October Favorites | 2016

October is one of my favorite months of the entire year. Apple cider, pumpkins, heck - pumpkin everything, cozy blankets, pretty leaves... you can't tell me it gets any better than that. Along with the season, I've had some favorite beauty things I wanted to share with you, too.

Now that I'm not pregnant anymore, I've been itching to incorporate anti-aging products back in to my skincare routine. I promptly dug through my stash and found the StriVectin Advanced Retinol Pore Refiner and I've been loving it ever since I started using it. This retinol cream actually works, and doesn't dry out your skin in the process. I can see a noticeable difference in the texture of my skin and how quickly my skin regenerates. You may recall I did a full review on this in the past where I go in to depth about all the goodness this stuff does for your skin. It's not cheap, but you totally get what you pay for, plus it lasts a long time because you don't need to use a huge amount each time. 

I switched up eye creams recently because I ran out of one that I used all summer long, and I've been using the Algenist Complete Eye Renewal Balm, which I've talked about before. This eye cream is fantastic. It's super hydrating, reduces puffiness and just plain feels nice. Definitely worth trying out if you're in the market for a new eye cream.

This third favorite is something I've loved for ages and have been lusting after, and it's finally in my posession! I used some Sephora points to get this deluxe-sized sample of Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb cologne. Yes, it's a men's cologne, but truly I feel it's more unisex than anything. It's sexy, and smoky and spicy and so so perfect for fall and winter. My husband won't wear it because he thinks it smells like funeral incense, but that makes me secretly happy because that means I can wear it and smell it all day long. Seriously, if you haven't ever smelled this and you like spicy scents, run to your nearest department store and give this a sniff. 

I don't have a CCO near me, but when I visit friends who have one nearby, I make them take me. My latest purchase from CCO was this MAC Next to Skin "blush" (sorry for the totally out of focus picture!). This was part of the fall 2014 "Artificially Wild" collection. I don't use this as a blush, but as a bronzer. This is the PERFECT gray-ish taupe for us pale girls who want to contour our face but don't want to look orange. I'm obsessed and wish I would've bought a couple backups because I'm not sure it's available anymore, but I'm so hoping they bring it back for a future collection. 

And lastly, I don't know if you've walked in to a Trader Joe's lately, but if you have, you know that you can't turn your head without finding something pumpkin flavored/scented/spiced/etc. I've heard so many good things about TJ's body butters - the typical year-round scent available being coconut which I'm not crazy about - so when I saw the fall Pumpkin Body Butter was out, I took a chance. Boy, am I glad I did. This isn't a gross bakery scented lotion, but more potpourri pumpkin-y. It's mega hydrating but doesn't leave your skin feeling greasy. It smells nice on application and then the scent slowly fades so you can easily wear any perfume over top without smelling like a fragrance counter. This stuff is under $10 and you get a ton of product. Definitely check it out if you have dry skin or just love a good body butter.

What are you loving lately? Have you tried any of these products? Let me know in the comments!

October Favorites

How October has come and gone is beyond me, but it was a great month, and truthfully, I'm a little sad to see it go! The five products that made a favorites post this month are all so so great - I can hardly begin to put them in an order, so... I won't. I'd highly recommend all of them, and would love to know what you think of these products too! 

This month I loved:

• Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Plum Wine: I think this may have made a favorites post before? I rediscovered it again this month and fell back in love. This blush looks ridiculously natural when applied with a light hand, don't let the color fool you. It's the perfect "just in from the cold" flush to the cheeks, it has great lasting power... I love this stuff.

• Suave Refresh & Revive Dry Shampoo: This stuff is good... real good. Smells fruity, soaks up oil and makes my hair look fresh. I'll do a full review on this soon.

• BeautyBlender: The hype is real with this makeup tool. All you do is dampen it, and then apply your foundation. It makes my skin look flawless and provides even coverage that doesn't look cakey. They're expensive, but I will always have one of these in my beauty arsenal. 

• MAC Prep + Prime Spray: I like to set my makeup with a spritz of a setting spray to help everything look more natural, not powdery and dry. This is one of my go-to setting sprays. The smell is nostalgic for me, and reminds me of my wedding, and it does a good job of keeping my makeup in place. I'll always repurchase this. 

• Lush Let the Good Times Roll cleanser: Chances are you've heard many people rave about this. For good reason! It smells like cookies, has all natural ingredients, and is an awesome exfoliating cleanser, gentle enough to use every day. It smells so good, I want to eat it every time I use it! It looks like cookie dough, and all you have to do is break off a little hunk of it, massage it in your hands with some water to turn it in to a paste, and slather it all over your face. Amazing stuff.

What are your favorites this month? Let me know! 

October Favorites

I'm sad to see October go! October is one of my all-time favorite months and I absolutely love Halloween and the beautiful autumn weather that typically graces the month of October. But it's a bittersweet end, because the end of this month means Thanksgiving and (more importantly) CHRISTMAS are on the way! So sadly and happily, I say SAYONARA to October. And the end of the month means only one thing - faves time!!

Here's what I loved this month:

• AuraCacia Pillow Potion - This is a pillow mist made out of a blend of essential oils and water. I have to say, I'm getting more and more in to essential oils, and I REALLY like the smell of this mix. Each night before bed I spritz a few sprays of this Pillow Potion across my pillow and blanket, and I find it to be really relaxing and it helps me sleep. I purchase this off of VitaCost.com (also a favorite this month!) for a great price - all their stuff is sold cheaper than I can find it in stores. Click here to sign up for VitaCost and receive a coupon for $10 off a purchase of $30 or more!

• Wet n Wild H20 Proof Liquid Eyeliner - I've professed my love for the Wet n Wild Mega Liner liquid eyeliner many a time on this blog, but I also love the waterproof version. I feel like I need to say that I don't love it as much as it's non-waterproof counterpart, but it is pretty darn good. It has a tiny bit of shine, which I don't love, but this stuff does not budge. It's amazing. If you're in need of a waterproof liquid eyeliner for a day you plan to get a little misty (weddings, sappy movie date, etc.) this is the one for you. It costs under $5, too - oh yeah!

• Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne - I did a full review of this here so I'll keep it short and sweet. This is the quintessential fall perfume. It's sexy and earthy, and it could work for women or men. 

• Bath & Body Works Comfort Pumpkin Latte & Marshmallow Triple Moisture Body Cream - You might remember this from my fall B&BW haul, and I speculated that this might be too sweet to use frequently. BOY WAS I WRONG. This stuff is amazing. The part of me that prefers to use natural skincare hates the part of me that loves B&BW's Triple Moisture Body Creams, but dayum... they're just great. This one smells really nice and spicy on the skin, and leaves my skin feeling so soft and hydrated. Highly recommend this scent if you're a fall scent lover.

• Covergirl TruBlend Minerals in Shimmering Sands - This is a totally old product that I'm absolutely in love with. (see it in use here) This is a light shimmery pinky-gold powder that I use on my cheekbones, prior to going in with a pink blush on the apples of my cheeks. It adds that dewy look to the cheeks without looking like a disco ball, and the end result is stunning. I don't even know if this stuff is still for sale, but when I run out someday I will be running out to get this again wherever I can.

What did you love in October? Let me know!

October Favorites

It's been a while since I've done a "favorites" post, but October brought some new (and some old!) products in to my makeup and hair regimen that are worthy of talking about. Here's what I've been loving this past month.

• Covergirl Clump Crusher by Lashblast Mascara - Ohhhhh my word, what took me so long to try this stuff out?! This is easily going to be a part of my mascara collection from here on out because it's just that awesome. You can layer this on as thick as you want and you can bet your lashes won't get clumpy. This is an awesome drugstore mascara, and it costs just $6.99!

• Macadamia Healing Oil Spray - This is a holy grail product of mine that I won't ever go without again. This will make your hair silky smooth and it will smell absolutely amazing while doing so. I use it once a week on second-day hair to keep my hair moisturized, tangle-free and shiny.

• CeraVe Moisturizing Cream - I've got the big daddy tub of this stuff because I use it daily, but I need so little to moisturize my whole face that I think I'll have this for a lifetime. If you've got dry skin, especially if you are prone to a dry face, this stuff will keep your skin moisturized all day long without breaking you out. Look for it at any drugstore.

• Nivea Lip Butter in Vanilla & Macadamia Kiss - I'd heard the hype about these lip butters all over the internet and I finally gave in to temptation one day during a stroll around Ulta. I don't regret my purchase for a second. This stuff smells like a dream, it's creamy and soft on the lips, and it is so moisturizing. You can find these at any drugstore for under $5.

• e.l.f. Professional Foundation Brush - To be honest,  I think this would make for a horrible foundation brush. I don't use it for that. I actually use it to set my under-eye area after using concealer. It's cheap, it works well for what I use it for, and I use it nearly every day! You can pick this brush up at Target for just $1!!

• L'Oreal La Laque Lipstick in 411 Never Lacque-ing - I won't go in to detail on this as I did a full review here, but I am so obsessed with this color. It is a natural dusty pink that is ultra shiny and really pigmented. I've been seeing these clearanced out at Target and Walgreens, so sadly I think these lipsticks are limited edition. Grab them while you can!

What have you been loving this month? Let me know in the comments below!