Best of Beauty 2014: Lips

I know this post is long overdue, it's because I've been studying a lot for the past month, but now I'm back and I'm going to share my favorite lip products last year, and I must say it was challenging to not include a lot of things!

Lip Balms/Lip Scrub/Primer

Marc Jacobs Lip Lock -Makeout

I don't know if I already mentioned how much I love this lip balm in past blog posts, but if I haven't let me tell you why. It is so moisturizing and I find myself not reapplying much lip balm throughout the day because it is very long lasting. I have gone through 2 tubes of these so far, and I would keep repurchasing them just because I love it so much. If you are going to apply any lipstick or lip stain on top just let it sit for a while, so products wouldn't slip and slide around your lips and transfer everywhere.

Vaseline Lip Therapy with Shea Butter

My only alternative for my Marc Jacobs Lip Lock is a good old Vaseline, works just as well, it's also much more affordable. The only problem is it's in a tub, and I usually just use this at home, I have a problem bringing it out for sanitary issues. I use this in the morning when I'm getting ready and at night when I'm about to sleep, but feel free to use it all day because it's really great for your lips. I have tried A LOT of lip balms and I must say I found my holy grails, and these two are it!

Lush Lip Scrub in Mint Julips

Lip Scrubbing is crucial especially when you're about to apply matte lipsticks or lip stains because they can get really dry and would show all the dry patches on your lips. I love this lip scrub from lush because it exfoliates my lips and removes dead skin, I also love the mint flavor! This product just feels really refreshing on the lips.

Make Up For Ever Lip Line Perfector

Does your lipstick color bleed? Look no further this product will make sure that your lipstick/lipstains stay in place. Outline your lips like a normal lip liner and apply a lip color of your choice. I recommend this especially for the girls out there that loves a lot of lip stains, we all know how messy it could get! It could also be a lip primer (after your lip balm) to make sure your lipstick would stay on all day.

Lipsticks

Nars Audacicous Lipstick in Anna

I love this muted pink color, this line from Nars is more hydrating than their older lipstick collection. 

This color is good for any occasion. I have other shades from this collection and I love them as well but since it is a little bit on the pricey side, I would recommend Anna over anything else because of it's versatility.

                                         

NYX Lip Butter in Pops

I love this pinky nude color from NYX. I also love the formulation because it is really hydrating. You could never go wrong with this color, this is usually in my purse for any time wear.

                            

Rimmed Lasting Finish by Kate Moss #103 (left), #111 (right)

I love the Kate Moss Collection from Rimmed. They are creamy, affordable, and pigmented. I love the vibrant colors.

                                               

 I kinda went crazy buying MAC lipsticks last year. I love the formulations lustre (sheer coverage, pretty hydrating), creamsheen (creamy, shine), amplified (not as drying as matte), satin (velvety, a little hydrating than matte, sheen), matte (dry but I don't have a problem with Heroine or Diva). I love them and I like pinky nudes, muted pinks and mauves, berry, purples, violets, dark red. 

MAC Lipstick in Craving (amplified)

MAC Lipstick in Twig (satin)

MAC Lipstick in Captive (satin)

MAC Lipstick in Up the Amp

MAC Lipstick in Heroine (matte)

MAC Lipsticks in Up the Amp (left) and Heroine (right)

This is one of my favorite lip combos of all time!

Sephora Collection Pantone Color of the Year in Marsala

I love this color because it is very unique it's like a mix of brown, nude, and red. I love how it's really wearable. I have nothing like this in my collection. I like the formulation but I'm not a big fan of the scent, but it doesn't bother me enough for me to stray away from this lipstick!

Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lip Color #660 Touch of Spice

I love the shade and the formulation of this collection. This is probably my favorite lipstick collection from Maybelline. It doesn't really set as matte it is more of a satin lipstick, which is fine with me because it's a little bit more creamy than matte. It is really affordable and is great for its price!

Lipglosses

Buxom Full-On Lip Polish in Dolly

This is my first lip gloss from Buxom and I love it! This has a minty tingling and plumping effect. They are not sticky. They have a wide selection of shades! They are pretty sheer and they have some sheen. They are great alone or after a lip color.

 NYX Mega Shine Lip Glosses are pretty pigmented for a lip gloss, they are not sticky, and are probably like $4 each! I love these three shades! It doesn't make a crusty white line around the lips when it dries after a few hours. It keeps my lips hydrated. Great on it's own or over a lipstick. I am excited to try their new Intense Butter Lip Glosses because they are almost as opaque as lipsticks!

NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Tea Rose

NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Beige

NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Dolly Pink

Liquid Lipsticks/Lipstains

Too Face Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Melted Fig

Love the color, if you haven't noticed I love wearable colors. This product is not as long lasting as the drier formulations like Kat Von D and Sephora Collection Lip Stains, but this is a liquid lipstick. I love this product because it stains your lips a little bit but they are not drying at all. Too Faced came out with new shades of this line, gotta love options!

 Rimmel Lip Lacquers are similar to Too Faced Liquid Lipstick's formulation. The ones from Rimmel are way affordable ($5-6 each) and they have a great color pay off! They are really pigmented and really creamy!

Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquer in Nova (Pink)

Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquer in Celestial ( Nudy Pink)

Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquer in Big Bang (Red)

NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams were probably my first Lip Creams/stains ever! They are a bit drying, but they are long-lasting I just recommend a really hydrating lip balm. I recommend exfoliating before any matte lipsticks and lip stains.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Milan

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in San Paulo

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Prague

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks are awesome! They last all day even after an afternoon nap or after eating, and drinking. These dry really fast after application. I would apply a really hydrating lip balm just because it's a little bit dry. I recommend applying it on the outline of the lip first and filling them in. I've been wanting to get the shade Lolita but it's always sold out online and in-store, but that color is so wearable and gorgeous, if I had it, it would probably be in my favorites. 

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in L.U.V.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Bauhau5

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks in L.U.V. (left) Bauhau5 (right)

Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stains are also a must! They have the perfect lip stain formulation. It also lasts after naps and after eating. When they dry they don't crack my lips, you can put any lip balm underneath. They are not as quick drying and Kat Von D Liquid Lip Stains, so you have more time to work with. Kat Von D Liquid Lip Stains are more dry than the Sephora Collection Lip Creams. Sephora has a new collection of their Lip Stains and I haven't seen these older colors, they feel the same on the lips, on the new collection, I am currently loving African Violet and Cherry Blossom. These are amazing and pretty affordable for their quality.

Sephora Collection Cream Lipstain in #04 (older collection)

I love the Sephora Collection Lipstain

MAC Lip Pencil in Nightmoth

I love this lip liner to pair with vampy lip colors from purples, violets, burgundy, etc. This lip liner umps up the look and achieve a perfect vampy look!

Sephora Collection Cream Lipstain #7 (older collection)

Perfect Vampy Lip Combo!

Next Blog Post: My New Hair

Best of Beauty 2014: Skincare & Haircare

Day:

Vitamin C Energizing Face Spritz

I love this product so much especially when I have to wake up really early to go to work. This is a great product that will instantly wake you up. It has Vitamin C from Camu Camu Fruit, which is an antioxidant and has more Vitamin C than orange, it is known to be beneficial for the skin to tighten, brighten, and lighten. Also contains aloe vera which soothes, hydrates, and moisturizes. Perfect for anyone, with any skin type. This product is the first thing that I put on my face but you can also use this anytime with or without makeup on just to freshen up.

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster

This is a day serum, I apply this after the face spritz. This  product also contains Vitamin C, and it contains green tea extract to nourish the skin. I love this product because it's really hydrating and my skin just drinks it up, it smoothes everything out, and it smells really good. It is oil-free, also great for all skin types. This product is great for traveling as well because you can twist the pump and it will lock, it will be secure in your luggage and don't have to worry about spills.

Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream

This is a day eye cream, it is great because it depuffs and reduces the appearance of dark circles. This product contains caffeine that refreshes and wake up tired eyes. It also contains Mica that will help brighten up your under eye and reflect light. A little bit of this product goes a long way, I apply it with my ring finger and tap gently. Best for all skin types. Origins is a brand that is made with natural ingredients.

The Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream

I have combination skin, and this face moisturizer is a life saver! I notice that I am not as oily on my T-zone area and it really does mattify. Given wearing a primer, setting makeup with powder. This is my favorite face moisturizer and the only moisturizer that I've been using, it will be really tough to find another product like this. This product is for combination and oily skin types. I put this after my serum and eye cream.

Night:

The Body Shop Vitamin E Serum (left), The Body Shop Nourishing Night Cream (right)

These two are my combo at night because they are hydrating until I wake up the next day. Both products smell good and they work well together.

Tarte Maracuja Oil

If I'm not using the Vitamin E serum, I use this as an alternative. I usually change it up with this especially if my face needs some help from acne, etc. because I've seen improvement in my skin whenever I use this, this really does repair and hydrate. Maracuja oil is found from the Amazon. It is great to use on hair and cracked/dry cuticles as well.

Face Wash & Exfoliator:

The Body Shop Tea Tree Cool & Creamy Wash (left), The Body Shop Seaweed Pore-Cleasing Facial Exfoliator(right)

I use the Tea Tree Face Wash on a daily basis am and pm. It is gentle on the skin, it is great for people who have sensitive and blemished skin because tea tree oil calms and smoothes the skin. I use this with my Boscia Konjac Sponge for an easier application. I use the Seaweed Exfoliator 2-3 times a week  after the face wash. This product exfoliates and removes dead skin and also removes any flakiness due to dry skin. I have been using this all year last year and I've been repurchasing them over and over, I even have back-ups of these in my storage. You can get a great deal at The Body Shop because they always have a sale like 40% off, buy 2 get 1 free, buy 3 get 2 free, etc.

Tools:

Boscia Konjac Sponge with Bamboo Charcoal

This sponge makes sure that I distribute the product throughout my face. It is also easier for me to apply face cleaners on my face with this sponge. It penetrates deep into my skin than applying it with my hands. It is soft and gentle to use on the face and the charcoal detoxifies my skin . Boscia has different types of Konjac Sponge depending on skin type and skin concerns. This sponge doesn't accumulate bacteria because of the bamboo charcoal, and I hang it to dry. The one I have is for oily and combination skin types also for sensitive skin.

Clarisonic Mia 3

Blackhead Remover:

Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips

The only product that ever worked for me in removing blackheads around my nose area!

It is inexpensive and it does its job well. 

Acne Spot Treatments:

The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil

I mainly use this to spot treat my acne when I get those occasional breakouts. I love this product because it really works, calms and soothes my skin, and I see results the next day. Tea Tree Oil has antibacterial properties that helps get rid of acne. I also made a mix of this product and water in a spray bottle, it is a great spritz for the face and also for your makeup brushes, it is similar to the one they sell at Lush. 

Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment

If you haven't already checked out my post about this, go and read it after! 

You will know what it does and why I love it so much.

Haircare:

-Tools:

Remington T-Studio Ceramic Pearl  Professional Curling Wand in 1/2" to 1"

Ultra Chi Red 1 Inch Ceramic Flat Iron

Even though this product is a little pricey, it's a great investment because of it's quality. It heats up quickly, has a great range of heat setting. I only have to slide it through once and I don't find the need to do it over again. It is really effective especially for girls who have thick hair like me, and it saves me time. This also came with a case which is great for traveling. You can also use this to curl your hair. I got this at Ulta when they had the 20% off coupon.

Hot Tools 1-1/4 Inch Fliperless Curling Wand

I love this product when I had really long hair because it gave an effortless Victoria's Secret curls. It heats up quickly, and includes a heat-resistant glove. Normally I put mousse on my hair instead of hair spray because I don't want to get crunchy hair. It is easy to use, it is a great value as well. I bought this at Ulta and I got the 20% off coupon.

-Heat Protectant:

I barely apply hair tools on my hair because I want my hair to be really healthy, but when I do use hot tools I use this to protect my hair. I've been using this since high school and it has been great for me, this smells really good which makes my hair smell good.

-Detanglers:

This is a really affordable detangler that does the job. I've gone through two bottles of these so far, but I switch it off with the Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Tri-Whear Leave-in Conditioner. I know it's a leave-in conditioner, but it really detangles my hair well. I mainly use it to detangle my hair and to freshen it up.

-Leave-in Conditioners/Hair Treatments:

Macadamia Nourishing Leave-In Cream

I love using this product to tame baby hairs, and to get rid of frizziness. 

It smells good, makes my hair manageable and easier to style and also smoothes my hair.

It's a 10 Miracle Leave-in Plus Keratin

This is a holy grail for me, my hair is smoother and healthier because of this. I have finished three bottles so far, I use it everyday after I use my detangling spray. It detangles, defrizzes, add shine, protects from heat, replaces lost keratin, strengthens hair, add hydration, and is great for all hair types. I usually buy this at Target because they sell 2 bottles for I believe $49.99, it is a great steal because one bottle is $40 each.

-Hair Mask:

Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque

Another holy grail product for me, I am now on my second tub and I use it every other day, but I have thicker, coarser hair than others so just depending on your hair on how often you use it a week. My hair is healthier and smoother because of this product, and also the other products I mention. I also find my hair less tangled  on the ends when my hair dries after. It makes my hair more manageable and easier to maintain throughout the day. I found all my Macadamia hair products at my local TJ Maxx, if I'm not mistaken, you can also find them at Target.

Coconut Oil

Good old coconut oil from the grocery store is an alternative for your hair treatment. I usually do this once a week when I have time. I sometimes would put it on dry hair and just massage through my hands and to my hair and make sure it has a pretty decent amount of product distributed evenly, concentrating to the bottom part of my hair, or I use this after my shampoo. You can basically leave this on your hair for as long as you want.

-Hair Oils:

Agave Hair Oil

I love this hair oil! This is great for girls who have thick, coarse, frizzy, and also damaged hair. This product instantly smoothes my hair especially my ends. This product leaves your hair looking healthier and gives a little bit of glossy shine, it also smells really good! This is my holy grail product for a healthy hair. If this product is a little bit too pricey for you, I recommend the Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment, it's not as great as the Agave Hair Oil, but it is a good product nonetheless.

-Beachy Waves:

I basically use this during summer time to give me that beachy effortless waves. This product works and it is really affordable. I spray it on damp hair and just scrunch it, and just let it dry to achieve that beachy wave style.

I don't really have a favorite shampoo but I was just purchasing different scents from the Organix Brand. I like Organix because it's inexpensive, doesn't have sulfate (which dries hair), and it works pretty well.

Next Blog Post: Best of Beauty 2014: Lips