Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Yearly Favorites 2013: Favorite Lip Products!

Hey everyone!
Happy New Year’s Eve! (or Happy New Year, depending on where in the world you are!!!)  For today’s post, I thought I’d share with you all my favorite lip products of 2013, so let’s hop right in!

Lips

Lush Lip Scrub in Mint Julips, BubbleGum: An amazing lip scrub/lip exfoliant, this leaves my lips feeling super soft, and when followed up with a lip balm, my lips feel incredible.  This has become a staple for me this year, especially during the colder months, as I pretty much am guaranteed to have dry, chapped lips unless I stick to a lip routine religiously.


Maybelline Baby Lips Dr. Rescue (Too Cool): This is a great healing product from the baby lips line by Maybelline, probably because of the Menthol in the product, which gives the product a ever so slight scent of cough drops (but I promise, it goes away, in my opinion, after a minute or two).  The scent is worth it, however.  This product literally saved my lips a month ago, and continues to amaze me.  It’s the only lip balm that I can wear while working in the dry atmosphere at Target and not get that gross cakey white goop on my lips from having a lip product (deny it all you want, but its happened to you once before, I know it).  I highly, highly recommend this stuff for the simple reason that it has incredible healing powers.


Maybelline Baby Lips (Peach Kiss): My personal favorite of the ‘regular’ baby lips line, Peach Kiss is a light peach color (the purple tube) that barely shows up on the lips.  It smells great, and is super moisturizing, making it a great “throw in the purse” type lip product since it’s easy and low-maintence.



Nivea Lip Butter (Vanilla & Macadamia Kiss): Another life-saver for me, this product I originally purchased right around my birthday in September, and it saved me from having the worst chapped lips at my birthday party/weekend.  It is a very thick product that comes in a tin and is applied with the finger (the one downside to it, as it can be a little more messy). 


Loreal Colour Riche Lipstick (Blushing Sequin): This is probably one of the first real lipsticks that I’ve ever worn on a regular basis by my own choice.  Any by my own choice I just mean because I didn’t have to for dance recitals or anything like that.  I love this color, it’s a gorgeous bright pink color, that I first discovered through a spring/summer lip color done by Allison, or Amarixe on YouTube.  But, to be honest, I’ve still be rocking it through the fall and winter, I love it that much.  I’ve tried it with several different gloss combinations, nude, bright, clear, and all look amazing.  This is such a great color, with or without gloss, and I’m so grateful to Allison for introducing it to me!


CoverGirl Jumbo Gloss Balm (#215, Watermelon Twist?): Another color introduced to me by Allison/Amarixe, this is a beautiful pink color for the summer.  I love the Jumbo gloss balms, I also own several other colors from the line, but this is by far my favorite color I’ve tried.  I highly recommend not only this color for a pink color, but just the line as a whole, if you’re looking for a “chubby stick” type lip product.


MakeUp Forever Lab Shine Star Collection Lip Gloss, S22: This is the only lip product I have from this brand but I really like it.  It’s got some light glitter that reflects the light nicely, and is a really light pink shade that is easy to work with.  I’m definitely curious to see what the rest of this line looks like and how it would be on me.  I do use this product quite frequently, so perhaps I should check out the rest of the line soon!


NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss (Beige): I absolutely LOVE the NYX lip glosses.  I really can’t stress that enough.  They’re just formulated so perfectly, they have this amazing smell to them (which may sound strange, but trust me), and they are really well pigmented.  This color, Beige, is just a great color that is low-maintenance on your lips, so you don’t feel the need to be constantly checking the mirror for touch-ups.  The color is very work place appropriate, just like Nude Pink (described below).


NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss (Nude Pink): Like Beige, this is another great low-maintenance color that is perfect for the work place or just when you want a more toned-down look.  If you’re looking for a great lip gloss, I highly recommend checking out the NYX lip glosses, they are an amazing quality product for a drugstore price, and have such beautiful colors in a wide range of choices.



Revlon Lip Butter (Peach Parfait): I would best describe this color as a “better than your natural lips” color.  It’s very similar to my natural color, but adds a bit of “oomph!” to them, and gives it a bit of sparkle, as the color itself has tiny flecks of sparkle in it, though nothing extreme in any way.  It’s a gorgeous color, and I highly recommend it as a “starter” color to the Revlon lip butter world if your unsure about this product in general but want to try it out (it’s what I did!!).


Revlon Lip Butter (Berry Smoothie): This is a more mild version of a berry/wine color, which I find to be perfect for this time of year, and the fall and winter time in general.  It’s not extreme in any way, but great for those who want the berry color on their lips without going full-on with it.  This is how I would create the berry look on more laid back days to class in college or running errands around town.



Revlon Lip Butter (Wild Watermelon): This is a newer color that was just released this past summer in 2013, but it quickly became one of my most worn products of the summer.  The first time I wore it, my brother’s high school graduation ceremony, I got so many compliments it was insane.  It’s a bright color, which scared me a bit as I’ve never worn something that bright, but I took a chance and stepped out of my box and ended up falling in love with it.  Just like all of the other lip butters, this product has the same silky smooth application and feel on your lips, and has a nice color pigmentation.  I absolutely love the lip butters from Revlon, and highly recommend that you try them out if you haven’t already!


Friday, December 27, 2013

Yearly Favorites 2013: Favorite Nail Polishes!

Hello lovely people!

I hope you all are having a lovely day and for those of you that celebrate Christmas, I hope you had a great day!  Let’s hop right in to today’s products!

Nail Polish

OPI, Lincoln Park After Dark: This is an amazing, perfect, super dark, yet almost black purple color.  I’d obsessed over this color for probably a year prior to purchasing, all thanks to Nikki Phillipi on YouTube.  I’d always been scared to wear dark nail polish colors, but she broke me of that fear and made me want to get some, and as you’ll see from this list, I now love dark polishes.  I highly, highly recommend this color!


OPI, Tickle My France-Y: A gorgeous nude shade, this color came to me as a gift from a friend for my birthday this past year.  This is a great color, and great for more professional environments, or days when you just want a more neutral color on your fingers or toes.


China Glaze, For Audrey: Probably one of my all-time favorite colors for my nails ever, this tiffany-blue inspired nail color is perfect for me.  For those of you that don’t know, Tiffany blue is my favorite color, so I’m obsessed with this polish!  That pretty much sums up my love for this color right there.


Chine Glaze, Frostbite: Words can’t even describe how awesome and bold this blue is.  I first saw this color on the nails of MissGlamorazzi on one of her YouTube videos over a year ago, and instantly went out and got it.  This color is a deep blue, but is bold and bright at the same time- truly a unique color.


China Glaze, Devotion: A kind of shimmery gray color, Devotion is a gorgeous color that I kept going back to in the store multiple times before I finally just had to give in to my urges and buy it.  It looks incredible on the nails, and I’m in love.


China Glaze, Smoke and Ashes: Part of the Hunger Games collection from China Glaze, this color is the color that represents District 12.  A glitter filled black polish, this color puts a twist on a staple polish and makes it ‘fashionable.’


Essie, In the Cabana: This is probably one of the most beautiful blue nail polishes that I have ever seen, used, or owned.  And trust me, there’s been a lot.  I first heard about this color from looking at Allison, or Amarixe’s blog on night over the summer, and fell in love.  The next day, it was on my nails.  It is formulated perfectly, looks amazing on, and I get so many compliments on it, it’s unreal.  This color is what I would call “the perfect summer blue.”


Essie, Bahama Mama: Another favorite by Essie, this color is a pretty wine or berry color that is great for the fall time.  I love this color so much though, I wear it all year round, regardless of the season- but I’m not one to stick to polish seasonal trends to begin with.  If you’re looking for a great fall/winter color, definitely check this one out!


Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear, Peach Beach: A super affordable, extremely well-made, polish, Peach Beach, is quite literally, the perfect peach color.  It’s girly and light, yet bold and bright.  For me, it’s probably one of my favorite pink/peach polishes that I own, and definitely my favorite one of the year.  Unfortunately, this was/is limited addition, so I don’t have a link for you.


Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear, Mint Sorbet: Mint Sorbet is the perfect Spring/Easter color.  It just reminds me so much of an Easter egg.  Not only that, but it looks absolutely incredible on the nails, and somehow makes even me, the palest of the pale, look slightly tan.  This is by far my favorite green-toned polish to wear, and I am constantly giving this to friends as gifts.


Revlon ColorStay, ButterCup: The best yellow polish I have ever come across, this Revlon polish not only has an amazing formulation, but also has the perfect color.  It is pale, yet not too pale that it looks more white than yellow- a danger with some pale yellows.  It took me a long time to find this color, so if you are looking for a yellow pastel, here you are! Choose this one!


Saturday, December 21, 2013

Yearly Favorites 2013: Favorite Haircare and Skincare Products!

Hey Everyone!

I hope you all are having a fantastic day and a fantastic week!  For the second installment of the Yearly Favorites of 2013 series, I’ll be talking about what I’ve been loving putting in my hair and on my skin.  So, without further ado, let’s hop right in!

Haircare
Garnier Pure Clean Clarifying Shampoo: This is my first experience with a clarifying shampoo, but I’ve got to say, it’s been a fantastic one.  I’ve already noticed a significant difference with my hair- it’s cleaner overall, and it really does pull every last ounce of product out of my hair when I use it (once a week, typically every Sunday).  Definitely follow up with a deep conditioning treatment when you use it however – I switch between my Macadamia deep repair masque and my Aussie 3 minute miracle.


John Frieda Smooth Start Repairing Shampoo and Conditioner: I began using this shampoo and conditioner after hearing about it on Amarixe’s channel (Allison’s channel) on YouTube.  I love her videos, and highly trust her opinion, and her description of the products was exactly what I was looking for.  I really wanted a thick, super moisturizing conditioner, and this is exactly that.  Leave the conditioner on for 2-5 minutes (I tend to leave it in on the longer side), and you get luscious locks, almost as if you’ve just done a deep repair masque.




Silky Sexy Hair Frizz Eliminator Serum: A new product for me this year, this Frizz Eliminator has been my newest weapon in my ever-lasting battle against hair frizz.  My hair has always been frizzy and oddly textured, making fly-aways a problem, but this serum tames my hair and gives it a smooth, finished look.  I’d previously been using the John Frieda Frizz-Ease serum and had stopped for a while, and I honestly couldn’t say which I liked better, but they are definitely comparable.  If you are looking for a good frizz eliminator, or just want to try a new one, definitely check this one out.


Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Tri-Wheat Leave-In Conditioner Spray: This leave-in conditioner spray is just as important to me as using a heat protectant is.  Whenever I heat style my hair, whether it be just a quick blow-dry, or a full on flat-iron or curl job, I spray this and heat protectant on like there’s no tomorrow.  And the best part?  It doesn’t build up in my hair and make it look as if I just put a bunch of product in my hair.  But, my hair will feel smoother, silkier, and be softer, and thanks to it, I know my hair has better protection against all of the heated treatments that I am using on it to style.  I highly recommend this product- I initially tried it out in the travel/trial size from Ulta before investing in the bigger bottle, so you always have that option as well.


Macadamia Deep Repair Masque: This is probably one of the most moisturizing hair products I have ever used, hands down.  This even beats out my Aussie 3-minute miracle, which you know I love.  I do still use that, but just not as often.  This masque is incredible, it makes your hair feel smooth, silky, smell amazing, and just feel incredible.  Never has my hair felt so great!!!  If you have never tried this out but are not sure about buying a full size product, it does come in sample packets at Ulta, that you can try out.



Skincare
Olay Fresh Effects Moisturizer: My new favorite facial moisturizer, this reminds me so much of Clinique’s dramatically different moisturizing gel, it is so light yet packed full or moisture for your skin.  It has a really pretty sheen to it too, so your skin gets a glowing effect to it too after application.  I’m obsessed with this- it’s replaced all of my other moisturizers completely.


Soap & Glory Hand Food: My ‘splurge’ hand cream, I have gone through countless bottles of the mini size of this and finally committed and bought the larger bottle.  I love this cream so much – it doesn’t leave my naturally oily, yet somehow dry hands, feeling greasy, and is super moisturizing, especially around my cuticles, where I really do need an extra boost of moisture.  I highly, highly recommend this if you are looking for a good basic hand cream.


St. Ives Daily Hydrating Body Lotion with Vitamin E: A recommendation from NikkiPhillipi on YouTube, I tried this out recently and was instantly hooked.  This lotion has serious moisturizing powers and has helped my skin since I’ve started using it.  It does come in a super large pump-style bottle, but it goes quick.  I’ve only had mine a few weeks, and I think I’m almost half-way through mine already!  And it’s really cheap!  Definitely a great buy considering the effectiveness and the prices of the other ‘fancier’ lotions out there!


Boots Expert Sensitive Gentle Refreshing Toner: My favorite toner of the year, I’ve gone through countless bottles of the stuff.  I first heard about this from MissGlamorazzi, and was instantly hooked.  It takes off so much excess dirt and makeup after washing your face; that you can visible see the buildup on your cotton ball or cotton pad.  EW!  Despite that being disgusting, I’m grateful for the discovery.  This has seriously helped my acne-prone skin and oily skin so much this year; I can’t recommend it enough to you all.  As far as I know, (and this may be completely wrong) it is only available at Target.


Maybelline Clean Express Make-Up Remover: This is some serious business makeup remover.  I initially began using it when I got tired of rubbing the heck out of my eyes every night trying to get my Maybelline Falsies mascara off (when they say waterproof, they mean it!).  So, I decided to try the make-up remover by the same brand, thinking that might make some sense and help the situation.  And I was right.  The mascara began sliding right off, it was amazing, the difference it made.  I highly, highly recommend this stuff even if you don’t use that particular mascara – I’ve tried it with others, and it still works just as well!  Definitely my new favorite eye makeup remover!



Well, that is it for my favorite Hair and Skin products of 2013!  I hope you have all discovered something useful from this installment of my yearly favorites!  Let me know in the comments below what YOU have loved this year for products of any kind, and what I should be trying out next year in 2014!

Until next time,

Allison