Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss Lipstick

     I have been a lover of lipstick for as long as I've been wearing makeup. When all of the girls at school were into lip glosses, I would pull out my trusty lipstick and be good to go! I don't know what it is- whether it's the color pay off or the lasting power but I have always preferred lipstick over lip gloss. I am a huge fan of all the bright colors, especially magentas and reds, so when I saw this line of lipsticks with a matte finish I had to try them.

     Ever since trying the Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede Lipstick in Finale that came out a few months ago I was hooked on matte lips. Oddly enough, those particular Revlon lipsticks weren't marketed as "matte" shades, but in my opinion the shade that I purchased totally was after it set. After seeing an all matte line coming from Rimmel, I beelined straight for the reddest shade I could find. I tried it and said that it was a little too dark for me in my CVS Haul. Rimmel then encouraged me to try the next lightest shade...

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss Lipstick:
Price: $5.79
Size: 0.14 OZ.

Shades: 110 & 111

Shade Selection: 10

Marketed As: "Sumptuously rich matte color with a sublime comfort. With a Ruby Power enriched formula that produces intense velvet color all day!"
Finish: Matte/Satin (I will touch on this later).

Product Photos:

     I have to say that these just didn't do it for me. The colors in the line are pretty but they don't suit my skin tone. Here are my overall thoughts...

Overall Application: These go on very smoothly for a "matte" (you'll see why this is in quotes later) lipstick. They go on evenly and you can get a pretty precise line without using a lip brush.

Overall Color: These shades simply weren't for me. The lighter shade (110) was more of a coral shade than a red in my opinion. I could see how this would suit a more medium skin tone but it just didn't work on my fair skin. The deeper shade (111) was too dark. It's a beautiful red- even the right boldness and true red color that I look for! It was just simply too dark of a color that wouldn't suit any occasion for me. In my opinion, there was a huge jump between shades with these two. I just wish there was an in-between color!

Overall Formula: For a "matte" lipstick, these are not very matte. You can see in the photos (with are without flash) that there is still a sheen to the lips. I would market these as a satin finish lipstick rather than a matte. Other than that, the formula was great! It glided on, lasted really well, and came off easily for a matte (or satin) finish lipstick.

Overall Packaging: I wasn't blown away with this packaging. It is typical drugstore packaging that isn't horrible nor great. 

Overall Wear: After setting on the lips this product wasn't tacky or overly drying like a lot of other matte lipsticks. I wore this to dinner and it stayed put even through eating! For not being a stain I was really impressed with the wear of this lipstick. It didn't leave the "lip liner" look (where it wears completely off in the middle and leaves you looking like you only applied lip liner)- which is one of my pet peeves!

Bottom Line: I will be returning both of these shades. They didn't fit what I was looking for in a lip product and I will most likely not be trying any others. I purchased Ronnie Red from the newest MAC collection which has ended my long time search for the perfect matte red shade.

Love, Lacey

Makeup and Clothing Haul 2/12/13

     I woke up bright and early to shop until I dropped this morning... well, not exactly. Jerome was having a test for school up in the area and we planned on meeting for lunch at a place right behind the mall. This is a mall that I don't get to go to very often so I had to figure out a way to get in there! I had class at 3:30 and wouldn't have had time to run in after lunch so I decided to go early! It worked out perfectly and I was there for about 2 hours. Here's what I got...

Makeup:

     I went to return two eyeshadows (Cranberry and Haux) and a blush (Breath of Plum) from MAC in hope of an exchange for different colors. For the price of these shadows I wanted to have something that I would constantly reach for while doing my makeup and those shades weren't doing that for me. I began with eyeshadows and decided to get some of the most popular shades that I had heard of. I ended up purchasing All That Glitters, Satin Taupe, and Omega. I also have been on the hunt for a matte red lipstick and decided to check out what this brand offered. The very nice lady had me try three shades and I fell in love with the very first one. I tried on Ronnie Red from the new Archie's Girls line and Russian Red as well as Viva Glam 5 (I believe) from their permanent line. If you can fall in love with a lipstick I definitely have. I purchased Ronnie Red and seriously am so excited to wear it. I also purchased MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light because of all the hype. I think I'll really enjoy it!

     I ran into Sephora to return the Benefit's They're Real Mascara and the Make Up For Ever concealer from my first post. I ended up seeing the Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar display and about jumped for joy! I knew they carried these on the website but I'm always afraid to order makeup shades online. I ended up purchasing the shade Strumpet as well as the small $10 version of the Oscar Blandi Volumizing Dry Shampoo I had heard so much about. The lip tars are AMAZING! I still have on the color that I applied in the store. A review will be coming very soon.

Clothes:

     I only ran into a few clothing stores and I am really happy with what I found. At Gap I found two casual sweaters that I love wearing with my J Crew Pixi Pants. The top one is navy with pink hearts on the front and back. I loved how this sweater continued to have the pattern on the front as well as back, usually I tend to see the pattern stopping on the front. I got the same style sweater in a different color and pattern also. The bottom one is navy with grey stripes with a color blocking detail of neon pink across the neckline. The top photo does not do it justice because its showing up orange- that is why I included the second picture, say hi to Snoball!

     Next up was H&M. I browsed through Forever XXI without any luck (that store is very hit or miss for me and I HATE their return policy). I came across this lace, black dress and decided to give it a try. It looks so much better on than it did on the hanger. It fits like a glove and I love the little cap sleeves. My style is definitely simple, classic, and girly and this dress fits that perfectly. It will become my go to little black dress in no time.

     Overall, it was a very successful shopping day! I am super excited to begin using/ wearing all of these products. I hope you enjoy these kinds of posts and I'll have another review up soon featuring the Rimmel Kate Moss lipsticks.

Love, Lacey

Felt-Tip Eyeliner Comparison

     I am a huge fan of felt tip eyeliners. Over the years I have tried every formula but always find myself referring back to the trusty felt tip. If I am wearing eyeliner you better believe that it'll be winged. Winging out my eyeliner defines my fairly round eyes and elongates them. Felt tip eyeliners are the easiest for me to create a quick and easy winged liner look.

     I recently went out and purchased the Jordana FabuLiner because of Tracy and Stefanie from Eleventhgorgeous! I already owned two others that I had been using and thought a comparison would be very helpful, even for me! Doing these posts not only educates you guys but also myself! It helps me think about the pros and cons of each product helping me make a final decision on the things I try. So, which eyeliner will come out on top? Heck, I don't even know at this point! Here are all the details...

Physicians Formula Eye Definer Felt-Tip Eye Marker:

Price: $7.00

Size: About 0.030 OZ. (It is not labeled on the liner itself- this is coming from the products site).

Shade: Ultra Black

Shade Selection: 3

Marketed As: "Ultra easy-to-use felt-tip eyeliner pen for bold lining. Achieve a perfectly defined look of a liquid eyeliner without the mess! Lasts for 24 hours and removes easily with any eye makeup remover. Hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and won't irritate sensitive eyes. Safe for contact lens wearers".

Directions: "Line lashes close to the lashes for a bold look".

Eyeko Skinny Mini Liquid Eyeliner:

Price: $8.00-$10.00

Size:0.040 OZ.

Shade: Black

Shade Selection: 5

Marketed As: "This product has an easy-to-apply, pen-style nib, allowing you to create thick feline flicks and defined lines for a smudge-proof finish".

Directions: "Apply a thin line along the lash line and inner rim or smudge outside the rim for a sultry, smokey effect".

Jordana FabuLiner Liquid Eyeliner:

Price: $1.99 @ Walgreens

Size: 0.054 OZ.

Shade: 01 Black

Shade Selection: 2

Marketed As: "A felt-tip precision eyeliner that doesn't skip or drag. Convenient and easy to use."

Directions: "Begin by applying a thin line from the inner to the outer corner of you eyelid along your upper or lower lash line. For a more dramatic look, make your lines thicker and bolder".

Product Photos:

-Here are the swatches (Physicians Formula, Eyeko, and Jordana) before and after makeup remover. The Jordana product faded first, followed by Physicians Formula, and the Eyeko brand.

     Each of these eyeliners are great in their own way- but that's not why we are here. We want the best of the best, am I right?! Depending on what you are looking for in a liner any of these could work for you. To help you make your decision here are my overall thoughts...

Physicians Formula Eye Definer Felt-Tip Eye Marker:

Overall Application: This was the first felt-tip eyeliner I used on a daily basis. I was always happy with the color payoff and formula until this comparison! I never realized how sheer this product was until seeing it next to the other brands. Of course the pointed tip creates a great winged liner but you may have to work a little harder to achieve a bold, dark line.

Overall Availability: I had to include this category because some of these brands aren't readily found. This brand however is found most easily out of the three! It can be found at any drugstore and even some grocery store makeup sections.

Overall Formula: The formula is okay- definitely my least favorite out of the three. When it's new this product does the job but when you begin using it everyday the tip dries out fairly fast. The line then becomes inconsistent (as you can see above) and lining your eyes becomes more time consuming. I will give this product a thumps up for being hypoallergenic and fragrance free though.

Overall Packaging: It is very lightweight and the lid snaps on securely. I would recommend storing it upside down to ensure the tip doesn't dry out- that is one of the most common problems when dealing with this type of liner. 

Overall Wear: For everyday, normal wear this stays put. Once it sets (which takes about a minute) it hardly budges. Does it last a whole 24 hours like it claims? I would say no because I have noticed some fading throughout the day.

Eyeko Skinny Mini Liquid Eyeliner:

Overall Application: I love the skinny applicator this liner has- you can even get a thinner than than what's shown above! I can easily line very close to the lash line and inner corner which I love. It is a very solid, fluid black line that is achieved in only one stroke.

Overall Availability: Out of the three brands this one would be the hardest to find. It is a European brand that I received in my Birchbox last month. Oddly enough the site only features the "skinny" liner and not the "skinny mini" version which is being used in this comparison. If you are wanting this specific product you can purchase it here in a set which also includes a mascara.

Overall Formula: The formula is very smooth and opaque allowing it to glide on effortlessly.

Overall Packaging: Overall I am satisfied with this products packaging. It is very simple and appealing to me but theres one tiny flaw, the lid doesn't snap back on very easily. I have found myself not closing it completely after each use and that can dry out the product faster.

Overall Wear: I have no complaints here! It wore nicely and only faded a slight bit throughout the day.

Jordana FabuLiner Liquid Eyeliner:

Overall Application: This was very simple to use and held up to the marketed claims of no skipping or dragging. The wing was easy to achieve and you didn't have to go over your line multiple times.

Overall Availability: I had no idea where to find this after seeing it on YouTube. I didn't even know it was sold in stores until running into the tiny display at my local Walgreens. I haven't been able to find this brand at any CVS stores and I think availability even varies at Walgreens locations. If you're interested in this product I'd first try a few Walgreens stores near you or call around to find one that carries this brand.

Overall Formula: Similar to the Eyeko brand in that it's exactly what I look for in an eyeliner! Very black, opaque, and bold.

Overall Packaging: Out of all three this is my favorite packaging because it is such great quality! It is made from a very heavy plastic and the lid snaps on very securely. I was shocked by how great the packaging was for a $1.99 product!

Overall Wear: It wore nicely and I didn't notice any flaking or smudging.

Bottom Line: After taking a good and in-depth look at each of these liners I have finally made up my indecisive mind! I will no longer be using my Physicians Formula Felt- Tip Eye Marker and will be using both other brands until the Eyeko Skinny Mini Liquid Liner runs out. The Jordana Fabuliner Liquid Liner will then be my go to product for three reasons...
1. Price
2. Availbility
3. Formula

Love, Lacey

NIVEA Lip Butter

     NIVEA's new Lip Butter's are the hottest product on the market right now. Many YouTubers have raved about these, including Ingrid! From my understanding they have been available in the UK for some time now, but have recently been produced and sold for the US. These are a wonderful product and I had to do a review.

NIVEA Lip Butter:

Price: I've seen anywhere from $2.50-$3.99.

Size: 0.59 FL. OZ.

Marketed As: "A product enriched with Shea Butter and Almond Oil to intensely moisturize and soothe dry lips for long-lasting care. This rich formula melts into lips providing long-lasting nourishment to make all your kisses better".

     There are three different scents (Caramel Cream Kiss, Raspberry Rose Kiss, and Vanilla & Macadamia Kiss) along with one un-scented version (Smooth Kiss). I initially purchased Raspberry Rose Kiss to try out the product then picked up the others recently.

     -Each has a slight variation in color but all come off clear on the lips. These are VERY soft- I practically gouged a hole in it with my finger using it for the first time. It has the same consistency of a body butter- very smooth and creamy but fairly thick. 

Packaging PROS:

     1. The tin opens easily with each use. I have the Smith's Rosebud Salve that I purchased from Sephora and that sucker is so hard to open! Have you ever owned a product like that? So annoying!

     2. The tins are also slim and compact making them great for your purse!

Packaging CONS: 

     1. The inside of the tin lid gets pretty dirty. By dirty, I mean the product transfers. Since this product is so creamy a small peak is created when you pull your finger away from getting product. This peak then transfers to the lid when it is put back on.

     2. They dont have the most sanitary packaging. With each use you are adding more germs and bacteria to the entire product, and thus your lips. I know this doesn't bother some people but if it does this could be a concern!

     

     As far as moisturizing the lips these are really nice. They do exactly what they are meant to do! I have worn them alone and under lipstick with great results. I usually apply it before doing my makeup every morning! Here are my overall thoughts...

Overall Texture/ Application: Very, very nice. The texture is exactly what I look for in a lip balm- creamy, smooth, and slightly thick.

Overall Feel: These are thick enough to stay put and do their job, but thin enough to feel comfortable on the lips.

Overall Scent: Personally, I prefer the Raspberry Rose scent- I am a sucker for anything rose. As for the others, I can do without. They smell nice but aren't up my ally- I am definitely more of a floral person than someone who likes food scents. I ended up giving the Vanilla & Macadamia one to my mom and I will be returning the others.

Overall Wear: I'd say these lasted anywhere up to a few hours on the lips- they also make a great over night lip treatment! As with any other lip product you will have to reapply throughout the day.

Bottom Line: I am so happy these finally made it over to the US! They hold up to all the hype and will be carried around with me wherever I go. Whether they are in my purse or vanity I will always be reaching for them.

Love, Lacey

Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation vs. Wet N Wild CoverALL Cream Foundation

     I had been trying out Wet N Wild's new foundation for a few days when it hit me... this foundation was very similar to one that Carah Amelie (one of my favorite YouTubers) got me hooked on! They can both be found at the drugstore and are great formulas. As always, if you want to check out the product's site just click the links provided!

Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation:

Price: $7.49

Size: 1 FL. OZ.

Shade: 100 Ivory

Shade Selection: 10

Packaging: A small, compact squeeze tube that would be great for travel.

Packaging Claims: "Sweat, heat, and humidity proof for up to 25 hours. Transfer resistant. Enriched with a revitalizing Mineral Complex and moisturizing Aqua Primer. Skin feels energized and hydrated all day. Naturally flawless, hydrating, and light-weight feel".

Application: I would recommend any of the Sigma Face Kabuki brushes. I used the Sigma F82 in particular.

Finish: Natural finish- not too dewey, not too matte.

Wet N Wild CoverALL Cream Foundation:

Price: $3.99- but included an instant $1 off coupon making it $2.99.

Size: 1 FL. OZ.

Shade: 816 Fair/Light

Shade Selection: 7

Packaging: A flatter, slightly smaller version of the Rimmel packaging.

Packaging Claims: "All day wear with medium to full coverage. It's light-weight and contains the VisiBright™ complex which reduces the appearance of wrinkles and rejuvenates skin".

Application: I would recommend any of the Sigma Face Kabuki brushes. I used the Sigma F84 in particular.

Finish: Satin- matte.

Product Photos:

-In both pictures Rimmel is on the left and Wet N Wild is on the right.

-The Rimmel foundation is slightly darker and thinner than the Wet N Wild one. 

-Both blend easily. However, due to Rimmel's slightly tacky finish (which I will touch on later) it does require a little more effort.

Coverage Photos:

NOTE: All of these before and after photos contain ONLY foundation.

  

     This is the left side of my face without and with the Wet N Wild CoverALL Cream Foundation. Even though this side isn't as bad as my right side scarring wise, I was very pleased with the coverage! This side has slightly more of a matte finish and that is what I personally prefer.

   This is the right side of my face without and with the Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation. I have moderate acne scarring and this foundation combatted the redness and discoloration fairly well. 

     Here is an overall view with Wet N Wild on the left and Rimmel on the right.

These are both great foundations and it was very hard to choose a winner... Here are my overall thoughts.

Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation:

Overall Texture/ Application: I simply adored this foundation after hearing Carah rave about it. It applies nicely but with a little work blending wise. The shade (for being the lightest one) isn't very light in my opinion so I'd be cautious in choosing your shade if you have a very fair complexion like me.

Overall Feel:  Once this foundation sets it has a unique feel- it is slightly tacky! I was unsure in the beginning about this aspect but I grew to love it! The finish allows for a great base when applying other products- concealer, blush, bronzer etc. You actually feel like it has something to stick to.

Overall Scent: When applying the foundation the scent isn't very noticeable but it does have a fresh, clean scent that I enjoy.

Overall Wear: This wears very well and does last longer on the skin compared to some of my other foundations. Addressing the claims it holds up fairly well. As far as sweat, heat and humidity PROOF... resistant would have been a better term in my opinion. Granted, I haven't ran a marathon wearing this but for day to day wear it does hold up.

Wet N Wild CoverALL Cream Foundation:

Overall Texture/ Application: This product really surprised me. I had never tried a Wet N Wild foundation before and I am really glad I did! For the price, this is an amazing foundation that you can't beat. I do prefer the packaging of this product slightly, due to the fact that you have more control dispensing the product. Application was easy, I just buffed it into my skin in circular motions with my Sigma brush.

Overall Feel: I enjoy satin- matte finishes because I feel like they bring out my blue eyes! Even though there isn't a huge difference between the finishes of these two products, I must say that I prefer this one slightly more. It does feels light-weight on the skin, however I am a little skeptical of the VisiBright™complex this product advertises. Can a foundation REALLY reduce the look of wrinkles? I would put my money on a skin care product rather than a foundation in that area. 

Overall Scent: This also has a very faint scent and I will admit that it doesn't smell nearly as good as it's competitor. It has a chemically/ chlorine scent that isn't pleasant but also isn't off putting.

Overall Wear:  This foundation has slightly better coverage when it comes to my hyper pigmentation and acne scarring. This too would be a nice foundation for day to day wear if you are looking for a flawless finish.

Bottom Line: I had been wearing Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation almost daily since purchasing it, however I found it's match! Even though I won't be returning either product, I will be reaching for Wet N Wild's product more because of the... 
1. PRICE
2. Coverage
3. Finish

Love, Lacey

CVS Haul 1/31/13

    This will be the first of many hauls to come- I'm sure of it. However, in the future I will be posting these the day of or very shortly after the actually shopping date. Deciding to do my January Favorites last minute kind of took up most of my time! For those of you who don't know I will let you in on a little secret- CVS and Walgreens accept returns on any OPENED makeup or skin care item. Now this is unusual because most stores only allow unopened makeup to be returned. I found this out after years of buying makeup from grocery stores, being unsatisfied with the overall product or color, only to be disappointed in the money that I just lost! I now purchase everything at either CVS or Walgreens. A lady who worked there even told me that you don't even have to have your receipt! It is a wonderful policy that helps people like me try everything under those florescent lights with no regrets! Here is what I recently picked up:

Rimmel Lasting Finish Matte by Kate Moss in 111 Kiss of Life ($4.99): This was the result of an impulse buy- we are all guilty of that at some point right?! My new obsession is matte red lips and I will rock them day or night! After trying some I wasn't too fond of I saw this and had to try it. I wore it to dinner last night and it's nice. It's a little deep for my taste but the finish is beautiful. I'm still on the fence about this one.

Essie Magnetic Nail Lacquer in Lil' Boa Peep ($11.99): A few weeks ago I picked up my first polish from this collection- crocadilly. I loved that shade and the effect it had after the magnet! There is a picture on my Instagram if you are interested in seeing it on. This slight rose gold color caught my attention and the fact that it was a neutral color was appealing. I love the idea of a neutral but interesting polish. I do wish the magnetic effect was a little easier to achieve evenly across each nail though. When working with crocadilly the effect was quite inconsistent.

Essie Nail Lacquer in Mint Candy Apple ($8.00): I was late to the band wagon on this one. In the beauty community it is one of the most popular shades! The color is just as the name suggests- a light mint green. It would probably be more appropriately worn in the spring and summer months but who follows those rules!

Orly Bonder Basecoat ($7.99): I forget exactly where I first saw this but from the moment I heard of it I was hooked. Being a girl with flimsy, thin nails that polish seems to despise, I figured this product would do wonders for me. What was keeping me from running out and getting it you ask? The price! I just couldn't bring myself to spend $8 on a basecoat and dismissed it every time I had the chance to purchase it. I haven't tried it yet but if its a winner I'll let you know!

CoverGirl Outlast 3-in-1 Foundation ($11.99): After watching itsjudytime's first impression on this foundation I had to give it a try. Her first impressions are one of my favorite videos to watch on YouTube and I completely trust her opinion! I settled on the shade Ivory 805 which was the lightest shade CVS carried. I am now looking at the site and the two lightest shades are Ivory 800 and Classic Ivory 805... My particular bottle says Ivory 805 so now I am confused. Either way I have used it once and must say that Judy didn't let me down! It's a wonderful foundation that provides very full coverage but still feels fairly light. I must say that this has great potential to become my favorite foundation, plus it has a pump!

Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Sticks ($8.99 each): I have already done a post comparing these to the CoverGirl alternative if you want specific details. I picked up three more darker shades: Soft Raspberry, Plum Perfect, and Rich Raisin.

Wet n Wild Mega Last Lip Color in 908C Sugar Plum Fairy ($1.99): The fact that I have recently became addicted to MAC products (yes, I know its another bandwagon that I was late jumping on) hasn't made my wallet very happy. Granted, I haven't bought loads of products but I still love their lipsticks! So when I wanted to try MAC's Rebel lipstick (which is $15) I went searching the internet for dupes and came across this Wet n Wild shade. I tried it on as soon as I got back to the car and am not quite sure what I think yet. For starters the formula is a nightmare... I had the hardest time getting a smooth application and it made my lips look even drier than they were. After five minutes of touching up the color was okay. It's VERY dark but pretty in its own way. I have a photo on Instagram of this as well, help me make a decision and let me know what you think!

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Light ($6.99): Everyone is talking about this concealer but it just hasn't done it for me. I've used it for about two days so far and its not a bad product. The only problem that I have is the color. Even using the lightest shade in the line it's a little dark for my skin tone and isn't very brightening. It doesn't cater to my fair complexion therefor I will be returning it. 

Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer ($5.99): I decided to give this a try because it is another one of those "highlighting concealers". I figured I could do another post comparing it to the Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch concealer because they are both marketed as concealers that highlight. From a swatch, this product seems nice but I haven't gotten a chance to really try it out yet. Let me know if you are interested in that comparison! 

     So that is what I picked up on my latest trip to the drugstore. If you have any questions or would like to request a certain product review just leave me a comment below!

Love, Lacey

January 2013 Favorites

     Introducing my first monthly favorites post! How will these work you might ask? Well, at the end of each month I will be showing my most used and most loved products from that particular month. These products can be new favorites or holy grail products that I have loved for ages. They can range from skincare, makeup, hair products, and even clothing items! So without further ado here are my favorite products for January 2013!

 T.N Dickinson's Witch Hazel ($5.99): I picked this up at Walgreens about two months ago because my skin had been acting up.Witch Hazel is an astringent that is supposedly less drying than alcohol and I would have to agree! I have very dry skin (especially in the winter) and this didn't dry my skin out nearly as much as straight alcohol would. I only apply it to blemishes but do use it all over my face once a week. I apply it with a cotton ball and it feels very refreshing. I noticed that my skin looks more radiant and it definitely dries and heals breakouts faster.

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser ($13.59): I was on the market for a new facial cleanser when I came across this line in Seventeen magazine. It is very comparable to Cetaphil which I have used in the past. It is a creamy, moisturizing, simple cleanser that doesn't lather but definitely does it's job. During the winter even Philosophy Purity leaves my skin feeling tight and dry after cleansing- CeraVe combats that and works well with my acne medication. It contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid which protect the skins natural barrier. It may seem pricey for a cleanser, but you get 12 fl oz and it even includes a pump which I love!

CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM ($13.99): This is a great moisturizer with SPF 30 and the same protecting properties as the CeraVe cleanser. I use one pump of this every morning after washing my face and it makes my skin feel so nice! It isn't too heavy to wear under a full face of makeup but isn't too thin so it adequately moisturizes my very dry skin. The SPF 30 keeps my face protected all day and it too includes a pump to ensure that you aren't wasting any product.

L'Oreal Lash Boosting Serum ($14.99): I have been using this product for a little over a year and I have definitely seen improvement! It says on the packaging to apply this every night and morning to the lashes and lash line- however I only apply it to my lashes about three nights a week. I will say that it takes about a month to see results but it has made my lashes noticeably longer. As far as volume- it lacks in that department but the extra length is very rewarding when applying mascara!

E.L.F Eyebrow Lifter and Filler in Ivory/Light ($3.00): For $3 you hands down cannot beat this product. This was a long lost product that I never used after purchasing it MONTHS ago but found it while cleaning out one of my makeup drawers recently. Since finding it I have used it nearly every day to fill in and set my eyebrows. It is a waxy pencil on one end and a creamier highlighting color on the other. I mainly stick to the "filler" side using it to draw a few times across each eyebrow and comb through them with a spoolie. The color is a great way to fill in sparse areas while the wax keeps the hairs in place all day.

Eyeco London Skinny Mini Liquid Black Liner (Set w/ mascara $16.00): I received this felt tip eyeliner in my Birchbox this month and it was an instant favorite! I had been using the Maybelline Line Stiletto for a few weeks but this liner gives you an even more precise line and pointier wing if you are doing wined liner. It is VERY black and the tip hasn't dried out a single bit after one month of use. I do make sure to store it cap side down though to help prevent dryness.

Clarisonic PLUS Skin Cleansing System ($225): Before you have a heart attack let me just say that I didn't pay full price for this! I am very lucky to have a family member who works at a department store and I purchased this when it was very much on sale! Hands down out of literally everything I own I use this baby the most. It is essentially just a skin cleansing brush that is said to remove 6X more makeup and 2X more dirt than washing with your hands. I remember the first few times I used this brush because my skin was unbelievably smooth! I love using this brush because of those benefits but also for just the peace of mind that I am keeping my skin as healthy as possible for the future.

NIVEA Raspberry Rose Kiss Lip Butter (2/ $5.00): I've heard so much about these in the YouTube beauty community (especially Ingrid's high remarks) that I couldn't resist opening this in the car immediately after walking out of CVS. These are great- other than the fact that I gouged a huge hole in it with the first swipe of my finger because it is so soft! I personally bought this scent because I can't resist rose anything and it is divine. They moisturize like no other and really do sooth my very hard to please, chapped winter lips. My mom even tried it and was sold- I'm going back to pick up the others very soon. Eventually these will be all over the house!

Sigma F84 Angled Kabuki ($18.00): All of the brushes in the Sigma Synthetic Kabuki Kit are fabulous. It you are not into applying your foundation with a brush, you have not yet tried these. I have used the flat and round top brushes in this kit just as much but have been particularly loving this one this month. It has more flexibility in the bristles than the other two I just mentioned, which is nice when buffing in thinker foundations (like Rimmel Lasting Finish or the new CoverGirl Outlast 3in1 Foundation). 

     I hope you enjoyed my January monthly favorites and let me know some of your favorites of the month or moment in the comments below!

Love, Lacey