June 2014 Hit List (Favorites)

Hey Everyone!

This month's favorites consist of skincare, lips, and a hair product that I've been looking for my entire life!  These items were in heavy rotation each day of June and I hope that you're able to find at least one that will work just as well for you as it did for me.  There are five products in total so let's begin.

First up we have MAC's Prep & Prime transparent finishing powder, PERFECT for setting undereye concealer and priming the face, yup, you read it right, PRIMING YOUR FACE!  I came across this technique while watching one Wayne Goss' beauty videos on how to make one's foundation last longer and stay matte.  The link to that video is found here, trust me, it'll save your life. You can find it for $25 at your local MAC store or on their website.

Next up we have an edge control that was first introduced to me via CurlBox founder, Myleik Teele, if you don't follow her on Instagram then you seriously need to, not only is she an entrepreneur but she's a well read woman, fashionable, and she knows what products just work for natural hair.  It is the Design Essentials sleek edge control, this happens to be one of the products she mentioned in one of her past posts and since then I knew I had to get my hands on it.  I've been using this product to tame my edges for about three months now and it is one of my favorites, not the best, but a favorite because my edges stay flat and it leaves no residue.  This comes in to a close second to my number one, Hick's edge control. The price ranges from $7.99 to $12, I purchased mine from the salon inside of a JCPenney.

Then there's the Target brand, Up & Up's eye makeup remover. Seriously, one of the best that I've tried and I have tried plenty.  Just dab a little of this product on a cotton pad and like magic all of your mascara, eyeshadaow, and eyeliner will glide off with ease.  Not tugging, no pulling, because we do not have time for it! It's only $5 at your local Target store.

Up next we have a night time facial moisturizer, you should know by now that I'm always on the hunt for a great facial moisturizer.  I remember trying this out last summer and then because I couldn't find it in stores anymore I stopped using it.  I finished the entire product and was definitely upset when I couldn't find it.  Fast forward one year and I found it online and here we are today.  I typically use this at night and in the morning I wake up with smooth skin.  This formulation is for oily/combo skin but there is also one available for dry/extra skin as well.  You can find this at your local drugstore for approximately $15.

And  finally, we have the famous Ruby Woo lipstick, I wore this nonstop last month because it's a quick and easy way to look put together without doing too much, even on days when I would relax.  It's easy, it's matte, and easy to find.  The only bad thing about this is the formula, IT'S SO DRY!  Exfoliating is a must, balm is a must, and a watchful eye is also a must so that your lips don't look cracked and chapped because you were too busy gnawing on that burger to realize your lips are now carrying remnants of that lunch.  LOL
You can find this at your local MAC store, counter or online for $16.

That's all for now, folks!  What were some of your favorites for the month of June?  Tell me in the comments!

April 2014 Hit List (Favorites)

Hey everyone!

This month I'm back to share my favorites for this past month!  In gathering the products for this post I realized that the packaging is all pink, I swear that was not intentional but it does make for some cute pictures, lol.  These five products aren't necessarily beauty related but more so focused on skincare and smelling nice, so take a gander at what products I enjoyed this past month.

First up we have rosewater which is used primarily as a refresher for my face.  It also can be used in the place of a gentle toner that serves to help even the skintone and provide a nice base to the application of makeup.  I find that ordinary toners at beauty stores break me out but rosewater does not do that and for that I'll continue to use it.  It smells lovely and can also be used as a body splash, in a bath, and as a spritzer on hotter days.  With summer coming up I will definitely be using this more and more.  You can find this at your local health food stores or on Amazon at reasonable prices that range from $5 to $9 a bottle.

Next up is a Bath & Body Works triple moisture cream lotion in Paris Amour.  Normally I don't gravitate to sweeter scents but for whatever reason this has become the exception.  It smells appropriate for the hotter temperatures and is super feminine.  It's sweet without being overpowering and it leaves your skin feeling moisturized.  I just wish these lotions had sunscreen.  These retail for $12.50 but you can always find them on a sale for much less.

Lately I have been in love with this Ed Hardy-Hearts & Daggers perfume, it's another sweet fragrance and pairs nicely with Paris Amour.  I like to combine the two to increase the longevity of the scents.  Alone it lasts all day and the sillage is amazing, I literally still get compliments when I walk past someone at 8pm, long after my day has started. I can't recall how much this costs in stores and I 'm not even sure if it's still available but in the event that you can find it, get you one! :)

One of my favorite things to do at the end of the day is remove my makeup, seriously, it's just something about taking off the hours of the day and relaxing knowing that after your makeup has lasted throughout the day you can finally take it all off, is that weird?  LOL  This Flash Clean makeup remover is a lotion consistency but still light enough to not feel heavy, I simply apply it to my face and use a baby wipe to remove the makeup.  Super easy, super cheap at $5 a bottle which can be found at your local Target, CVS, or Walgreens.

Finally there is this super cute miniature lip butter from Palmer's.  I squealed at the sight of this and immediately purchased because it's so cute and it works!  I use it before applying my lip colors and my lips feel great even with the mattest of matte lipsticks on (I'm talking to you retro matte formula!).  The only thing I don't like about it is that you have to dip your fingers into it for application, that's why I only use it when I'm home and not in public to prevent germs from entering this little container.  It was only $3 from Bed, Bath, & Beyond.

So those were my favorites for this past month!  What were you digging for the month of April?  Let me know in the comments section!

My November 2012 Hit List (Favorites)

Greetings!

I know it's been a while since I last posted a monthly favorites but charge it to my head and not my heart, lol.  This month I bring to you products that I just couldn't get enough of, allow me to introduce you.

This picture was taken with my phone

Pond's Cold Cream- My favorite makeup remover...EVER.  It provides a very cooling feeling once applied to the face, for some it may feel "clammy" but I think it's just it's cooling properties that are at work.  I think this can also be used a moisturizer for those with dry skin.  I personally have never used it this way but I wouldn't recommend it for those of us with oily skin.  This is also considered a very good anti-aging cream from some of my older aunties......take it from me they look YOUNG for their ages.

Inglot Face Primer- This primer allows me to use less foundation and to a degree less oily, it does not claim to be matte face primer but I do find that I get oilier later in the day when I wear this.  It is a silicone based primer.  You have to make sure that you use a tiny bit as using too much will make you feel greasier and it will translate into your makeup.

Cetaphil Oil Control Moisturizer- This does what it says even on days I don't wear makeup I find my face to be more matte even on a hot 90 degree day!  It doesn't leave a greasy residue and this is much appreciated, thank you Cetaphil.

NYX Eyebrow Shaper- This is basically a wax pencil that makes sure your eyebrows stay in place throughout the door.  Make sure you don't apply too heavily as it will give you that dreaded shiny eyebrow look!    I prefer this on over MAC's eyebrow shaper and you get more bang for your buck at more than half the price.

EOS lip balm- Don't be surprised that this is included in this month's favorites, I love this stuff! 

What were your favorites this past month?  Let me know in the comments! :)

My February 2012 Hit List (Favorites)

Greetings!
This past month I found that I was reaching ALOT for neutrals, typically because I wanted to get some use out of my Urban Decay Naked palette, for the most part it is nice but definitely not a "must have" as so many bloggers will have you believing.  I think you'll be just fine with another palette with less eyeshadows.  Then again, that is is just my opinion....Now for the fun stuff, shall we?

First up we have the Naked palette by Urban Decay, the neutral colors really came in handy on my trip to DC as it was really easy to pick what colors I needed with ease.  The gold/bronzey colors in this palette are super pretty.  I also like the fact that it was really easy to fit in my travel makeup bag!  SCORE!

Next up is Motions Mousse, as an overall brand I really like Motions products and this one in particular is no different.  It keeps my frizziness down and smells wonderful. 

This month I really enjoyed the neutral lip, I've been reaching more for two glosses, MAC Perennial High Style, a peachy-nude color and MAC Liquer, a subdued wine color.  These two go perfect with neutral eyes and a soft blush.

Olive Oil Edge Control is seriously heaven sent!  My edges are uncontrollable but with this product I am able to stay cool without the fear of my edges not laying flat.  It is a clear gel like product but doesn't get hard or flake like other gels.  It smells nice too, as you can tell I am a fan of hair products smelling nice.  : )

NYX Dark Brown long eye pencil is the perfect brown liner, I use mine to first shape my eyebrows before I fill them in.  It applies smoothly and lasts all day.

This past month I really enjoyed playing around with the new Maybelline Eye Studio 24 Hours Tattoo but I fell in love with Bad to the Bronze, it went well with the Naked palette.  It is a pigmented bronze color that delivered a great color payoff that lasted all day. 

And finally, Bath & Body Works body butter in Moonlight Path, had me smelling like a sweet meadow.  Seriously, it is a soft and mild floral scent that lasts all day.  The product is thick, probably thicker than the current body butters currently available since I did get this before they reformulated the body butters.  I'm almost done with mine and I'm afraid that I won't find this scent anymore....BOOOO!

Welp, that's my hit list.  What were some of the items that you enjoyed using this month?  I want to know in the comments.

My January 2012 Hit List (Favorites)

Greetings!

I hope that you all are having a wonderful Monday post-Grammys, I know I am, I wasn't able to watch the entire show because I got bored after the first hour and decided to go work on homework, LOL.  In between writing  a thesis and watching Youtube videos I felt it right to create a blog post.  : )  See how things just work out?

Today I come to you with my hit list for the month of January.  These are products I used the most and enjoyed and I hope that this list can assist you on your cosmetic lust for the future.  Let's begin, shall we.....

First up is EOS lip balm, this is the smoothest lip balm I've ever had and trust me, I've used plenty from various brands.  I use this under all my lipcolors and it never fails me.  It leaves a matte finish and is comfortable and best yet, it doesn't leave white film on the corners of your mouth over time (I know, I know, we've all been there).

Black Opal Invisible Oil Blotting Powder is the bees knees!  Ever since I got this late last year I've recommended to everyone I know looking for a great powder to set their foundation.  Looking to keep your oil in check?  Run to your nearest drugstore and buy this, you can thank me later. ; )  It's translucent and it is one of the few that I know of that don't leave a white cast on the face after application.

Up next is a MAC product that I've been loyal to since my years in undergrad for those nights I stayed up longer than I should have despite me having an 8 AM class, we won't get into that...lol. It's the ever so popular Studio Finish Concealer in NW45.  It's thick, it's creamy, and it works!  All I have to do is dab a little underneath my eyes and on blemish marks and set it with the Black Opal blotting powder and I'm good to go, otherwise it will crease.  Say no to the broken roof shingles look ladies!  

L'Oreal Voluminous Lashes mascara is the best mascara I've come across, I love the way it makes me look like I have Bambi lashes, it provides volume and a curl that I can't obtain naturally. 

Here's a friend to many, MAC Groundwork paint pot, the perfect base for neutral eyeshadow looks or any eyeshadow look for that matter.  It's creamy and leaves a matte finish, the dry time is instant, perfect for me!  You can also use it as an all over color for those "fresh face" days.

And finally, Revlon PhotoReady face primer, great product from Revlon!  It's great for keeping me from looking like an oil slick by the end of the day.  If you're a fan of the foundation you'll love this, and if your're not you'll still love it.  Be on the look out for my full product review coming soon!  

What do you think?  What were some of your favorites for the month of January?