Tuesday, November 5, 2013

FAVORITES! | October 2013


October Favorites time!  These were the products I found myself reaching for again and again during the month of pumpkin madness!

1. Clarins Instant Light Natural Skin Perfector in 01.  It smells and tastes like a subtly sweet little creme brulee (reminds me a lot of L'Oreal Color Riche Le Gloss), is super smooth, non-sticky and very hydrating.  Some nights I use this after exfoliating my lips instead of my trustiest champs Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm or Nivea Lip Butter.  It's bafflingly long-lasting, too!  I tend to get six hours of super comfy wear before I find myself reaching for the tube for a fresh swipe.  Six hours!  Through eating and drinking!  That's almost unheard of with a non-sticky gloss.  This is truly a gloss-balm hybrid and it's DELUXE.  I'm very impressed with my first ever Clarins purchase!  I kind of want a jumbo apothecary jar filled to the brim with these!
2. Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter.  I know what you're thinking.  Isn't it a bit early to be breaking out the big guns lotion-wise?  Well, not for me!  My sides and back get chapped as soon as the temps drop down into the low 60's.  I know, my body skin is so wimpy!  Anyway, using this after every shower has prevented any further chapping.  The texture is a bit lighter than The Body Shop body butters, and I find this one absorbs a bit faster, but it does not lack in the moisture department.  It smells SO incredibly good! It's the signature Soap & Glory Pink scent, which leaves you smelling fresh and clean and just lovely all-around.  If you, or someone you love, suffers from a habitually chapped arse, this product could be their dream cream!
3. Olay Fresh Effects Shine, Shine Go Away Shine Reducing Cleanser.  What's the secret in this shine-reducing cleanser?  Kaolin clay!  The clay helps lessen the case of the afternoon shines and I have been digging it with a shovel.  I worried using clay cleanser twice a day might be too drying, but so far, I've had zero dryness or flakes.  It lathers up to a luxurious foam and works well with your hands, a wash cloth, or a brush.  My favorite way to use it is with my Clairsonic as it seems to really kick up the lather factor.  It cuts through makeup with ease and rinses to a squeaky clean, but not tight or dry, finish (if you're oily, this is known as "nirvana").  And can we discuss the price?  Around $6.00 USD!  It's available at all major drugstores and supermarkets!  So if you need to pick up a fresh tube, you can just grab it when you're picking up bananas and wine at Publix!  Super convenience points!  I think if you have combination oily skin, you will really like this one!
4. Clinique All About Shadow Duo in Strawberry Fudge.  Pretty in pink...and brown!  These shades are complex.  The pink contains golden microshimmer, as does the brown, and together they create the prettiest, pulled-together eye look with such ease!  The compact itself is gorgeous; clean and sophisticated and PRETTY.  The shadows are creamy and I find they apply well with the sponge-tipped applicator provided!
5. MAC Divine Night Scene to be Seen MSF.  Ok, so yes I have oily skin and should probably avoid shimmering face powders, but did you see this one?!?  It's mauvey-plummy sensationalness was just something that would not be ignored, much like Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction.  Yes, it's shimmery, but it's so beautiful.  It has great pigmentation so a little goes a long way (which is great when a product contains shimmer).  I can actually wear shimmery face products in the cooler months since my skin isn't as oily, and this one was just too gorgeous to pass up.  I can't believe this one isn't sold out on the MAC site yet!  If you want it, get this LE beauty while it lasts!  [My full review & swatches here.]

What were your October faves?  How many pumpkin-related products did you partake in?  ;)

22 comments :

  1. Love your pumpkins in the background. I've been reading a lot about MAC lately, and I finally pulled out my MAC eyeshadows which have been hibernating in a Z-palette at the very deep end of my drawer. I'm trying to like them again, but if I don't feel the same way anymore, I might have to let them go :-(

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  2. Haha pumpkin-related products ;) That reminds me of the pumpkin butter Larie talks about all the time. It's sad that I have no access to it!


    Scene to be Seen looks promising! I know you're a big fan of MSF, but I still haven't got over my shimmery face phobia to give it a proper go ;)

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  3. Still in love with that MAC powder, although I've always been on the fence about shimmery face products.
    I'm really curious about the Clarins Lip Perfector though. I usually use a heavy lip balm (like Nivea Lip Butter like you) on my lips after I give them a scrub but you mentioned you used this and it stayed... for six hours....?!
    GOTTA HAVE IT.


    Much Love,
    -Stephanie Eva

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  4. I'm still needing to try Soap & Glory products! I think my Moringa lotion from The Body Shop was my favorite item in October :) And no pumpkin products here!

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  5. Nice faves!! I want to try the new Clinique shadows soon-been hearing pretty good things about them!

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  6. That Olay cleanser sounds like a total do for my skin! I don't think I've seen it around here though. Boo.

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  7. Wow the MAC powder looks beautiful! My favorite from october has to be my new benefit gimme brow gel

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  8. Thanks, Lily! I love decorating with little pumpkins during fall. I hear you on the MAC eyeshadow tip. While I have a lot of love for specific shades (Cranberry! Mythology!), I have definitely found better formulas from other brands. For me, Urban Decay shadows are tough to beat! Too Faced and LORAC have been really impressing me lately, too!

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  9. Is it the Trader Joe's Pumpkin Body Butter?!? I want to try some so bad but the nearest store is in the most congested part of the city and I hate going there! It's like going to Times Square for a $5 lotion. Wish they sold it online! :)


    I took me years to get over my shimmery face powder/blush phobia so I totally hear ya! :) This MSF seduced me, lol!

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  10. Scene to Be Seen is really one of my faves. If you're not big on shimmer, be on the lookout the next time MAC does a release of their Pearlmatte Face Powders. They're the same size as MSF's, but typically run very low on the glimmer! I picked one up during the Archie's Girls collection this past Spring and it's pretty gnarly! And yes, I can think of no one who shouldn't try the Clarins Lip Perfector! It's really fantastic stuff! I've started using some Clarins skincare and I'm pretty impressed with everything so far (and no break-outs, yay)! :D

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  11. Moringa smells SO GOOOOOOOOOOD! Such a refreshing scent! Soap & Glory is wonderful. I highly recommend The Scrub of Your Life. It's a non oil-based scrub so there's no risk of busting your bum in the shower after you've exfoliated! Win! :)

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  12. Strawberry Fudge has been just lovely! Definitely something an eyeshadow queen like yourself would enjoy. Clinique was my first foray into non-drugstore makeup/skincare, so I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for them. I am loving their compacts, too! The clear with silver is so clean and purty! :)

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  13. Dang it! If it ever reaches Belgium, you'll have to try it. It's pretty amazing stuff for us shiny gals! ;)

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  14. Thanks, Qtplace! It's a beaut! I've been wanting to try Gimme Brow! I've been impressed whenever I've seen someone wearing it. :)

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  15. Nope I think Larie's comes from Haus of Gloi! They do sell it online so check it out :)

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  16. Thank you much lady!
    -Stephanie Eva

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  17. The Clarins Instant light Natural Lip Perfector (boy that was a mouthful!) is calling out to me. I would love a lip gloss that doesnt exhibit any sticky ickies. And 6 hours on the puckers?! Sign me up. Thanks for this review, I'm now eager to get this ASAP!!

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  18. That MAC MSF is gorgeous! I'm sure the color is way worth the shimmer ;)

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  19. You are totally right! Sometimes you just gotta shimmer, lol!

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  20. Yes, Shari - 6 hours on the puckers! That cracked me up! I can't wait for you to try one of these! I'm serious about wanting a giant apothecary jar full of them. :)

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  21. Oh wow, I'd really like to try the Clarins Lip Perfector now! Sounds like it would be perfect for Winter! :)

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  22. I think you'd love it! It's definitely something I've been reaching for as the temperatures drop. It's a nice lip comforter, if you will! ;)

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