November Favorites

It's officially December! I love November - it's so festive and gets me ready for the holidays and colder weather. I tried out quite a few new products in November and I wanted to share my favorites with you...

Beauty Favorites:

Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation in "light porcelain." I mentioned this in my October Favorites but I'm still loving it! Don't let the name scare you off - this can be really nice when applied correctly (even on dry skin). 

Benefit High Beam liquid highlighter. I picked up the cutest "Cheek Me Out" set of high beam and posietint samples at Ulta. This highlighter is SO beautiful! It's a "satiny pink" liquid/gel formula, similar to their lip and cheek stains. I use this on my cheek bones and the outer edges of my brow bones as a natural dewy highlight. I have ditched all other highlighters during November because I can't get enough of this. It's super easy to apply with fingers, a foundation brush, or even a stippling brush and it lasts all day. I'll definitely be purchasing the full size when this runs out!

Sephora Collection Colorful Eyeshadow - Shimmer in No. 48 Faux Fur. This is a taupe/bronze color and it has just the right amount of shimmer. I've been wearing this all over the lid and blending up into the crease for a one-shadow eye makeup look. By blending it into and above the crease, I'm able to create the look of 2 shadows with just this one. It's shimmery but not too glittery, definitely subtle enough for a daytime look. These shadows are smooth and velvety and blend really well. I will definitely be looking at other shades in this formulation.

Sephora Collection Colorful Eyeshadow in Faux Fur

Nyx Butter Lip Balm in Panna Cotta. I included a few of these in my giveaway because I love them. Most of the time I can't be bothered with lip glosses and lipsticks and pencils - it's too much. Also, my lips get very dry so lipsticks aren't always the best option. I typically stick to simple chapsticks or lip balms, so this product is perfect. It adds color but it's super creamy and moisturizing like a balm. I went back to Ulta and picked up every shade I could get because I love these so much. I would recommend these to anyone!

Nivea Lip Butter in Vanilla & Macadamia Kiss. Speaking of dry lips... this has saved mine! As you can see by the packaging, I carry this around in my handbag at all times. It's a soft and creamy butter inside the tin, and it smells amazing. The best part is that it actually works. It sinks into my lips and deeply hydrates them. I wear this all day and often swipe the Nyx butter lip balm over top for extra moisture & color. It's simple, affordable, and perfect to throw in a handbag, nightstand, desk, etc.

Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream - another handbag essential! I've almost used this tube up during November because my hands get incredibly dry. This is a quick fix - my skin absorbs this lotion immediately and it's super hydrating. It has a subtle, fresh scent but it's not overpowering or obnoxious. I keep this with me to keep my hands from drying out and cracking from cold wind, or exposure to direct heat from a fireplace or heater. It gets rid of rough patches right away and doesn't sting or burn. I love Bliss products and this does not disappoint. 

Non-Beauty Favorites:

I've been loving a new TV show this month. I don't typically tune in to CNN on a regular basis, but I've been recording this show and I'm addicted. It's called This is Life with Lisa Ling. I love Lisa Ling and the way she reports and tells stories and this show is so interesting. Unfortunately, I couldn't find this on Netflix, yet, but you can watch full episodes on CNNgo. I would definitely recommend checking it out if you're into other cultures, different ways of life, and learning about some ways other people live.

I've also been loving my Rue Violet Sleep Mask. I've always been a fan of sleep masks but this one is by far my favorite. It's super soft and lightweight, but thick enough to keep out all the light. The underside of this mask is made from terrycloth so it's comfy and soft. I have very watery eyes, especially at night, and the terrycloth absorbs the moisture so it doesn't irritate my skin. The elastic band is soft and stretchy and the patterns are really cute. The best part about these sleep masks are the price. I got mine off Easy for under $8. These are also machine washable, which is nice. A nice stocking stuffer for someone who loves their sleep or travels frequently - definitely a flying staple. 

I've been obsessed with this Starbucks Acrylic Tumbler. I drink a lot of hot tea, and in cold weather it's nice to be able to take it to-go. This tumbler is really cute, with silver beads and a pink lid. It keeps my beverages hot for hours and it's large enough to hold 16 oz. For just under $12, it's a steal, too. Great stocking stuffer or gift!

My last non-beauty favorite is actually a set - the Chronicles of Narnia Book Series and movies have kept me entertained all month. During November I read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and The Silver Chair. Unfortunately, only the first 3 have been made into movies, but I love the movies just as much as the books (for once)! The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is the perfect winter/holiday movie. Young and old alike can enjoy this series. 

What were your November favorites? What made November memorable for you this year?

Fall Lips!

When fall finally arrives in Texas I not only switch up my foundation routine, but I also begin to choose more autumnal lip & cheek shades. Of course, certain trends come into play, but traditionally, fall colors are deeper, darker, and more plum or berry. And of course, a red lip is always on trend. These are my current favorite fall lip products...

Stila Lip Glaze in Majesty - I believe this was a limited edition holiday shade. It was part of a holiday set, however, it looks like the shades Berry & Black Cherry would be very similar. These are definitely sticky glosses, but the pigment lasts a really long time. Even after the gloss has worn off, the pigment remains. If you're bothered by sticky glosses, these glazes are definitely not for you, but they are very long-wearing especially for a gloss. They are also super shiny. 

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Rose Blush - This is one of my all-time favorite lipsticks. It's moisturizing and the color is a nude rose - like a your-lips-but-better nude shade. It's a deep rose color so it's perfect for the colder weather without being too dramatic. I like to dab this on if I'm sporting a more dramatic eye look or a neutral makeup look for a subtle lip color. 

Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids Lipstick in Brazen Berry - I love this range of lipsticks. They're bright and highly pigmented, but moisturizing and long-lasting. This is a bright berry shade; it's perfect for a day-time autumn look. This is the most purple shade I have chosen, it's a cool tone with less red in it. 

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor in Blissful Berry - this is a true berry shade. It reminds me of a cranberry shade; it's reddish with just the right amount of purple. To me, this is the epitome of dramatic autumn and winter lipsticks. I love the color and the formulation is creamy, moisturizing, and highly pigmented. This is perfect for a bold lip look.

Make Up For Ever lipstick - this is in my GIVEAWAY! Check out that blog post to learn more.

NYX Jumbo Lip Pencil in Soft Fuchsia - these are a cross between a lip liner and a lip crayon or chubby stick. It's part liner pencil, part lip balm, and part lipstick. These don't last for hours, but they're super easy to apply and I love this shade. This is a perfect everyday fall nude. It's a deep, dusty rose color, and you can dab these on a for a more natural/sheer look, or build it up to look like an opaque lipstick. They're slightly glossy but not at all sticky. They're very creamy and don't dry my lips out. I keep this in my purse during autumn & winter for a go-to lip color that I can swipe on quickly when I need it.

From left to right: Majesty, Rose Blush, Brazen Berry, Blissful Berry, Copper Pink, & Soft Fuchsia.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway going on now! Check me out on Instagram & Twitter.

GIVEAWAY - Products I Love (closed)

**Giveaway is now closed**

I've reached my first blogging milestone and I wanted to do a giveaway to thank my viewers. I have tried (and loved) all of the products in the giveaway and wanted to share them with you. Thank you for your views, your tweets, your comments, and support! I would love to continue to do this routinely to show my thanks and gratitude. I will list the rules for the giveaway at the end of the post. Here's what will be included in the giveaway...

e. l. f. Eyebrow Kit - This is my favorite dupe for all those brow duos - HD Brows, Anastasia, etc. This is a staple in my vanity. I use the gel side everyday on my brows to add shape and also help keep them in place. I've included this in the shade "medium."

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara - I've done a review post about this mascara here. Love this!

Benefit Hervana Blush - Raved about this blush here.

e.l.f. Plumping Lip Glaze - these are double-sided glosses that plump and add color & shine. I've included these in the shades "oasis," "fuchsia fanatic," and "baby doll." Love these shades for fall.

The Body Shop Face Masks - I talked about these masks in my Nighttime Skincare Routine. I picked up the Tea Tree Mask, Vitamin E Sink-In Moisture Mask, and the Vitamin C Microdermabrasion (not technically a mask) sachets. I've done an in-depth review here. I also included the Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask, which I haven't tried (because it's not meant for my skin type) but it's part of the collection so I wanted to put that in the giveaway as well. 

Make Up For Ever - Mini Rouge Artist Natural moisturizing soft shine lipstick in the shade "Copper Pink" (N9). This is a sample size to test out the shade. I also have the mini version of this and I love it. This is a pricier item so it's nice to be able to test it out before you go for the full size. These lipsticks are infused with mother-of-pearl and they're super moisturizing.

Make Up For Ever Sens-eyes - This is a waterproof eye makeup remover. It's a creamy consistency similar to a cream cleanser, rather than the typical oil formulation. Sensitive on the eyes but gets the job done. This is also a miniature - perfect for traveling. 

NYX Butter Lip Balms - I recently discovered the butter lip balms and fell in love. I went back for more shades because I could wear these everyday. They're moisturizing and soft like a chapstick but they have a tint to them. I picked these up in the shades "red velvet" and "biscotti" - the perfect red and nude.

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Nail Polish - One of my all-time favs! I did a review on this nail polish collection here. I wear these polishes all the time and I love this grey shade ("Commander in Chic") for fall & winter. It lasts for ages without chipping.

L'Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara - My all-time favorite mascara! I love to try other mascaras, both high-end and drugstore, but I always go back to this one. It's just the absolute best. It's dark black, it thickens and adds volumes to lashes, but it also lengthens like crazy. I don't use this on bottom lashes because it can flake and smudge, but paired with the Clinique bottom lash - it's the perfect combo! 

Wet 'n' Wild Megalast retractable eyeliner - This is smudgable, very black, and retractable. This means it's always perfectly pointed and tapered at the tip. It even comes with a smudger on the other end. It lasts all day and it's super affordable. Always a handy staple.

Flowerbomb - This is a sample of my favorite perfume - Victor & Rolf's Flowerbomb. I save this fragrance for fall and winter because it's my absolute favorite and it's such a special scent. I definitely consider this a luxury because it is pretty pricey. This is a great sample - it's large enough to get tons of wear out of it so that you can test it out before you make a big purchase. It's slightly floral - with notes of orchid, rose, and jasmine, but has a muskier scent from the patchouli. The bottles (sample and regular sized) are all really beautiful as well. 

Sephora VIB Tote Bag - I will also include the Sephora VIB exclusive tote/shopping bag (pictured in back). 

**Giveaway Rules**

- Subscribe to my blog - you can do this with or without a google + account.

- Comment on this post telling me one of your all-time favorite beauty products.

- Follow me on Twitter (@beautyhisandlos) & Instagram @beautyhighsandlows

This giveaway will close on Friday, November 14th at 11:59pm (CST). A viewer who has subscribed to this blog, and followed the associated social media accounts will be chosen at random.