January Favourites!

I can't believe that January is already over.  It seems to have flown by.  It seems that I have so many favorites this month.  There have been some new discoveries and some older products that I have 'newly rediscovered'.  As part of my effort to save money, I am doing my best to use up as much of the products I already have - instead of just continuing to buy more.  Note: monthly favorites are also long posts for me, as I tend to do a mini review on each product as I go.

Revlon Lip Butter in Candy Apple

There's something to be said about a product that flies off the shelf as fast as Revlon lip butters did.  I, along with many others, got caught up in the craze and purchased a whole slew of colors.  To me, these are along the lines of luster finish lipsticks and though they feel moisturizing, are best worn with some sort of lip balm underneath.  My personal favorites for the month have been: 035 Candy Apple, 040 Red Velvet, 050 Berry Smoothie & 085 Sugar Plum.  For a swatches & a full review on all the colors I have, check out my post here.

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During the drier months, I either tend to get really tight, dry skin or I tend to break out.  This month, my skin decided it would be a good idea to go into over drive and break out.  With the lack of moisture in the air, my skin over compensated and starting breaking out.  I re-discovered my Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup (Foundation).  I have this in color 03 Fresh Neutral.  Now this is not the best match for my skin tone as it was one of the foundations I color matched myself.  What's nice about it though, is that it contains 0.5% Salicylic Acid which is a known acne fighting medication.  I have been applying my moisturizer, as per usual, then dotting this on any blemishes I have to conceal and hide the redness.  It has worked great for me so far.

Along the lines of skin preparation,  I have newly discovered Benefit's POREfessional primer.  For the longest time, I have been using the Smashbox Photo Finish Light foundation primer and have been happy thus far with the results.  However, as a gal with combo oily skin, I was also looking for something that held away the oil and smoothed my skin's texture.  I think I started feeling the love for this when I took a trip down to the states with my parents and was given a sample to try.  It was just, wow.  I have since purchased a mini tube of this and have been using it religiously under my foundation and concealer (but only around my nose and cheeks where I have enlarged pores.)  It does a great job at making my pores appear less visible and making me feel less oily throughout the day.

Another new discovery for me was the Maybelline Color Tattoo 24h Eyeshadow.  I have also liked using my flesh tone MAC paint pot as a base or any other cream product to make my eyeshadows stand out but these are just that much better.  At a fraction of the price of MAC paint pots, these work that much better.  These come in a variety of neutral to vibrant colors.  I own 3 (Bad to the Bronze, Tough as Taupe & Pomegranate Punk.)  These are great worn blended out on their own, or with shadow layered over top.  My only gripe about these is that if I do not set them with an eyeshadow, I need an eyeshadow base underneath to prevent them from creasing after 5-6 hours.  I have fairly oily eyelids and most products will melt and migrate on my eyelids if I don't apply a primer underneath.

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You wouldn't think that I'd be in need of a bronzer during the winter months, but none the less, I have been loving Hoola Bronzer by Benefit.  Again, I do not own a full size of this, as I have been doing my best to avoid spending too much on makeup, however, I did grab a deluxe sample (3.0g/0.1oz) at Sephora in one of their Benefit deluxe sample packs.  This matte bronzer has been giving my face a nicely contoured look when applied with my Sigma F25 tapered face brush.  I like to apply a bit under my cheek bones and at my temples to give my face a bit of color and slim it out.

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I have not been wearing a tone of eyeliner this month.  On the average day, I have been sticking to concealer/covering spots, a little bronzer or blush and mascara and sometimes a touch of eyeliner to tight line my upper eyelid.  The eyeliner I have reached for the most often this month is the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Perversion.  This particular color is a much deeper and darker black than UD's standard Zero eyeliner.  It does a fantastic job at staying put all day without smudging or transferring to my lower lash line.

In January, I have been loving a bold lip.  For this, I have been turning to my faithful Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in 010 Plum and 045 Raspberry.  These both have a creamy, semi-matte, semi-glossy finish to them and are very pigmented.  These are the perfect take on a bold lip for me as they are different from a typical red lip which is usually harder for me to get away with.  I love pairing these with a simple face with the emphasis on the lashes and lips.  A perfect statement lip at an affordable price.  These are long wearing and not drying - great formulation.  Revlon also does a great job at their color selection.

For lips, I have also been loving my MAC lipstick in Sweet Thing (review on this to follow soon!).   Sweet thing is a hot fuschia pink with a purple undertone.  It is one of MAC's Luster Finish Lipsticks and though it is one of the sheerer finishes has wonderful pigmentation.  You will also find iridescent glitter in this polish.  Lovely shine and lovely color.  My favourite hot pink lip - and I'm all about the brights.

So that wraps up my monthly favorites for January, I hope you enjoyed this post and maybe found some new items to try out.  I know this post was a little long winded but it's always hard fitting everything I want to say in a single blog post.

Leave me a comment below telling me what were your favorites this month?

xo, Chanel

P.S.:  Thinking of finally making my first Youtube video, any suggestions on what it should be on? I'm thinking of a TAG video. Leave a comment below!