Monday, December 8, 2014

Loves & Lemons | November 2014


Hi beauties!  So I know it's basically Christmas Eve but there were just too many goodies I loved in November I wanted to share, even though the post is a little late!  Without further adieu...

Makeup Revolution Redemption Palette Iconic 3: This palette truly has been a redemption for me.  You guys know I returned my Urban Decay Naked 3 palette shortly after purchasing it because I felt half the shades were well below UD's phenomenal standard.  After Naked 3 launched into superstardom, I began to think maybe I had a bad batch originally but I've never been keen on shelling out the money to try it again.  I know some people feel strongly about "knock off" makeup, but for me, the Makeup Revolution Iconic 3 is the better palette!  All of the shadows are buttery, soft, and stunningly pigmented.  The design is also more to my liking as it's streamlined and takes up less room.  I ended up taking this beauty on my trip to Arizona and it held up great during rigorous bag shuffling into overhead compartments and lots of trunk travel on the open road.  I plan to do a full review with swatches so you can see how gorgeous this palette is, but let me just break the most amazing news: It only cost £4.00!  ($6.26 USD/$7.18 CAD)
Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash: I love this!  It cleanses and exfoliates and leaves my skin fresh without feeling tight or dry.  I loved being able to try the smaller 2 oz size for $9.00 to see how my skin reacted before committing to the $24.00 6.7 oz bottle.
Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo: I've always heard raves about Moroccanoil products and have wanted to try something from the line.  I visited a salon here in Atlanta after my blonde ambition tour earlier this summer and the stylist finished off my hair with Moroccanoil Treatment.  I could not believe how fantastic my hair looked!  The Moisture Repair Shampoo is another stellar product from Moroccanoil.  It leaves my scalp balanced and my hair shiny without being weighed down or prone to oiliness.  Oh, and it smells AMAZZZZZZZING.
I could not have gotten through November without these little tubes o' bliss.  Both the Suvana Organic Paw Paw & Honey Balm (a recommendation from the lovely Taylor of My Lucite Dreams) and the Papaya Gold Paw Paw Moisturizing Balm were the biggest help to me during my month-long battle with chapped skin.  For the uninitiated, "paw paw" is another word for papaya, and paw paw ointment has been around since the turn of the century.  It's far more popular in Australia, but I think once word spreads of it's incredible soothing powers, it will be everywhere!  Paw Paw will be the new "BB Cream"! ;)  A lavishly thick and rich balm, this is a fantastic salve for dry, chapped, or cut skin.  If you suffer from any of these ailments, both of these ointments are incredible!
Rounding out my month-long balm obsession is the balm dotcom by Glossier.  This is my absolute FAVE.  After falling hard for Bite's Agave Lip Mask, I've been searching for a more budget-friendly lip balm option and this $12.00 tube is IT.  The balm dotcom is 100% scent and taste-free and stays put overnight, leaving my lips very hydrated and soft the next morning.  I've been using this balm during the day, too, instead of lipstick.  I LOVE IT.  HG.  Number 1.  FIVE STARS!  Last but not least, the Maybelline Dream Wonder Fluid-Touch Foundation has just been perfection!  It makes my skin look WAY better than it really is and allows me to skip concealer if I'm short on time.  Full review here.

The sole lemon of the month was the LE Bobbi Brown Mini Eye Palette.  The palette design is fantastic; it's smaller than a drugstore eye quad and would be perfect for travel.  The downside?  The shadows are dry, powdery, and incredibly sheer.  I even tried applying the shades wet (over a shadow primer) and they were still barely visible.  Huge disappointment.  I returned mine.  Save your $35!
So that's it for November!  Can you guys believe Christmas is only 17 days away?!  WOW!

What product were you reaching for all November long?

35 comments :

  1. Bobbi Brown is a brand I just never look at anymore because of the same thing as you-the shadows in palettes SUCK most of the time. I do hear that the singles are better but eh.
    This paw-paw ointment! Where can I get this? CVS? I'd like to look for it in California!

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  2. I've heard the same thing about BB eye shadow singles versus palettes, but it's like....pretty much the silent dots summarize my thoughts, lol!
    No paw paws at the CVS! America is not yet that sophisticated (though California may have some since they are earthy and progressive, lol)! I go the Papaya Gold at feelunique.com and the Suvana from beautyhabit.com. I love them both equally! Australia has some really fun ones that are watermelon scented (I kind of adore fake watermelon scents), but the shipping is 6 times more than the actual tube so no!

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  3. A $6 dupe that's better than the real (Naked 3) thing??!!! Swatches please!!!! :D Since Naked 3 is my favorite Naked of all, so yes, I am curious to see swatches. LOL. That's a shame about the Bobbi Brown palette. You could have bought almost 6 of the Makeup Revolution palettes for the price! ;D

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  4. Omg, great stuff! I totally would love to own one or two of the MUR palettes, especially that one! I don't own any of the naked palettes actually!

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  5. Bobbi Brown singles are good. Their mattes and metallics are pigmented and smooth. I think it's just their glitters that are least pigmented. I received this mini palette as a gift but I haven't touched it yet. Making me think twice of using it now >_< Furthermore, I'm pretty sure I have similar colours in my stash already!

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  6. WOOT. So much awesome stuff packed into this post! Glossier slept with me all night, hahaha. I woke up, made coffee, ate breakfast... Still on my lips. WHAT?! I mean, it's not as thick as it was last night when I applied it, but I've NEVER owned a balm that sticks around this long. How incredible. I've never had a Naked palette, but the MUR Iconic 3 100% makes up for that. I used a handful of the palette on Thanksgiving and I love the first few shades for an everyday base. I haven't gotten to... I think two of the shades..? I want to set a challenge to use the whole palette in one look.. I wonder if that's possible.. Haha! I love Morrocanoil! When I go to the prostore they have a whole wall of their products... SO. MUCH. EXCITE.


    MUCH LOVE AND PEANUT BUTTER CUPS!!!

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  7. Glossier Balm dot com is on my to-buy list. In the new year. Because between TMS Orlando, the VIB sale, the VIB gift card, and now a celebratory shopping trip on the calendar, I need to take a break! I want to check out the Suvana Paw Paw Balm too (balm addict much?) for the sake of research, naturally.

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  8. Yeah, what is it with Bobbi Brown palettes??? Why do they all suck? Sheesh. I did just get a finishing powder for my belated birthday present that I am excited about, though!

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  9. Awww man, what a disapointment, that Bobbi Brown palette :-( They're not ALL bad though....

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  10. I am so glad you like the MoroccanOil, their products are amazing! You should try the Repair conditioner but the smell of these products is really addictive. I have almost every skincare item from them, lol. I need to try that Glossier balm!

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  11. This isnt the first bad Bobbi Brown eye palette review I've seen. Thank you for spreading the much needed buyer beware! (:


    www.accordingtokiki123.blogspot.com

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  12. So sad to hear about the Bobbi Brown palette, especially since those colors at a first glance seem gorgeous :( But luckily I was able to read your post before shelling out $35! phew, thanks love!

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  13. Wow, what a disappointment with the Bobbi Brown palette, it looks beautiful, what a shame.

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  14. Only *one* Lemon!! - it was a good month for you Kristen hehe. I love all your "loves"! That makeup revolution palette looks like a nice mix of shades between ud 3 and perhaps the lorac unzipped palette too? I'm brand-agnostic and believe that a good product can come from ANY brand..just as a bad product can so Ilove the inclusion of these non-mainstream products. Im not loving my agave lip mask so far:( I bought the champagne version afetr reading many many reviews saying its really the same as the clear one but so far im not impressed! Paw paw is such a cute name. Im naming my next cat/dog that lol. Hope youre all better now btw xo

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  15. They had Paw Paw stuff everywhere in Australia! I bought so much of it and it definitely healed all my cuts, bruises and chapped skin!

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  16. I have a handful of MoroccanOil products and was hoping not to have to try the shampoo, but... darn you, Kristen! (i.e. THANK YOU) ;D


    The MUR palette looks more purply than Naked3 so I'd not call it a dupe, especially if the quality is that much better too!

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  17. Ha ha! Sorry (not sorry) about the Moroccanoil shampoo! I now have to try other things from them! Such as "everything". And the candle! ;)
    I think the MUR palette looks more purple due to my photo editing. The thing swatches identically to N3! http://makeupisland.altervista.org/makeup-revolution-iconic-3-vs-ud-naked-3-foto-swatches/

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  18. Oh yes! You were in the Paw Paw MECCA! I'm glad you stocked up! I can't believe what a little wonder it is!

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  19. The Makeup Revolution palette is pretty astounding! It's so nice to see quality products at such a low price. The Bobbi palette was quite a shock to me! I have heard that the singles perform much better than her palettes, so maybe I'll try one of those sometime. You should definitely try the paw paw! It's been a life saver!

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  20. Yes! 1 single lemon is definitely a good month, lol! Oh yes, good call on the LORAC Unzipped! That's a recent pick up for me and it's GORGEOUSSSS. I've wanted it for years and finally broke down. It's a great trait to be brand agnostic, Dee! I feel the same. All brands have things they do well and some of my favorite discoveries ever were under $10 bucks from the drugstore. I'm sorry about your Agave Lip Mask experience! I've never tried to the champagne version, but I'm a big fan of the regular. I have found something I love even more though, that only costs $12 bucks! Review SOON! And YES! Paw paw would be such a cute animal name! :)

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  21. I know! I was so excited about the Bobbi Brown palette, especially the tiny size and cute package design. Alas, I'm always grateful for return policies!

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  22. Whew indeed, Jen! I'm so glad you saved yourself the $35 heartache on the Bobbi Brown palette! There are so many other amazing palettes you could get for the same price or less!

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  23. Thanks, Kiki! I'm always happy to save people money, lol! There's definitely tons of better palettes on the market!

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  24. Oh, Agata! I love the sound of that Moroccanoil Repair Conditioner! And HOLD ON: SKINCARE?! Oh dear...my wallet wails! Glossier balm dotcom is my new favorite thing! I've already given tubes to 3 people!

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  25. I really do want to try one of the Bobbi Brown single eyeshadows. I've always heard great things about them but haven't tried one!

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  26. Ha ha, Larie! You are hilarious! This was my first Bobbi Brown palette, and first time using her eyeshadows period. I still want to give a single shadow a go because I've heard great things about them! Ooh, a new finishing powder definitely would be a nice belated bday gift! Cheers!

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  27. Research - of course! ;) The Suvana Paw Paw is great and really helped with my chapped skin situation. This year was the worst EVER. There were days when the thought of wearing a bra was like torture because my skin was so sore. I believe in the power of the paw paw now! And yes, you should DEF pick up the Balm Dotcom when you're into fresh budget territory, lol! Or...check back in a bit because I'm going to be giving away a WHOLE Glossier Phase 1 kit (which includes the Balm!) in the next few weeks! *Surprise!* :)

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  28. LOLOL! I'm so glad you lurve the Balm Dotcom! I've been astonished at how long it stays put without being sticky! YAS! Gurl, if you can use the entire MUR Iconic 3 palette in one look, I will clap LOUDLY and shout TIDDLYWINKS from the rooftops!
    Peanut butter cups to the moon and back! XOXO

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  29. That's what I've heard, Lily. Bobbi Brown shadows are all about that single life! I really want to try one of her matte singles! LOL, oh no, I'm sorry I rained on your Mini Palette parade! Maybe yours will be better and from a different batch?! My fingers are crossed!

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  30. Thanks, Sharlynn! What a pretty name! The MUR palettes are such incredible shadows, and I think the palette design is really appealing, too! For a little over $6 bucks USD, they're worth every penny! :)

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  31. I will giddy up on the Iconic 3 review/swatches, Jaa! I think you'll be surprised at how pigmented and smooth the MUR version is. And yes, lol - your thoughts about the Bobbi Brown palette versus the MUR were the same ones that crossed my mind! Have you ever tried a single Bobbi Brown shadow? I've always heard good things but haven't tried one myself. I know you're a palette gal (kindred spirits, lol), but maybe you've tried a single?!

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  32. Ok, so I guess I should have used the word "bodycare", not skincare. Lol, they have body oils, butters, heand creams, scrubs. The body oil is my favorite product. There is also one with shimmer that I love to wear in the summer!

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  33. I love playing tiddlywinks real talk.

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  34. Hearing about the Paw Pay for the first time! :) And I still can't believe Christmas is on its day!! 2014 is going to end. Hoo!!

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  35. That stinks about the Bobbi brown palette! Usually love her stuff. And I didn't know that U didn't like the Naked3! I love mine. But I have only used it maybe 3-4 times. So I guess my love could change. Lol! Now I deff want to try that Moroccan shampoo and the Maybelline foundation. Thanks for sharing your loves honey!!!!
    And in case I dont "talk" to U by XMas, I hope u and your family have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!! 🎅

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