Lighting palette based on your recommendation and CANNOT wait to start using it! I also got the Sephora All Stars perfume sampler to find a new scent for 2017- like you, scent is a huge part of nostalgia for me, but I just love the clean smell of Chloe so much!
PS, I’m continually impressed with the content you create and your commitment to forgoing free beauty products. For this reason alone, I recommend your monthly favorites to anyone who will listen!
Id have to say that my favorite find/product this year was The Estee Edit Metalishadow Crème + Powder in Scarlette Eclipse. I want all the colors! Close second would be the original Lorac Pro palette. I got a ton of palettes/singles/duos this year and love them all. I have an eyeshadow obsession. ;)
Can the entire UD Vice Lipstick line be my favourite product…? (If not…UD Gash. Or UD Psycho. THE WHOLE DAMN LINE.)
Also–I liked a lot of ABH liquid lipsticks(Madison, Catnip) and frankly, despite how eye-rollingingly juvenile it made me feel, I DID love every dumb Kylie Lip Kit I bought.
I liked every Too Faced eye palette I bought and MAC RebelEyes and Liptensity in Hellbore and Marsala were cool too.
I just named like 20 items, but je ne regrette rien; I think 2016 showed a lot of us that life can be very short, I enjoyed my time on this earth this year…and my products, too. <3
I hate when companies discontinue our favorite products!! I am still loving the NARSskin line – I ordered the aqua gel moisturizer and the eye cream now too. both are great! What I need is a new makeup brush set – I see Dior has a nice new travel size out!
Loving the Urban Decay smokey palette. Im debating getting the Sunday Riley products you suggest but Im scared! They are so expensive and I have super sensitive skin. I might try tidal cream first to ease into it
My husband gets extra “husband of the year” points because he went into Ulta and unprompted (meaning I sent him zero links or dropped any hints re: any makeup items) bought the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette AND the Urban Decay Blackmail Vice lipstick palette for my stocking. He knew how much I loved my other UD Naked eyeshadow palettes so figured that was a safe bet (he was right) but the lipstick palette he just thought looked like something I would enjoy because I am a lipstick/lipgloss junkie and there was only one left in the store so in his words “figured it must be good.” HA HA. And DO I EVER. Such pretty colors, great applicator brush, feels amazing on and the packaging is lovely. I think I’ve decided that him going to Ulta or Sephora to surprise me with things that I’ll love and use all the time (but may not buy for myself) might mean more to me than if he’d gone to the jewelry store as I can only imagine how overwhelmed and uncomfortable he was, and yet he nailed it! Makeup freaks, relate? :)
this is amazing! i totally understand!
This warmed my heart!
OMG- I bought that Anastasia palette on a total whim when I was in Sephora a couple weeks ago and I am completely OBSESSED. Those burgundy shades are out of this world. I am mostly consumed with skin care right now since I am not getting nay younger! I am revolving around these three products which have been complexion changing:
iS CLINICAL White Lightening Complex, Whipped Oxygen Cream by Knutek MD and Shani Darden Skin CareRetinol Reform- the two serums are pricy but there is a lot and they seriously work!
I have been loving everything from colourpop. Especially the ultra satin lip colors, they feel so comfortable and last all day long. Colourpop is super cheap, so I don’t feel bad about buying fun colors that I may not wear that often. The eyeshadows and highlighters are gorgeous too! The shadows never crease on me (I always use a primer though), and the pigmentation is insane.
I also am loving the UD smokey palette and the vice lipstick line. Their stuff is always incredible! I am currently wearing the bourbon perfume, it has been a favorite for a couple months now. :)
I discovered Perricone No Foundation Foundation Serum. It is weightless and just softening enough with coverage. Really been enjoying it. And oldie but goodie, I discovered Clinique’s chubby balms. My lips are so sensitive and dry/peel like crazy. These actually seem to help a bit. MLBB shades are perfect. Also, I picked out a Jo Malone scent (thank you Mom!), I was drawn to the line based on your love for it. I got Dark Amber and Ginger Lily. Holy cow. I didn’t realize I liked warmer scents thought I liked something cleaner but I feel so powerful with it on. Watch out 2017!
i sooooooo wish i could wear red lipstick. i can’t. i look like an idiot – an old idiot to be exact. but love when i see others. my favs – Trish McVoy eye primer – i die for it. don’t shoot me but i’ve been using my Nars cream blush (G-spot – yup that’s the name) as my lipstick then a little lipgloss. no shows to recommend – i want to start watching Stranger Things but am afraid i will only be able to watch it at 8am in the morning bc i’m afraid.
I’ve had terrible dry skin the last two winters but I just purchased Ultrabland cleanser from Lush and I love it! You don’t actually wash your face with it. You put it on like a lotion and then wipe it away with a wet face cloth. It’s very strange! I use it at night with Lush’s Skin Drink moisturizer and they are working wonders! Big fan!
I tried MAC lipintensity based off your recommendation last month and loved it! Have you tried MACs matte line? I found it super drying and was wondering if you liked Kat Von Ds better?
I’m totally with you on sticking to the same fragrances! I’ve been wearing Givenchy Very Irresistible for like ten years, but I recently got Armani Si and am slowly making the transition!
Katie Actually
I love love love your monthly beauty posts! I’m hooked on the andalou naturals daily sunscreen because of your review. Now I might need to give shape tape a try when my current W3ll People & pixi ones run out. Thanks ❤
i got a too faceed eye palette that i love right now i think its something like boudoir eyes ? i also got a ton of sheet masks from sephora for xmas and cant wait to use them. for some reason i am hoarding them for “special occasions” what does that even mean ? i have like 20 and for some reason i’m waiting ? i also really liked the red lipstick from bite beauty with the gold on the other end. such a pretty holiday red with the gold sparkle. but eventually dried out my lips. i want to try shape tape but need to go in and color match. ulta is not convenient for me so it might be a while but i have heard a ton of things. i gifted several people the ultra repair cream i know they will like it ! i also just got an orange color corrector type product from tarte to put on my dark circles and so far i think i like that as well though nothing will ever cure these dark eyes !
I love these posts. I’m such a makeup addict. My favorite products this year were Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Amethyst, Sephora Collection Colorful Shadow & Liner in taupe, Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Palette (the first one) Marc Jacobs Flesh & Fantasy blush (O M G) Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder in Highlight, Loreal Brow Stylist Plumper, Lauren Mercier loose mineral powder, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer and Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara. I didn’t even realize just how much I loved Laura Mercier this year until just now.
I do love the Ultra Repair Cream because you can use it anywhere! I use it as face and body! Def helps with dry hands, which is an issue for me too. Not just in winter – ugh! I’ve deemed it part of getting old.
I’m going hard with Bourbon too, and I don’t want to stop!
I bought Tarte’s flush blush (new ‘flush’, not old ‘flush’ – though I like that one too), and I think you’d like it. It’s a cool-toned, dusty pink. So pretty.
I don’t really wear make up much but I love to lurk on beauty points. But I wanted to chime in today to say I love the Fresh Sugar Advance Therapy Lip Treatment so so SO MUCH! I recently tried their tinted one in Poppy and it’s great!
I’m continually impressed with the content you create and your commitment to forgoing free beauty products. For this reason alone, I recommend your monthly favorites to anyone who will listen!