{Favorites} January 2011 (VERY Pic Heavy)

So I've decided to post my monthly favorites. I know that some bloggers have been doing this for years, but I just haven't had the time till now. Be prepared, though, this is a very long post. I've got my favorite makeup, skin/hair stuff, and this month I do have a few perfumes I've been wearing obsessively! Enjoy!

1. Makeup:

Kinda clockwise from the shadow: Jemma Kidd Eyeshadow in Vintage, Lancome Artliner in Plum, Sephora Tricks of the Trade Eye Primer, NYC Smooth Skin Loose Powder in Translucent, Benefit Cream Eyeshadow in Birthday Suit, Prescriptives Camoulflage Concealer in Light B/R, Sally Hansen Carmindy Sheerest Cream Bronzer in Rio Glow.

Kinda clockwise from the shadow: Jemma Kidd Eyeshadow in Vintage, Lancome Artliner in Plum, Sephora Tricks of the Trade Eye Primer, NYC Smooth Skin Loose Powder in Translucent, Benefit Cream Eyeshadow in Birthday Suit, Prescriptives Camoulflage Concealer in Light B/R, Sally Hansen Carmindy Sheerest Cream Bronzer in Rio Glow.

Jemma Kidd Eyeshadow in Vintage ($16)

Tis is a great color for when I don't feel like wearing a lot of eyeshadow. I'e just been putting this all over my lid, slightly above the crease, and then using my Lancome Artliner in Plum. It's such a pretty combo!

Benefit Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit ($19)

I looked at my Benefit cream shadows just lately for the first time in months and noticed that Birthday Suit was starting to crease, so I figured that I'd really start using it so that it doesn't got to waste. I love the color! I'ver really been into metallics lately and this color is the perfect in between for people who like silver and gold.

Lancome Artliner in Plum ($29)

If you've been reading my blog you know how much I love my Lancome Artliners! They're the perfect liquid liners. The tip is just different from most other liquid liners and makes it really easy to line. It isn't normally as wet as it looks above. I accidentally left it upside down overnight :( When I finish this one, I want to try the L'Oreal version of it.

NYC Smooth Skin Loose Powder in Translucent ($3)

This is just a great no frills cheap powder. It doesn't add anything in terms of coverage, but just sets my makeup and makes my face matte. It's a really great value. The sifter is a bit large, but I just dump some out into the cap, swirly, and apply, just like a mineral foundation. It's definitely not a travel item, though.

Sephora Tricks of the Trade Eye Primer ($8)

This stuff isn't as good as UDPP because it does crease by the end of the day. Not as much as if I didn't wear a primer, but I never have any creasing with UDPP at the end of the day. If you are looking for a decent cheaper alternative, this is currently on sale at Sephora for $8.

Prescriptives Camolflage Concealer in Light B/R ($20)

I've been breaking out a bit lately so I've been using this concealer. I'm almost done with it. I lost my Smashbox HD Concealer, which is my fave, so I've been using this. It covers really well and stays put all day. I like the dispenser a bit better than the one for Smashbox concealer (which is like a squeeze tube lip gloss) because I waste less with this fine tip.

Some swatches:

Swathces top to bottom: Sally Hansen Carmindy Bronzer, Benefit Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit, Jemma Kidd Eyeshadow in Vintage, Lancome Artliner in Plum, Sephora Tricks of the Trade Eye Primer, and Prescriptives Camoulflage Concealer in Light B/R.

2. Skin/Hair:

L to R: Pssssst Dry Shampoo, DDF Aloe Toning Complex, Philosophy Hope in a Jar, and Boots No 7 Protect and Perfect Eye Cream.

Pssssst Instant Dry Shampoo ($6.99)

When I got my hair cut, I had some bangs cut in and since I've got oily skin they tend to get oily faster because the lay against my forehead all day. I just use this to refresh my bangs. Since I don't use this all over my head, I don't really deal with the gray cast people sometimes complain about. I've heard that Suave is coming out with a really great dry shampoo for $2, so I am really interested in trying it out after I finish this one.

DDF Aloe Toning Complex ($32 for 8oz)

I bought this on sale at TJ Maxx for $3. you can't get the 4.5 oz size anymore, but you can get the 8 oz size at Sephora. I like this for spraying on my face when I feel like my makeup looks heavy. It just makes everything sink into my skin really nice and it gives a bit of hydration also. I feel like it calms my skin so I also use it on my face before applying my makeup. I keep it in my bag (that's why it looks so beat up, lol!) to spray throughout the day.

Philosophy Hope in a Jar ($38 for 2oz)

You can't buy this in the 1 oz jar anymore, but I'm kinda glad I bought the smaller jar because a little of this goes a long long way. I've been using this on small dry patches all over. I have oily skin so I don't use this all over my face, but it's great for around my chin and the tip of my nose where I get rally dry and rough in the winter. I also use it on super dry patches on my neck, hands, elbows, and feet. You need the tiniest amount and it works miracles!

I've had it for almost a hear and I'm not even half way through yet.

Boots No 7 Protect and Perfect Eye Cream ($19.99)

Ever since I've started to wear my contacts on a daily basis my eyes have been pretty sore. I guess my eyes just don't like contacts. Or the other way around, lol! My eyes have been getting sore and puffy and this is great for getting rid of the puff in the morn before I apply my makeup. I don't really need anything anti-wirnk, so I can't speak for it's effectiveness in that area, but from the reviews I've read online I've heard great things. And $20 for an eye cream really isn't that much, even for 1/2 an oz.

The fine tip makes it super easy to get the smallest amount out so that I minimize waste. I really dislike eye creams that come in little pots.

Some swatches:

Top: Boots No 7 Protect and Perfect Eye Cream. Bottom: Philosophy Hope in a Jar.

Top: Boots No 7 Protect and Perfect Eye Cream. Bottom: Philosophy Hope in a Jar.

Protect and Perfect is a thin eye cream. I don't like the super thick ones because I feel like they're too rich and seep down my face and make my cheeks and nose oily. Hope in a Jar is a thicker balm like cream. It really is great anywhere where you need some deep moisture quick!

I'm almost done with it!!!

3. Perfumes:

L to R: Calvin Klein Eternity, Bodycology Pick Me, Calvin Klein Eternity Moment.

I've really been into the more floral perfumes lately, maybe cause I'm pining for spring, haha! I've been using one of these three daily for the past month. Sometimes I mix them. They smell soooo delicious!!!

L to R: Calvin Klein Eternity, Bodycology Pick Me, Calvin Klein Eternity Moment.

Some pretty pictures:

I've got Eternity in a purse size from Marshalls for $10. Such a bargain!

I love the simple, yet sophisticated and elegant packaging of Eternity Moment! Soooo pretty!

Bodycology's Pick Me is $10 retail, but I found it at Kmart for $2! It smells really fruity, but also fresh, not sickly sweet like candy. My only complaint about it is that the packaging is a bit flimsy. The little plastic cap came off and the tip tends to leak a little bit w/out it, so I never cary it in my purse anymore.

I've been using them so much that I'm almost done with all 3!!! I always get compliments when I mix and match them, too! Something you might want to try at home with your perfumes.

That's it for now! I really look forward to doing more monthly favorites in the future!

Review: Revlon Skinlights Face Illuminator in Natural Light

This is a review for Revlon's Skinlights Face Illuminator in Natural Light. This product, now discontinued, was released by Revlon with their Skinlights collection released in 07 or 08, I'm not entirely sure. I found this one about a year ago at Ocean State Job Lot ad I think you may be able to find some of the line at Big Lots as well. The shade I got is the lightest and it's a pale luminescent pink. They have beige shades as well, and I think beige will suite someone with a darker complexion better than pink. However, if you want to complement a tan, use the pink.

The product itself is a loose powder and comes in a very large sifter--think the size of your setting powder. I've been using mine for a year and still have barely made a dent cause you need a tiny tiny bit for each use.

The packaging is a bit annoying as the holes in the sifter are fairly large, so every time I open the container a shimmer cloud erupts. Also, it makes it difficult to apply because I have to be careful when I stick my brush in that I don't get too much. If I do, I've gotta tap off the excess and that again is a waste of product. Not that I really mind that much cause I'll probably never finish it at the rate I'm going, haha!

Here's a swatch on my hand:

On the left it's strait off a brush, on the right it's blended in a bit.

Having oily skin, I've never been a fan of uber shimmery product as the make me look oilier faster. I much prefer a matte finish, but I've got to say that I'm liking this product. First off, a little goes a long way. I dip my brush in and swirl it in the cap, tap of excess, and apply it to the tops of my cheek bones, brow bones, a tiny bit on my nose, for head, and chin. It gives me a glow, like I've had a full nights rest. I automatically look more awake and I like that. It comes with a brush that is flat and sorta domed (sorry no pic) but I find that a blush brush works better. I also like how multipurpose this product is. I can use it on my face, as an eyeshadow (use a q-tip to dab it into the inner corners of my eyes, or use a brush to use it as a highlight on my brow bones when I'm in a hurry, etc), or I can put some into my foundation/moisturizer/body lotion to get a barely there glow. There's so many things you can do with this product. heck, I've even put it into a nail polish! Word of warning, though, use very sparingly. Otherwise you'll look like a disco ball, no kidding. It does make me look oily faster, but honestly, if I only use a bit it doesn't make much of a difference, maybe only an hour. Lasting power is ok. It looks fresh for about six to seven hours. If you want it to last longer then put it into a lotion or foundation. Overall, great highlighter! It's perfect for this time of year when cooler, more opalescent colors are in style.

Info:

Price: $3.99 (Ocean State Job Lot)

Ingredients: TALC, POLYMETHYLMETHACRYLATE, DIMETHICONE, POLYMETHYLSILSESQUIOXANE, CYCLOMETHICONE, CALCIUM SILICATE, SILICA, ETHYLENE/METHLACRYLATE COPOLYMER, ISOPROPYL TITANIUM TRIISOSTEARATE, POLYGLYCERYL-3 DIISOSTEARATE, TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, PEG-4 DIHEPTANOATE, PERFLUORONONYL OCTODECYL GLYCOL MEADOWFOAMATE, ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, LECITHIN, METHICONE, ZINC STEARATE, OCTYL HYDROOXYSTEARATE, SACCHAROMYCES ZINC FERMENT EXTRACT, SACCHAROMYCES COPPER FERMENT EXTRACT,SACCHAROMYCES MANGANESE FERMENT EXTRACT, SACCHAROMYCES IRON FERMENT EXTRACT, SACCHAROMYCES SILICON FERMENT EXTRACT, SACCHAROMYCES POTASSIUM FERMENT EXTRACT, SELENIUM FERMENT EXTRACT, GINKO BILOBA EXTRACT, PANAX GINSENG ROOT EXTRACT, CAMELIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, CENTAUREA CYANUS FLOWER EXTRACT, GRAPE SEED EXTRACT, MAGNESIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, FRAGRANCE, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, ETHYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN, PHENOXYETHANOL. MAY CONTAIN: MICA, IRON OXIDES, CARMINE, ULTRAMARINES, RED 7 LAKE, RED 6 LAKE, RED 30 LAKE, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE, ALUMINUKM POWDER.

Disclosure:The product featured in this post was bought by me for the purpose of my personal use. If you have any further questions about disclosure, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.