Weekly Makeup Basket 2.6 – Final One!

I’ve reached the end of this challenge! Welcome to my final week of Makeup Baskets…

photo 1-4FACE
TheBalm Down Boy Blush
L’Oreal Infallible Foundation
Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless Foundation
BareMinerals Perfecting Mineral Veil
Bare Minerals Highlight in Citrine Radiance
Dr. Jart Dis-a-Pore Primer
Tarte Blush in Flushed
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
Benefit Hoola
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette

photo 2-5EYES
Lorac Unzipped Palette
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in El Dorado
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk
Milani Eyeshadow Primer
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Rose Gold
Julep Go Big Mascara
Julep Glide-On Liner in Smoky Plum

photo 3-3LIPS
Too Faced Melted Lipstick in Peony
NARS Matte Lipstick in Bangkok
Clinique Chubby Stick in Mega Melon
Mireness Glossy Kiss in Perfect Kiss

And there you have it! As always, I love to actually see and use what I have in my collection, but I am looking forward to switching up my palettes during the week 🙂 Enjoy your weeks, beauties!

2014 Favorites – Skin and Hair

Can you believe there is less than a week left of 2014?? As we wrap up this year, it’s time to reflect on a lot, which, to me, also includes all the great new products I discovered this year, hence Year End Favorites.

My criteria for favorites is basically something that I’ve discovered at some point in 2014 that I absolutely love, will purchase again, can’t go without. Not necessarily holy grail products (because some of those were discovered before this year) or even things that just came out this year (because I don’t jump right on the bandwagon for new stuff), but things that were new to me in 2014. I’ve done a lot of hauling this year, so there was a lot to choose from, so these will come in several parts.

And this post is part one, featuring…skin and hair care!

SKIN2014 Skin

First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy: This was in my July Favorites post here, and it is still a staple! The only downside is that the applicator can get messy, but it really makes me look more awake and makes my concealer look great. Essential!

Julep Brilliance Hand Scrub: This was in my September favorites, and I still love it, especially as we get into cold weather. It has helped my skin feel smooth and not flaky, and it smells amazing. I use it about twice a week before bed, and I definitely notice a difference.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment: I’ve used more lip scrubs this year than last year, and this one is definitely my favorite. I love the sweet citrus smell, and I love that it’s still a good exfoliator without being overly harsh. A little goes a long way, and regular exfoliating is great for my lips (and lipstick).

Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief: I got a sample of this in January, and I’ve repurchased it for this winter, too. As I’ve said before, this stuff is perfect for winter skin! It hasn’t been too cold here yet, but I’ve been using it as the temperature has dropped, and it’s really made my skin feel soft and prepped for makeup. Definitely a must have.

Purity Face Wash by Philosophy: I’ve talked about this stuff here…and here...and here, so there’s not much left to say, except this stuff is great and I really enjoy using it.

Mary Kay Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover: This is fairly new to my collection but hallelujah! This is an amazing eye makeup remover for all kinds of eye makeup, no matter how stubborn. You can use a cotton ball, but I took a tip from LaFemme5278 on YouTube and just put some on my fingers and lightly massage the eye makeup off – works like a dream and it wastes less cotton balls! It melts makeup off like magic.

Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner: I’ve talked about this here and here, and it’s still a staple in my shower routine. I’m almost through my first container, and I can’t wait to get another. For people like me who are way too lazy/forget to put on lotion right after the shower, it’s just what I’ve needed!

And, of course, my Clarisonic Mia…the miracle worker.

HAIR2014 Hair

Truthfully, I don’t change up my hair care very much at all…with my curly hair, once I find something that works and looks good, I stick with it. This year, however, I found some amazing new favorite products, most of all….

The Briogeo line: Don’t Despair, Repair Mask, Curl Charisma Creme and Conditioner. This stuff is amazing! It’s all natural, made especially for curly girls. The Conditioner is super thick, but it’s amazing. The masque truly transforms your hair texture, especially if you suffer from any dryness or frizz. And the Creme is so lightweight and really cuts down on frizz and helps define curls. Overall, I notice a huge difference in my curls with this line, especially now that I’m keeping my hair long. This is a new permanent fixture!

Big Sexy Hair Root Pump: I’ve talked about this before, and it is amazing for volume! It can leave your hair a little sticky, but it is perfect for big hair, which I love.

Have you tried any of these products? What are your favorite Skin and Hair Care favorites for 2014?

Current Empties – May 2014

I’ve finished up another (small) round of products! Here’s what I used up and how I felt:

May Empties

May Empties

It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product – This product is an amazing detangler! My hair can be really hard to work with, and this completely changes it and makes it so silky. I just wish it weren’t so expensive. It’s not something I use every time I wash my hair, but I’m always happy with it. I have another sample now, so that is exciting.

Beauty Protector Protect and Detangle – A similar product to the It’s a 10, but the nozzle on mine broke so I had to handle it with my hands. It smells way better than the It’s a 10, though. I

Acetone – This is just the random brand I got from Sally’s or somewhere, but I love using acetone to take of nail polish. Yes, it’s really harsh and probably dries my nails out and does other bad things to them, but it’s so fast, I really won’t complain.

Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector – This is worth the hype! For all of us who struggle with acne scarring, this product definitely makes a difference, especially if you’re really good about remembering to use it daily…which I was not toward the end, but it’s still done great things for my skin. I haven’t repurchased it, but I will eventually.

BeautyBlender – Alas, it is time to bid this BeautyBlender adieu. Don’t worry, I have two backups, but this one needed to die. It was so dirty, had holes in it and just felt a little fragile, so out it went. I love using this especially for sheering products out in the summer, so my new one will get a lot of use.

Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief – I got this in a Clinique sample box from Sephora, and this is the perfect moisturizer for the winter. During this ridiculous winter when it was so frigid, my skin got really dried out, and this moisturizer did what I needed it to do. I’ll definitely repurchase it for next winter.

Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask (not pictured) – This also came in that kit, and it was a great overnight super moisturizing mask. but it was a really nice overnight moisturizer.

Neutrogena Naturals Multi-Vitamin Nourishing Night Cream – I bought this looking for my favorite Neutrogena Light Night Cream when it wasn’t at my drugstore. This was an okay moisturizer, but I wasn’t crazy about the smell and didn’t see anything to special about it, even though it was supposed to be a fancy, organic, multi-vitamin cream. It was fine for the price, but I still prefer the Light Night Cream.

Those were my empties! I’ve tried a lot of moisturizers lately, and I think I’ve found some good choices. What have you used up lately?

Weekly Makeup Basket #6 – Last One!

We’ve made it to the LAST Weekly Makeup Basket and the last week of the Lent challenge! I’ll be posting a review of all of the baskets and the process to go up later this week. First, though, here’s what I’ll be using this week with my Makeup Basket Staples:

photo 1

FACE
Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation
Bare Minerals Matte Foundation in Fair
Benefit ChaCha Tint
MAC Blush in Immortal Flower
Benefit Hoola Bronzer
NYX Powder Blush in Pinched
NYX HD Concealer
TheBalm Mary Lou Manizer

Lip Products

Lip Products

LIPS
Lorac Lipstick in It Girl
Urban Decay Super-Saturated High-Gloss Lip Pencil in Glinda
NYX Butter Gloss in Apple Strudel
Clinique Chubby Stick in Mega Melon

Eye products

Eye products

EYES
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils in Milk, Cashmere and Purple Velvet
Tini Beauty Shadow Tint in Spiced Rum
Bare Minerals loose eyeshadows in Cultured Pearl, Soiree and Light Brown
NYX Eyeshadow in Morocco
NYX Nude Matte Shadow in Underneath it All
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Flipside
Starlooks Kohl Eye Pencil in Obsidian
Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara
Benefit They’re Real! Mascara

I really wanted to use my Julep Eye Sheen with single shadows this week, but to my dismay the cracked cap had made it all dry up! I should have replaced it earlier, but it is certainly on my list to haul ASAP.

What will you be using as we transition into warmer weather? Anything amazing you’ve been loving lately? Until next time!