March Favorites 2017

Unlike some bloggers and YouTubers, I don't do monthly favorites. I don't buy new stuff quite that consistently, nor am I just trying to squeeze PR items in to a post and lie to you about how much I like a given thing (not to say every person doing monthly favorites is guilty of this). Instead, I do them when I've accumulated enough things I love that are worth sharing. That's why it's been a bit since my last Favorites post. Let's get to it, shall we?

• Curel Hydratherapy Wet Skin Moisturizer - I got a sample of this in a Walmart Beauty Box and initially rolled my eyes since it seems every drugstore brand is hopping aboard the shower moisturizer train. Well... I stand corrected because I really like this. You apply it to your skin while it's still wet in the shower, and you don't rinse it off. It truly left my skin feeling hydrated without being greasy. My one gripe is that I find it to be overpriced for a drugstore product. I want to say it costs somewhere in the $10-$15 range. I had a couple coupons and got this for about $6 after all was said and done, and I wouldn't pay much more than that.

• Human + Kind Wash Off Facial Cleanser - I had never heard of this brand until I perused the Sephora sale page and saw they were clearancing out pretty much everything in their stock. I decided to try this face wash and I'm glad I did. It's a creamy cleanser with great ingredients. Plus, can we just take a second to appreciate the beautiful packaging? I'm not sure where I can buy this anymore, since Sephora appears to be discontinuing the line, but I'd definitely keep it in my rotation if I can find it again.

• Dr. Marvey Flash Dry top coat - This was a random Walmart or Target purchase. I ran out of Seche Vite and decided to take a chance on this. Turns out, I think it's going to become a holy grail of mine. It dries super fast, and doesn't leave quite as thick of a finish as Seche Vite so it doesn't chip so easily. So so good.

• Kat Von D Lightning Liner - A couple of the Lightning Liner colors were in the Sephora sale page the other week, and as I've been on the hunt for a great not-black liquid liner, I gave these a shot. (Can you sense a trend... *cough*I'M CHEAP*cough*) Turns out I freaking love these. It's essentially a liquid liner pen - you twist the bottom and the product dispenses in to to brush end and you paint it on. It's very pigmented, but also slightly shimmery, and it lasts all day. I think this line is being discontinued, and all 4 colors are on sale on Sephora.com for $12! Go grab 'em while you can! 

• Benefit Watts Up highlighter - I've got a few samples of this highlighter, and for a long time, I never really cared for it. Then I started using it more regularly and fell in love. It gives a super natural sheen to any place you want to highlight, and the products doesn't travel all over your face as the day goes on (the way many powder highlights do). I adore this product and once I ever run out of my samples, I will definitely buy it in full size.

• Manic Panic Dreamtone - If you're tan, just stop reading right here. This is for my pale girls, especially the ones like me, who often times can't find a foundation shade light enough to match their skin. I present to you, Dreamtone. Add this to any foundation that's too dark and it will lighten it up. This is a freakin' godsend for me and I recommend it to anyone who's living that pale life like me. 

What have you been loving recently? Let me know! 

May Favorites

If you asked me to put these favorites in a list ranked most favorite to least, I don't know if I could do it. That's how much I love all of these goodies! There's a little bit of everything here, so take a peek and let me know if you love any of these, too!

Full disclosure, these OGX Coconut Curls Shampoo & Conditioner were sent to me, but you need to believe me that this duo is so lovely. I don't have curly hair.... and I love them. The ends of my hair like to flip whichever way they please, but overall, I have pretty straight hair. What I'm trying to say is, any hair type could get use out of these products. This line is formulated with coconut oil so it's nourishing and moisturizing. I was a bit nervous it was going to weigh my hair down, but it never did. It also added a good bit of shine to my hair which I always appreciate as my hair has a tendency to look dull. And of course, the smell - to.die.for. Coconut is not a scent I typically gravitate towards, but the mix of coconut, sweet honey and citrus is so heavenly and it doesn't smell at all like that gross fake coconut that so many hair and body products often have. You can find this line at your local drugstore or superstore like Walmart or Target. 

During the later part of the first trimester of my pregnancy and as well as the beginning half of my second trimester, my skin went haywire. It was on hormone overload, and when that happens, I am one of those lucky people who gets acne near my mouth and around my chin. Turns out, it's really hard to find acne treatments that  don't have salycilic acid or benzoyl peroxide (both pregnancy no-nos), and then I stumbled upon the Desert Essence Blemish Touch Stick. This has a toner-like consistency, and smells like tea tree oil (because that's what's in it). It isn't a cure-all, but it certainly helped heal and treat my blemishes and I've continued to use it on any spots that pop up.

I absolutely love the Essence Liquid Eyeliners, both this waterproof version, or the non-waterproof version. I have used this non-stop this month and I am obsessed. It has a dark matte black color and it is so simple to apply once you get the hang of it. You get so much product for a really cheap price (under $5), and it performs like a high end product. Conveniently, Essence is now available at Target so you can easily find it if you've got a Target nearby. For those of you lucky enough to have an Ulta nearby, you can also find it there. 

I've been curling my hair a bit more frequently than normal lately, and to protect it from all that heat, I use the Shea Moisture Yucca & Plantain Anti-Breakage Thermal Protectant Serum. Woo.. that's quite a mouthful. I love that this is a more natural heat protectant, always a positive in my world. It smells nice and I do think it protects my hair.

I'll end with a confession. I've been wearing a men's cologne. I'm not sorry about it either, Tom Ford's Grey Vetiver smells so so so good, and it's absolutely perfect for the spring season. It's hard to describe the smell of vetiver, but it's fresh and earthy, and it happens to be one of my favorite scent notes. I would argue that this cologne really is quite gender neutral, and no one has ever asked me if I was wearing cologne when I've worn this. It would smell sexy and fresh on a guy, and on a woman I find it to be sophisticated and vibrant. This isn't a new fragrance by any means (although it's fairly new to my collection), but it's worth stopping for a sniff if you ever happen across it! 

What are your favorites this month? Let me know!