FAVORITES! | January 2014 ❤

 
This month, I've taken a decidedly simpler approach to makeup by sticking with a tinted moisturizer, clear lip balm, and a hint of medium brown eyeshadow worn in the crease for a bit of definition.  It has been FRIGID here lately, including a massive (3"! ;) snow "storm", so I've been focusing more on keeping my dry, chapped skin and lips happy.

1. One Love Organics Rose Aromatic Body Serum: This has been a life-saver!  No matter how much body buttering I did, my skin was dry, red, and ANGRY.  I saw a tip over at The Beauty Department about applying a small amount of oil to your body pre-shower to prep your skin and keep it from drying out.  I am forever grateful for this tidbit of info because it WORKS!  I apply 6-7 sprays of the Rose Aromatic Body Serum (which contains both sea buckthorn oil and pumpkin seed oil along with a smorgasbord of other natural, skin-healthy ingredients) to my palms and rub them together to warm the serum.  I quickly rub the oil on my body, concentrating on the extra dry spots, and then I hop in the shower and wash up as usual.  Before discovering this magic, I'd been massaging Aquaphor into the skin around my arm pits (I know - hot!) because it was so dry, it felt like paper and it would sting and hurt.  I haven't had to do this since discovering this awesome tip and putting the lovely Rose Aromatic Body Serum to work!  If Rose isn't your favorite scent, it's also available in Lavender, Neroli, and Chamomile.
2. L'Oreal Paris Color Vibrancy Instant Shock Treatment: Now you guys know I am extremely loyal to my favorite conditioner of all-time, Aussie 3 Minute Miracle, of which I've lost count of how many bottles I've finished in my life.  However, this product just intrigued me.  I recently dyed my hair back to it's natural cool dark brown color after my highlights grew out, and I wanted something that would really baby my color-treated locks.  This product is AWESOME.  I apply it to my ends after shampooing and pin it up so it absorbs into my hair during the rest of my shower.  While the product does indeed work in 60 seconds, I like to leave it in longer because that's how I've always rocked 3 Minute Miracle.  When I rinse out my hair at the end of my shower, it feels divine.  Once my hair is completely dry, it's crazy soft!  Like WEN soft, without any hint of being weighed-down, and my hair is extremely shiny.  I have fine hair that tends to get oily very quickly, but this fantastic conditioning treatment never makes it look greasy or feel like it's caked with product.

3. Nivea Extended Moisture Hand Cream: Ooh!  This hand cream has kicked major tail feathers this winter!  It absorbs very quickly but treats dryness like nobody's business.  I apply a dime-sized dollup and massage it into my hands before bed and the next morning, my hands are soft and moisturized.  I have had zero issues with dry hands this winter and it's completely because of this wonderful hand cream.  I picked this up at my local CVS Drugstore for about $3.50 USD and it's lasted me 2 months with nightly use.  A complete bargain!
4. NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Alaska: I've raved about this one before {full review here}, but lately it's become an integral part of my daily routine.  The moisture aspect of this product is outstanding, and it offers medium coverage that feels like you're not wearing any makeup.  Y'all know I am a medium to full coverage foundation lover, but this TM has become my go-to.  It's so nice to simplify my base routine by using 1 product rather than 3 (moisturizer, foundation, and sunscreen) and the moisture isn't so heavy that it's unsuitable for my combination skin.  Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer has proved itself to be a key part of my winter and summer routines, and it's something I highly recommend.

5. Aquaphor Healing Ointment: Me and Aquaphor go way back.  For years, it was all I wore on my lips.  After a fender bender in August of 2011, I spread a generous amount of it over the seatbelt bite on my collar bone and it was healed in 3 days.  Whenever my lips go haywire and no amount of fancy/natural products are getting the job done, I always revert back to my tried n' true buddy Aquaphor.  I love to apply it at night after exfoliating my lips with a scrub or damp washcloth.  It seems to really melt away the rough, dry skin and return my lips to the land of smoothness.  Aside from it's pucker prowess, it also protects and heals uber dry, agitated skin, and, as previously mentioned, helps heal cut or abraded skin.  A true jack of all trades!
6. Urban Decay Naked Palette: I know everyone's head over heels for the latest addition to the Naked family, Naked 3, but for me, Naked 1 is the palette I'd be packing in my desert island makeup bag.  Lately it's been eye-stingingly cold and my usual 4 or 5 step look seems like a lost cause when I know my eyes are going to tear up and run as soon as I step out the door.  My go-to look has been mixing Naked and Buck (Buck Naked eyes!) and applying the shadows to my crease with a fluffy blending brush in the classic "windshield wiper" motion.  It adds subtle definition to the eye area and goes with any cheek or lip color I feel like wearing that day.

Buck Naked FTW!

Wearing "Buck Naked" in my crease, NARS Pure Radiant TM, and
Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Unapologetic

7. Sonia Kashuk Pointed Blending Brush #109: This brush is my JAM!  I've employed it to smoke out shadows, blend shades effortlessly into the crease, highlight my brown bone, and blend concealer.  One of my absolute favorite things to use this brush for is applying highlighter to my cheekbones.  I lightly swirl it over the pan of highlighter (lately I've been into MAC Soft & Gentle Mineralized Skinfinish) and then sweep it onto the tops of my cheekbones.  The brush diffuses the luminizer and gives it a very natural effect.  Right now this brush retails for $3.99 USD at Target!

So, how's your Sunday going?  Here in the States, today is Super Bowl Sunday and everyone's getting pumped for the big game.  While hockey is my pro sport of choice, I'll still watch the Super Bowl for the clever commercials and the halftime show (shoutout to Bruno Mars!).  Are you pulling for the Broncos or the Seahawks?  I'm pulling for the breakfast quiche I just made, whilst watching Alaska The Last Frontier!

Recipe via Mommy's Kitchen.  I added chopped spinach, green peppers, and onion.  Noms!

CNY fabulousness plus a guinea pig named Blondie? You rule, @musicalhouses!

I've really been enjoying all of the Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year posts lately, especially the video Lily (ChloeAsh) posted on Instagram of the lion dance!  I love those lions.  I've also been loving the bold red and gold CNY colors.  Beautiful!  Happy Lunar New Year!  Horse Power 2014! ;)