December Favorites: Beauty.
Here we are! The end of 2017. Craaaazzzzy.
I have lots of likes (and dislikes?!) to tell you about this month. I’m still riding some of the new makeup high from the VIB sale!
SO. I also tried a few Glossier products this month after getting them on Black Friday sale and honestly? Was TOTALLY underwhelmed. Like so underwhelmed. I absolutely hated the boy brow. Everyone has told me to try it since it’s similar to Benefit’s Gimme Brow (which is currently recalled? And I’m freaking out about it!) and to me, it’s no where near as good! The brush is bigger (so I have less control), the brown shade isn’t dark enough (but the black was too dark) and the formula didn’t cover my brows evenly or anything like Gimme Brown does. Really bummed.
I also bought the haloscope? And hated it. First, there is like no highlight at all, no sheen. Not even a super natural sheen. The formula also never dried down so it was sticky on my face the entire time and would rub off. Horrible!
A product I do like but don’t think is groundbreaking or anything is the Balm dot com in birthday cake. I’m just keeping it in my kitchen for constant use!
There’s only one product I really LOVED and it’s listed below.
So let’s do it!
RMS Magic Luminizer. Holy freaking heck. This might be my favorite highlighter or 2017 and um, HOW many did I talk about? Tons. I bought the 3-pack of this at Nordstrom and this shade is by far my favorite. It’s so natural and gorgeous and goes on smoothly. It’s cream-based which I love. Absolutely my favorite product in this whole bunch! This is exactly what I was hoping the Glossier haloscope would be.
Herbivore Coconut Milk Bath Soak. Words can’t even express how much I missed baths when pregnant in 2017. And it’s funny, because I actually have hated baths my entire adult life until about a year after I had Max. I know that I could technically take a lukewarm bath while pregnant (even though my doctor still said, eh, I’d just avoid it), but I do exactly what you’re not supposed to do and basically burn my skin off in a bath. (I know, you really don’t want to hear me complain about dry skin now…). So getting a lukewarm bath while pregnant doesn’t even sound appealing. Anyway! I’ve made it back to bathland and am obsessed with the coconut milk bath soak. It’s just so, so comforting an relaxing. And doesn’t require cleaning the entire tub like it does when you use a neon bath bomb. Also, can someone tell me the appeal of bath bombs? I really don’t get it.
Natasha Denona Lila Palette. A VIB sale purchase, I started using this full force at the end of November and allll the way through December. It is STUNNING. Again, these shadows are just so buttery and smooth! I can even make some of these colors work for everyday life. But I do love doing a bolder eye with this. Eeeep!
Origins Ginger Souffle Cream. I bought this as a nostalgic pre-birth treat. I had this cream when Max was born and wanted it to use again after Emilia was born. The scent is wonderful but it’s also so creamy and soft and thick. I’ve almost used the entire thing as it’s mainly the only body cream I’ve been using since she was born.
Glossier Cloud Paint. Now this!! This I am in love with. I’ve talked about my love for cream or gel blush for years. I’m obsessed with the shade Puff. It’s super natural and I think it’s the perfect pink for winter. I love the tube and delivery system and it blends great. And a little goes a long way, however it seems I’m already halfway through the tube!
OUAI Hair Oil. Apparently I’m refusing to admit that my hair has just… CHANGED since having kids. Ugh. It’s becoming thicker (which is good I guess? but it was thick already!) but also drier and frizzy. Really frizzy. I can’t believe how much I have to maintain and control the frizz, especially at the ends of my hair. Still absolutely loving this oil (I’m on my second bottle) and I’ll use it on wet and dry hair. It also smells incredible.
Jo Malone Ginger Biscuit. OMG!! All the exclamation points. This has been a favorite for YEARS (you’ve probably seen me mention it) but was limited edition. Imagine my utter shock when I randomly came across it shopping online at Nordstrom (it was like in the sidebar recommendations or something?) – I immediately bought it and had Eddie give it to me for Christmas. I’m so glad I did because the next morning when I looked to tell you guys about it on insta stories, it was sold out. I know it’s annoying to include here since it’s sold out there (it is here though!), but if you can ever find it or if it comes back, it’s to die for!
And that’s that! Would love to hear what you’ve been loving this month, what you got for Christmas and what you’re looking forward to in Spring makeup!
26 Comments on “December Favorites: Beauty.”
I Aldi lile BMS magic luminizer so much! Totally understand what you mean it is amazing !
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I love your blog! Your recipes are the best and I look forward to your Beauty round-up’s each month.
I am not into bath bombs either. But my daughter (age 9) LOVES them!! It is super fun to buy them for her because she adores a good soak in a tub and the bath bombs make it much more interesting. She and I talk about bath bombs, have DIY’d bath bombs, we shop for new kinds, rate them, etc. It is a very fun Mom-daughter thing to talk about and whatnot. Maybe bath bombs will find their way into your house and your heart when your little girl is a little older! :) LUSH bath bombs are the best!
Glossier makes such cheap products. I ordered their limited edition black tie box last Christmas and literally threw all of it away – the highlighter, the eyeliner, lipgloss, nail polish. I was deeply disappointed at how poorly made these products were. I have heard from multiple people that their cloud paint is awesome, so glad to hear you like it as well. Miranda Kerr’s Kora Organics cream highlighter in Rose Quartz is a must! It’s so beautiful and creamy, and their is crushed rose quartz crystals in it – to die for.
I LOVE your beauty reviews! Thank you so much for the effort you put into them monthly. Please try NYX eyebrow pencil in Ash Blonde – I saw this on another blog and it’s been a game changer. It’s inexpensive, there’s a brush on one end, and the pencil is easy to control. I think you may like it – it’s perfect for filling in sparse areas and extending your brow. Happy New Year to you and your lovely family!
I got a K beauty box during the VIB sale to try things…. And I have been loving the Laneige Moisture Cream. I have had oily skin my whole life, but turning 30, and new medications, and the winter has DRIED out my skin, but this cream is thick, and nourishing and delightful! I use it every night mixed with the drunk elephant oil or Kiehl’s midnight recovery oil and wake up with hydrated supple skin! Also finally tried the SKII essence- we are in trouble! I am forever glowy and I never want to give it up, they can take all my arms and legs to pay for it and I will be the glowiest stump ever! You were right about the Laneige lip mask too, it’s so good! Speaking of lips… Too Faced liquid lip in Lady Balls has been my go to red for the holidays (although I am seriously coveting Fenty Stunna), and Fenty Gloss Bomb is still a fave neutralish pink that looks good on legit everyone! And for eyes the Natasha Denona Holiday 5 palette in Joya, I am a warm shadow girl and this has been so pretty- I’ve been smoking out the crease with my favorite basic browns and putting the bronze shimmer in the middle of the lid for a pop of fun, a black wing, lots of lashes, and TF lady balls on the lips for holiday parties and I love the look! I have been ready to try Jo Malone for years but have never bit the bullet! I’m not sure why, but I think it is because I can’t decide on a scent (there are so many that i want), and I’m worried I will make the wrong decision, or get addicted and end up with them all!
I used to use gimme brow but I feel like the formula changed and I had issues with it clumping. Switched to Bobbi Brown’s Natural brow shaper–similar concept (fill in my sparse brows) and application. Better formula and I like the Bobbi Brown brush applicator better than benefit, too. Sephora only carries 3 colors but Nordstrom has the full range (5 colors).
I found a brow mascara at Ulta for $2.99 from Essence. Never paying more than that again! Works just as well as Gimme Brow and Bow Brow.
So glad I’m not the only one who thinks bath bombs are overrated. I prefer bubbles any day!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who buys things for her husband to give her for Christmas ;). Senegence makes an amazing cream blush that is super pigmented and lasts forever. I’m also loving their white concealer lately.
Glossier is for sure overrated—but I agree that that birthday cake balm dot com is DELICIOUS. If you like a gentle facewash, I do use their milky jelly cleanser to take makeup off at night. It smells great and doesn’t dry me out, either.
Bath bombs with GLITTER are the worst! Such a bad idea. Glitter on you, your towel, the tub forever. Ugh.
I have to admit I’m still using the gimme brow. I’m happy that I had bought an extra one because it is by far the best brow product for me. It says it has a risk of giving you an eye infection if it gets in your eye and I probably shouldn’t mess with that but honestly… it’s not mascara. What are the chances of it getting in my eye? I’m a real risk taker, living on the edge over here. Lol!
If you go to the Jo Malone site, they have Ginger Biscuit. I am loving the Orange Bitters and Green Almond and Redcurrant I bought at Thanksgiving. Awesome!
I love your site and like to see what makeup products you pick every month. I found a fragrance company called Zodica Perfumery which makes perfumes in small batches (they call it artisanal) and they make 12 fragrances based on your zodiac sign and they are eau de parfums made from essential oils. I gave these out as presents this year for Christmas and everyone liked it so much. I ended up getting more for presents later.
QVC has them now and you can get refills on the actual website and larger sizes. Hope you like and if you try it let us know what you think!
I’m loving Laneige water drop tinted lip balm. It’s super moisturizing with just a hint of color. I love laneige’s lip sleep mask, so I gave this a try and haven’t stopped wearing it. I’m pretty much all over the Korean beauty routine right now in general!
This post is GOLD! Thank you. I love One Love Organics Vitamin B Enzyme Cleansing Oil. My skin has never looked better – my esthetician says I look glowy. AND, it smells so good.
I’m suffering while Gimme Brow is recalled, too! I have been using YSL’s coture brow and it is a little thicker, but I like it.
Right there with you on gimme brow, we need it back!! Good to know about boy brow, as I’ve been thisclose to ordering it, but I also use the dark brown shade in gimme brow so it may not work for me either :(
If you like Gimme Brow, you should check out European Wax Center’s brow gel. It’s such a lifesaver for me. I’m an avid Brow Wiz fan, but this has edged out the pencil for me. The brow gel from European Wax Center is really similar to the Gimme Brow.
i very much need to try some natasha denona shadows. i got my mom and sister some viseart shadows and am awaiting their review. i have been loving bit beauty jam lipstick as well as some of their like lip crayon things. i wore their sour cherry red for the holidays and loved it. for blush i got some of the anastasia blush trios on sale for black friday and so far i really like them. buildable color that seems to go on nice. i also go the anastasia highlight palette sugar glow (purple one) with starburst in it and i LOVE IT. like i want to pile it on for some reason ! my boyfriend was like “i like the glitter you have on your cheeks”. i sat that boy down and told him this was shimmer NOT glitter and explained the difference. he looked at me like i had 3 heads :)
for hair i am totally blah. using same stuff and one day my hair looks ok and one day it doesnt. all of a sudden i am over my shorter hair and want it to grow out like NOW. i really need to get a new moisturizer it just seems like my skin is so dry no matter what i do. i am using DE Lala, oils, etc but still seems dry when i put my makeup on and later in the day. i think part of it is my work is cold and dry air. and naturally have a few blemishes that now are super dried out from trying to treat them. but it seems weird to put on zit cream and moisturizer ???? blah. its going to be like -5 this weekend in ohio so im sure it will get worse before it gets better.
love these posts !
I am in love with the ABH Prism palette(seriously, seriously wonderful)…! My Ulta started carrying Dose of Colors liquid lip shades and I really Love Bare with Me and Chocolate Wasted. Also…Fenty Beauty Crazy Venom is everythinggggg(hot pink! You’d love it!).
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GINGER BISCUIT IS BACK AT Nordstrom! I just read your post, then checked it out! I ordered it right away. Hoping they’re able to fill my order. I’ve literally been watching you reference it FOREVER! I’m seriously excited! ❤️ Thank you!
I got the Ginger Biscuit from Jo Malone directly and I love it. As I was falling asleep the other night I kept getting wafts of it and I realized on me it smells almost exactly like a Pumpkin Spice latte!
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