Summer Night Time Routine

Hey There!

Last night, before I could drift off to lala land, there were just a few things that I had to make sure were in place. I had to make sure that I took care of my nightly beauty routine so that I'd be fresh as a daisy the next morning. I don't overdo it at night. I just do a few things before bed.

First and foremost, I wash my face. I use my face wipes and then a cleanser, just to make sure everything comes off. Most of the time I have a simple makeup routine and the basic wipes work. But, you just want to make sure your face is clean and free from residue.

It's hot outside so I have officially changed over to my summer time, lighter moisturizer. I'm currently using Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture for Sensitive skin. It's light and keeps my skin moisturized day and night. In the winter I go a bit heavier at night but now, I can tone the moisture down a little bit.

I'm still using my Caudalíe Eau De Beautie spray. I know it's expensive and I know that no one is 100% sure what magical fantastic-ness that it really does but I love it. It makes my skin feel good and it smells great and when I spritz it on, I know that it's time for bed. It's a mental thing just as much as a physical thing.

Next, I really am trying to be better about slathering on the lotion. If nothing else, I make sure that my feet and hands get moisturized. I'm currently loving (ok in love with) my H2O Targeted Care Softening Mint Foot Rub and my Jergens Original Scent Dry Skin Moisturizer. Tried and true products that haven't steered me wrong yet!

And you have to get your smooth, soft, sexy lips in order! I have an array of night time lippie moisture sticks that I can use but these 4 are my current loves. Maybelline Baby Lips Dr. Rescue in Just Peachy is really nice. But, after wearing it for a few weeks, I have to switch it up. Aquaphor is my jam! I will always have 17 tubes of this lying around the house. It is good for everything including lips!  I purchased the Rimmel London Keep Calm and Love lip balm a while ago. I'm really just trying to use it up. It doesn't bring much of anything to the party. And, the Softlips Sugar Plum Berry has been in my drawer for so long that any day now it's going to expire and end up in my big green tub of empties.

And that's what I do before diving in between my sheets. Many other things I've tried to add to the mix just don't make the cut but these steps are must dos. I always make sure to do these things or it's just not a good night.

And, I keep a big thing of water by the bed. You never know when you'll get thirsty!

Best In Beauty 2014

Hey There !

Yep, I'm doing it. I'm telling you all about my 2014 loves. I have spent the last week thinking about some of the products that I have used almost every day this year and those are the items that won Best in Beauty in my book.

Maybelline Baby Lips lip balms have been slathered on my lips ALL year! I love them! I keep then all over the place. My favorite for night is the Dr Rescue and all day is the Quenched flavor -- it smells like Fruity Pebbles! How can you pass that up?! These are so moisturizing and the price is just right. I have about 6 or 7 of these all around the house (in my purse, in my desk, by the bed...you know).

I've only owned my NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Biscuit for 2 months now but I am in LOVE with this concealer! I used my Bare Minerals Correcting Concealer in Tan 2 for years and then this NARS concealer came into my life. It's the perfect consistency, the perfect color and lasts maybe an hour longer than Bare Minerals. If I'm wearing full foundation, 2 hours.

One would think that I'd slow down on my makeup brush purchases but, I haven't. Some of my favorite brushes have been my e.l.f. Brushes from the studio line. The regular $1 line is fine but the $3 line is A...Maze....Ing! My favorite and most used brush is the Angled Blush Brush. I use it every day for my contouring. I also love the regular Studio Blush Brush. I use it to pop highlighter on the tops of my cheeks. I also use the Small Tapered Brush for under eye setting powder.

Mentioning under eye, I have fallen in love with the e.l.f. High Definition Undereye Setting Powder. I was afraid of the sparkle at first but the sparkle in the container doesn't come off under your eye. I go between the e.l.f. under eye concealing powder and the Bare Minerals concealing powder. This works beautifully with both.

I have many, many face powders. I don't like foundation as much as powder so I have to have one that delivers great coverage, matches my complexion with a hint of color and lasts for a good bit of the day. My favorite this year has been my Lancôme Dual Finish Powder in Bisque. It is just perfect in every way. If I'm not testing anything or just want to grab and go, this is the one I grab for.

My blush of the year was my e.l.f. Blush Palette in dark. Man! you can really do so many things with it. I think the only time I didn't use this was when I was testing others. I really enjoyed the versatility of it. The colors last a long time and you only need a touch on my cheeks. Now that I have the light palette, we are going to fall in love with that one.

I discovered my eyebrows this year. I had tried brow taming before and just didn't do it correctly. Then I tried it again with my Anastasia Brow Wiz in soft brown. Late to the party but dancin' like a fool when I got there! I like the color and the fact that it stays put like a champ. This is the only colored brow product that I use now.

Lips, lips, lips. I have waaaay too many lipsticks and lip glosses to pick my faves of the year. I was testing so many lippies that I can't pick a favorite but what I can tell you is that NYX Retractable Lip Liner in Nude Pink has been my go to lip liner all year.  I thought I had lost it for about a week and so I picked up another one (and then, of course, found the original one). It's a beautiful dusty pink that goes with almost every lippie I own. It complements pinks, browns and even a few reds! And, it's cheap as all get out. If you don't own that one, you really have to get it.

My very lush, very decadent product of the year has been my Caudalíe Beauty Elixir.  It's a spray of freshness and peppermint that I put on most nights. It prepares my face for sleep and I enjoy it so much. I've heard folks say that it's over priced for something that doesn't have a purpose other than to refresh the face. It's a bit expensive but it really is worth it. I mean if you found something that instantly changes your mood and makes you feel renewed and refreshed, isn't it worth it? I think so.

And last, but not least, I have to talk about my favorite nail accoutrement. I know that everyone has their favorite nail top coat but when I tell you that Sally Hansen Insta-Dri is my forever love...you'd better believe it! I always paint my nails about 20 minutes before bed time and this top coat dries my nails in about 5 minutes. I very, very rarely get sheet marks or mistakes. This stuff is great. 

So what did you show the most love to in 2014? Are you ready for 2015? Do you already have something that you are sure will be a winner?

Quickie Review - Caudalíe Beauty Elixir

About a year ago someone mentioned loving this beauty elixir. They said that it was refreshing and even though it can be a bit expensive, the feeling that you got after a few sprays was well worth it. I pulled up several reviews online and most people liked it. The flaw was the price point. Even though the price tag would sting a little bit, I decided to try this stuff for myself.

Let me step back and say, there are many times that we short change our bodies. We spend money on purses and shoes and forget the important things like our health, foundation garments and skin care. We complain about $30 for a skin cream (that we can take back if it doesn't work) or $40 for a good bra (that boosts what your mama gave you and helps support your back just right) but we will save all of our hard earned cash for a $200 purse.

But I digress...

I purchased the purse size of this elixir for $18 at Sephora. I thought about the larger size but decided to start small. The website tells you to spray it on before your moisturizer, use after your foundation or use anytime of the day as a refresher. I have tried this several times during the day but I find that I like it best when I use it at night before going to bed.

It has a strong smell. It's not minty really but it's loud. It's strong when you spray but honestly it dissipates quickly and you have a fresh face smell (I can't explain it, sorry). Some people might not like it but I feel like it refreshes my skin and my face feels nice afterwards.

Different folks claim different results from this beauty elixir. Some like it as a toner and some like it as a setting spray. Some claim that it moisturizes the skin, some people like the glow. Honestly, I like it as a toner and "day finisher". I call it that because once I spray my face, that's my signal to my body that it's time to wind down and head to bed. I just feel like it helps me sleep better and that might be mental but you know what...if it works, it's worth it.

I know there are other refreshers/toners on the market - MAC Fix+, Caswell-Massey Rose Water, Olay Minimizing Skin Toner, Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist, etc... I might try a few others and see if any of them do the same thing.

If you are unsure about this, go into Sephora and ask the ladies to spray you. Then walk around a bit and see what you think. I did that and guess what came home with me?!