When thinking about what categories I wanted to include for Best of 2017, beauty was a no-brainer... I mean, I do classify myself as a beauty blogger most of the time.

This was the year that I back peddled on a lot of beauty purchases and really didn't spend as much as I usually do. I was grateful for that because I was spending way too much on makeup... when I work for a makeup company.

My collection is starting to overwhelm me and I need to declutter some of my items but that I'll save for 2018. For now, I'm ready to talk about my favorite beauty items of 2017. I say beauty and not makeup because some of them are skincare and tools.

Some of these items I've mentioned this year and some I have not so let's get into it.



1. Tarte Shape Tape Concealer: I think this was my favorite item of the year... I think it was everyone's favorite item of the year. It's such a creamy, full coverage concealer that just looks so good. I've gone through three tubes of this concealer and it is truly a miracle worker. If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend it.

2. Kylie Cosmetics Twenty Lip Kit: I don't know if I've ever loved a lipstick more than I love the Kylie Twenty Lip Kit (I know it's sold out but it's still my favorite and who knows if she'll restock!) . I already loved Kylie lipsticks and my love took a backseat this year but this lipstick saved the day. I have barely worn another liquid lipstick for months. It's the perfect mauve/plum shade without being overpowering. The formula is the same as other Kylie's but it's the color that really is queen.

3. Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette: When I saw this palette on Instagram, I knew that it was going to be a major hit. I knew I needed it and I immediately bought it the moment it was available. I've only ever had the Naked3 palette and I loved it to death so I knew I'd love this one too. It was probably my favorite palette of the year with all the warm and toasty colors. It is stunning and the formula is bomb dot com!

4. Laura Geller Quench-n-Tint: This was released in April of this year and it kind of took Laura Geller by storm. I mean, I know a lot of our customers like it because I run the social accounts and hear it constantly. It is such an amazing hydrating, tinted moisturizer that has the highest concentration of water of any foundation on the market. It blends out beautifully and is perfect for no makeup days. I wore this a lot over the summer and it layers with other foundations perfectly, if you want to use it as a primer or layer a powder foundation on top. Please try it, you won't regret it!

5. Laura Geller LashBOSS Mascara: Another Laura Geller product that was a favorite and one that I've gone through many tubes of (probably 4-5 to be exact). LashBOSS mascara is a triple benefit mascara that has a dual-sided wand and really makes your lashes pop. I don't think I'll ever buy or use another mascara-- I've tried to go back to other favorites or even try new ones and nothing compares.

6. Emjoi Pedi: I didn't know how much I needed this product until it arrived on my doorstep. It's a little gross but it has changed my feet and has really made all the difference. I used it a lot in the summer and need to get back on it to get rid of the dead, dry skin in the wintertime. If you're in the market for a callus/dry skin remover for feet, buy this one.

7. Caudalie Gentle Cleansing Milk: I just finished this after having it for months on end and I miss it dearly. It's already in my Sephora cart and I'm ready to order another. It's the perfect everyday cleanser while also acts as a great makeup remover. It's gentle enough to use on sensitive skin but also works really well at cleaning and removing everything on your face. It's not as pricey as you'd think, just under $30 and it lasts for a while. I haven't loved a face wash like this in a very long time.

8. PUR Skin Perfecting Foundation Brush: I don't apply my foundation with a brush but when/if I do, it's this brush. It's similar to the Artis brushes without that ridiculous price tag and works just as beautifully. I use this mostly with stick foundations and I've never loved a brush the way I love this one. Try it, you won't regret it.


What did you love this year? Give me suggestions in the comments for some new favorites in 2018!
xoxo
B

As a self-diagnosed beauty addict, I am always trying new products. I am constantly searching for the next greatest product, browsing the new arrivals pages on Sephora, Ulta, and Nordstrom, looking to see what my favorite brands have recently put out.

If there is a new product on the market, I usually have tried it even if it was just a bonus sample from a Sephora order.

However, all that being said, I do have some tried and true favorites. When I was thinking about what products I've repurchased I felt like I didn't have enough but when I really looked in my collection there were so many products that I've bought more than once.

Now, there are a few products that I've only repurchased once because there are a handful of products that I've loved and bought again but these are my MOST REPURCHASED (two or more times).

If you're interested in my items I've repurchased only once, here's a little look:




Now onto the big items (which are mostly skincare because obviously, we go through skincare a bit more)



1. Simple Micellar Water: This is my holy grail of face cleansers and I don't know how many times I've repurchased. I use this every morning as my cleanser instead of using an actual face wash and I love it. It's so easy and quick but also leaves my skin feeling fresh and clean without a horrible residue. I've used the Garnier micellar water and I much prefer Simple. Simple is my favorite drugstore skincare brand and I've used so many of their products but this is my far my favorite. I highly recommend trying out a micellar water.

2. Tarte Frixxtion Stick: I have a huge post on this so I won't go into too much detail but I think I've purchased 4 or 5 of these since I posted it last year. I leave it in my shower and wash my face with it every night. It's compact, easy, and I love how the charcoal really deep cleanses. Stick cleansers are all the rave right now but this is my #1 ride or die.

3. Eva NYC Hair Mask: I've used this hair mask so many times I've lost track of the number. I always switch between this and the Briogeo one but Eva NYC is cheaper and just as good. My family loves it too and it makes such a difference in our thick hair. I only wash my hair 1-2 times a week and I don't even use regular conditioner anymore. This is my holy grail, go to conditioner!



4. Tarte Eye Brightener Cream: I have a love affair with eye creams and all eye products; this is the first eye cream I ever truly loved and have purchased over and over again. It's hydrating and truly brightening; it also doesn't irriate my under eyes which is very important to me. I notice a differnce when I use this and if you need a good eye cream, try this baby.

5. Benefit Cosmetics Ooh La Lift: This was the first makeup item I ever purchased from Sephora and since then I've repurchased many times. It seems a little gimmicky but try it, just once! It brightens and lifts the under eye; it also makes a great 'primer' for your concealer.

6. Too Faced Better Than Sex: Is this everyone's most repurchased mascara? It's definitely mine and it's my go-to mascara. It creates fluffy lashes that are long and volumnious; Better Than Sex might actually be better than sex...

What is your most repurchased makeup item? Give me suggestions!! 
xoxo
B

January is the time when a lot of beauty brands release their mid winter & spring collections. It's also the time when the new trends start popping up and things are beginning to change throughout the beauty industry.

It's truly an exciting time and probably one of the most exciting months. It's exciting behind the scenes as someone who works in the industry but also truly exciting as a consumer. During the holiday season, brands don't usually release new items because they're releasing value sets & limited edition packaging.

Now is the time when we no longer see the same old products & shades; everything is new and I'm so excited!

Browsing the Just Arrived section of Sephora, Ulta, and Nordstrom is my favorite pastime and it's even better this time of the year. I have my eye on a few buys and am waiting to hit the "Place Order" button, only because I'm trying to be good and not shop too much.

In January, a lot of brands put out their complexion products, so foundations, primers, and concealers are usually all the rage. That being said, I'm super excited for a lot of items in that range.

I'm also excited for a lot of the trends this year: athleisure beauty & fresh skin (no makeup makeup look) are two of the hottest trends this year & I'm PUMPED.

I want to dive into a few launches I'm really excited for and need to purchase ASAP. They have great reviews and they're all in my cart. They are for sure definite beauty buys for this month!

Nars Radiance Primer with SPF Bite Beauty Agave Lip Balm GlamGlow Plumprageous Nudes Collection Skin Fitness Kit Sephora Micellar Cleansing Milk Tarte Lifted Sweatproof Mascara Urban Decay Optical Illusion Complexion Primer

We've discussed books, accessories, and now we are onto beauty. Beauty is my number one love, and I think 2016 was the year that beauty really exploded; 2014 & 2015 were warm ups and this year, the beauty industry took it's rightful place as a booming industry.

Working in the industry is very exciting because everything is changing and evolving in the best ways possible. Youtube, social media, and beauty influencers have changed the game greatly and brands are giving into that. They are developing products more on par with trends, and collaborations with influencers aren't going anywhere.

This was the year that I reigned in my beauty buying a bit, and discovered the art of returning and selling unnecessary things. Because of this, I was able to discover what I really liked and what worked for me.



In no particular order...

• Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation: I wrote an entire post on this foundation, and how it makes my skin look awesome but feels weightless on the skin. It's one of the best medium coverage foundations I've ever tried and I can't wait to continue to use it on 2017.

• Kylie Cosmetics Lip Kit: If this wasn't the year of Kylie Cosmetics, what will be? Myself, and the rest of the world, became addicted to scoring lip kits & other Kylie products when they were released, but then she got down a formula to have the site regularly stocked. I have 8 lip kits and I wrote a Brand Buzz here, but I still need to get my hands on the eyeshadow palettes! 

• Anastasia Master Palette by Mario: I tried to not purchase a lot of eyeshadow palettes this year (that's my general rule of thumb) but this was the palette I was most excited for this year. My beauty in review post is here, but the palette is super pigmented, versatile, and I love it.

• Tarte Shape Tape Concealer: One of the most talked about concealers this year and with good reason. It's blendable, full coverage, and doesn't settle into any lines or creases. Blending it with your finger, beauty blender, or brush will give you awesome results. It's the only concealer I've been reaching for in recent months. 

It's not very often that I get on here and discuss one stand out beauty product. I usually do a roundup of products, a focus on a specific category of product, or my current favorites.

Rarely I do single item posts *unless it's a sponsored post*, but this one needed a spotlight.

A few weeks ago I felt like my skin was looking kind of dull. It didn't feel like it was getting cleansed the proper way, and it felt clogged. My other cleansers weren't getting the job done and I wanted something new. I felt like my skin needed a good change.

That's when I got onto Sephora's website and started looking at cleansers. I noticed a trend amongst the products in front of me, something I hadn't seen before: cleansing sticks.

I knew cleansing sticks were an upcoming trend but I didn't really understand them. It's just a solid cleanser that you run across your face? Do you rub it in? What does it feel like?




Well, I can't pass up a new beauty trend so I decided to pick up the Tarte Frixxtion Cleansing Stick. It's a charcoal, exfoliating cleanser and the charcoal intrigued me. I know charcoal is great for the skin (I use charcoal masks all the time) but have never tried a charcoal cleanser. I thought this would be the perfect thing to make my skin feel better.

The reviews were fantastic on Sephora's website and I had seen a Youtube review or two about this product. The price was right at $22 so I couldn't pass it up.

Tarte describes this as a 3-in-1 cleanser that can also be used as a mask (I haven't tried it that way yet). It exfoliates, cleanses, and removes impurities; it gets deep into your pores to get a really great clean. It's hypoallergenic and vegan while also removing oils and reducing shine. (this is all paraphrased from Sephora's website).

I can attest to everything Tarte says!

I've never really tried Tarte skincare expect for their Maracuja Oil which I was allergic to and I'm pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this cleansing stick.

I use it mostly in the shower because of the easy application; I just wet my face, glide the stick across my forehead, cheeks, and chin, and rub it in. At first the cleanser feels gentle and once you start to scrub, you can feel the exfoliating beads start working.

After rinsing my face, my skin has never felt better. It was smooth, clean, and actually looked healthier. I've been religiously using this every night and my skin looks good and feels good. I immediately feel like my skin is 10x healthier after washing my face with this.

If you're in need of a new cleanser, don't mind shelling out $22 at Sephora, and just want something that will show you results in a few weeks, this is for you. You can always return it if it turns out NOT to be for you, but with the heat, sweat, and makeup clogging my pores (not to mention the pollution from the NYC subway), my skin feels incredible after cleansing with this.

My next step is to use this as a mask and pick up another cleansing stick ASAP!

What's the latest beauty trend you've tried and loved?

xoxo
B

Eye cream is something that you may not know you need but it's the #1 product you should be using in your skincare. This is a great article from Self Magazine summing up why you need eye cream and I agree with every word.

Eye cream has been in my routine for a few years now and I've tried many of them. I suffer with delicate under eyes and super dark circles so if I don't apply my eye cream, I can tell. I feel like my under eyes are dying of thirst and my dark circles look more prominent. I never leave my house without it.

I've tried some great ones and tried some not so great ones. I definitely have my favorites and they're mostly high end. The best eye creams are ones that I have found in Sephora-- drugstore eye creams just don't do it for me. If anyone has any good drugstore eye cream recommendations, let a sista know!

Most of the eye creams I've tried are to brighten and moisturize, so if you have dry skin and suffer from dark circles, these are going to be some eye creams you want to try.

• Tarte Maracuja C Brighter Eye Treatment: This is my #1 bae. I got a sample of it last year and couldn't wait to buy a full size. I notice a huge difference in when I use this and when I don't. It leaves my under eyes smooth and moisturized but the best benefit of using this eye cream? I notice my eyes look brighter and less dark right after I use it. It's also been a gradual process of lightening up my under eye area. The C Brighter is a lifesaver. I'm almost done with my first full size and I will be repurchasing it after I finish this up. 

• Fresh Black Tea Age Delay Eye Concentrate: I first received this as a deluxe sample from Sephora and I'm still making my way through it, but I'm obsessed. Fresh has amazing skincare and I was dying to try out their eye creams. This has a thicker consistency than the Tarte cream but it's even a little more moisturizing. It claims to visibly firm and prevent the signs of aging under the eyes, and it also has a hefty price tag. I probably won't buy the full size because it's too expensive for me, but if I could, I would. It feels cooling on the under eye area and it feels wonderful.

• Murad Renewing Eye Cream: If I never discovered the Tarte eye cream, this would be my favorite. I bought it last year on Murad's website after discovering I was allergic to fragrance and needed something stronger to soothe my under eyes. This also has a nice, hefty price tag but I got it 20% off, cash back on Ebates, and free shipping so I made it work. It also lasted me FOREVER! I just finished it a few months ago after buying it in April. It made my eyes feel soft, hydrated, and smooth. I noticed a huge difference the day after applying this and it was well worth the price tag.

• Benefit It's Potent: I had a mini sample of this a few years ago and it was the first eye cream I ever used. I always meant to go back to it but I love trying new things so I rarely repurchase but I received a sample size a few months ago and ugh, I forgot how much I loved it. This leaves me with a similar feel that the Tarte C Brighter does. Initially it feels thicker than most eye creams but once you blend it out, it becomes incredibly light weight and feels super weightless on the skin. The price tag feels right on this one and I will be repurchasing, most likely after I finish the Tarte one. 

Happy October 1st!! It's my favorite month of the year. Every weekend is jam packed with so many fun activities, I can hardly wait! Then my birthday month & Thanksgiving, and finally Christmas.

September went by very slow and I will gladly welcome if the next three months of 2015 go by slowly too. I can't believe in two months I'll be 23 and in three months, 2015 is over. The year went by fast and so much has changed, yet so much has stayed the same.




I really do come alive in the fall -- ugh I love it so much!

September was a good month for favorites -- here they are!



//Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Illuminating moisturizer: I got this on sale during the Sephora Summer Sale and I have not stopped using it. I wanted to try a Tarte face product and it certainly did not disappoint. This is a light weight BB cream that has illuminating particles to make your skin glow and look healthy. It doesn't provide too much coverage but perfect to even out your skin and give you a little something. The way I've been using it is by mixing it into my foundation. Adding a little bit of this BB cream gives my skin a lit from within glow, and really makes my skin look awesome. I've gotten so many compliments when I'm wearing this, I haven't stopped!

//Simple Micellar Water: I feel like I've talked about this before but according to my blog history, I have not. I've gone through three bottles of this stuff in recent months and I'm kind of obsessed. Micellar water is all the rage in the beauty world nowadays and for good reason. It's supercharged water that will remove makeup and clean your face without leaving any residue behind. It doesn't even have to be washed or wiped off afterwards! I still prefer using makeup wipes to remove my makeup at the end of the day but this is good to get stubborn eye makeup off after the fact. My essential use for this? I wash my face with it in the morning. It speeds up my morning routine and I've seen an improvement in my skin since doing that. I just put some on a cotton round and wipe along my face, and I'm good to go. It's amazing!

//Buxom Full On Lip Cream in Dolly: I was picking up my First Aid Beauty Blemish Patrol Pads in Sephora and I felt the need to buy something else. I wanted a treat and it took me an hour to settle on this lip gloss from Buxom. I had a mini Buxom lip gloss years ago and I loved it. I loved the tingly feeling of it on my lips and I've only heard good things since so I figured I'd get the full size. I knew one of the most famous shades were Dolly, a nude, mauve pink, and I instantly fell in love. I've worn it so much since and it's changing my feelings toward lip gloss. It's not sticky, great for every day, and I love the tingly, lip plumping feeling. It feels like I'm eating a mint, that's how fresh it leaves my mouth & lips. It's so weird but amazing.

//Face Masks: If you haven't realized it from this post, I've continued my love affair with face masks. I have so many different types and I love each and every one of them. I use them every 2-3 days and I think they do make a difference. They're so relaxing, easy, and fun to use- it's like your own personal spa!

//Macbook Air: I gushed about my new computer in this Links to Love post this month and my goodness, I cannot get enough. I just purchased this laptop case, and I look for any excuse to use it. It's so small and versatile and easy to use. It feels so good to have a Macbook again & I love it so much that I sometimes miss it when I go to work. I'm insane but hey, a girl needs her laptop.

//Chloe + Isabel jewelry: I gushed about this company in the beginning of the month and I've been wearing it nonstop. These pieces are pretty much the only ones I wear and I just ordered another ring yesterday. I get so many compliments on the pieces, and they're so simple and dainty, they are perfect for work & everyday wear!

Whew! That was a lot of favorites but as we get into the fall season, I'd say these posts may get longer and longer. Like I've said, I come alive in the fall ;)

What did everyone else love this month?

Top: Lipgloss, Middle: Cheek Stain, Bottom: Lip tint

Tarte Petite Treats 12 Days of Christmas Lorac The Royal Eyeshadow Collection Smashbox Try It Kit Stila Flawless Gems Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Spotlights Butter London Gilded Gears  Glitz & Glam Party Essentials  Gift Sexy: GlamGlow