January Favorites

Hello everyone. It's time for my January Favorites! I have a lot of good ones this month! If you want to see what products I picked, click below :)

2013 Best in Beauty

It's the end of the year! This year was such a good year in terms of finding great beauty finds. I found some amazing products, and some not so amazing products. Today I'd like to go over some of my favorites from the past year! I know some people narrow it down to like ten products, but I just wanted to include everything. Also, I don't have a favorite for every category.. Like I don't have a favorite concealer or foundation because honestly I didn't use one for long enough to consider it the best of the year. If you'd like to see what products helped make my 2013 beautiful, click below :)

December Favorites

 

Another month has passed, more Favorties I post! December is over and I'm looking forward to the New Year. I had a great month and a great holiday, I hope you all did too. If you want to see my favorites for this month, click below

November Favorites!

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October Favorites

 

I know this is up a bit early, but I has such a busy weekend I didn't have a lot of time for a tutorial post like I planned. I hate going more than a day without posting, so I figured a favorites would be a good solution! I feel like I could have added so many more products, but I like to make sure I've been using the products for the majority of the month instead of just a week or so. I'm sad October is over, it's my favorite month. Oh well, time for me to get into the Christmas mood! Yes, I'm one of those annoying people who gets into the spirit way too early. Anywhooo here are my favorites for the month of October!

1. ELF Baked Highlighter in Blushed Gems. I hauled this at the beginning of the month. It's a beautiful shimmery pink champagne color. I only own a few actual highlighters and this is the one I use most often. I've basically used it everyday since I've gotten it. It highlights beautifully and isn't too glittery or white. Also I believe it was only $3.00? So worth it.

2. Next we have three lip products. The first is a Wet n Wild lipstick in Dollhouse Pink. I absolutely love this color. It's a Barbie pink color which I've really been loving lately. Most people get into dark lips this time of year but I just haven't found myself wearing them as often as I did last year. This is a matte lipstick and will make your lips look very dry so moisturizer well before you apply! Next 2 products are the Maybelline Baby Lips Dr. Rescue formula. I have a review post of those you can read here. That says it all, I just love these. I find myself using this frequently during the day. I love the medicated feeling they give.

3. ELF Maximum Coverage Concealer. This was also included in my big Elf haul. This concealer is great. It really does offer maximum coverage but doesn't feel thick at all. I use it to cover any acne or redness I have. I haven't had any problems with it breaking me out either. I don't use it under my eyes because I have a different favorite product for that. Again, only $3.00.. Can't beat it!

4. NYX Lipliner in Dolly Pink. I bought this specifically to pair with a couple bright pink lipsticks I've bought Dollhouse Pink being one of them. I wore that combo a lot this month. Dolly Pink is a brighter blue based pink while Dollhouse pink is more of a muted neutral pink, if that make sense. Paired together, they make a great long wearing bright pink lip.

 

Dollhouse Pink on top, Dolly Pink below.

5. L'Oreal True Match Foundation. I had heard a lot of great things about this foundation. It's been out for a while and I finally decided to try it. I've used it everyday since! I think I bought it in mid-September? It gives me amazing coverage and I really don't feel like I'm wearing a high coverage foundation. The shade I have is W3 and I think it matches me well! I wish it had a pump but oh well.

6. NYC Sun n Bronze in Montauk Bronze. This has become my go-to Bronzer. It has just the slightest bit of shimmer, but it's so minimal you can still contour with it. I hit pan on my Hoola Brozner and I'm really savoring that bad boy so I'm glad to have this one :) I've seen this Bronzer so many times and never gave it a second thought but I'm glad I decided to pick it up, I love it! I think I paid about $5.00 for this, very affordable!

7. NYX single eyeshadow in White. This is just a good white eyeshadow. It's not as white as the one from an old ELF quad that I just love, but it's still great. I've been using it consistently since I got it. It's cheap, and good quality!

8. Urban Decay Naked Basics palette. This has become my eyeryday palette. If I don't feel like spending a lot of time on my makeup I just use this. Every shade is super pigmented and beautiful. I made a post on my everyday eye and featured this, I loved pairing that look with the bright pink lip I mentioned above.

So that's it for my favorites for October. I feel like I honestly went crazy this month buying all sorts of new products! I feel like maybe I should do a month long spending ban? But honestly I just got promoted to VIB status at Sephora and I have a coupon to spend. Maybe after that I'll do it :)

I hope you guys enjoyed this post, thank you so so much for reading!

--Nicole

 

Fall Nail Polish Fun!

I've been meaning to get this post up for a week or so but hey. I wanted to share with you some of my favorite polish colors for this time of the year!

Going from left to right..

1. Essie "No More Film" I love love this color. It's a super dark blue. Basically a blue black. I have it on my tootsies right now and it's just a great color, especially for fall!

2. Sinful Colors "Muse" I bought this polish last year around this same time, in a halloween display. I'm not sure if it's part of the regular line but sinful colors offers so many options I'm sure they have something just like it. I wore the heck out of this last year and I probably will again this year. It's a beautiful, dark, stone grey color.

3. Rimmel "Satin Black" I've talked about this before, just a great, black polish. It's so shiny you almost don't need a topcoat. It reminds me of shiny leather. Love it. Black nails are always an excellent choice in my eyes.

4. Revlon "Fashionista" This polish is so pretty I can't even! I've used so much of it. I'll need to get another bottle soon. It's a dark turquoise blue color. It's actually almost the exact same color as my living room, that's the only reason I bought it. Then I fell in love with it!

 

Sorry the picture is kind of crappy quality!

1. Essie "Rasberry" I actually talked about this polish in my favorite pink polishes for summer. It's just such a versatile color. It really is a true Rasberry color. I usually choose this over a red polish, it's more flattering on my skin. I get a lot of use out of this polish!

2. Revlon "Bold Sangria" This polishes name describes the color perfectly, bold sangria! It's such a dark, plum Berry color and I LOVE it. This color is always in for fall.

3. Wet n Wild "Haze of Love" What a cute name right? Wet n Wild always has cute names.. I bought this polish a couple years ago and have worn it a ton. It's a perfect red wine color! My bottle is almost empty! They did change the packaging of the megalast polishes and I much prefer the new bottle and brush so I will definitely be picking up a new bottle!

4. Revlon "Cayenne" This is a great polish! It's a metallic red with some gold tones to it. It's different from all my other red polishes. I wear it a lot around christmas time, it just puts me in the spirit!

So those are just some of my favorite fall polishes. I couldn't write a blog post with them all because it would include 500 nail polishes, not really..but seriously..

I hope you guys enjoyed this post, and I hope your enjoying fall so far! I know I am. I've been doing a lot of playing around with makeup and halloween looks and I really excited to show you all! I'd love to do a tutorial but it's so hard to show in pictures.. And I don't have an actual computer to edit any videos on..that's a work in progress! I'll do my best though!

Thanks so much for reading!!

--Nicole

 

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September Favorties!

I know September technically isn't over yet, but I decided I'd put up my September favorites now! I have lots of great, new products I've been loving this month. Much thanks to my horrible, horrible shopping addiction. I'm not even kidding, it got worse today! I can't be stopped. But I've been getting good hours at work and I got a tip today so I'm justifying it!

First up are the 3 lip products I've been reaching for the most. All Revlon products, didn't even realize that.. Anyway from left to right- Lilac Pastelle lipgloss, Pink Pout matte lipstick and Gumdrop lip butter.

I liked the layer the gloss over the lip butter for a really pretty lilac color. Pink Pout is a great color for everyone I believe. It give your lips a nice natural pink color and actually isn't too drying on the lips if you moisturizer beforehand.

Next I have Rimmels Stay Matte powder. I bought this a few years ago in the translucent shade and never really used it too.much. But after getting fed up with my oily skin decided to give it a try again, and I now love it!

Another face product is a Kat Von D blush in the shade Heartagram. I'm gonna be honest, the ONLY reason I bought this blush is because of the name. HIM is my favorite band, and the heartagram is their logo. It's a very dark dusty rose color. I'm very fair and I have to use it with a super light hand. But I've really been using it everyday and like the more dramatic blush look. I use to to contour a Little and am very happy with it. Plus, it will last forever..

Maybelline clear mascara, use it for my brows. It keeps them in place and looking tidy!

Next is L'Oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions mascara. I have a review about this here. This stuff is heaven in a mascara tube. I've never been more pleased with a mascara! No joke.

After that is Maybellines Great Last mascara in So Very Berry. I've been using this so much since I picked it up. Which is funny because when I bought it I was like lol Nicole you're never gonna use this! It really does look great layered over my regular mascara and along on the lower lashes. It just adds such a nice touch! Especially for this time of year when I'm using so many warm eye colors.

Finally, we have the Anastasia Brow Wiz. I really love this brow pencil. It looks really natural because it has such a fine point. I also love that it has a spoolie on one end, super helpful! I've been pairing this with the clear mascara and my brows look fab.

Ok ladies those are my favorites for this month. I look forward to October. It's one of my favorite months! I hope you enjoyed this post, and thanks so much for reading.

Toodles. .

--Nicole.

 

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August Favorites!

Hi there! Today I'm doing my August favorites. I love Summer so much, but I'm glad fall is coming! It's chilly here today, I cannot wait to wear boots! And drink hot chai tea! So let's get to my favorite products this month..

 

1. Simple cleansing wipes. I bought these originally to keep at my boyfriends house but they have yet to make it there. They remove makeup so well! I needed an alternative to my beloved Sephora makeup remover and I had heard good things about these. I will always use my Sephora remover but I will continue to purchase these as well.

2. Hoola Bronzer by Benefit. Guys. This stuff is great! I was skeptical about buying a high end bronzer when I first purchased it but I'm so glad I did. It's the perfect shade for me to contour with and it lasts all day. I've had this for well over 6 months and I have yet to hit pan. I featured this in my first post "All Time Favorites." It has a well deserved spot there.

3. Milani Luminoso Baked Blush. I own one other Milani Baked Blush and I love it, it's just a tad dark. This is the perfect coral shimmery blush for summer. It gives you a beautiful glow and looks great with my skin tone. I've been on a blush kick lately and I believe I have this blush to thank!

4. L'Oreal True Match Concealer. I use this to brighten my under eye area, it looks fabulous. It's very blendable and doesn't get cakey on me! I set it with my ELf HD powder and I'm always very happy with the results.

5. NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk. I've had this forever and haven't really used it a lot this month. I've been using a lot of bright, fun colors and just a bit of this really makes the colors pop! I have to be careful with it because I hear If you use too much it can crease, but I have never run into that problem. Love this!

6. Black Nails! The polish in the picture is Rimmel Black Satin, but I've just really been loving black nails. I wore them for over a week straight which is unheard of in my world. I change my polish like, every 3 days. Black nails will never go out of style in my opinion! Just like little black dresses for your nails!

7. Purple Covergirl Eyeshadow #455. I used this shadow quite a bit this month, I just wore it to a cocert last week. I used this shadow in my Purple Smokey Eye Look too. When I first bought it, I was indifferent on it, but I totally love it now! Purple is my favorite color, and this is a great purple eyeshadow, plus it was only 3 dollars I believe!. Can't beat it.

8 Sigma Flat Top Kabuki Brush F80. I love Sigma brushes! I own 2 sets and I use them religiously. This one inparticular I found myself reaching for a lot lately. I've found so many uses for it but lately my favorite way to use it is for buffing in my mineral foundation. It makes it look flawless!

Just for kicks I figure ill throw in some extra favorites. Just so you guys can get to know me more!

My favorite food is the month: I'd say is stir-fry. I was making it all the time!

Tv show: Rules of Engagement, I've just started watching it this month and I think it's hilarious. It's a cheesy sitcom but I do love those!

Movie: Both Despicable Me movies, so cute!

Music: I've so been loving my HIM they have long since been my favorite band but I finally got to see them in concert last week and I'm absolutely in love all over again. Can't get enough.

Book: Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual!

So those were my favorites for the month of August. Bring it on September! I'll have a tutorial for you guys tomorrow, ias always thanks so much for reading!!

--Nicole.

 

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All Time Favorites!

Hello everyone! For my first post I thought I'd share some of my holy grail products. I reach for these items every time I wear makeup. I am also including a small review on each product. I hope you enjoy this post and hopefully you will try some of these fabulous products out!! 

MAC Paint Pot in Painterly.

I use this as a base for any eye makeup look I am doing. It is a flesh tone base that pulls a little more on the pink side (unlike soft ochre which is more yellow) I have very oily eyelids and I find this is the best product to use to prevent creasing. A little goes a long way with this product, I've had it well over a year and it is still going strong. I have tried urban decays primer potions and found that to be a little too "slippery" for me. This is a more dry texture. It also does an excellent job of erasing any veins or discoloration on my eyelids. 

Excuse my chipping polish, ew. 

Urban Decay Naked and Naked2 palette.

I LOVE both of these. There's a shade for every neutral eye look you could ever want to create. The original Naked has more warm tone colors, while naked 2 has more cool tones. Both are beautiful. Pigmentation is amazing, super soft and blendable colors. If you don't own one or both of these, please run to the nearest ulta or sephora! The both now come with a dual ended synthetic haired brush which is fantastic. One end is a shader and the other a blending. 

I realize I did not take any pictures of the shadows themselves, but most of you know what they look like and I plan to do full blog post of both the palettes soon!

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in Perversion.

I previously used the color zero forever but recently picked this baby up and I will never use anything else. This is the blackest matte black. Super creamy and blendable but doesn't smudge once it is set. It really does "glide on!" Just amazing. Do yourself a favor and get this. It's pricey, but worth it. 

Benefits "They're Real!" Mascara.

Honestly I just got this product a few days ago but I don't know how I went so long without buying it. Benefits "they're real!" Mascara. LOVE this. My lashes are thin and mediocre. I've tried so many mascaras and had ok results, some better than others, but this my friends is great. I picked it up on recommendation of one of my girls (Kyla if you're reading this thank you and love you!) 

Sephoras Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover.

I can't even with this stuff, it's amazing. I got a sample of it a few years back and fell in love. I have sensitive eyes and a lot of other removers bug the hell out of me but not this stuff. I've used it to remove heavy eye makeup, multiple times a day and it always gets every little speck off and actually leaves the skin around my eyes feeling very nourished. Apparently it has a lash nourishing formula in it too, so bonus! I will forever repurchase. 

And that rounds out the eye category, let's move onto the face...

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser in Brightening.

This is a great under eye brightener, I've used the regular flesh tones ones and didn't like them as much as they are quite sheer, but this one isn't meant for coverage as much as just brightening the area up!  It is a pinky color and If I'm feeling it ill throw a flesh toned concealer on top of it just to give it some extra coverage, but it works great just on its own too! 

Bare Minerals Foundation.

I'm not a huge fan of liquid foundations, I have very oily acne prone skin. I've been a fan of this stuff for years. It evens my complexion out without making me look too powdery or cakey. I buff it into my skin using a flat top kabuki brush and it looks great and feels light on my skin! I also have the bare minerals ready foundation, but I do not like it as much as the original mineral foundation. As you can see it is well loved.. 

Benefits Hoola Bronzer.

This is by far my favorite Bronzer I've ever tried. I use to be an avid NYC sunny Bronzer user, but once I tried this I realized "sunny" was making me look way orange..and that's not the look I'm usually going for! This Bronzer is amazing to contour with and looks very natural. The packaging is cute which always gets me good. I even like to use the brush it came with. Again, it's expensive but worth it in my opinion. A little goes a long way, I've had mine over a year and still have yet to hit pan! 

Tweezerman tweezers.

The last thing I want to talk about is a tool, these are hands down the best tweezers ever. I recently lost my old pair and decided I didn't want to shell out the $14 for new ones, but realized nothing compares. These little babies can grab the smallest hairs! I usually pluck any stray hairs before I do my brows and these always keep mine looking sharp. You can send them back to tweezers an and they will sharpen them for free if they ever get dull...I had my last pair for about 2 years and they never got dull on me. Totally worth it!

And that's it for my holy grail items! I realized i should have swatched the products and will keep that in mind for my future posts. Obviously I have more products that I love and use daily but these are hands down the best of the best in my opinion. I plan on doing a post about my recent favorites which will include more products like blushes, lip products and more so stay tunes and thanks so much for reading!!

-Nicole 💜