Shop My Stash January 2020 Results and Monthly Empties

Hi All! Happy Saturday! I’m back with my January Shop My Stash results!  I enjoy dipping into my collection and using products I haven’t used in a long time, or just haven’t given much of a chance.

My rule with this is if I don’t like the item after the month, I will move it out of my collection to make some room and let someone else enjoy it! You can check out my first Shop My Stash post for January.

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I’ve had a lot of fun playing with these products this month!  And I have decided to keep all of these products for now.

The Colourpop blush and Milani blusher are both amazing products! They are still fairly new to me, but I now have a good idea of how they perform, and I love them.

I’ve found that I don’t really wear lipstick any more, just liner and gloss.  I did wear my MAC Creme in Your Coffee lipstick once or twice.  It is nice and I’ll keep it, but I now want to go through my lipsticks and get rid of most of them. I did a pretty big declutter last year of my makeup, but I really want to pair it down to just what I use.  Would you be interested in seeing that on my blog?

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I used this palette a lot this month!  I tried every shade.  I’ve found that I like it okay.  Many of the shades have to be built up, especially the shimmers.  I am okay with building up mattes, but I like my shimmers to be soft and very blingy.  I do like the variety of the shades and I made a lot of varied looks with it.  I think I’ll keep it for now, but I might pass it on when I declutter.

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Urban Decay On The Run palette in Detour  – I really love this palette.  It’s the opposite of the Emily Edit palette in that it’s very pigmented and easy to use.  The shimmers, especially Dash, are creamy and are very blingy!  And the mattes are so easy to blend.I am very happy to keep this in my collection.

On to my empties:

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I had a lot more empties than I thought I would this month, but I have been trying to go through my products more.  So I’m proud of these.

For skincare, I finished the PIXI Jasmine Oil and the PIXI Collagen & Retinol Serum.  I’ve had the Jasmine oil for a while, but I concentrated on using it the last few months.  I love the scent.  I also liked the serum, which was unscented, but I don’t know if it did much to my skin.  The Glow Recipe Pineapple Bright Serum was very scented like extremely ripe pineapple.  I didn’t care for the scent  but I loved the serum to brighten my skin.  I would repurchase the PIXI Jasmine oil and the Glow Recipe. 

The Laneige Choco Mint lip mask was amazing! I got it in a holiday set with a full size of the berry and another little one.  I use the lip mask every day.  And I will continue to repurchase them so I always have one on hand. I also used up the Body Shop Fall For Pumpkin body butter I purchased in October and two hand creams, Juicy Pear and Mango, from my The Body Shop advent calendar.

For Makeup, I finally used up the Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer.  I’ve had it for about 18 months and have been working on using it up.  It’s okay.  It works fine, but was really expensive.  I don’t know if I’ll purchase again in the future.  I also finished my L’Oreal Lash Paradise primer, a deluxe size of the Too Faced Damn Girl Mascara and the Pop Beauty lip liner.  I would purchase the lip liner again, I loved it.

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I had fun playing with the products in my Shop My Stash last month.  I’ll be posting my new one hopefully tomorrow.

2019 Annual Skincare Favorites

Hi all!  I’m back with the second part of my 2019 favorites. This one will be mostly skincare, and maybe a hair care product or two!

Check out my first favorites post that’s all about my makeup faves and one big foundation fail here.

Now on to the skincare goodies:

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I have been loving the products above — and more.  I will probably have more than one favorite or some runners up in some areas.  And as for cleansers, my favorites aren’t pictured because I used them up and haven’t repurchased yet.  I have so much skincare that I have purchased, received in subscription boxes or PR that I really want to use up before I get more.  Unless, of course, it’s a category that I have completely run out of.

So, starting with cleansers, my favorite this year is the Pixi Glow Tonic Cleansing Gel.  This cleanser is so refreshing!  And it cleans my skin without leaving residue and without drying out my skin. I also enjoyed the Skin & Co Truffle Therapy Whipped Cleansing Cream. It’s very creamy and removes makeup without irritating my eyes.

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For eye cream, I currently love the Origins Ginzing Refreshing Eye Cream. It brightens dark under eye circles.  I also really enjoyed the Derma E Hydrating Eye Cream for intense moisture when my eyes need it!

This is my second full size Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. And I will continue purchasing it. It hydrates my lip so well.  I use it at night, and sometimes during the day, too!  My favorite day lip balm is the Kopari Coconut Lip Glossy.  It’s so moisturizing, which I need as my lips get very dry.

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Derma E Skin Restore Advanced Peptides & Collagen Moisturizer — This is hydrating, plus it has tons of anti-aging ingredients so it helps with lines and wrinkles.

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask — This is my last step at night.  It locks in all of my other products and my skin is insanely hydrated in the morning.

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These are my fave serum’s and oils from 2019:

Farmacy Honeymoon Glow Serum — I use this a couple of times a week to resurface my skin.  It contains a 14% AHA/BHA/gentle flower acids blend, Hyaluronic Acid, Salicylic Acid and a proprietary honey blend.

Innisfree Intensive Hydrating Serum — This is such a beautiful hydrating serum.  I use it day and night before other serums and moisturizers.  I also really enjoyed The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. It’s such a lovely hydrating serum and keeps my skin moisturized all day.

Glow Recipe Pineapple Bright Serum — This is such a nice Vitamin C serum.  I use it each morning and it brightens my skin.  It does have a very strong ripe pineapple scent, but it goes away.

Pixi Jasmine Oil Blend — I’ve had this for over a year and have just used it up.  A little goes a long way.  It’s very hydrating and is nice to use at night

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These are my two favorite hair products from this year:

IGK Mistress Hydrating Hair Balm —  I apply this balm two ways — on damp hair then I comb through it.  Once it’s dry, I apply a bit more.  It makes my hair so soft and I love the coconut scent.

Cloud 10 CBD-Infused Glossing Mist — I love this for two reasons:  It makes my hair shiny and healthy looking and it smells amazing.  Oh, I guess three reasons — the benefits from the CBD oil!


So that’s it for my 2019 favorites!  What were your standout skincare products for 2019?

I’m so excited for a new year and new favorites.  Bring on 2020!

Holiday Gift Guide 2019 — Makeup and Skincare Sets

Hi all!  Happy Saturday!  I’m doing some home remodeling today, anyone want to help me remove old wallpaper?  No?  I do not blame you!

I’ve included sets from Milk Makeup, Pixi Beauty, Laneige and Farsali.  I love these products and these they would make amazing gifts for the skincare and makeup junkie in your life!

Milk Makeup MVPs

MILK MAKEUP MVPs, $45 ($109 value), available 9/16 at milkmakeup.comsephora.com & 10/4 in Sephora stores.
  • DELUXE KUSH MASCARA (BOOM – blackest black): High volume mascara with conditioning cannabis seed oil, heart-shaped fibers and pure pigments for clump-free, intense black finish.
  • MINI HYDRO GRIP PRIMER: Primer with hemp-derived cannabis seed extract to hydrate and blue agave extract to grip makeup for all-day hold.
  • MINI COOLING WATER: Cooling, under-eye-de-puffing stick packed with soothing seawater and caffeine for instantly energized skin.
  • MINI WATERMELON BRIGHTENING SERUM: Solid serum with Swiss garden cress sprout extract to brighten and watermelon fruit extract to hydrate for more even skin tone and texture.
  • GLOW OIL LIP + CHEEK – (GLIMMER – mauve shimmer): Shimmering, sheer multi-use lip + cheek with rice bran oil to hydrate for a lit-from-within glow.
  • MINI HIGHLIGHTER – (BLITZED – rose gold): Dewy, multi-use highlighter with mango butter and avocado oil to hydrate and blend seamlessly for an everyday glow.
  • MINI BRONZER – (BAKED – bronze): Creamy, multi-use bronzer stick with mango butter and avocado oil to hydrate and blend seamlessly for a sun-kissed glow.Milk Makeup Triple the KUSH Set
Milk Makeup TRIPLE THE KUSH, $25 ($41 value), available 9/16 at milkmakeup.comsephora.com and 10/4 in Sephora stores.
  • KUSH MASCARA (BOOM – blackest black): High volume mascara with thickening heart-shaped fibers, conditioning cannabis oil and pure pigments for a clump-free, intense black finish.
  • MINI KUSH CLEAR BROW GEL (HYDRO – clear): Clear brow gel with conditioning, hemp-derived cannabis seed oil to tame and set brow hair without stiffness or flaking.
  • MINI KUSH LIP BALM (GREEN DRAGON – clear): Hydrating, soothing daily balm with conditioning, hemp-derived cannabis seed oil to soften lips and improve texture.

Milk Makeup is Cruelty-Free, Vegan, Paraben-Free and Gluten-Free

 

Pixi Liquid Fairy Lights Duo

Pixi Beauty Liquid Fairy Lights Duo ($24 USD) — This limited edition kit includes two of our long wearing liquid glimmer eyeshadows. Wear solo or on top of eye shadow for an instant sparkle effect. Kit includes Liquid Fairy Lights in BareBrilliance & SunRay.

I really recommend these.  I have the BareBrilliance shade and it’s gorgeous!

Pixi Best of Tonics

Pixi Beauty Best of Tonics ($22 USD) — Discover 3 of our cult status skin tonics! Use after cleansing, before serum & moisturizer. Kit contains: Deluxe travel sizes of Rose Tonic, Glow Tonic, and Vitamin-C Tonic.

Pixi products are available at pixibeauty.com

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Farsali Skin Goals – Blur, Prime, Hydrate & Soothe Set ($25, $33 value) — Skin Goals contains four mini versions of FARSÁLI faves. Skintune Blur blurs, Unicorn Essence primes, Rose Gold Elixir hydrates, and Volcanic Elixir soothes.

This Set Contains:
– 0.17 oz/ 5 mL Unicorn Essence Antioxidant Primer Serum
– 0.17 oz/ 5 mL Skintune Blur Perfecting Primer Serum
– 0.17 oz/ 5 mL Rose Gold Elixir – 24K Gold Infused Beauty Oil
– 0.17 oz/ 5 mL Volcanic Elixir Polynesian Beauty Oil

Just to let you know, these are tiny.  You only get a few uses with each little bottle.  You can buy a mini of most of these for $22 each, and it’s about twice the amount of product.  So if I like one of these, I might purchase a mini.

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Laneige Kiss Me at Midnight Set ($28 USD) —  A sweet midnight treat for your lips—indulge yourself in this Lip Sleeping Mask trio featuring two limited-edition flavors. Craving a berry cocktail, minty rush, or a sweet candy treat? Choose the Lip Sleeping Mask flavor that best fits your mood. A formula that’s both rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, with Moisture Wrap™ technology that coats lips in a protective film. Apply it before bed to lock in essential moisture and wake up with soft, supple lips.

I use these before bed, but also in the daytime, too.  They are really great lip balms!

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I hope you’ve been enjoying all of my gift guides this year.  And there’s more to come!

Allure Beauty Box May 2019

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Hi all!  I just received my May Allure Beauty Box.  The Allure Beauty Box is $15 a month.  And you receive deluxe and some full size products.  Not bad!

Here’s the May box:

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LUE by Jean Seo Erase Cleansing, Exfoliating & Brightening Powder (full size)

Laneige Waterbank Moisture Cream

St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Gel & Applicator Mitt

Nunzio Saviano Anti-Frizz Hair Sheets

Model Co Rose Gold Eyelite in St. Barth’s (full size)

Laritzy Lip Gloss in Vibe (full size)

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I enjoy Laneige.  I have the lip sleeping mask, the face sleeping mask and a serum.  I am looking forward to trying this cream.

I’m not sure about the Anti-Frizz hair sheets.  I might try them in the summer when it’s humid.

The LUE powder looks interesting.  I’ll probably give it a go.

IMG_0767 I will be using this.  I have tried the St. Tropez tanning mousse and really liked it.  I’ve never tried a product like this before, so I hope it works well.

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The lighting on this photo is a little off.  They are more warm nude products.  You can see in the swatch below:

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The Laritzy gloss is a nice sheer nude. It’s very glossy and just a little bit sticky.  I like it, though.  I think it will be really nice in the summer.

The eye shadow is so pretty!  I tried it out and it dries down fast and is very glittery!  It’s nice for days where you want a little drama, but want a quick look.

I’m happy with this box.   I think it’s worth the $15.  I’ll definitely use the lip gloss, eye shadow, Laneige cream and bronzing water gel.  I will also try the cleansing powder and the hair sheets.  I love it when everything in a box is useful!


Do you get Allure Beauty Box?  What did you receive this month?

 

 

January 2019 Beauty Favorites

Hi All!  I’m glad January is almost over.  It has been a cold, snowy month and I am looking forward to warmer weather.  Of course, we have to get through February, but it’s a short month.  Easy peasy, right?  LOL!

As I was getting ready to create this post, I realized that the last monthly favorites post I did was for October 2018!  I skipped November because I was so busy with work and holiday posts, and I skipped December because I was working on my annual favorites. Excuses, excuses!  I am going to try to do one each month in 2019.

My faves for January are:

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Laneige Bright Dew Original Essence ($55 USD) — This concentrated essence contains antioxidant rich Vitamin C , to help brighten the skin’s overall complexion. The formula also contains Pro-vitamin B5 and Beta-glucan to hydrate and soothe the skin. It feels so nice on my skin. It sinks into my skin and makes it really soft. And it doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin.  I have been using this without a heavy cream at night (I’m too hot at night for heavy products) and my skin is still soft and glowy in the morning.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask ($25 USD) — I’m really enjoying this mask. It’s a very hydrating night treatment. I feel super dry lately, because of the cold air. Sometimes I even wear this in the morning! I use a lot at night and when I wake up, my lips are still a little dry, but they aren’t cracked or flaking. And they do look nice and plump, which I love!

Derma E Firming DMAE Eye Lift ($24.95 USD) — This multi-action eye cream claims too visibly lift, firm and tighten the delicate eye area while smoothing crow’s feet. I really do see a difference in the firmness around my eye.  I apply it all around my eyelids and my top lid is so firm and has stopped drooping (I was started to get hooded eyelids)! And I find that it helps my crows feet.

Oxygenetix Acne Control Foundation ($76 USD) —  This has a natural to soft matte finish, but doesn’t looking drying on my skin.  It actually just looks like skin!  Just flawless, healthy skin!  I have been breaking out lately and I use this during breakouts. I do find it helps clear them up, but it also applies so smoothly over blemishes and helps conceal them so nicely!  This foundation wears all day.

Dermablend Loose Setting Powder ($27 USD) — I won this in a giveaway last fall and have been loving it ever since. It sets my skin with a soft matte finish.  It’s almost too matte for me, but I make sure I hydrate under my foundation and powder and I use highlight and spritz on a nice setting spray. Plus I use just enough to set my face, too much and it can look cakey.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Amrezy Highlighter ($28 USD) — Oh no!  It’s out of stock again.  I purchased this in the beginning of December (I think).  I bought it at Ulta with the Dose of Colors Friendcation palette.  The palette was half off plus I had a 20% off my entire purchase coupon so I threw in this highlighter to get free shipping!  It’s very nice.  It’s a little dark on my skin tone, so it’s more glowy than blinding on me.  But I like that look for every day.  It doesn’t emphasize my texture, which is amazing for ladies of a certain age!

Ulta Full Coverage Liquid Concealer ($9 USD) — This lightweight, creamy and super blend-able formula offers full coverage, flawless matte finish. The ULTA Full Coverage Liquid concealer contains special ingredients known to promote healing, concealing imperfections, and evening skin tone. Our formula wears beautifully, doesn’t cake or crease and offers long lasting wear.

Tarte Maneater Voluptuous Mascara ($23 USD) — Dress your lashes like you style your hair with this lengthening, curling and volumizing mascara. With a soft-flex brush and lightweight triple-black formula, it lifts lashes at the root, styles and fans them out to create amped-up fluttery fullness with no flaking or clumping. The custom molded brush features hundreds of flexible bristles to curl and coat lashes with even, intense pigment for 23x more volume powered by lash-strengthening jojoba and carnauba wax.

It’s funny that I don’t have an eyeshadow palette in here.  I have started Shop My Stash in January and I have two palettes I was using.  You can read about that here and the conclusion here.  I’m about to post my February Shop My Stash, and that will have three palettes! Stay tuned!

What were your favorites in January?

 

Holiday Gift Guide 2018 — Last Minute Beauty Gift Ideas

Hey all! I’m here with my last gift guide of the year (I think).  I have a few last minute gift ideas.  You can get almost everything by Christmas if you shop online in the next day or two, and you can also go in to stores to pick up lots of great gifts!

Below are skincare, body care and makeup sets that will make amazing gifts:

Laneige Dream and Glow Set
Laneige Dream and Glow Set
Laneige Dream and Glow Set ($39 USD) — With the dry winter season upon us, everyone needs to add some extra hydration to their skin care routine. The newest gift set from Laneige is SURE to give you intense hydration to your skin and lips all winter long. The Dream and Glow Set includes a full size Water Sleeping Mask, a travel size Moisture Cream and, of course, our #1 selling Lip Sleeping Mask!
Where to Buy: us.laneige.com,
Burt's Bees Personalized Beeswax Lip Balm
Burt’s Bees Personalized Beeswax Lip Balm
Burt’s Bees Personalized Beeswax Lip Balm (4 Pack for $20) — For the holiday season, Burt’s Bees are making things PERSONAL! Create a custom gift for your family and friends that everyone will be raving about. Simply go on www.BurtsBees.com, pick your flavor and customize with a name or message!
Where to Buy: www.BurtsBees.com
Buxom Cosmetics Party All Night Mini Lip Plumping Vault
Buxom Cosmetics Party All Night Mini Lip Plumping Vault
Who doesn’t love Mini Lip Glosses? Buxom Cosmetics has launched their Party All Night Mini Lip Plumping Vault ($49 USD, on sale now for less at the stores below) for the holidays and it is flying off the shelves! The limited edition vault comes with 12 pieces including four lip liners and eight shimmery glosses. Get the $125 value vault for only $49!
C.O. Bigelow Hand Wash Body Lotion Duo Gift Set - Lime & Coriander
C.O. Bigelow Hand Wash/Body Lotion Duo Gift Set – Lime & Coriander

 

Bigelow Chemist Hand Wash & Body Lotion Duo Set features two of their top selling
formulas infused with the scent of Lime & Coriander.  You can purchase this in other scents as well.
Are you still shopping?  Any tips for last minute shoppers?