A Very Belated January 2014 Favorites

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!

Caitlin xx