January Favorites

So, not too many products this month, but all of them are amazing.

MAC Omega

I just recently purchased this when MAC had a free 2 day shipping code. I knew I'd love it because I'm a sucker for mid toned crease color boring shades. I'm going to do a post/video comparing this to other similar shades [Urban Decay Naked, MAC Wedge, etc.] but this color is seriously perfect. I was surprised at how much I love this shadow.

Sigma ss266 Eyeliner Brush

The one in the picture is from MAC but they're the same brush. I have been using straight eyeliner brushes [Sigma ss209, Sonia Kashuk Eyeliner Brush] for over a year and forgot about the angled ones. This was the only brush I had clean and I just love how easily it applies MAC Fluidlines.

OPI Nail Polishes [My Private Jet & Pink Friday]

These two colors are amazing. MPJ is so unique, it looks like you have a few different shades on your hands all at once. Pink Friday is also unique, it's one of the prettiest "Barbie" pinks I own. See swatches/comparisons of it here.

Clarisonic Mia 2

I love this. It hasn't totally cleared up my skin but my skin is more even and extremely smooth. Even my boyfriend noticed [that's how you can really tell.]

Physician's Formula Happy Booster Blush

I have the more natural toned blush from this collection [Feb 2011] and it's just perfect. I forgot about it until I was looking through my drawer. It smells good too.

Maybelline Color Tattoos

I have Tough as Taupe, Bad to the Bronze, and Gold Mode. I love them all. They are so quick and easy and when applied with a brush they look even better. I like that you can wear them alone or with shadow on top. If I didn't know any better I'd think they were from a higher end brand.

Loreal Infallible Eyeshadow

I've had this for a while, Tracey brought it to me from Canada. I have the color "Hourglass Beige" but I think here in the States it's called "Iced Latte". Either way, this is the perfect shimmery inner corner highlight!

and last but not least...

LORAC Multiplex 3D Lash Mascara

This mascara does the best job of fanning out my lashes. It gives them volume, too. I like this alone for every day or paired with a really volumizing mascara for nights out.

So there you have it, my first favorites post of 2012. I hope to post one of these on here every month as well as upload a video.

Thanks for reading!

Updated Go-To Products!

I am going to post my "Go-To" Products again because the last time I did this was April. A lot has changed in 4 months, including the weather, trends and of course, my tastes. So, here we go:


Primer
Currently, I'm not using a primer at all. If I do, it's rare but I'll either use my Rimmel Fix & Perfect (which I used to loathe) or Loreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base on my t-zone. But typically, I apply my foundation right over my moisturizer.


Foundation
My foundation is ahhmazing. I cannot say enough good things about it. I'm currently using Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse in 110 Porcelain Ivory. Not Dream MATTE Mousse, but Dream SMOOTH Mousse. This foundation came out about a month ago, I'd say, and I'm in love! It provides medium to full coverage and leaves your face with a healthy, dewy glow. I apply it with a 187 brush and it looks flawless!


Concealer
Ahh, finally I end my battle with concealers. I've found my concealing soul mate and it's name is Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light Bisque. This concealer has a peachy tone to it, which helps cancel out dark circles. I also found it at the CCO so I saved a few bucks, which is always nice. I apply this concealer with either a fluffy brush or a flat concealer brush, both work wonders. I'm not saying this is forever my HG concealer, but for now, we have a winner :)


Setting Powder
I really have been loving my CoverGirl TruBlends Mineral Powder in Translucent/Fair. It looks dark in the jar but it's a perfect match. It isn't completely matte, so it leaves a good finish on top of my Maybelline foundation. I really like this powder for setting my makeup!


Blush
I absolutely love my MAC Stereo Rose MSF. It is such a pretty coral/pink color and gives a glow at the same time. I want to use it everyday, but I'm afraid I'll waste it if I do!! I can't imagine getting my hands on another!

Contour/bronzer
I really like my Milani Sunset Duo in Sunset City. I have never used the blush from it because it's rather small. But I love the bronzer part. It looks like it would be too dark for me but it really isn't. It's not muddy or orange either, which is a big deal. There are minimal sparkles but they work with the glowy face I've got going on this summer.


Cream Highlight
I gotta give LolaMarie7 (on YouTube) a shout out right now. She created this tag and I love that she put "Cream Highlight" and "Highlight" in separate categories. Now I don't have to choose between the two! For a cream highlight, I'll go with my E.L.F. Shimmering Facial Whip in Lilac Petal. I've heard this is a dupe for a Benefit product but I'm not sure. Lilac Petal is a taupe/lavender color and it gives a really nice glow on the nose or cheekbone. Blends really well too.

Highlight
I'd say MAC Perfect Topping MSF. This Mineralize SkinFinish is a cream color with gold, orange, peach and purple veining throughout. It does an excellent job at highlighting and doesn't look too powdery.

Mascara
My Go-To mascara of the moment has to be MAC Zoom Lash. I never thought I'd like a MAC mascara, I've only heard negative things about them, but I do. I got this as a free sample with a code I had for free shipping one day and I really ended up liking it. It reminds me a little of Maybelline Lash Stilettos, so maybe I'll have to give that one another go.

Eye Shadow
This is hard, I'm going to have to pick more than one. The eyeshadows I reach for most often are Stila Kitten, MAC Shroom, MAC Wedge and MAC Warming Trend. All neutrals, as usual.

Eye Liner
Has to be Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Bourbon. A deep chocolate brown with gold flecks. It doesn't irritate my eyes like other pencils can.

Lip Liner
I still never, ever wear lip liner but if I do, I'd say NYX Rose. It's a bright vivid pink color that makes your lips pop.

Lipstick
Probably MAC Shy Girl. It's the perfect coral-nude color. If I'm not sure what to wear, I wear that.

Lip Gloss
The lipgloss I find myself reaching for most often is probably Loreal Colour Juice in Bubble Gum. It smells great and the color is a milky, opaque peachy color. It's a similar color to Revlon Peach Petal Superlustrious Lipgloss from the new collection, only difference is the applicator. I like the tube better than the wand. This looks great over a lot of different lipsticks or alone.

Eyebrow
I don't do anything to my eyebrows so...

Makeup Brushes
The makeup brushes I use nearly every day are 187, 150, 194, 239, 224, Sonia Kashuk Bent Eyeliner Brush, E.L.F. Blending Eye Brush and E.L.F. Studio Powder Brush.


Nail Polish
I have been really into nudes, greys and muddy browns lately, much like everyone else. My favorites are E.L.F. Smoky Brown, E.L.F. Desert Haze, OPI You Don't Know Jacques, Essie Playa Del Platinum, Revlon Grey Suede, Rimmel Steel Grey...you get the picture.


Well, those are my Go-To Products as of August, 2010. What are yours?

-Liz

My Favorite Drugstore Products :)

So I have a crock-pot of White Chili cooking on the counter, I've finally gotten into my sweats and I'm curled up on the couch not doing my homework since my books haven't arrived yet. It's raining men [I wish, especially ones that resemble Tim Tebow] like crazy outside and has been all day. It's chilly for May - hence the pot of chili that smells wonderful by the way. 
Anyway, I feel like I've been neglecting this blog...and I don't want to do that so...


I think I'll list my favorite drugstore products. I think it's easy to write drugstore items off as "cheap" but there are some great products out there that I've fallen in love with; some that department store products can't hold a candle to.


The first "category" I'll mention will be haircare.
Two drugstore brands that I genuinely love for haircare are Suave and John Frieda. I love Suave because a) they are extremely inexpensive (less than $2/bottle) and b) they really do work wonders for my hair. My favorite line is the Suave Professionals and it's a toss up between Suave Professionals Vibrant Shine and Suave Professionals Rosemary and Mint for shampoo and conditioner. They both work about the same for my normal hair and they both smell amazing. My hair always feels shiny, smooth and soft after using either of these shampoos and conditioners. Now on to John Frieda. I think "he" makes fantastic "high-end" feeling shampoos and conditioners. They are a bit more expensive for a drugstore brand, about $7 a bottle/tube but I think they work well for colored/processed hair. His shampoos are generally aimed for fixing certain problems. I personally like the ones aimed for making blonde hair brighter and taking the brassiness out. I also love his Frizz-Ease line. All the products in that line make your hair smooth and tamed without weighing it down. My favorites are the John Frieda Frizz-Ease Daily Nourishment Leave-In Conditioning Spray and the Frizz-Ease 100% Shine Glossing Spray.


Another drugstore hair product that I recommend to anyone is the Pantene Pro-V  Restoratives Time Renewal Replenishing Mask. It retails for about $5 and last quite a long time. I use this mask about once a week instead of my normal conditioner and I only put it on about the bottom half of my hair. After I put a coat of this on I leave it on for about 3 minutes, I'll brush my teeth or shave my legs while it's "replenishing" my hair. Since I first bought this probably 2 years ago, I refuse to go without it. As soon as I get down to the bottom of the tub, I'll run out and purchase another because I think it is that good. 


The next product is TRESemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Protective Spray. I think this spray does a really good job of protecting your hair before you blow dry and before you straighten. I also like that it is inexpensive (about $5) and has a unique sprayer that is easy to use.


The last product I'm going to mention for haircare is the new L'Oréal Elnett StrongHold Hairspray. I have to admit, this is a "YouTube made me do it" type of product. I wanted needed to get it as soon as I heard about it. I've tried a ton of drugstore hairsprays. I tried the Herbal Essences one and the nozzle always got clogged, I've tried the Aussie one and it smelled like Grape Dimetapp. I've tried countless others and they all gave my hair a crunchy french fry texture...not cute. But when I sucked it up and bought this L'Oréal hairspray for (gasp!) $14.99, I didn't regret it. It made my hair stay in place but didn't change the look or feel of my hair. This hairspray also has the finest mist. The smell is just o.k., it smells like you would expect a hairspray to smell. I can live with it though, for what it does for my hair. I can still easily run my fingers through it - I'm in love. I don't use hairspray that often so I think hope this will last me a loooong time :)


Let's talk about skincare:
As a brand, I really like Clean&Clear. I feel like they have amazing products for people with acne-prone skin. I can't think of a time I was really "let down" by one of their products. My favorites are the face lotions. I like the Morning Glow Oil Free Moisturizer with SPF 15 because it really illuminates my skin and has an SPF for the day. I also like the Dual Action Moisturizer because it fights acne as it moisturizes. I just wish it had SPF!! I like their Advantage Acne Spot Treatment because it's the only spot treatment that gave me a noticeable difference overnight.


Another brand I'm rarely disappointed in is Aveeno. They are a little pricey but still affordable. They also use a lot of natural ingredients, which is good. My go to face wash, the one I've been using for at least a year now is the Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub. I honestly feel that it gives my skin a nice glow and does a good job as a daily exfoliator. I also love their Positively Smooth Shave Gel.


I can't talk about my favorite drugstore skincare products without mentioning St. Ive's. I never really realized how many products I own by St. Ive's until recently. My favorite product by them has to be the body washes. All of them. Especially the Oatmeal Shea one. All of them smell heavenly and moisturize like crazy. These are especially nice in the colder/drier months. I also love their lotions. My favorites are the Renewing Collagen Elastin Lotion as well as the Oatmeal Shea lotion. They all smell so warm and cozy and they're not at all greasy. Another St. Ive's product that I pretty much can't live without is their Apricot Scrub. I use the Blemish & Blackhead Control Apricot Scrub. It's good for a weekly exfoliator on your face and body. I really like how they make you feel like you have a clean slate and a fresh start with your skin by sloughing off all those dead skin cells.


I absolutely love Neutrogena products as well. I love their Pore Refining Toner. It's not too strong to where it dries out your skin but it definitely gets any remaining makeup out of your pores. Their sunblock is fabulous too. I use the Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion SPF 60. It's great.

Another product that I can't live without would be the Up & Up (Target's brand) makeup removing wipes. They are the best I've ever found and I've tried a lot of different brands. The towelettes are textured so it really gets all the makeup off and they smell nice. Plus for $3.49 for a pack of 30? Sold.


Now onto makeup:
I can think of a fantastic makeup item for just about every category that you can find at the drugstore. I'll just go by facial features.


Lips: I love Nivea's Kiss of Moisture Essential Lip Care. The most moisturizing, smooth feeling lip balm I've ever tried. I have one in my purse, one on my vanity, one on my nightstand and back ups all over the place.
I also love Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick. They are super creamy and they have a nice color selection. For lipgloss I gotta go with Maybelline Shine Sensational Lipgloss. They are long-lasting without being too sticky and they're shimmery but not glittery. The Milani 3D Glitzy Glamour Glosses are also fantastic if you want that sparkly look.


Eyes: I truly believe that drugstores have the best mascaras on the market. My absolute favorite is Rimmel's Max Volume Flash. It makes your lashes voluminous and long and isn't clumpy at all. I also love Rimmel Glam Eyes Lash Flirt, Covergirl Volume Exact Mascara, Maybelline Define-A-Lash and a few others. One of the best eyeliners I've ever tried has to be Milani's Liquif' Eye in Brown. It's so soft and creamy and once it's dry, it doesn't budge all day. I also think Wet N Wild has really stepped up their game and have put out some fabulous eye shadows in the Color Icon Palettes. They blend really well. I did a blog post on them, you can check it out below if you want more info!


Face: I have to mention Physician's Formula Baked Blush in Baked Berry. I believe this delectable dome shaped baked blush is discontinued [ :( ] but you can still get it online [Thank Goodness.] It's the perfect shimmery pink summer shade. I also love NYX Blush in Natural and of course...the N.Y.C. Blushable Creme Sticks. These things are amazing! I just dot a little on the apples of my cheeks, blend it in and go. So quick and easy and gives you the look you want whether it be dramatic coral cheeks or a natural pink flush.
For a primer, there's two drugstore ones that I love. The first being Revlon Age Defying Primer. I think this may be discontinued (again, sad face) but even if it is, I still have a holy grail drugstore face primer. The Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base. This primer is seriously great. It gives your face a perfectly matte base to work with. Your skin feels velvety and soft. Love it!
I'm also a huge fan of Revlon foundations. Of course the coveted ColorStay is my everyday foundation but I also love PhotoReady for days that I want more glowy skin and/or less coverage. But I do think there is a foundation that is very "underhyped." Covergirl TruBlend Whipped Foundation. If I really need full coverage or a completely matte look, I grad this one. It's easy to apply with a brush because it comes in a jar and it has a very silky texture. Great color matches too!
And bronzers...I love my N.Y.C. Bronzer in Sunny. I think it's the perfect finish for a bronzer. I don't like ones that are too shimmery, they don't contour very well. This one is perfect and it's not too dark either.


Well, I think I've rambled on long enough and I must now go and put a pie in the oven...I hope you enjoy this list and I'll probably be editing it soon because I know I'm forgetting a million products. What are some of your favorite drugstore items??