Hello, everyone! I thought it might be nice to share some beauty gift recommendations for the special people in your lives. When possible, I’ve suggested items that I myself have tried. Please feel free to add to the list in the comments!

Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links. If you are uncomfortable with that, by all means just google the product! Additionally, I took these photos directly off the sellers’ sites.

for the beauty newbie…

Ulta

Benefit never disappoints with their sets! The Girl O’Clock Rock 12 Benefit Bestsellers ($45) is available at Ulta. Help that makeup amateur in your life by gifting these twelve easy-to-use minis!

Sephora

The Smashbox Try It Kit  ($22) contains five minis of Smashbox bestsellers. This is a great way to help your novice-friend get acquainted with some awesome products.

for the natural beauty…

Glossier

Order a Glossier Phase 2 Set ($50) for your friend who prefers a subtle makeup look. Simply choose a Generation G lip shade, a Stretch Concealer shade, and a Boy Brow color for a cute little set that a natural beauty lover will appreciate.

for the classic beauty…

Sephora

The Dior Holiday Couture Palette ($89) boasts face powders, eyeshadows and lip glosses that your classic beauty lover will truly thank you for.

Beautylish

Charlotte Tilbury’s Dreamy Look In A Clutch  (available on Beautylish for $128) has everything your classic beauty needs for a super chic look. The Luxury Palette in Legendary Muse and Hot Lips lipstick in Secret Salma are the perfect color combination.

for your edgy bestie…

Sephora

With 8 mini liquid lipsticks ranging from nude to blue, the Kat Von D Everlasting Mini Liquid Lipstick Set ($49) is sure to please those who like their look to be a bit edgy. It’s a great formula, too!

Sephora

The Urban Decay Full Spectrum Palette ($55) is one of the most colorful eye shadow palettes on the market and is perfect for your friend who’s not afraid to stand out!

for the glitter princess…

Lime Crime

Lime Crime just came out with their Diamond Crushers lip toppers ($80). These can be worn alone or over a liquid lipstick without disturbing it. You can buy the whole set or just colors that your glitter princess might like.

ColourPop

I’d be remiss if I didn’t have anything from Colourpop on this list! Their Never Not Chillin set ($30) has 6 special edition shadows, 3 of which boast an amazing sparkle.

for the skincare queen…

Sephora

Anyone who loves a good mask will die over the Caudalie Mask Trio ($39). This set has three masks that cover a variety of skin concerns. The glycolic peel treatment is one of my favorites!

Sephora

The Boscia Japanese Favorites set ($35) offers an amazing array of products from a fantastic skincare company. Your skincare loving friend will be positively glowing!

Don’t forget to leave your recommendations below!

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In dealing with the aftermath of Holiday eating, I’m sure I cannot be the only one with one or two blemishes to cover! I wanted to share with you my method for covering up a pimple (or two or three…)

First, here are my recommended products. As always, substitute in your favorites where you see fit!

Brushes: It Cosmetics Blurring Concealer Brush #103 and It Cosmetics Powder Wand #108.

Makeup: Becca Backlight Priming Filter, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (Chantilly), Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation (2 Fair) and Laura Geller Balance-n-Brighten Foundation (Porcelain).

I bet you woke up today thinking you really wanted to see a close up of someone else’s pimple, right? Sure you did.

I start by priming with the Becca Backlight Priming Filter for it’s blurring effect. Then, I apply a thin layer of the Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation. I chose this foundation because it is medium coverage without looking heavy, a plus for when one is going to add a concealer.

Then, I dot on the NARS concealer to the affected area(s).

I use the IT Cosmetics #103 brush to lightly blend the concealer outward.

Then, I use that same brush to tap on the Laura Geller powder over the concealed areas.

Finally, I use the It Cosmetics #108 brush to lightly apply that same powder over my entire face, to better blend the concealed patches with the rest of the skin. Don’t forget to set with your favorite setting spray to avoid cakiness! And a reminder – you can cover the redness of a pimple, but not the bump! We’re not wizards here!

Wishing you the best day ever!

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I thought it might be fun to share what I got!

Beautylish lucky bag Product List

Bioderma Sebium H20 (100mL) – I have this already from another Beautylish haul but I’ve definitely considered repurchasing. Now I don’t have to! ($6.95)

Jefree Star Velour Lip Scrub – This is an item I never considered purchasing, but I do enjoy a good lip scrub. ($12)

It Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Brow Pencil – The idea of a “universal” color always makes me nervous. With my highlighted hair, I try to keep my brows as cool as possible, and browns are frequently warm. I did, however, test this out and the shade is totally fine! It’s perhaps a bit darker than I’m used to, but still manageable. ($24)

Charlotte Tilbury Rock ‘n’ Kohl in Marlene Midnight – I love a good deep navy eye pencil! I’ve used this brand and line before, but never this color. I love the formula so this was an excellent surprise. ($27)

Kevyn Aucoin The Creamy Glow in Patrice – I never have much luck with the application of cream blushes, but this one just may be my new favorite. The deep red color blends out to a really subtle and attractive crimson flush. ($26)

BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector – A few weeks ago I had to decide if I wanted this or their Backlight Priming Filter. I went with the latter, but I’m so glad I now can add the former to my collection. I tested this out this morning and it may be the most mattifying product I’ve ever used. ($36)

Natasha Denona Eye Shadow Palette 5, palette #10 – This item isn’t even for sale yet on Beautylish, but it may just be my favorite Lucky Bag item! I’m not going to go into great detail because my next post will be full of swatches. This retails on Natasha’s own website for $48.

Final Thoughts

In total, my bag 2016 Beautylish Lucky Bag was worth $179.95, which means I had a savings of $104.95. As one of my biggest hauls during the year, this definitely holds a good value still and I will consider going in for next year’s Beautylish lucky bag when the time comes! I also highly recommend Beautylish in general because they offer some really nice brands and fantastic customer service.

I hope you will share what you received. Please post your links in the comments!

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Let’s start off 2016 by taking a look at some of my favorite beauty products from 2015! For the sake of brevity, I’ll try to keep my descriptions short and sweet. Feel free to let me know in the comments if you’d like more information! Where possible, I have included links to the product from websites I have used in the past. I have also linked to previous reviews, if I have one.

• Favorite Primer: Marc Jacobs Invisible Under(Cover) Perfecting Coconut Face Primer – This is my favorite all-purpose primer. Having used it in both warm and cool weather, I can safely say that it is great for dry skin, yet does not over-grease oily skin. I especially love it under the serum foundations that are becoming popular.
• Favorite Concealer: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (I use Chantilly)- This concealer is amazing over blemishes; a tiny dot can cover the biggest zit. I’ve also used it under the eye, and I have to say that it creases less than some products marketed as dedicated undereye correctors.
• Favorite Foundation: MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation (I’m shade NC20) – OK, so this one is a big deal because my skin does not normally get along with MAC foundations. However, this product has been a game changer. I use it especially on days I know are going to be very long, as well as any time I have to be on stage, because I know it will last. We reviewed this foundation here.
• Favorite Eye Primer: Too Faced Shadow Insurance – I got this one because everyone raves about it. I now understand why. It is very easy to apply and does help shadow last on long days. I notice significantly less creasing when I use this versus other popular eye primers.
• Favorite Eye Liner: Kat Von D Tattoo Liner (shade Trooper) – The applicator on this is so interesting; lying somewhere between brush and felt tip, this product makes winging eyeliner a breeze.
• Favorite Mascara: L’Oreal Miss Manga Rock Voluminous Waterproof Mascara (side note – our only “drugstore” product today!) – I have issues with many high-end mascaras, so to find a drugstore mascara that I love is fantastic. I am on my third tube of this because I love the way it lengthens and volumizes dramatically, without being overly clumpy.
• Favorite Brow Product: It Cosmetics Build-A-Brow (shade Blonde) – I didn’t think anything could trump the popular ABH dipbrow, but this cream is by far more forgiving and easier to manipulate.

• Favorite Eye Shadow Palette: Kat Von D Shade+Light Eye Contour Palette – It’s amazing how much you can do with a neutral palette, especially when it’s a good one. The shadows are exceptionally pigmented and easy to work with.
• Favorite Single Eye Shadow: Charlotte Tilbury Nocturnal Cat Eyes to Hypnotise (shade The Huntress) – There’s really something special about this shadow. The golden brown pigmented has little flecks of glitter than enhance the eye without being overwhelming.
• Favorite Contour Product: Kevyn Aucoin The Sculpting Powder – A fantastic option for fair skin. We took a look at it here.
• Favorite Highlight Product: Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed (shade Moonstone) – The ever-popular “Opal” was too dark for me, but this option from Becca works for me in both summer and winter. It provides a subtle sheen that is good for everyday use.
• Favorite Blush: Urban Decay Afterglow Powder Blush (shade Rapture) – These blushes are crazy pigmented. I love the plum tone of Rapture, especially for the fall and winter. It can be sheered out to become very natural and pretty.
• Favorite Face Powder: Besame Brightening Violet Powder – This translucent powder has a hint of violet that really brightens the fair complexion. I like to use it as a finishing powder. It also smells lovely, so that’s an added bonus.

• Favorite Lip Gloss: Dior Rouge Brillant (Hollywood) – I hated lip gloss until I found this. It is thick but not tacky and lasts quite a while for gloss. Also, the color is fantastic.
• Favorite Cream-Finish Lipstick: Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick (Cava) – This is my all-time favorite nude because it is cool-toned and pigmented. The cream finish has decent staying power and the formula is moisturizing.
• Favorite Liquid-to-Matte Lipstick: Lime Crime Velvetine (Bleached) and ColourPop Ultra Matte Lip (Trap) – Similar formulas and colors, I had to have a tie happen. Bleached is a peachy nude and Trap is a gray-toned nude, but both are fantastic and can be altered by using a liner beneath them.
• Favorite Matte Lipstick: ColourPop Lippie Stix (Pinch) and Bite Beauty Matte Creme Lipstick (Barberry) – ColourPop Lippie Stix are some of my favorites, and Pinch takes the cake as the best slightly-darker-than-nude shade. I believe Bite Beauty Barberry was a limited release, but I suggest pouncing on any matte lipsticks that Bite comes out with.

For fun, I’ve included swatches of the above-mentioned lip products:

top to bottom: Bite Barberry, Bite Cava, ColourPop Pinch, ColourPop Trap, Lime Crime Bleached — left: Dior Hollywood

My favorite part of starting the new year is seeing everyone else’s favorites from the previous 12 months. Please, share your lists in the comments so we can all see!

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