REVIEW: Wet N Wild's Nude Awakening aka Shades of NAKED

Wet N Wild Color Icon Spring 2013 Limited Edition Nude Awakening Palette

Bottom Line: A great neutral palette in a price that can't be beat with shades that do a fabulous job of keeping up with Urban Decay's beloved Naked palette. Get this limited Spring 2013 palette while you can!

I lucked out when I found the last, lonely Wet N Wild's Spring 2013 Color Icon Palette in Nude Attitude on a back shelf in my local drugstore. I couldn't wait to take it home and play with it. Despite the $4.99 price tag, the eyeshadows in this palette rival some of its high-end pricier counterparts with its great pigmentation and easy blend-ability.

And when I say these rival, I mean these closely resemble some other premium shadows in my collection.  Behold.



Obviously Urban Decay's Naked palettes contain more colors, but upon close comparison and much swatching, the Wet N Wild Nude Awakening palette offers some pretty fantastic dupes for some of my favorite UD shades.

Passport to Beauty Vol. 2: Sleek Makeup - Beauty from Across the Pond

I heard about the Sleek Makeup line from Pixiwoo - unfortunately, this was shortly AFTER my trip to London last year. I was KICKING myself, wishing I had known about this line just a little bit sooner, so I could take full advantage of a trip to Boots or Superdrug. Short of buying a plane ticket back to London, I would have been hard pressed to get my hands on products from the UK-based line, but THANKFULLY, they do ship to the US.  Shipping might take a little time  - the site says up to 20 working days to get to the US, but IMHO it's worth the wait.

The Sleek website is great when it comes to swatches - most products are swatched on fair, medium and dark skin so you can envision how the shade will match your skin tone. As a tanned girl, I can't tell you how many times I've been frustrated trying to choose makeup shades only to be disappointed upon testing. Way to go, Sleek!

I was most excited about the i-Divine eyeshadow palette in Storm. I agonized for a while trying to decide which palette to get, and finally chose this one for its balance of neutral and dramatic shades. I wasn't disappointed.

These are not the softest or most buttery shadows I own, but they blend well and the pigmentation  is fantastic, particularly of the shimmery and darker shades. Also, this palette has the deepest, darkest matte black I've ever tried and only the TEENSIEST bit is needed to deepen any of the other shades.  They wore well for a good 8 hours before I noticed the start of some creasing.

1. Sleek Blush in Suede  2. Edward Bess Lipgloss in Love Always  3. Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation in 56 Hale Clair   4. MAC Paintpot in Groundwork  5. Too Faced Perfect Lip Pencil in Perfect Spice  6.  Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Deep  7. Sleek Contour Kit in Medium  8. Sleek i-Divine Storm Palette

Face

Healthy Mix Serum Foundation

Sleek Contour Kit in Medium 

Sleek Blush in Suede 

Collection Concealer under eyes

Eyes

Lioele Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown

MAC Paintpot in Groundwork as base

Sleek i-Divine Palette in Storm

Fairydrops Platinum Waterproof Type Mascara in Black

Ardell Accent lashes

Lips

Too Faced Perfect Spice Lipliner

Edward Bess Lipgloss in Love Always

Sleek's blush was also great for pigmentation. I used Suede for a more neutral look that wouldn't compete with the eyes. It's a great non-shimmery shade that also helps with scupting.  It reminded me of one of my favorite NARS blushes, Madly, but at a fraction of the cost.

I'm new to contouring, so I don't know how the Sleek Contour kit compares to other, similar products. I have tried matte bronzers to contour before this, but most were still either too light or came off too orange to do the trick. Thanks to the great swatches on the Sleek site, I picked up the medium kit. It's natural looking and doesn't turn me an Oompa-Loompa shade of orange.  The highlighter is pretty too. Unlike many highlighters which are too glaringly white, this one is subtle and doesn't make me look oily as some cream highlighters can.

The Sleek site is great for swatches and shipping, but they can't ship some of the i-Divine palettes to the US (annoying, I know).  HOWEVER, I was easily able to find those palettes on eBay. For all the US beauty mavens who haven't tried Sleek Makeup, you have no idea what you're missing.  I already have a laundry list of other products I am going to buy, including at least 2 other palettes, several of the blushes and I'm dying to try a few of their lip products. I definitely recommend!

Luxe Lips: YSL's New Rouge Volupte Shine in Rose Infinite

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine 07 - Rose Infinite $34.00 at Sephora

As a newbie beauty junkie, it was only recently that I started splurging on luxe lip products.  It was during a particularly long and painful flight delay that I talked myself into buying my first high-end lipstick. Since then, I've been hooked. There's just something so sumptuous about pulling out a beautifully-encased lipstick that just can't be replicated with a drugstore product.

Now that the weather's FINALLY warming up, I've been itching to ditch the darker shades I've been sporting all winter.  I went to Sephora earlier this week hoping to find a lip color that was lighter both in color and texture to herald in the spring and decided to pick up YSL's Rouge Volupte Shine in 07 Rose Infinite.

I love YSL products in general, and I love their lip products most of all. While I adore YSL's creamy pur couture lipsticks and the cult-status glossy stains, I was never quite able to talk myself into buying one of the ever-popular Volupte Sheer Candy glossy balms. Though raved about by youtube beauty gurus - my main source for finding new products to lust after - the glossy balms didn't have quite enough color payoff for me to justify the price.

This new formulation from YSL seemed to address all my reservations.  The formula is light and goes on smoothly.  The color looks dark in the tube, but comes off much lighter. Sephora's website describes Rose Infinite as a "shady pink taupe" which I think is accurate.

In natural sunlight

On me, Rose Infinite applies as a my-lips-but-better shade with good color payoff. (I'm an NC42 for reference) If you're looking at brighter shades, you may want to swatch them before purchasing to make sure they are the opacity you are looking for.

For those that are sensitive to fragrances in their cosmetics, be forewarned that like the YSL shimmering glosses this formula does have that familiar hint of mango to it, which I actually quite like.

The new formulation is aptly named a "shine".  It does catch some light when first applied to the lip. would say that this is the mid-point between a satin finish and a gloss. The finish actually reminds me a lot of MAC's Sheen Supreme lipsticks.

YSL's Rouge Volupte Shine does have an emollient texture, but it's not so slippery that it feels like it's going to slip off your lips and require constant reapplication.  The wear time is better than I expected. The shine did wear off fairly quickly, though the color lasted quite well.

Let's not forget the signature packaging. The picture does speak for itself. This is where the luxe factor comes in and no one does luxe packaging quite like YSL.

All in all, I love the new Rouge Volupte Shines and will be looking into picking up another brighter shade.

Will you be picking up any new lip products for the spring?

REVIEW: Tatcha Skincare - luxe skincare, Geisha-style

Photo courtesy of thewindow.barneys.com  1. Pure Camelia Cleansing Oil $48.00  2.  Rice Enzyme Powder (comes in Gentle, Classic and Deep) $65.00  3. Deep Brightening Serum $150.00  4. Moisture Rich Silk Cream $150.00  5.  Original Aburotorigami blotting sheets $12.00

BOTTOM LINE:  Tatcha's lineup of skincare products, derived from the time-honored traditions from the geishas of Japan,  works together to cleanse, polish and moisturize skin to glowing effect. Though geared to be used as a 4-part system, each product can stand on its own to help smoothen and brighten skin.  My favorite product of the lineup is the Camellia Cleansing Oil which I can envision repurchasing for years to come.  Tatcha is most definitely a luxury line worth investing in. If I had a bigger beauty budget, I'd have the entire line sitting on my shelf right now. Until that time, I'll be dropping a few hints to the husbando for Valentine's Day :)  To find out more about the individual products, read on!


Months and months ago, I posted a glowing review about Tatcha and a new product I discovered from Tatcha called the Dewy Skin Mist - a moisturizer you could spray on that wass perfect for the hot, muggy, NY summer. (Read the original post HERE). The Dewy Skin Mist quickly became a staple of mine. 

I was contacted by Tatcha after that review and they sent some other products for me to test out. I had intended on testing everything out right away, but due to travels and the seeming constant stream of new things I was testing, I wanted to put it off until I could focus solely on Tatcha so I could see if the lineup as a whole lived up to the high expectations I had thanks to my summer skin savior, the Dewy Skin Mist.

I've been testing out the products for the last couple of weeks and despite the cold and dry winter weather / dry indoor air from the overly warm heating system, my skin is rosy and glowing thanks to the Tatcha 4-step ritual. 

So what are the Tatcha products I've been using?

STEP ONE: PURE - One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil - As a devotee of waterproof mascaras, I have been a proponent of using oil cleansers. Even with a dedicated eye makeup remover, I find that waterproof mascara can leave residue. Oil cleansers help melt away any residual mascara so I don't wake up with the dreaded, though rather hilarious, looking "panda eyes" that make me look like I was out all night partying. 

I've used at least 3 other brands of cleansing oil and the two things I did not like in general were 1) how thick and greasy they felt and 2) how stingy they were to my eyes.  Tatcha's Camellia Cleansing oil does neither. I don't know how Tatcha's oil cleanser can be so light and non-greasy while still being so effective. My skin is left totally makeup free and cleansed, without feeling at all stripped. I WILL be repurchasing this after using up the other cleansing oil in my medicine cabinet. Honestly, by comparison - my last facial oil cleanser was so thick and greasy that I felt like I could use it to deep fry french fries afterwards! 

STEP 2: POLISHED - Rice Enzyme Powder - Out of all the products, this was the one I was most afraid to try. I was traumatized in my youth when I used a cheap drugstore cleanser that promised to exfoliate my skin with ground-up apricot seeds. (Aside: For the love of God, do not EVER use any product with ground up apricot seeds on your face. Save your skin!) Anyhow, the thought of using any exfoliant has been scary to me ever since the EPIC breakout caused by those damned apricot particles.

Tatcha's exfoliator starts off as a powder enzyme and comes in 3 varieties - Gentle, Classic and Deep. It's activated with a few drops of water that you emulsify into a paste. Because of my breakout-prone skin, I have only been using the gentle or classic formula every two or three days for no longer the suggested 1 minute. The lather is silky, with only minute grittiness from the dissolving enzyme powder.  My hands and skin do feel as though there is a slippery coating on it which takes a bit more rinsing off than one might expect. 

The extra effort seems worth it, though. My skin has not been irritated or broken out at all. I do have some minor rosiness on my cheeks after using the Classic powder, but all in all my skin has been smooth and soft and seems to have that "soft effect lighting" thing going on. 

STEP 3: RADIANT - Deep Brightening Serum - Being a neophyte when it comes to serums, I don't have many to compare this to. Tatcha's Brightening serum is chock-full of Asian botanicals and HADASEI-3 Bioactive Complex which are supposed to give you more radiant looking skin. The brightening serum soaks in quickly and does not leave my skin feeling sticky or tacky the way that some of the other serums I've tried do. While some other reviewers have reported seeing lightening of dark spots on their face after as little as 4 weeks use, I've been using it faithfully for 2 weeks with no noticeable changes in my hyperpigmentation. I'll continue using it all up and will happily report back if they do lighten at all.

STEP 4: SUPPLE - Moisture Rich Silk Cream - It's winter and my skin is thirsty. I was a bit dubious that this moisturizer with its light texture would be hydrating enough for my parched skin. I don't have dry skin in general, but I do have dehydrated skin during the colder months. And when my skin is dehydrated, I've generally turned to thick, rich night creams thinking that thicker = more effective. Tatcha's Supple Skin Cream has not only moisturized my skin but shown me that a good moisturizer doesn't have to have the consistency of spackle to do its job. Tatcha's Moisture Rich Silk Cream light but still rich, moisturizing my thirsty skin without leaving that unsightly oily sheen on the surface of my skin. 

Bonus Deep Hydration Lifting Mask - As an added treat, I received a Deep Hydration Lifting Mask sample to try. It's a sheet mask that is soaked with Tatcha's serum containing their red algae blend and HADASEI-3 Bioactive Complex. I LOVE a good sheet mask and literally have made it a weekly ritual. Tatcha's offering is definitely luxe and deeply moisturizing. I used it before a big date night and my skin was positively glow-y. At $28 a pop, it's certainly a luxury item. However, this could be the thing for you before a big occasion if you want the benefits of a facial without the risk of breakout from the steam or the pain and possible redness from extractions. If I had my way,  I would use the Hydration Mask before every big night on the town to give my skin some added oomph. 

Tatcha products are available in the US at Barney's or online (with free shipping!) at Tatcha.com.

*Disclosure: This review contains products sent for *consideration* by the company. No remuneration for this review was given or requested and all views expressed are 100% my own. Promotional products are not guaranteed favorable reviews. The BBZ Project is committed to providing readers with unbiased reviews based on personal experience with the product. 

REVIEW: Fairydrops Platinum Mascara Waterproof Type

Fairydrops Platinum Waterproof Type Mascara - purchased for $15 at Sasa.com

After going back and forth on order Fairy Drops mascara - there are a few different types and lots of mixed reviews, I found a waterproof version on the Sasa.com.

Stubborn, stick-straight Asian lashes. I have fought with them all my life and have been on a seemingly-endless quest to find the HG mascara that would help me achieve the long, fluttery, giraffe-like lashes I've always wanted. (Seriously, check out a giraffe's lashes. They're insanely long!)

No mascara without curling lashes. Pretty unimpressive, huh?


Curled (using my trusty Shu Uemura lash curler), still no mascara.  (Forgive the stark differences in picture coloring, my camera auto settings were on the fritz.)

I have decent volume and pretty good length, but fighting gravity to keep my lashes curled has always been my issue.  Most mascaras weigh down my lashes and flatten out the most carefully curled lashes in minutes.  

I have tried any number of high end and drug store mascaras and always end up coming back to 2 - L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black in Waterproof and L'Oreal Voluminous False Lashes also in waterproof.  Waterproof formulas have been my go-to. Lately, I've been trying a lot of Asian-brand mascaras since they are generally geared to women with the same straight lashes as myself.

After reading a number of unimpressed reviews that some other Fairydrops mascaras have received, I wasn't sure what to expect.

I chose to compare the Fairydrops to the L'Oreal Voluminous False Lashes because both are fiber-based mascaras (to help with length) and both are also supposed to be waterproof.

Fairydrops Platinum Waterproof Type on the left, L'Oreal False Lashes Waterproof on the right

So how did they perform?  The Fairydrops, with its unique wand takes a bit of practice to get the hang of.  But I got great length, slightly better than the L'Oreal, I'd say.  You can see that L'Oreal gives length and defines my lashes, while still giving them that feathery soft finish.  The Fairydrops goes on in such a way as to clump my lashes more - which could work for a more "dolly" look, but I did comb them out. Combing them out did not disturb the length or the curl.

Oh, mascara...this is why I love you. Curl, length and volume make me look so much more awake.

After 8 hours of wear my lashes were still curled and there was no flaking or smudging - which is GREAT.  L'Oreal always seems to smudge at least a little on me after the 4-5 hour mark, so Fairydrops wins in this category again. 

Waterproof mascara can be a bit*h to remove.  Using my trusty Lancome Bi-Facil waterproof makeup remover, I soaked a cotton pad and pressed them over my eyes for 15 seconds. Fairydrops came off rather painlessly - more easily than the L'Oreal. It didn't require more than one pad or excessive rubbing. No eyelashes were lost in the removal of this mascara!

The bottom line:  I really, really like Fairydrops Platinum Waterproof Mascara. Is it my HG mascara?  I'm still on the hunt. The curl-holding power is great and the non-flaking / non-smudging is impressive. It's more finicky than L'Oreal in application - too much and all of a sudden you can end up with a clumpy mess.  Even after careful application, I have to comb through in order to get rid of the "dolly" lashes - not a dealbreaker, but certainly more time and effort.  The true test of this mascara will come during the hot summer months when sweat and makeup melting will be the biggest concern. 

    

Passport to Beauty Vol. 1 - Louise Young L34 Super Foundation Brush

Louise Young LY34 Super Foundation Brush; $41.00 at Nordstrom - However, I just checked the Nordstrom.com website and the LY34 no longer appears!  Hopefully, you can still get it in store

Welcome to Passport to Beauty - a new series on this blog that will feature products from international (read: non-US based) brands. Since becoming a dedicated makeup magpie earlier this year, I've watched dozens of videos from Youtube beauty gurus from around the world featuring an array of products that I now lust after.  Alas, some of the products I covet are inevitably unavailable in the US or are hard to come by like the brushes from UK-based Louise Young cosmetics.

BOTTOM LINE: At $41.00, it's definitely an investment, but the LY34 is a beautifully crafted brush that does what it's supposed to do AMAZINGLY.  If you primarily use liquid foundation,  this should be on your wish list.

A favorite brand amongst UK-based beauty bloggers and Youtube gurus, Louise Young brushes were only available to US customers via the Louise Young website willing to  pay the approx $15 international shipping fee.  

HOWEVER, just before Christmas I was online shopping for gifts on the Nordstrom website and I was OVERJOYED to find that Louise Young brushes had come to the US - and thanks to Nordstrom, with FREE shipping. WOOT!  I immediately placed an order.

It was agonizing trying to choose between the LY34 and LY02 - also synthetic, but more of a paddle shape, compared to the rounder LY34.  What clinched my decision was the rounded point of the brush, which is perfect for the nose and undereye area.

Since the brush arrived, I have used it exclusively.  I even travelled with it over the holidays, though it's a tad on the large side to be totally travel-friendly. I sometimes pick it up and just stroke it like a soft, cuddly puppy. With the first use, you can see why this is Louise Young's bestseller.  The website describes it as "a large luxurious brush" that "applies foundation perfectly." And boy, does it ever. 

The taklon bristles are so incredibly soft and packed densely, but with enough give to blend your liquid foundation seamlessly and with minimal effort.  I was a dedicated BeautyBlender girl, but after doing a side by side comparison, the LY34 wins.  Don't get me wrong, I still think the BeautyBlender is great, but I feel like the LY34 brush buffs the foundation into my skin giving a more natural finish and literally in half the time it takes me with a damp BeautyBlender.

Not only are the taklon bristles soft, but they clean easily and the brush dries overnight after I wash it. I haven't had any fallout from it.

Though I purchased the LY34 from Nordstrom.com in November, I saw today that it's not currently on the website, though other Louise Young brushes are. Hopefully they are re-stocking and will put it back up on the website. If you're at all interested in this LY34 and you live in the US, you may want to RUN, not walk to the nearest Nordstrom's near you to see if they have it in store.



*All products mentioned in this review were purchased by me. No promotional consideration was given for this post. The opinions expressed here are 100% my own.

Christmas Haul 2012 aka "Thanks, Santa!" PART 2

I TOLD you that Santa was reeeeeealllly good to me this year.  I have been loving playing with all my precious new additions to my collection. Nearly every one of the above deserves its own in-depth, stand-alone review.  Let me know which ones you want to see the most!

1. Best of Becca Gift Set (LE) - including: Eye Tint (in Baroque), Beach Tint (in Grapefruit), Resurfacing Primer, Shimmering Skin Perfector (in Opal) and The Ultimate Mascara

I had been itching to try Becca products for a while now and couldn't decide which I wanted more - one of the beach tints or a shimmering skin perfector. Before Christmas, I spotted this set on Sephora's website (it is no longer available there, sadly) and I knew I had to have it. I bought it for $58 and of the 5 products, 3 were full size!

2. Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer  - not available in US / purchased in Canada for $19;  Another product I learned about from some of my favorite UK beauty bloggers. I spotted it in a drug store while I was visiting my parents in Toronto and picked it up. I have the Healthy Mix Serum Foundation and LOVE it, so I was ecstatic to try this out.  Light, smooth, great blend-ability. It's a tad too light for my skin, but works well to highlight the under-eye area.

3. Real Techniques Travel Essentials Brush Set - ($17.99 at Drugstore.com)  Ah, the famed brushes by Samantha Chapman, youtube beauty guru.  Good quality, great price.  The multi-task brush in this set is my new go-to for blush and bronzer.

4. Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow in #25 - ($20.00 at Sephora) - I've been trying different ways of filling my brows and trying to find one with staying power. This was recommended to me by a friend. The staying power is great and the waterproof factor will be key for the sweaty summer months. I'm still trying to get the hang of this and am experimenting with different brushes to get the most natural effect.  

5. Urban Decay Naked Nail Set (LE) - ($26.00 at Sephora) - So pretty. There have been a few reviews expressing concern by a few of the polish formula's ingredients. As far as the colors go, they really are beautiful. The wear time is about average with a good base and top coat.  It's limited edition so if you're interested in picking this up, it's best to get it now.

6. Real Techniques Starter Set - ($17.99 at Drugstore.com) - I bought this set almost solely for the deluxe crease brush.  It really is great for blending in your concealer. The jury is still out on the other brushes, but I really wish Real Techniques would sell the crease brush as a single. I would totally buy more!

7. Guerlain Meteorites in Perles Du Dragon (LE) - ($58.00 at Dillard's, but may be unavailable now)  Part of the Holiday Collection for 2012. Part setting power, part highlighter, part skin perfector - Guerlain Meteorites are either something you either LOVE it or you just don't get what all the fuss is about. Right now, I'm not sure which I am.  I'm still playing with this product and need to test it out a bit more. 

8. MAC Fluidline Brow Gelcreme in Deep Dark Brunette (LE) - ($15.00 at MAC) - Yup, another brow product. Like I said, I'm on the quest for my perfect brow routine. It's gotten rave reviews online. This is another limited edition so if you want to pick it up, you'll have to hunt it down in stores.

9. Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder (Translucent) - ($35.00 at Sephora) - If you wear liquid foundation or concealer, you need to set it with a good powder. I've been using pressed powder, but hate how it can look cakey if you're not careful. Enter Laura Mercier's Loose Setting Powder. Silky, airy and so far, it has never been cakey. Win!

10. Guerlain Terracotta Loose Powder Kohl - in Noir - ($36.00 at Sephora) - This was one of those "out there" products that intrigued me, but that I could never envision splurging on. So I put it on my list to Santa and lo, there it was on Christmas morning. I have trouble finding anything that stays put on my waterline, so I wanted to try more kohl products. Sadly, the kohl pencils I found still migrate on me, so I was searching for an alternative. This caught my eye (ha, ha).  Intimidating when you see the long, thin, rod applicator. Still trying to get the hang of this one. A full review coming soon.

11. Christian Dior Creme De Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm - ($27.00 at Sephora) - While I was in Colorado, my lips got horribly dry while I was out and about doing some last minute Christmas shopping.  I was without my favorite Qtica lip balm, so I popped into Sephora (convenient, huh?) and found this.  The packaging was so lush and I had heard some good things, so I got it.  It's been great, smells lovely and helps keep my lips hydrated and flake free. So far it definitely delivers on the smoothing action, but I'm yet to be convinced that it's worth the $27.00 price tag for a product that looks very similar to the iconic (and much more reasonably priced) Rosebud Salve.

12. YSL Rouge Couture Vernis À Lèvres Glossy Stain in #26 Violine Surrealiste - ($32.00 at Nordstrom) - This color is a new release for the spring.  Love these. Will buy more of these. Rich color and great staying power. 'Nuff said.

13. Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC-5 - ($30.00 at Nordstrom) I'm one of those unfortunate ones that gets hyperpigmentation really easily. I have a constellation of dark spots on my face from previous breakouts. They're annoying and unsightly. And until they fade, they need to be covered. I've tried a few different concealers, but finding the right consistency AND color has proved to be a challenge. I feel like Goldilocks sometimes with my constant chirping, "This one's too dry." Or "This one's too wet."  Hopefully Laura Mercier's highly praised Secret Camouflage will be just right.

14. Guerlain LIU Calligraphy Palette (LE) - currently unavailable in stores - When I opened this present on Christmas Day, I SQUEALED. My lovely and dedicated mother-in-law literally HUNTED THIS DOWN just before Christmas (aside: Thanks, Mom!) and I'm so touched and ecstatic that she did. The palette is / was the star of Guerlain's holiday collection.  I'm probably not going to do a full review as this product is LE and unavailable in stores now (why tempt you with what you can't have?), but certainly, I will post pics of any looks I create with this.

15. Louise Young Brushes - LY34  Super Foundation Brush / LY19 Taklon Shadow Brush - ($41.00 and $18.00, respectively - exclusively in the US at Nordstrom)  OMG. A full review on the foundation brush is going to be featured as the first post in a new series on this blog called Passport to Beauty.  Hailing from the UK, I was jumping up and down when I saw that these were now available in the US.  I confess - I sometimes stroke this brush as if it were a cherished pet. So soft. So perfect. I'm totally smitten. I haven't touched my Beauty Blender since this arrived.

16. Jane Iredale Crease Brush - ($17.00 at Beauty.com) - Sigh. It's hard to follow on the heels of the Louise Young foundation brush.  I bought this because I needed a pointed crease brush for more precise application. Saw this on beauty.com and tossed it in with the order. It's a totally fine brush, perhaps a tad spendy for what it is, but it does the job.

17. Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Blushing Bride - ($25.00 at Beauty.com) - I love a healthy plummy flush during the colder months.  It seems that every beauty guru has talked about Tarte's Amazonian Clay blushes. I jumped on the bandwagon and sure enough, these are great. I love the color, but other than that, I'm not sure what else to say about it. I didn't think it was particularly long wearing, but I don't have overly oily skin, so in general makeup staying power hasn't been a problem for me.  Good product.

So after receiving such an embarrassment of riches for Christmas this year, I'm officially on a self-imposed No-Buy for a while so that I can really play with all these new lovelies.  (I know, I know - famous last words!)   If you want swatches or an in-depth review of any of the products I mentioned in either Part 1 or Part 2, let me know! Ta, for now!!

Christmas Haul 2012 aka "THANKS SANTA!!!" - Part 1

Wow, I must have been a VERY good girl this year because Santa came and boy, was he generous. Of course it is better to give than receive, but can't I revel in the receiving just a little bit?

Alright, alright...maybe I wasn't THAT good, but I found some great sales. While Santa was still overly generous to this makeup brat, I admit I may have *ahem* snuck a few things into my own stocking.

Let's get to the good stuff. First up,  skincare and fragrance.

1. REN ClearCalm Clarifying Clay Cleanser - (Sephora - $32.00 for 5.1oz) Try saying that 3 times fast!  So, I got this because my skin was freaking out in the dry cold air of Colorado this Christmas. I love REN because they are good quality products without a whole lot of filler and other chemicals that could clog up already problematic skin.  

2. Micro Needle Roller - (Amazon.com - $12.00 - I bought the 0.5mm) Ok, a full series regarding my more extreme cosmetic adventures is shortly forthcoming. I have lots of hyperpigmentation spots on my face and read about micro-needling as a treatment.  Basically, surgical needles are put on a roller and yes, you roll it over your face to help serums and moisturizers penetrate deeper. Also, the micro punctures are supposed to help stimulate blood flow and collagen production. Yup, folks - like your front lawn, you're basically aerating your face. With needles.  Oy vey. This seemed like a good idea when I read about it.  

3. Sabon NYC Body Butter (sabonnyc.com) / $12.00 per 3.7oz bar - So my lovely young sisters-in-law gave me these for Christmas. I got the Lemon Mint and Patchouli Lavender scents.  I HATE putting on lotion in general.  But the cold air has been so utterly drying, I have had to slather it on to keep my skin from cracking. The body butter bars are a cool idea. Cut off a chunk and the heat from your hands and body melt it, turning it into a moisturizing lotion for your skin.  Like the name "butter" suggests, these get quite greasy.  The feeling does go away after the product sinks in, but for me, that took at least 30-45 mins after application. Definitely moisturizing and I love the scent, but some may be turned off by the initial greasy feel.

4. Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intesive Exfoliating Treatment - (Sephora - $85.00 for 2oz)  Dry skin and dead skin can dull a complexion like no other. I picked up this award winning exfoliant after trying a sample I got in one of my beauty subscription boxes.  This is powerful stuff- DON'T make the mistake of using too often or for too long before you know what your tolerance is. The first time I used it, I ended up using longer than I should have and my skin felt windburned and sensitive for the entire next day.  A little goes a long way and 2-3 times per week is enough to keep my skin exfoliated and the dry flaky patches away.

5. L'Occitane Shea Butter Honey Hand Cream - (Available at L'Occitane.com $10.00 for 1oz. tube)  Even though I generally loathe putting on body lotion, I can't be without L'Occitane's shea butter hand cream. I have one within reach wherever I go. I keep one on my desk, one in my purse, one by the bed. I have tried a few of them (they come in a myriad of different fragrances), but I am addicted to the original and this lightly fragranced honey version. The cream sinks in quickly, moisturizes well and leaves no greasy feeling. As a calligrapher, I am constantly washing ink off my hands. L'Occitane's hand cream has been a lifesaver. HG / Hall of Fame status achieved. 

6. Careprost Solution - (Amazon.com - $30 - $40 for 3ml) Okay, this another kind of "extreme" beauty product. Essentially, it's the generic version of Latisse eyelash growing serum. It has the same active ingredient.  My stick-straight, stubby Asian lashes are nothing to write home about, so I started using this before Christmas. So far, no major change.  Will be posting my progress as I continue to use it.

7. Diptyque Eau de Toilette in Volutes - (Beautybar.com - $88.00 for 1.7oz) - Got this in a beauty box. Tried the sample. My guy couldn't stop sniffing my neck. Seriously.  Of course, I knew I could expect to get the full size version. If the description of your ideal perfume includes the words bright, sweet, or citrus, this is not for you. How to describe the fragrance?   Spicy, musky, but also delicately feminine. Exquisite.

STOCKING STUFFERS

1.  Ecotools Bamboo Deluxe Concealer brush - $4.00 at Drugstore.com

2.  E.L.F. Eyelash and Brow Wand - $1.49 at Drugstore.com

3. Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray - $29.00 for 4oz. - Raved about by beauty gurus on youtube, I was so excited to get this finishing spray. If you're like me and your makeup tends to migrate, this might help.

4. E.L.F. Angled Eyeliner Brush - $3.00 at Target.com

5. Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Crease Shadow Brush - $9.49 at Target.com - SUPER soft. Rivals my higher end brushes. Love it!

6. Revlon Lip Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Crush - $8.99 at Drugstore.com

7. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Raspberry Bite - $7.00 at Drugstore.com

8. Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie - $7.49 at Drugstore.com - Ok, from #6, 7 and 8 you can see I clearly have a thing for bright fuschia lips right now.  If red was my go-to color for the holidays, fuschia is the color I'm going for to herald in spring.

9. & 10. L'Oreal Color Riche Caresse Wet Shine Stain in Endless Red and Infinite Fuschia - $9.99 each at Drugstore.com - If you are, like me, a fan of YSL's Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stains, then this could be the new drugstore product for you. L'Oreal's drugstore version just launched and the product packs a ton of shine and color for a 1/3 of the price. L'Oreal actually owns YSL, so I was expecting great things.  So far so good, but to me, I love the luxe packaging of the YSL version, but this might be a great option for trying some trendier colors (hello, fuschia!) at a lower price point.

11. Wet n Wild Color Icon Trio in Knock on Wood - $2.99 at Drugstore.com - I have jumped on the bandwagon.  These are great shadows. Great color payoff and I love the groupings of colors. I already have my eye on 3 other sets (I'm Getting Sunburned, Walking on Eggshells and Silent Treatment). As inexpensive as these are, why not?

Swatches of  #6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11

12. OPI Nail Varnish in Vampsterdam and The World is Not Enough (not pictured) - $8.00 at Drugstore.com

13. Butter London 3 Free Nail Varnish in British Racing Green - $15.00 at Beauty.com  - The color of 2013 is emerald green according to Pantone. While I couldn't find a great emerald green nail polish, I did come across this darker green from Butter London. My nails are still recovering from being split, but once they've mended, I can't wait to pop this on for some fun color.

WHEW.  Ok, that was just part 1 of the Christmas Haul.  Stay tuned for Part 2!

Dear Santa...Presenting the Christmas Wish-List of a Makeup Junkie

Come on, admit it. Even though most of us are long past the point of writing actual letters to Santa, I'll bet you still make a mental list of pretty little things you hope to find in your stocking this year. I certainly have and with all the lovely, delectable holiday palettes and gorgeously packaged products, my list is longer than ever this year.

1. Guerlain Limited Edition Calligraphy Palette $79.00 at Sephora  2. Tom Ford Eye Quad in Silvered Topaz $75.00 at Bergdorf Goodman  3.  YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain - I want No. 2 Brun Glace - $32.00 at Sephora  4. Diptyque Eau de Toilette in Volutes - $88.00 at diptyqueparis.com  5.  Burberry Lip Velvet Lipstick in 310 Military Red - $30.00 at Nordstrom  6. Mason Pearson Pocket Brush - $88.00 available at Beauty.com  7. Guerlain Terracotta Loose Kohl in Brun Dore $36.00 at saksfifthavenue.com  8. Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro Matte in Artdeco $32.00 at Nordstrom 9. Guerlain Meteorites in Teint Dore $58.00 at Sephora  10. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal $42.00 at Sephora 11. Louise Young Super Foundation Brush LY34  $41.00 at Nordstrom

Oh Santa, maybe I haven't been as good as I'm supposed to be this year - but really, what would have been the fun in that? But I thought I would put out this list just in case you're feeling especially generous this year ;)

XO,

Me

Latest Haul aka "The Haul that Will Make My Guy Freak Out"

I really didn't mean to do it,  it just kind of got away from me.  But it was the perfect storm of Friends & Family sales / Black Friday / Cyber Monday...you know how the story goes. And before I knew it, I had amassed a rather alarming pile of (albeit delectable) goodies that I debated about NOT sharing with you.  Why, you ask?

2 reasons, really -

1)  My repeated lack of self-control is embarrassing and I fear my seemingly endless haul posts might be getting tedious for you, dear reader.

Annnnnnndddddd....

2) My guy might just end up grounding me after seeing everything all laid out :S

Well, consequences be damned!  Here's what I got:

(Good) Skin is In

From L to R - 1) Sjal Mineral Kalla Energy Toner $70.00 at  2)  P50 1970 Exfoliant by Biologique Recherche 5.1oz for $55.00 @ Rescue Rittenhouse Spa  3)  BabyFoot - Foot mask for $20.00 on Amazon

I've been using P50 by Biologique Recherche for the last 4 months as an exfoliant on the advice of skincare guru extraordinaire Ms. Caroline Hirons of Beautymouth. Even though I've been experimenting with different cleansers, toners and moisturizers, I have been using P50 consistently and my skin is getting that glow back and the dark spots and hyperpigmentation are fading a lot faster because of it.  

I'm most excited about BabyFoot - ok, a foot mask, come on!  But my feet get horribly dry and Babyfoot is essentially 2 booties filled with the solution. You slip on for an hour and over the course of the subsequent several days the dead skin sloughs off and leaves you with baby-soft feet. *fingers...er, toes...crossed*

Face of Base (*Does anyone else remember that group from the '90s??*)

I have resisted wearing foundation for most of my adult life. I felt that it looked too heavy and fake and I hated the way it felt like my skin was suffocating. I hated how it would end up on my clothes. Fast forward to now where new formulations tout being super lightweight.  I have pretty good skin, but definitely have gotten to the point where I need some base coverage to even out my skin tone and cover up some hyperpigmentation. And of course, I'm still after that "lit from within" look.

I've been using Urban Decay's Naked Skin foundation or Missha's Perfect Coverage BB cream since it launched this summer and I do like the coverage each gives me, but after hearing about some rave reviews on some other products (and some well-timed sales), I took the plunge.

1) Bobbi Brown Bronze Shimmer Brick $40.00 2) Bobbi Brown Face Blending Brush $45.00  3) Bourjois Healthy Mix Gel Foundation #56  $20.00 - available at asos.com  4) Giorgio Armani Maestro Foundation (Shade 7)  $62.00  5) Diorskin Forever Flawless Foundation (in Honey Beige) $47.00  6)  YSL Touche Eclat in 4.5 and 5.0 $40.00 each

The Eyes Have It 

1) D-UP Perfect Extension Mascara in Black  $20.00 (at imomoko.com)  2)  1 Day Lash Perm Long Curl Mascara  in Black $17.99 (at imomoko.com)  3) Bobbi Brown Longwear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink $22.00  4) MAC Paintpot in Soft Ochre $18.00  5)  Lioele Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown  $14.00  6) MAC Kohl Pencil in Powersurge  $15.00 7) MAC Kohl Pencil in Teddy $15.00   8. Rimmel Soft Kohl Pencil in Jungle Green $3.59  9) Solone Magic Waterproof Pencil in Golden Black $6.99  10) NYC Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in Moody Blue  $3.60 11) Stila Smudge Stick in Blue Ribbon  $20.00 12)  Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner in 15 $23.00

I'm still on the quest for my Holy Grail mascara - one that holds curl, doesn't flake or smudge, isn't near impossible to take off and doesn't make my lashes crunchy. Is that too much to ask? So far, the D-UP mascara fails the all-important curl test, so it's going to go to my mom (don't worry, I had used a disposable wand as I always do for the first time with any new mascara, just for this very reason).  The Lash Perm is fine, but it doesn't blow my mind. Alas, the quest continues.

1) MAC Powersurge  $15.00 2) MAC Teddy $15.00  3) Rimmel Jungle Green  $3.59  4) Solone Golden Black $6.99 (at imomoko.com)  5) NYC Moody Blue  $3.60  6) Stila Blue Ribbon $20.00  7)  MUFE #15 $23.00

I've been experimenting with loads more color and finishes rather than just the neutrals.  The metallic / glittery flecks in the MAC and Solone Pencils are going to be great for the round of holiday parties this season.  

Top L to R -  1)  NARS Eyeshadow Duo in Cordura $34.00 2)  Wet n Wild ColorIcon Eyeshadow Palette in Blue Had me at Hello $4.99 3)  L'Oreal Project Runway in Temptress' Gaze $8.95 

Bottom L to R - Sephora Moonshadow Trio in Dusk to Dawn and Afterglow each $7.00

Pucker Up and Kiss Me

How I love the luxurious packaging of high-end cosmetics. Seriously, I can see an addiction forming. I don't know if it's just me, but when paying premium for a lipstick, I want the color to be rich, sumptuous and saturated. Don't get me wrong, I love the pinky nude everyday shades, but for a special occasion, nothing says special like a red or wine lipstick in a gorgeous case.

1) Rouge D'Armani #608  $30.00 2) YSL Rouge Pur Couture in Belle Du Rose  $32.00 3)  Nars Lipgloss in Stolen Kisses  $24.00 4) Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Damned  $24.00 5) Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Bahama $24.00 6)  NYX Lip Pencil in Ever  $3.49  7) NYX Lip Pencil in Peekaboo Neutral $3.49  8)  Too Faced Perfect Lips Pencil in Perfect Spice  $17.00 9)  Urban Decay Super Saturated Lipgloss in Naked $19.00

SEE SWATCHES BELOW

Fancy Fingertips

When getting ready for the holiday party circuit, don't forget your mani. After spending time, money and effort perfecting your makeup look, doing up your digits can pull the whole thing together.  Maybe you're not a nail art person, but there are plenty of simple looks you can pull off with the right colors and finishes. 

Left Picture - Top (from left)  1) OPI Man with the Golden Gun 18kt gold topcoat $30.00 2)  Deborah Lippman Cleopatra in NY  $18.00 3) Deborah Lippmann No More Drama  $16.00 4) The New Black Glimmer Twins (one metallic finish black and one matte black) both for $10.00

Bottom:  Orly Galaxy Girl and Orly Space Cadet each $10.00

Right Picture - Deborah Lippmann No More Drama accented with OPI Man with the Golden Gun topcoat

So yes, I am now officially a bonafide addict.  I feel a blog sale coming up soon....stay tuned!

*All products mentioned in this post were purchased by me (and I have the credit card bills to prove it!). No promotional consideration was given and no compensation received. All opinons expressed are 100% my own.

Pop Sugar Must Have - November Edition

I haven't even had a chance to do a post on October's box and surprise, November's box just turned up on my doorstep!  Despite some earlier misgivings, I get really excited for the Must Have box simply because you really never know what you're going to get - from makeup and accessories to food to books and stationary, it's been an eclectic mix of goodies that keep me coming back for more.

At $35.00 a month, it's the priciest of all the services I subscribe to, but I figure I'll continue through the end of the year as I'm quite curious to see what PopSugar will do for Christmas. But let's not get ahead of ourselves....

Here's what's inside November's box:

1) Stonewall Kitchen Cinnamon Doughnut Mix - Value $9.95

2) Mandy Ingber's Yogalosophy DVD - Value $14.98

3)  Snow & Graham Letterpress Thank You Notes in "Dogwood" (6 cards and envelopes) - Value $15.00

4) La Boite Spice Mis Trio - Full Size Trio Value (8.25 oz total) for $45.00 / Sample Value (1.5 oz total) for $8.18

5) Mor Lip Macaron in "French Vanilla" - Value $10.00

6) Gorjana Parker Bracelet (burgundy leather with gold hardware) - Value $55.00

TOTAL BOX VALUE:  $113.11

All in all, this was a pretty good box - I LOVE the Gorjana Bracelet and the Mor Lip Macaron. I'm also an avid baker, so I'm looking forward to using the spices and the doughnut mix, too.  Bring on the Christmas edition, PopSugar - I've been especially good this year, so no coal in my box, please ;)

*PopSugar Must Have Box subscription was bought and paid for by me. This review was unsolicited and no compensation was received for it. As always, the opinions expressed are 100% my own.

What's in November's Ipsy Bag?

I got my second Ipsy bag in the mail this week and I gotta say that the Ipsy love continues. After months of being disappointed by another monthly $10 subscription service - which shall remain nameless, ahem - I was fearing more foil packet samples and granola bars. My, how wrong I was!  Unlike that *other* bag, Ipsy is a makeup subscription (YAY!) - no granola bars here, knock on wood.

So, what's in this month's bag?

1) Starlet Cosmetics Intense Eyeliner in Black - FULL SIZE YAY! - $11.00 - I've never heard of this brand before. The pencil is not too soft with good pigmentation. It doesn't drag or pull on the skin and I can always use another black eyeliner that is blendable.

2) Chella Eyebrow Defining Gel (Clear) - $18.00 for 0.19 fl oz / Sample value (0.12 fl oz) $11.37 - Another brand I've never heard of, but as a girl who has recently become addicted to her NYX brow wax pencil, I'm looking forward to testing this one out.

Right - 1. Starlet Cosmetics Intense Eyeliner in Black  2. The Balm Meet Matt(e) Eyeshadow in Matt Batali  3. Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie in Dare Devil    Left - Nailtini Nail Lacquer in Millionaire over Chanel Le Varnis in Pirate

3) The Balm Meet Matt(e) Eyeshadow in Matt Batali - $34.50 for 9 pan palette / Sample value $3.83 - I really like The Balm products. I've been using Mary Lou-Manizer as a highlight shade for a while now and love it's silky, almost creamy texture.  Unfortunately, the lighting in my apartment doesn't do this shade justice (I'm working on fixing that, I swear!) This shade looks brown-ish, but swatches with dark purple-y tones that will look great with some of the other products I've picked up for the fall.

4) Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Dare Devil - $18.00 for 0.15 fl oz / Sample Value $9.00 for (0.7 fl oz) - The color looks intense in the tube, but swatches into a really sheer, pretty berry color. It's definitely your traditional lipgloss and is shiny with a tacky texture. There's a bit of lip plumping action with the peppermint in there. Altogether a good product in a seasonally apropos shade.

5) Nailtini Nail Lacquer in Millionaire - FULL SIZE! Value $13.00 for 0.5 fl oz - This is a bar glitter polish in gold. I don't normally like bar glitter, but the particles are quite fine and goes on quite plushly giving off a very pretty effect.  Over a solid polish, it's a great holiday look.

As Ipsy is known for, all the products came in great makeup bag - this month, a brown microfiber with gold zip that is perfect for stashing in a purse.  Not even counting the value of the bag, the total value of the products is an impressive $48.20.

Oh, Ipsy, thanks for not disappointing.  Can't wait for next month's bag.


*Ipsy subscription was bought and paid for by me. This review was unsolicited and no compensation was received for it. As always, the opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Massive Skincare Haul aka "Why I need More Shelves in my Bathroom"

I know, I know. It's another haul. But with winter coming on and my skin misbehaving in all sorts of new and annoying ways, I am bound and determined to come up with a winning skincare routine for everyday as well as to have skincare solutions on-hand to deal with flare ups as they arise.

Looking for advice on the matter, I found Caroline Hirons - a skincare guru extraordinaire. For those of you who haven't heard of Caroline, she's an industry insider, but doesn't rep or push any particular brand. She's a straight-talking expert who doles out sage advice and product recommendations on her online clinics.  If you have skin issues, visit her site NOW.  Well, finish reading this post and then you can find the fabulous Ms. Hirons HERE.

Thanks to Caroline (don't you just love how I throw her name out there like we're BFFs now?) and through reading other product reviews I bought a boatload of new things. Here's the rundown:

1.  Cure Natural Aqua Gel - Exfoliator; $39.00 for 250 mL - This was making the rounds on the beauty blogs. It's the #1 exfoliator in Japan and has been getting rave reviews.  I've only used this a couple of times now, so I can't give an in-depth review, but it's light, non-sticky and you can literally see what I assume is dead skin coming off, but my skin doesn't feel stripped of moisture afterwards.

2.  Yonka Masque No. 1 - Moisturizing Mask; $58.00 for 1.7 oz (could be cheaper on Amazon) - This stuff is awesome. I have used it 2-3x per week for the last 3 weeks overnight and when I wake up in the morning, my skin is smoother, softer and moisturized. I can definitely see this as my go-to mask for the cold, dry winter months.

3. Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins - Night Moisturizer; $39.00 for 1.7oz - This stuff smells awesome - like a citrus grove.  It's light and moisturizing, but I'm still not completely sold on it. I feel that my skin gets spotty when I use it more than 3 nights in a row...I'm not sure if I am sensitive to all the essential oils (Yes, I got this from reading Caroline Hirons' clinic answers) so I can't use it   every night.  Nonetheless, a good night moisturizer when you figure out how much your skin can tolerate.

4. Kate Somerville Goat Milk Cream - Moisturizers; $55.00 for 1.7oz - I have used this every day since I got it and I love this stuff. It melts into my skin without making it greasy and is perfect for use under makeup. LOVE!

5.  REN Hydra Calm Cleansing Milk - Cleanser; $32.00 for 5.1oz - A great creamy cleanser without all the crap that can mess with your skin. It does what it's supposed to do, feels lovely and my skin doesn't feel dry or tight after rinsing off. There's no residue. You might need to double cleanse (which I do anyway) or use a makeup remover beforehand if you use SPF or heavier makeup.

6. Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask - Mask; $23.00 for 3.4oz - Another product that gets talked about a lot in Caroline Hirons' clinic.  It's a bestseller on the Origins website and I know tons of people who swear by it. I've only used this a couple of times and my skin is more moisturized in the morning.  It's a solid product at a great price point, but if I could only have one overnight mask product, Yonka edges out Origins in terms of glowing next-day results.

7. Neal's Yard Wild Rose Balm - Treatment; $70.00 for 1.76oz - You guessed it, this is a Caroline Hirons favorite.  It can be used 3 ways - cleanser, nourishing balm or treatment. I prefer to use this as an overnight treatment when I'm broken out (generally around that time of the month when I get spots around my mouth and chin).  It's heavy duty, so I would only use it when I'm super dehydrated or as above. It goes on almost like vaseline, but if you can stand the slick texture, the next morning you'll be rewarded with soft skin.

8.  Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm - Cleanser; $48.00 for 3.38oz - This blogger favorite is an award winner and I can see why. The thick, emollient balm with good-for-you ingredients melts away makeup and leaves skin supple and fresh. I use it the traditional way - with a clean, hot cloth and it totally feels like an indulgent spa treatment.  I used to use the Eve Lom cleanser but discontinued because it contains mineral oil and was so glad I switched to this. I actually look forward to washing my face just to use this stuff.

9.  DHC Mild Touch Cleansing Oil - $17.90 for 5fl oz - I ran out of my usual DHC Deep Cleansing Oil and decided to purchase this instead. Like the original deep cleansing version, this one is also based on olive oil.  I love to use oil-based cleansers for a first cleanse to help get off heavier makeup such as waterproof mascara. This one is ok, I prefer the original better - it's a good thing too, this is being discontinued.

10. LiLash - Lash growth enhancer;  $140 for 0.2 fl oz - Ok, this isn't skincare, but it's not exactly makeup either. I just started using this and have my fingers crossed for long, lush lashes in my near future. Will keep you posted!

11. Decleor Aroma Night Ylang Ylang Purifying Night Balm - Treatment; $73.00 for 1 fl oz. - The scent of this balm is not for those sensitive to perfumes. Whenever I've used this, my guy tells me that my face "smells spicy".  I personally like it and am always amazed that such a fragrant balm is non-clogging. Like Neal's Yard, it's deeply moisturizing. I don't think you need both of these products, but if you live in the US, Decleor is easier to get your hands on.

12.  Dr. Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Firming Eye Cream - Eye Cream; $65.00 for 0.5 fl oz - I'm a newbie to eye cream so I can't really tell you if this is working or not as I'm using it more as a preventative measure than for an existing issue. I chose this particular cream based on the good reviews and the fact that it is one of the few creams that is gentle enough to use on the eyelid area (not just exclusively undereye, as with most other eyecreams). I have noticed some slight puffiness, but that could be from a range of other issues - such as poor sleep.

13. Sara Happ The Lip Scrub in Brown Sugar - Lip Exfoliating Treatment; $24.00 for 0.5 oz - I was totally wary of paying $24.00 for this product, but after a really bad day, I decided to treat myself to a little pick me up.  It takes conscious effort for me not to eat this stuff when I use it. It really is sugar and some essential oils.  It feels great and does what it is supposed to do - exfoliate and condition.  But does it feel $24.00 great?  I am still not totally convinced, but I love the idea of this so much that I intend on playing around with a few DIY recipes after I finish my little pot.

14. Origins Super Spot Remover - Acne Treatment; $14.50 for 0.3 fl oz - With my hormones wreaking havoc on my skin, I wanted to try out a spot treatment. I don't have acne, but I do get a few PMS pimples that I'd like to treat before they leave discoloration / pigmentation spots on my skin. I picked this up and used it on at the first sign of a few spots that were hovering just beneath the surface of the skin.  2 nights of this stuff and my spots never saw the light of day.  And no discoloration either.  The bottle is super tiny, but a little dab is all you need. 

15. Qtica Intense Lip Repair Balm - Lip Balm; $12.00 for 0.5 fl oz - I LOVE this stuff. In the month that I've had it, it has achieved HG status. I did a full review of the product that you can read HERE.  Used in conjunction with a lip exfoliant like Sara Happ's Lip Scrub, my lips have never been more kissable. 

WHEW. I know that's a ton of stuff, but I figure putting my money into a solid skincare routine now saves me loads of money on future cosmetic procedures for sagging, wrinkly skin. I'll keep you posted as I work out my AM / PM routine.  If you want to know how any specific products I mentioned are working out, just let me know in the comments. 

And despite my best intentions to cut down on the makeup spending, I just have to warn the Sephora VIB 20% off sale was last weekend, so expect a makeup haul post in the near future :)


*All items were bought by me and no compensation was received for this review. As always, the opinions expressed in this post are 100% my own.