December Favorites

Many blogs are doing a "best of 2011" post, but since I only started my bloggle this year, and am (comparatively) reserved in my purchases, I don't feel at all qualified to do one of my own. However, monthly favorites/empties posts are also popular, and I figured I should maybe start doing that, and what better time than now? Unlike Tip Tuesday or Recommendation Thursday, it doesn't require too much research on my part, but will hopefully still be fun and interesting for you all! I'm also hoping that the fact that it's only once a month means I'll be able to actually consistently post it (unlike my "weekly" features...). So, without further ado, here's what I've been loving in December!

MAC Matchmaster 1, Kryolan Anti-Shine Powder

MAC Matchmaster 1, Kryolan Anti-Shine Powder

I use these almost every day (occasionally I'll wear another foundation from one of my samples, but I always set it with Kryolan!). Yes, foundation and powder are boring "favorites", but as one of the only real staples in my collection, I felt I had to give them the attention they deserve!

DC

It's that time again, lovelies––I'm off to visit the boy in DC! Since it's New Year's, I probably won't be around much until the 3rd, but I've got a few posts scheduled, and I'll try to check in when possible.

I'm only bringing a few makeup products (carry-on/liquids rules suck), so I've pretty much got my NYE look planned out based on that: Urban Decay Rollergirl (minus the pink, probably), Urban Decay Rockstar eyeliner, theBalm Cabana Boy blush, and Chanel Dragon. I'm sorry I wasn't able to take a picture of everything together, but I put it off 'til today (bad Amy!) and now I have to leave to go to brunch then the airport. I will try to do a post-trip makeup summary/guide for how to save space when traveling, but no promises––the LSA (Linguistic Society of America) conference is the day after I get back from DC, and the day after I get back from that school starts. So, yeah. We'll see. But, so you don't feel completely abandoned, here's a picture of my NYE manicure. I suspect it'll be horribly chipped by tomorrow, but hey, I had to at least try!

Layering order:
1 coat Sally Hansen Hard as Nails hardener
2 coats Orly Au Champagne (review to come, at some point)
2 coats Essence Prism@tic White
1 coat INM Out the Door

I wasn't able to capture it in a picture, but the layering combination gives completely opaque shimmery white nails that color shift from turquoise to purple to pink. It's pretty awesome. Very wintry!

As always, leave a comment, tweet me, or send me an email if you have any questions, and I'll get back to you ASAP! Have a lovely new year, and thank you all so much for reading, commenting, and giving this blog a reason to exist! Happy 2012!

Currently Coveting: Chanel Chance Twist & Spray Perfumes

Currently Coveting is a near-daily feature on products that look interesting, whether new releases, cult classics, or anything in between!

Hey, look! It's a Fragrance Friday-related Wanted! I'd like to say I planned it that way, but...oh, heck, it's my blog, I can lie if I want ;-)

Chance eau fraîche, Chance eau tendre, images via Chanel

Chanel has released two limited edition purse sprays in two of my very favorite scents: Chance eau fraîche, and Chance eau tendre (the former was my signature scent for a couple of years, and I plan on picking it up again when summer rolls around; the latter is a lovely fruity floral that works great in the colder weather, too). The convenience and cuteness is just too much! These are available from Chanel.com and select stores, and at $72 for 0.7 oz, are more expensive than the bottled perfumes (eau fraîche: $65/1.7 oz, eau tendre: $68/1.7 oz), but if you feel like splurging, they're definitely something to keep in mind!
$72 for 0.7 oz, available from Chanel

Currently Coveting: Urban Decay Mini 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil Sets in Darks and Brights

Currently Coveting is a near-daily feature on products that look interesting, whether new releases, cult classics, or anything in between!

With the holidays over, there's been an increase in the number of new products available at Sephora and other online beauty retailers––yay! Urban Decay's come out with two new sets of mini eyeliner pencils, one in dark colors and one in bright (though honestly, I think they both have a mix of both those kinds!).

UD Mini 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil Sets in Darks (left) and Brights (right); images via Sephora (both sets are linked in there––have fun figuring out where the division lies!)

The Darks set comes with eyeliners in Corrupt, Graffiti, Oil Slick, Ransom, and Stash, and the Brights set includes El Dorado, Rockstar, Electric, Binge, and Corrupt. Both sets have 5 x 0.02 oz liners for $19 (compared to the full-size 0.04 oz liners for $18), and are a great way to try out 24/7 liners if you haven't before! I'm going through a not-wearing-eyeliner stage right now, so I don't think I'll purchase either, but I'm sorely tempted to just because they're such a great deal.

NYX Maroon Nail Polish Review and Swatches

I thought I'd reviewed this already, but going through my photos stash, I realized I hadn't! Whoopsy daisy, my bad. Better late than never! Especially since this is a permanent shade.

2 coats NYX Maroon, no top coat

Chanel Mat Lumière SPF 15 Foundation in 02 Porcelaine Review and Swatches

When I went foundation shopping at Macy's, I knew I wanted to stop by the Chanel/Dior counter just for kicks (and to pick up Chanel Dragon). The SA said the Mat Lumière formula would be best for me, as it's designed to control oil and be long-lasting but not heavy, and matched me to the lightest shade, 02 Porcelaine, a pale cool shade.

Image via Chanel

Currently Coveting: Sephora Prisma Chrome Eyeshadow

Currently Coveting is a near-daily feature on products that look interesting, whether new releases, cult classics, or anything in between!

New and unusual formulas of eyeshadow have been all the rage this past year (see: Chanel Illusion d'Ombre, Armani Eyes to Kill, Estee Lauder Gelée Powder), and it looks like Sephora is jumping on the bandwagon with their new Prisma Chrome eyeshadows.

Image via Sephora

Available in 10 shades, these are supposed to "bring together the best features of baked, powder, and cream shadows. [Their] revolutionary effect captures light perfectly, delivering a prismatic effect with an unbelievably smooth and true color finish." Sounds interesting, no? The design and formula sound a lot like Estee Lauder's Gelée Powder eyeshadows, but at $15 for 0.12 oz, these are much cheaper, and I'm super curious about how they compare! Moon Beam and Shimmery Sand appeal to me in particular, with my passion for neutral eyeshadows, but it looks like there are some beautiful bold and bright colors too. Let me know if you've tried them, and what you think! I may have to add one to my next Sephora order...

theBalm TimeBalm Concealer in Lighter than Light Review and Swatches

You may recall a previous mini-review of mine on this same product in Light. I took back the set that came in, and when theBalm's 40% off Black Friday sale rolled around, decided to pick it up in Lighter than Light and see what I thought. So far? I'm liking it quite a lot!

theBalm TimeBalm Concealer in Lighter than Light

Milani HD Advanced Lip Color in Modern Mauve Review and Swatches

Another item from my Milani 50% off haul, oh goody! I've been wanting to try this lipstick for awhile, but between it not being available anywhere near me and being $9 for 0.06 oz, I couldn't quite take the plunge. But half off with free shipping is an offer I can't refuse, so I did some research and figured Modern Mauve would be the closest thing to MLBB in the line for me. Herewith, my musings.

Milani Modern Mauve

Merry Christmas!

I hope you're all having a lovely day with your family :-) We don't celebrate Christmas religiously (at least not in my immediate family), but we do use it as an excuse to all be together and eat lots of food (our favorite pastime!).

Here are my Christmas nails; I painted them late last night after having a disastrous experience with the red Milani One Coat Glitter (denting, chipping, terrible), but I like this combination! And, beautifully, they match one of my rings––don't you love it when that happens?

Layering order, all but ring finger: (ETA: I realize now that I'm not wearing my ring on my ring finger, but I assume you're all intelligent enough to figure out what's going on.)
1 coat Brucci hardener
1 thick coat NYX Maroon
1 coat INM Out the Door

Ring finger:
1 coat Brucci hardener
3 coats Color Club Gingerbread
1 coat INM Out the Door
1 coat Gelous
1 coat INM Out the Door (last 2 coats done today)

The ring is a family heirloom with a ruby (my birthstone!) and diamonds; it was part of my college graduation present from my grandparents. Ain't it purty (though blurry, because I figured I should choose the picture that shows my nails better than my ring, since this is a beauty blog, not jewelry).

Did you do your nails special for Christmas? Or dress up at all?