Sunday, December 11, 2016

2016 Top.....



For 2016, I'm going to do a top 5 for each category for eyes, lips, face, skincare, nails and body! I'm toying around with don't one just for eyeshadow palettes. I got the idea when emilynoel83 did her 2015 favorites. She broke them up into categories and did a top 10. I am going to stick to 5 items. I'm not sure if  these posts will go up at the end of December or early January. I'm still planning on doing a Top 5 for December. Oye vey. So there's a lot going on. For this I need to make a good old fashioned list! Started writing before I snapped a pic. HA!

Let's see how all this goes! Stay tuned!

November 2016 Top 5 & More


Sorry for the delay but life things have popped up and life is currently in progress. It happens. But I need to take my mind off some things. So I decided to go ahead and finish up this post. Another month has come and gone. Here's the good and bad that got my attention in November.

Top 5


philosophy Candy Cane Shower Gel

QVC got me once again. Didn't need any more shower gel but they had some of their holiday scents in super size and a buy more and save promo. I picked up Gingerbread Man which I am enjoying but they one I am LOVING is Candy Cane. It's just pepperminty goodness that gives you a little kick in the shower. I would definitely use this one year round. Trying to hold off and not get another bottle but I just might and then go on an extended no buy for shower gels. We shall see.

smashbox Mega Photo Op Palette

This was a shop my stash item in November. It's a past favorite and I always enjoyed using it. I hadn't reached for it in a while and I had put in the items in my second Glambot shipment. Well y'all know how that turned out. If not check out my Glambot review post. So once I got it back I said well hell let me use it. Smashbox was one of the first mid range brands that I played around with and I loved their eyeshadows. I had a lot of fun using this palette. In the past when I used it, I stuck with using  it how it's laid out in trios and two quads at the bottom. This time I bounced around all over. I also enjoyed using the highlighters in this palette. I may have used them here and there back with I was "scared" of highlighters. I didn't use any of the cream/lip products. I'm not sure if they're still any good. I did play around with the coral colored blush and it does nothing against my skin tone. But still the eyeshadows and highlighters alone are enough for me to be satisfied with this palette. I think this may be the palette I travel with for 2017.

LaFemme Blushes

Another past favorite. Super pigmented and inexpensive blushes that I always enjoy using whenever I reach for them. The main shade that I reached for is Russet. It's a beautiful shade to wear this time of year. The other shade I used a lot was Bordeaux.

Wen Fall Ginger Pumpkin

This is the Wen seasonal cleansing conditioner that started it all. This is one of my favorites but I hadn't used it in a while. A friend of mine gave me a bottle since she's not a fan of the fall scents. Then I purchased a set from QVC on auto delivery that included the cleansing conditioner, oil and replenishing treatment mist. I love the scent. I you are a pumpkin scented lover then you will love this scent. More so I love how these products feel in my hair and how they work in my hair. The cleansing conditioner is creamy and moisturizing. The oil is phenomenal and the replenishing treatment mist is a nice refresher for my hair that I use daily.

Bobbi Brown Cocoa Eyeshadow

My Bobbi Brown eyeshadows were in the Glambot shipment that came back. Bobbi Brown's Cocoa eyeshadow is another past favorite.This was used a lot in November. I mean a lot! It is described as ashy plum brown. It doesn't look like much but it's the perfect one eyeshadow.  You can use lightly for a light wash of color on the lid. Or you build up it and smoke it out. It really is a versatile shadow.

Yays!


Estee Lauder Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Scarlet Siren

One of my author/beauty friends had talked about Estee Lauder on her blog. I had commented that I hadn't tried anything from the brand and she was nice enough to send me a few things. The shade reminds me of Kat Von D's Archangel (burnt red). Scarlet Siren is a creme whereas Archangel is matte. The Pure Color lipstick formula is fantastic! This goes on so smoothly, it's not drying on the lips and the staying power is fantastic. I definitely want to check out more shades from this line.

Estee Lauder Matte Perfecting Primer

I got this is a sample size that I got two uses out of the packet (not pictured). I was really surprised by this. This primer claims are "controls oil and reduces shine so makeup looks smooth, even, flawless." per the Estee Lauder website. I say yes to all of these! It similar to philosophy's The Present which is my current holy grail primer. But after two used of Estee Lauder's primer, it may have a run for its money. I have it saved on my Ulta Favorites list as a reminder. I may pick up a full size when I get through the primers I have on hand.

Boos!


Covergirl Supersizer Mascara Waterproof

This is a past favorite. I did not know when I ordered it from Walgreens that it was the waterproof version. Yea I don't like the waterproof version at all. Mainly due to it being hard to remove and I didn't like how my lashes felt. The only reason I got it was the Star Wars packaging. Dah well.

LancĂ´me Teint Idole Ultra Longwear Foundation Stick

I mentioned this back in February as a favorite. I was going to mention it a favorite this month. It's still a favorite but I noticed when using it that it started bending and there was a crack in it. Then one morning it happened. It broke off while I was applying it. GAHHHH!!!! *wall slides*. So this is the only reason it is a boo for this month. I  may repurchase it at some point when I can get some kind of discount since it is a pricey foundation but I do really really like it.

And there you have it. A lot of past favorites reappeared this month. On to December!

Monday, December 5, 2016

December 2016 Shop My Stash



December! DECEMBER! Oye vey. This year flew by but this year has also been a rough one. So honestly I'm kinda glad to see it go. I decided to keep it kinda of simple this month since this an all over the place month with the holidays thrown in the mix. Here's what I'm playing around with for the month!

Palette Play



For some reason the Urban Decay Gwen Stefani palette popped in my head. So I'm going to play around with it and some single Bare Minerals shadows.

Polish Play


I'm still playing around with some of the Milani nail polishes I pulled out last month. I'm adding some nail polishes for December that are a little more festive. From OPI, I'm adding Amore at the Grand Canal, Live and Let Die and First Class Desires. From Sephora by OPI, I'm adding Good Tidings We Bling. It's almost on it's last legs *tear* lol! Also I think I have found my holy grail red nail polish with Amore at the Grand Canal. I will definitely do a nail post with this one.

Fragrance Play


For fragrances I plan on reaching for philosophy Living Grace, philosophy Eternal Grace and Boyfriend by Kate Walsh.

Out of My Face

Here is what I used up in November:
  • Wen Summer Coconut Lime Verbena Cleansing Conditioner
  • Serious Skincare A Force XR Serum Concentrate
  • Arm & Hammer Truly Radiant Rinse
  • philosophy Pure Grace Body Lotion 16oz
  • tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Masacara 
  • tarte Tarteist Mascara
  • Bath & Body Works Nourishing Hand Cream in Limoncello
  • NYX HD Concealer in Nutmeg
  • Eyeko Visual  Eyes Liiquid Eyeliner in Ebony
  • Serious Skincare Ultra-Mare Pure Marine Infusion Concentrated Serum
  • Ashea Shea Butter Pomade
  • HK Girl Fast Drying & Super Shiny Clear Top Coat
  • Serious Skincare A Wash 12oz
  • Bioderma Sensibio H2O 500ml
  • Arm & Hammer Ultra Max Deodorant in Powder Fresh 
Thanks for following me along as I go through my stash! I plan to keep these posts going for 2017.  I may switch it up a bit. I'm hoping to purge and use more stuff up!