December Favorites!

Favorite Movies

1. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: This is the second movie in The Hobbit trilogy. I read the book about a year ago, and I really liked it. The movies add a lot of stuff that wasn't in the book, but that is ok to me. I feel like the movies are a different experience, than the book. I like Peter Jackson. He knows how to make a great movie. My favorite part of this movie was Bilbo, the hobbit. Martin Freeman is the actor, and I think he is amazing. He steals every scene he is in. He is such a great actor. I wish that he would win some awards. The hobbit is so relatable and funny. Even though he is the most unlikely character, he is always saving people and saving the day. I think I liked this film better than the first. 

2. Insidious: This movie came out in 2010, but I hadn't heard of it until this year. I saw "The Conjuring" and I remember people were saying it was scarier than "Insidious." I thought, "Insidious" must be a scary movie if that is what they are comparing it to. The sequel to "Insidious" has just come out, and I haven't seen it yet. I wanted to see the first one first. It was available for free on Fear Net on Demand. This movie scared me so bad! My muscles were tense all over after watching it. This is like a haunting/ghost/demon/possession type of movie. I tend to like horror movies with that theme. It really can scare me. I thought the story was good too, and good acting. There was a lot of moments when things pop out at you and make you jump.

Favorite TV Show

Mob Wives: This is the 4th season. It's on Vh1. It is also On Demand, which I like because I like to be able to watch the TV show whenever I want to. This is another reality show. The women are so passionate, and they get into conflicts with each other. It seems like I like watching shows where women fight, but I don't think it is that. I think I like to analyze people. It all goes back to being interested in psychology, I think. I like watching how people interact with each other, and I like seeing different people's personalities. I think people can be fascinating. All of these women are linked to the mob in some way, whether it is their husband, their father, or a relative. 

Beauty Favorites

1. Benefit Bad Gal Lash Mascara: I had a Benefit Advent Calendar this month, so you will see several Benefit products in my favorites. I have tried Benefit's They're Real, and I loved it. I was sad when it was time to throw it away because three months had passed. I was hoping I would get a Benefit mascara in the calendar, and I got one! This is just like They're Real. It lengthens and thickens your lashes. 

2. Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream: I normally use the same face products every day religiously, but I was curious to try something new. This smells so good, and it does a good job moisturizing. It didn't break me out. The only thing I don't like is it doesn't have SPF.

3. Essie Nail Lacquer in Peak of Chic: I wore OPI Nail Lacquer in You're Such a Budapest, and then put Peak of Chic as a top coat on my ring fingers. It is little white bars and glitter bars. It reminds me of frost. I think I'm going to wear this a lot this winter. I think it would look really pretty on light blue or mint nails. 

4. Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Clear: I was using Ardell's Brow Gel, but when I ran out of it I wanted to try this. It does a good job keeping my eyebrows in place. It is like hairspray for your eyebrows. 

5. Benefit Bad Gal Eyeliner in Black: Whenever a look called for black eye liner, I reached for this because it was new and it is a good liner. You can smudge it out, and put it in the waterline. 

6. Lush Mint Julip Lip Scrub: I love this! You lick your lips and scrub this on, and then you lick it off your lips. It tastes like mint chocolate chip ice cream! I had heard people talk about Lush lip scrubs, and I was curious to try it. They had a special one for Christmas, but it was Cola tasting, and that didn't sound as good to me as a mint one. These come in different flavors. You can get popcorn or bubblegum. It works really good too. Keep it at room temperature though. I tried bringing it to work with me in my makeup bag, but it hardened in the car. It didn't stay that way, thankfully.

7. L'Oreal Nail Color in The Statement Piece: This is a pretty gold glitter. It's hard to see it in the picture. I wish I could take better pictures. I just used this on the nail, and it is just nice for this time of year. I wanted to wear something gold and sparkly.

8. & 9. OPI Nail Lacquer in My Favorite Ornament and OPI Nail Lacquer in Ski Slope Sweetie: I don't know if you can tell from the picture, but the ring finger has a different texture than the other fingers. I put Ski Slope Sweetie on all the nails. It is a beautiful opal color. I put My Favorite Ornament on my ring fingernails as an accent. It has little golden glitters. It reminds me of sand paper. I like the different textures. It seemed really wintery to me. These nail polishes are from The Mariah Carey collection. I saw it on someone's blog, and I thought so many of the nail polishes were beautiful. I have two other ones that you might see on my favorites list next month. These polishes look so elegant to me.

10. Maybelline Eye Studio Color Explosion in Forest Fury: All the colors in this are great, but I know the one I used the most this month was the glittery top coat. It is the gold glitter at the top of the palette. You can put this on top of any eyeshadow, and it gives a beautiful look. Whenever a look called for gold glitter, I used this shadow. I think these types of palettes became popular in Asia first, and then were brought to America. I have all the palettes, and each one has a glittery top coat. You don't need any glue for it to stick. It's fun to play with.

Favorite Songs

I listened to the Christmas radio station. I like the old Christmas songs, from the 40's and 50's.

These are some of my favorite Christmas songs. I used them in my advent blog posts.

1. Where Are You Christmas? by Faith Hill

2. The Christmas Song by Nat "King" Cole

3. O Holy Night by Celine Dion

4. Underneath the Tree by Kelly Clarkson

5. Drummer Boy (ft. Busta Rhymes) by Justin Bieber

6. Mary, Did You Know? by Ceelo Green

7. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day by Casting Crowns

8. Carol of the Bells

9. Mistletoe by Justin Bieber

10. Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant

11. Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky

12. All I Want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey

13. We Three Kings

14. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by The Carpenters

15. Christmas by Mariah Carey

16. Merry Christmas, Darling by The Carpenters

17. Run, Rudolph, Run by Chuck Berry

18. White Christmas by The Drifters

19. Joy to the World by Nat "King" Cole

20. Do You Hear What I Hear? by Whitney Houston

At the end of this video I heard a really pretty version of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by Charity Vance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOnDoDHeaV4. Her voice is so sweet and unique.

Other Favorites

1. New Winter Wax Warmer: This is by Better Homes & Gardens. You can find these at Walmart. They had these in the holiday section. I thought this one was pretty. The one I was using was a sand castle, and it was too summery. This one isn't too Christmasy, so I can use it all winter long.

2. Better Homes & Gardens Scented Wax Cubes in Snowy Winter Woods: This was my favorite wax cubes of the month. It smells like pine and perfume. I don't know how else to describe it. It isn't an overpowering smell at all. 

I hope you enjoyed my December favorites! What was your favorite thing this month? Leave a comment below! I hope you have a good New Year's Eve and a happy new year!

Holiday Looks 2013 Part 2

I know Christmas is over, but there are still New Year's Eve parties, and I think holiday looks are still relevant. I hope you like these holiday looks I found on Youtube!

I noticed in my last makeup look post, I kept using the same phrases to describe each look, so I'm going to be more careful how I describe things. I'll try to expand my vocabulary. xD

These are the products I used for the looks in case you wanted to know:

Eye Primer: Milani Eye Shadow Primer
White Eye Liner: NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk
Black Gel Liner: Essence Gel Liner in Midnight in Paris
Mascara: Benefit Bad Gal Lash Mascara (top lashes), Covergirl Lash Perfection in Very Black (2nd coat of mascara on the top lashes), Maybelline Lash Discovery Mini-Brush Waterproof in Very Black (bottom lashes)
Face Primer: Benefit Porefessional Face Primer
Foundation: Revlon Colorstay Foundation for Normal/Dry Skin in Ivory
Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Translucent, Elf High Definition Powder in Corrective Yellow (under eyes)
Black Eye Liner: Benefit Bad Gal Eyeliner in Black
Bronzer: Maybelline Dream Sun Bronzing Powder in Matte Light
Black Liquid Liner: Jordana Incolor Fabuliner Liquid Eye Liner in Black
Concealer: Boots No.7 Stay Perfect Blemish Cover in Extra Fair (blemishes), Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in Radiant (under eyes, and to highlight), Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in Ivory (under eyes)
Eyebrows: Milani Brow Fix Brow Kit in Light
Nude Eye Liner: Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in Nude
Brown Eye Liner: Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in Brown

I find a look I like on Youtube or a blog, and then I copy the look using my own makeup. On the left side, is what the makeup artist used, on the right side is what I used. If there is just one product, that means I used the same product they used. I don't always mention the product, if it is a product where you can use whatever you want, like a powder or mascara or something.

1. GRWM: *NEW* Makeup Play & Quick Pin-Up by cosmetic couturier http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a53LxD8dRjY
a. Eye Primer
b. Makeup Geek Shadow in Vanilla Bean, fluffy crease brush, from lashes to brow, dupe is MAC Shroom: 4th shade in Wet 'n Wild Lust
c. Makeup Geek Shadow in Frappe, same brush, outer corner, crease: Wet 'n Wild Nude Awakenings, 3rd color
d. White Eye Liner, waterline, lower lash line
e. Frappe, same brush, lower lash line
f. Black Gel Liner, upper lash line, wing
g. Mascara
h. BB Cream: I used a primer and foundation.
i. Concealer
j. Pumpkin & Poppy Cream Blush in Kim: NYX Rouge Cream Blush in Glow
k. Pumpkin & Poppy Lady of Light, dupe of MAC's Pearl, top of cheekbone: Physicians Formula Mineral Glow Pearls in Translucent Pearl (this is a powder, not a cream)
l. All Natural Face Vegan Lip Gloss in Glazed Strawberries: Revlon Lip Butter in Cherry Tart
My Thoughts: This is a pin-up type look. I did the whole face, including the lips, but I felt something was missing. It was the wing. I couldn't skip the wing on this. I just did my best, and made a little flick on the end of the line. I tried to make it not so complicated for me to do, and I think it turned out even on both sides. This look makes me feel like Marilyn Monroe!

2. Olive YOU! - Holiday Makeup Look 2 by xteeener http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiIBQ1DxC6Y
a. Foundation
b. Eye Primer
c. Urban Decay Vice 2 Palette, Stash, eyelid: Urban Decay Mildew from Ammo Palette
d. Same Palette, Prank, outer v: Wet 'n Wild I Don't Do Camouflage, crease color
e. Same Palette, Rewind, blend out the edges, dupe is MAC Omega: L'Oreal Cupa Joe, 3rd color
f. Black Eye Liner, upper lash line, waterline, outer lower lash line
g. Same Palette, Damaged, lower lash line: Stila In The Garden Palette, Juniper
h. Same Palette, Prank, outer lower lash line
i. Same Palette, Dope, lower lash line inner little bit, inner corners: NYX Natural Eyeshadow Palette, 4th color
j. Mascara
k. Powder
l. Bronzer, contour
m. NYX Blush in Mocha: Wet 'n Wild Blush in Heather Silk
n. Sigma Blush (Highlight) in Peaceful, top of cheekbones, under brow bone: Benefit Girl Meets Pearl
o. Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner in East End Snob, line and fill in lips
p. Rimmel Lipstick in Spotlight Beige: Rimmel Moisture Renew in Nude Delight
My Thoughts: I like xteeener looks. She really always does a good job with her looks. The eyes are olive (like the headings says), the cheeks are mauve, and the lips are nude.

3. Holiday Makeup Tutorial: Glam & Classic by MakeupByTiffanyD http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_fhseMRkXY
a. Eye Primer
b. NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk, blend with finger
c. Marc Jacobs Lolita Palette, 3rd color, eyelid: The Balm Nude'tude Palette in Stubborn
d. Same Palette, 2nd color, crease: Wet 'n Wild Vanity, 2nd color
e. Urban Decay All Nighter, spray brush, eyelid color, eyelid
f. Same Palette, lightest shade, under brow, inner corner: Wet 'n Wild Brulee
g. Black Liquid Liner, upper lash line, wing
h. Mascara
i. Too Faced Sun Bunny Bronzer, under cheekbones, hairline, temples, jaw: NYC Sun 'n Bronze in Fire Island Tan
j. Hourglass Radiant Light, top of cheekbones, nose: Benefit Watt's Up
k. Chanel Blush in Accent: Covergirl Blush in Soft Mink
l. MAC Lip Pencil in Staunchly Stylish: L'Oreal Paris Colour Rich Lip Liner in All About Pink
m. MAC Lipstick in Deliciously Forbidden: Revlon Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie
n. MAC Lustreglass in Star Nova: I skipped this because the lip butter already has shine.
My Thoughts: This is another pin up type look. The eyes are simple, except for the wing, and the lips are dark pink. This reminds me of being in the 50's.

4. Golden Eye Wearable/Holiday Makeup Tutorial by TheMakeupChair http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Piq4I9XIeYo
a. NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Pure Gold, center of lid, use fingers to blend it out: Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bold Gold
b. Sleek Vintage Romance Palette, upper right color, blend into the crease: Revlon Colorstay Palette in Attitude, bottom left color
c. Same Palette, Court in Cannes, crease: NYX Bronze Smokey Look Kit, 3rd row, 3rd color
d. Same Palette, Love in London, outer crease, blend it out, outer upper lash line, outer corner of lid: Urban Decay Deluxe Shadow Box in Zero
e. Same Palette, Meet in Madrid, middle and inner lid: L'Oreal Infallible Eye Shadow in Eternal Sunshine
f. Black Eye Liner, tight line
g. NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Pure Gold, waterline
h. Mixture of black and bronze colors, outer lower lash line, use fingertips to blend lower lash line
i. Mascara
j. Foundation
k. Concealer
l. Eyebrows
m. Matte highlighting powder under eyes: Benefit's Watt's Up (not a powder)
n. Bronzer, hollows of cheeks
o. No.7 Lip Gloss, pink, glossy not glittery: Essence Stay With Me Long Lasting Lip Gloss in Me & My Icecream
My Thoughts: The Eternal Sunshine on Bold Gold is so pretty! It just looks like bright gold on the eyelid. And it looks pretty with the black next to it because it makes the gold stand out even more. I had trouble getting the Bold Gold on my waterline. The eyes look pretty. I like gold eyes for the holidays. I like this look, except she didn't say any blush. I added a little blush. My favorite blush is Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso.

5. Naked 2 Holiday Tutorial by From Head To Toe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV90apQR7OQ
a. BB Cream
b. Powder
c. Eye Primer
d. Urban Decay Verve, lid: Hard Candy High Maintenance, cream color
e. Same Palette, Snakebite, outer v, outer crease: mix of crease color in Wet 'n Wild Walking on Eggshells, and right color in L'Oreal Hip Duo in Dynamic
f. Blend it out
g. Same Palette, Foxy, under brow: Wet 'n Wild Comfort Zone, 1st color
h. Black Gel Liner, top lash line, little wing, outer corner of lower lash line
i. Same Palette, Snakebite, outer half of lower lash line
j. Same Palette, Bootycall, inner corner, inner 1/3 of lower lash line: Wet 'n Wild Lust, 4th color
k. Eyebrows
l. Mascara
m. Dove pink shade in waterline: I don't have this so I used a nude liner.
n. Tarte Exposed Blush: Rimmel London Lasting Finish in Mauve Cool
o. NYX Mosaic Highlighter 01, top of cheekbones: Physicians Formula Mineral Glow Pearls in Translucent Pearl
p. Revlon Lip Butter in Peach Parfait (everyday look)
q. Revlon Lip Butter in Lollipop (She prefers this look.) I like both.
My Thoughts: I don't know why doing the liner is so hard for me. She makes it look so easy. I made one line thicker than the other, and when I put it on the lower lash line, one line was darker than the other. I tried to fix that by putting more liner on the lighter one, but that made it really dark and thick, so I had to go back and use makeup remover. Then I tried to fix the top line which was too thick in the inner corner, now I have to redo that part because it looks weird having no liner at all. I want my makeup to look nice today because I'm doing my cousin's makeup for the first time, and I don't want my makeup to look bad. I'm going back and redoing the High Maintenance color on the lid because that was removed with the eye makeup. I used Peach Parfait because I think it looks better on me than Lollipop, and the eyes are so dramatic. I wish I was better at doing liner. I still need to practice. This is an old holiday look.

6. Old Hollywood Inspired Party Look with Vintage Golds by Lisa Eldridge http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCrFh3VryTY
a. Foundation
b. Maybelline Color Tattoo in 24k Gold, eyelid: Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bold Gold
c. MAC Day Gleam, crease, lower lash line: NYX Natural Eyeshadow Palette, 5th color
d. Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Eye Enhancing Eyeliner Trio Nude Collection, Copper Liner, lower lash line only at outer corner
e. Bobbi Brown Sparkle Eyeshadow in Sunlights, eyelid: Maybelline Eye Studio Color Explosion Forest Fury, top color
f. Black Liquid Liner, upper lash line, as thin as you can
g. Mascara
h. Concealer
i. Powder
j. Brows
k. Benefit Bella Bamba Blush: Physicians Formula Happy Booster Blush in Natural
l. NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Majella: Elf Jumbo Lip Gloss Stick in Movie Star
m. Bobbi Brown Sparkle Eyeshadow in Sunlights, highlight top of cheekbones: The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer
My Thoughts: I really like Movie Star because it is the perfect shade of red for me. It looks like an old time Hollywood actress red lip color. I wish they had it in a matte version. This look is so pretty with gold on the lids, natural peach cheeks, and beautiful red lips. This is what I think of, when I think of a holiday type of look. Lisa Eldridge is one of my favorite makeup artists. I feel so lucky to have found her on Youtube. We can get advice from her for free! It is so amazing.

7. 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway: Naked 3 Holiday Tutorial! by lisettesbeaute http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWiAElOU178
a. Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Sand Glow, eyelid: Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded
b. Urban Decay Naked 3, Trick, lid: Urban Decay Deluxe Shadow Box in Shag
c. Same Palette, Factory, crease: Wet 'n Wild Comfort Zone, 3rd color
d. Same Palette, Strange, brow bone: Wet 'n Wild Lust, 4th color
e. Same Palette, Trick, lower lash line
f. Black Eye Liner, waterline, tightline
g. Black Gel Liner, upper lash line, wing
h. Mascara
i. Milani Best Red Lipstick: Revlon Lip Butter in Cherry Tart
j. Illamasqua Blush in Katie: NYX Blush in Peach
My Thoughts: This is the most rose gold look I've seen so far using the Naked 3. I really like it. A lot of the Naked 3 looks, look pink or magenta to me, even though they say it is a rose gold palette. I think the Lorac Unzipped is more rose gold. My dupes are really pretty. I don't feel bad that I don't have the Naked 3 because I feel like my dupes are spot on. The cheeks are pink even though it says peach. The lips are a wearable red. I really like this look. I don't feel like I'm wearing too much makeup, but I still feel "Christmasy." I'm wearing this on Christmas Eve.

8. Holiday Makeup Tutorial: Glossy Red Lips by SMLx0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykxx3OUEghk
a. Face Primer
b. Foundation
c. Concealer, triangle under eyes
d. MAC Radiant Rose Highlighter, under eyes, nose, forehead, cupid's bow, chin: Maybelline Dream Lumi in Radiant
e. Bronzer, hollows of cheeks, temples, hairline, jaw
f. Brows
g. MAC Blush in Mocha: Covergirl Cheekers Blush in True Plum
h. MAC Naked Pigment, top of cheekbones, nose: Benefit's Watt's Up
i. Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Beige, eyelid
j. Lorac Pro Palette, Taupe, crease: The Balm Rockstar Palette in Allegro
k. Same Palette, Sable, outer corner, inner corner of lid, crease, lower lash line: Wet 'n Wild Vanity, 3rd color
l. MAC Naked Pigment, center of eyelid: Urban Decay Deluxe Shadow Box in Scratch
m. Blend it out
n. Maybelline Dream Lumi Concealer in Radiant under eyes
o. Brown Eye Liner, waterline
p. Black Liquid Liner, top lash line, wing
q. Mascara
r. Jordana Lip Liner in Plush Plum, line and fill it in: Rimmel Lasting Finish 1000 Kisses Stay On Lip Contouring Pencil in Red Dynamite
s. Maybelline Color Elixer in Signature Scarlet: Be A Bombshell Lip Gloss in Hot Mess
My Thoughts: I didn't do a wing because I always mess it up. I know I need to practice, but I'm not in the mood to practice today. I just did the black liquid liner as close to my lashes as possible. The eyes look pretty. They are brown and smoky. I got this lip gloss in either a Birchbox or an IPSY bag. I forget. It is full size, and I love it! I don't own any red lip gloss that is so pigmented and creamy like this. I hope I don't look like I have too much makeup on. This is Christmas Day, and I'm going to be with family. It is a very glamorous look. This may be a little "too much" for a casual gathering. I would look nice for a fancy holiday party. I also want to mention the Rimmel Scandal Eye Liners are very good in the waterline.

9. Holiday Party Makeup & Hair! by TheBubbleGumPrincess http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQlZhUAddig
a. Elf Cream Eye Shadow in Bronze, eyelid: Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze
b. Too Faced A Few of My Favorite Things Palette, Chocolate Milk, crease: Wet 'n Wild Nude Awakenings, 3rd color
c. Same Palette, Buche de Noel, eyelid: Urban Decay Mariposa Palette in Wreckage
d. Same Palette, Dark Chocolate, outer v, outer lower lash line: Maybelline Eye Studio Quad in Fall Temptation, 4th color
e. Buche de Noel, lower lash line
f. Chocolate Milk, blend out edges
g. Cream Colored Ponies, browbone: Almay Trio for Hazels, cream shade
h. Moon on Their Wings, middle of eyelid, middle of lower lash line: upper right shade in Maybelline Enchanted Forest
i. Brown Eye Liner, waterline
j. Black Liquid Liner, top lash line, wing
k. Mascara
l. Becca's Flower Child Blush: Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso
m. The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer, top of cheekbones, nose, cupid's bow
n. Milani Lipstick in Nude Creme
o. Too Faced Glamour Gloss in Flirt: NYX Lip Gloss in Nude Pink
My Thoughts: Wreckage is like the powder form of Bad to the Bronze! It matches exactly. I didn't do a wing because I'm just not good at them. I look better without the mistake. The eyes are brown and smoky. The cheeks are pinky peach. Luminoso has been my favorite blush for 2 years in a row. I love it. The lips are a shiny nude pink.

10. Holiday Party Makeup, Hair & Outfit by missglamorazzi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w36xs_f2n9M
a. Moisturizer
b. Eye Cream
c. Face Primer
d. Foundation
e. Concealer
f. MAC Painterly Paint Pot: First, I put on an eye primer. Then I put Revlon Illuminance Cream Shadows in Not Just Nudes, 1st color.
g. Urban Decay Setting Spray
h. Powder
i. Brows
j. Too Faced Boudoir Eyes Palette in Voulez Vous, sprayed brush with Urban Decay De-Slick Spray, upper lash line, outer half of lower lash line: I sprayed my brush with De-Slick too, but I used NYC Individual Eyes Union Square, 4th color.
k. Curl Lashes
l. Black Eye Liner, tight line
m. Mascara
n. Milani Baked Blush in Berry Amore
o. YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in 17 Rose in Tension: Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquer in Celestial
p. Almay Liquid Lip Balm in Just Plum: Elf Beauty Clutch, 5th lip color
My Thoughts: I like how she uses the burgundy eye shadow to line her eyes, so it just a little bit of color. This color looks good with hazel eyes. The blush isn't berry. It is a warm coral/peach color with golden shimmer. I love the Milani Baked Blushes. The lips are mauve/pink. I think the lips are the focus of the look. This look is really easy.

Favorites of 2013

This is my second year of posting my yearly favorites. I've been keeping track all year of the products I used for my favorite looks. I will be comparing this year to last year because I want to see if some products have been favorites for 2 years in a row. I like how the pictures are all different because they were taken at different times in the year. It visually represents a whole year with each season, I think.

Favorite Youtuber of the Year

AllThatGlitters21 or Elle Fowler (she changed her username) http://www.youtube.com/user/AllThatGlitters21 The highest number of "pretty looks" I did were by her. She isn't really a makeup artist, but I think she has great style, great personality, and I like her makeup looks.

Face Primer

Pixi Flawless & Poreless Face Primer in Translucent: I used this the most out of all my primers this year. I first saw it on someone's blog talking about her monthly favorites. I wanted to try a new primer, so I got this from Target. Pixi is on the expensive side, but it works really well.

Eyeshadow Primer

Milani Eyeshadow Primer: This works really well. It keeps my eyeshadow lasting all day and it makes the colors vibrant. I found this at Fred Meyers. It is inexpensive, so I was surprised that it worked just as good as the expensive eye shadow primers.

Foundation

Revlon Color Stay Foundation for Normal/Dry Skin in Ivory: I had a hard time this year finding a foundation that worked well with my skin. I think I have combination skin, but when I used foundation for oily skin, it was too drying and my skin would peal off! I thought foundation for dry skin would be too dewy for my skin. I don't want it to look oily. This foundation has worked out the best. It has full coverage, it is not drying, but it doesn't make me look oily. And it is from the drugstore! You can find this at just about any drugstore.

Concealer for Under Eyes

Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in Radiant: This is a peach/salmon color, that cancels out any darkness under my eyes and brightens everything up. You can also use this as a highlighter under brows, down the nose, cupid's bow, etc. Last year my favorite concealer for under the eyes was Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in Ivory. I still use that and I like it, but I reached for the Radiant one more this year.

Concealer for Blemishes

Boots No.7 Stay Perfect Blemish Cover in Extra Fair: I heard about this from TheDailyCupcake's Youtube videos. She loves this concealer. I was curious to try it out. It's not too creamy, and it doesn't make my skin dry. It is just the right texture. I found this at Target.

Powder

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in Light: This was my most used powder for 2013. I have hit major pan on it. This is an old picture. I can barely get the powder out now! You can get this at most drugstores. I use it to take away my shine and set my makeup.

Bronzer/Contour

For the beginning of the year I wore MAC Studio Careblend Pressed Powder in Medium Deep. I was matched at a MAC counter. I asked if they could help me find a good color to contour with. I think this is good, but I wanted to find something from the drugstore that would be an inexpensive alternative. I mentioned this as my favorite last year.

Maybelline Dream Sun Bronzing Powder in Matte Light: This was my drugstore alternative. I have been using it ever since I got, which I think was in the summertime. I think it was limited edition, which defeats the purpose of having a drugstore alternative. It doesn't help if no one can get it!

Highlighter

The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer: This is a beautiful golden highlight. I found it on Hautelook.com. When The Balm goes on Hautelook you can get their products for way less. I accidentally bought more than one, so I gave one to my mom and one to my friend. Everyone loves this.

Blush

Milani Baked Blush Luminoso: This was my favorite blush last year too! It is a beautiful peachy pink blush. I got mine from Fred Meyer's. It just looks really natural. It makes you look healthy and pretty. I'm in love with this blush!

Cream Blush

NYX Rouge Cream Blush in Glow: This was one of my first products from NYX. Pursebuzz made a Youtube video of her favorite blushes, and she mentioned some cream blushes by NYX. I was convinced these would be good, so I ordered off of NYX's website. This is a beautiful bright pink blush. It may look a little too hot pink in the pan, but when put on the cheeks it gives a healthy, natural, rosy look.

Brows

Milani Brow Fix Brow Kit in Light: I had an unfortunate brow experience this year. I used to have nice brows, that I didn't feel like needed any makeup. I just brushed them into place. But I went to a salon and had a facial wax, they also did my eyebrows, even though I didn't ask for that. I should have told them not to wax my eyebrows. I don't know why I didn't speak up. My eyebrows were already groomed the way I liked them. They took off too much brow. Now my brows are growing back. In the mean time I use the middle shade with an angled brush to fill in my bald spots.

Eyeshadow Palettes: I had 9 last year. Let's make it an even 10 this year. I have some repeat favorites. This is in order from the most used favorite to the least used.

1. Wet 'n Wild Vanity: I have used this the most this year. I love all the shades. The left side is matte, the right side is shimmery. It's the perfect neutral palette. This was a favorite last year too.

2. Wet 'n Wild Lust: Again the left is matte, and the right is shimmery. This is a purple palette. It is perfect. It was my favorite last year too. I saw it for sale at Rite Aid! It came with an eyeliner or mascara. Even though it was discontinued they brought it back for the holidays!

3. Wet 'n Wild Comfort Zone: This is not limited edition. You can find it at most drugstores. It has browns on the left, and greens on the right. If you like everyday, wearable eyeshadows this is a really great palette to have. The shadows are very pigmented. Even though these are Wet 'n Wild Eye Shadows, they are very good quality. This was a favorite last year, too.

4. Wet 'n Wild Greed: This is matte on the left, and shimmery on the right. It has an interesting mix of peach, black, and gray colors. This was limited edition too. This was on my favorites last year. The matte black is one of my favorite eye shadows.

5. Maybelline Sunbaked Neutrals: This is kind of like a little version of The Comfort Zone palette. It has some pretty dark browns, medium browns, there is a bright copper, and two pretty greens. I liked this last year too.

6. L'Oreal Hip Duo in Dynamic: This has a gold on the left that I use to dupe Urban Decay's Half Baked, and a dark olive color on the right. This was my favorite last year too.

7. Wet 'n Wild Brûlée: This is a favorite higlighting shade. It is a dupe of MAC's Brûlée. It is available at the drugstore.

8. The Balm Nude'tude Palette: It seems like all my favorite eyeshadow palettes are neutrals. I got this off of Hautelook.com. Again, I bought 3 by accident so I gave one to my mom and one to a friend. These are really great quality eye shadows.

9. The Balm Meet Matt(e) Nude: Wow! Another neutral palette! These are all matte eyeshadows. I got this from Hautelook.com again. My favorite shade is the bottom left one in the corner. It is a beautiful matte taupe. The upper right corner white is a really great highlight.

10. Urban Decay Ammo Shadow Box: I got this off of Hautelook.com too. Don't worry. I'm not being paid by Hautelook! I just find really good makeup deals from that website. Urban Decay makes the most beautiful shadows. My favorites are the upper left corner is Smog, that is in the Naked Palette. I like the one beside it Mildew is a beautiful green. In the upper right is Chopper which is a beautiful copper color. Below that is Sin which is in the Naked palette. It's a pretty pink champagne color. I'm also really attracted to that bright blue, Shattered. That is my favorite color.

Cream Eyeshadows

Revlon Illuminance Cream Shadows in Not Just Nudes: This was a favorite last year too. The first color going from left to right is like MAC's Painterly Paint Pot, the second color is like MAC's Rubenesque, the third is a pretty warm brown with no shimmers, and the 4th one is a dark, sparkly brown. I'm going to have to repurchase this soon because I'm hitting major pan. You can find this at just about any drugstore. I love it. Some people don't like the Revlon Illuminance Cream Shadows because they say they crease, but I don't have a problem with them creasing if I use the Milani Eye Shadow Primer. These make for great bases under eyeshadows. They come in lots of colors, but of course my favorite and most used one is the neutral palette.

Eye Liner

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero: I got this from my December 2012 IPSY Bag! It is a lot smaller now. It was the best quality, black liner that I owned, so I reached for it the most often. I heard that Urban Decay Perversion is even blacker than this liner. I haven't tried it, but it is black enough for me.

Gel Eye Liner

Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner in Blackest Black: Last year my favorite gel liner was the one in brown. I think this year I have gotten more into wearing black liner. I used to only wear brown because I thought it suited me better. But this year I've been copying looks, and a lot of people use black liner. I just went with it, and I think it looks good on me, too.

Jumbo Eye Liner

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk: Last year my favorite was the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Cottage Cheese. I wanted the Milk one, but it was all sold out on the website. Now NYX is sold at Fred Meyer's and when I saw the Milk Jumbo Eye Pencil, I snatched it up! This is a bright, white, shadow stick. I love it! It makes a great base. It makes eyeshadows you wear on top of it stand out. It also does really good in the waterline. I like this because it is matte.

Liquid Eye Liner

Jordana In Color Fabuliner Liquid Eye Liner in Black: This was my favorite last year too. I got it at Walgreens. It is really inexpensive. It feels like you are using a really good quality pen. I have trouble doing my liner, and this is the easiest one that I have used. Some people don't like it because they say it smudges. I haven't noticed that. In fact I mentioned it in one of my Summer tag's, where I say it the most sweat proof makeup I have!

Mascara for Top Lashes

Maybelline The Rocket Volum' Express Waterproof in Very Black: This was my all time favorite mascara for my top lashes this year. I heard Melmphs or Melissa Raymond mention this a lot in her videos on Youtube, so I was curious to try it. I loved it too. You can find this at most drugstores. I have been using Benefit mascaras, and I think they are comparable which is really amazing considering how inexpensive The Rocket is compared to Benefit. When I go to purchase a mascara, I think I will get The Rocket. I refuse to buy high end mascaras because I only use a mascara for three months. I heard that is when they expire. I don't want to waste my money on something expensive that I will throw away in three months. Drugstore mascaras can be just as good, in my opinion.

Mascara for Lower Lashes

Maybelline Lash Discovery Mini-Brush Waterproof in Very Black: This was my favorite last year, too.  I feel like this is a drugstore secret treasure because I haven't heard anyone talk about it! It has a little brush that is perfect for getting the lower lashes. One day I was looking at my mom's makeup and I saw she had it too! I guess she loves this for her bottom lashes too. I think it's funny we were both using the same mascara. Another time I was watching my mom put on her makeup and she used this for her top lashes! I was like, "You can put that on your top lashes?!" I don't know why I never tried it. She uses it for both her bottom and top. I feel like I need a different mascara for volume, but this does a good job at separating the lashes. You could use a volumizing mascara, and then use this to separate the lashes.

Lip Liner

Boots No.7 Line and Define Lip Liner in Nude: This was my favorite lip liner last year too. Whenever I need a nude lip liner, I reach for this one. It is very beautiful. I first heard about it from Lisa Eldridge on Youtube when she was doing an Audrey Hepburn makeup look. I thought the lip liner looked wonderful, and I hoped my Target would sell it. Sure enough, my Target did sell it and I was so happy.  Lisa Eldridge is a really great makeup artist, and when she recommends something it is usually in England or it is expensive. I was really happy to find this. It also seems cool that Audrey Hepburn could have worn this or that it is similar to something Audrey Hepburn wore.

Lipstick: Last year I did 4 lipsticks, so I'm doing that again this year.

1. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Pink Pout: I heard that this was a dupe of MAC Please Me and MAC Angel Lipsticks. I also heard it was somewhere between MAC Angel and MAC Snob. This is a matte nude pink with slight mauve undertones.

2. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Cherries in the Snow: I heard this was a dupe for MAC's Moxie Lipstick. It is a blue based red. Some may say it is a pink. I think I heard somewhere that blue based reds make your teeth look whiter.

3. Rimmel Moisture Renew in Nude Delight: I heard this was a dupe for MAC Shy Girl and NYX Pumpkin Pie. It is a pinkish, peachy beige. It is a warm lipstick. This is a nude that looks good with my coloring.

4. Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Born With It: I heard this was a dupe for MAC's Creme Cup. This is another softened pink-nude with soft champagne shimmer and a creamy finish. It is opaque. I don't know where I got these descriptions, but someone else said it was a soft pink beige.

It seems like I wore pinky nude lipsticks a lot this year. I guess I wore more dramatic looks on the eye and kept it simple on the lips. When I wanted to wear a dramatic lip, I wore Cherries in the Snow.

Lip Gloss: Last year I did 4 lip glosses, so I'm going to do 4 this year.

1. Revlon Colorburst Lip Gloss in Pink Ice: This doesn't show up very well on my hand. It is a lavender toned baby pink with silver shimmer.

2. Revlon Colorburst Lip Gloss in Peony: This was a favorite last year too. It is supposed to be a dupe for NAR's Orgasm Lip Gloss. I think that is why I bought it. One person described it as a sheer golden pink with gold/multi glitter. Another person said it was a pinky peach with gold sparkles. I'm sorry I can't tell you who said it, I didn't keep track of that. I found my descriptions from blogs. This is a beautiful color, and it feels really good on the lips. All these lip products I'm mentioning feel good on the lips.

3. Buxom Lip Gloss in Creamsicle: I heard this was a peach sorbet color. It is so beautiful. It smells like vanilla. I liked this Buxom gloss so much, I bought myself a collection of Buxom lip glosses from Ulta. I wonder if you will see them on my favorites for next year. You can get this at Sephora or Ulta. They are expensive lip glosses, but they are really great quality.

4. Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Coral Reef: When a look calls for a coral lip gloss, I usually grab this lip gloss. It is said to be a dupe of MAC's Perennial High Style Lipglass.

I just noticed 3/4 of the lip glosses are all in the same color family. They are all coral colors. I think that was a popular color this year.

Lip Balm

Maybelline Baby Lips in Quenched: I used a lot of different lip balms this year. I heard people talk a lot about Baby Lips on Youtube and in blogs, but I thought it was just a fad that I would skip. I think I heard someone say they weren't that great, so I wasn't impressed by them. I thought it was just a trend. Then one day, I don't know why, I decided to get one because I was curious. I just love it! I think it does moisturize the lips. I keep this at my makeup table, and put it on my lips when they are feeling dry and I am doing my makeup.

Setting Spray

Urban Decay All Nighter Spray: I got this off of Hautelook.com. I normally don't use setting sprays because I forget to. Whenever I followed a look that ended in using setting spray, I always reached for this. It works really good. I have the little, travel size. Some people will put this on before foundation, and then after the whole look is done. There are all kinds of tricks people have for using it. You can spray it on your eyeshadow brush, and it will help the eyeshadow to be pigmented and last a long time.

I hope you found this helpful! I know I like to read the yearly favorite blogs and watch the yearly favorite Youtube videos. If you did this on your blog or Youtube channel, please leave a link in a comment below! Let me know if you liked something I liked. I love to get comments!