November 2011 Favorites

Greetings and happy December to all my beautiful readers! Can you believe it? December is here! I hope every one had an amazing Thanksgiving. We absolutely did! Now our tree is up and the house is decorated and smelling amazing, thanks to this awesome simmer pot recipe I found on Pinterest! I love this time of year. I also happen to love some pretty stinkin' awesome beauty products! Which is why you're here.... So let's get to it. My November 2011 favorites...

1. Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller

Maybe it's the time change, possibly the weather, or maybe it's being a stay-at-home mom to the cutest soon-to-be two year old little boy in the world that's making me look so tired lately. Regardless of reason, I have been thankful to have this little eye roller on hand. This version is infused with caffeine, lemongrass essence and mineral pigments which allows it to act as a de-puffer and concealer in one. I think what appeals so much to me is the consistency. Most concealers can be thick and cakey, sinking into under-eye lines and wrinkles. Because of the very thin consistency of the Garnier roller, I like to use it for an everyday concealer. It is a great brightener, and when set with powder or a setting spray, it can have a lot of lasting power. If I happen to want a more full-coverage look, I use a small amount of my regular under-eye concealer over it and it creates an extremely flawless look. The one and ONLY thing that bothers me about this product is that it only comes in one shade! For instance, if it was Summer time, I wouldn't be able to get away with using it. It would be far too light to use. Right now, I am an NW35 and if I blend it extremely well and use a small amount of my usual concealer, I can get away with it. To those of you medium/tan skinned ladies, I wouldn't suggest this product. Hopefully, one day, they will give us a few more color options!

2. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Lotion

What made me realize how great this stuff actually is: I ran out. (Well.. maybe not totally ran out. I could cut the bottle in half and scoop out any lotion that might be left behind. You think I'm joking!) I go to my makeup storage and pull out another random facial moisturizer and I realized how much it was NOTHING like my Kiehl's. It couldn't even compare. I love how cooling this lotion feels on my skin, I love how moisturizing it is without feeling the least bit oily, I love how it absorbs into skin and I love how there really isn't a scent at all. I'm not typically someone who likes to spend a lot of money on skin care. I just drink a lot of water and eat healthy on top of a daily skin routine. But ol' Birchbox decided to throw this into my box several months ago and just like a fish, I'm completely HOOKED! If you are ever wandering around a Kiehl's store, I would be appalled and ashamed if you didn't purchase this immediately. Hey, if I'm willing to go to such lengths as to destroy the packaging completely to get what may or may not be considered leftovers, then you know it's good stuff!

3. Flawless Fake Bake

Last month, I talked about Xen-Tan and while I still use it frequently, it's only a face tanner. I was on the hunt for a full body self-tanner that WASN'T a spray tan. I saw smlx0 on YouTube talking about some of her favorite self-tanners and she mentioned this one. My gripe with spray tans are the messiness and smell. You can spray yourself in the shower, but it's still going to travel through your bathroom to your floors, sinks, toilets and pretty much anywhere else you can think of. The smell is so overwhelming that I will hold my breath for what seems like forever, start to become light headed and almost pass out JUST to not have to inhale that horrid stuff. I can literally taste it in my mouth it smells so disgusting! BLEH. I am not a tanning bed girl anymore, I feel like a wised up since high school. I wear sunblock and treat my skin a LOT better than I used to. If self-tanners are what I have to do in the winter to avoid that olive skin tone, I'll do it. I just will not go to the tanning bed. Flawless Fake Bake is definitely the opposite of everything I dislike about spray tans. You apply it with a mit! Therefore, no mess and no inhaling gross smells! The color is extremely natural looking and it starts to show up immediately. That, to me, is a huge deal for preventing streaks or missing areas on your body. I've used it over 5 times and the bottle seems as heavy as it was the day I got it. If you are weary about using self-tanners because you don't want to look like an Oompa Loompa, my suggestion would be to apply it to an area of your body that is covered, like the top of your leg or stomach. From there you can make your own decision. I also recommend ordering it online as it is much cheaper than in the stores. Here is a link to get it for only about $12!

4. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle

This MSF is, by far, my favorite product to use for highlighting. Unfortunately,  it's $28. However, less is best with this stuff. I purchased this well over a year ago and I'm not even close to hitting pan. The MAC website describes it as a "gilded peach bronze" that gives an "ultra-deluxe polish to the face". I wouldn't recommend applying highlighters for every day wear. Typically, I like to wear this for special occasions or for going out. It gives such a beautiful glow and transforms dull skin into radiant skin. To apply, sweep this from the top of your cheek bones to your temples in a "C" like shape, as well as down the bridge of your nose and on your cupid's bow.

5. Favorite Lip Combo: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Primrose + Bonnebell Liplites in Strawberry Parfait

I love being able to throw in super awesome, yet, super cheap beauty finds! This combo isn't something I recently happened upon. I've actually loved both of these for a long, long time thanks to so many beauty gurus who suggested them. Lately, I've rediscovered my love and it has been my go-to lip combo of the month. Primrose is about $5 and Strawberry Parfait is definitely under $4. The only thing you can't afford here is not trying this out for yourself!



I hope you all found my favorites and their reviews to be enjoyable AND helpful! Don't hesitate to share your favorites, too.

Thanks for reading!
LoveXoXo,
Katherine