Monthly Favorites: March 2012

This month was a fairly easy month to pick my favorites. I have a few new items here that I really love and can see in my “must-haves” for a long time.

Skin Care

My skin care routine has been very simple this month, thanks to these amazing products. I no longer have that “ugh, I have to take my makeup off even though I’m super tired” feeling, if anything, I actually look forward to it every night. It definitely feels like a treat.

The Body Shop’s Mango Body Butter

Goodness gracious, this smells like pure Caribbean heaven. I use this every time I come out of the shower. It feels so moisturizing and the smell lingers on forever.

Nars Makeup Removing Water

This is one of those products that I look forward to using every night. Not only does it do the job, and extremely well, but it also makes my face feel like I just went to a spa. It removes makeup but also provides hydration and cleansing.

Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil

When I first ordered this I was a bit skeptical because I have combination skin, sometimes it’s dry, but sometimes it’s oily. It is also recommended that you replace your nighttime moisturizer with this so I wasn’t sure how that would end up working for me. Needless to say, it’s in my favorites because this product is absolutely amazing. Not only does it not feel oily on my face but when I wake up, my face feels so soft and hydrated. I’ve seen a huge improvement in my skin and I can attribute it to this product, as well as the next one in my list.

Clarisonic Mia 2

There is so much to say about this product and why I love it. I should probably do a review to explain its awesomeness. Just now I love it and that since I have been using it, my skin has changed dramatically. If I lost it today, I’d go and buy it again tomorrow. Period.

Makeup

Nars Yachiyo Brush

This is a brush that can be used for pretty much anything. I use it to apply my bronzer, blush and highlight. I love the shape and how easily it picks up product, deposits it and blends it beautifully.

Tarte Smooth Operator Shadow Primer

I received a sample size of this with my ‘Miracle of Maracuja’ order and I cannot stop using it since. It’s a bit thicker than Urban Decay’s Primer Potion but I love that about it. It is also has a bit of a pinky undertone so it helps correct any darkness on the eyelid.

Nars Lhasa Single Eyeshadow

One of the best eyeshadows I own. The color is absolutely gorgeous. It’s a grayish, purple-ish, taupe color and I cannot help to wear this all the time. It looks amazing all over the lid but also in the crease with a lighter color on the lid. A must-have for sure.

MAC Dollymix Blush

One of my go-to blushes this month. I love how soft it looks on the skin, even though it looks uber scary in the pan. It’s the perfect pink for spring and summer.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Park Avenue Mineral Bronzer

I’ve been in the hunt for the perfect bronzer and although sometimes I wish that this one was a tad bit darker (for the summer), I really find this bronzer perfect for everyday use. I use it as a contour and then blend it over my cheeks, temples, and nose. It really gives an effortless warmth to my face.

Nars Gina Blush

Have I mentioned that I’m obsessed with Nars lately? They’ve easily become one of my favorite makeup brands along with MAC. Gina is a gorgeous matte peachy blush that has a more orangey tint but is still flattering on the skin. Absolutely perfect for spring and summer. I’ve also used it by applying MAC’s ‘Something Special’ creamblend blush first and then layering it with Gina on top. I love the combination.

MAC Fix+ Spray

The weather is changing and it is that time a year where I pull out my Fix+ and use it just about every day to set my makeup and give it longer staying power, as well as keep me refreshed throughout the day. I love carrying my mini Fix+ with me. It’s a must have in my Spring/Summer makeup bag.

Revlon Coralberry Lipstick

Revlon’s lipsticks are fast becoming some of my favorites. I want to get them all! Their formula is so nice, long-lasting and non-drying, even the matte lipsticks. This one in particular has such a gorgeous coral color. It also has a slight sheen that looks beautiful with a nice tan. I love this lipstick!

Monthly Favorites: February 2012

Hello beautiful people,

It has been a while since I did a monthly favorites. I have been quite busy with my job but I am really making an effort to blog more.

So without further adieu, here are my favorite products of February 2012.

Makeup

  • Nars Pure Radiance Tinted Moisturizer in Alaska **
  • MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Medium
  • Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer
  • Real Techniques Buffing Brush (from Core Collection)
  • Real Techniques Detailer Brush (from Core Collection)
  • Nars Blush in Orgasm
  • Nars Yachiyo Brush **
  • Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette
  • Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner
  • Maybelline’s ‘The Falsies Flared’ Mascara
  • Revlon Matte Lipstick in ‘Mauve it Over’
  • L’Oréal Colour Riche Lipstick in ‘Fairest Nude’
  • Boots Botanics  Soothing Eye-makeup Remover

Skin Care

  • Origins Super Spot Remover Acne Treatment Gel

** = Holy Grail Forever Love XOXO Item

First Haul of 2012 + Mini Reviews / First Impressions

Makeup

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (Medium Plus)

This amazing finishing powder looks absolutely beautiful on the skin–wether it’s over a tinted moisturizer or a full-coverage foundation, this product gives the skin a beautiful satin finish to the skin. Even though I have been using it for only one week, I can already tell this is going to be one of my ‘holy grail’ products.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector B.B. Cream (Light/Medium)

First let me say that I completely understand that this type of B.B. Cream is not the same as the original Asian B.B. Creams – if anything, it’s extremely different, however, I love this product it as a tinted moisturizer, and let’s not forget, it smells incredible.

Cover Girl & Olay Simply Ageless Foundation (Medium Light 235)

My initial thoughts are that this is a nice cream foundation. So far I have mixed feelings about but I’m still trying it out, it so I want to give it a fair review once I have used it for a few weeks.

Cream Foundation

Real Techniques Brushes (Core Collection)

I’m a huge fan of Pixiwoo on YouTube. Nicola and Samantha are two stunning sisters that create mind-blowing makeup tutorials. Real Techniques Brushes is Samantha’s brush line. I bought the Core Collection first (it’s the only set my local Ulta had) but I love them so much that I just ordered two more brushes. I can’t wait to do a full review so be in the lookout for that.

Real Techniques Brushes

Revlon Lip Butters

Right now, I don’t have much to say, other than I love these. I do want to acquire a few more before I post a full review, however, you must know that these have tons of ‘favorites’ potential.

‘They’re Real’ Mascara by Benefit

I have been on the search for a great mascara for a very while. I have tried a few (drugstore & high-end) and have never been impressed (with the exception of Mally’s Volumizing Mascara). I must admit, this mascara has impressed me and I’m loving using it every day. It’s fairly new so I want to try it for about a month before I review it.

Benefit They're Real Mascara

Skin Care

No7 Skin Care (Hot Cloth Cleanser, Toner & Day Cream)

I have been using Burt’s Bees for about six months and although I really like it, I wanted to try something different as soon as I ran out of my current products so I picked these up at Target. So far, I’m really liking them but I want to give my skin more time to get used to them and really give a thorough review on each product.

No7 Skincare

Simple Wipes

Simple products are fairly new to the US. They are a UK-based brand. So far, I really like these wipes. They are fragrance free, very soft and work great. As far as pricing, they are not the most cost-effective facial wipes but I would rather spend a few more dollars on something that works great, than to get something cheap and waste my money on something that doesn’t work at all.

Simple Cleansing Wipes

Ahava Mineral Botanic Cream Wash (Hibiscus & Fig)

This body was is a dream. I love the smell as well as how my body feels, not just after I get out of the shower, but all day long. Can’t wait to give you more details. In the meantime, I definitely recommend you pickup the trial size at your local Ulta or at Ulta.com.

 

What do you think?

As always, I want to hear from you. Do you have any of these products? What are your thoughts on them? Also, if you have any questions, be sure to comment below.

Art on My Face

Today's Face

Follow me on Instagram 
http://followgram.me/gedy

Products Used

Face

  • Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream (Light/Medium)
  • MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (Medium Plus)
  • MAC Cream Colour Base (Fawntastic)
  • e.l.f. Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder
  • Sigma Large Powder Brush F30
  • Sigma Large Angled Contour Brush F40

Eyes

  • Urban Decay Naked Palette (Sin)
  • L’Oréal Lineur Intense Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner (Carbon Black)
  • Shiseido Eyelash Curler
  • Benefit “They’re Real” Mascara
  • NYX Slim Eye Pencil (Moss)

Lips

  • Revlon Color Burst Lipstick (Soft Nude)