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! 

Play! by Sephora | September 2016

If you saw last week's post, you know I canceled Ipsy. There's a number of reasons I made that choice, but one of them is Play! by Sephora. I've really been loving this subscription. It's the same exact price ($10/month) but the items are from higher end brands - a.k.a. the brands Sephora carries - and it's packed with things I actually want to use. 

There is a waitlist for this subscription, but from what I've seen and heard from people, it only takes about a month until you're in. If you're interested in putting your name on the list, you can sign up here. Not an affiliate link, just passing along the goods! 

Here's what fun stuff came in September's bag...

• Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel - This is good stuff. It's just a clear brow gel you can use to set your brows in place. I've used this before and really like it, but I don't often purchase it because it is rather pricey ($22 for a full size). This came just in time as I'm getting low on brow gel! 

• Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper - I know I ranted against this liner in the past, but I actually like the Trooper version. Unlike the one I talked about in that other blog post, this one has a brush tip. It does dry with a bit of a sheen, so if you prefer a very matte finish, you might not be a fan. 

• Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation - This is an oil-free moisturizer with AHA to even skin tone. I've used it in the past and didn't think it was anything special, but it's pretty expensive (in my book), so I don't mind giving it another go to see if I change my mind. 

• Atelier Cologne in Sud Magnolia - Atelier Colognes make fancy and high quality scents. This one is described as floral and fresh, with notes of magnolia, blackcurrant, bitter orange, musk and cedarwood. 

• Sephora Rouge Shine Lipstick in Love Spell - Simply put, this is described as a moisturizing lipstick with a rich, glossy shine. I've never put Sephora's house brand lipsticks to the test, so I'm looking forward to it! 

• Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Night Cap Overnight Perfector - This stuff aims to give you up to a week of shiny, manageable hair, with benefits that last through five shampoos! I like the Living Proof line so I'm excited to give this a try! 

Are you a Play! by Sephora subscriber? What sample are you most excited to try?

Play! by Sephora | March 2016

I finally got off the waitlist for Play! by Sephora!!!! I'm so excited! Play! is Sephora's $10 monthly beauty subscription. You get deluxe-sized samples from premium brands, and typically something from Sephora's house brand, too - from what I've seen. It comes packaged in a super cute, durable box, and it has a nice magazine-style booklet to explain each product.  Unlike Ipsy or Birchbox, everyone gets the same Play! box every month - it's not customizable to your preferences.

Interested in a new beauty subscription? Get your name on the Play! waitlist here.

Here's what came in the March box:

• Replica Beach Walk perfume sample: You'd never ever guess, but this is an uber-beachy scent. It smells like a day at the beach - sunscreen, coconut, surf and sand. If you like Bobbi Brown Beach or Bronze Goddess, you'll love this scent, too. 

• Murad Invisible Perfecting Shield: This is a silky sunscreen with SPF 30 for protection from the elements. It also functions as a primer and moisturizer.

• Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil: I got a sample of this in my February Ipsy, but have yet to try it. This oil claims to sink in quickly to add radiance and make skin appear smoother and camera-ready. I have to admit, I'm a little nervous to try this for fear of an uber-oily face!

• Fresh Soy Face Cleanser: This gentle cleanser is ideal for sensitive skin. I've used samples of this in the past and I really like it. It's expensive in a full size, so I'm excited to have another mini bottle.

• Kat Von D Tattoo Liner: I was surprised to find that this liner had a way different brush than the ones I bashed in my overrated products post. This formula is mega-waterproof and very black. I'm excited to give this a go since it seems better than the others I've used in the past.

• Sephora The Perfectionist Airbrush Sponge: Here's Sephora's take on the BeautyBlender. The interesting shape is supposed to help get in to small facial curves for an even makeup application. I already tried this out and I can't say I'm a fan. It seems to soak up all my foundation without applying it to my face and the shape isn't very convenient. The BeautyBlender still holds the title as best beauty sponge in my book.

Overeall, I'm excited about this box. I can't wait to see what I receive in the upcoming months. Have you signed up? Let me know how you like it! 

January Favorites

I used a lot of new (to me) products in January. Not all of them are worthy of chatting about, but some of them are worth more than just chatting about -  they're worthy of a favorites post. Here's what I loved in January.

• eva nyc Freshen Up Dry Shampoo - This stuff smells amazing and it does a really good job of soaking up excess oil. This allows me to go 2 days between washes. I can't even stress how good this stuff smells. 

• Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Bachelorette - This lipstick is seriously pigmented and has crazy staying power. It goes on like a gloss and then dries to a beautiful matte pinkish-red shade. I wore it ALL DAY and I reapplied only once. I tend to lick my lips a lot when I wear these long-lasting lipsticks, so my lips did get a bit dry from it, but it was totally worth it.

• Josie Maran Argan Infinity Intensive Creamy Oil - This is intended for use on dry patches of the face, but I have been using it mixed in with my hand lotion at night for extra hydration. A little bit goes a long way I wake up with soft hands thanks to this extra little boost.

• Mario Badescu Drying Lotion - To get rid of zits faster, this drying lotion is where it's at. You take just a dab of it and keep it on any problem area overnight and your spots will dry up a bit quicker than normal.

• CO Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine in Ultra - This clear gloss is super minty and tingly, and tastes good - it actually claims to freshen breath. It soothes sore, chapped lips and I will forever keep some version of this in my stash.

What did you love in the month of January? Let me know!