1. Sephora Bronzing Powder
So once again when I went into Sephora for my huge haul at the beginning of the month I absolutely had to buy this bronzing powder. I initially went in to get the Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil bronzer because I had heard so many good things about it. I wasn't really into the fact that it literally smelled like chocolate though. The lovely lady at Sephora recommended this product to me which was SO MUCH CHEAPER, and didn't smell like a candy bar - so of course I snatched it up. It was $17 compared to the $30 the Too Faced one, which makes a big difference. After using it all of this month I am so in love I don't know how I ever lived without it. It's supposed to be a dupe for the Too Faced, but since I haven't used that product all that much I can't really say whether or not that is true. I got the shade 'los cabos' which is a matte medium brown. There were so many options I was overwhelmed, but what I really like about this product was that it wasn't too dark or too light and because it was matte it is perfect for contouring. Like I said, I've been using it all month and I've barely made a dent in it. It is super pigmented and really blendable which is always a plus because you don't want your contour to be super harsh or muddy. Definitely something lighter skin girls should try out, especially in the Winter when you probably aren't as bronzed as you might be in the Summer. Plus, for $17 there's no excuse not to.
2. Mary-Lou Manizer by The Balm
In general, I'm not a huge highlighter fanatic. I have a few, but could really just do with one or none at all. HOWEVER, this highlighter is like heaven. The Balm must have used magic fairies to make it because it is that amazing. It is extremely pigmented, and has just the right amount of shine. It feels like I'm never going to run out of it because you literally need the smallest amount to do the job. I use it to highlight the highest parts of my cheek bones and my cupids bow & the finish is phenomenal. If you do not have this product, literally stop reading this and order it right now. It has the perfect amount of nude and honey-hued gold shimmer to it so that it makes you look amazingly highlighted, and not like a disco ball. I got mine off of Amazon for $20, but it retails for $24 on The Balm's website. I really don't need to do a big shpeal on it - it's amazing, you need it in your life, go get it.
3. Clarisonic Mia 2
So I know I'm a little behind the trend but I really just never wanted to break down and invest in a product this pricy, especially since I've never really had problematic skin. However, I did end up getting it at the beginning of the month and I have to say, I am OBSESSED. First and foremost, yes, it is worth the price. Retailing a $150 at Sephora and on the Clarisonic website, it is understandable why you aren't jumping at the opportunity to buy one, but it will truly change your life. What the Clarisonic does is penetrate deep into your pores to remove the dirt and oil, AND makeup, something your hands can't do. That being said, your skin will get worse before it gets better- do not panic, work through it. This happens because your skin is purging itself of all the impurities, allowing your best skin to shin through.There are five different brush heads available with the device, each for different things and skin types. Each Clarisonic Mia 2 comes with the sensitive brush head on it to start. I decided to buy the deep pore brush head and begin with that because I don't have sensitive skin and I really wanted the Clarisonic to get deep down in there. The brush heads retail for $25 each or 40$ for a pair, and need to be replaced roughly every three months. I decided to get the Mia 2 in the plain white color because I usually get bored of anything too vibrant or colorful after a few months, however, it does come in a variety of colors. Right now on Clarisonic.com they have a new limited edition collection called the 'Festival of Colors' collection, which features 4 different limited edition colors, so I would definitely recommend checking that out if you are a bright color lover. The main differences between the Mia 2 and the first Mia are the shape and speed features. The Mia 2 is smaller and more comfortable to hold and features two speeds, whereas the Mia has only one speed setting. Both are 100% waterproof which is a big plus if you want to use it in the shower and don't want to get electrocuted or anything. The Clarisonic can be used with any facial cleanser you want as long as it isn't an exfoliator (so whichever soap you use for your face is fine, I've been using the Clinique liquid facial soap). The Clarisonic works on a 60 second cycle, and I won't bore you with too many details, but you can go on the Clarisonic website to find out more about it if you do end up getting it. Unless you suffer from cystic acne, I would recommend this product to everyone. You truly do notice a difference in the quality of your skin and it really is worth all the hype. If you can manage to spare the money, go out and get one and try it for yourself. Clarisonic offers a 90-day money back guarantee so you can't really go wrong. And if any of you lovelies do end up getting it, please comment below and let me know if you have any questions and how your liking it.
4. Origins GinZing Eye Cream
I picked up this gem early in the month at Sephora, and you guessed it, I am OBSESSED. It retails for $30 which isn't too bad for an eye cream. I was torn between this one and getting one from Clinique since I already use so many of their products. I decided to go with this one because it really targeted the things I needed. The goal of the cream is to brighten and depuff - which means it will get rid of those pesky dark circles and bags. Because I'm barely 20 I wasn't too worried about getting an anti-aging eye cream just yet, but I had notice some dehydration lines under my eyes and this bad boy cleared those right up. This is the first Origins product I've ever really tried and I have to say I was super impressed. The smallest amount goes such a long way and for the price I think you get a lot of product. It doesn't feel greasy or sticky like a lot of eye creams I've used before and sits really nicely under my makeup. Unlike other eye creams or serums I've used in the past this one is meant for use in the AM, which I think makes sense, because it helps your eyes when you need it, as apposed to having your dark circles and bags vanish in your sleep. On the Origins website it says the product contains Caffeine from Coffee bean, Panax Ginseng, Magnolia Extract and natural optic brighteners. These ingredients are supposed to 'wake up, refreshen and restore radiance to tired eyes.' I genuinely believe this product does everything it claims to. I'm obviously not paid by Origins to give them a good review, so if it wasn't worth the money I would let you guys know. But again, if you can, try this product out and let me know what you think :)
5. Nuance Renewed Radiance Moisturizing Day Cream
So I got like 10 samples of this cream at my local CVS and wasn't expecting much from it, but was once again pleasantly surprised. The Nuance brand is relatively new and was developed by actress Salma Hayek. The brand has literally every beauty product you can think of, from hair care, to make-up, nail polish, facial treatments, body creams - literally everything. The cream has SPF 30 in it but doesn't have that disgusting sunblock scent, which is really nice. Its thick, but doesn't feel like its clogging your pores by any means. It also has a bunch of yummy ingredients in it which are supposed to help the overall tone of your skin over time. Its sold at CVS online and in stores for $16.99 which is pretty reasonable. However, you don't get that much bang for your buck. My skin gets supper dry in the winter so I lather my face with cream like its no ones business - meaning I've gone through it relatively quickly. However, that being said, I've had trouble finding moisturizers that have sun protectant, but don't smell like it. All in all, for a drugstore skin care product, I think it does what it says it well, protects you from the sun, and smells nice and fresh, so its a winner in my book. If any of you have been using any day creams lately that you're in love with or recommend me trying, please let me know in the comments below!
6. L'Oréal True Match Lumi
Another thing I'm super late in trying, but what can you do. I actually picked this up one day on a whim when I got a little beauty happy in CVS. I do have to say it was one of the better impulse buys I've made in my life. I'm in the shade W4 - natural beige, which matches my skin PERFECTLY. L'Oréal really hit the nail on the head with this product. First and foremost, the True Match line has more color diversity than a lot of other lines I've seen at the drugstore which is really nice. Even for me, having 4 colors to choose from is not ideal. The whole idea behind the Lumi is that it is supposed to help improve the look of your skin while you wear it. I don't know any girl who would object to that. The one thing I really love about this product is the luminous finish. You read 'Lumi' in the name and it can either make you think your going to look super shiny or that it probably won't live up to the expectations. The product really gives you the perfectly balanced dewy finish. I have some dry patches on my skin and it didn't cling to them at all. I want to say this is a medium coverage foundation, but can definitely be built up to full if you want to. It was only $12.99 at my CVS and if you love make-up like I do, you know that is a steal for a good foundation. It is sold pretty much everywhere; Walgreens, Ulta, Target, etc. The only skin type that might not be in love with it are my oily skin girls. It is after all a luminous foundation, so if you are super oily, I'd stay away and go for something with more of a matté formula like the Revlon Colorstay Whipped.
7. NuMe Arganics Argan Oil
Last, but certainly not least is Nume's Arganics Argan Oil. This product is nectar sent down from the hair gods to give us luscious locks. Seriously this product is AMAZING. That being said, it is super pricy. It goes for $59 on the NuME website, but it is worth every penny. Luckily, my wonderful boyfriend managed to snag me two during their huge black Friday sale, so thats how I got my hands on it. Right now NuMe is having a 50% off site-wide sale, including free shipping when you use the code 'justforyou' at checkout, so what better time to pick one up for yourself. I am the type of person who really doesn't mind spending money, but I hate wasting it. That being said I can honestly sit here and tell you that this is a really good investment, especially if you're either trying to to grow out your hair like I am, or you are regularly coloring it. NuMe is also constantly having awesome sales, and when you sign up for their emails you get something like $50 off of your first purchase. I have tried more hair oils that anyone I know, and this is the best of the best. It is moisturizing, but not heavy or greasy - it gets the job done the best way possible. So if you are able to spare the money, or your significant other is able to get it for you for valentine's day, DO IT!
8. Clinique Blushing Blush Powder
Anyone who knows me know my holy grail blush is Nars' Orgasm, but, I decided to switch it up this month and try something new. This blush was actually something I got as part of a gift with purchase ages ago, and I recently stumbled upon so I thought I should use it up before it gets lost again. The shade I've been using is 'Cupid' - a BEAUTIFUL pale, dusty pink. I really decided to use it because since I am a lot lighter than I am in the summer, the pink was just the perfect shade to make me look rosy, but not fake. The picture to the left is not the packaging mine came it, probably because Clinique changes their packaging every five minutes, but nonetheless, its great. In comparison to Orgasm, this one has significantly less sparkle, where the Orgasm has a greater mixture of bronzed gold. This blush would definitely not work for darker skin tones, just because of the fact that it is so sheer and subtle. That being said, if you are suffering from a pale winter like me, this is definitely something you should try. The pigmentation is great, and its extremely blendable and easy to work with. It retails for $21 on the Clinique website, but I think it is definitely worth trying out - who knows, it could be your new favorite blush!
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