With 2019 well underway, I thought it would be fun to kick off my blog with a recap on some of my beauty (and a book!) favorites from the past year.
Sol de Janeiro Coco Cabana Cream
As a lover of the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream for years now, I ordered the Coco Cabana Cream directly from the Sol de Janeiro site when it was released. I started with a mini size, and finished it in about a week before ordering the full size from Sephora. This cream is completely different from their original formula – it has a lighter, gel-like consistency, and the oil-in-water formula is meant to keep skin moisturized for up to 72 hours.
While 72 hours may be a bit of a stretch, this cream is incredible. Its coconut, toasted praline and warm vanilla latte scent is to die for, and it keeps me baby soft for hours on end. The full size tub retails for $45 at Sephora (and it’s worth every penny).
I was hesitant to try this serum. Whenever I buy serums, I tend to forget to use them as they don’t show any real difference in my skin. Reviews were mixed, but I decided to give it a go anyways. And boy, am I glad I did.
This is a niacinamide, vitamin B3 and zinc serum that promises to calm redness and acne-prone skin. While I have never had what many would consider bad skin, I do break out occasionally. Using this serum at night before moisturizer has considerably reduced the amount of spots on my face, and I couldn’t be happier. You don’t get much for the price, but I will definitely repurchase. This retails for $28 on the Glossier website.
This concealer is so easy to use. I typically used concealers with a doe foot applicator (like the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, which I also love) and would always have to wet a beauty blender to blend it out. This concealer makes getting ready so easy – I apply it with my fingers and it’s sheer enough that it blends out seamlessly without needing a sponge or brush. I just set it with a powder and I’m good to go for the day.
This retails for $18 on the Glossier website.
Surratt Beauty Relevée Lash Curler
Never did I think upgrading from a $1 e.l.f. lash curler could make all that much of a difference. I was wrong.
After my lash perm started to relax back in the fall, I decided to splurge on the Surratt curler after hearing so many great things about it. At $30, it’s quite pricy for a beauty tool. However, this curler manages to grab all of my lashes and gently curl them rather than crimping them upwards like all my prior lash curlers have done. If you’re on the fence about splurging on a luxury curler, I say go for it. They last long, and it seems to me like paying for a nice brand can make a huge difference. This curler retails for $30 at Sephora.
I have tricky eyelashes. They are stick straight and don’t hold a curl well, which is why I ruined my eyelashes after years of wearing waterproof formulas daily. After using Grandelash, they have grown longer, but still don’t hold a curl too well without waterproof mascara.
Enter Lash Slick. I started using this last summer, and I love it. It’s the perfect mascara for a day-to-day basis. As many of the reviews say, it almost mimics lash extensions. It doesn’t provide a ton of volume, but it makes your natural lashes look that much better. I haven’t experienced any smudging or flaking, and it manages to keep my lashes curled just enough (despite not being waterproof). The mascara comes off easily with warm water. I like to rinse as much off as I can in the shower before going over my eyes again with the Bliss gel eye makeup remover. Less tugging while removing mascara = healthier lashes! Lash Slick retails for $16 on the Glossier website.
This is a bit of an oldie, but it’s a goodie. I’ve had this for years but just started using it regularly in 2018. It has a pearlescent brightening effect that preps my undereyes for concealer and instantly makes me look more awake. It lasts a long time as a little bit goes a long way.
You can pick this up for $32 at Sephora.
This lip balm was a cult favorite of 2018. I had already used up a tub of a Laneige moisturizer, which I loved, so when I got an Amazon gift card I decided to pick this up after hearing so many rave about it. It smells like berry flavored bubble gum and leaves a beautiful light pink shine on the lips.
Since I have so many lip balms I typically save this one for use just before bed. Again, a little goes a long way. I’ve made a dent in this product, but I can see there’s a ton left. It stays on all night and leaves my lips soft, allowing dead skin to just fall right off. It’s completely worth $20 since it will last you so long. Plus, it looks cute on the night stand. Get it at Sephora or Amazon.
Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat lip liner
I have this liner in the shade Pillow Talk and it’s incredible. It’s just a shade lighter than my natural lips and does a great job for slight overlining, filling in and prepping lips for lipstick. This color is a cult favorite for a good reason – it looks amazing on light skin tones and suits everyone.
Get it at Sephora.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Sultry palette
I didn’t need this. At all. But eyeshadow palettes, unfortunately, are one of those things I find myself getting tired of after a year or so of use. I splurged on this one on a whim. I like how it has a good mix of cool and warm toned shades as opposed to strictly warm tones like most palettes on the market right now. The shimmer shades are beautiful when applied with fingers and all of the mattes blend out well. I rarely use eyeshadow except on special occasions, but this is what I’ve been reaching for.
This goes for $45 at Sephora.
You’ll Grow Out of It by Jessi Klein
I bought this book to read on my flight to and from Spain for Thanksgiving. If you like female comedians or books like Mindy Kaling’s “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?” you’ll love this. Klein writes of her hilarious experiences during her childhood, teenage and adult years and how she went from a tomboy child, to discovering her sexuality, and finally, to an award winning comedy writer. Some parts of this book truly are laugh out loud funny. Even my boyfriend reading over my shoulder was giggling.
Get this on Amazon for under $15.
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