December Favorites: Beauty.
End of the year! I can’t believe you’re here.
It’s crazy to me that I first started doing these favorites posts last January because on one hand, it feels like I’ve been doing them forever and on the other, it seems as if I just began. Nuts, I tell you. Just nuts.
I thought about doing a 2013 favorites post, but it didn’t quite feel right to me. Considering I used a lot of the same things month after month, I wanted to keep this narrowed down to my monthly favorites and the things I’ve been using in the last 30 days. Mostly because, hello, it’s December… which means GLITTER.
Lots and lots of glitter. Just you wait.
I don’t have any hair things to share with you today because I’m still hooked on my favorite macadamia hair products. Love ’em. I’m also still using the kenra blow-dry spray. And face masks – using the glam glow and mint julep masks religiously. It’s one of my favorite things to do.
Moving on…
I’ve still been sticking with my darker lip all month, but I added some red for the holidays. I’ve been using the NYX red lipliner (these are my favorite lip liners period), the revlon matte balm in standout (which I’m pretty sure is my new #1 red) and occasionally topping it with MAC lipglass in underdressed. It adds a little golden sparkle on top.
I think the lipglass was limited edition in a summer or fall collection, but it’s nothing that special. I really like it but there are tons of other sparkly glosses out there that will do the same. This is just what’s been in my bag. Plus, it doesn’t come off anywhere near as dark as the tube looks. It’s pretty sheer – just sparkly.
Not only do I love these three together, but I’ve used them all separately too. Huge fan! Cannot say enough good things about these revlon matte balms. I’m also still really loving the hourglass red gloss I mentioned last month. It’s the prettiest shade of red.
Next, I have to give another shoutout to the sugar lip therapy balm. GAH. From last month to this month, I’ve used half the stick. I still wouldn’t go for any of the color balms, but this one is tops.
No surprise here I’m sure… the naked 3 palette. Early on I decided that I wouldn’t be getting it, after all, how many freaking palettes do I need? But when I saw it was pink-toned I nearly lost my mind. The colors… OMG.
I’ve always liked the naked 2 palette over naked 1, but 3 here is taking the lead. I love pink colors on my eyes, but it does take some work to figure out what colors don’t leave me looking dead. Earlier this year I was hooked on the pink maybelline color tattoo and also the MAC stormy pink paint pot. I find these colors below SO versatile. I love every single one, which I can’t say for naked 1 or 2. I will say that I’ve been using burnout, limit, buzz and nooner the most, but my favorite shade here is darkside. That may change as time goes on.
If you’re contemplating it, I think it’s worth it. However, I would go to ulta or sephora first and play with some pinks on your eyes to see if you’re a fan.
Now on to the glitter!
I sort of hate sharing this since it’s no longer available, but it’s been my go-to glitter this month. It’s makeup forever holadium glitter and it’s from last year… and now that I’m in my 30s, I feel like I can only pull glitter off every now and then.
Let’s just say that “every now and then” translates to the entire month of December.
I adore this so much because it truly is holographic. Different shades and so sparkly. I wish I could wear it daily without looking like a freak.
A handful of times this month I have done a glittery but somewhat neutral eye and used this gold tone MAC pigment below. I believe I’ve talked about this shade before but it comes from a holiday set from maybe 2007 or 2008? Just a perfect example of how long these suckers last. FOR.EV.ER. Sandlot style.
I haven’t done tons of black liner this month (I got new contacts that I loathe and am having a black liner crisis) and also ran out of my favorite urban decay mushroom eyeliner. I did have underground left though and it’s pretty similar. I’ve also used stash a bit since I love me some greens.
Like I need to explain my obsession with these anymore…
Even though I go crazy over my tarte blush in exposed (most favorite of ALL time), I feel like I’ve been in a blush rut. That shade has been in, what? Five of my last favorites post? I wanted to change it up and grabbed my YSL cream blush since it’s winter and I’m piling on lots of moisturizer. It’s no where near as bright and blends out to a pretty winter flushed pink. I used this a bunch last winter and think that cream blushes are so simple to use! They blend so well and look super natural.
I KNOW that I keep talking about my tarte tinted moisturizer every month but I just can’t get over it. If you’re a foundation hater like me, you will probably love this. It doesn’t give a ton of coverage but in my opinion, it gives enough. I do not like a lot of coverage. To me, this adds the perfect amount and still looks like skin.
I’ve been on a roll with cream and liquid products this month and have been using my benefit high beam highlighter a ton. This is just a sample size from a gift set I got ages ago, but it’s a great size. I love the little glow it adds. For extra special things where I want to blow my face up with glitter, I’ll use it under the urban decay naked illuminating powder. So pretty!
Ooooooh now I am so excited to tell you about this. A lot of you have asked me if I bought Cara’s new makeup line, and I did get the contouring foundation. I loved the idea but since I don’t love foundation in general, I bought it first to support her since I’m a crazy fan. THEN. I fell in love with it. It doesn’t feel “foundationy” to me – it’s kind of more like a concealer and I like how you can control the amount of product on your face. I really like the darker shade. I got the light palette and while it’s subtle, it’s not too subtle.
Super psyched about this! I already made a pretty good dent in the darker shade (I’ll even just use that color over my tinted moisturizer only if I’m in a rush) and if you’ve tried it too, you gotta let me know. I love the size of it. Can you tell I love it? Somebody please get me a thesaurus.
Since cold weather is in full force, I’ve been blowing through another bottle of MAC fix+. I find this essential to make my skin look… less dry? I don’t know if that makes sense, but it adds a little glow over my skin. Even though I love to wear crazy eye makeup, I prefer my face to be dewy. Probably because my skin is majorly lacking oil.
Let’s see… when does nail polish get more fun than during the holiday season?
Pretty sure it’s never.
Not that I ever discriminate when it comes to glitter nails, but in December they are always appropriate.
I’ve been loving essie on a silver platter. So sparkly and has my color of the season – cobalt blue! Pretty pretty.
I’ve also been using butter london rosie lee. This was the first butter london polish I purchased a few years ago and it’s probably my favorite in their line. I mean, pink glitter?
It’s like a pink glitter bomb. I die.
With it being winter, my skin is in freak out mode. I’m still using my josie maran argan oil whipped body butter (on my third container… eeep), but at night is when I’ll use the body shop body butter because it’s so insanely thick. Like I can still feel it the next morning. I’ll put it on at night and cover up in sweats and let it sink in. Moisture central.
I’ve talked about lots of these this year, but I’m currently loving the cocoa butter scent. Like a faint chocolate scent! I got this with my ulta rewards a few months ago and just broke it out since my skin is itching like crazy. Works like a charm.
I’m becoming the perfume rollerball queen lately. After discovering my favorite perfume and declaring that I’d “never wear anything else again!” I sure have bought a bunch of rollerballs the last few months.
This one was a semi-necessary (?) slash impulse purchase. When I was in NYC earlier this month, I forgot my perfume and then happened to be across the street from a Sephora before a meeting. I walked in to kill some time, finding myself in rollerball central. I really loved the nest midnight fleur below and grabbed it. Then also felt sick and had a horrific headache from smelling thirty different scents.
But anyway. I wore this while I was there… and flipped. It smells SO good. My husband loves it. It’s a little vanilla-y and sweet but not overkill. It just smells… delicious?
I’m also excited because I finished up my west side perfume (almost made it last one year – huge accomplishment) and didn’t think I’d get any for awhile since it’s so pricey. My parents ended up getting me a bottle for Christmas and I was shocked, so I’m pumped to have it back on my dresser. I’m also REALLY excited for the Elizabeth and James perfume to come out in January. I smelled it at Sephora last week and while I love the black (not surprising), I liked the white too. I see more rollerballs in my future.
So that’s it! The next few months I will probably lay off purchasing any makeup since I got quite a few new things the last two months with the Sephora sale. I have a couple of gift cards so I may pick up the new glam glow mask (since it’s hydrating!) and the aforementioned perfume. Gosh, I am excited for that. Other than that, I’m gonna go crazy with some of my old favorites that are lurking in my makeup drawer.
Tell me what you’re loving this month… or year… or what you got for Christmas! You know the drill.
[as usual, none of this is sponsored and i am not affiliated with any of the companies above. am just a huge makeup junkie. there are a few amazon affiliate links above. heart you.]
44 Comments on “December Favorites: Beauty.”
I love that you do this. So fun to see new products! I’m loving the Dr Jart mattifying BB cream. Keeps my oily skin under control but isn’t heavy at all. Plus for lips I just started using the maybelline whisper lipsticks. Have you ever tried? Easy to control the amount of color you get but come in great shades. Plus, bargain!
Love the December picks! I have a few Sephora gift cards that I just received and they are already burning a hole in my pocket. I am trying to save them for a rainy day because nail polish always makes a bad day better! I am also looking forward to the Elizabeth and James Nirvana perfume, I read an article about Mary Kate and Ashley creating it in a recent issue of Allure magazine and have been waiting to smell it ever since. Just wondering what shade is the YSL blush?-Thanks.
I got the Naked 3 palette for Christmas and can’t wait to play with it! I also got some Real Technique brushes and they are my new favorites. They are so soft! I want to try this Revlon matte balms. I love the original balms.
I’ve been loving the same Essie polish, Korres lip butter in guava, and Burt’s Bees lemon cuticle cream.
I think I need to just cave already and get the Naked 3 palette!
That Butter London polish is the PURR-FECT shade of rose gold! I am now on the hunt for it! The revlon matte balms have also been a favourite of mine but I only have the red shade because every store I go to (There’s only to makeup store’s in my town) has the majority of the shades already opened and used as crayons to draw all over the display board! GAH. On a more positive note the Benefit CHA CHA tint has been a favourite of mine for a long time and I am really interested in trying High Beam! I’m even more excited for the real ease of Loli Tint!
Thank you for doing these! I love reviews on beauty products, especially one’s i may be thinking of trying out!
Do you actually wear and use all this stuff?
That’s incredible. You use up so much during one month and seem to buy different makes each month as well.
I hope you’re not harming your skin.
The things you mention that I can get here are massively marked up and over priced.
Happy New Year.
Lol, since she only posts about her beauty favourites once a month, I am pretty sure she uses them here and there…over the course of a month, not all at once.
What one woman sees as over-priced, another might get a lot of use per wear from buying. Everyone has a different budget, no?
Happy New Year.
I adore the SuperGoop! Cc cream. It’s amazing.
And tarte lip chubbies. Super fun
I love your monthly beauty reviews- I hope they continue in 2014!
Oh my gosh I just love Sugar lip therapy – my all time favorite chap stick!
I am totally loving the sparkly Essies right now – I have the gold one called As Gold As It Gets…I just bought a new Tarte blush but I think I should try the tinted moisturizer. I love their products because they don’t contain parabens…I use Cliinique tinted and actually love it but also love buying new ones to test out!
I got this huge Tarte gift set for Christmas….it’s amazing! It included the maracuja oil and it is completely changing my life. Not kidding,,,4 days of use and my skin is already vastly improved. I’ll definitely fork over the $46 when this bottle runs out.
are you using the maracuja oil as your moisturizer? i have a sample bottle and love it too!
Yes! Just at night…I can’t believe how incredible it is!
I love reading your beauty posts every month! I’ve really enjoyed my Julep Neutrals eyeshadow palette in this months box…I also received the Benefit High Flyin glosses set for Christmas-excited to try the different colors-will help me narrow down which to buy in a full size. I still really want to try the macadamia hair products, and my sister keeps talking about the elf lip exfoliator-$3 at Target, totally worth trying!
I love these posts. I ALSO love the Naked 3 palette – I have the first two, and this one is a nice change. Naked 2 still might be my fav, but I love the pinks of 3! Also been wearing a lot of red lips lately (tis the season!). My current fav is MAC matte lipstick in All Fired Up. It’s like a mix of really deep hot pink and pure red, but it looks more red on. Also love that it is completely matte…I’m usually a gloss girl, so this is a nice change for me. I love it and receive compliments almost every time I wear it. I am dying to try out the macadamia hair product line; I just haven’t gotten around to it yet! Hopefully soon.
Do you still use Josie Maran SPF moisturizer? I love that one until I discovered L’Oreal Sublime Sun Advanced SPF 50+. I find it has less peeling when applying, and if I’m working out and it gets in my eyes, it doesn’t sting. Bonus…it’s about $10. Always look forward to your monthly beauty reviews.
i do! i am almost out and now i can’t find it anywhere. i heard it is being repackaged – i hope so and not discontinued entirely. i will check out the loreal one though – thanks!
I have Rosie Lee, too. Are you using it as a top coat or as is? And I also have the MaskCara HAC in light but I am not on board yet. I love the concept but I just can’t get it right.
i always used it as a full nail color – with 2 coats it completely covers for me!
I love your beauty posts! This month we had so much in common! Might we sneak a peek at your organization of all of this lovliness? Looking forward to next month!
ha! i wish i had it organized… but i don’t. i have a good amount of it in a large train case from ulta, then some stashed in 2 bathroom drawers and one makeup bag of my regulars. definitely don’t have anything big or pretty! someday hopefully. :)
Woah! Might have to get me a Naked 3 Palette and that Essie polish. Always love your reviews! xo
I’ve been lusting after the Naked 3 palette, but my makeup budget is really low right now until I get a new job. Hopefully that will change next week and then I can treat myself to a “purchase for work.” The Essie nail polish is so pretty and would be perfect for New Year’s Eve! Maybe I’ll get that one since it won’t break the bank.
My one beauty buy this month was the Maskcara HAC pack in medium and I have been playing with it all month. If I don’t super exfoliate/super moisturize it can look weird up close, but otherwise makes me look like I have naturally very bright, beautiful skin (which I don’t). I actually found out about her blog a few months from one of your posts (probably a Tuesday Things) and now I’m a bit addicted. I also got her bright pink blush and illuminator and I love them. Pretty similar to what you have here with the cream blush and High Beam.
I love following your monthly beauty favs, so I hope you keep it up in 2014. And I love seeing the occasional glimpse of you on Instagram. I’m sure I’m not the only follower who likes to see your pretty selfies!
I think you just talked me into buying the Naked 3 Palette. It looks so pretty! Glad to see your review of Cara’s new HAC pack, I really want to pick it up and give it a try.
These reviews are great and I so hope you continue them! Lots of great suggestions and I do need to find a good lip color. Haven’t tried the ones you mentioned but I will.
Happy New Year!
Pat
Always love your beauty faves.y Decembers picks are: the Ambient Lighting palette, Mac’s Margin blush over Tarte’s Exposed, and Lancome Gloss in Love!
I really like Maskcara’s HAC set. I bought it in medium. I might buy it in light the next time I need to order it. Cara’s strawberry shortcake blush is also pretty.
I just bought Cover Girl’s Bomb Shell Mascara. I love how long it makes your lashes!
Being a huge Urban Decay fan, I’ve gotta try those eyeliners now. Their eyeshadow primer and their eyeshadows are my favorite. Have you tried the primer? It really does make your shadow more vibrant, and keep it in place longer. I highly recommend it.
But my absolute BEST find this year is Armani’s Luminous Silk foundation. I will never use another foundation again. It’s kind of pricey, but if you want the best liquid foundation ever, give it a try. Seriously. It’s amaze. A few people recommended it to me before I went out and bought it, and I haven’t looked back since.
I go through fazes where I buy lots of makeup, but I’ve kinda taken it easy lately.. I’ve been using and LOVE the macadamia oil for my hair. I need to try that Amazonian Clay foundation…I was going to buy it at Ulta a couple months ago but somehow let an employee talk me into another foundation that I really don’t like…and have been lazy enough to keep using lol!
I think my very favorite recent beauty product is my new Babybliss hair dryer…I have no idea why I’ve been using drugstore ones all my life because this thing is AWESOME!
I got the Naked3 palette for Christmas and I LOVE it! I’m all about the pinks and golds. I have been using buzz a lot, it’s just perfect! My bff also got me the Lorac Solid Gold Quad and I am liking it quite a bit too, since I love their shadows already.
Also, Stash is one of my favorite liners these days, loves it.
I’m on the hunt for a new fragrance since I’ve been wearing L’eau D’Issey for years and I’ve been eyeing rollerballs for their small size and portability.
I also got the Naked3 palette for Christmas and am so excited to start using it. I know you love the UD liners- I bought this a couple weeks ago: http://www.sephora.com/24-7-glide-on-double-ended-eye-pencil-P384101?skuId=1577253
The downside is that it’s smaller because it’s double ended, but I love that there are 2 options in one pencil. There are a few options, but I bought the Naked3 one which comes in Darkside/Blackheart. I LOVE Blackheart.
I also bought the UD Anarchy Face Case because it was on $23 (Sephora’s sale) and has 3 seriously sparkly eyeshadows that I can’t wait to use….along with everything else in the case!
Thank you so much for your reviews- I look forward to them every month!
I have heard so much about the naked3 palette and would consider getting it if I knew how to do my makeup at all. Good suggestion though – i’m going to try ulta and play around with it. Last night, I tried some eye make up though and it was horrendous. Haha.
I told you on instagram but I’m just so excited I’ll tell you again, I bought the Naked 3 pallet with a Christmas gift card. I may or may not be obsessed… aka I am obsessed.
I have bought urban decay eyelinter (delinquent, for my green eyes) but I have the hardest time sharpening them. I feel half the pencil gets ruined trying to sharpen…what do you use?
I have been lusting over the UD Naked 3…I think it will be my next purchase. I, along with a lot of others it seems, can’t quite get into my Maskcara HAC pack. I look super flaky and streaky up close. My favorite buy of December was my Balm Nude Tude palette. May even like it as much as my Naked 1 !! Love these beauty faves!
I totally raided Lush for their after Christmas sale and am in New Skin Products heaven. Love the Celebrate moisturizer, which is this sort of citrusy smell; the Let The Good Times Roll exfoliant cleanser, that smells like caramel and popcorn and like i should be eating it; the Mint Julep lip scrub, which I use before I apply red lipstick and I swear it helps keep the lip stick in place longer; and the Buffy bar that is an exfoliant you use in the shower. It makes me legs so smooth. Some of that is seasonal but there may still be left overs kicking around.
I should also mention that I just got the Trader Joes Pumpkin body butter for christmas based off your recommendation. Sort of our of season but I love the smell! I definitely have to thank you for that.
Just wanted to drop by – for those who love Macadamia products, certain products are on sale on HauteLook right now! :)
You MUST get the glam glow – it’s AMAZEBALLS (ps-just found out today that is a word NO one should say anymore but oh well – lol). Makes your skin feel like BUTTAH.
I just discovered Creme de Pistache by Laura Mercier – totally gourmand fragrance, and so sweet and yummy…
Love you stuff Jess!! How are you so up-to-date with your make-up/brands/releases!!!
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I love you blog…especially your beauty favs. I have found some amazing products that I now have in my arsenal of beauty courtesy of your recommendations.
I love Essie polishes….my winter go to is Devil’s Advocate. So dark and rich people think it is black.
Another polish line I have fell in love with is Mint. The colors are so pretty and formaldehyde free.
Here is the link.
http://www.mintpolish.com/
Thanks again, love the blog!
I love your beauty product reviews, you have talked me into a few products that I had been on the fence about buying. :) What I am really curious about though is how do you organize all your products? As I gain more and more my case is getting cluttered. I wouldn’t mind seeing how you store yours on your next favs.
I have a sample of high beam too, but it don’t know where to put it. Where do you like to apply it?
Love these posts! Keep them up.