January Favorites

My only beauty favorite for the month is the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette. I have heard people talk about this palette for a while, but I finally decided to buy it with some of my Christmas money. I love it! The quality of shadows is so good! There are shimmers and mattes. They are mostly neutrals, but there is a gold, maroon, purple, and pink. I've been wearing these shadows all month long.

Favorite Songs

1. Passion - My Heart Is Yours ft. Kristian Stanfill

2. Simon & Garfunkel - April Come She Will

3. Colbie Caillat - Try

4. Carrie Underwood - Something In the Water

What are your favorites of the month? Leave a comment below!

Empties: Throw Away or Replace?

1. Downy Unstopables In-Wash Scent Booster in Shimmer: This makes my clothes smell so good! They are little pink beads. You fill up the cap and put it into the washing machine before you put your clothes in. I have repurchased this.

2. Whish Shave Cream: I got this from my Birchbox. It has a pleasant smell and works just as good as any other shaving gel I have tried. I wouldn't repurchase this because a full size is $20 compared to Skintimate which is only $2.99!

3. Rubbing Alcohol: I used this to make a cleaning solution for my brushes. I wouldn't necessarily get this same brand again. I would buy whichever one is the better deal.

4. Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Nourishing Styling Treatment: I put this on my hair when I got out of the shower to get rid of frizz. This worked just ok. I wouldn't repurchase this.

5. Herbal Essences Smooth Collection Conditioner: This smells like roses. The conditioner works just like you want a conditioner to work. It smooths out the hair and makes it shiny. I repurchased this, but I have found that I am getting tired of the smell. It has a very strong scent, which is pleasant if you want to smell roses. Even though this is a good product, I think the next time I get a shampoo and conditioner, I will find something with a different scent.

6. Tocca Simone Eau de Parfum: I think this smells really good. I just had a little one time use sample of this. I recommend it. This is what Sephora's website says the notes are: apple, watermelon, lemon, calypsone, frangipani, ylang-ylang, rose petals, freesia, creamy lactones, blonde woods, musk, amber, and nirvanolide. It smells fruity and florally, which is what I normally like from a perfume. Sephora says the style is "breezy, playful and sparkling." I could see that being true. I wouldn't buy this because I already have so many perfumes and samples I still need to use up.

7. Lush Snowman Shower Jelly: This is a jelly type substance that is supposed to be a soap for the body or hair. I didn't like it. It didn't lather, and I didn't feel clean. I don't like the jelly texture, other than it felt good to squish it as a stress reliever. I wouldn't get a jelly from Lush again.

8. Got2B Guardian Angel Heat Protect: I liked this when I first got it, and it did the job. But I kept hearing people talk about how much they liked the Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Leave-In Spray. I got that, and I like it a lot better than Guardian Angel. It smells better, and it also gives my hair more volume. I wouldn't repurchase Guardian Angel.

9. Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet: I went to Sephora to find makeup to help with my oily skin problem, and the girl there said I might need to moisturize my face better at night. She gave me a sample of this, and she said that she uses it. It is really moisturizing. I liked the way it felt on my skin, and it smells nice. I ordered the full size. After using it awhile, I feel like I could find a face lotion at the drugstore that would work just as well. I won't be repurchasing this.

10. Mireness iCurl Secret Weapon 24 HR Mascara: I got this from my Birchbox. I think this does hold the curl in my lashes, but it doesn't give the volume I want. I will stick to Maybelline The Rocket Mascara. 

I hope you found this helpful! Have you made an empties blog post? If you have leave a comment with the link down below. I would like to see it!

January Birchbox

The card says, "Take our January 31-Day Challenge. birchbox.com/challenge (you can also enter daily to win amazing prizes!) We're speeding full force into 2015 with a vow to make the most of every minute-starting now! Flip the card to learn more about the samples that are going to help you start the year feeling and looking awesome."

1. MyChelle Dermaceuticals Advanced Argan Oil | Full-size, $14.50. "This hydrating argan and baobab oil blend combats signs of aging and smooths skin and hair. Massage a few drops onto face or body, or work through dry hair." I'm not used to using oil on my face, but I have heard that it is good for your skin. I'm afraid it will break me out. I have used argan oil on my hair before, but I don't really notice a difference. I will have to experiment with this.

2. Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips | Full-size, $14.50. "Originally made for nursing moms, this ultra hydrating balm is a makeup artist fave. Dab onto parched lips, cuticles, and elbows as needed." It feels very thick on the lips, like Vaseline.

3. TOCCA Crema da Mano - Cleopatra | Full-size, $10-$20. "Loaded with natural botanicals, this grapefruit and cucumber lotion absorbs in a flash. Rub generously into hands - and anywhere you need a moisture boost." This stuff smells so good, and feels so good on the hands! 

4. Coastal Scents Revealed Eye Shadow Palette | Full-size, $19.95. "Four complementary shades that can easily (and beautifully) take you from day to night. Sweep preferred hue over lids for day. Layer shadows for a more dramatic night look." I don't really like the quality of these shadows. I don't think I will ever use this.

5. Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Color | Full-size, $39. "This ultra gentle cleanser protects and preserves color while repairing tired strands. In the shower, apply a small amount to roots and work into a lather. Rinse well." I had to use a lot of this to work into a lather. It cleaned my hair, but I didn't notice anything amazing about it.

2014 Beauty Favorites

All year long I have been keeping track of every makeup, skincare, haircare, and nail products I have been using. These are the products I have used the most of, and I figure I must have liked the most. Some of these things are products I liked last year and the year before, when I first started to blog my yearly favorites. I will say if they are repeat favorites.

My Favorite Youtuber of the Year

Chanelette: Her youtube channel can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/user/Chanelette. She is from Lithuania, and I meant to do a blog post about her in 2014, but I was waiting until I got 10 looks from her. She has a classic look. She doesn't wear too much makeup or do complicated looks. She has great fashion sense and she inspires me. A lot of the sweaters I got were inspired by her taste. I think she is absolutely gorgeous! I'm so glad I found her.

Face Primer

Benefit Porefessional: I think I got this deluxe sample more than once this year. Out of all the primers I have tried, I liked this once the most. I wouldn't purchase a full size, but I liked using the free samples I got. I don't like spending a lot of money on face primer. I like to find a good one at the drugstore. I think you can find just as good primers there. You don't need to spend a lot of money.

Eyeshadow Primer

Milani Eyeshadow Primer: This was my favorite last year as well. I have used Too Faced Shadow Insurance and Urban Decay Primer Potion, but this works better for me! And I found it at the drugstore! It is cheaper. It makes the eyeshadows last a long time without creasing. 

Foundation

Revlon Colorstay Foundation for Normal/Dry Skin in Ivory: This was my favorite last year. I think it is a good color match for me, and although my skin is combination, this is the right formulation for me most of the year. There is one for oily/combination skin and it is too drying for my skin most of the year. I got both to see which one is best, and I found that I need to switch them depending on the weather because of the way my skin is.

Concealer for Under Eyes

L'Oreal Magic Lumi Highlighter in Fair: This is like the YSL Touche Clat or the Maybelline Dream Lumi Concealers. It highlights under the eye to help make it look awake.

Powder

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Transparent: I hear a lot of people talk about this on Youtube. That is the reason why I first got it. I think it does an ok job of making you matte. I would not say it is the best thing. I like that it is not too cakey looking on the skin. I used this the most in 2014.

Bronzer/Contour

Maybelline Dream Sun Bronzing Powder in Matte Light: This was my favorite last year. It was in a limited edition of bronzers in the summer. I picked this up because it was matte and it was the right color for my skin tone.

Highlighter

The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer: This was my favorite last year. It is a beautiful golden highlighter. It gives a natural glow on the top of your cheekbones. I got this on Hautelook. The Balm goes on 50% sale on that website.

Blush

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso: This was my favorite last year and the year before. I first heard about this as a dupe for NARS Orgasm blush. It is a beautiful peach blush. When I don't know what blush to wear, I choose this one.

Cream Blush

NYX Rouge Cream Blush in Glow: This was my favorite last year. I like these NYX Cream Blushes. They go on really well, and look natural.

Brows

Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara: You can also use this on your brows, and comb them into place. The gel makes them stay, like hairspray.

Eyeshadow Palettes

1. Wet 'n Wild Vanity: This was my favorite last year and the year before. The left side is all mattes and the right side is shimmers. This is such a basic palette that I use often to copy lots of different looks. This was limited edition the year I got into finding dupes, and people were raving about these palettes. I got all of them, and I'm so glad I did. I feel like I'm always talking about these  Wet 'n Wild palettes. It's too bad they were limited edition.

2. Wet 'n Wild Brûlée: This was my favorite last year. This is not limited edition and available at most drugstores. It is a very inexpensive little eyeshadow. It is my skin color and matte. This has been said to be a dupe of MAC's Brûlée.

3. Wet 'n Wild Lust: This was my favorite last year and the year before. It has mattes on the left side and shimmers on the right. This is like Vanity. It has just basic colors that you can use to dupe lots of different eye shadows.

4. Lorac Pro Palette: I got this palette this year I think. The top row is all matte and the bottom row is shimmers. I love this palette because it has neutral shades, and the shadows are wonderful quality. I think this palette will be very useful in copying looks.

5. Wet 'n Wild Greed: This was my favorite last year and the year before. It has mattes on the left and shimmers on the right. The bottom left color I use every time a look calls for a matte black.

6. The Balm Nude'tude Palette: This was my favorite last year. Here is another neutral palette. I think it has a few matte shades, but most are shimmery. These are great quality eye shadows. I love the bottom, 2nd color as a pink champagne lid color.

7. Stila In the Light Palette: My favorite shadow is the top row, 2nd color called Kitten. This is pretty for the lid. I like the top row, 3rd color for the crease. This is another great neutral palette.

8. Wet 'n Wild Walking on Eggshells: This was my favorite two years ago. This is permanent at the drugstore. I love the eyelid color. It is like Urban Decay's Sin. The brow bone color is cream and shimmery. The brown is shimmery and pigmented.

9. Wet 'n Wild Comfort Zone: This was my favorite last year and the year before. This has pretty neutrals on one side, and greens on the other. The bottom, right color is a dupe for MAC's Club and Too Faced's Label Whore.

10. Sephora Disney Cinderella Palette: I love these Disney palettes! The packaging is so cute. And the eyeshadows are really great quality.

Cream Eye Shadows

Revlon Illuminance Cream Shadows in Not Just Nudes: This was my favorite last year and the year before. The left most color is a dupe for MAC's Painterly Paint Pot. The second color is a dupe for MAC's Rubenesque. I am almost at the point where I need to get a new one. I hope this hasn't been discontinued.

Eye Liner

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero: This was my favorite last year.

Gel Eye Liner

Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner in Blackest Black: This was my favorite last year.

Jumbo Eye Liner

Jordana 12 HR Made to Last Eyeshadow Pencil in Continuous Almond: This is supposed to be a dupe for MAC's Painterly Paint Pot, so I use this whenever a look calls for a cream base. I think it works really good and it is inexpensive.

Liquid Eye Liner

Jordana In Color Fabuliner Liquid Eye Liner in Black

Mascara

Maybelline The Rocket Volum' Express Waterproof in Very Black: This was my favorite last year. It doesn't everything I want a mascara to do: lengthens, volumizes, curls, and separates.

Lip Liner

Boots No.7 Line and Define Lip Liner in Nude

Lipsticks

1. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Pink Pout: This was my favorite last year. I heard this was a dupe for MAC's Please Me and MAC's Angel. I also it heard it was somewhere between MAC's Angel and MAC's Snob.

2. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Pink in the Afternoon: This is a pretty warm pink.

3. Rimmel Moisture Renew in Nude Delight: This was my favorite last year. I heard this was a dupe for MAC's Shy Girl and NYX's Pumpkin Pie.

4. Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie

Lip Gloss

1. Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Peach Pango: The came out with new super lustrous lip glosses this year.

2. Bonnebell Lip Lites in Strawberry Parfait

3. Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Peach Petal

4. Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Pinkissimo: This is a pretty pink color with silver sparkles.

Lip Treatment

Aquaphor Healing Ointment: This is a magic worker for chapped lips. I lost mine, so I need to get a new one.

Setting Spray

Urban Decay De-Slick Setting Spray: This works well if you spray it on your face before you apply makeup, and then after you applied your makeup. It helps to keep your face matte.

Eye Makeup Remover

Up & Up Eye Makeup Remover: This is supposed to be like Neutrogena's Eye Makeup Remover. I think it works just as well. You can get this at Target.

Face Cleanser

Clean & Clear Continuous Control Acne Cleanser Daily Formula: I use this in the morning. It has benzoyl peroxide. 

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash: I use this at night. It has salicylic acid.

Face Scrub

Freeman Facial Exfoliating Scrub in Pink Grapefruit

Acne Treatment

Clindamycin Phosphate Lotion: I put this on in the morning, after I cleanse my skin.

Differen Gel: I put this on at night after cleansing.

Aczone: I put this on pimples, and it zaps them away fast.

Moisturizer

Aveeno Smart Essentials Moisturizer

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet

Mask

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque

Body Wash

Dove Pomegranate Body Wash

Shampoo & Conditioner

Herbal Essences Rose Shampoo and Conditioner

Detangler

Suave Kids Detangling Spray in Double Dutch Apple

Heat Protection Spray

Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Leave-In Spray: Not only does this protect my hair, but it also gives it volume.

Hair Spray

Tresemme Tres Two-Spray Ultra Fine Mist 3 Hair Spray

Nail Polish

Essie Nail Lacquer in Mint Candy Apple

Sunblock

Equate Walmart Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Ultra Protection Sunscreen Lotion