Monthly Beauty Favorites | February 2015





Milani Eyeshadow Primer
I don't think I can be explicit enough. THIS. STUFF. IS. EVERYTHING! Seriously, it made all the difference this month when I was testing out some high-end shadows that just wouldn't last on my lids. I've tried it up against some high end primers and it still reigns supreme. No wonder it won BeautyBroadcast's Emily Award for Best Eye Primer two years running. If you are in the market for an eye primer, this is the one to get. I'm completely smitten.

Neutrogena Shine Control Powder
I picked this beaut up recently when Neutrogena was 40% off at Rite Aid and I'm so glad that I did. Though I've never been a Neutrogena fangirl, this powder even surpasses my beloved Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder. I apply it in the mornings over my foundation and not only does it kill any shine, it keeps my face looking shine-free longer than anything else I've tried. I feel like my makeup looks better throughout the day and even though I still have to use a blotting sheet midday, this does a fantastic job of reducing the oiliness and keeping my makeup in place.



Sonia Kashuk Spoolie Brush
I've been looking for an inexpensive spoolie brush for some time to keep my brows tame and make blending pencil easier. At just $1.99, this one fit the bill and the long handle makes it super easy to use.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Paint in Rich Russet
This baby gives you the perfect wash of bronzey-brown with a lovely hint of metallic shimmer. You just dab a bit on each lid with the doe-foot applicator and blend it out with your fingers and/or a blending brush. And the very best part, once it dries (which is pretty quickly) this liquid/cream hybrid locks onto your lids for one of the most insanely long-wearing eye looks you can find. Wore it out yesterday for over 10+ hours and even with my oily lids my smokey eye stayed fresh.

Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer
This creamy spray makes all the difference when drying and styling my hair. I mentioned it a couple of months ago in one of favorites posts but it definitely deserves another shout out. I notice that when I don't use this before drying my hair it ends up looking a bit dry and dull and doesn't style as well, no matter how much product I use later. I usually spray a few spritzes and quickly dry my hair just so that I'm not sleeping on damp hair. When I wake up and style my hair, everything always seems so much easier and looks better. My miniature bottle actually just ran out so you better believe I'll be picking up a full-sized bottle ASAP.

Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo
Yet another hair favorite repeat. Seriously, this is probably the very best dry shampoo I've ever tried. No white residue or crunchy, gunky feel. It leaves your hair smelling like vanilla and looking refreshed.

Eva NYC Up All Night Volumizing Spray
I mentioned this spray in my recent Ipsy bag review and have already ordered a full-sized bottle. It smells great and gives my hair soft, beachy waves without all the residue you get with a salt spray.

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
After years of coveting this celebrity touted blemish treatment, I finally decided to shell out the $17 for this tiny bottle a few months ago. At first I really didn't see what the fuss was about. I expected some kind of miracle spot treatment that would make blemishes disappear overnight. Though this lotion isn't exactly the miracle some people make it out to be, I've actually fallen a bit in love with it over the last month.

The drying lotion separates in the bottle with the alcohol fluid sitting at the top and the thick, pink cream sitting at the bottom. The product is not supposed to be shaken. You apply it directly to spots by dipping a q-tip into the pink sediment. It smells strongly of rubbing alcohol and can sting a bit if you have exposed pimples. With repeated use I've noticed that I haven't been breaking out nearly as much. This stuff keeps impending blemishes from coming to a head and, over a couple of days, dries out any pimples you do have. Unlike some other acne products I've tried this doesn't stain my clothes or pillowcases but you do look a bit odd with pink splotches all over your face (which take a bit of extra scrubbing to completely remove in the mornings).


Those are the products I've been loving this month. Many of my daily products have mysteriously all run out at the same time (Seriously, concealers, foundations and a brow product - all at the same time!) so I would expect to see lots of new loves in the next few weeks! What products have you been loving this past month? Any recommendations?



3 comments

  1. Ooh I'll have to try that primer and the Bumble & Bumble oil! As far as the Mario Badescu spot treatment, I just ordered one that is the same exact thing (pink in the middle, with alcohol around, not to be shaken) but from Kate Somerville, because it came so well reviewed on Sephora's site. I'm not too sure how I feel about it yet...

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    1. The Bb primer is fantastic! The Mario Badescu works well but it's definitely not as miraculous as people make it out to be. It takes time and consistent use. And it definitely isn't the most subtle to wear.

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