A Savings Smash Hit: Sephora Glossy Gloss in Candy Necklace

$10.00 for 0.5fl.oz/15ml

When I walked into Sephora during a recent mall trip with a friend, I thought she was going to be bored by a makeup store, so I quickly ran around a bit and tried on this Laura Mercier plumping gloss (the one in Pink Pearl) that looked and felt amazing immediately. Well, my friend wasn't bored at all, and I helped her find a fresh pink color that was low-hassle and low-maintenance since she rarely wears lip color at all. Throughout the hunt, I was starting to feel really intent on buying that Laura Mercier gloss I was wearing because every time I passed by a mirror I blinked at myself a bit and thought, "this looks good."

Sephora Glossy Gloss in Candy Necklace

After finally walking back over to pick up a box of the product, I saw the $30 price tag and just sighed loudly. I've been unable to get myself to drop $30 on a tube of Burberry Lip Cover that I've wanted to try since the brand announced their beauty line almost a year ago...so I couldn't get the plumping gloss...there was just no way. Within five minutes I had run straight over to the Sephora brand cosmetics and was wildly swatching to find the sheer, pale iridescent glow that I longed for, and VOILA! Candy Necklace!

Dior Put Me In Extase with DiorShow Extase Mascara

$28.00 USD for 0.33oz

I have family visiting, so I will make this a blitz-post if there ever was one! I first discovered this mascara last holiday season from a very expensive Dior palette which included six eyeshadows, a blush, a sheer powder, a beautiful lipgloss called Flash (seriously can't get over that gloss), and this little mascara. I'm excited to use the palette for the coming holiday season, because hey! it's still good stuff, right? and I look forward to buying a full-sized version of this mascara some day far from now when I no longer worry about spreading my resources across many, many mascaras....

No, you say? It will never happen, you say? Well, sweethearts, for this one, it might just happen!

without makeup

wearing Kirkland Mineral Loose Eyeshadows, e.l.f. Coffee Eyeliner, and DiorShow Extase Mascara

Dior DiorShow Extase Mascara is a lengthening mascara whose wearable comfort is unparalleled--at least in my experience. Since I started wearing mascara almost a decade ago, I've never had a product that caused no irritation upon application--zero around the eyes, in the corners after blinking, in my nose because the product smell is so strong, on the lashes because I have to apply so thickly--no irritation, I repeat!

I also find that this formula has the best results with the least fuss, i.e. a few sweeps and you're done really. I can see why this was included in a holiday palette, easy on/easy off and all. On that note, I don't particularly like waterproof mascaras because they are murder to remove; being the heavy, lusty lover of sleep that I am, I don't take kindly to things that make me stay awake longer, and waterproof formulas of anything really stay on far too long after scrubbing them for my tastes!

Mask of the Month: Estée Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Mask

$40.00 for 2.5 oz.

I haven't done a MotM in so long, probably due to my obsession and religious use of the Borghese mask that literally changed my skin into something I don't hate, but today's little diddy is well worth a gander!

Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Mask is a thick, creamy, iridescent mask that smells good, like a light musk/floral infusion (but I am very bad with scents so don't go by my description of that). Over a year ago, on my bf and I's road-trip, cross-country move, I used this mask every night to relieve some of the stress of all-day driving that my skin was definitely suffering from. My under-eye circles were almost purple by the time we got to our hotel rooms each night, and that is where the lovely EL Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex (below) came in super handy. But for the moment, lets go back to our lifting mask...

I'm not even to my mid-20s yet, so I will be the first to admit that my face does not need to be "lifted" at all, but one of the claims of the Resilience Lift Mask is that it "brighten[s] up the look of tired skin," which is most certainly a category my skin fits into about...oh, I don't know, all the time! While Resilience Lift sits on my skin I feel tightening, but it's not uncomfortable. Mostly, the aroma is relaxing, and my skin seems to be absorbing that iridescent glow from the cream. Usually, I left this on for as long as I could before I had to rinse and moisturize in order to actually fall asleep, but I also noticed that my moisturizer seemed to absorb more quickly after this mask. My skin also seemed much better hydrated in the morning after using this mask. Although I started with a sample size tube of 1 oz, I will be purchasing the full size when I have the funds and run out of other masks. It's worth it, bottom line.

The eye cream/gel is like liquid gold though! You seriously need to try this stuff if you have not because every night I put a tiny amount of this under my eyes, I woke up the next morning with absolutely no under-eye darkness of any sort. Literally, I looked like I had a full-coverage layer of concealer already on, but not as though I had makeup on, you understand; I just looked rested and like a photo-shopped model...at least in the eyes, well, the under-eyes... This goes into my all-time favorite skincare products category, and I strongly encourage you to see if it works this well for you! At $49.50 for 0.5oz, it certainly costs like liquid gold, but I used a 0.1oz tube over four weeks with no skimping (a very little bit goes a very long way).

Beauty Newb Rating: (mask)✪✪✪✩✩ (eye cream)✪✪✪✪✩
Available at Estee Lauder counters (and online) in Macy's, Nordstrom, and other fine retailers, and also online at Estee Lauder.com for the mask and eye serum.

Mood Boost: Dior '5 Couleurs' Eyeshadow Palette in Incongnito

$58.00 for 0.21oz/6g

There is really nothing like an *amazing* designer palette to put even the most frustrated makeup junkie in a good mood. Seriously, there is something about Incognito that just speaks to the simple beauty we crave and the bombshell within! As this palette shows, however, it will end up being a bit out of the range for darker skin, i.e. the colors are light enough to be super natural only on--you guessed it!--lighter skin. That may be a look you particularly enjoy; it may not.

Dior Incognito is my ultimate "goof-proof" palette because all of the colors blend together so smoothly, flawlessly, and just flat-out naturally no matter which combination of shape I put them down in. All five, even the warm, medium brown on the bottom left, brighten up my eyes and lighten my face, so I feel rested and as if I look relaxed (even when I'm not).

Shadows from left to right: (pan position)Bottom right, bottom left, center, top left, top right

The warm beige, light pink, and brown really flatter the natural color of most light to medium skinned eyelids, making this a versatile combination. There is also a special place in my heart for the cooler combo of shimmering white and an utterly drool-worthy grey (almost taupey) purple. I almost want to call it a lavender color, but I would rather describe it as a muted purple because I think of a brighter pop of color when I think of lavender.

Dior DiorSkin Nude Foundation in 010 Ivory

Part One for Build*A*Look #1: Backlit Beauty

DiorSkin Nude is a great line of products, so if you're interested in certain texture (you like powder over cream or liquid, etc.) you can pick and choose what best appeals to you. This is the one that strongly appealed to me a few months ago, and became my only foundation over Christmas break at my Mom's. This foundation has light to medium coverage and neutral undertone. In fact, this was the only Dior liquid foundation I could get because it comes in this ultra-light, fair tone.

I find this liquid neutralizing; as opposed to looking unlike your skin tone it makes your skin look more neutral, naturally. It is this lovely quality which helps me pull off cooler colors when I want to try new things without looking like I don't know what fits my skin tone. Since I really want a good product like this in my kit as a makeup artist, I will probably be investing in the whole range as I can.

DiorSkin Nude Foundation SPF 10 in 010 Ivory

Aveda Nourish-Mint Rehydrating Lip Glaze in Raspberry Tea

$18.00 for 0.24 oz.

Not a bad Tuesday, to be honest. I don't think taking a shower in the morning has felt so refreshing in a long while, meaning I was either too stinky for my own good or I got decent sleep last night. I'm hoping it was good sleep because otherwise my boy is way too nice on Valentine's Day. So what is the best thing I wore on V-Day--why it's this gloss right here!!

Aveda Nourish-Mint Lip Glaze in Raspberry Tea

Yes, it rehydrates, and better than any gloss or lipstick I've tried ever. I hadn't even noticed how frequently I was reaching for this until I found a tiny bit of transfer on almost all of cups and mugs I had to wash of this very color. And as little transfer as I ever saw from my glosses too! It's insane how quickly this gloss (or glaze, as it's called) is just my go-to without any effort. Supposedly this will thoroughly recondition your lips in eight weeks...but I'm pretty sure it's done that in less than two for me...

I Almost Forgot! e.l.f. Daily Brush Cleaner and Brush Shampoo

e.l.f. Studio Daily Brush Cleaner and Brush Shampoo, $3 each

To be indiscreet, GET THESE, GET THESE, GET THESE. Now, onto an actual review of them.

These are unmissable tools that I forgot mostly because I use them without thinking about brand or color or anything, but I have to mention how amazing these work. First of all, washing your makeup brushes can be a pain in the butt that doesn't seem so necessary until it really is. When I think of washing brushes, I think of paint, which is creamy or liquid, I think of how you dip the brush in water first or you soak it to keep it "fresh" to use. If you're like me, most, if not all, of what you use brushes for is powder, so needing to wash them frequently seems tedious and unnecessary.

Shimmer Me Timbers- e.l.f.'s Shimmering Facial Whips are Super Versatile and only $1!

As a relative 'noob' to the cosmetic world, I have been struggling to find my place on the grand scale of how much shimmer I actually like on my face and skin. To be honest, big glitter and super shine are NOT my cup of tea, and drama make-up is a very rare occurrence outside of my front door (for me, but shh, I do it in secret...for practice...yes, practice only). Though I also have found a deep and passionate love for Chanel and Dior (Me <3 Dior and the Diva Points Program), I have to share my new favorite and go-to product for highlight, blush, definition (I'm also thinking bronze glow), and all-day care free one-time application: eight shades of pure creativity in these Shimmering Facial Whips from e.l.f.!

e.l.f. Shimmering Facial Whips in Spotlight, Lilac Petal, Golden Peach, Citrus, and Pink Lemonade

First, the beauty of these is a great range that can be applied sheerly to quite opaque. I personally own and use five shades: (from left) Spotlight, Lilac Petal, Golden Peach, Citrus, Pink Lemonade; and there are three others: Camilia, Persimmon, Toasted. Their consistency is rich and creamy, which at first made me nervous for blending out the richer colors.

A Treat for Everyone Except Super Germophobes - e.l.f. Hypershine Glosses

e.l.f. Hypershine Gloss from bottom to top: Blossom, Joy, and Poinsettia Red

So far I haven't been able to narrow down what makes me like a lip gloss and what I definitely don't want in one. I've thought about that kind of thing a lot this week: do I like the e.l.f. products I like because they are cheap or because they are good products in their own right? Officially, I never recommend things I don't like.

There have certainly been some products from brands (almost all brands) that aren't worth anything to me, even a dollar. And after reviewing all the posts from this week, I think I've been very true to what products I would really recommend to others and which ones I wouldn't. With that in mind, I do want to just outright say that these are my favorite e.l.f. lip product (since the cream liners are dead tied overall).

Hypershine glosses are about as sticky/tacky as Chanel Glossimers, but instead of having the shimmer-explosion effect of Glossimers, Hypershines look subtle and have a glassy, mirror-like shine, just as described online at purchase.

Left to Right: Poinsettia Red, Joy, and Blossom

e.l.f. Studio Matte Eyeshadows

e.l.f. Studio Matte Eyeshadow clockwise from top left: Muted Mauve, Nude, Charcoal, and Burnt Brown

I am not a shimmer queen; I don't do glitter 90% of my life, so when there is a matte product to be had, I'm on that like me on a cupcake (believe me, I replace "the fat kid" in cupcake, cake, and/or pie scenarios always). Eyeslipsface Studio Matte Eyeshadows are loose powders, not my favorite way to go but fine, that come mainly is frequently used/seen shades that thus are particularly useful. Remember Wild Sable? I'd have taken it back to Macy's in a heartbeat had Burnt Brown landed on my doorstep sooner!

e.l.f. Matte Eyeshadow in Burnt Brown, Muted Mauve, Nude, and Charcoal

e.l.f. Studio Cream Eyeliners-Used Everyday By Yours Truly!

Left row, top to bottom: Purple, Midnight, Gunmetal; Right row, top to bottom: Metallic Olive, Coffee, Copper

This formula beats out any other I've come across, if for no other reason than it doesn't irritate my eyes. I've found creamier ones that smudge more easily, but they also didn't last as long. I've found ones that are more shimmery/metallic, but the shimmer migrated and the color was not as bold. And I've found ones that have a wider range of colors, but my eyes started watering the second the brush got near my lashes.

I apply these using either the Small Angled Brush or Small Precision Brush from yesterday's reviews. I suggest working the product with the brush for a few seconds before applying, but once these set, they are on for at least 10 hours. I cannot remember any waterline migration from these though I don't usually heavily line that area.

e.l.f. Brushes- Essentials, Studio, and Mineral

Left to right: e.l.f. Professional Brow Comb & Brush, Lip Defining, Bronzing, Eye Liner, Smudge Eye Sponge, Eye Shadow, Defining Eye, Blending Eye, and Eye Crease Brushes

e.l.f. (Essentials) Professional Brushes:

Left to right: e.l.f. Professional Brow Comb & Brush, Lip Defining Brush, and Bronzing Brush

Brow Comb & Brush $1
Beauty Newb Rating:✪✪✪✩✩
Standard, but for one buck worth it, easily washable and durable in transport. I've had no teeth fall off or bristle fraying. This will last me far longer than $1 usually goes in value!
Lip Defining Brush $1
Beauty Newb Rating:✪✪✩✩✩
This one is not the best lip brush I've found, though I like that I feel comfortable using it and/or buying a bunch to use in cycle for combining colors or if doing someone else's look. Still worth it and easy to wash. Bristles stay stiff after washing but do fray periodically, have thus had some shedding.
Bronzing Brush $1
Beauty Newb Rating:✪✩✩✩✩
Pretty sure I've only ever used this as a blush brush, and when none of my others are clean, this gets the job done. I would only recommend using this with sheerer blushes/bronzers because it's not the best at perfect blending. More pigmentation would be more difficult to blend. The bristles are rougher than I'd like, not physically scratchy, but not luxurious to touch. Still works in a pickle though.

Rimmel London Lasting Finish Pro Nail Polish in Gold Silk- Possibly my favorite nail color ever.

$3.99 for 0.45 fl oz.

Today I present to you one of my all-time favorite nail polishes, and when I bought it I wasn't even sure I would like it! This is not your typical gold, which may be a big part of why I love it so much (I had to give away my Chanel Gold Lame polish because it was so so yellow). I have yellow undertones in my skin, some people call it 'golden' tone, and most golds are just too gold for me. This Gold Silk is perfect, a frosty metallic finish which reminds me of rose gold because you can just feel the skin-y pink and flesh tones in it. I'm really so in love with it.

I use a good base coat and two color coats to get the coverage and staying power, and then finish with a shinier top coat (in this case the same Sally Hansen Green Tea & Bamboo Nail Strengthener for both base and top coats). The brush for Rimmel Lasting Finish Pros are wider and flatter than the typical brush I've had in my polishes, for example e.l.f. nail polish, and I like how easy it is to cover the nail but not your cuticle. My polish skills have vastly improved over the course of Rimmel use, hurray!

My Perfect Primer: Smashbox Photo Finish Light Foundation Primer

$36.00 for 1.0 fl oz.

If anyone remembers the Pixi Primer review from a few weeks back, he/she will know that my skin breaks out really easily. I have to watch what works and what doesn't very carefully, especially when using different products in different mixes everyday. I was not a person who started out thinking/knowing that primer was a good idea; in fact, the general rule of thumb for my face a few months ago was fewer layers, fewer blemishes. Again, this is why BareMinerals worked so well for so long, coverage with a powder finish and the sam product is your concealer. Miracle! But in winter here, powder is a no go, so for my liquid foundations and to seal in my moisturizer, I've relied on this awesome primer.

My skin feels more consistently hydrated with Smashbox Primer on. As in, on the days I don't even put on makeup, when I just rinse and moisturize, my skin feels a little tighter and not as comfortable-smooth. I love the thick, silky texture of this primer, and it really does even out skin's texture (but not tone). There is a very slight smell that I can't discern, and the scent goes away almost instantly after pumping from the tube.

Serum Saturday: CHANEL Précision Pureté Idéale Sérum

$75.00 for 1.0 fl oz.

My god, Sparky has been a huge sweetie this week and is coping well with all the change (a taste of the nip helps him now-and-then), but Snowy's interaction with him is driving the dog-person in me nuts! Seriously, I'm not even a little used to cats yet...ugh. On a brighter note, this lovely, snow-covered morning at the end of the first month of this new year, I'm reviewing maybe my favorite serum I've ever used!

A purifying oil-free serum formulated with an advanced Marine-Bio Extract to help rebalance skin. Helps control oil production and reduces the appearance of pores for clear, smooth and refined complexion.

The Intense Refining Skin Complex from CHANEL was actually a bit of a shock for me. I'm not trying to knock the brand, I promise, but I think the reason I own as much CHANEL as I do is because I had this pedestal vision of the products. However, as with every brand, it's some stuff works for me and some stuff really, really doesn't. This is the product I believe I will use for years to come (budget allowing).

They Weren't Kidding! I'm Addicted to Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss

Ultra-Gloss in 257 Pink Trench ($26.50 for 0.21 fl oz.)

Pizza is about to arrive, so I'm gonna make this short and sweet. My current favorite formula of lip gloss is Ultra-Gloss because it is buttery, smooth, and feel like it melts straight onto, not into, my lips at application. There is no scent as far as my allergy-stopped-up nose can detect, and I've not noticed one before. The brush applicator seems to always pull out just enough product for a full application; the packaging is pretty and just small enough for me to call it non-bulky; and the name of the color reminds me of the iconic Burberry Trench (Pink Trench).

e.l.f. Complexion Perfection Is Basically My Savior

($3.00 for 0.48 oz./13.5g)

You know, when you have oily skin, it's not usually the shininess in the light that really gets to you but the feeling oily, as if you haven't tried everything to keep the oil at bay. That's how I feel towards the end of the day, since it's winter now, and ALL the time during summer. In humidity, and I've clocked this, it takes about six minutes out of air conditioning, shade, or indoors to put a thin film on my forehead and chin. It's horrifically frustrating, and since I was using BareMinerals, oil is difficult to control carrying around Mineral Veil in loose powder with a relatively full-sized face brush and buffing and tapping while holding things in both hands and taking up counter space with my purse. God forbid there be no ladies' room around to duck in to. There was also no compact mirror in that scenario, btw!

This powder from e.l.f. (short for eyeslipsface) combats pretty much everything: sallowness, redness, uneven tone, signs of fatigue, and shine. To be fair (no pun intended) it is easier for all of these things to feature prominently on really fair skin, like mine, so this powder does have a very pale lean. However, it can be used in moderation to just powder over shine instead of leave pigment because any actual pigment this compact would leave is in heavy doses. Just beware of overdoing it and whiting yourself out. A few pats and it is translucent.

Compact Perfection: the e.l.f. Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder

($3.00 for 0.28 oz./8g)

This is a fantastic buy, seriously. A super flattering shade of pinky-coral blush and a well-pigmented and blendable bronzer (so that's good for fair lasses, too)! For me it is oh-so-easy to overdo bronzer, and this product isn't so much an exception as it is a workable option where there are few.