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 Makeup Favorites — And One Big Fail!

Happy New Year!  I’m excited to share my 2019 annual favorites.  This year I’m breaking it up into two categories — Makeup and Skincare.

I love sharing my favorite makeup products.  I’ve included one in each category, and I will also lists some honorable mentions.  I usually don’t include products I don’t like, but I have one extreme fail this year that was a favorite on many people’s lists.  So read to the end if you want to know what foundation didn’t work for me at all!

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These are my favorite and most used products of 2019.  If I have reviewed or mentioned them before, I’ll link that post.

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Tati Beauty Textured Neutrals Vol. 1 Palette — I purchased a few new palettes this year and got a couple in PR that I really like. This one stood out to me because I really love Tati and wanted to support her, and I’ve never seen a palette laid out like this.  Gorgeous!

Honorable mentions are the Urban Decay Naked Reloaded Palette.  I used it a lot this year.  It’s such a nice, neutral palette.  A new one that’s a favorite is the Colourpop Going Coconuts palette.  I will be reviewing that one soon. And my favorite colorful palette is the Natasha Denona Sunrise palette.  It’s so gorgeous!    

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NARS Makeup Your Mind Eye & Cheek Palette — So this palette holds my favorite bronzer, Laguna and my favorite blush formula from the year.  I love all three of the blush shades in this — Luster, Orgasm and Dolce Vita.  Beautiful!

Looking back on my monthly favorites for 2019,  I really didn’t have many blushes or bronzers in there.  In November I purchased the Colorpop Pressed Powder Blush in Enchanted Mirror and the Milani Silky Matte Bronzing Powder in 01 Sun Light. I have been loving both of those.  I would love to find more favorites in these categories this year.

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Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer — I purchased this in the spring Ulta 21 Days of Beauty, but just started using it in the fall.  I used it up in 2 months!  I will be purchasing again.  A primer I loved for the warm weather is the Touch in Sol No Poreblem Prime Essence.  I received it in a BoxyLuxe this year and loved how smooth it made my skin!

Catrice Cosmetics HD Liquid Coverage Foundation — This isn’t a new foundation, but it was new to me this year.  I love that it gives a natural finish with a nice coverage.  It doesn’t look like I’m wearing makeup. Honorable Mentions are the Pur 4-in-1 Love Your Selfie Foundation and the Urban Decay Stay Naked Foundation.  Both look so nice on my skin and don’t settle in my pores or lines.  I do need both of them in a darker shade, but I think they are nice, too!

Benefit Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer — This is one of the best concealers I have ever used!  It’s easily blendable and gives great coverage.  Plus it stays in place all day.  I do not have a runner up in 2019, because nothing compares.  Lets see if there’s a better one for me in 2020…

Urban Decay The Ultimate Brush Off Translucent Loose Setting Powder — I love the texture of this powder.  It sets under my eyes and all over my face flawlessly.  And it doesn’t sit in my pores and lines or look cakey.  I’m not a big fan of the packaging and hope they repackage it into a normal container without a brush.

Beauty Bakerie HD Flour Setting Powder is a close second.  I purchased it in the Spring Ulta 21 Days of Beauty and used it up in a few months.  I will be purchasing it again once I go through some powders I have.  It is light and doesn’t settle into pores.

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Essence Pure Nude Highlighter — This is an oldie but goodie!  I rediscovered this highlighter in 2019.  It can look soft and natural on or be built up to be blinding.  I do have a few other highlighters, but I don’t really love any other of mine right now.  I think I’ll try to find a perfect highlighter in 2020!

Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara — What an amazing mascara! I alsways have the issue of my mascara smudging under my eye, even when I don’t put mascara on my lower lashes.  This is a tubing mascara, so it only comes off when I take it off with just water! Amazing! I also love the L’Oreal Unlimited Length and Lift Mascara.  It gives amazing length and builds up to be really voluminous.

Wander Beauty Frame Your Face Micro Brow Pencil — I got this in an Ipsy Glam Bag Plus. I no longer get that box, but I’m happy I received this brow pencil!  It is the perfect consistancy for me, not too soft or too waxy. Benefit Cosmetics Precisely My Brow Pencil Ultra-Fine Shape & Define is my runner up for brows.  It’s insanely pigmented, so a little goes a long way.  But it works so well on.  I love the micro pencils when doing my brows.

Pop Beauty Pout on Point Lip Liner — I have had this liner for a couple of years and it is almost out.  The color I have is Nude.  It’s not too creamy, so it stays on all day.  But it does glide on and blend like a dream!  I don’t have another lip liner I love as much, so I might have to make a Pop Beauty order soon.  I am always on the lookout for an amazing lip liner that doesn’t cost too much.

Iconic London Lip Gloss — I love this lip plumper!  The shade I have is Nearly Nude.  It’s lightly plumping and looks gorgeous over a lip liner or any lipstick. I don’t wear lipstick that much any more, usually just a lip liner with a gloss over it.  Although this is very nice, I am on the lookout for my perfect sheer gloss.  I need to use up ones I have before I will let myself try some more.

And now, my (probably controversial) fail for 2019:

L'Oreal Fresh Wear Foundation

L’Oréal Infallible Fresh Wear 24HR Foundation — Almost all reviews I saw for this last year were positive.  And there was a lot.  The only two reviews that weren’t as positive were ladies around my age that said it made them look like they were wearing foundation instead of just having beautiful skin.

For me, this foundation was just awful. It settled heavily in my pores and fine lines.  I tried so many different primers, serums and combinations of those to try not to look like a cakey mess when I wore it.  They didn’t work. Finally (before I gave it away), I had one day that I used an oil under it along with creams and primers, and it only looked slightly bad.  Almost passable.  LOL!  I gave it away after about 10 uses.

It was so sad because I was hoping to love it like so many others.  But I did find a perfect (for me) foundation, the Catrice one.

Did you try this foundation?  What did you think?

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I found so many amazing products in 2019!  I might have purchased too much, because I’m still working through them.  I still get BoxyCharm, BoxyLuxe and BoxCharm Premium, but I have got rid of my other subscriptions.  I am also going to try to purchase items I need in 2020.  And of course, a few I want.

Stay tuned for my skincare favorites of 2019 and I think I’m doing an annual Project Pan this year.

Beauty Products for Fab Holiday Looks!

Hi All! Can you believe how close it is getting to Christmas?  Are you going to hoiday parties?  If so, some pretty new makeup might be fun for your Christmas and New Year’s parties!

Below are some choices that will help get you glam through to 2019:

Jane Iredale Holiday 2018
Jane Iredale Holiday 2018

Limited Edition Butterfly Bag – ($20 USD) A portion of the profits goes to SaveOurMonarchs, a grassroots, non-profit organization dedicated to saving the embattled monarch butterflies. Original artwork by Gretchen Kelly designed exclusively for jane iredale. Featured butterflies, Monarchs and Swallowtails, are native to Jane‘s garden. Zip-close pure cotton canvas bag with wipe-clean vinyl liner.

Dance with Me Refillable Compact ($20 USD) Refillable rose gold compact embellished with elegant butterflies holds PurePressed® Base Mineral Foundation, Bronzer Refills, PureMatte® Finish Powder Refill or Beyond Matte® HD Matifying Powder. Elegant, mirrored, rose gold compact has a butterfly embellishment. Close with a satisfying snap, keeping makeup fresh & protected. Sleek, lightweight design is made of recyclable plastic. High-shine finish is fingerprint resistant. Perfect for on-the-go touch-ups.

Kiss and Tell Lip Stain/Gloss Kit – ($49 USD) Long-lasting, saturated lip stains and a clear shimmer gloss for creating a variety of beautiful lip looks. Shades are:

  1. Stain Craving – light salmon
  2. Stain Fascination – rosy pink
  3. Gloss Crystal – clear shimmer

Let’s Party Eye Shadow Kit – ($59 USD) — Five super-saturated, universally wearable PurePressed® Eye Shadows with just a playful touch of shimmer. Highly pigmented, long-lasting and crease resistant. Use wet or dry; apply colors alone, blended or layered.Botanical extracts soothe, protect and nurture skin. The shades are:

  1. Spree – pale pink with subtle shimmer
  2. Wing-ding – plum with subtle shimmer
  3. Soiree – royal blue with subtle shimmer
  4. Shindig – shimmery jade green
  5. Hootenanny – shimmery chocolate brown

All of these gorgeous products and more can be purchased at janeiredale.com

Maybelline Metallic Makeup
Maybelline Metallic Makeup

Maybelline New York Burgundy Bar Eyeshadow Palette ($11.99) — Filled with ultra-shimmery shades of burgundy and gold, this palette will help you create a warm-toned smokey eye that is perfect your office holiday party, New Year’s Eve, and everything in between.

Maybelline New York Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter ($9.99) — Glitter and glow this holiday season with the go-to highlighter that will have you shining bright all night long! The Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter is available in four shades, offering a match for all skin tones. Shades include: Molten Gold, Molten Rose Gold, Molten Peach, and Molten Topaz

Maybelline New York Lip Studio Metallic Foil Liquid Lipstick ($8.99) — There’s no better time to rock a sparkly, metallic lip than the holidays! See here for a tutorial on how to apply this statement lipstick for the most festive pout at the party. Shades include: Luna, Zen, Calypso, Nemesis, Trident, and Vortex

Purchase at mass market retailers near you.

POP Beauty Topper Popper
POP Beauty Topper Popper

POP Beauty Topper Popper ($8 each) — Metallic top-coat to use over any lip colour, or use on bare lips for sheer gilded pout. No smudge, no budge to last throughout the day & night!  Perfect for Parties, Red Popper is especially nice for Christmas! The shades from left to right are Cream Popper, Peach Popper, Copper Popper, Pink Popper, Red Popper and Violet Popper.

Complete Salon Manicure Ready in Reds Collection
Complete Salon Manicure Ready in Reds Collection

Complete Salon Manicure Ready in Reds Collection ($7.99 USD) — From cool, beautiful berry tones to a classic red, this collection will have you feeling festive throughout the holiday season.

Complete Salon Manicure Ready in Reds Collection shades include:
  • Red Handed: This lipstick-inspired red hue will be worth getting caught — it’s a full-on holiday hotness heist.
  • Red Zin: Toast the season in this rich, deep wine-inspired crimson polish with a cream finish.
  • Belle of the Ball: Be the fairest of them all at every fete in your holiday-party circuit in a sparkle-tinged mulberry tone.
  • Oh So Lava-ly: This majorly metallic take on burgundy is an eruption of elegance.
  • Cherry Delightful: Fall for a freshly picked Morello cherry-red polish with a glossy finish to dress up your holiday-party look.
  • Berry Fancy: A juicy take on this cranberry-hue will add an element of luxury to every ensemble.

Purchase at mass market retailers.

What makeup do you like to use for the holidays?  I love all shimmers and glitters, so these products are perfect for me!

 

 

 

 

Affordable Makeup in the Pantone Color of the Year 2019 — Living Coral

Hi All!  I’m sure you’ve heard that Pantone has announced their  Color of the Year 2019 –Living Coral!

Coral isn’t just for spring anymore!  It’s a pretty and wearable color for lips, cheeks, eyes and more!  Here are some affordable options:

Pixi Beauty LipLift Max, Sweet Nectar
Pixi Beauty LipLift Max, Sweet Nectar

Pixi Beauty LipLift Max, Sweet Nectar ($14 USD) —  Volume-maximizing lip treatment with a cooling sensation and glossy finish.  Peptides hydrate, firm and plump.  Added aloe heals, jojoba moisturizes and chamomile soothes. Fresh mint flavor.

Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Lip Color in Raw Kiss
Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Lip Color in Raw Kiss

Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Lip Color in Raw Kiss  ($4.99 USD) — ​Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Lip Colour delivers high intensity color with a velvety matte finish from the very first stroke! Apply to hydrated lips for long lasting bold matte color!

POP Beauty Prismatic Pop Blush, Coral Crush
POP Beauty Prismatic Pop Blush, Coral Crush

POP Beauty Prismatic Pop Blush in Coral Crush ($12 USD) Beam up your favourite features & make your skin POP with prismatic perfection! This ultra light reflecting illuminator seamlessly blends onto the skin for an ethereal finish; creating a multifaceted, three dimensional, luminous glow.

L'Oréal Paris Paradise Enchanted Scented Eyeshadow Palette
L’Oréal Paris Paradise Enchanted Scented Eyeshadow Palette
AVANILA Laboratories_ Vanilla + Fire for Strength
LAVANILA Laboratories’ Vanilla + Fire for Strength

LAVANILA Laboratories’ Vanilla + Fire for Strength ($14 USD) — Perfectly aligned with this year’s color is the newest addition of Vanilla + Fire for Strength to the LAVANILA Laboratories’ Elements Collection of healthy deodorants. Pantone credits nature as being one of the leading components behind their selection, and LAVANILA does too. Made with all natural ingredients, LAVANILA Laboratories’ Vanilla + Fire for Strength excludes aluminum and metal ions, and delivers antioxidants and essential oils to the skin instead. It’s time to enter the new year by revitalizing your beauty routine, and embracing the color of the year!

Vanilla + Fire for Strength  An energizing combination of warm and exotic essential oils: red ginger, wild orange and vanilla to ignite your inner power.

What do you think about Living Coral?  Do you have any coral makeup suggestions?

Makeup Picks For The 2018 Pantone Color of the Year — Ultra Violet

PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet has officially been named the Pantone Color of the Year.The color is described as being a “dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade that communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.”

Enigmatic purples have long been symbolic of artistic brilliance. Musical icons Prince, David Bowie, and Jimi Hendrix brought shades of Ultra Violet to the forefront of pop culture as personal expressions of individuality. My makeup picks below will make you look and feel bright and cool, and maybe give you inspiration for the new year!

Pixi Beauty Mesmerizing Mineral Palette in Amethyst Aura
Pixi Beauty Mesmerizing Mineral Palette in Amethyst Aura

Pixi Beauty Mesmerizing Mineral Palette in Amethyst Aura ($6 USD) — A swish of these shadows illuminates eyes while adding depth and dimension.  They are super affordable and come in a beautiful range of violets.  They have a nice pigmentation, too.

Purchase at http://www.pixibeauty.com

Pixi Beauty Endless Silky Eye Pen in Velvet Violet
Pixi Beauty Endless Silky Eye Pen in Velvet Violet

Pixi Beauty Endless Silky Eye Pen in Velvet Violet ($6 USD) — Waterproof, super-long-wear, no-smudge, no-budge eye liners. They glide on like seamless silk, and in a single sweep motion create a flawless, solid jewel-toned line. No retouching required all day – or night! The shade is a light violet, but it looks really pretty with light or no shadows for a fun, day look.

http://www.pixibeauty.com

 

Cargo Cosmetics Swimmables Eye Pencil in Karon Beach

Cargo Cosmetics Swimmables™ Eye Pencil in Karon Beach ($18 USD) The ultra-creamy, richly pigmented formula glides on effortlessly for precise lining. Allows blending time before setting for a variety of looks. Once set, liner is waterproof and smudge proof! It won’t budge until you decide to take it off.

Also purchase at at Kohl’s/Kohls.com and Ulta.com

Pop Beauty Permanent Pout Liquid Lipstick
Pop Beauty Permanent Pout Liquid Lipstick

Pop Beauty Permanent Pout Liquid Lipstick in OMG Violet — ($14 USD) – Get pouty with this full-coverage lip paint’s velvet, matte finish. Extremely long-wearing and kiss-proof, these lip colours are audacious! Lasts all-day & all-night. Paraben free. Not tested on animals.

Purchase at www.popbeauty.com

Sally Hansen Color Therapy in Plum Euphoria

Sally Hansen Color Therapy in Plum Euphoria ($8.99) — The patented argan oil formula fuses intensive nourishment and instant moisture for healthy looking nails.Up to 10 days of fade-proof, chip-resistant wear.

The Pantone Color of the year for 2018 has been announced and the stunning shade of ultra violet is sure to be a stunner in all areas of beauty! The new Sally Hansen Color Therapy Shade Plum Euphoria will launch in January 2018.
Caption Polish in Enough Already
Caption Polish in Enough Already

Caption Polish in Enough Already ($9.99 USD) — Lock in your look with the Caption system. Caption Nail Polish with LacQ3 Technology wears tough as gel with a mirror-like shine. Air dries 3Xs faster than regular polish. Stay chip-free 2-3Xs longer. Non-UV. Soak-free instant removal.

Purchase at www.captionpolish.com

John Frieda Hair Care Frizz Ease

Ultra Violet represents originality, ingenuity and visionary thinking – which makes it the perfect new color and look for the iconic John Frieda Hair Care Frizz Ease collection.

John Frieda Frizz Ease has been on shelves for over a quarter of a century, keeping their innovative and revolutionary products the leader in fighting frizz. Whether it’s a cult classic that smooths hair for every look or a shampoo that moisturizes and hydrates, John Frieda Frizz Ease is there for you no matter what you need.

Are you picking up any Ultra Violet products to rock in 2018?  Are you a fan of the color?

Holiday Gift Guide — Makeup Stocking Stuffers

I stuff a lot of stockings each year — my husband, three daughters, my oldest daughter’s boyfriend and one for the dog and one for the cats.  Whew, that’s a lot of stuff to buy!

So, I love great ideas for stocking stuffers.  I do give my daughters lots of fun little beauty gifts like the ones below.  There are different price ranges included, so I’m sure you’ll find something affordable and that will make someone smile:

Sephora Collection Lip Balm

Sephora Collection Lip Balm ($5 USD) –This lip balm is made with a nourishing, comfortable formula that gives lips a light tint. This product comes in pink or nude (shown above) shades in a Sephora customized emoji tin.

Purchase at Sephora

ybf beauty up all night mascara ($16 USD) .. curling & volumizing mascara is a water-resistant all-in-one mascara formula that builds & fortifies lashes – just what every girlfriend needs! Your starry eyes are the perfect frame!
ybf beauty smooth blending sticks ($17 USD each) –Tired of pinching your cheeks for a little coulour? Tired of blushes that give you clown cheeks? Don’t fret, angel – our new, multi-purpose blending sticks solve that problem. We all need some rouge in our lives – so pamper yourself & look lively, vibrant & glowing! Be fabYOUlous!  You will receive (1) 0.21 oz/ 6 g blending stick in choice of: playful peach, perfect pink, chic champagne (highlighter) or radiant rose.

No7 Glamourous Nudes Eye Light Palette Holiday 2017
No7 Glamorous Nudes Eye Light Palette ($14 USD) — Features 8 nude eyeshadow shades in a gold packaged compact, perfect to bring on-the-go and apply touch-ups during holiday parties.
Available at Walgreens and Walgreens.com.

Pop Beauty 24K Face Base ($16 USD) — This light diffusing primer blurs imperfections while hydrating and restoring the skin. Micronized gold pearls boost the skin’s radiance while creating a smooth, even toned, illuminated base for your makeup application. Prepare your skin for an all day glow. Paraben free. Not tested on animals

Pop Beauty Pout On Point Lip Liner ($6 USD each) — Keep your pout on point with this tri-tipped liner that nourishes and prevents feathering in a few easy strokes. Define your line and withstand time.

Pop Beauty Prismatic Pop Illuminating Powder ($12 USD each) — Beam up your favourite features & make your skin POP with prismatic perfection! This ultra light reflecting illuminator seamlessly blends onto the skin for an ethereal finish; creating a multifacete d, three dimensional, luminous glow. Paraben free. Not tested on animals

Available at http://www.popbeauty.com

GrandeLIPS Fast Lip Fix Set

GrandeLIPS Fast Lip Fix Set ($29 on sale now for $14.50) — This four-piece set features mini sizes of Original Clear, Barely There, Pale Rose, and Hot Fuschia shades—perfect for any time of the year. Infused with Volulip™ and hyaluronic acid, GrandeLIPS Hydrating Instant Lip Plumper instantly improves lip volume in three to five minutes—adding a pop of lip-boosting color while hydrating dry areas. It offers an array of shades, including its original clear color, and its clinically proven formula increases overall lip hydration, volume, softness, and firmness in just 30 days of usage when applied twice daily. It layers effortlessly with other lip products and soothes the lips without any burning or irritation.

Purchase atwww.grandecosmetics.com

VMV Hypoallergenics Vanity Pair
VMV Hypoallergenics Vanity Pair ($54 on sale now for $35) — This VMVanity Pair consists of our bestselling, beauty editor-fave LIP GLOSS and Glitz Lipstick. Two Glam. Two Fab. Two Perfect. Each box contains 1 lip gloss and 1 lipstick, in one of two combinations, Cherry Fudge + Tango and Big Red + Smack.
Do you have any great beauty stocking stuffer ideas?  Let me know!