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?  ;)