I finished up a lot of staples (like Tom's Mouthwash and Plackers Dental Flossers - great for Invisalign) and have already repurchased them. I do want to mention a few favorites, that I've also already repurchased or will soon.
Empties #26
I finished up 32 products in August & September. Most of the products I have "meh"/indifferent feelings about.
I finished up a lot of staples (like Tom's Mouthwash and Plackers Dental Flossers - great for Invisalign) and have already repurchased them. I do want to mention a few favorites, that I've also already repurchased or will soon.
I finished up a lot of staples (like Tom's Mouthwash and Plackers Dental Flossers - great for Invisalign) and have already repurchased them. I do want to mention a few favorites, that I've also already repurchased or will soon.
September Favorites
DHC Lip Cream
I finally realized fragranced lip balms were only making my chapped lips worse. My lips respond really well to Lanolin - aka Nipple Cream. While you can get a large bottle for under $10, it just isn't ideal to tote around and apply on-the-go. I'm loving this lip cream - or balm, rather. I really appreciate the lipstick-like packaging and no fragrance. It leaves a nice sheen behind; my chapped lips have improved a lot. I hope this works well in the winter, too!
July & August Favorites
It's been a long time since I missed a monthly favorites post! The first week of August was pretty hectic for me; I never got around to sharing my July Favorites. I hope you don't mind this two-in-one! I've been really into minimal makeup lately. I'm sure it's a mixture of the heat and working from home.
The Body Shop Vitamin E Lip Care Stick SPF 15
I was looking for a really moisturizing lip balm with SPF to take on my vacation to Florida. This lip balm had glowing reviews. My lips have responded really well to this - probably because it doesn't have any fragrance additives! It doesn't taste or smell great, but I like the moisture it provides.
The Body Shop Vitamin E Lip Care Stick SPF 15
I was looking for a really moisturizing lip balm with SPF to take on my vacation to Florida. This lip balm had glowing reviews. My lips have responded really well to this - probably because it doesn't have any fragrance additives! It doesn't taste or smell great, but I like the moisture it provides.
Empties #25
Haircare
Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo (Sephora Play!, sample size) • Ouai Rose Hair & Body Oil (Sephora Play!, sample size)
June Favorites
I discovered a few new-to-me products this month, and I've been really pleased with all of them.
Lancome Juicy Shaker in Piece of Cake
I purchased a few items from Sephora early in the month; this was the only item I ended up keeping. I thought this product was really gimmicky when I first saw it on social media. Not to mention, $22 seemed a bit steep for a glorified Lip Smackers product.
Lancome Juicy Shaker in Piece of Cake
I purchased a few items from Sephora early in the month; this was the only item I ended up keeping. I thought this product was really gimmicky when I first saw it on social media. Not to mention, $22 seemed a bit steep for a glorified Lip Smackers product.
Empties #24
Haircare
Briogeo Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray (Sephora Play! Sample) • Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Night Cap Overnight Perfector (Sephora Play! Sample) • Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Dark Tones • Unwash Bio-Cleansing Conditioner (Birchbox Sample)
May Favorites
This month, I've been content with minimal makeup - so my favorites are really lacking.
I've been trying to find the perfect brow powder for awhile now. Most shades are always too red and I end up returning them. I discovered the Pixi By Petra Brow Powder Palette at the first of the month and I've been using it almost daily. I've been a huge fan of brow pencils for the longest time but powder looks so much more natural. I especially like how I can mix multiple shades to get the perfect match. Some days, this palette also doubles as an eyeshadow for me.
I've tried out a few highlighters over the past few months, but I always go back to BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter in Moonstone and wonder why I ever strayed away!
filled in brows & shimmering cheeks,
-Kaitlyn
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I've been trying to find the perfect brow powder for awhile now. Most shades are always too red and I end up returning them. I discovered the Pixi By Petra Brow Powder Palette at the first of the month and I've been using it almost daily. I've been a huge fan of brow pencils for the longest time but powder looks so much more natural. I especially like how I can mix multiple shades to get the perfect match. Some days, this palette also doubles as an eyeshadow for me.
I've tried out a few highlighters over the past few months, but I always go back to BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter in Moonstone and wonder why I ever strayed away!
filled in brows & shimmering cheeks,
-Kaitlyn
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April Favorites
Dove Dry Spray Invisible Solid Antiperspirant in Clear Finish
When I was a teenager, I remember trying a lot of spray-on deodorants. They never dried and I walked around the house with my arms in weird position. Sometimes, I even resorted to using a blow dryer on my armpits so I could put a shirt faster.
Empties #23
Almay Makeup Eraser Sticks
This is both a staple and an HG product for me.
Benefit Gimme Brow in 3
(Birchbox Sample) I really liked this product but didn't love it enough to repurchase the full size. I prefer pencils to actually fill in my brows. If you already have fluffy brows, this tinted brow gel is for you!
March Favorites
Dr. Hauschka Facial Toner
This toner has been on my wishlist for over a year. I saw it was in the Whole Foods Beauty Bag and I was super excited to finally try it out! I like how clean and refreshed it my makes my face feel.
February Favorites
Favorites posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month.
Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick
I raved about this last month. I'm still using this sheer, beautiful berry shade almost daily.
Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer in Light Sand
Is this product worth the hype? Absolutely! It was one of the most raved about products and out of stock for the longest time. I finally got my hands on one of the new shades. It's nearly a perfect match! Finding a yellow-toned concealer has always been a challenge for me. This concealer is full coverage and finishes beautifully. The size of this is nearly double drugstore wands - which definitely helps justify the higher price.
Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick
I raved about this last month. I'm still using this sheer, beautiful berry shade almost daily.
Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer in Light Sand
Is this product worth the hype? Absolutely! It was one of the most raved about products and out of stock for the longest time. I finally got my hands on one of the new shades. It's nearly a perfect match! Finding a yellow-toned concealer has always been a challenge for me. This concealer is full coverage and finishes beautifully. The size of this is nearly double drugstore wands - which definitely helps justify the higher price.
Empties #22
Here are all of the products I finished in December & January:
7 Wonders Himalayan Camellia Pore Minimizing Sheet Mask
(Birchbox) Sheet masks are becoming my go-to for convenience. I didn't notice a major improvement in my skin after using this one.
Acure Organics Pore Minimizing Facial Scrub
(Birchbox Sample) This scrub was really weird. It was very fragrant, in a natural way. It was almost the color of coffee. I ended up using this on my body instead of my face - the smell and color was just too much for me to handle. I prefer more abrasive scrubs. I wasn't really a fan of this one.
7 Wonders Himalayan Camellia Pore Minimizing Sheet Mask
(Birchbox) Sheet masks are becoming my go-to for convenience. I didn't notice a major improvement in my skin after using this one.
Acure Organics Pore Minimizing Facial Scrub
(Birchbox Sample) This scrub was really weird. It was very fragrant, in a natural way. It was almost the color of coffee. I ended up using this on my body instead of my face - the smell and color was just too much for me to handle. I prefer more abrasive scrubs. I wasn't really a fan of this one.
January Favorites
Favorites posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month.
Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick
I received this in my Sephora Play! Box this month. I was really afraid this was going to be a very dark, vampy shade. But it's actually more of a tinted balm. It's a beautiful berry shade. It's really easy to apply on-the-go. I've been wearing this almost every day since I received it!
Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick
I received this in my Sephora Play! Box this month. I was really afraid this was going to be a very dark, vampy shade. But it's actually more of a tinted balm. It's a beautiful berry shade. It's really easy to apply on-the-go. I've been wearing this almost every day since I received it!
2016 Beauty Favorites
I'm excited to bring you my annual favorites for the seventh year in a row! It was neat to look back on my favorites from 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. In years past, I did a long list of favorites featuring one product from every category. This year, I want to change it up a bit and feature a handful of products I truly loved and used most of the year.
Becca Moonstone Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed
This is my favorite highlighter, hands down. I love that's subtle and not super glittery, but it still provides a beautiful glow.
beautyblender
This sponge blends out concealer and foundation beautifully. Every now and then, I try using my fingers or a brush instead - it just doesn't compare!
Top 10 Most-Used Products in 2016:
Becca Moonstone Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed
This is my favorite highlighter, hands down. I love that's subtle and not super glittery, but it still provides a beautiful glow.
beautyblender
This sponge blends out concealer and foundation beautifully. Every now and then, I try using my fingers or a brush instead - it just doesn't compare!
December Favorites
Favorites posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month.
ColourPop Smoke n Whistles Cheek Shock Highlighter
I've owned this for awhile but I recently started reaching for it more around the holidays. This highlighter is SO shimmery. It's beautiful but I feel like it's too much for everyday wear. I like wearing it for night outings and special occasions. The texture is really neat - a bouncy cream that dries to a shimmery powder. If you want an extra shimmery highlighter, this is for you!
ColourPop Smoke n Whistles Cheek Shock Highlighter
I've owned this for awhile but I recently started reaching for it more around the holidays. This highlighter is SO shimmery. It's beautiful but I feel like it's too much for everyday wear. I like wearing it for night outings and special occasions. The texture is really neat - a bouncy cream that dries to a shimmery powder. If you want an extra shimmery highlighter, this is for you!
