Best of November

As I write this post, most of my things are tucked away in a cardboard box, which are piled high in the living room. In a few weeks I'll be moving to a new place, and I've gotten a head start on packing up my clutter.

It was easy to spot my favorite makeup pieces because they were all the things that I couldn't pack...I use them every day. 

If reading long lists is not your thing, you've been warned for what's up ahead. No worries, I'm not the least bit offended - I'm the same way. I just jot these things down for future reference, anyway...just in case I ever want to revisit what tickled my fancy in November '12. 

maybelline baby lips [coral crush] - Smells like orange Starbursts..yum! 

fresh sugar lip balm - My favorite lip balm of. all. time. Of all time. Had to say it twice for emphasis. Softest, smoothest, lush little stick of expensive heaven. 

e.l.f. contouring blush & bronzer [st. lucia] - A very pretty, soft coral blush that comes paired with a light cocoa bronzer, both with a hint of gold shimmer. Three dollars. How are you doing this, e.l.f.?! 

essie nail polish [leading lady] - It's holiday in a tiny bottle, really. They look like tiny christmas lights, packed into a nail polish. Gives me sparkling, warm fuzzies.

lancome virtuose doll eyes mascara - why must pricey things be so, so impressive? more on this here

NYX collection noir liquid black liner - Super fine, super long tip that doesn't bump into my lashes and make a wet clumpy mess. 

l'oreal color lip riche balm [nourishing nude] - it really doesn't provide 8 full hours of hydration like the website claims (it's more like 30 minutes if you're a normal person that breathes and talks)...but i love this color and i will forgive the lies. 

clinique chubby stick [whole lotta honey] - made with mango and shea butters; I love its glossy finish and subtle but still impactful tint. 

revlon lip butter [pink truffle] - I was largely unimpressed by revlon lip butters until this color. All aboard the hype train!

soap & glory face soap - I admit I bought this because I love the packaging aesthetics of the brand, and because the product itself is SO pretty (tiny little pink beads suspended in aquamarine gel)...but it really is an effective, great product. The beady bits help exfoliate, and though it doesn't lather as much as I'd hoped it would, my face has been feeling cleaner and less rough - which tends to happen because my area has harsh water.

Well, you made it to the bottom! You crazy, bored person. 

Thank you :)

Lancome Virtuose Doll Eyes Mascara

Whenever my mom goes to Japan to visit family, she brings me back a treat - sometimes it's Hello Kitty trinkets, sometimes it's makeup. She knows me so, so well. Best mom ever. 

I'm not usually one to splurge on mascara, so this is exciting. But also dangerous. What if it's so impressive that I can no longer be satisfied with my beloved drugstore mascara brands....

....I tried it anyway. You know, because i'm a daredevil.

And it was impressive. 

The little spikey bits? Those are the fibers that attach to the ends of your lashes to add length. I applied 2 coats and there was no clumping, no crunchy lashes. It felt lightweight and the results were pretty dramatic. 

I love it, and I hate that I love it because there goes the Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara that I was TOTALLY satisfied with just a second ago. 

Top: Without Mascara || Bottom: With 2 coats of Lancome Viruose Doll Eyes Mascara

Hello, fluttery lashes. Goodbye, all of my money.  

What's the bottom line? Will I really never touch a drugstore mascara again? Nah, I'm too budget-conscious to be replenishing a $30 mascara every few months. 

But the Lancome Virtuose Doll Eyes Mascara makes my lashes look so naturally pretty. Maybe it's something I put on my birthday wishlist, and then again on my holiday wishlist.. [insert sneaky laugh]  :)