December Favorites

Smashbox Halo Highlighting Wand - $32 

I bought this highlighter after trying it at my cousin's wedding - I was her maid-of-honor =).  There are two colors available:  pearl & gold.  I bought the gold.  I like to use this product on my cheekbones, above my eyebrows, and down the bridge of my nose.  Click here to purchase.

Pros:  

*easy to use; just click the bottom and apply

*gives off a very subtle glow

*lasts all day

*goes on silky smooth

*perfect for photo shoots

BE CAREFUL:  Don't use too much.  If used in excess, the product can potentially leave shiny streaks.  Remember, a little goes a long way.  

NYX Eyeshadow Base - $6.99

I've been looking for an effective yet affordable eyeshadow base for quite some time now.  My friends all love using Urban Decay's Original Eyeshadow Primer Potion, but I think $20 is too pricey for an eyeshadow base, so I was thrilled when I discovered a cheaper alternative.  

Pros:  

*helps sustain color all day

*blends well

*doesn't fade

*three shades available: white, pearl, skin-tone

I like using the skin-tone eyeshadow base.  Personally, I think this product works just as well as any "expensive" primer on the market.  Plus, Ulta's currently having an online promotion for NYX products - buy 1 get 1 50% off - so you have an extra excuse to check it out! Click here to purchase!

NYX Lip Gloss with Mega Shine - $5.49 

I fell in LOVE with this lip gloss the moment I applied it.  There are 26 different shades, but my personal favorites are "Sweet Heart" and "Frosted Beige". 

Pros:

*even coverage

*great consistency

*pleasant scent

*cute packaging - there's an adorable bow on the cap  

Although I seriously heart this product, there is one con.  When you close the cap, gloss sometimes gushes out of the sides.  I just wipe off the excess with a tissue though.  It's not a huge deal, but I thought I'd inform you regardless.  I can't wait to try the other colors ::squeals::  Click here to buy...

Bed Head Small Talk - $17.50

Every year, I head to a Korean hair salon for a digital perm.  I love having wavy hair because it's so easy to take care of.  I literally take a shower at night, scrunch my hair with product, magically wake up with beachy waves, and walk out the door.  Seriously.

Of all the hair products I've used thus far, "Small Talk" is definitely my favorite.  It holds my curls in place, while adding a good amount of body and volume.  Bed Head markets this product as a hair thickifier.  Since my hair is really long, I need about 2 pumps to properly coat my mane.  

Pros:

*thermal protectant

*holds curls in place

*works as a faux-gel

*thickens, while adding shine

*smells like candy

Seriously guys, check this product out!  Click here to buy...

What are some of your favorite beauty picks this month?  Also, check back in a few days to see my review on Influenster's Holiday VoxBox!  =D

October Favorites

Stila Sun Bronzing Powder

This compact is available in two different shades.  I bought "Shade 1 - sheer golden matte bronze", which is the lighter of the two.  I'm not crazy about glittery bronzers so I was pleased with the matte finish.  I loved how natural the shade looked on my skin, and the product lasts all day.  I use the ELF studio blush brush for application.  

Price:  $28 
Overall:  This product is worth every penny!

Click to buy...

Smashbox Master Class Palette

I bought this palette on Sephora.com a few weeks ago.  It comes with 28 Photo Op eyeshadows, four brow powders, eight cream eyeliners, two blushes, three soft lights, and four lip glosses.  

Eyeshadows:

This palette has a nice combination of matte and shimmery shadows.  I love the featured neutral shades in particular. I'm not a huge fan of the more colorful colors - they're a bit too bold for everyday wear in my opinion. My favorite hues are the following:  "Flirt" (shimmery nude), "Cinnamon Toast", "Chestnut", & "Roast" (shimmery browns), and "Opal" (shimmery pearl; great highlighter).

Eyeliners:

Smashbox has great cream eyeliners - they don't smudge at all, and they last all day.  I usually stick to basic black liner, but I've been experimenting with other colors since I have options now.  I really like using "Gilt" (gold) to line my lower lids.

Blushes:

I'm not a huge fan of the featured blushes.  "Warm Apricot" is ok, but "Posy Pink" seriously makes me look like a clown.  I prefer subtle blushes like this Nars Blush in Orgasm.

Soft Lights:

All three shades are absolutely gorgeous.  "Lens" is a shimmery peach, "Prism" is a shimmery light pink, and "Shimmer" is a shimmery (redundant much? =P) nude.  I use all of these colors as highlighting powders/blushes.  

TIP:  Shimmer can visually enlarge your pores so make sure you apply in moderation.  Also, if you decide to use both highlighting powder and blush/bronzer, make sure one is matte.  Too much shimmer can make you look like a disco ball.  Trust me, I speak from experience.

Lip Glosses:

The included glosses are pretty cute - the only color I don't particularly care for is "Mulberry".

Price:  $59 (a $250 value) on Sephora.com + Free Shipping

Overall:  This purchase was a bit of a splurge, but you're really getting a lot of bang for your buck.  This palette is PERFECT for travel.  All you need to do is throw in a few make-up brushes and you're good to go.  I was looking for a new eyeshadow palette when I bought this value set.  I was going to order Urban Decay's Naked Palette, but I thought this would be a better deal.  I'm really pleased with my decision, and I definitely recommend checking this out!

Click here to buy...

Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal Mascara

I've always been loyal to Christian Dior's Diorshow mascara ($25), but in order to save some cash, I decided to try some drugstore alternatives.  I bought this mascara on ulta.com a few weeks ago.  

TIP:  Save your designer mascara wands.  The wands are what "distinguish" the designer from the drugstore =P Use them to apply "plain" drugstore brand mascaras.

Price:  $6.99
Overall:  All in all, I like this product.  I can't say it's the greatest mascara I've ever used, but it gets the job done! It does a good job lengthening and volumizing, but it does have a tendency to clump a bit, but then again, what mascara doesn't. I use a toothpick to remove the clumps.  

Click here to buy.  Ulta.com is having a promotion right now - buy 1 get 1 50% off.

NYX Super Skinny Marker

I'm totally obsessed with this eyeliner.  I usually SUCK at applying liquid liner, so I was hesitant to try it out at first, but Ulta was having a promotion - 40% off all NYX products - so I couldn't resist.  

I apply this over my cream/gel eyeliner to give a crisper, cleaner line.  I'm so happy I discovered this product - it's so easy to use!  I will definitely be re-purchasing this for years to come.

Price:  $8.99

Click here to buy...

What are some of your favorite products this month?