MONTHL¥ FAVOURITES . JANUAR¥ EDITION

Every month there are a handful of products that I reach for time and time again. Normally there seems to be a general theme, skin care, or weather related, etc..., but for the first month of 2015 my top picks are kind of all over the place. I've been obsessed with everything from hair care to tanning products, but these ten proved to be the real game changers of January. 

MAKEUP

I've kept my makeup exceptionally minimal this month, some days not even putting an ounce on just to give my skin a break. On days when I do apply makeup there are three products that I can't seem to get ready without, including the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, Anastasia Contour Kit and the Make Up For Ever Ink Liner. All three are so lust-worthy that you are probably sick of hearing about them, but let me break down why I keep them within arms reach. A) I've never experienced a primer that feels this luxurious, while truly extending the wear time of my makeup – and it never breaks me out. B) The Contour Kit is 'bow down bitches' worthy – it features 6 shades, 3 for highlighting and 3 for contouring, which work together to give you that perfect Kardashian chiseled effect. And finally, C) I've tried a lot of liners in the past but none are as pigmented or smudge-proof as the Ink Liner.

To add a lil sumthing, sumthing to my otherwise boring January looks I've been reaching for my new ColourPop Lippie Stix. I purchased a total of 5 shades from this line, but Feminist is hands down my favourite shade/formula. Nails wise nothing has been worn nearly as frequently as my Essie Cashmere Matte polishes – between myself and my friends. There is something truly unique about the demi-matte finish these polishes feature, which makes me forget what a pain they are to apply. 

MISC.

I was also introduced to a few products that made my eyes brighter, my skin more tanned and my hair glossier – three side effects you can't ignore, in the best way possible. For brighter eyes I've turned to the Rodial Dragon's Blood Eye Masks, which intensely plump and hydrate the under eye region. Realistically though, I'm just a little kid trapped in a grown up's body who loves the idea of applying 'dragon's blood' to my skin. The tanned skin comes from my frequent use of the Karora Express Bronzing Mousse, a company/product that is brand new to Canada and couldn't come at a better time. This tanner helps me go from vampire to Brazilian bombshell, real quick. Plus it adjusts based on your skin tone to ensure you never end up a Snooki hue. And finally, my hair has been praising the Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Shampoo and Conditioner this month. I originally HATED this shampoo, until I figured out how to produce a decent lather with it – simply apply, quickly shove head back under the water, then lather up. When I dry my hair, it looks and feels healthy and has a killer sheen, even if I've yet to style it. 

What products were you obsessed with this month?

AM¥     XO

[*]Some of the items in this post have been sent to THE PRETT¥ VAIN for purpose of review. All views expressed reflect my own opinion on the product. For additional information please see the Disclaimer.  

ALL USED UP . JANUAR¥ EDITION

Since the beginning of December I've looked forward to 2015, hoping it would provide me with a fresh outlook on life – from this point on, I would not only live within my means, but I would also live without excess. Judging by the growing amount of empties piling up in my room I'd say that I've been doing well thus far. Most months I hop from product to product, never really making a dent in my collection, but for 2015 that's all changed. For January I strategically chose specific products to reach for daily to ensure that I was truly dwindling down my collection before purchasing another item. This month I've made it through a total of nine products, and I'm somewhat shocked to admit that I've actually enjoyed each and every one of them.

For skin care I've been reaching for the Caudalie Beauty Elixir and Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum so frequently, and so desperately that I even began leaving the serum inverted in hopes of collecting every last drop. I luckily have a back up of the Beauty Elixir for this month, but will definitely have to re-purchase the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum in the future. It left my skin feeling soothed, revealed a more even skin tone, and diminished the discolouration seen around my mouth. I've also been 'on' when it comes to treating my lips and nails, as they often suffer when the temperature drops and the winds are strong. To condition my lips I've been using the Caudalie Lip Conditioner, which provides a matte layer of protection and a gentle scent, yet I probably won't be repurchasing it given my other options. On the other hand, my nails have been loving the OPI Nail Envy treatment, a product I alway repurchase. I'm obsessed with this stuff, and to my knowledge nothing else works quite like it.  

Makeup wise, these empties have been on their 'last days' for a while now – that's the weird thing about me, the second I'm ALMOST finished a product I must stop using it to prolong our time together. One of those products is the Chanel VitaLumiere Aqua Cream Compact – not only is the packaging gorgeous, but the foundation itself makes my skin look and feel like a dream. It's so difficult to say goodbye, but I must get through the other 7 foundations in my vanity before I repurchase this one again.  I also finished MAC's Strobe Cream and the Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit this month. The Creamy Concealer Kit is a product my love runs deep for, so I of course had a back up for it, but MAC's Strobe Cream was in my opinion simply an overrated primer. It created a dewy glow under my foundation, but it didn't do enough to hide pores and pro-long the wear time of my makeup to justify repurchasing it. The final two empties are the Lancome Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base and Hypnose Doll Lashes Mascara. I absolutely love the mascara base, and find myself using it with EVERY mascara I own. The same cannot be said about the Hypnose Doll Lashes Mascara – while I love the lash effect it delivers, there is an underlying rose scent that I find irritating. Plus the L'Oreal Miss Manga Mascara has been providing me with a similar effect at half the price. 

What empties will you be repurchasing this month?

AM¥     XO