Wednesday, December 31, 2014

December Faves!!

I can't believe it's almost the end of 2014!! What a year. I'll try to save all my sentimentality until my best of 2014 post though :) This last month, I've been trying a lot of different products and I thought today I'd share with you guys some of my most used ones.


1) L'Oreal Voluminous Miss Manga Mascara ($7.99)- The first time I tried this mascara, back over the summer, I'll be honest, I really hated it. I felt like it was just really unnecessarily clumpy, and at the time, that really bothered me. Fast forward a few months, and I heard Alex from I COVET THEE talking about how it was one of her all time favorite mascaras, so I gave it another go. I don't know if the mascara just needed to sit in the tube for a bit, or if my eyelash preferences have changed, but I'm a total convert. I literally used this mascara every day of December! It is quite clumpy, so if that's not your aesthetic I completely understand, but I kind of dig it, because I think it makes your lashes look fuller and makes them look like, luscious and mysterious. Like a Kardashian.



2) Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge ($5.99)- Basically, this sponge is the budget version of the beauty blender. Don't let the price point fool you though- it's a really awesome alternative! I love using it for foundation because it really gives a flawless, natural kind of finish. It does take a bit more prep than say, a brush would, but I really think its worth it to put in the extra minute or two to get that airbrushed look! What I like to do is run it under water and let it absorb/ ring it out while I'm brushing my teeth in the morning, then get dressed, and come back to apply my foundation after. Mine is way past it's prime; I won't let you in on just how disgustingly old it is, but don't worry, I'll definitely be purchasing a shiny new one first thing next year!


3) NYX Love in Rio Eye Shadow Palette in the shade Meet Me at the Copa ($6.00)- In typical Whitney fashion, I received this eye shadow palette in an Ipsy bag... last March. However, the amount of usage I've got out of it I'd say makes up for the time lag. It's made up of three neutrals, a champagne, a light brown, and a smokey grey, and it's just a really lovely, no fuss kind of palette. The colors are shimmery but are neutral enough for everyday wear. My only complaint is the staying power/ color pay off isn't mind blowing- but apply these shades over a base you're good to go! 



Swatches go from right to left! (on the palette)

4) Nest Midnight Fleur Rollerball ($25.00)- I picked up a travel size of this rollerball in a trio I purchased on Black Friday (you can find that haul here!), but I definitely think when it runs out I'll be picking up a full size. I love this product so much, that despite receiving the Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black rollerball for my birthday (a scent I've been lusting after), I've still been using it everyday. Notes are black amber, patchouli, night-blooming jasmine, and vanilla orchid, giving it a kind of sensual, sophisticated scent, while still being very sweet. In all realness though, I think I'm just a sucker for patchouli.


5) Be a Bombshell Cosmetics The One Stick in the shade Sunset ($16)- Speaking of receiving Ipsy products and letting them sit for months and months... I got this in my Ipsy bag in December of 2013. A full year ago! In my defense, this product intimidated me a bit. The One Stick conceptually can be used for lips, cheeks or eyes- so all the colors are extremely pigmented. The shade sunset in particular is described as a deep coral, and when I first received it it wasn't a shade I was crazy about having on my eyelids (still, same),  not a good fit for my lips, and too much to have on my cheeks. I'm older now, and wiser; but even still, a little bit goes a long way. I like to take the littlest smudge on my stippling brush and blend it onto the apples of my cheeks, and often times, the color is so much I only have to do this once every other day. It does give a lovely winter kind of flush when used correctly though!



That's one hell of a swatch, am I right?

And here we are, at the end of my favorites! This one was a bit wordy, but this month I really did try an amalgam of products, and the ones I ended up picking to share with you I had a lot to say on. If you've found a product you really loved this month, I'd love to know about it! :) And with that, I hope you guys had very happy holidays and a great 2014. I'll see you tomorrow for a best of 2014 recap. 

Stay beautiful!!
- Whit  

2 comments:

  1. Happy new year, honey!

    http://anna-alina.blogspot.com/

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