January Favorites: Beauty.
Hi! New year, new favorites!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!}
65 Comments on “January Favorites: Beauty.”
Did you try the new Tarte lip paints? I’m in love with them! The literally do not come off. I’m heading to check out the Gwen lipsticks this weekend. I want the eye pallete but I just don’t “need” another one!
You mentioned Temptalia….any other favorite sources for beauty reviews? If you don’t already you might want to check out The Small Things Blog. She does a lot of hair and makeup tutorials and reviews and pretty much has my dream hair.
tarte lip paints, YES. i’m obsessed, but i got FOMO (actually hoping it would be like that pastille color, then found pastille) and it’s just too dark for me. i need to get another shade!
and i love the small things. temptalia i find is the most reliable for me in terms of swatches and showing colors and being honest about quality. for reviews on other products, i always look at the makeupalley reviews!
You should try the new Bare Minerals cleansing oil! It’s my absolute favorite one I’ve ever tried. It takes all my makeup off super easily and rinses clean really well. Doesn’t irritate my skin or eyes and a little goes a long way! :)
I love it, too! I couldn’t believe how well it took off my makeup!
i practically had it in my cart in ulta but am going to wait until i finish up my MAC. i didn’t even know this existed! thanks for the heads up.
I basically stuck to my basics all of 2015 but now I am hitting the beauty products hard! I’m slightly out of control. I am totally going to try that Andalou Naturals cleanser because I do love a rose scent…I’m an old woman. I’ve been trying out a bunch of Paula’s Choice products and found an AHA weekly treatment that I LOVE and have been buying sample sizes of because I might try for number 2 this year and you can’t use exfoliators while preg. I bought my first Bite lipstick ever and I LOVE it. I have Pastille on my list. I heard good things about the Armani foundation (I want to say Estee Lalonde used it in her recent video) and I am super curious about it, too. I’m on the hunt for a new highlighter and have yet to commit. I have also been going light on the eyes and LOVE the shade Funny Girl from the Tartlette in Bloom palette. I do think it’s a fresher, younger look to go light on the eye make-up but that could be my aging face talking.
i have a love/hate relationship with paula’s choice… mainly because she gives low ratings to everything i love! HA. i thought the same about the sunday riley luna oil too. can’t use while pregnant, and i’m so all or nothing that i’m like well… should i just wait until i’m done having kids?! but i really love it.
Ok, I need that blush palette in my life. I was 90% sure before, but this just convinced me! I love Gwen and I love the look of the packaging and the colors of her collection, but as a mom, I just don’t wear eye shadow that much anymore so I couldn’t justify the eye palette. (My little guy was actually born the same day as Max so I’ve loved following along with all your baby posts btw!) The blush palette is much more my speed because I do typically wear at least a little blush on a daily basis…I need something to perk up my tired face, ha!
ahhhh love that so much jane!! i agree, i don’t wear as much eyeshadow anymore either – it’s so much quicker to do makeup without it!
Sunset sneaks is such a gorgeous coral shade, and it’ll definitely help remind you of summer in this dull winter. I’m recently having a bit of an Essie obsession and my collection is really expanding. I’ll be picking up that shade for sure! x
Jodie // Jodie Loue
I need those make up brushes!!! Righ now I am obsessed with dior’s new 2 in 1 prime and conceal stick. It’s awesome you need to try it!
haven’t even heard about this! i need to try.
For foundation, I recommend Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-place makeup, feels good, great coverage and lasts. I agree with you on the First Aid moisturizer …if I could only get my husband to use it!!
i’ve tried double wear, it’s just so full coverage and kind of drying on my already dry skin! i think they have a lighter BB-ish cream i might try though??
I’m totally guilty of just using a lip color and mascara on days when I don’t have the time (aka today and basically everyday). Also, I have the DRIEST face skin right now. literally its killing me. I bought a whole bunch of expensive Josie maran products to try and give my skin life again… and when that didn’t work I broke down and remembered someone telling me they used coconut oil as a moisturizer/makeup remover. it’s changed my world! I put a little lemon (a riff of the coconut lemon hand sanitizer i love because of you) extract in with some of the coconut oil straight from the kitchen and it’s perfect! P.S. I still love the Josie maran stuff (argan oil, argan milk, moisture spritz thing I cant remember) I just use it on spa nights now or before I go to bed if I’m feeling particularly dry!
i also love coconut oil when my skin is super dry! i just have such a hard balance of using too much and being an oil slick!
I have been going a little make up crazy this month! I love, love, love Tarte’S lip paint. I have bae . I thought it was going to be too bright, but I’m loving a brighter lip in the winter, too. I’m also mildly obsessed with Tarte’S contour palette. I had never tried contouring and the instructions made it so easy. Every time I contour, people ask if I have lost weight. For nails I have been loving hard candy that Walmart is carrying. They have these adorable shades that look like confetti. I have to do a million layers, but so fun!
oh my gosh i used to LOVE hard candy!! i need to check out their colors.
Whyyyy did you have to recommend Gwen’s blush palette to me? You’re my blush guru so of course I have to listen to you! You’re the whole reason my life resolves around Tarte Exposed.
If you’re loving coral nails, try the Sally Hansen gel(ish) polish in redgy. It might just be like sunset sneaks, but I can never quite tell if it’s bright red, orange or pink and that’s just a thrilling experience for me.
Alyssa | Glitter and Grey
ugh, the gwen blush is seriously better than i could imagine!
and i will check that out, thanks!
I am obsessed with Shocking Coral. I too love how it brightens my complexion. I really dig the light eye and bright lip. it’s my go to look.
Try the Lumi cushion. I have oily skin and I really like it. I don’t use the sponge it comes with, I use a flat top foundation brush. it’s super pretty. I set with powder and get pretty good lasting time. Love your monthly favorites. I might have to get that blush palate.
angela! i bought the lumi cushion this past weekend and have tried it. i am really loving it! only thing i didn’t love was that it was $20 and i couldn’t test out my shade. i can’t believe drugstore foundations are getting so pricey.
I have to try that coral crush lippie! I love a bright lip and my makeup bag is usually red and coral heavy! I guess when something works… Stick with it?! I COMPLETELY agree with your sentiments in eye makeup and aging. I feel the same way, and I’ve always been a shadow gal. I guess those babies have a way of stealing our youthful looks along with our sleep and time! ;) great post.
yes! so depressing, whomp whomp.
I keep forgetting to grab that lotion at Trader Joe’s. I must! Next Sephora trip I’m checking out Tom Ford Noir. Ugh, I’m trying to hard to resist the Gwen blush palette, but you have convinced me that it is a must have. Plus, Gwen! Oh Phone Call, why can’t it be at a retail store?!?! I love Sunset Sneaks! It is such a beautifully bright coral-red!
you NEEEEED phone call.
I’ve been loving the Too Faced Born this Way foundation. It has great coverage, lasts all day, and just looks so nice on the skin. I really really wanted to try that Gwen Stefani blush palette but since I already bought a couple new blushes after Christmas figured I should hold off. I’m really loving the color of that bite beauty lip pencil too. I typically wear the nars velvet matte lip pencils during the colder months but those look super pretty!
i want to try born this way – they were out of my shade at ulta. need to find it!
I completely recommend the Georgio Armani luminous silk, I’ve been wearing it for a couple years now. I wear 5.5 during the summer and 4.5 during the winter and mix them in the between months. I’ve tried to switch foundation several times but I always come back to this after a couple weeks. I have very dry skin and this is just so perfect on my face, I always have that dewy glow but no oiliness. highly recommended!
definitely going to try this! i’ve been hoping it would work with dry skin!
Jessica, do you have a Birch Box subscription? I feel like you would love it. My mother-in-law got me a year long subscription, and it’s pretty awesome…I’m not even a product junkie!
Also, does the Trader Joe’s lotion have a strong scent?
The Trader Joe’s lotion has pretty much no scent. It’s one of the truest fragrance-free products I’ve ever used! I have SUPER dry and very sensitive skin and winters just destroy me. I keep a bottle of this by my kitchen sink, and it’s my go-to after dishes or before heading out the door. I’d also recommend the Say Yes products (from Target!) which is my post-shower whole body lotion, but those are slightly scented.
rebecca is right – no scent! it’s wonderful. it’s what i’ve used pretty much since max was born. it’s wonderful.
and gina, i used to have a birchbox subscription. i think i had it for the first year or two when i did my beauty favorites, about 2-3 years in total. my boxes just kind of seemed to get increasingly… junky? i also don’t think i’m a sample person – i love them for travel but otherwise i find that i just end up with a ton of sample clutter. i have debated signing up for it again though!
That polish color is so fun!!
Those Gwen blushes look amazing! I actually recently bought some Urban Decay Afterglow blush and I love it! It’s is pretty pigmented, but I’ve learned to not go so heavy handed with it and now I find it really easy to build color. I actually like it better than the Tarte Amazonian Clay. The Urban Decay stuff just feels softer on my skin. I’m also a total convert to Urban Decay’s Brow Beater. I personally like it better than the Anastasia Beverly Hills, but it has to do more with the colors available than anything else. The lightest shade of Anastasia’s is a bit too dark for my preference!
I have such dry skin too! I’ll have to try that trader joes and first aid beauty cream. Thanks for sharing!
Have you tried Body Shop’s body butters? They are incredibly moisturizing. I get them when they have ridiculous sales like buy 3 get 3 free.
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I just discovered urban decay and it’s changed my life!!! I’ve been searching for a great face wash forEVER. I have crazy dry skin too! I will definitely be trying the butts bees!
Girl, check out the tartelette in bloom palette. I haven’t loved an eyeshadow palette this much since Stila’s “in the light” palette a few years back (Naked palettes aside because those are a given!) :’)
i saw this over the weekend at ulta and thought it was GORGEOUS. ugh, so don’t need it though!
I would love to try the Lumi Cushion, but I thought Loreal kind of forgot about us pale folks for this one. I bought the lightest shade and it looked straight up orange on me. For the record, I’m about a NC15. Such a bummer because it looks amazing!
yes! i am also NC15. i bought lumi over the weekend and i think the shade kind of works on me, but a few times i thought it has oxidized. i really haven’t left the house with it on yet so i will have to test it out! this is why i have a terrible time with drugstore foundation though. i’m so pale and pink toned that the shade range never works.
Are you sure you’re NC15 not NW15? I used to work at MAC and NC is always a more yellow tone!
amanda you’re totally right, i am NW15 in foundation/powder, i just always have NC15 on the brain because i use prolongwear concealer everyday!
I agree that as I get older heavy eye makeup ages me even more. I’ve noticed it with friends too. It’s a thing.
right? so sad!
Love how that brush has a glitter handle!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Great products)))
You should totally check out Forever Vanity’s Vanilla Brown Sugar scrub. It smells EXACTLY like that stage in the cookie-baking process when you just have a bunch of butter and brown sugar in a bowl, but in a way that just smells really heavenly once you wash it off. And it’s SO good for dry skin! Love it.
um, i need this.
I was using the Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Foundation and loved it. I ran out while I was out of town and the Sephora I went to didn’t have it, so I was steered towards the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation. It is AMAZING. The reviews online are mixed, but I think it’s all about application. A beauty blender is a must and you have to let the foundation warm up a bit. I have never been complimented on a foundation before, but the second day I wore the NARS foundation, I received two. So there’s that. It blends so beautifully and is very buildable. I love it and highly recommend it.
i love my beauty blender so much, i might try this out!
Ok I have to ask, because I am so torn: how do you keep lip color on?! I have always been obsessed with a bright lip and I bought some vampy lipsticks I swore I’d wear all winter…then I had a baby and I haven’t worn ANY lip color because I look at them and I just know I’ll end up kissing them all over my kid in like .5 seconds. I know it sounds like a silly problem, but what do you do?
Try a liquid lipstick like Kat Von D, Anastasia or ColorPop ultra matte (most budget friendly). It will dry, last for HOURS and not transfer on your babies or coffee. ;)
haha trust me, this IS an issue, especially because i feel like i kiss max 10 million times a day! and the longer lasting lip paints don’t really work because it’s never just a tiny kiss, i like kiss his cheeks constantly. but i just end up wiping off and reapplying! crazy i know.
I have been actively avoiding the Gwen blush palette, but my heart tells me I need it. I mean, LOOK at it. You’re not helping my resistance, here. I love eyeshadow, but I have also been loving minimal shadow on my lids, glowy skin and a brightening lip color. I’m love how fresh, easy and confident it looks. But, I made a resolution to not buy lipstick this year…HARDEST self control thing that have ever done. I am trying to use what I have and remind myself that I do not NEED more than what I already own. Beauty favorites posts always make me want to run to Sephora or Mac and let the lipstick section have it’s way with me.
oh my gosh!! i know i wouldn’t be able to stick to it. good for you!!
YSL Glossy Stains are my absolute favorite!!! I love the Giorgio Armani foundation and the YSL Touché Eclat foundation – my two favorites. One is dewy and the other has an amazing silky finish! And the YSL one smells so amazing!
i also love that YSL touche eclat foundation! i used it a few years ago and am going back and forth between repurchasing that or getting armani!
I’m 18 and I still don’t apply any makeup on my face but I really take quite a care for my skin. I currently use Burt’s Bees Moisturiser and it works great. Just a little pump would cover up my whole face. Nice favourites by the way and maybe I’ll try Burt’s Bees cleanser too if I had a chance! xo
http://www.kinikunormal.blogspot.com/
Have you ever used CeraVe face cleanser? It’s my life.
Totally on the look out now for the TJ”s lotion.
YSL Stain is my happy. I love how it looks and how it stays on.
SO. Those UD X Gwen Stefani lippies…I said I was “only getting Firebird.” (Which is fuchsia and shimmery and you’d, pardon my French, go apeshit over it.) Then I needed Rock Steady because it was a nice blood-red. Then I needed Ex-GF and Spiderweb because I liked the songs. Then I got Wonderland because it looked DOPE. I DROPPED 100$ ON THIS STUFF. I dont even regret it, That revolution formula is God’s work.
(also…I liked a Roses de Chloe by Chloe rollerball and NYX Intense Butter Gloss in Funnel Cake this month.)
Ugh, I know… I had to get all the UD Gwen stuff too. I couldn’t help myself. The lipsticks are stunning and the blush palette knocked my socks off. Your faves are my faves too. I love Easy. So hooked on it. Also, barely put my brush in it and was clown face!
Firebird lipstick… I nearly died over how pretty.