I can not get enough of this subscription service! Each month I anxiously wait to get my email stating that my Play! box has been shipped. The best part about this box is that it’s only $10. You can’t really beat that because you get to try out all the brands Sephora has. Every month the box has a theme in which the products are based on. December’s theme was “The Partygoers”. I love that December’s bag was black and gold (other months bags are white).

What I received this month:

Lancôme Hypnose Drama Instant Full Body Mascara (Full size $27.50//)// I have never used any products from Lancôme. I have heard really good things about this mascara. When I tried it out I was not disappointed. The mascara gave my lashes a lot of volume and it was easily buildable to help you achieve as much volume as you want.

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray (Full size $31// $3.38 value) // I loved receiving this in my box because it is a product I use all the time. Seeing that I live in the south, it doesn’t take much to make my makeup melt off at times. This spray keeps my makeup in place and prevents any smudging/fading. Just a few sprays and you are good to go! This spray is said to lock in your makeup for 16 hours.

Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Always Red (Full Size $14// Value $3.31 )// I was really impressed with the Sephora lipgloss that I received in one of my previous Play! boxes. This lip stain impressed me as well. I’m not one to typically wear red lipsticks but this one is not an overly bold red.  It dries matte but was very moisturizing. I love that it’s made with avocado and vitamin E.

Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo (Full Size $23// Value $5.26)//  One of my favorite brands for dry shampoo. I love that this shampoo is not heavy on my hair. It does a great job on absorbing any oil that I have in my hair without make it look flat. If you’re a girl who doesn’t always have time to wash her hair this dry shampoo will be perfect for you.

Make Up Forever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Smoothing Primer (Full Size $37//Value $5.92)//  If you read my December Beauty favorites, you will know that this is one of my go to primers. I love that this keeps my makeup in place all day long and keeps my oiliness to a minimum. It also makes my face look flawless and so smooth. I will say though that in the winter time I do not use this primer as much because my skin is a little drier than normal.

Elizabeth and James Nirvana Rose Perfume (Full Size $65// Value $3.50)// I personally do not like this perfume. It’s a bit too much for me. The perfume has a mixture of earthy notes of geranium and vetiver. Interesting fact is that this perfume is from Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen.

Total Value of box: $27.37+ 

I really loved this months box. A lot of great products, some I have used before and some I have not. What subscription services do you subscribe to?

2016 was a great year when it came to discovering new products for myself. I probably spent way more money on beauty products last year than I probably should have. Beauty products make me happy, so I have no regrets. Here are my favorite makeup products for 2016.

Benefit POREfessional Face Primer: I really love this primer for the winter time (I have not used it in the summer time yet). My skin tends to get a little bit drier when the weather gets colder, so this primer is perfect for the harsh weather. It is silky and lightweight and does not dry out my skin during the winter time. It’s oil-free and contains vitamin E to help protect your skin from free radicals. I find that this primer does help reduce the appearance of my pores and helps my makeup go on flawlessly/keeps it in place.

Make Up Forever Skin Equalizer Primer: This primer I love for the summer time. It helps my face stay matte and keeps me from looking like a greasy hot mess. I do find that it is not as hydrating as the Benefit Primer (that is to be expected because it’s more of a mattifying primer). When applying it does dry quickly but you are still able to apply your makeup as you normally would. This primer keeps my makeup in place all day long even when the temperatures here are over 100+ degrees.

Urban Decay All Nighter Foundation: I first purchased this foundation over the summer time and fell in love with it instantly. It is a medium to full coverage foundation. It is very buildable and a little bit goes a long way with this foundation. It covers up any redness, blemishes and imperfections I have without looking cakey. This foundation also oxidizes, so I highly suggest if you want to purchase it, to get matched first. I thought I would be a much darker shade but I wear 2.0.

MAC’s Plum Foolery Blush: I have been using this blush for almost ten years now. It is my ride or die blush. Though it is a plum color it’s not a dark plum. I find that it would be very pretty on several sign tones. It has a little shimmer but won’t make you look like you stepped into a pile of glitter.

Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer: If you’re looking for a natural bronzer look no further! This bronzer blends out so easily and gives you a nice glow (without looking muddy). It’s completely matte, so you do not have to worry about any shimmer. I also use this product to do my contouring with.

The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer Highlighter: If you are looking for a beautiful highlighter this is the one!!! It’s a vanilla shade that gives you a subtle glow.

Becca Champagne Pop Shimmering Skin Perfector Highlighter: This highlighter was created by Jaclyn Hill, my favorite beauty youtuber. Of course I had to purchase it and I’m so glad I did. It does not disappoint! It is very cream and gives you that beautiful natural looking shine.

Anastasia Cream Contour Kit:I love how easy it is to contour with this kit. Before I use it, I put one drop of Tarte’s Maracuja Oil on top of the one I want to use to make it even creamier. The formula is very smooth and blends out effortlessly. I also use their powder contour kit as well and love it just as much.

Tarte’s Shape Tape Concealer: This concealer is hands down amazing!!! I love that it covers my dark circles, blemishes, etc without looking cakey. It also blends out perfectly and does not crease. A little bit of this product goes a long ways because it is very thick. Along with using this to conceal my blemishes I use it as a highlight. I went two shades lighter then what I typically wear. Another great plus to this concealer is that it is not drying.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer: This concealer is my second favorite concealer to use. It is so lightweight but covers all my problems while being extremely hydrating. The formula is not as thick as the Shape Tape Concealer.

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder: I love how much this helps set my concealer. It is very light weight and gives you a matte finish. It does not set in your fine lines or larger pores.

Tarteist Lash Paint Mascara: This mascara right here gives my eye lashes so much volume! I love that I can put on one to two coats of this and my lashes go from blah to bam. It is very long-lasting and does not have any fall out. It is Vegan and has ingredients to help nourish your lashes.

Maybelline The Falsies Push Up Angel Mascara: This is probably my favorite drug store mascara that I have used in years. When I first purchased it I was a little skeptical because of the wand. It gives my lashes that extra volume that I need.

Benefit Ka-Brow! Cream-Gel Eyebrow Color: I was introduced to this product at the beginning of December when I went to get my eyebrows done at Ulta. I love that this gel comes with a brush making it very easy to apply.  I also love that the gel is not clumpy.

Benefit Ready, Set, Brow! 24-Hour Setting Gel: This setting gel goes hand in hand with the Ka-Brow cream gel. When I first used this gel I used way too much which made my eye brows a little crispy. So if you do purchase this product, I suggest using just a little bit to set your eye brows.

Urban Decay Original Eyeshadow Primer Potion: When it comes to keeping my eyeshadow on this is my go to primer. My eyeshadow does not budge or crease.

Urban Decay Naked Palette: This is an oldie but goodie. I have so many eye shadow palettes but over 2016 I started going back to the Naked Palette. It’s just an amazing palette because it’s so pigmented and you can create so many looks with it.

ColourPop Ultra Satin Lip in Molly: This is my favorite lip formula from ColourPop. It’s really moisturizing and long wearing. Molly is a dusty lilac shade. I wore this shade a lot during the summer time.

ColourPop Ultra Satin Lip in Hutch: I can not begin to tell you how beautiful this shade is. I have worn it non-stop during the Fall. It is a blackened violet shade but when I wear it, it was more violet than black.

Urban Decay De-Slick Oil Control Makeup Setting Spray: Seeing that most of the time I have oil in my t-zone I have to use a setting spray. If I don’t, my makeup tends to come off a little bit. This spray helps reduce the amount of oil I have on my face while keeping my makeup in place. Another great thing about this spray is that it features temperature control technology.

That wraps up my best of beauty for 2016. I know there were so many more products that I probably forgot to list. As you can see I had so many favorites last year. I’m sure 2017 will be the same.

What were your favorite beauty products from 2016? Let me know in the comments below.

For those of you who love makeup like myself, you are probably familiar with the brand ColourPop. If you haven’t heard of them, today is your lucky day. ColourPop is a cruelty free brand that is based in California. The best thing about their products is that they are extremely affordable. All of their products are under $10. Over the years I have become a ColourPop addict. I have tried all of the products they carry and have yet to be disappointed with anything I have purchased. Today I am bringing you my recent haul of their Holiday 2016 collection “Now Playing”. I love how the did the packaging of these collections. So cute!!!

***These kits were just restocked. I hope that when I post this, they are still available.***

Never Not Chillin Eyeshadow Kit $30  (If you do not like all the shades in this kit, they can be purchased separately).

Eyeshadows in the collection are: 

Peekaboo: Metallic ivory with silver glitter

Desert: Satin warm brown

Thirsty Girl: Metallic bronze with multi-dimensional glitter

Fairfax: Matte black brown

Babykins: Metallic burgundy with pink glitter.

Patchwork: Ultra-glitter turquoise with duo chrome glitters.

All swatches were taken in natural lighting with no flash. 

I absolutely love the formula of ColourPop’s eyeshadows. It’s a sponge like texture that is smooth and dries as a powder. It is best applied with your fingers or a flat synthetic brush. All of these shades are perfect for the upcoming holidays. My favorites in this collection are Thirsty Girl and Babykins.

To and From Lippie Kit $30

Lippies in the collection are:

Parker: Matte mid-tone warm nude

Cami: Matte X mid-tone mauve

Baewatch: Matte dusty rose

Pack Pack: Matte X deepened dirty plum

Weekender: Matte X warm true red

Tutu: Matte blackened violet

All of these lippies are matte but they do not dry your lips out. I was extremely impressed with the formula when I tried them out. If you are not sure about wearing a matte formula you can easily put on some chapstick and you will be good to go. My favorites from this collection are Tutu and Baewatch.

Hope you enjoyed my swatches! What are your favorites from the collections? Have you ever tried ColourPop before?

I am a huge lover when it comes to beauty products. Actually I would say more obsessed. Today I am bringing you a gift guide of my tried-and-true favorite beauty and hair products. These are products that I am always reaching for, so they have my stamp of approval. I know that these would make great gifts for the beauty guru in your life (or even for yourself).

Let’s start with makeup! When it comes to applying my foundation, I can’t live without my Beauty Blender. It applies my makeup effortlessly and the application looks flawless. Any beauty lover also knows that when it comes to applying makeup having a great brush set is key.  This brush set from Sephora is amazing (I don’t have it yet but I have one very similar to it). It contains all of the basic brushes that you would need to apply your makeup. It’s on sale right now, which is even better.  Palettes are another great option for any beauty guru. One of my favorite palettes is the Urban Decay Naked Palette. It has a beautiful mixture of neutral shades, perfect for creating several looks. One beauty product I can not live without is mascara. When I don’t wear mascara I look like I haven’t slept in days. Tarte’s Tarteist Lash Paint Mascara is amazing! It gives your lashes that extra boost of volume and length.

When it comes to haircare, It’s A 10 Miracle Leave-in Product has done wonders for my hair. It keeps my hair looking shiny, smooth and frizz free. It’s also great for preventing split ends! When I curl my hair, I love using the T3 Whirl Trio. It contains three wands to help you create that perfect curl and it’s so easy to use! Another haircare favorite of mine is my Drybar Buttercup blow dryer. It cuts the amount of time it takes to dry my hair in half and it helps reduce frizz, increases shine and traps moisture.

Now let’s talk skincare. I am constantly trying out new skincare products. You could call me a skincare snob. I purchased some products from First Aid Beauty at the end of October and fell in love with everything. Their products have kept my skin looking refreshed, smooth and hydrated. One of my favorite devices to clean my face with is my Mia 2 by Clarisonic. It helps remove my makeup beyond the surface and does it in a gentle way. It also makes me face feel so smooth. Sephora has combined the Mia 2 and First Aid Beauty products here. This is an amazing deal! Along with both of these products I love using face masks. What girl doesn’t? This set from Sephora is awesome (it includes more than face masks).

I hope you enjoyed my gift guide! I’d love to know, what are your favorite beauty products that you’d recommend as gifts. Let me know in the comments below!

Each month I look forward to receiving my Play! by Sephora Box. I love that I get to try out a lot of products/brands that I have never heard off for only $10. This month’s theme is “The Cool Cut”. This months box features several products that are up and coming in the beauty world.

What is Play! by Sephora? It’s a $10 a month beauty subscription service with five samples and one perfume sample each month. All of the brands are carried at Sephora. I love this because Sephora has a lot of high-end brands that I would love to try out; however, sometimes spending the money to try those products can be pricey. Another great thing about the box is that it comes with a pamphlet that tells you all about the products and how to use them. Another bonus that you get with the box is a Play! pass which lets you earn 50 extra Beauty Insider points with any purchase.

What I received this month:

Smashbox Always on Matte Liquid Lipstick in Driver’s Seat l (Full size $24// $10.00 value)// I love Smashbox products and was really excited to receive this lipstick. I am not a huge fan of matte lipsticks because some can be really drying. This formula is quite opposite of that. It’s very creamy and not drying at all. It doesn’t sit into the lines of your lips which is another big thing for me. I hate having dried out looking lips. Not cute! The shade is a warm nude with a hint of red undertones. Really pretty shade because it’s not overly nude. It also had really great ingredients such as jojoba, apricot, and sunflower oils which help the finish not be overly drying.

NUDESTIX Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencil in Belle (Full size $24) // This is the first time I have heard of this brand and I must say I am very impressed with the formula. I swatched it and it went on more like a gloss. It’s very hydrating. It wears up to six hours. The shade is a plum nude. Really pretty shade as well.

Too Cool For School Yellow Mellow Cream (Full Size $36// Value $4.30)// This product is so interesting. I don’t think I’ve ever had a beauty product quite like this. It’s a 5 in 1 multitasking cream made with egg extracts and collagen fibers. It works as a serum, priming moisturizer, eye cream, neck cream and sleeping mask. I am excited to give this a try because it is said that it tightens the appearance of pores, keeps skin looking healthy and firm and encourages the production of collagen.

VERB Leave-In Mist (Full Size $14// Value $1.75)// I love the way this mist smells! I can’t wait to use this product because it helps detangle/moisturize your hair, as well as keeps it strong. It also protect hair from heat. I am all for products that keep my hair moisturized.

Skin INC Pure Revival Peel (Full Size $//Value $4.68)// This product can be used as a primer, exfoliater and a peel. It helps remove dead skin and make you have a brighter complexion. One of the active ingredients in the peel is AC-11 which is derived from cat’s claw (a tropical vine that grows in the Amazon). When AC-11 is applied to the skin it is known to help gently exfoliate and care for environmental and sun damage.

Tom Ford Orchid Soleil (Full Size $82// Value $2.47)// I’m not a fan of this perfume. It had hints of spice and exotic florals. I enjoy floral scents but I’m not sure that floral and spices go well together. Maybe that’s just me!

Total Value of box: $47.20

What subscription services to you subscribe to? Let me know in the comments below.

It’s that time again! Another review for Play! by Sephora. I am still loving this subscription service. I have yet to be disappointed by the products they have sent me. This month’s theme is “The Unbasic Basics”. I really like this theme because with all of the beauty products that are out there these days, sometimes it’s great to just go back to the “basics”.

What is Play! by Sephora? It’s a $10 a month beauty subscription service with five samples and one perfume sample each month. All of the brands are carried at Sephora. I love this because Sephora has a lot of high-end brands that I would love to try out; however, sometimes spending the money to try those products can be pricey. Another great thing about the box is that it comes with a pamphlet that tells you all about the products and how to use them. Another bonus that you get with the box is a Play! pass which lets you earn 50 extra Beauty Insider points with any purchase.

What I received this month:

Sephora Collection Rouge Shine Lipstick in Love Spell (Full size $12.50// $3.37 value)// I really love how smooth and hydrating this lipstick is. It has a glossy finish but is not overly glossy. I would purchase this lipstick again or in a different color because it’s so affordable and I love the formula.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel (Full size $22// Value $7.48)// I will say this is the product that I am most excited about receiving. I love Anastasia’s brow gel. It is perfect for keeping your brows in place.

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Tropp (Full Size $20// Value $7)// I have never used any of Kat Von D’s products, so of course I was also excited about receiving this in my box. This liner is so perfect for making those precise lines. It’s a really dark black that’s highly pigmented.

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Night Cap Overnight Perfector (Full Size $28// Value $7)// Again a product that I have never tried before. I am a huge fan of hair masks though, so I can’t wait to try this out. This is a hair mask that you leave in your hair overnight. It helps restore softness and shininess to your hair.

Tory Birch Jolie Fleur Verte (Full Size $90)// This perfume smells so good! It’s a floral scent that is not overpowering. However; I don’t think I would pay $90 for a full size of this personally. That’s a lot of money!

Dr. Jart + Water Drop Hydrating Moisturizer (Full Size $36)// This  is a water based moisturizer that provides hydration while visibly plumping and boosting overall appearance with hyaluronic acid. I have never heard of this brand before but I am excited to try a new moisturizer, especially with the winter months coming.

Again I am very impressed with this box. A lot of great products to be able to try out that I have not used before.

What subscription services to you subscribe to? Let me know in the comments below.