Blogmas Day 2: November Favorites!

I don’t think I’ve ever done a monthly favorites post before, but I can tell you it’s one of my favorite things to watch on YouTube! It may seem weird to some, but for me, it’s a good way to know what products other people are using and loving; if you ever wanted to try a certain lipstick, or read a new book, but you just weren’t quite sure, then someone else’s opinion on the item may help you make that decision whether or not to invest in that item.

This month, I have just a few beauty products to share, that I’ve been using pretty much all month.

–Julep’s No Limits Luxe Hydrating Crème: This is a thick and luxurious facial cream, where a little goes a long way. It’s super-hydrating, and is especially good in the winter months, when the cold air can really dry out your skin. I’ll usually put it on at night before bed, and when I wake up in the morning, my skin still feels so soft and smooth. It soaks in really well, and doesn’t leave any greasy-feeling residue.

– Jason Wu for Caudalíe Beauty Elixir: This was something I had picked up on a whim in the smaller version, and I loved it so much, that I bought the full size when I had run out. I use this twice a day, morning and night, and I feel it it really refreshes my skin, and gives an extra bit of moisture. Made of grapes, rose, and rosemary, this mist helps to moisturize, tone, and energize your skin.

– Tarte’s Frxxxtion Stick: This exfoliant is one on my favorites to use, mostly because it’s so easy to apply, and it works. Most exfoliants I’ve used in the past are gel or cream based, and trying to open those while in the shower, and trying not to get any water in the containers, and not dropping them in my clumsy way, can be tricky sometimes. The ease of having a solid exfoliator that you just have to open, twist, and apply to your face, is just super convenient.

– Zoella Beauty’s Sweet Inspriations Body Mist: One of my first purchases from Zoë’s beauty range, and I can say that I am not disappointed at all. This is a very warm and vanilla scent (to me), without being a overly sickly sweet smell. I honestly think this could be a year round scent, but I especially like it in autumn and winter, because it feels so cozy.

That’s it for the products I’ve been loving this month. What beauty items and products were your favorite in November? Feel free to let me know in the comments! 🙂

Tarte Cosmetics Friends & Family Sale: Unboxing and First Impressions.

Hello everyone!

Recently, Tarte had their huge Friends & Family sale, and I could not resist buying a few items to add to my Tarte collection; at 30% off, I think you’d agree with me.

I started off with two items from their skincare range, the “Pack Your Bags 911 Under Eye Rescue Patches” and the “Frxxxtion Stick 3-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser”.

These under eye gel patches are comprised of Tarte’s Rainforest of the Sea complex, which is a combination of algae and marine flower extracts, which are infused with a coconut-oil serum, to help soften and brighten your under eye area. They come in four individual packets, with two eye pads per packet. I am greatly looking forward to see how these help with my dark circles. I hope they do work well, because at $22.00 a box, that equals out to $5.50 per packet, for only 4 uses. You can get a full sheet face mask for about the same price, for more facial coverage. I have read where others have recommended putting these in the fridge prior to using, to get a nice cooling sensation; may have to give that a try. 😀

Another recent release is Tarte’s 3-in-1 facial cleansing stick. Also comprised of the Rainforest of the Sea complex, this stick acts as an exfoliator, cleanser, or face mask, depending upon your need. The packaging is small, but holds a lot of product, so this would be an item that would be great to have when you’re traveling or if you’re constantly on the go.

After skin care items, it was time to look at the make up options. \:D/
It’s not like I needed another palette, but when I saw the “Rainforest After Dark Colored Clay Eye & Cheek Palette”, I was lost! This all-in-one palette includes six eyeshadows, a blush, a highlighter, and a bronzer! Major win!

The clay based formula of this palette helps to control oil and shine, ensuring long wear all day; the colors are suitable for day or night wear.

In the above image, the swatches are as follows:
Top left, is the bronzer in “Park Ave Princess”; right below that is the highlighter in “Champagne”. On the right we have the six eyeshadows; from top to bottom are “Don’t Turn A-Brown” (dark brown), “Tan-gled Up In You” (tan), “Up to No Gold” (gold), “Plum Away with Me” (dark plum), “Make a Mauve” (plum mauve), and “Bare to Explore” (pink beige). Below the eyeshadows is a lovely circle of blush called “Unleashed”, which is a very pretty rosy-nude shade. (Also, the names picked for the shades are just awesome! XD) I have already tested out this palette, and just love how versatile it really is. It’s also build-able; the swatches were only 3-4 strokes, so you can make it as light or as dark as you want.

Next up is the “Lip Sculptor Lipstick & Lipgloss” in shade “VIP” – my inner Big Bang fangirl approves! XD

This is another multi-functional item, where you can use the lipstick and lipgloss separately, or together. When using the lipstick alone, you get a creamy matte finish. Adding the lipgloss on top gives a creamy gloss. I’m not yet too fond of the texture yet, so I tend to use them solo, and not together. It also has a lovely vanilla scent.

The last item I got was the “Eye Architect” Limited Edition 4 Piece Shadow & Liner Set.

Hey, look! It’s another 2-in1 item! Much surprise, such wow! XD

Each stick has a cream powder on one end, with a coordinating liner color on the other end. I haven’t been able to fully test these items, as they arrived separately from the main shipment, but when swatching them, they applied very smoothly.

From top to bottom, and liner to shadow, we have the combinations of copper & champagne, plum & silver rose, brown & bronze, and black & taupe. When washing off, the shadows came off easily enough with soap and water, but the liner still stayed a little longer, only coming off after a few more washes. At least I’ll know that the liner will definitely have an all day staying power.

All in all, I’m very happy with my mini Tart haul. Any other Tartlettes who happen upon this post, please feel free to share your favorite Tarte items in the comments below. ❤

My Facial Skin Care Routine

Hello everyone! Hope you’ve all been doing well. ^^v

Recently, I’ve been trying to make better lifestyle changes, like working out more, and choosing healthier food options (slight struggle, ngl!). Another one of those changes is maintaining a daily skin care routine.

Skin care, you ask? Yes, skin care, I say! Taking care of your outside is just as important as taking care of your inside. Our skin is our largest organ, and our first line of defense against environmental factors, so we need to do our best to keep it healthy and strong. Taking care of all of your skin is important, but for this post, I am going to focus on the face.

Your basic facial skin care regiment should include a cleanser, toner, serum/oil, and moisturizer, based upon your particular skin type. There are always going to be variants, or extra steps you may want to include in your regiment (such as exfoliating), but these four will be your basic starting point. If you’re not sure where to start, I’d recommend the Find Your Skin Type: Skin Quiz over at ReneeRouleau.com. You will answer 11 questions, and based on your answers, you skin type will be determined, and you will be provided a recommended routine.

(Of course, their particular products are being recommended for your skin care routine, but you can still take the recommended list, and find similar products from other brands, to create your skin care regiment.)

My current daily skin care routine are all products from Tarte. (This may sound like an ad for Tarte, but I promise it’s not! #notanad XD)

I use the above pictured products twice a day. First, I start off with the Marine Boosting Mist, which is part of the Rainforest of the Sea collection. This is a 4 in 1 spray, that acts as a primer, makeup setter, hydrating mist, and a refresher mist, to help perk up your skin throughout the day. When I cleanse my face, this would be my 3rd step, after exfoliating & cleaning, then toning. (I only cleanse 2 to 3 times a week because when cleansing daily, my skin would get too dried out, so I’ve modified my routine to what works best for my skin.)

After misting, I’ll apply the Maracuja C-brighter Eye Treatment. Composed of maracuja (passion fruit), Vitamins A, C, & E, and other botanicals, this eye cream helps to add extra hydration, as well as firming and brightening. Let me tell you, my dark circles need all the help they can get! With a little on your fingers, just gently dab under your eyes, and along the brow bone.

Once the eye cream is on, I will apply Maracuja Oil to the rest of my face. You may think it’s weird to put an oil on your face, but you use such a small amount, that you aren’t drenching your face in oil. Just a few drops is all it takes, and you just pat on, to get some extra hydration. A bonus about Maracuja Oil is that it’s a multi-purpose item. Aside from using on your face, you can also use on dry cuticles, help condition your hair’s split ends, or use on any rough patches of skin, to help soften.

After applying the oil, I will finish up my routine by using the Drink of H20 Hydrating Boost moisturizing gel, which is also from the Rainforest of the Sea collection. As this is a gel, the good thing is that you don’t have to use a whole lot, as it spreads smoothly and evenly, leaving your skin super moisturized.

I have really come to love Tarte products, because not only do they actually work, they are also cruelty-free and made with natural ingredients; no parabens or other synthetic materials included. Major win!