2013 Beauty Favorites

Happy 2014! I'm excited to bring you my annual favorites for a FOURTH year! It was neat to look back on my favorites from 2010, 2011, and 2012 and compare them with the products I've used (or continued using) this year.

(The products marked with - means it is a type of product that I do not use, or I just didn't find a miracle product for the year.)

These are all products I have used continuously through out the year.  I have repurchased most of these or I will in the future.  I have recommended them to friends and family, and I recommend them to you.

Makeup beauty favorites

Makeup
Blush: Wet 'n' Wild Color Icon Heather Silk
Bronzer: -
Brush: Sigma F35 Tapered Highlighter
Concealer: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Concealer Treatment
Eyebrows: Prestige BrowPerfection Ideal Match Marbleized Brow Pencil
Eyelash Curler: -
Eyeliner: -
Eyeshadow: (high end) Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette & (drug store) Wet 'n' Wild Color Icon Trio Walking on Eggshells
Eyeshadow Primer/Base: NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
Foundation: Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free Foundation Stick
Highlight: MAC Soft & Gentle Mineralized Skin Finish
Lipgloss: -
Lipstick: Revlon Lip Butter in Pink Truffle
Mascara: Maybelline The Rocket Volum' Express
Nail polish: German-i-cure by OPI
Powder: -
Tool:Unii Cosmetics Palette
Top Coat Polish: -

High End Brand: NARS
Drugstore Brand: Maybelline

Body
Bath Product: -
Body Exfoliator: LUSH Ocean Salt Facial & Body Scrub
Body Lotion:Olay Quench Daily Body Lotion
Cuticle Cream: -
Nail Tool: Sephora Glass Nail File
Nail Polish Remover: Zoya Remove Plus
Fake Tanner: -
Foot Cream: -
Hand Cream: Soap & Glory Hand Food
Perfume: Stella by Stella McCartney
Shower Gel: Victoria's Secret Nearly Nude Body Wash
Soap: Dove Sensitive Skin
Teeth Whitening: Plus White 5 Minute Maximum Whitening Speed Gel

Haircare
Conditioner: Joico K-Pak
Electrical: -
Hair Dye: -
Hairspray: -
Mask: Macadamia Deep Repair Masque
Miracle Product: It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Spray
Shampoo: -

Skincare
Exfoliator: LUSH Ocean Salt Facial & Body Scrub
Eye Product: -
Cleanser/Makeup Remover: Clinique Take the Day Off & Olay Regenerist Wipes
Facial Mask: -
Lip Treatment: Burt's Bees Soothing Lip Balm with Eucalyptus & Menthol
Moisturizer: Origins Vitazing
Toner: Clinique Clarifying Lotion

here's to the best,
-Kaitlyn

Follow / Subscribe / Twitter / Instagram

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."

beauty favorites

eos Tangerine Medicated Lip Balm
I loved these eos "eggs" when they first came out. I quit using them just because they're so bulky. My sisters have been obsessed with these recently, so I decided to jump back on the bandwagon. This bright orange medicated one caught my eye on an end cap isle and I haven't been able to put it down since.

Lotions
I don't have one specific lotion but I am really enjoying all lotions in general, this month. With the cold weather, my skin has definitely needed some moisturizer and I'm close to finishing up quite a few bottles.

NARS Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in Rue Bonaparte
Years ago, I was one of those girls who would never leave the house without wearing black eyeliner. Now, I really dislike black eyeliner - it makes your eyes appear a lot smaller and sometimes even more tired looking. On the days I feel like I just really need some type of color on my waterline, I've been reaching for this liner - it makes my eyes appear a lot bigger, brighter, and more awake.

Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balm in Coy
I was a big fan of the kissable balm stains... so you can imagine my excitement when the lacquers and matte shades finally hit stores near me. Since my lips are so dry, I'm not a fan of the matte balms - but Coy is definitely my new favorite lip product! The dark color is pretty and really suits me and the formula feels great on my lips. The tiny shimmer isn't too noticeable but gives a nice shine.

liners & lotions,
-Kaitlyn

Follow / Subscribe / Twitter / Instagram

Holiday Haul

Happy Holidays!
I spent my holiday with great people, great food, and nice new things. If you recall, last year I also did a Holiday Haul, so I figured I should continue the tradition. I plan to do some after-Christmas-shopping in about a week, so that may be a separate post.

Sisters and dog in Christmas pajamas.

My mother has always gotten us Christmas pajamas - so of course, we continued that tradition.

Scotch heel shoe tape dispenser

My sister got me this cute tape dispenser that I can't wait to use!

chocolate makeup

This year, my "big item" from Santa was this beautiful tan faux leather Kenneth Cole jacket. I really liked all the small details - silver hardware, the asymmetrical zipper, studs, the double-wrap belt, and quilted arms and shoulders - I knew I had to have it! My favorite stocking stuffer was this chocolate make up kit. Santa knows me so well and combined my two favorite things!


My sweet boyfriend, Brad, spoiled me (as usual!) and got all the items that were at the top of my wishlist. I'm so excited to have my hands on the NAKED 3 palette and not to mention nail polish for DAYS! He also got me my first Ronaldo jewelry piece - the Etched in Time bracelet and managed to score this hard-to-find Alice+Olivia Starbucks mug.



It's better to give than to receive.


Along with a few other things, I got Brad a three-month subscription to Birchbox Man. Since I'm a long-time subscriber to the Woman's box, I've been eyeing Birchbox Man for awhile. I knew my dad wouldn't use the products. I'm not sure Brad will either, but I know he'll try anything once. Unlike the Woman's Birchbox, Birchbox Man also comes with STUFF (socks, boxers, t-shirts) other than just grooming products. I'm excited to see what is in the months to come!



Wishlist


"This was the easiest Christmas ever!" - my mother.  This is because I told her (and Brad) exactly what I wanted. I've been using Amazon wishlist for a long time - mostly for my own personal shopping reminder. This year, I decided to send my wishlist link out. My wishlist ranged from a $5 tape dispenser to a $4000 purse, and there was plenty in-between. I was able to provide exactly what I wanted, a picture, a link, the size/color I needed, and the item priority. I installed the Amazon wishlist browser button, which makes it super easy to bookmark an item from any web page (even items NOT on Amazon.) For the first Christmas in as long as I can remember, I have ZERO returns because of the wrong size or me just not liking the item - and it's extremely nice! If you're not already using Amazon Wishlist... I highly recommend it.

All of these items were received as gifts.

naughty or nice,
-Kaitlyn

Follow / Subscribe / Twitter / Instagram

November 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."


MAC Cleanse Off Oil
This is one my all-time favorite make-up removers. I use this 2-3 times a week and notice a much deeper clean and softer skin. 

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette
With all of the hype of the new Naked 3 palette, I decided to start using my Naked 2 palette again. (I quit using it just because it's so bulky to travel with.) I've mostly been using drugstore eye shadows over the past few months; the quality of my drugstore eyeshadows doesn't even compare to the Naked 2 palette. I can't believe I put this palette in the back of my vanity drawer! (Naked 3 is definitely on my wishlist!)

Zoya Remove Plus Nail Polish Remover
I've raved one too many times about this nail polish remover. I just repurchased another bottle, so I feel like it's worth another mention. It's so easy to use, gets off tough nail polish, smells great, and makes my nails seem a bit stronger.

cleaning out my vanity drawer,
-Kaitlyn


Follow / Subscribe / Twitter / Instagram

October 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."


I've rediscovered two favorites this month. The first one is Burt's Bees Soothing Lip Balm with Eucalyptus & Menthol. I used an entire tube of this, bought another one (and lost it) so I switched to a few other balms that just weren't cutting it. Mid-October, I picked up another Burt's Bees Soothing. I hope to use this one up completely, as well. It provides immediate relief and leaves a tingling sensation behind - it just feels like it's working!

My other favorite is L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara. I haven't used this mascara in over year; I forgot how much I like it. It's definitely an "oldie but goodie" in my book. I never have any clumps with this mascara and I always get super long, volumized lashes with just a few coats.

oldies but goodies,
-Kaitlyn

Follow / Subscribe / Twitter / Instagram