Orange is a huge trend right now and has been for some time and I'm loving every second of it. Orange lips are such a fun way to brighten up your look for the summer or put a twist on a classic look. Here's just a few of my favorites.
Lancôme Color Design in Tango Fusion: This is my all-time favorite orange lipstick. It's a true orange with amazing opaque coverage that's more or less glides on.
Maybelline Baby Lips Electro Lip Balm in Oh! Orange: I know, a lip balm isn't really a lipstick but this one has amazing pigmentation for a balm and it's a great way to start off if too bold of an orange lip frightens you.
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Siren: The Revlon formula is one of my favorites for drugstore lipsticks. This shade is bright and opaque while being just a tad lighter than the Lancôme shade.
Maybelline Color Elixir in Orange Aglow: I'm in love with the Color Elixir formula and this is no exception. Orange Aglow is wonderful to wear on its own for a sheer wash of orange or over any orange lipstick for a glossy finish. Unfortunately this muted neon shade was limited edition (although you could probably find it on ebay/amazon if you wanted to) but they still have a classic orange as part of their permanent collection.
L-R: Lancôme Color Design in Tango Fusion; Maybelline Baby Lips Electro Lip Balm in Oh! Orange; Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Siren; Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids Lipcolor in Vibrant Mandarin; Maybelline Color Elixir in Orange Aglow
Are you embracing the orange trend as much as I am? If so, what's your favorite?
I know, I did it again but excuse me... I don't really have much of an excuse. Either way, February has been a whirlwind month for me. I moved to Massachusetts and settled into a (kind of) new job and started the beginning of my new life with my lady love. And ya know, so far so good.
I've found a holy grail product in the Clinique Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser. I have a lot of redness in my skin on any average day (thanks, dad). Some of it can be due to sensitivity and irritation but mostly it's just the way it is. This cleanser just soothes the crap out of my face. It's made with "probiotic technology" which pretty much means it's doing something with yeast on your face. It sounds super weird but it works! It's a more active solution versus just using another cleanser that just won't irritate your already irritated skin. It's extremely gentle and it also takes off ever ounce of my makeup. I don't know how but it does. It's a miracle worker.
My hair has been so full of life and volume and it's because of this little dream team:Lush Big Shampoo and Veganese Conditioner. I've mentioned these two briefly in my what's in my shower post. That was right around when I first picked them up and since I've fallen desperately in love. My hair feels clean and soft without feeling stripped or weighed down. The shampoo is made with sea salt which de-greases and also adds mega volume. The conditioner is vegan so it's made without lanolin hence why it's so light. It's also made with lemon oil so it smells great and leaves hair super shiny.
I talked about my Chubby Stick love in my last favorites post and this month the only thing that's changed there is color I've been loving. The Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Color Balm in Grandest Grape. It's a gorgeous deep berry-red that flirts with fuchsia without being too pink or purple. The color is more opaque than the one I mentioned last month because this is the intense version but it's just as lovely and moisturizing.
Ah, yet another Clinique product has found its way into my makeup bag and I couldn't be more excited about this little darling. It's the Clinique Cheek Pop Blush in Peach Pop. First of all, how freaking cute is this packaging. It's so different for Clinique and so modern and girly and fun and springy and pretty. Okay, I promise I don't just love it for its looks, this blush is like no other. It's got this lovely creamy consistency but goes on like a powder. The pigmentation is wonderful and it blends like a dream. They've also made them a permanent part of their collection so I can go and scoop the rest of them up. And so can you!
I really hate including little sample sizes in my monthly favorites but Kristin gave me this tiny Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Mascara and it's been incredible. My lashes are longer and fuller and it holds a curl so well. I haven't noticed any flaking either. I'm desperate to get a full size of it. And I will. Soon. (Update! In the very long time between my starting of this post and today I have indeed procured a full size version of this little boo.)
I don't know about you but I've been desperate for spring and winter just won't quit. Well, I'm going to force it to be spring one way or another and the easiest way to get myself in a spring mood is with a switch of fragrance. Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh is by far my favorite spring scent. It's quite floral, obviously, but also kind of fresh and a little bit fruity as well. It's amazing and it really blends with my skin chemistry well.
I know I've been kind of complaining about having weighed down hair and I know that a leave in conditioner isn't really the way to go with that but I think from switching over to a lighter conditioner my hair does have a tendency to get a bit more tangled. I like the Not Your Mother's Knotty to Nice Conditioning Detangler so much because it really isn't that heavy at all. In fact it pretty much just detangles and the leaves my hair feeling smooth as a baby's bottom. I just spray a little bit on the ends and my comb goes through like butter.
This month I've been crazy about the girl group Neon Jungle. There sound is so different that other girl groups out there and they're also so dang cute as well. I'm in love with their second single, Braveheart, and I can't wait for their first album to be released.
We've also been watching Nashville like crazy. Hulu Plus has all the episodes up and we're hooked. It's such a fun show. There's so much drama and the characters are all so wonderful and the music!!!! I can't wait to be caught up.
That's all for my February favorites. I'll be sure to start on my March ones ASAP so you don't have to wait until June for them.
Please excuse the tardiness of this post – the first month of the year was quite hectic and I can't even tell you what happened to February. My only excuse is that I've moved across four states and started a new job.
This post might also be quite a bit strange as these were the products I was crazy about four weeks ago. Naturally, as it is late February I've become obsessed with so many new things but I will try to drum up the same amount of enthusiasm that I had for these in January.
Through the month I truly suffered from a pretty gruesome case of combination skin as winter and stress really reared their ugly heads. Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash to the rescue. Seriously, using this stuff makes my face feel ridiculously clean and balances out the gross oily patches as well as the dry bits. Amazing.
I was gifted this little baby for Christmas by my darling Kristin of alittlefille. She knows me so well as I got a ridiculous ton of wear of Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Super Strawberry. Now these aren't really anything new, and we're all pretty familiar with the lip crayon thing but I have to say, I really do think the Clinique ones are my favorites. They're incredibly moisturizing and since they have no scent they're not irritating on the lips at all. Super Strawberry is an amazing sheer pinky berry that straddled perfectly between my lust for berry lips while also kind of craving a more natural lip color for the new year.
In that same vein of natural lips, I found my perfect "your lips but better" color in Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Lip Color in Spiced Rose. It's a rosey beige so clearly a perfect color but also the formula is kind of amazing. It wears for awhile and doesn't dry out my lips at all. It's an indulgent lipstick but well worth it, I think, if you find your perfect shade.
I am always always always on the lookout for good top and basecoat duos. I'm a little bit weird as I really prefer them to come from the same brand. I don't know if I think it works better that way, but I just like it for some reason. Anyway, I've tried many combos from pretty much every brand you could name and I have to say I am really digging the Butter London Top & Tails Set (Nail Foundation Flawless Basecoat and Hardwear P.D. Quick Topcoat) more than I have anything else I've used in awhile. The base coat creates a gorgeous nude canvas for your lacquer and the top coat really seals it all together. My manicures have lasted anywhere from five to seven days without a chip in sight. The only downside is that the topcoat does take a bit longer to dry than some of the other ones out there, but I think the little bit of extra dry time is worth it in the end if you can stand it.
The Josie Maran Bear Naked Nail Wipes are unlike anything I've tried before. I've tried more than my fair share of nail polish removers and wipes and everything in between but these are a different ballgame. They remove the polish and also nourish the nails and cuticles in a way that so many of the just for nails and cuticle products don't. Nails feel clean and hydrated and absolutely ready for the next manicure. (These ones I had were special edition for the holidays and smelled of peppermint, but they're available year round in a refreshing grapefruit scent.)
That's all for my ridiculously late January faves. Let me know what you've loved for these first few months of 2014 and I'll see you in just a few days (fingers crossed) for my February favorites!
Shockingly enough, inspiration for this post struck me while I was, get this, in the shower. Now, I really enjoy noseying into what people keep in their medicine cabinets and shower and the like. It's just bizarrely interesting to see what people use on a daily basis so I figured I'd go and show you all what I keep in my shower.
Pink Warm & Cozy 2-in-1 Wash & Scrub: I've mentioned before in my October favorites that I am crazy for this scent so naturally I have it in my shower. This is mostly my every day body wash and it's wonderful. I like that it doubles as a scrub but usually I just pour a bit onto a loofah and lather up.
Skintimate Skin Therapy Lotionized Dry Skin Moisturizing Shave Gel: I'll be honest, I don't use shaving cream very often because I'm pretty lazy when it comes to shaving my legs. Still this shave gel is really nice and moisturizing so it's great for using in the winter, especially.
Yes To Cucumbers Daily Gel Cleanser: I bought this cleanser because it was on a dupe list for Clinique Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser. Now, I don't think I buy this as a dupe, per se, but it's a pretty decent product and is definitely very gentle. My only complaint is that it doesn't lather up much which may be nitpicky of me but it bugs me for some reason.
Laura Mercier Tarte au Citron Crème Body Wash: This came GWP and I absolutely love it. It smells amazing – like lemon icing but not overly sweet. I've been using it every shower but I should really limit myself because it was unfortunately limited edition for the holidays (in fact, I think you can only get it in the gift set).
Lush Ocean Salt: I've mentioned Ocean Salt more than once on here so I'm just going to tell you it's wonderful and move on.
Gillette Venus & Olay Razor in Sugarberry: Another reason I don't go through much shaving gel, is because these razors have the little built-in moisture bars so shaving is usually pretty quick and hassle-free.
Suave Professionals Rosemary + Mint Shampoo: I like to use this as a bit of a clarifying shampoo about once every week or two. It works pretty good and smells nice as well.
Bath and Body Works Sweet on Paris Shower Gel: We're now reaching the section of my shower that I don't use too often, but there it is. I stocked up like crazy on this shower gel in the sale after Christmas last year (like in 2012, I mean). It's very sugary – it's supposedly inspired by Parisian patisseries with notes of blackberry, lemon meringue, and vanilla. It lovely but I've just kind of moved on so it doesn't get much use anymore. Clean & Clear Morning Burst Facial Cleaner: Again, another product that hasn't seen much use lately – although I do think I used it last week. I tend to not really take many showers in the morning so that's the reason I don't get much use out of this. It's a nice product though – quite brightening and refreshing. Lush Snowcake Soap: I love soap from Lush a lot. They've got so many amazing scents and Snowcake really just takes, well, the cake. It's got a smooth almond marzipan and vanilla scent and it's not overpowering at all. It lathers nicely as well. It's a nice little treat. Lush Sandstone Soap: I got this little buddy as a sample with one of my many Lush purchases over the past few months. I was hesitant about this product in the beginning but for some reason I decided to give it a shot. Turns out, I actually really enjoy this soap and am considering purchasing a full size for the summer. The thing about Sandstone is it actually has bits of sand in it so it's extremely exfoliating and too rough for my body. However, I love to use this on my feet which can get quite nasty. The soap also has a really nice lemony scent, which if you haven't figured out by now it's totally my jam. Bath and Body Works Paris Amour Golden Sugar Scrub: Another product I've kind of moved on from. The sugar scrub is nice and exfoliating but also leaving skin soft and moisturized. However, I've kind of just moved on to my Ocean Salt.
Lush Ponche Shower Gel: These are my latest shower additions, and I haven't actually used Ponche yet. But just from smelling it, I think I'm going to be a big fan. It's like a spicy orange scent and it's quite invigorating. I can't wait to give it a go. Unfortunately it's limited edition for Christmas, so if I fall in love I'm going to have to wait until next year to scoop more up.
Lush Big Sea Salt Shampoo: I've been wanting to try out this shampoo for the longest time and I recently decided to take the plunge. Now, granted, I've only used this once so far but it's amazing. My hair is fuller and has tons more volume and it's not weighed down at all. I'm so impressed.
Lush Veganese Hair Conditioner: Lastly, my new Veganese conditioner. I had a sample of this a while back and I was so impressed with that use that I decided to go big instead of going home. It's made with seaweed and lemon oil and gives crazy volume which, as you might have noticed, has become a bit of a thing for me. It's great and I'm really happy with it.
Whew, that was quite a lot of chatter so thanks bunches if you've read through it all. Let me know what you've been using and loving lately in your shower. Toodles.
How gorgeous is the Pantone Color of the Year for 2014: Radiant Orchid! This gorgeous fuchsia shade with pink and purple undertones. Above are just a few of my favorite makeup products in this year's favorite color. It's flattering on everyone and I can't wait to see what new products are going to be released this year in this breathtaking shade.
