Favorites: December 2011/January 2012

Hello, my Pretties!

I don't know if you noticed, but I didn't get a chance to do a FAVORITES post last month.  With all the hoopla surrounding my birthday and Christmas and preparing for the New Year, it kinda sorta got overlooked.

And even though this favorites post is inclusive of two months, my favorites are few.  I have had long weeks of working 10-12 hour days and don't wear makeup that often during the week.  If I do, it's just a quick dusting of face powder and some mascara.  When the weekend comes around, I only wear makeup if I'm going out and about.  Which isn't that often either since my weekends are filled with laundry and Lifetime movies.

I apologize for my lackluster array of favorites but nonetheless, here they are:

Favorites for December 2011 and January 2012.

Victoria's Secret Secret Garden Scented Candle and
Refreshing Body Mist in Pure Seduction.

I included this body mist back in my November Favorites and I'm still using it!  I love this scent and I love having the matching scented candle.  Casaba Melon, Plum, and Freesia make up this scent and it's wonderful!  I'm almost out of my body mist so keep an eye out for that one in February's empties post!

Clean & Clear Advantage 3-in-1
Foaming Acne Wash

This is a 3-in-1 because it 1-cleanses the skin, 2-treats pimples, and 3-helps prevent future breakouts.  And it's oil free.  I don't suffer from acne prone but my sweet-tart does and that's why we purchased this one.  It's always in the shower and so one day I started using it and liked how clean my skin looked.  I started using it often, about 2-3 times a week.  I don't use it everyday because since my skin is not problematic for the exception of a pesky pimple every so often, the salicylic acid acne medication in this cleanser dries out my skin too much.  Using it once in a while keeps my skin clean and prevents any acne from popping up.

E.L.F. Liquid Eyeliner in Black
Avon Healthy Makeup Eyeshadow in Tiger's Eye
L'Oreal HIP High Intensity Pigments in Tenacious
Maybelline Super Stay 24 Color in On and On Orchid

This E.L.F. Liquid Eyeliner is one of my all time favorite liquid eyeliners.  It's so black and easy to apply.  It dries fairly quickly and it lasts all day without running or fading.  And for only $1.00, it's a steal!

I use Avon's Tiger's Eye eyeshadow when I am in a hurry and just want a touch of color to my lids.  I apply it easily with the doe foot applicator and the liquid shadow blends out easily and evenly with just my fingertips.  The color is pigmented and wears well all day long.

This HIP pigment is my first and it is beautiful!  I bought this a while back when CVS was having a 75% off sale and I paid peanuts for it.  It is a color unlike anything else I have.  It's like melted metal on my eyelids.  Sounds painful but it looks stunning!

This Maybelline 24 Color is also my first and I adore it.  The lip color actually lasts just about 24 hours.  It's amazing, really.  This one was given to my by my sweet-tart's aunt who bought it for herself but didn't like the color on her but thought it would look good on me.  It does!  I love it.  I applied it in the a.m. and it stayed on through eating and drinking and even sleep.  I woke up the next morning and it was still on my lips.  Crazy!

Swatches.

Left to Right:
E.L.F. Liquid Eyeliner in Black
Avon Healthy Makeup Eyeshadow in Tiger's Eye
L'Oreal HIP High Intensity Pigments in Tenacious
Maybelline 24 Color in On and On Orchid

So, there you go my loves, these are the top products I have been using in my life for the months of December and January.  Are any of these your favorites too?

Luv & Luk,
--L.

♥♥ All items mentioned in this post were purchased by me with my own money unless otherwise stated.  These are my own thoughts and opinions. ♥♥

Empties: November 2011

Hello, my Pretties!

I don't usually do back to back posts but today is an exception.  It's the last day of the month and my last day to do this empties post for the month of November.  And it just so happened to fall on a Wednesday.  Pink Wednesday.

OK, let's get this show on the road!

November 2011 Empties

Vaseline Intensive Rescue
Repairing Moisture
Fragrance Free Lotion

Love this stuff.  It's a basic white cream.  No scent what's so ever.  And it's hypoallergenic.  It claims to "accelerate the healing of dry skin with an effective, non-greasy formula."  I believe that is exactly what it does.  I have very dry skin and this helps me feel moisturized and so soft.  I'd slather this on after a shower and I was soft until the very next day.  I like lotions with a scent better but this one works well so I would repurchase this again.

Softsoap Cherry Blossom
& Wild Bamboo
Moisturizing Body Wash

Moisturizing?  Really?  I don't think so.  I bought this because I love the smell of cherries.  This did not smell like cherries.  It smelled like sugar...like a cheap cherry candy.  Not good.  I will say that this lathers up beautifully and a little goes a long way but I'm looking for moisture here and I didn't get it with this body wash.  I used up the bottle because I didn't want to throw it away but I will not be repurchasing this again.  Ever. 

TRESemme
Heat Tamer Spray

OK, now this I would repurchase.  First off, I like how this smells.  I like the pump that it comes equipped with.  It makes for a light mist of product all over my hair.  I have severely curly hair and I'd use this when I would straighten my hair.  I'd wash my hair and while it was damp, I'd mist this all over my hair.  Then I'd proceed to straighten it.  After straightening my hair, it was so soft.  I love that feeling of running my hands through my hair.  After using this product, my hair was soft, shiny, less frizzy and smelled wonderful.  Really good stuff.

Up & Up Multipurpose Solution
No-rub Formula

I bought this one night at Target when I was low on funds but needed some solution for my contact lenses.  Anyone who uses contact lenses knows that the solution can be pricey for name brands like Baush & Lomb, ReNu, Opti-Free, or Boston Advance.  This one here was only two dollars and change.  Not bad at all.  And in my eyes, I didn't see a difference.  It worked just as well at cleaning, rinsing, disinfecting, and storing my soft contact lenses as its other name brand counterparts.  This, I would also repurchase.

Bath & Body Works
Signature Collection
Into the Wild Body Lotion

Ooh, child, now this smells good.  It does not state on this mini bottle what it's supposed to smell like and I can't for the life of me describe scents but this smells so good to me.  It's a body lotion infused with Vitamin E, jojoba, and shea butter.  All wonderful things to put into our skin.  I have always loved B&BW's body lotions.  They leave my skin feeling so smooth and smelling wonderfully.  I'm not sure if this one is still available but this is one body lotion I wouldn't mind buying again.

Aquafresh Triple Proctecion
Anti-Cavity Fluoride Toothpaste

I cannot even look at this photo.  I did not like this at all.  Sorry, but I did not.  I did not like the way it didn't freshen my breath.  I love to brush my teeth and feel that cool minty freshness most toothpastes leave behind. This one did no such thing.  I felt like I didn't even brush my teeth!  It didn't even taste good while I was brushing them.  But again, I finished the tube because I didn't want to throw it away.  I'll stick to my regular toothpaste.  Not going to buy this again.  No sir.

Avon Solutions Total Radiance
Day Cream/Night Cream Duo

Aw, I'm so sad that I finished this.  This was supposed to be a two week trial size containing day cream with SPF 15 and a night cream.  This lasted me well over two weeks.  Before putting on my makeup, I would apply the day cream.  My skin was so soft and moisturized when using this product.  It would help the makeup application go on smoother and look more even.  At night after my shower, I'd apply the night cream.  In the morning, my skin was very soft.  I know Avon still carries these two but separately.  I don't think they offer this trial size anymore.  I do believe this product is worth paying the full price for the regular size.  I plan on buying this again.

EOS Lip Balm in Lemon Drop

Yes, I know everyone loves EOS lip balms.  Me, uh, I'm on the fence about this one.  I love the packaging.  It's so cute and different.  The packaging gets me every time.  But the product itself, I'm just "eh" about it.  Nothing wow, nothing horrible.  At first it was very moisturizing for my lips but then it's like they would peel more.  I don't know.  The flavor is OK.  Not my favorite.  I had also tried the Summer Fruit one which I liked better but was even more drying on my lips.  I don't have that one to show you, my daughter ate it.  I might consider purchasing another one of these but in a different flavor.  I've only had two of these, Lemon Drop and Summer Fruit and the Lemon Drop was way more moisturizing than the Summer Fruit.  I don't know why.  What flavor do you recommend I buy?

Well, my dears, that's this months empties.  Yay!  Now I can toss these in the trash, finally.

Luv & Luk,
--L.

Favorites: November 2011

Hello, my Pretties!

I love Twitter.  I was tweeting away earlier when someone mentioned that they already had posted their monthly favorites.  I was like, "OMG, I totally forgot!"  What else is new?  I know.

And in case you don't follow me on Twitter, I announced late last week that I had gotten a job as a nanny.  Sounds weird to say it because it's for my two year old nephew.  He has health issues so his doctors recommended that he be taken out of daycare and for my sister to hire a nanny to go take care of him at home.  And so she hired me!

So yeah, that's what I've been up to lately.  My days are long now.  I'm with him from 7 a.m. to about 7 p.m.  I have my nephew and my daughter, both two years old, all day and then I have my six year old daughter from 3-7 after I pick her up from school.  Yeah.  My hands are full.

So, you might see my blog start to suffer a little bit from it.  By the time I get home, it's dark out so I can't take pictures for a new post. I'm going to have to save all of that for the weekend when I'm off but then again, I have my two munchkins at home all day so that's why I would never work on blog posts on the weekends, only on weekdays when one was in school and the other was napping.  LOL.  So, I guess I'm going to have to try something else.

Anyway, I managed to get in my Monthly Favorites post today.  Here it is.  Enjoy!

November 2011 Favorites

Blistex Cold & Allery Lip Soother
External/Analgesic/Lip Protectant
Net wt. .15 oz/ 4.25 g

I got this a couple of weeks ago when I was really sick with a cold.  My nose was so stuffy that I was basically panting like a dog just trying to breathe.  My lips were so dry so when I went to get some Kleenex from Walgreen's, I saw this and I bought it.  I love how it smells.  It's so citrus-y.  It claims to relieve lip discomfort and dryness due to illness or medication.  That is does!  Instantly my lips felt moisturized.  They were already all cracked and peeling prior to application.  I put it on before bed and in the morning, my lips were almost normal!  It is infused with vitamins C and E along with green tea, elderberry, chamomile and honey.  No wonder it tastes so good.  Good stuff.

Avon 24 Karat Gold Lip Gloss
in Honey Gold

I've had this lip gloss for what seems like ages and I love it!  I'm not a pink lip gloss person but this one works for me.  I adore this shade.  Sad thing is, it's no longer available.  You can't see it in the shot but it's more than half empty.  I think this one will appear in my monthly empties post very soon.

Swatch of Honey Gold.

As you can see in the picture, it's a very pretty pink.  But what you can't see, is that it has loads of shimmer in it.  You can see it in the tube as well as on your lips when you're out in the sun.  Such a cute color.

Avon Anew Rejuvinate Night Sapphire Emulsion
50 g net wt./ 1.7 oz

Another Avon product to share with you today.  I had also tweeted about this product about a month ago.  I said I was using a new face cream that made my skin look almost air brushed.  So many of you wanted to know which one it was!

Very cool looking night cream.

I love the look of this.  It's a gel but it's like glittery blue.  Super pretty.  It feels weird on.  It's a gel and I'm used to a cream consistency.  In my opinion, when I wear this night cream, in the morning, my face is so soft and smooth and my pores are less visible.  Yay for shrunken pores!  This one is pricey for me but I figure that I'll be 30 in December so I need to take care of my skin.  The only downside to this is if you have sensitive skin like I do, it's recommended that you wait 15 minutes after cleansing your face before applying the night cream.  If you don't wait, you could get a burning feeling on your face.  Not like I'm-on-fire but it's plain old discomfort.  I like it.  It claims to make you look 5 years younger in two weeks.  It cost me about $30 but I think I do look more youthful.

E.L.F. Shimmering Facial Whip
in Citrus 

OK, this one did not cost me $30 but it cost me $1.00 and I love it.  I use this product as a brow highlight or as a highlight on my cheekbones.  But lately I have been using it as a base for my shimmery shadows and it works beautifully.  The shadow sticks so well to it and it lasts all day.  No creasing on me.  Best $1.00 ever.  I've seen other posts done on this product and I have seen some bad reviews.  To each his own.  Every experience is different.  Mine was a good one.  For a dollar, try it out and see if it works for you.  There are many shades to chose from on the E.L.F. website.

M•A•C Fluidline

Eeek!  I can't believe I have M•A•C.  I got this as a part of my Tartan Tale gift set that my sweet-tart gave me last year for Christmas.  I kept saying I was going to show it off but I never did.  Maybe I should still do it.  One year later and it's practically untouched.  I cherish it so much, I don't want to use it.  LOL.

Blitz & Glitz Fluidline
Net wt. 3 g/ 0.10 oz

This is such a smooth application.  It's like butter.  For real.  I've never said that about any makeup item I own.  Love this stuff.  I use it on my waterline too and it applies effortlessly and evenly and it stays on all day.

I've had this for about a year and I just started using it.

Man, I have missed out on this eyeliner!  I should have used it since I got it but, no, I had to hold on to it for God knows what reason.  If I had used it from day one, I would be out of it by now.  Lately, it's the only eyeliner I want to use.

This eyeliner is black but with little gold shimmers in it that I don't really see when I apply it to my eyes.  I just enjoy the darkness and richness of the black and the creaminess.  It's wonderful.

Maybelline The Falsies Flared
Volum' Express Mascara

I won't go into too much detail about this because I plan on doing a separate blog post on this one with pictures of before and afters.  I love this stuff.  I doesn't leave my eyes looking like the ones in the commercial but I do see a difference.  My lashes are much longer and that's always fine with me!

Essie Nail Lacquer
in Lady Like
.46 fl oz/ 13.5 mL

I have been looking for a pink like this.  It's not full on bubble gum pink at all which is why I think I love it so much.  It's more of a romantic, refined pink.  Definitely, a lady like pink.

Swatches of Lady Like.

As you can see in the picture, it's so glossy.  Just the way I like it.  And with no top coat and two coats of nail polish.  I can see myself wearing this very often.  It's a nice everyday color and it will also look nice with a LBD and it's even work appropriate.

Swatches.

Here I have all the swatches to the Blitz &  Glitz eyeliner.  The dot on the top is the Shimmering Facial Whip out of the tube and below it is the swatch of it blended in.  A little goes a long way.  Underneath that, is the swatch to the Honey Gold lip gloss.

Victoria's Secret Refreshing Body Mist
in Pure Seduction
125 mL/ 4.2 fl oz

And one more thing.  I love how this smells.  I've been using this everyday instead of perfume.  I don't usually use perfume, I use body sprays more.  This one smells of casaba melon, plum, and freesia.  It's perfection.  And, I'm almost out of this one too.  Another monthly empties candidate.  Since it's so hot here in Texas, I enjoy spritzing this all over my body because it definitely refreshes me.  Maybe next time, I'll try a different scent.

Wow, half and hour later and I'm done typing.  Good God.  Well, that's all I have for this month, my dears.  I wonder what the month of December will have in store.

Luv & Luk,
--L.

Favorites: October 2011

Hello, my Pretties!

Yay! Look at me, I'm right on time today! I'll try to keep this short and sweet since I'm sure many of you are getting ready to celebrate Halloween tonight!

Monthly Favorites for October 2011.

Avon Care Moisture Replenish
Daily Hydrating Cream with SPF 15

I just recently started using this cream since my other one has just a couple more days use out of it. And, I'm really liking this. It doesn't say it's specific for use on the face or body so I assume it's both. But I just use it on my face and my neck. What ever is left on my fingertips, I just massage into my hands.

As you can see here, the formula is very thick. Just this amount is enough for my face, my neck, and the rest if for my hands. I use very little on my face because a little goes a long way. I don't want to have an overly moisturized, almost greasy, looking face. I like to apply this on my face before I apply my foundation.

Here is what is printed on the back of the jar:
"This light, easily absorbed cream contains nourishing sunflower seed oil which helps provide moisturizing properties to shield skin from dryness. Hypoallergenic. Dermatologist tested. Provides SPF 15 protection. Non-comedogenic."


I have a feeling this will come in handy for the winter and the dry air that comes with it.

Lorac Blush in Soul

My first Lorac item. So pretty. This is a really good everyday blush. I tend to lean more towards the peachy toned blushes just because I think they look better on my skin tone over the pink shades.

This blush is not overly soft. It doesn't fall apart like the E.L.F. ones tend to do. It does not have a creamy silky texture either. But the color payoff is great. My face looks fresher and brighter with this blush on. It also has a nice shimmer to it. It's more like a matte blush with flecks of shimmer scattered through out.

Wet n Wild Coloricon Eyeshadow Single
in 251A Brulee

I had seen this eyeshadow used as a brow highlight in so many blog posts and so many YouTube tutorials. I finally found one at Walgreen's and I bought it. Then it went home to sit in my makeup drawer untouched for months. I just remembered I had it this month. And now I have been using it every time I do my makeup.

It's the perfect brow highlight. It's matte. It's not stark white. I have yet to use this as a lid shade. It's soul purpose of existence for me is to use as a highlight.

Do you have this? If you don't, get it.

Lorac Eyeshadow/Liner in Midnight Sparkle

And here is another eye product. This is also another Lorac product. This is a great duo use eye product. You can use it as a liner or as a shadow. I have used this as both. This is a black with big chunky glitters all throughout.

It add extra wow when used as a liner but you can't get a thin line with this, it's a thick tipped pencil. As a shadow, you can create a smoky look and if you like glitter, you have that added bonus.

But, the glitter does fall off a little. Especially when I used it as a shadow. I guess because you apply more. I had flecks of glitter on my lashes and right on the tops of my cheeks. Nothing major. I just kept seeing little reflecting lights out of the corner of my eyes and that was a little annoying.

But since I did like how it looked on, I will keep using it!

Avon Nail Experts Mineral Strength

I have been trying to grow my nails and so I started using this every time I paint my nails. I put one coat of this under the nail polish. I have never used a base coat, and while this isn't labeled as a base coat, I use it as one. It was working. My nails did get stronger. I had less breakage. And when I did get one, it was minor.

But in this whole month, I did lose two nails to breakage and that wasn't too bad. So, I cut them all off and now I am starting the process all over again. I hate having long nails mixed in with broken nails.

Slatkin & Co. Caribbean Escape
Scented Candle

Oh em gee! This smells so good. I know Caribbean Escape is not a fall like scent but it smells so good! I would use this year round.

The description the jar describes it perfectly:
"A sweet, tropical blend of melon, raspberry nectar and Italian lemon, infused with creamy coconut milk."


On second thought, I want to drink this! Doesn't it sound delicious?

Swatches.

Left to Right:
Lorac Eyeshadow/Liner in Midnight Sparkle
Lorac Blush in Soul
Wet n Wild Coloricon Eyeshadow Single in 251A Brulee

OK, I will admit, this isn't such a hot post. But hey, this is what I really liked this month. What were your favorites?

Luv & Luk,
--L.

♥♥ All products in this post were bought by me with my own money. These are my own thoughts and honest opinions. ♥♥

Favorites: September 2011

Hello, my Pretties!

OMG, could I be any later in sharing my SEPTEMBER favorites with you? If you know me, yeah, I guess I can be later...

Anyway, sorry so late but here are my most used products for last month.

September 2011 Favorites

Left to right:
Avon True Color Blush in Classic Aura
E.L.F. Liquid Eyeliner in Black
Victoria's Secret Refreshing Body Mist in Pure Seduction
Jordana Color Effects Eyeshadow Powder in Splitting Image
E.L.F. All Over Cover Stick in Honey
Avon Healthy Makeup Lip Cream in Merlot

Swatches

Victoria's Secret
Refreshing Body Mist
Pure Seduction
125 mL/4.2 fl oz

"Refreshing with fragrance from a Secret Garden, infused with moisturizing Aloe Vera and calming Chamomile."


I love this scent! I know this one is of their old scents but I still love it. I feel so feminine when I wear this. At the rate I'm going, this might be in my October empties post!

Jordana Color Effects Eyeshadow Powder
Splitting Image
.094 oz/2.66 g

A fellow beauty blogger, Nicole of NV Beauty, sent me this when I won a giveaway she hosted a couple of months back and I fell in love with it!

Both shadows are shimmery and beautiful. The gold fits so well with the chocolate brown and love this as an everyday look. I love shimmer shadows.

E.L.F. All Over Cover Stick in Honey

And this little gem was given to me by my beauty bestie, Cathy of My Pinktastic Life, many months ago and I use this a lot. I love to use this on my eyes just below the brow bone to hide my big blue veins. Ugh! This works wonders in that department. It also helps conceal the dark circles that have started appearing under my eyes.

E.L.F. Liquid Eyeliner in Black

Another great E.L.F. product is this liquid eyeliner. It has a felt tip applicator which works great for me. I love the pigmentation of this eyeliner. It is so black. It is saturated with color and applies evenly and dries quickly. As for the lasting power, on me, it can go all day without a smudge.

Avon Healthy Makeup Lip Cream in Merlot

I love these lip creams! I have 3 of them only and I love them all. This one is more on the red side of the color spectrum. I also have a pink and a peach. This is not the way the top is supposed to look, the cap broke off and this was all that was left. Sad thing is, now it won't close properly so this tube is brand new and I doubt that I will be able to finish it off before it begins to dry up. Boooo...

Avon True Color Blush in Classic Aura

I know I included this in August's Favorites post but, oh my gosh, you guys, I love this. I use it every time I wear makeup. It's a must for me. I feel like I cheated you guys this month reposting this but this is really one of my favorites!

I know I didn't have a lot on my favorites this month. I didn't wear a whole lot of makeup this time around. I actually didn't do a lot of new looks either. I kind of just stuck to wearing a neutral look most of the time. It's one of those ruts we experience sometimes.

Hopefully, October will be a better month!

Luv & Luk,

--L.

♥♥ All items in this post were bought by me with my own money otherwise noted. These are my own thoughts and honest opinions. ♥♥