October Favorites

October is the month of birthdays in my family!  Just to name a few: my youngest daughter turned 23, my oldest grandson turned 3, and I turned 45!                              Happy birthday to all of my October beauties! ❤

Here are a handful of products that were my favorites during the month of October –   (All links will open in a new window):

• Morphe G36 Round Powder brush – ($14.00) I received this brush in my MorpheMe subscription box back in February but only started using it a few months ago to apply foundation. It’s soft and dense and buffs out my foundation perfectly.
• e.l.f. cosmetics Baked Highlighter – Moonlight Pearls ($4.00) I have had this highlight for a couple of years and always find myself reaching for it. It is the perfect shade for my skin tone and never fails to give me that glowing from within appearance.

• Gerard Cosmetics Slay All Day Nikkia Joy Rose Setting Spray – ($22.00) GC Slay All Day is one of my ride or die setting sprays. If you want your makeup to last longer, then look no further. The Nikkia Joy spray has a beautiful light rose scent and performs just as the regular Slay All Day setting sprays. It does tend to dry out my skin, so I use it in rotation with the Morphe Prep & Set spray.
• Smith’s Rosebud Salve – ($6.00) I use this salve before going to bed and just before makeup application to keep foundation off my lips. It has a light rose scent and is hydrating. It’s been a favorite for at least 7 years.
• Victoria’s Secret Pure Seduction Fragrance lotion – ($18.00) My BFF gave this to me as a birthday gift and I’ve been using it almost daily. It smells SO darned good! It has a fruity and fresh scent that isn’t overpowering. I just use a small amount on my arms and on the back of my neck and it leaves me smelling good all day.

What are your October favorites!

September Favorites

September was a wonky month. My MacBook Pro was pronounced kaput, and Hurricane Irma smashed into Southwest Florida. I don’t have many this month, but even with these annoying interruptions, I managed to snag me some favorites!  All of my September faves proved their awesomeness during Hurricane Irma recovery.

My September Favorites (All links will open in a new window):

• Equate Pre-Moistened Nighttime Soothing Makeup Remover cloths – After Irma, these cloths were LIFE. I didn’t have power for six days and though I washed my face when I took a cold shower, after a day cutting up and cleaning up the tree debris outside my house, a nice cold cloth soothed my skin.
• Cover FX Perfect Setting Powder – This powder is $35USD, however, I picked it up during Ulta’s 23 Days of Beauty sale for $17.50. I LOVE this powder. A little goes a long way.  I stopped using setting powders because they all sit in my fine lines and make me look 15 years older. I don’t have that issue with this powder.  It makes my skin look soft and my makeup smooth. I’d pay $35 for this all day.
• TIGI Bed Head Urban Antidotes Resurrection shampoo & conditioner – I have been using this shampoo and conditioner for quite a while now but like the Equate Beauty makeup remover cloths, this combination really hit a homerun for me after Hurricane Irma.  We were without power for 6 days. I took cold showers for 6 days. This combination helped keep my hair from slapping the crap out of me.
• Equate Daily Moisturizing Lotion – I use this lotion when my skin is out of control with eczema.  I get breakouts on the creases of my arms, the tops of my shoulders and my underarms.  This is a dupe for Aveeno’s Daily Moisturizing Lotion, however, I prefer this brand over Aveeno. My eczema has been bad due to stress but this lotion helps keep it under control and speeds up healing time.

Ok, September, you provided some obstacles but you can’t keep me down! Bring on October AKA my birthday month!  🙂

 

August Favorites

August finished a bit bumpy and sad as I found out that my MacBook was beyond repair. I am still undecided in purchasing another MacBook so in the meantime, I found a great deal on a PC laptop to hold me over. This has allowed me to get back to blogging. Not being able to blog for a few months was painful. I missed out on sharing and keeping up with you guys.

It’s so good to be back and with that, let’s get on to it!

My August Favorites (All links will open in a new window):

• Morphe Prep & Set spray ($14.99USD) – I LOVE this spray! As it is an aerosol, the mist is fine and covers without showering my face with raindrops. The Morphe Prep & Set spray locks in my makeup all day.  I will be stocking up on this spray as soon as it is back in stock. Whenever that is.  😐
• e.l.f. cosmetics Hydrating Water Sheet mask ($3.00USD) – I cannot say enough positive things about this sheet mask. It is infused with magical goodness that hydrates my skin like nothing else ever. I use at least twice a week because I have normal to dry skin.  This mask keeps my skin’s moisture in check.  e.l.f. recently had their 50% off sale and I picked up 10 of them for $15.00USD!
• Conair True Glow Battery Operated Facial brush ($16.50USD) – I purchased mine at Walmart for $14.99USD but can no longer find it on their website. I bought it and didn’t have high hopes that it would work well, but it proved me wrong! I use this daily with Ponds Cold Cream (avoiding my eyes, obviously), and I use it once a week with Aveeno’s Daily Exfoliating Daily Scrub. The brush came with three of the same brush heads, and has two speeds.  It uses 2 AAA batteries NOT INCLUDED. The brush is waterproof so it can be used in the bath or shower. I have noticed my skin is more clear and the blackheads on my nose are minimal.  For under $20.00USD, you can’t get a better rotating facial brush.
• Benefit Roller Lash Curling and Lifting mascara ($24.00USD) – I wrote a review on this mascara and you can read it here (link will open in a new window). In short, I LOVE THIS MASCARA AND WILL BUY AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN. ❤
• Crown Large Round Buffer paddle brush($24.99) – I received this brush in a beauty box. I LOVE it! I think it’s a contour brush, however I use it for foundation application. It’s soft, dense and applies my foundation perfectly.

Have you tried any of my favorites? What are your favorites for the month of August?

Let’s hope September decides to slow down and smell the roses!

 

May Favorites

Well, another month has come and gone which means it’s time for another Monthly Favorites post!  

My May favorites (All links open in a new window):

1) Ponds Cold Cream – I decided to go old school and try this way of makeup removal. I like it.  I think.  I’ve used it daily for over a month, and though it still feels strange to use a cream to remove my makeup, it really works!  My skin feels so soft and moisturized after using. I don’t always use it to remove my eye makeup though because I can’t get it completely off and then my eyes have this weird film that annoys the crap out of me.  For my mascara removal, I use a facial cleansing cloth.

2) It Cosmetics Superhero Mascara – I bought this on a recommendation from Bonnie (Queen of the Girl Geeks).  Read my First Impression on this product here.  I was hesitant to purchase this mascara because I had a bad experience with a similar mascara that rhymes with Poo Taced Smetter Ban Hex. I purchased the Superhero mascara, received it on May 1st, tried it for the first time on May 2nd, and have used it EVERY STINKIN’ DAY since without fail. I LOVE IT.  I will do a separate review on this mascara because it’s deserving of its own post.

3) IBY Beauty Blush in Peach Sheen – I received this blush in a Beautycon beauty box.  I tried it for the first time at the beginning of May and have used it every day since, thus giving my Too Faced Love Flush blush a break.  🙂 It’s a beautiful shimmery peach.  I didn’t use this right away when I received it because of the sheen, but I find that I actually like the shimmer it gives to my cheeks. 

4) Purpose Dual Treatment moisturizer – I have incredibly sensitive and sometimes dry skin.  I did an internet search for the best moisturizers, and Purpose was #6 out of 15 in an article by Elle posted in March 2017. Read the article here. I only use this moisturizer at night because it is a bit heavy and I don’t have much time in the morning to wait between moisturizing and makeup application. Purpose is incredibly hydrating. I sometimes get dry patches from setting sprays and hydrating mists (I know, ironic, right?), and I use this moisturizer to help heal the dry areas.  It works pretty much overnight.  Highly recommended by dermatologists, this moisturizer puts my dry skin in check. It’s affordable at less than $5.00. Keep it away from your eyes, though, because once you get it in, you can’t get it out.

5) Rimmel London Stay Glossy lipgloss (Dorchester Rose) – I am in love with this lipgloss. It isn’t a long wearing gloss, what gloss is? But I don’t mind reapplying becaust it’s a beautiful shimmery sheer nude with little glittery particles that make my lips look pretty.  I love it so much that I have at least 3 backups.  🙂  The formula isn’t drying or sticky. I have a few different shades in this line and they’re all pretty awesome, but Dorchester Rose is my fave.

6) OGX Orchid Oil Color Protect – This product also came in a Beautycon beauty box, but you can buy it at Ulta, Walmart, etc..  I just started using this the first week of May and I love it!  I color my hair black every 4-6 weeks, and this spray is supposed to slow premature fading.  I don’t know if it really helped with that, but it did make my hair feel incredibly soft and it smells… OMG the smell… it smells wonderful, and that wonderful scent lasted all day.

Have you used any of these products?  Share your May favorites with me in the comments!

❤️

 

April Favorites

With a new month quickly approaching, I wanted to join in on the monthly Favorites posts. I love reading yours and then going out and buying what your favorites are in hopes they become my favorites!  🙂

My April favorites (All links will open in a new page):

1) PÜR Miracle Mist Hydrating Spray – I picked this up during Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty for $13.  It smells so good and I use just a few sprays to refresh my skin after makeup application.  The citrus smell is invigorating. I only use it a few times a week in the morning after showering.  A lot of these mists/sprays contain ingredients that are harsh on my sensitive skin, and though I may enjoy how they feel on my skin, I use them sparingly to avoid irritation. This mist retails for $18 at Ulta.

2) OLEHENRIKSEN Sheer Transformation Perfecting Moisturizer – I LOVE this moisturizer.  I use this about three times a week in rotation with another moisturizer, but I love how it melts into my skin without that heavy greasy feeling.  It’s perfect when my skin has dry patches. I buy the smaller size (0.5oz) for $12 rather than a 1.7oz jar for $38.  I purchase this at Sephora.

3) Too Faced Love Flush blush in Love Hangover – I picked up this blush during Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty for $13.  The color is a lovely peachy pink and looks beautiful on my fair skin. I am so in LOVE with this blush! It doesn’t smell, and it blends out wonderfully.  It is rare that I find a blush I like so much, and out of all the cosmetics in my collection, blushes are not something I have more than 3 or 4 of.  I have been using this every day and will be sad when I have to pay $26 for a new one.

4) Morphe M521 brush –  This is my new holy grail/ride or die/tried and true brush that I use to apply my highlight.  I recently switched from using my daily use of the Morphe M441, which also works pretty danged well, but I prefer the M441 brush more for eyeshadow application/blending.  The M521 is shorter and fatter. I try to switch up brushes each month so that I can find new favorites.  This brush is $5.99 on the Morphe website.

5) Cargo Cosmetics Around the World eye shadow palette – This palette came in my Spring 2017 Beautycon box. I don’t usually wear eyeshadow on the daily, but I have for most of April.  The colors in this palette are beautiful, highly pigmented, and blend OK, but HOLY FALL OUT, BATMAN! Do your eyeshadow first before applying the rest of your makeup. Amsterdam is a great inner eye highlight shade, and my most used shades are Paris, Moscow, Athens, and Toronto.  This palette retails for $34.

6) Anastasia Beverly Hills Nicole Guerriero Glow Kit – This will probably be my favorite every month until I hit pan on each shade and then I’ll be sad until I buy a new one. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this glow kit.  I am fair skinned but I don’t allow that to keep me from using every highlight shade. I try to mix it up using other highlighters, but I look at this palette and just can’t pass it up.   It is stunning, I don’t care what anyone says.  I’ll never think of this palette as a waste of money.  This Glow Kit is $40.

What are your favorites?  Are any of my favorites your favorites?